Jump to content

Griffith College Dublin

Coordinates: 53°19′53″N 6°16′41″W / 53.33139°N 6.27806°W / 53.33139; -6.27806
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Griffith College)

Griffith College Dublin
Coláiste Uí Ghríofa, Baile Átha Cliath
TypePrivate/Independent Higher Education College
Established1974; 51 years ago (1974)
PresidentDiarmuid Hegarty
Students> Just under 8,000
Location
Dublin (also in Cork and Limerick)
,
Ireland

53°19′53″N 6°16′41″W / 53.33139°N 6.27806°W / 53.33139; -6.27806
CampusGriffith College, South Circular Road, Dublin 8, D08V04N
AffiliationsQQI (previously HETAC), HECA, ACCA, King's Inns
Websitehttp://www.griffith.ie

Griffith College Dublin (GCD) (Irish: Coláiste Uí Ghríofa) is one of the longest-established private third level (higher education) colleges in Dublin, Ireland. Established in 1974, with four campuses in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

Overview

[edit]
Griffith College Dublin Clock Tower
Griffith College Dublin Clock Tower

Griffith College is the largest private third-level institution in Ireland,[1] with a student population of just under 8,000, including 1,400 overseas students from over 77 countries.[2] It is named after the former Griffith Barracks on the South Circular Road in Dublin.[3] The 7-acre Dublin campus is close to the city centre, where Griffith College has an additional campus.[2] Student Halls of Residence are located on campus, close to the library, creative studios, restaurant, gym facilities, and the Students Union.[4]

Griffith College offers full—and part-time degrees and higher education qualifications in Law, Accountancy, Business, Computing, Journalism, Media, Creative Arts, Psychology, Design, Fashion, Music, and Drama. The college also offers professional accountancy programmes for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), ACA, CPA and IATI,[5] Griffith College is a goldStar CPA approved Educator.[6]
The ACCA has awarded Griffith College Dublin the Platinum accreditation – the highest recognition by the ACCA,[7] and is also an ACCA CPD registered course provider.[8]

The Griffith College Dublin campus is the home of the Leinster School of Music & Drama. Established in 1904, the Leinster School offers theory classes in Music & Drama to groups and individuals. The Leinster School is also an examining body and has a Theory Examinations Syllabus with levels from Preparatory to Grade 8.[9]

History

[edit]
Front of Griffith College Dublin Campus
Front of Griffith College Dublin Campus

The college was established in 1974 by Diarmuid Hegarty and incorporated in 1978 as Business and Accounting Training (BAT). Originally located on Morehampton Road, in 1991, Business and Accounting College moved from Milltown Park, Ranelagh, to the Griffith Barracks site and changed its name to Griffith College Dublin. In 1979, Griffith College was designated as an institution under the Irish Government's National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA) Act.[2]

In 1990, the first degree course was offered by Griffith College in Computer Science, and it was validated by the University of Ulster. In 1992, it was followed by a Business Studies degree.[10] This arrangement ceased in 1996 and the degrees were validated by Irish National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA), the predecessor of HETAC.

Expansion and developments

[edit]

Over the years Griffith College has expanded beyond its base in Dublin. Having previously established its Professional Accountancy Programmes in Cork in 2000, offering training in ACCA, CIMA, CPA, and IATI, Griffith College acquired Skerry's College Cork, operating since 1884, in 2005, forming Griffith College Cork.

In 2006 Griffith College opened in Limerick with the acquisition of the Mid West Business Institute, creating Griffith College Limerick. In 2009 Griffith College Limerick moved into new premises which were officially opened by the Minister of Defence Willie O'Dea T.D. on 23 January 2009.[11]

In Spring 2013, Griffith College Cork expanded to a 5.3 acre campus on Wellington Road, Cork City, on the former site of St. Patrick's Hospital and Marymount Hospice.[12] The Campus is called 'Griffith College Cork, Wellington Road Campus'. Teaching commenced at the Wellington Road campus in Summer 2013 with an English Language Residential School.

Griffith College City Centre

[edit]

In 2018, the college opened Griffith College City Centre in Dublin, off Mary Street, at 25 Wolfe Tone Street, Dublin 1.[13]

Faculties

[edit]
Griffith College Dublin Campus
Griffith College Dublin Campus

The College is divided into a number of faculties and schools:

  • Business (including the Graduate School of Business)
  • Professional Accountancy
  • Law (including the School of Professional Law)
  • Pharmaceutical Science
  • Computing
  • Journalism & Media Communications
  • The Leinster School of Music & Drama
  • Griffith College Professional Academy
  • Griffith Institute of Language
  • Design
  • Creative Arts & Screen Media
  • Teaching & Learner
  • Psychology
  • Counselling & Psychotherapy (ICHAS)
  • Engineering
  • Music & Multimedia
  • Pharmaceutical Science
  • Springboard+

Faculty of Law & the Professional Law School

[edit]

Griffith College Dublin is home to one of Ireland's largest law schools,[14] incorporating the Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Professional Law Schools.

