Newman College Ireland

Coláiste Nuaman Éireann

Motto|

Puritas et Veritas

Motto in English

| Purity and Truth
Type| Roman Catholic Liberal Arts College
Active| 2014–2018
Accreditation| Thomas More College
Location|

Ballykelly, County Londonderry

Northern Ireland

Newman College Ireland was a Catholic liberal arts college in Northern Ireland which was opened in 2014.[1] Named after Cardinal John Henry Newman, the founder of the Catholic University of Ireland which became University College Dublin, the college aimed to create third level institution which embodies the Catholic ethos.

The college was supported by disability rights campaigner and former MEP Kathy Sinnott.[2] Dr. Nicholas Healy was the CEO and served as president of Newman College Ireland.[3] He is a president emeritus of Ave Maria University and a former vice president of Franciscan University of Steubenville .[4] Fundraisers and supporters for the establishment of the college were based in the United States.[5] The economist and UCD Professor Ray Kinsella served as a board member for the college, as did the artist Dony MacManus.

## Curriculum

[edit]

The aim was to be a Catholic college with liberal arts as its primary curriculum and offer courses in theology, history, philosophy, literature, mathematics, economics and natural science.[6] The college pledged to "adhere fully" to Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Blessed John Paul II’s apostolic constitution on Catholic universities.[citation needed]

Newman College commenced its courses in September 2014 accredited by Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Merrimack, New Hampshire.[7] Lectures in the first year were delivered in Rome, initially in rooms in St. Peter's Basilica, then in the second semester at the Thomas More Campus outside Rome.

The 2015 academic year commenced in September of that year undert the tutelage of Mr. Robert F. Cassidy, STL, who acted as both Director of the Programme, and Student Life Director. He was also a member of the Academic Staff. Courses were based in the Drummond Hotel in Ballykelly, Limavady, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, thanks to the kindness of Mr. Jim and Mrs. Miraid Peoples.[8][9] Over 2015 and 2016, during the Marian year, the college ran a course in Mariology. Newman College Ireland was also a sponsor of the Fatima Centenary Conference in 2017.[10]

## Academic staff

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Among the academic staff of Newman College were Dr. Gaven Kerr (Philosophy), Rev. Dr. Fr. Oliver Treanor (Sacred Scripture), Mr. Robert F. Cassidy, STL (Theology), Maghnus Monaghan (Music), Fr. Thomas Crean OP (Philosophy and Theology), Dr. John Britto (Biblical Theology, Hebrew Psalms),[11] Fr. Dermot Fenlon (History).[12]

## Graduation

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The first graduation ceremony for the college took place on 28 April 2018. A Graduation Mass took place in St. Finlough’s Church, Ballykelly, celebrated by Cardinal Seán Brady, with a reception in the parish hall.[citation needed] As part of the graduation, the college conferred an honorary degree to Sister Consilio (née Eileen Fitzgerald) the founder of Cuan Mhuire, and presented its Courage in the Public Square award to Katie Ascough - the impeached students' union president of University College Dublin.[citation needed]

## Closure

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The college did not reopen its doors for the academic year 2018/2019, but sent its remaining students to Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, where they completed their degrees.[13] Their teacher Fr. Thomas Creen, joined them at Thomas Moore College, where he taught and also proived pastoral care to the NCI students.[14]

## References

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1. ^ New Catholic University could open this year by Paul Keenan, Irish Catholic, 13 March 2014.
2. ^ Efforts to found new Catholic college in Ireland www.catholicculture.org 14 March 2014.
3. ^ Newman College Ireland
4. ^ Newman College Aims to Help Renew the Faith in Irish Society by Joseph Pronechen, National Catholic Register, September 12, 2015.
5. ^ Catholic higher education - The good news and the bad news Celtic Connections - Kathy Sinnott with guest Nick Healy, Program 27., www.ewtn.com, 9 November 2013.
6. ^ Defending the Faith at the Highest Intellectual Levels - Newman College Ireland by Donna Sue Berry, Regina Magazine, 7 May 2014.
7. ^ 'Newman College Ireland - Advert' Alive! July 2014.
8. ^ Newman College Ireland Completes Inaugural year by Susan Gately, www.catholicireland.net, 28 June 2015.
9. ^ Prayer and Retreat Programme 2015-2016 www.drummondhotel.com
10. ^ International Fatima Conference
11. ^ Britto, Dr John (2021). "The True Meaning of Hosanna (Mk 11:1-10)". Academia Letters. ISSN 2771-9359.
12. ^ Celtic Connections www.ewtn.com, July 16, 2017.
13. ^ The Irish in Merrimack, Thomas More College, August 2018.
14. ^ TMC welcomes Father Creen By Ella Fordyce, Class of 2019, Thomas More College, September 2018.

## External links

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* Official website (defunct)
* Newman College Ireland Facebook Page (inactive)

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