St. Patrick's College, Thurles
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Mary Immaculate College, (MIC) Thurles is a third level college of education in Thurles, County Tipperary. Formerly a seminary, the college specialises in humanities courses in accounting, business studies, Irish and religious studies.


History

MIC, Thurles was founded in 1837 as St. Patrick's College. The college is a charitable institution operating under the patronage of the Dr.
Patrick Everard Patrick Everard (died 31 March 1821) was a Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly from 1820 to 1821., ''The Episcopal Succession in England, Scotland and Ireland, volume 2'', p. 30. Biography Everard was born in ...
, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. Dr. Everard died in 1821 and left £10,000 "for the purpose of founding a college to provide a liberal education of Catholic youth destined for the priesthood and professional/business careers".''St. Patrick's College, Thurles: Irish Priests in the United States: A Vanishing Subculture''
By William L. Smith
The architect who won the competition to build the college was
Charles Frederick Anderson Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was "f ...
(1802-1869). The college was built on church land bought from a local Protestant minister, the first stone was laid by Dr.
Robert Laffan Robert Laffan (died 3 July 1833) was an Irish Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly from 1823 to 1833. He was the son of Walter Laffan, Esquire, of Cashel in County Tipperary, Ireland, and a grandson of Richa ...
Archbishop of Cashel, on 6 July 1829, in the presence of Daniel O'Connell. The college opened as an educational institution in September 1837, to day-students and boarders, offering second-level education in the humanities, with a limited contribution from the sciences, to students wishing to prepare for priesthood as well as careers in business and other professions. In 1842, a philosophy department was added to the college, and with some students becoming candidates for the priesthood for the first time. Prevailing poverty and hardship caused by the Famine temporarily inhibited the development of St. Patrick's College. However, by the middle of the 1860s, the college had developed into a major seminary with the addition of a full theological faculty. In 1842, Archbishop of Cashel Michael Slattery established a foreign mission department in St. Patrick's College, Thurles, many of its graduates going to the United States, Australia and New Zealand. In 1849, the University of London, allowed Thurles to offer degrees in arts and laws, following an example from St. Patrick's College, Carlow. The relationship with London University lasted over 20 years. In 1875, the college was linked to the Catholic University of Ireland, and subsequently the Royal University of Ireland in the 1900s, before being linked with the Pontifical University in Maynooth. In 1850, a
synod A synod () is a council of a Christian denomination, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word ''wikt:synod, synod'' comes from the meaning "assembly" or "meeting" and is analogous with the Latin ...
of bishops met in Thurles, the first since the Middle Ages. Lay students attended the college from its opening in 1837 up until 1907.St. Patrick's College, Thurles Quality Assurance Manual 2009
HETAC Documents
Although lay students stopped being boarders in 1873, by 1907 only 20 lay students were enrolled. In 1965 a new wing was opened by Archbishop of Cashes, and former Thurles professor Rev Dr. Morris, the new building included College Oratory, students’ rooms and an assembly hall. From 1973, students were able to qualify with diplomas in theology from Pontifical University in Maynooth. This programme developed into a degree ( Bachelor of Theology) and was available under the Pontifical University via the
CAO Cao or CAO may refer to: Mythology *Cao (bull), a legendary bull in Meitei mythology Companies or organizations * Air China Cargo, ICAO airline designator CAO *CA Oradea, Romanian football club *CA Osasuna, Spanish football club *Canadian Assoc ...
system until 2002. In 1977, a National Certificate in Philosophical Studies was awarded by the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA). From 1909 to 1986, priests from the local Pallotine college in Thurles trained at St. Patrick's, also from 1950 until recent years the Mercy Sisters lived and worked in the college. College President James Ryan was instrumental the pallotines coming to Thurles in 1909, following he left his house to the pallotines, and they moved in there in 1943. In 1988, after a gap of 81 years, lay students were readmitted, and the college had its courses validated by the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA), such as the BA in theology which allowed graduates to teach in secondary schools, and since 2001 when the NCEA was replaced by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) has validated the colleges degree courses.Saint Patricks College Thurles – Video Presentation
StarSystemsVideo 1 September 2009
In 2002, the college ceased to function as a seminary, the college would have ordained over 1,500 men for the priesthood. The college also joined the Irish governments
CAO Cao or CAO may refer to: Mythology *Cao (bull), a legendary bull in Meitei mythology Companies or organizations * Air China Cargo, ICAO airline designator CAO *CA Oradea, Romanian football club *CA Osasuna, Spanish football club *Canadian Assoc ...
system for the allocation of college places for leaving certificate students, also Irish students became eligible for free fees and grants. In 2004 new structured undergraduate education degrees commenced in association with
Tipperary Institute The Technological University of the Shannon: Thurles Campus (TUS Thurles; established as the Tipperary Institute and later as LIT Tipperary ga, ITL Thiobráid Arann) is a constituent institute of the Technological University of the Shannon, lo ...
. On February 5th 2012, RTE broadcast their sunday mass service from St. Patrick's to celebrate its 175-year anniversary, there was also a civic reception in thurles to mark the anniversary.


