St Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth (), is a
pontifical Catholic university in the town of
Maynooth
Maynooth (; ) is a university town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to Maynooth University (part of the National University of Ireland and also known as the National University of Ireland, Maynooth) and St Patrick's College, Maynoo ...
near
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...
. The college and national seminary on its grounds are often referred to as Maynooth College.
The college was officially established as the Royal College of St Patrick by
Maynooth College Act 1795.
Thomas Pelham, the
Chief Secretary for Ireland
The Chief Secretary for Ireland was a key political office in the British Dublin Castle administration, administration in Ireland. Nominally subordinate to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Lieutenant, and officially the "Chief Secretar ...
, introduced a bill for the foundation of a
Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
college, and this was enacted by parliament. It was opened to hold up to 500 students for the Catholic priesthood of whom up to 90 would be ordained each year, and was once the largest seminary in the world.
Degrees are awarded by the Pontifical University at Maynooth, which was established by a
pontifical charter of 1896. The pontifical charter entitles the university to grant degrees in
canon law
Canon law (from , , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical jurisdiction, ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its membe ...
,
philosophy
Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...
and
theology
Theology is the study of religious belief from a Religion, religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an Discipline (academia), academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itse ...
.
The college is associated with the state-run
Maynooth University
Maynooth University (MU) (), is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland. Maynooth University was formerly known as National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM; ). It was Ireland ...
, with which it shares an historic campus, as well as certain facilities.
History
16th century foundation
The town of Maynooth, County Kildare, was the seat of the Fitzgeralds, Earls of Kildare. The ivy-covered tower attached to St Mary's Church of Ireland is all that remains of the ancient college of St Mary of Maynooth, founded and endowed by Gerald, 8th Earl of Kildare, and dedicated to the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Mary was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Saint Joseph, Joseph and the mother of Jesus. She is an important figure of Christianity, venerated under titles of Mary, mother of Jesus, various titles such as Perpetual virginity ...
. On 7 October 1515
Henry VIII
Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...
granted licence for the establishment of a college. In 1518, the 9th Earl presented a petition to the
Archbishop of Dublin
The Archbishop of Dublin () is an Episcopal polity, archiepiscopal title which takes its name from Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Since the Reformation in Ireland, Reformation, there have been parallel apostolic successions to the title: ...
,
William Rokeby, for a license to found and endow a college at Maynooth: the College of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1535 the college was suppressed and its endowments and lands confiscated as part of the Reformation.
1795 re-establishment
The present college was created in the 1790s against the background of the
upheaval during the French Revolution and the gradual removal of the
penal laws. The college was particularly intended to provide for the education of Catholic priests in Ireland, who until this Act had to go to continental Europe for their formation and theological education. Many were educated in France, and the church and government were concerned at the
Dechristianization of France during the French Revolution, and at the same time at the risk of revolutionary thinking arising from training in
revolutionary France (with whom Britain was at war). A number of the early lecturers in Maynooth, were exiles from France (such as sometimes called the French ''founding fathers'', Professors
Francois Anglade,
André Darré,
Louis-Gilles Delahogue, and
Pierre-Justin Delort), also among the first professors was a layman
James Bernard Clinch recommended by
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke (; 12 January ew Style, NS1729 – 9 July 1797) was an Anglo-Irish Politician, statesman, journalist, writer, literary critic, philosopher, and parliamentary orator who is regarded as the founder of the Social philosophy, soc ...
. Also relevant was the enactment of the
Roman Catholic Relief Act 1793.
The college was legally established on 5 June 1795 by the
Maynooth College Act 1795 as ''The Royal College of St Patrick'', by act of the
Parliament of Ireland
The Parliament of Ireland () was the legislature of the Lordship of Ireland, and later the Kingdom of Ireland, from 1297 until the end of 1800. It was modelled on the Parliament of England and from 1537 comprised two chambers: the Irish Hou ...
, to provide "for the better education of persons professing the
popish or
Roman Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
religion". The college was originally established to provide a university education for Catholic lay and ecclesiastical students, the lay college was based in Riverstown House on the south campus from 1802. With the opening of
Clongowes Wood in 1814, the lay college (which had lay trustees) was closed and the college functioned solely as a Catholic seminary for almost 150 years.
