The Priory Institute

The Priory Institute, is part of the St Mary’s Dominican Priory in Tallaght,^[1] County Dublin, and provides, certificate, diploma, and degree programmes in Theology and Philosophy.^[2] While initially materials are distributed from Tallaght usually at an induction meeting, the courses is delivered by Distance Learning,^[3] students can avail of local centres for assistance in Newry, Drogheda, Galway, Cork and Sligo.

From 2004 BA degree course is validated by the University of Wales Lampter.^[4] The Institutes certificates and diplomas are part of the UK NQF structure. Other short courses are run from the institute.^[5]

In 2011 the institute entered into partnership with Institute of Technology, Tallaght(ITT) which will see ITT as a delegated authority of HETAC validate all the academic programmes at the Priory institute.^[6]

The Diploma and Bachelor of Theology programmes are entitled to tax relief under the Irish governments scheme.

The Institute also runs a number of certificate programmes, the modules of which are available to be taken as single subjects, students can also take a single subjects from the programmes these can be taken for academic ECTS Credits or uncredited.

The Institute also run a number of Diploma courses which are accredited by the UK based Accreditation Service for International Colleges(ASIC), which recognises The Priory Institute as a Premier College.

The Institutes Graduation ceremony takes place in November, each year in St. Mary's, with graduates, friends and family members in attendance, as well as staff members of the Institute and representatives from IT Tallaght and HETAC.^[7] 2005 seen the first graduation following the link with the University of Wales, the first students graduate with the level 8 BA in Theology, a total of 84 students graduated in 2010.^[8] The 2011 graduation ceremony took place at the Institute on 26 November with the awarding of 15 Degrees, 27 Diplomas; and 45 Certificates.^[9] The 2015 Graduation is scheduled for 14 November.

The Priory Institute also hosts a Summer School in July, the 2015 topic was Paul - The Radical Gospel.

History

St Mary’s Priory was founded in 1855 by the Dominicans. The Studium of the Irish Dominican Province (Dominican House of Studies) was established at Saint Mary’s Priory. In May 1864 the foundation stone for the Priory was laid by Rev. Goodman provincial of the Dominicans in Ireland. The wing connecting the church and tower was completed in 1903, another wing and a library block were completed in 1958, this is where the Institute and Distance Learning Programmes are delivered from.^[10] In 1971 the Dominican House of Studies was affiliated to the Faculty of Theology of the Dominican Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum in Rome, the Bachelor of Sacred Theology(STB) accredited by that university was offered. From 1993 until 2001 a Diploma in Theology programme was offered, alongside other adult education and pastoral programmes. In 2000 the Studium was moved to St. Saviour's Priory, Dorset Street, Dublin,^[11] and The Priory Institute was established in Tallaght.

External links

• The Priory Institute, Tallaght Website
• St. Mary's Priory, Tallaght Website
• The Dominicans website

References