Sports

The St. Patrick's Campus has full-scale Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) pitch onsite and also tennis and basketball courts, and a handball alley. The Thurles College naturally always had a connection to the GAA, and in recent years there was the St. Patricks College GAA Scholarship Award for degree students.


Hurling

St. Patrick's College, Thurles has won the Higher Education Colleges
Fergal Maher Cup The Fergal Maher Cup is a hurling cup competition for Third-level Colleges. The Cup is awarded to the winners of the Tier 3 Championship (the Fitzgibbon Cup and Ryan Cup are the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Higher Education Hurling Championships). The Ferg ...
on two occasions, in 2011 and 2013, they also were runners up in 1989 and 2012. The Camogie team won the O'Mhaolagáin Shield in 2015. Since incorporation into MIC, they compete as Mary Immaculate College Thurles.


Past students and people associated with the college

Over 1500 priests were ordained from Thurles, a large number of former students of the college became priests and bishops in other countries as was the focus of the seminary for many years, such as Dr.
James Byrne James or Jim Byrne may refer to: Politics * James A. Byrne (1906–1980), U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania * James Allen Byrne (1911–1975), Liberal Party member of the Canadian House of Commons * James J. Byrne (1863–1930), American sing ...
(Toowoomba, Australia), Dr. Lawrence Scanlan (Bishop of Salt Lake City) and Dr. John Cantwell (first Archbishop of Los Angeles), Dr. Thomas Flanagan (Bishop of San Antonio). Others associated with Irish parishes include Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Dr. Thomas Morris DD, who taught at the college from 1942 until 1960, Bishops Dr. Michael Russell former professor of moral theology and sacred eloquence (1948-1965) as well as vice-president(1962-1965), and former college president Dr. William Lee of Waterford. Bishop
Thomas F. Quinlan Rev. Thomas F. Quinlan S.S.C., D.D. was an Irish born priest, who served as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chunchon in Korea from 1945 until 1966. Life Thomas Quinlan a native of Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary, he studied for the priestho ...
of Borrisoleigh spent over four years in the college before joining the Columban Missionary Society. The Scotish-born Bishop of Argyll & the Isles, Scotland, Brian McGee trained in Thurles. Canon John Hayes the founder of
Muintir na Tíre Muintir na Tíre (, meaning "People of the Country") is a national Irish voluntary organisation that promotes community and rural development. Canon John Hayes John Martin Hayes (11 November 1887 – 30 January 1957) was an Irish Catholi ...
studied in Thurles for a time. John Finucane, Home Rule MP for East County Limerick from 1885 to 1900 studied at the college, taking first honours in rhetoric, logic and metaphysic. The Nationalist MP for Tipperary South from 1900 to 1918
John Cullinan John Cullinan (1858? – 17 December 1920) was Irish Nationalist Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Tipperary South, 1900–18. John Cullinan (also spelt Cullinane) was a journalist. He was born at Bansha, son of Charles Culli ...
also studied at the college. Rev. Thomas R. Power (1860-1920) was vice president and professor of mathematics at St Patrick's from 1888 to 1911.
Denis Keogh Denis Thomas Keogh (1838 - 24 August 1911) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. Biography Keogh was born at Galway, Ireland, the son of Thomas Joseph Keogh and his wife Margaret (née O'Toole).Civic Reception for 175th Anniversary of St Patrick's College
By Eoin Kelleher, Tipperary Star, Friday 6 July 2012.
Presidents of the college have included Dr. Patrick Leahy (1847-1857), who negotiated the colleges affiliation to the University of London in 1848, Rev. Edmund Ryan, Canon Arthur Ryan(1887-1903), Dean and Professor from 1876, Monsignor
James J. Ryan James J. Ryan (1851–1939) was an Irish Catholic priest in the diocese of Cashel, who served as president of St. Patrick's College, Thurles (1903–1914). Ryan also funded the establishment of Glenstal Abbey, inviting the Pallotine order to establi ...
J.C.B. (Lovan.), professor of church history from (1878-1903), vice-president(188?-1903) and president(1903-1914), Ryan was responsible for the pallotines coming to Thurles (leaving them his house), reestablishment of the Irish College in Louvain and he also bought
Glenstal Abbey Glenstal Abbey is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery of the Congregation of the Annunciation located in Murroe, County Limerick, Ireland. It is dedicated to Saint Joseph and Saint Columba. The current abbot of the monastery is Brendan Cof ...
for the benedictines, Canon Garret Cotter, Rev. Nicholas Cooke(1925-1936), Rev. Daniel M. Ryan, Rev. Francis Ryan (1957-19??), Rev. Canon Augustine O'Donnell (1972-1987), Dr. William Lee (1987–1993) Mgr. Christy O'Dwyer MA (1993–2004) and Fr. Tom Fogarty BA, MA, (2004-2015). Fr. Fogarty is also a former manager of both the Tipperary and Offaly hurling teams. Starting in 1970 every five years the college hosts an International Reunion of former students from Ireland and abroad who studied for the priesthood in Thurles.


Present

Today MIC, Thurles offers the following degrees: *BA in education, Business Studies and Accounting *BA in education, Business Studies And Religious Studies *BA in education, Gaeilge and Religious Studies *BA in education, Gaeilge and Business Studies *BA in education, Mathematics and Gaeilge *BA in education, Mathematics and Business Studies The undergraduate education degrees are recognised by the teaching council of Ireland enabling graduates to teach in secondary schools in Ireland. Over recent years refurbishments have taken place to lecture halls, tutorial rooms, library, old research library, computing facilities, playing pitch and the refectory as well as to the college's residential area and conference facilities. As well as the academic course the college runs a number of courses in pastoral care, youth work and Irish language training courses for adults. In 2012, the college celebrated its 175th anniversary, and were honoured by a civic reception by Thurles Town Council held in the Source Library.


University of Limerick alliance

Starting from September 2011, teaching degree programmes at St. Patrick's College are accredited by the University of Limerick, and graduates from 2012 on wards have been awarded degrees from the university.University of Limerick Degrees for Graduates of St Patrick's College, Thurles
University of Limerick Website, Friday, 6 May 2011.
The degrees awarded are BEd with Irish and religious studies and BEd with business studies and religious studies. Graduates are registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland and are qualified to teach to
Leaving Certificate A secondary school leaving qualification is a document signifying that the holder has fulfilled any secondary education requirements of their locality, often including the passage of a final qualification examination. For each leaving certifica ...
standard. Participants are also covered by the Government Free Fees Initiative.Exciting New Chapter For St. Patrick's College
By Ronan Dodd,
Tipperary Star The ''Tipperary Star'' is a weekly regional newspaper covering news in County Tipperary, Ireland. The newspaper's main office is located in Thurles town. The paper is currently owned by Iconic Newspapers Iconic Newspapers is an Irish newspape ...
, Published on Wednesday 4 May 2011.


Incorporation into Mary Immaculate College

In September 2016 a new deal was agreed which will see the 3rd level institution work with Mary Immaculate College in becoming a linked provider to the Limerick Centre of Excellence. The incorporation into Mary Immaculate has seen the college re-branded as MIC St. Patrick's Campus, Thurles.


The Irish Institute for Pastoral Studies

Founded in 2016, following the incorporation of MIC and St. Patrick's College, Irish Institute for Pastoral Studies is based at the MIC St. Patrick's Campus. The Institute supports faith formation and the pastoral mission of the church today. The Institute of Pastoral Studies collaborates with the ''Center for Mission Studies'', the Diocese of Ossory and
Maynooth College St Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth ( ga, Coláiste Naoimh Phádraig, Maigh Nuad), is the "National Seminary for Ireland" (a Roman Catholic college), and a pontifical university, located in the town of Maynooth, from Dublin, Ireland. ...
in providing the ''Aspal'' platform for those involved in ministry.


Graduation

19 October 2012 saw the first students graduate with University of Limerick degrees which were presented by University of Limerick President Professor Don Barry. The second conferring by UL took place on 18 October 2013. The 2014 ceremony took place on 17 October in St. Patrick's, in attendance were the academic staff of the college and representatives of the University of Limerick, as well as students family and friends in attendance. Similarly in the past graduation took place on campus each autumn with academic staff, representatives of HETAC, figures from other educational institutions and local public figures, as well as students family and friends in attendance.Graduates Celebrate at St. Patrick's College
Tipperary Star, Friday 20 November 2009.


Publications

*''Luceat'' - is an annual magazine produced by the college


External links

*


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Patrick's College, Thurles Buildings and structures in County Tipperary Universities and colleges in the Republic of Ireland Former Catholic seminaries Catholic universities and colleges in the Republic of Ireland Education in County Tipperary Educational institutions established in 1837 Education schools in Ireland Thurles 1837 establishments in Ireland Seminaries and theological colleges in the Republic of Ireland