In 1800,
John Butler, 12th Baron Dunboyne, died and left a substantial fortune to the college. Butler had been a Roman Catholic, and Bishop of Cork, who had embraced
Protestantism
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...
in order to marry and guarantee the succession to his hereditary title. However, there were no children to his marriage and it was alleged that he had been reconciled to the Catholic Church at his death. Were this the case, a
Penal Law
Criminal law is the body of law that relates to crime. It proscribes conduct perceived as threatening, harmful, or otherwise endangering to the property, health, safety, and welfare of people inclusive of one's self. Most criminal law is esta ...
demanded that the
will
Will may refer to:
Common meanings
* Will and testament, instructions for the disposition of one's property after death
* Will (philosophy), or willpower
* Will (sociology)
* Will, volition (psychology)
* Will, a modal verb - see Shall and will
...
was invalid and his wealth would pass to his family. Much
litigation
A lawsuit is a proceeding by one or more parties (the plaintiff or claimant) against one or more parties (the defendant) in a civil court of law. The archaic term "suit in law" is found in only a small number of laws still in effect today. ...
followed before a negotiated settlement in 1808 that led to the establishment of a Dunboyne scholarship fund.
The land was donated by
William FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster, who had argued in favour of Catholic Emancipation in the
Irish House of Lords
The Irish House of Lords was the upper house of the Parliament of Ireland that existed from medieval times until the end of 1800. It was also the final court of appeal of the Kingdom of Ireland.
It was modelled on the House of Lords of Englan ...
. He lived nearby at
Carton
A carton is a box or container usually made of liquid packaging board, paperboard and sometimes of corrugated fiberboard.
Many types of cartons are used in packaging. Sometimes a carton is also called a box.
Types of cartons
Folding cartons
...
and also at
Leinster House
Leinster House () is the seat of the Oireachtas, the parliament of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Originally, it was the ducal palace of the Duke of Leinster, Dukes of Leinster.
Since 1922, it has been a complex of buildings which houses Oirea ...
. The building work was paid for by the
British Government
His Majesty's Government, abbreviated to HM Government or otherwise UK Government, is the central government, central executive authority of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ; parliament continued to give it an annual grant until the
Irish Church Act 1869. When this law was passed the college received a capital sum of £369,000. The trustees invested 75% of this in mortgages to Irish landowners at a yield of 4.25% or 4.75% per annum. This would have been considered a secure investment at that time but agitation for land reform and the depression of the 1870s eroded this security. The largest single mortgage was granted to the
Earl of Granard. Accumulated losses on these transactions reached £35,000 by 1906.
The first building to go up on this site was designed by, and named after,
John Stoyte; Stoyte House, which can still be seen from the entrance to the old campus, is a well-known building to Maynooth students and stands very close to the very historic
Maynooth Castle. Over the next 15 years, the site at Maynooth underwent rapid construction so as to cater for the influx of new students, and the buildings which now border St Joseph's Square (to the rear of Stoyte House) were completed by 1824.
The Rev.
Laurence F. Renehan (1797–1857), a noted antiquarian, church historian, and cleric, served as president of St Patrick's from 1845 until 1857. Under Renehan, many of the college's most important buildings were constructed by
Augustus Pugin
Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin ( ; 1 March 1812 – 14 September 1852) was an English architect, designer, artist and critic with French and Swiss origins. He is principally remembered for his pioneering role in the Gothic Revival architecture ...
.
Maynooth Grant
Following the controversy regarding the
Maynooth Grant, the college received a higher annual grant from the British Government, as well as a sum for repairs. In 1845, the British government under
Robert Peel increased the annual grant to Maynooth College from £9,000 to £26,000, and provided a capital grant of £30,000 for building extensions again. However this was controversial as Roman Catholics saw it as a bribe, while most Protestants were not in favour of the government funding Roman Catholic education. For example, the
Anti-Maynooth Conference was hosted in London in May 1845 by Conservatives, evangelical Anglicans and the Protestant Association to campaign against the Maynooth Grant.
Oath of Allegiance
As part of the Act on which Maynooth College was founded, students and trustees of the college were expected to take an Oath of Allegiance to the Crown.
[Maynooth College](_blank)
New Advent. Some clerical students did not attend since they objected to pledging allegiance to the head of the Anglican church.
Michael O'Hickey
In 1909, Irish language activist and scholar
Micheál Pádraig Ó hIcí (1860–1916) was dismissed from his position as Professor of Irish for his conduct in the controversy over Irish as a matriculation subject for the new
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland (NUI) () is a federal university system of ''constituent universities'' (previously called '' constituent colleges'') and ''recognised colleges'' set up under the Irish Universities Act 1908, and signifi ...
. He was supported by such Maynooth figures as the college president,
Daniel Mannix, and the Professor of Theology,
Walter McDonald (1854–1920).
