Hollywood actor Martin Sheen has been offered a place at National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), after expressing an interest in studying in Ireland.

The university confirmed today that Sheen would be accepted as a student there if he chooses to come to Ireland to study.

Sheen, whose mother hailed from Galway, said that he would like to take up residence in Ireland after he retires from the television series "The West Wing".

Sheen said, "I never got my high school diploma and have always felt a need to address that."

"My plan is to read English literature, philosophy and theology in Galway, in Ireland, where my late mother came from and where I am also a citizen," the 64-year-old actor said.

A spokesperson for NUIG said today, "Obviously we would be quite happy to accommodate him."

"We do have the Huston School of Film and Digital Media, of which Anjelica Huston is a patron. It was named after John Huston. That would be a Hollywood connection. If he is aware of that, I don't know. Obviously, he would be most welcome," the spokesperson said.