History

Origins

Milltown Institute was established as a Pontifical Athenaeum with Faculties of Theology and Philosophy, by a group of religious institutes in 1968. The origins of the Institute however can be traced back to the 1880's when the Jesuits established a School of Philosophy and a School of Theology at Milltown. The School of Theology has had an unbroken history at Milltown ever since 1889, and became a Jesuit Pontifical Faculty in 1932. The School of Philosophy moved from Milltown in 1930 and became a Jesuit Pontifical Faculty in 1948, and returned to Milltown in 1966.

Since November 1989, when it was granted designated status under the National Council for Education Awards Act 1979, it has developed and offered civil programmes leading to Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral awards.

Ecclesiastical (Pontifical) Awards

The Congregation for Catholic Education approved the statutes of the Institute in 1974 by virtue of which it has power to grant pontifical degrees, up to and including doctorates, in Philosophy, Theology, Spirituality, Sacred Scripture and Pastoral Studies. The Centre for Philosophy administers the pontifical philosophy awards.

Civil Awards (HETAC)

Since November 1989, when it was granted designated status under the National Council for Education Awards Act 1979, it has developed and offered civil programmes leading to Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral awards.

Civil Awards (National University of Ireland)

The National University of Ireland (NUI) was reconstituted, through the Universities Act 1997, with the four NUI colleges becoming constituent universities. The NUI also has five Recognised Colleges: the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the National College of Art and Design, the Institute of Public Administration, the Shannon College of Hotel Management and since 2005, Milltown Institute. Courses and teachers at these colleges are recognised by the University and degrees are awarded to students successfully completing recognised courses.

KMI Institute of Theology and Cultures

KMI Institute of Theology and Cultures was established at Kimmage Manor in 1991, when a number of religious and missionary groups combined their pastoral, teaching and missionary experiences to present theology in lively engagement with intercultural horizons. From September 2003 the KMI Institute of Theology and Cultures has been located at Milltown Institute under the auspices of the Department of Mission Theology and Cultures. This alliance was made permanent in summer 2006.