St Patrick's College, Dublin

The college was established at 1–2 Drumcondra Road in 1875, moving to the Belvedere House in 1883 following the purchase by the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, when the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian) community took over the running of the College. In its first 25 years over 2,000 students graduated from the college. The college trained students to become primary school teachers and was male only until 1971. In 1894, a National School was established on campus and students would practice there. St Patrick's College of Education was a recognised colleges of the National University of Ireland from 1975 to 1995.[1] In 1993, the college commenced its association with the nearby Dublin City University (DCU) which was newly established. In 1995 the college of education formally ended its connection with the NUI and becoming a college of DCU. The college developed a number of Arts and Humanities undergraduate and postgraduate courses with DCU. The Vincentian administration of the College ended in 1999. In 2008 the college, along with the other local colleges, Mater Dei and All Hallows, signed a new linkage agreement with Dublin City University.[2] In May 2012, it was announced that there would be a €40 million investment in facilities at the college to provide for 2,500 students.[3]

Dr Daire Keogh of the history department was the 14th and last President of the college, taking over from Dr Pauric Travers, in September 2012.[4] Dr Travers had been the first lay president of the college, appointed in 1999. Previous presidents of the college have included Fr Peter Byrne CM (1883-1919)[5] when the vincentians came to the college, Fr Jerome Twomey CM (1942-1948), and Dr Donal Cregan CM (1957-1976).

Notable buildings on the campus include Belvedere House which was built c.1660 by Sir Robert Booth, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.

Residents of the house included:

• Marmaduke Coghill, Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland
• Henry Singleton, MP for Drogheda and later Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas
• The 1st Baron Bowes, Lord Chancellor of Ireland
• The 1st Viscount Lifford, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and former MP for Coventry
• The 1st Baron Rokeby, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh. Lord Rokeby founded, in 1790, Armagh Observatory.

The Congregation of Christian Brothers established a noviciate in the house prior to transferring to Coláiste Mhuire, Marino, in 1875, when they sold Belvedere House to Cardinal Cullen for £3,000 for the establishment of the College.

The College was divided into two faculties, Education and Humanities. From the time of its affiliation to DCU in 1995 the College's offerings of Arts programmes in the Humanities was increased.

St Pat's provided a variety of student services such as career advice, access support, mature student support, medical and welfare services and an International Office.

The College also had a Students' Union which oversaw clubs such as GAA, rugby, soccer, and other pursuits, and societies for drama, St Vincent De Paul, the Choral Society, and more.

St Pat's Students' Union had two sabbatical positions;'President' and 'Vice President and Welfare' and seven non-sabbatical positions; Clubs & Socs Officer, Education Officer, Ents Officer, Equality Officer, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, International Officer and Women's Officer. In 2015, students voted to change the structure of the SU. The new SU for the academic year 2015/16 was led by two sabbatical positions; 'President' and 'Vice President Welfare and Ents' as well as seven non-sabbatical positions; Clubs Officer, Day Time Activities Officer, Education Officer, International Officer, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, Mature's Officer, and Societies Officer.[6]

Famous alumni from the college included;

• Patrick Breen Teacher, President of the GAA 1924-1926
• John McGahern Writer (1934–2006)
• Máirtín Ó Cadhain Writer, Republican (1906–1970)
• Peadar O'Donnell Writer, Republican (1893–1986)
• Mattie McDonagh Galway footballer (1936–2005)
• Patrick McCabe Writer 1955-
• Enda Kenny, former Taoiseach (Irish prime minister)
• Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, broadcaster
• Michael Noonan, Minister for Finance
• Brendan Howlin, TD 1987-, Minister for Health, Environment and Public Expenditure & Reform. Leader of the Irish Labour Party.
• Bryan MacMahon Writer (1909-1998)
• Ciaran Kilkenny Dublin All Ireland winning footballer
• Don Wycherley Cork Actor
• James "Cha" Fitzpatrick Kilkenny All Ireland winning Hurler
• John D Ruddy YouTuber

• Official site