Cusack had some years earlier since 1595, tried to set up a hostel to support Irish candidates for the priesthood in Douai.

[2] In 1667 Louis XIV of France, took control of Douai and the college became subject to French authority.

The college benefited from the expertise of English scholars in Douai, priests were trained to preach in the Irish language.

The college closed in 1793 and in 1795 the buildings, valued at 60,000 francs, were alienated by the French Government during the war against the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1793 to 1802,[4] and provided back to Irish priests in 1802, this legacy was incorporated into the Irish College in Paris (and the Fondation Irlandaise).

Cardinal William Allen's, English College, hosted Irish students both during its exile in Rheims and when it returned to Douai.