[3] Traditionally Church of Ireland clergy were trained for the priesthood by attending Trinity College Dublin, studying at the divinity school.
In 1913 the "Divinity Hostel" was set up in two buildings in Mountjoy Square, Dublin,[7] initially housing 15 students.
In 1961 the Church of Ireland RCB purchased Fetherstonhaugh House[8] in Rathgar, Fetherstonhaugh Convalescent Home for the Adelaide Hospital, Dublin was built by architect George P. Beater (1850-1928) in 1894, following the addition of a residential wing by architect Ian Roberts, the Divinity Hostel, moved there in 1963, and was officially opened in 1964..
John Simpson Brown, who was director of Education for Church of Ireland, and also held the position of Professor of Pastoral Theology at Trinity College.
The Revd Maurice Elliot was appointed the director of the institute succeeding Rev Dr Adrian Empey who was principal of the college since 2001.
[15] The Master in Theological Studies degree was first offered in conjunction with Trinity College, Dublin in 2009, replacing the B.Th.
[17] The Institute also offers a Certificate in Christian Theology and Practice (CCTP), and is run through the Church of Ireland and Trinity College Dublin.