By Sarah Mac Donald - 15 September, 2015
Theologian Fr Eamon Conway has described the merger between St Patrick’s College Thurles and Mary Immaculate College in Limerick as a “great day for Catholic education in Ireland”.
He was responding on twitter to the announcement that the teacher-training college in Thurles is to be incorporated into Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.
The college in Thurles was opened in 1837 and currently offers four degree programmes.
The joint colleges will become one of the biggest teacher-training colleges outside Dublin.
Announcing the incorporation on Monday, the Minister for Education & Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, described it as “a very significant development that will be of great benefit to the students, staff and broader stakeholders of Mary Immaculate College and St Patrick’s College”.
She said the announcement underlined Mary Immaculate College’s preeminent role in the provision of initial teacher education in Ireland.
“The quality and dedication of teaching staff in the Irish education system is recognised internationally as one of our great strengths. MIC has contributed hugely to this positive aspect of education in Ireland and this new development will ensure that the College continues to go from strength to strength,” the Minister said.
Under the partnership, MIC will offer nine degree programmes in education and arts, as well as post graduate and doctorate programmes, and further education courses for teachers.