In ''An Linn Bhuí'', the Irish-language journal of Co Waterford, O'Hickey's home county, Mícheál Briody, lecturer at the Languages Centre, Helsinki University, Finland, says that O'Hickey was a prominent member of the Gaelic League and fiercely in favour of compulsory Irish for the new University of Ireland, whereas Mannix, then President of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, together with most of the Catholic bishops, was opposed. This was the cause of O'Hickey's sacking. Briody says that the senate of the new university, one year after O'Hickey's sacking, agreed to Irish being compulsory for matriculation and not long after that Mannix was posted as the Archbishop of Melbourne in Australia against his own will. Mannix, however, later became a strong supporter of Irish republicanism and something of a thorn in the side of the authorities both ecclesiastical and civil, in Australia as well as Britain.
Expansion
In 1876 the college became a constituent college of the
Catholic University of Ireland
The Catholic University of Ireland (CUI; ) was a private Catholic Church, Catholic university in Dublin, Ireland. It was founded in 1851 following the Synod of Thurles in 1850, and in response to the Queen's University of Ireland and its assoc ...
, and later offered
Royal University of Ireland
The Royal University of Ireland was a university in Ireland that existed from 1879 to 1909. It was founded in accordance with the University Education (Ireland) Act 1879 as an examining and degree-awarding university based on the model of the ...
degrees in arts and science. Even after the granting of the Pontifical Charter in 1896 the college became a ''recognised college'' of the
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland (NUI) () is a federal university system of ''constituent universities'' (previously called '' constituent colleges'') and ''recognised colleges'' set up under the Irish Universities Act 1908, and signifi ...
in 1910, and from this time its arts and science degrees were awarded by the National University of Ireland. However, during this time the Pontifical University of Maynooth continued to confer its degrees in theology, because until 1997 theology degrees were prohibited by the Royal University of Ireland and its successor the National University of Ireland.
Lay entry
In 1966 after a gap of nearly 150 years lay students again entered the college, these being the members of lay
religious institute
In the Catholic Church, a religious institute is "a society in which members, according to proper law, pronounce public religious vows, vows, either perpetual or temporary which are to be renewed, however, when the period of time has elapsed, a ...
s, and in 1968 all
laity
In religious organizations, the laity () — individually a layperson, layman or laywoman — consists of all Church membership, members who are not part of the clergy, usually including any non-Ordination, ordained members of religious orders, e ...
were accepted; by 1977 they outnumbered religious students.
Separation of NUI Maynooth / Maynooth University
In 1997 the Universities Act, 1997 was passed by the
Oireachtas
The Oireachtas ( ; ), sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann, is the Bicameralism, bicameral parliament of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The Oireachtas consists of the president of Ireland and the two houses of the Oireachtas (): a house ...
. Chapter IX of the Act provided for the creation of the separate
Maynooth University
Maynooth University (MU) (), is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland. Maynooth University was formerly known as National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM; ). It was Ireland ...
. This new university was created from the college's
faculties of Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy, and Science.
In 1994, W. J. Smyth had been appointed to the position of Master of St Patrick's College Maynooth (NUI). In 1997 this position was converted into President of MU. After his 10-year term ended in 2004, he was replaced by John Hughes as president of Maynooth University and a new line of heads for the college.
Seminary in 21st century
By 2016, the number of resident seminarians dropped from several hundreds to just 40 to 60.
In August 2016 it was revealed that, due to frequent use of
Grindr by college students, the then
Archbishop of Dublin
The Archbishop of Dublin () is an Episcopal polity, archiepiscopal title which takes its name from Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Since the Reformation in Ireland, Reformation, there have been parallel apostolic successions to the title: ...
Diarmuid Martin decided to transfer the students from his diocese to the
Irish Pontifical College in Rome.
According to Martin, "there are allegations on different sides", one of which of an "atmosphere that was growing in Maynooth" of a "homosexual, a gay culture, that students have been using an app called Grindr", which "would be fostering promiscuous sexuality, which is certainly not in any way the mature vision of sexuality one would expect a priest to understand".
Subsequently, the college
trustee
Trustee (or the holding of a trusteeship) is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, refers to anyone in a position of trust and so can refer to any individual who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the ...
s had ordered a review of the college's policy on
social media
Social media are interactive technologies that facilitate the Content creation, creation, information exchange, sharing and news aggregator, aggregation of Content (media), content (such as ideas, interests, and other forms of expression) amongs ...
use.
Timeline
*1518 –
Garret Óg Fitzgerald,
Earl of Kildare, founded the College of St Mary, in Maynooth
*1535 – College of St. Mary confiscated as part of
Henry VIII
Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...
's religious policies
*1795 – ''The Royal College of St Patrick'' established on 5 June 1795
*1800 –
Act of Union 1800
The Acts of Union 1800 were parallel acts of the Parliament of Great Britain and the Parliament of Ireland which united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland (previously in personal union) to create the United Kingdom of G ...
results in the transfer of Maynooth grant from Dublin to London
*1808 – Dunboyne Establishment case settled between the Maynooth Trustees and Butler family
*1817 - Maynooth College Cemetery opened
*1869–71 – Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland by the British parliament (promoted by
Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone ( ; 29 December 1809 – 19 May 1898) was a British politican, starting as Conservative MP for Newark and later becoming the leader of the Liberal Party (UK), Liberal Party.
