Newman College Ireland
Newman College Ireland was a Catholic liberal arts college in Northern Ireland which was opened in 2014. 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. Dr. Nicholas Healy was the CEO and served as president of Newman College Ireland. He is a president emeritus of Ave Maria University and a former vice president of Franciscan University of Steubenville. Fundraisers and supporters for the establishment of the college were based in the United States. The economist and UCD Professor Ray Kinsella served as a board member for the college, as did the artist Dony MacManus.
Curriculum
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.The college pledged to "adhere fully" to Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Blessed John Paul II’s apostolic constitution on Catholic universities.
Newman College commenced its courses in September 2014 accredited by Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Merrimack, New Hampshire. 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. 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.