Mary Immaculate College established in 1898
Mary Immaculate College was established by Bishop Edward T O’Dwyer and the Sisters of Mercy for the professional education of Catholic primary school teachers.
On receiving official sanction for the setting up of the College, Bishop O’Dwyer lost no time in securing a suitable site. Approximately 11 acres on the south-west side of the city were jointly purchased by the Bishop and the Sisters of Mercy. The site was bounded on the east and north by the South Circular Road and Prospect Avenue (later called Summerville Avenue) respectively, on the south by the lands of Richmond, the property of A. Blood Smith, Solicitor, and on the west by the lands of Summerville, at the time occupied by James Fitzgerald Bannatyne. The building of the College began in 1898 with Mr George Byrne, Dublin, as architect and Mssrs. Molloy of Limerick as contractors.
Passing on the Torch - a History of Mary Immaculate College 1898-1998 (Published 1998), pg 7.