In a career lasting over 60 years, he ...
), Maynooth was disendowed, and the lay trustees left the board.
*1875 –
Second National Synod held in Maynooth
*1876 – Maynooth became a constituent college of the
Catholic University of Ireland
The Catholic University of Ireland (CUI; ) was a private Catholic Church, Catholic university in Dublin, Ireland. It was founded in 1851 following the Synod of Thurles in 1850, and in response to the Queen's University of Ireland and its assoc ...
*1891 – College Chapel built by
J. J. McCarthy opened
*1896 – Maynooth granted
pontifical university
A pontifical university or athenaeum is an ecclesiastical university established or approved directly by the Holy See, composed of three main ecclesiastical faculties (Theology, Philosophy and canon law (Catholic Church), Canon Law) and at least o ...
status by Papal Charter from
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII (; born Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci; 2March 181020July 1903) was head of the Catholic Church from 20 February 1878 until his death in July 1903. He had the fourth-longest reign of any pope, behind those of Peter the Ap ...
*1910 – St. Patrick's College, Maynooth officially became a ''recognised college'' of the
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland (NUI) () is a federal university system of ''constituent universities'' (previously called '' constituent colleges'') and ''recognised colleges'' set up under the Irish Universities Act 1908, and signifi ...
*1911 – Coronation Visit of King George V to the Royal College of St Patrick, Maynooth
*1918 –
Maynooth Mission to China founded
*1979 – Visit of
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 16 October 1978 until Death and funeral of Pope John Paul II, his death in 2005.
In his you ...
*1981 – Publication of ''An Bíobla Naofa'', the first complete Irish Language version of The Bible
*1996 – ''National Centre for Liturgy'' moves to Maynooth from
Carlow College.
*1997 –
Maynooth University
Maynooth University (MU) (), is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland. Maynooth University was formerly known as National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM; ). It was Ireland ...
founded from the faculties of Science, Arts and Celtic studies, with the faculties of Philosophy, Canon Law and Theology remaining as St. Patrick's College, degrees awarded by the Pontifical University.
Student activities and alumni
Maynooth Students' Union represents students of St Patrick's College, Maynooth and
NUI Maynooth.
The ''Maynooth Union'' was founded in 1895 during the centenary and the constitution agreed in 1896, to "foster a spirit of mutual sympathy between the College and its past students and friends", it hosts an annual reunion. Maynooth Alumni Association provides graduates of the St. Patrick's College, Maynooth and NUI Maynooth, with a channel to keep in touch with their ''alma mater'' as well as with friends and classmates from their time in Maynooth it is based in Riverstown Lodge on the south campus.
In 1972 Maynooth entered the
Gaelic Football
Gaelic football (; short name '')'', commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA, or football, is an Irish team sport. A form of football, it is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score ...
Sigerson Cup
The Sigerson Cup is the trophy for the premier Gaelic football championship among Higher Education institutions (Universities, Colleges and Institutes of Technology) in Ireland. It traditionally begins in mid January and ends in late February. T ...
for the first time and won it in 1976. They also participate in the
Hurling
Hurling (, ') is an outdoor Team sport, team game of ancient Gaelic culture, Gaelic Irish origin, played by men and women. One of Ireland's native Gaelic games, it shares a number of features with Gaelic football, such as the field and goa ...
competition, the
Fitzgibbon Cup and won it in 1973 and 1974.
Emblem
St. Patrick's Flag is used as the emblem of the college, and the flag has flown above
Stoyte House, a new logo was used for the buildup and since the bicentennial of the college based on the Gothic buildings. The St. Patrick's flag is on the coat of arms of the
Duke of Leinster
Duke of Leinster (; ) is a title and the premier dukedom in the Peerage of Ireland. The subsidiary titles of the Duke of Leinster are: Marquess of Kildare (1761), Earl of Kildare (1316), Earl of Offaly (1761), Viscount Leinster, of Taplow in th ...
who donated the land for Maynooth College. The St. Patrick's flag is also contained in the logo of St. Patrick's Pontifical University Maynooth, the Maynooth logo, with the papal keys symbol behind it.
Governance
From its foundation 1795 Maynooth had been governed by a board of clerical (long-serving Catholic bishops of Ireland) and lay trustees appointed by the government. The lay trustees were prominent Catholic Lords, such as the
Earl of Fingall Arthur James Plunkett and the
Lord Chancellor of Ireland. One of the side effects of the act to disestablish the Church of Ireland, was that Maynooth's governance and funding changed, leaving only the Bishops on the board of trustees.(Vic., C.25)
Buildings
The historic buildings of Maynooth.
*Stoyte House – dating from 1780, originally the home of the steward of the Leinster estate.
*College Chapel - arguably the most precious building of all on the entire campus, the foundation stone was laid in 1875 and it was opened for worship in 1891 in preparation for the college's first centenary.
*St. Joseph's Square – the square is laid out as a formal garden. The eastern side of the square contains Callan Hall and Physics Hall.
*Dunboyne House – South wing of St. Joseph's Square.
[Dunboyne and Humanity House](_blank)
Maynooth Historical South Campus.
*Humanity House – Extension to Dunboyne completing south wing of St. Joseph's Square.
*New House – North wing of St. Joseph's Square, completed in 1809 and rebuilt after being burnt down in the 1940s.
*St. Mary's Square
*St. Mary's
*St. Patrick's
*
Russell Library – designed by
Augustus Welby Pugin and completed in 1861.
*
Pugin Hall
*
Aula Maxima – opened in 1893, was the gift to his alma mater of the Right Rev. Mgr.
James McMahon of
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C., United States. It is one of two pontifical universities of the Catholic Church in the United States – the only one that is not primarily ...
in Washington, D.C.
*Riverstown House – used by the lay college from 1801 to 1817. Now Alumni office for both St. Patrick's College, and MU.
*Logic House – Mathematics and Music Departments (MU).
*Rhetoric House – History, Geography and Economics Departments (MU).
*Loftus Halls – Examination halls.
*Senior Infirmary/Columba Centre – designed in the early 1860s by JJ McCarthy is today used as office space by Irish Bishops' Conference, Accord and CURA.
*Staff Dining Hall
*Museum – The museum houses many beautiful ecclesiastical and scientific artifacts.
*
John Paul II
Pope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 16 October 1978 until Death and funeral of Pope John Paul II, his death in 2005.
In his you ...
Library – was opened in 1983, extension completed in 2012.
*St Mary's (Church of Ireland) – was the chapel for the Fitzgeralds, later incorporated into the outer wall of the college.
Library
Prior to the establishment of the college, students for the diocesan priesthood had to travel to the European mainland, to one of the many Irish colleges based principally in France, Spain, and the Low Countries. The continental background of early members of staff, some of whom were native French refugees from the French Revolution, is reflected in the Library's holdings. A large proportion of the 22,000 pre-1850 books were published abroad.
[Kabdebo, Thomas, and Penelope Woods. (1989). Maynooth College Library. ''North Irish Roots'', Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 86–88, North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS).] Several professors and eminent churchmen were great collectors, and their collections ultimately came to the Library. At the beginning, the Library was small and there were no text books for the students. Many professors decided to go into print and to write their own, having their students subscribe in advance. Printing by subscription was a common practice and the subscription lists still show the names of students and staff from this early period in the college's history.
When the annual grant received by the college was increased threefold in 1845, the president at the time,
Laurence Renehan, started much needed renovations.
Augustus Welby Pugin was brought in to design new buildings, which included a library with high gothic windows and an open timbered roof, completed in 1861. The tall wooden stacks and long center tables hardly changed for over a century, and daylight was considered sufficient to work by until 1970, when electric lighting was finally introduced.
It now houses the pre-1850 books and manuscripts and is known as the Russell Library. It is home to a fine collection of Gaelic manuscripts, as well as non-Gaelic manuscripts that are largely the literary contributions of staff and students. When the last Irish college in Spain (Salamanca) closed in 1951, the archives were transferred to Maynooth. These included documents from other Irish colleges (Alcalá, Santiago, and Seville) and administrative records dating back to the end of the sixteenth century.
The Russell Library housed two-thirds of the book stock and most readers until 1984.
Prior to October 1984, the Library of Maynooth College occupied eight locations. Two of these had been principal locations: the Main Library, located in the building complex built by Pugin for the Seminary in the mid-nineteenth century, and the New Arts Library in the new campus, created in the middle of the twentieth century.
A shortage of space in the Library and the lack of modern facilities led the college and its then President Monsignor Olden to build a new library from donations in Ireland and abroad, mainly the United States.
The foundation stone of the new building was blessed by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Ireland in 1979 and in 1983 the John Paul II Library opened its doors. The former eight locations were reduced to three: the old "Main Library" became, in 1984, the Russell Library for old and rare books and manuscripts, the new John Paul II Library became the main working academic library, and a separate Chemistry Store for a surfeit of chemistry periodicals.
