The last time Trinity academics elected a provost, they chose the first Catholic provost. This time they have chosen a former trainee priest.
Prof John Hegarty spent several years studying for the priesthood at Maynooth in the 1960s but says it was "not for me". Instead, blinded by science, he took to studying physics, eventually emerging with a PhD from NUI Galway. Since then he has produced more than 140 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals. His manner and persona are those befitting a researcher used to working empirically.
Unlike the man he is replacing, Dr Thomas Mitchell, who had a background in classics, Prof Hegarty is a plain spoken man not prone to waxing lyrically about Trinity's centuries of tradition.
"I like taking action and getting things done quickly and without too much fuss," he says. His success in raising almost £50 million in research funding over the past five years is testament to that.
This success was the main advantage he carried into the election. As one college source put it: "He was seen by many as the man who made Trinity rich in terms of research money, so many staff said, `maybe he can do it again on the bigger stage'."
Reading his manifesto, it is hard to discern any radical agenda. But Prof Hegarty is not interested in transforming the university with dramatic gestures and says Trinity should enter a period of "consolidation".
As part of this he wants to halt the growth in student numbers. Trinity had fewer than 10,000 students at the start of the 1990s but this has reached almost 15,000. According to Prof Hegarty, Trinity's buildings and facilities are creaking under the strain.
He believes a 50 per cent increase in funding (both private and State) is what is needed to make Trinity a bit roomier and says the emphasis in the 1980s of constantly pushing up the third level intake is over.
So, does this mean Trinity will become even harder to access for marginalised groups? "No, we will still have to look at where we are getting our school-leavers and make sure disadvantaged students can get a chance," he says.
Prof Hegarty and his wife, Neasa Ni Chinneide - who is on leave of absence from RTE - are looking forward to moving into one of the city's most exclusive addresses - 1 Grafton Street.
The Provost's residence contains a valuable art collection and some of the most beautiful rooms in the country. But it gets noisy when the traffic builds up outside.
That will not be a major change, however, as Prof Hegarty currently lives amid the night-time din of Leeson Street.
Prof Hegarty replaces Dr Mitchell in August, and one of his first tasks will be to appoint his team. He has a right to select a vice-provost, senior lecturer, bursar, registrar and several other important posts.
"I've made no promises to anybody so far," he says. But college observers will be watching closely to see if any of the four candidates he defeated are chosen.