History
But that is enough about the Secondary School, or “High School” as it was called at that period. In 1899, Mother Michael had organised University Classes in Loreto, Stephen’s Green. The Royal University had been founded in 1878, but it was merely an Examining Body. Women were allowed to sit for the examinations, but were not allowed to attend lectures in the University College on St. Stephen’s Green, South. Arts Courses were provided in the Green in French, German, Modern Literature, History, Jurisprudence, Mental and Moral Science, Philosophy, Metaphysics, as well as in Catholic Doctrine and Apologetics. No. 54, St. Stephen’s Green, was purchased at this time and that house was allotted to the University Students. From that time forward, the establishment was known as “Loreto College.” Mother Eucharia Ryan, an excellent Classical scholar, was in charge of the University Department. The lay staff included Mr. James Macken, B.A.; Junior Fellows, Patrick Semple and Arthur Conway; P.A.E. Dowling for Mathematics and Science; Maud Joynt for German and Richard Carson Green for French.
In 1908, the National University of Ireland was established and University College, Earlsfort Terrace was glad to welcome women students within its portals. Until 1911, when Loreto Hall, 77 St. Stephen’s Green, opened, University students stayed on in the Green and attended lectures in U.C.D.
In 1907, a new three-storey block had been erected at the back of No. 53, with a Concert Hall on the ground floor; over that were a Science Room and three classrooms, and on top were nuns’ Cells.