In November 2010, the construction of an extension to the existing library began, which opened in 2012. It incorporated the former Chemistry Store, thus reducing the library locations to two.
National Science Museum and Museum of Ecclesiology
The museum in Maynooth College established in 1934 contains many items from the college's history, including ecclesiastical artifacts and scientific apparatus such as that of the physicist
Nicholas Callan. Nicholas Callan figure in the study of electromagnetism, inventing the
induction coil and ''Maynooth Battery''. Callan is buried in the college grounds. Apparatus associated with telegraphy, notably items used by Marconi are also stored in the Museum.
Presidents of Maynooth College
*Reverend
Thomas Hussey F.R.S. (25 June 1795)
*Reverend
Peter Flood (17 January 1798)
*Reverend
Andrew Dunne (24 February 1803)
*Reverend Patrick Byrne (27 June 1807)
*Reverend
Patrick Everard (29 June 1810)
*Most Reverend
Daniel Murray (
Coadjutor Archbishop of
Dublin
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...
) (29 June 1812)
*Reverend
Bartholomew Crotty (13 November 1813)
*Reverend
Michael Slattery (19 June 1832)
*Reverend
Michael Montague (25 June 1834)
*Reverend
Laurence Renehan (25 June 1845)
*Reverend
Charles W. Russell (20 October 1857)
*Reverend
William J Walsh (22 June 1880)
*Reverend
Robert Browne (7 October 1885)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
Denis Gargan (9 October 1894)
*Reverend
Daniel Mannix (13 October 1903)
*Rt Reverend
John F Hogan (8 October 1912)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
James MacCaffrey (8 October 1918)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
John D'Alton (23 June 1936)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
Edward Kissane PA (23 June 1942)
*Rt Reverend
Monsignor Gerard Mitchell (23 June 1959)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
Patrick Corish (23 November 1967)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
Jeremiah Newman (8 October 1968)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
Tomás Ó Fiaich (12 June 1974)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
Michael Olden (26 September 1977)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
Micheál Ledwith (13 March 1985)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
Matthew O'Donnell (22 June 1994)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
Dermot Farrell (9 December 1996)
*Rt Reverend Monsignor
Hugh Connolly (1 September 2007)
*Reverend Michael Mullaney (1 September 2017) -
People
*
Thomas Ambrose Butler, the "Poet Priest of the West"
*
Cornelius Lucey,
Bishop of Cork and Ross
The Bishop of Cork and Ross is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Cork and the County Cork town of Rosscarbery in the Republic of Ireland. The combined title was first used by the Church of Ireland from 1638 to 1660 and ...
(1952–1980)
*
Peter McKevitt, Chair of Catholic Sociology and
Catholic Action
Catholic Action is a movement of Catholic laity, lay people within the Catholic Church which advocates for increased Catholic influence on society. Catholic Action groups were especially active in the nineteenth century in historically Catholic cou ...
(1937–1953)
*
Jeremiah Newman, Professor of Sociology (1953–1974),
Bishop of Limerick (1974–1995)
*
Michael J. O'Doherty, 27th
Archbishop of Manila
The Archdiocese of Manila (; ; ) is the archdiocese of the Latin Church, Latin Rite of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, Catholic Church in Metro Manila, Catholic Church in the Philippines, Philippines, encompassing the cities of Manila, ...
(1916–1949)
*
Fachtna O'Driscoll, Superior General of the
Society of African Missions (2013–2019)
Today
Any student of the college, prior to the passing of the Universities Act, 1997, upon whom a degree of the
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland (NUI) () is a federal university system of ''constituent universities'' (previously called '' constituent colleges'') and ''recognised colleges'' set up under the Irish Universities Act 1908, and signifi ...
was conferred is now legally considered to be a graduate of
Maynooth University
Maynooth University (MU) (), is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland. Maynooth University was formerly known as National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM; ). It was Ireland ...
. The college continues to share its campus with the National University of Ireland, but Maynooth remains a separate legal entity with training in canon law, philosophy and theology and awards the degrees of the Pontifical University and is associated with several other colleges. Pontifical University BA undergraduate students can take their degree in Theology along with an Arts subject from the National University. BA in Theology and BA in Theology with Arts is available on 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 ...
system.
Students who graduate from MU in philosophy can on submission of a subsequent different thesis can be conferred with a B.Phil. by the Pontifical University.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Christian Communications and Media Practice is provided by the college, in conjunction with
Kairos Communications in Maynooth, where classes and training on the course take place.
Since October 2011 all academic awards from the Pontifical University of Maynooth have been aligned to the Irish
National Framework of Qualifications
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a system used to describe levels of educational qualifications in Ireland. Responsibility for maintaining and developing the framework lies with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
Launched ...
by the
NQAI.
