Mater Dei Institute of Education

The college was founded by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid in 1966 as an institute for the training and formation for teachers of religion in secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland.

The college offered several undergraduate courses, primarily in secondary religious education and specialized its postgraduate courses (including Doctorates) in religion, the humanities and education, and faith and culture as well as theology and philosophy in dialogue.

The BA and MA in Religious Science were accredited by Maynooth(Pontifical University) which Mater Dei was affiliated to.

Mater Dei partners with the Methodist Edgehill Theological College (Belfast) co-offering such programmes as a BTh exploring faith together.

[5] The Institute was engaged in the Erasmus student exchange programme with other colleges in Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain.