National University of Ireland, Maynooth, was established as one of the seven universities in Ireland by the Universities Act, 1997. Over 15,000 students are enrolled in the university, employing over 900 staff from over 20 different countries. In 2009, Maynooth University was listed as a Top500 university in the Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings. In 2008, it was named The Sunday Times 'University of the Year'. Maynooth is also the only university town in Ireland, all other universities being based within cities. The university consists of two connected campuses: an older southern campus, with 19th-century buildings, shared with St Patrick's College, and, across a public road, a modern northern campus, occupying circa 100 acres (0.40 km2).