[''Final report on alignment of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth awards made in Ireland to the National Framework of Qualifications'' www.nqai.ie, September 2011.]
As part of the
Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus ( ; ; 28 October c. 1466 – 12 July 1536), commonly known in English as Erasmus of Rotterdam or simply Erasmus, was a Dutch Christian humanist, Catholic priest and Catholic theology, theologian, educationalist ...
university exchange programme, Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth has bilateral agreements with Faculties of Theology in Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain (
Salamanca
Salamanca () is a Municipality of Spain, municipality and city in Spain, capital of the Province of Salamanca, province of the same name, located in the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is located in the Campo Charro comarca, in the ...
) and Switzerland (Freiburg).
In 2014–2015 the college had 69 resident seminarians and a significant number of non-resident seminarians travelling in by day for lectures. A further five Irish seminarians were studying in
St. Malachy's Seminary in
Belfast
Belfast (, , , ; from ) is the capital city and principal port of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan and connected to the open sea through Belfast Lough and the North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland), North Channel ...
(the only other Catholic seminary in Ireland until its closure in 2018) and maintained close links with their counterparts in Maynooth. There are approximately 80 post-graduate students of theology and 250 undergraduate philosophy and theology students who are registered as full-time students of the college.
Following
Froebel College of Education's move to Maynooth in 2013, and continuing its ethos and heritage, Religious Education and Theology modules are delivered by the Froebel Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education(NUIM) and St. Patrick's College, Maynooth's, Faculty of Theology, running alongside the Degree and Masters programmes, leading to a Certificate awarded by Maynooth and qualifying to teach in Catholic Schools.
Seminarians from
Redemptoris Mater Seminary study philosophy and theology in Maynooth, since its formation in 2012.
In 2013 a new Diploma in Catholic Education (DCE) was offered to students, in association with Maynooth University's Department of Education and the
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac (known simply as Notre Dame; ; ND) is a Private university, private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1842 by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Cathol ...
,
[Diploma in Catholic Education](_blank)
Joint Managerial Body 2014 saw the Diploma being delivered in St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, and 2019 seen the diploma being offered in Cork by the
Christian Leadership in Education Office (CLEO).
The ''Shekinah'' Certificate and Diploma Spirituality - Applied Youth Ministry and Facilitation, delivered online and blended learning, is accredited by Maynooth, the programmes evolved out of the Salesian, Shekinah Youth Retreat Training Course which commenced in 2005, and these programmes before 2016 were run with and awarded by
All Hallows College
All Hallows College was a college of higher education in Dublin. It was founded in 1842 and was run by the Vincentians from 1892 until 2016. On 23 May 2014, it was announced that it was closing because of declining student enrollment. The sale ...
, Dublin.
In 2022 a new Diploma in Spirituality and Youth Ministry and Spirituality programme commenced in partnership with Salesian Ireland.
Since September 2019, Maynooth College has run a Higher Diploma in Healthcare Chaplaincy.
Affiliated programmes
Up to 120 further students are registered on courses validated by the college including permanent diaconate programmes and partnership programmes with the National Liturgy Institute,
St. Patrick's College, Thurles,
Accord,
Kairos Communications and others. The Diploma in Spirituality is run at the
Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality in Dublin.
St. Patrick's College, Maynooth accredits a number of certificate courses at the MU Kilkenny Campus at
St. Kieran's College, 2011 saw the commencement of a Certificate in Theological Studies in association with the Catholic Diocese of Ossory. Since 2010 at the Kilkenny campus a Certificate in Christian Studies for lay Anglicans, in association with the
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland (, ; , ) is a Christian church in Ireland, and an autonomy, autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. It is organised on an all-Ireland basis and is the Christianity in Ireland, second-largest Christian church on the ...
Diocese of Cashel and Ossory has also been accredited. In 2018 the Certificate in Christian Studies was run in the Anglican Diocese of Cork, Ross and Cloyne. St. Patrick's College, Maynooth also teaches the Theology modules in St. Kieran's as part of the NUIM BA programme, and can progress to a BA Th from the Pontifical University.
Since 2015, Maynooth (Pontifical University) also accredits an undergraduate BTh degree and postgraduate MTh degree in Carmelite Studies for the
Carmelite Institute of Britain and Ireland.
In September 2017, Maynooth began offering a joint distance learning Licentiate in Canon Law (JCL) and joint civil masters in canon law with
Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada.
A two-year Certificate in Theology, Adult Education and Pastoral Ministry (THAEPM), commenced in 2019 in Dundalk and Armagh and is run in partnership with the
Archdiocese of Armagh and the college.
Maynooth validates the Diploma in Pastoral Theology run in association with the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Derry, and the Drumalis Retreat Centre, in Larne.
