In a city that is more than 1,000 years old, there are going to be a few old schools. In fact, a city such as Dublin could bring a new meaning to the term “old school.” Dublin is home to three universities and a number of colleges.

Because of its literary tradition, Dublin boasts a number of colleges that offer programs for those wanting to learn English, most of these are not nearly as old, most having been founded in the last 25 years.

Trinity College

Perhaps the most venerable of Dublin’s universities is Trinity College, also known as the University of Dublin. It was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1591 and is divided into six departments or “faculties.” Graduates of the college include authors Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith, and Oscar Wilde.

The Trinity College Library is the largest research library in Ireland and one of the largest libraries in Europe. It contains more than four million volumes, including the 8th-century “Book of Kells,” the famous decorated gospel book made by Celtic monks.

University College Dublin

The city also is home to University College Dublin (UDC) which is part of the University of Ireland. Not as old as Trinity, UDC recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. The university was an outgrowth of the Catholic Emancipation in Ireland in 1829 as an effort to bring higher education to a broader range of Irish people. Its first class totaled 17 students.

Dublin City University

While both Trinity College and University College Dublin have their roots in Ireland’s past, Dublin City University (DCU) represents the city’s present. Located on an 85-acre campus three miles north of the River Liffey in the center of the city, DCU was granted university status in 1989, more than 100 years after its youngest rival. As such it was considered somewhat unconventional.

It broke with the traditional mould and introduced a number of ideas that have had enormous impact on the Irish education system. DCU was the first university in Ireland to introduce work placement as part of its degree programs.

Other Institutions

There are at least a dozen other colleges in Dublin that cater to the city’s young population. These include schools with graduate programs in business, medicine, surgery, art, and design.