Courtney McGrail
On May 27, 2014, when All Hallows College in Drumcondra, Dublin announced plans to wind down its operations, there was a huge public and media reaction to the news. The college received volumes of phone calls, emails, letters, many in disbelief that such a stalwart institution of North Dublin was finally succumbing to financial and economic pressure and closing its doors.
Here we look at the rich heritage and legacy of All Hallows, which gives some insight into the affection and academic regard in which the college was held.
What was special or different about All Hallows?
From ‘Go Teach All Nations’ in 1842 to ‘Education for Leadership and Service’ in 2016 – the language may have changed but over 174 years the All Hallows mission remained routed in educating students to serve those in need – the poor and the disenfranchised in our society.
The Vincentian values of ethical leadership and service to others translated into a care for and attention to the individual – and encouraged what former staff member, Jay Shanahan calls “a reverence for the person – reaching out to those less fortunate and nurturing those around you”. Other staff members echo this. Gillian O’Sullivan, Head of Human Resources says: “What is important is doing something that matters and has value – I always felt that in All Hallows, I was doing something that was making a difference somewhere.”
Dean of Studies at All Hallows, Andrew O’Regan talks about its holistic approach to education. “If you want to educate people to make a difference, that difference is something they must find themselves – I would always be cautious about an education which tells people what that difference must be.” He continues, “The role of education must be to support people through that process. In All Hallows, there was an openness, a willingness to hear and to discourse. Here there was a meaning not available elsewhere.”
Christy Sheridan was a former seminarian at All Hallows. He left prior to ordination and pursued a career in the Guards. “The Vincentian attitudes filtered down, the notion that everyone has a value, is worth listening to and has a contribution to make. I kept this in civilian life and it was a big help in my work and even in my family life.”
What contributed to the closure?
Although All Hallows adapted and reimagined itself through the years, it was impossible to weather the ‘perfect storm’ of the early 2000s. A combination of falling numbers, a downturn in the economy and changes in educational focus at governmental level proved to be a tsunami too great for a small third level niche provider.
All Hallows did engage in various strategies to achieve increased and consistent income. John Keaveney, Finance Director, mentions work done to widen the course range, secure professional body accreditation, salary cutbacks and fundraising drives that were all pursued in recent years. But such a large campus needed at least to double its student body to survive. He uses the analogy of a rolls-royce engine driving a mini car – it was just far too big for the student body it accommodated.
Jim Lillis, member of the Board of Governors, points to the focus of the authorities on educational consolidation.
“Many Catholic third level colleges were being absorbed by state institutions,’ he said.
‘Outputs related to secular and profit-making activities were driving values. And there doesn’t seem to be any sense of loss at diocesan level, that this is a last opportunity for Catholic education to engage with young adults.”
Ruins…or foundations?
The college Trustees made a very deliberate choice in selling the campus to Dublin City University (DCU).
This ensures the continuation of the college as a seat of education in North Dublin. DCU is making significant investments in the campus to preserve the buildings and create a contemporary learning environment for students. The All Hallows campus of DCU now enters another incarnation for the future.
Third Level College
In the 1990s, All Hallows completed a successful transition to a third level college. Dublin City University became the awarding body for the increasing range of full- and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. All Hallows became a linked college of DCU in 2008. The college also established links with sister Vincentian universities De Paul, Chicago, St John’s, NY and Niagara NY in the USA.
All Hallows offered postgraduate programmes on Non-Profit Management, Leadership and Pastoral Care, Social Justice, Spirituality, Supervisory Practice, Ecology and Religion as well as research degree options.
Undergraduate degree courses in Theology, Philosophy, Psychology and English Literature all included work placements, often with organisations in the community and voluntary sector.
A School of Adult and Community Learning was established. This empowered students with the skills to promote fairness and equality in society. A new Adult Learning BA for Personal and Professional Development brought second-chance learners back to education.
Over 3,400 students graduated from BA, MA and PhD programmes up to 2016.
Academic and educational programmes
With the formal closure of the teaching activities of All Hallows College on November 30, 2016, all the educational programmes of the College will cease. Over the last two years, the College has encouraged and supported the development of related academic programmes in other institutions or the direct transfer of some of its educational programmes in a number of instances:
MA in Applied Spirituality
A new Master of Arts in Applied Spirituality has been launched by the Waterford Institute of Technology. This is delivered at Milltown Park, Dublin 6. The programme is a development of the MA in Christian Spirituality which was offered by All Hallows College from 2010 to 2015.
MA in Personal Leadership and Pastoral Care
A new Master of Arts in Personal Leadership and Pastoral Care has been launched by the National College of Ireland. The programme is a development of the MA in Leadership and Pastoral Care which was offered by All Hallows College from 1993.
MSc in Non Profit Management
A new Master of Science in Non Profit Management has been launched by the National College. The programme is a development of the MA in Management: Voluntary and Community Services which was offered by All Hallows College from 2002 to 2015.
BA in Adult Learning for Personal and Professional Development (ALBA)
The BA in Adult Learning for Personal and Professional Development (ALBA) has transferred to Dublin City University for the academic year 2016–17. During this time the final group of students will complete their studies under the guidance of the ALBA leadership team.
Pathways Programme – Adult Faith Formation
With the approval of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and his Council and the Trustees of All Hallows College the All Hallows Programme, Pathways: Exploring Faith and Ministry has been incorporated into the Dublin Archdiocese’s Office for Evangelisation and Ecumenism. It has become part of Adult Faith Development part-time courses being offered by the Dublin Archdiocese since the beginning in the academic year 2015/2016.
Renewal for Ministry Programme
The Sabbatical Renewal Programme will be run in the future by the Presentation Sisters (Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and will take place in Mount St Anne’s, Portarlington.