Maynooth also supports the ''Tarsus Scripture School''.
Former Affiliated Programmes
* Dominican Biblical Institute, Limerick (2000–2015), closure.
*
Holy Ghost Missionary College (Kimmage Manor), Dublin, in the 1980s, Maynooth award a BD to graduates.
*
Maryvale Institute, Birmingham (1980–2015), programmes replaced by Faculté de Notre Dame, Paris programmes
*
Mater Dei Institute of Education (1966–1999), validated agreement with
Dublin City University
Dublin City University (abbreviated as DCU) () is a Third-level education in the Republic of Ireland, university based on the Northside, Dublin, Northside of Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Created as the ''National Institute for Highe ...
*
Scotus College, Glasgow (1993–2009), college closed.
*
St. Patrick's College, Thurles (1973–2002), seminary ceased, transferred to Maynooth.
Aspal
Aspal (called and sent) is a collaboration between the Pontifical University and the Adult Faith Development Team in the
Diocese of Ossory, and based in St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, to provide a digital platform for faith formation, launched in 2021. It is supported by the ''Benefact Trust'', and provides a number of free and paid courses online and via a mobile phone app. Aimed at both groups and individuals Aspal provides courses in Parish Administration, Ministers of the Word and Eucharist, and pathways to ministry.
Annual events
The graduation ceremony for the conferral of Pontifical University degrees normally takes place on the first Saturday after the October Reading Week each year in the college chapel.
One of the major events in the college calendar is the annual Christmas carol service in the college chapel. Started in 1969, this is a now a joint event between the two universities and seminary.
Every year open days are held in conjunction with Maynooth University, when students can view the facilities of the common campus, student services and see what courses are available at both institutions.
Public lectures
The college hosts a number of public lectures, often with international speakers invited, The Michael Devlin Lecture, The Trocaire Lecture (in association with
Trocaire), The Newman Lecture (after
John Henry Newman
John Henry Newman (21 February 1801 – 11 August 1890) was an English Catholic theologian, academic, philosopher, historian, writer, and poet. He was previously an Anglican priest and after his conversion became a cardinal. He was an ...
; in association with NUIM and An Foras Feasa), Thomas Gilmartin Lecture, and The Corish Lecture.
Publications
* ''
Archivium Hibernicum'' : founded in 1911; annual historical journal published by St. Patrick's College and the Department of Modern History, National University of Ireland Maynooth
* ''The Bridge'': biannual magazine for Maynooth and NUIM alumni
* ''
The Furrow'' : founded in 1950; a monthly journal for the contemporary Church
* ''
Irish Theological Quarterly'': quarterly journal of theology, and scripture
* ''
Irish Ecclesiastical Record'', a monthly journal, was published from 1880 until 1968 from Maynooth
* ''Kalendarium'': the annual publication of Maynooth College for the Seminary and Pontifical University
* ''Maynooth Theological Journal (MTJ)'': biannual journal of theological studies, founded in 2010
* ''Intercom'': a pastoral and liturgical resource magazine published by Veritas, edited by Fr. Chris Hayden, Catholic Communications office, Maynooth.
See also
*
Alumni of St Patrick's College, Maynooth
Alumni (: alumnus () or alumna ()) are former students or graduates of a school, college, or university. The feminine plural alumnae is sometimes used for groups of women, and alums (: alum) or alumns (: alumn) as gender-neutral alternatives. Th ...
*
Education in the Republic of Ireland
Education in the Republic of Ireland is a primary, secondary and higher (often known as "third-level" or tertiary) education. In recent years, further education has grown immensely, with 51% of working age adults having completed higher edu ...
*
List of universities in the Republic of Ireland
Third-level education in Ireland includes all education after second-level, encompassing higher education in universities and colleges and further education on Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) and other courses.
The degree-awarding institutio ...
References
Further reading
*
Healy, John (1895) ''Maynooth College; its centenary history''. xxiv, 774 p. Dublin: Browne & Nolan
External links
– St. Patrick College on Google Maps – 360 deg virtual walk
St Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth– Official website
National Seminary– Official webpages
Pontifical University, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth– academia.edu research site
– Official website
Maynooth Campus– campus accommodation website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth
St Patrick's College, Maynooth,
Catholic seminaries
Pontifical universities
Maynooth University
Maynooth
Maynooth (; ) is a university town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to Maynooth University (part of the National University of Ireland and also known as the National University of Ireland, Maynooth) and St Patrick's College, Maynoo ...
Universities and colleges in the Republic of Ireland
1795 establishments in Ireland
Educational institutions established in 1795
Augustus Pugin buildings
Seminaries and theological colleges in the Republic of Ireland