Aerial view of Griffith College Dublin campus
Aerial view of Griffith College Dublin campus

Innocence Project

[edit]

In September 2009, David Langwallner, then Dean of Law, founded the Irish Innocence Project at Griffith College.

The Irish Innocence Project reviews claims of wrongful conviction and miscarriages of justice in Ireland.[15] It is based on the famous Innocence Project in the USA.[16]

The Irish Innocence Project (Irish: Tionscadal Neamhchiontachta na hÉireann) was launched officially by Dr.Greg Hampikian, director of the Idaho Innocence Project and DNA expert for the Georgia Innocence Project in March 2010.

School of Professional Accountancy

[edit]

Griffith College works with several local and international partners to offer professional courses in areas of accounting.

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

[edit]

Griffith College holds a platinum status Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) accreditation,[2] and offers courses in the following areas:

  • ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
  • ACCA - Computer Based Exams
  • ACCA Diploma in Accounting & Business

Certified Public Accountants

[edit]

Griffith College is also a Goldstar CPA Approved Educator, offering Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification and preparation programmes. These include:

  • CPA (Certified Public Accountants)
  • CPA - Computer Based Exams
  • CPA -Certificate in Business & Accounting
  • CPA Certified Tax Adviser (CTax)

Accounting Technicians Ireland

[edit]

Griffith College is a licensed college provider by Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) and offers an ATI membership qualification course.

Collaborations and recognition

[edit]

At an international level, Griffith College Dublin is a participant in the Erasmus / Socrates mobility programmes.[2]

Ireland is a member of the Bologna Process, of which Griffith College is a promoter.[17] The generic outcomes for Irish degrees are laid out in the National Framework of Qualifications.[18] In 2006, Ireland became the first country to verify the compatibility of its national framework with the overarching framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and Griffith College’s degree programmes adhere to this framework.[18]

Validating partners

[edit]

Griffith College works in partnership with a number of validating bodies in Ireland and the UK. This ensures that all programmes are recognised nationally and internationally.[2]

QQI validation

[edit]

QQI is the awarding body for Irish higher education and training institutions outside the university sector.[2]

King's Inns Recognition

[edit]

In 2004, Griffith became the first independent college in the country to have its degrees (LLB and BA in Business & Law) recognised by the Honorable Society of King's Inns.[19] for the purposes of admission to its annual entrance examinations. Having successfully completed these five examinations, students may then complete the Barrister of Law degree in one year.[20] which is a professional qualification for practice at the bar.

Student life

[edit]

Halls of Residence

[edit]

Overlooking Dublin's Grand Canal, Griffith College’s Dublin campus is over 200 years old, and was originally known as the Richmond Bridewell.[21] In 2013, a statue was unveiled by then Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD to mark the campus’s 200th anniversary, along with the publication of a history book.[citation needed]

GriffFM

[edit]

During the spring, students from the Journalism & Media Faculty operate a radio station from the campus.[22] The radio station is licensed by the BAI (and the BCI before that) to broadcast for a couple of weeks.[23] This year GriffFM broadcasts on 92.1 FM from 1–15 February[24][25] and will be relayed online.[26] The station airs both hard news and music-oriented programmes produced and presented by second-year journalism degree students and postgraduate journalism students.

Students' union

[edit]

Griffith College Students' Union is the representative body for all full-time and part-time Griffith College students.[27] The students' union executives include the roles of president and (as of 2021) two vice-presidents.[28] The union organises a number of trips and events throughout the academic year, including Freshers Week and several balls.[29] It also helps fund and assist college clubs and societies covering activities such as sport, music, debating, and film.[30][29] GCD's debating society were team winners of the 2009 Thomas Finlay Court Moot Competition in UCD.[31] The students' union also publishes a magazine which was originally titled Griffiti and later published as Baked Goods.[32][33] Launched in 2004,[34] the magazine has won several awards at the National Student Media (sMedia) Awards (including a "Small College Publication of the Year" award in 2007).[35]

College and student publications

[edit]

There are a number of college publications.[36] These include an online newspaper called The Circular,[37] curated by Journalism students, where examples of student work are published.[37] The paper won the award for Small College Publication of the Year at the annual Oxygen Student Media (sMedia) Awards in 2005 and 2006, while Griffiti won in 2007.[38]

Events

[edit]

An annual "Creative Week"[39] features the final work of a collective of students from various courses in the College. It takes place to showcase student work of the creative disciplines, Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Fashion Design, TV & Video Production, Photography, Digital Media, Sound Engineering, Journalism, and Visual Media.[40]

Facilities and services

[edit]

The college facilities include a library, common room, computer laboratories, CAD lab, photography lab, fitness room, sound studios, shop, and restaurant. The college also offers students a career advice service. There is also counselling for personal and non-academic issues.

The college library provides research and study facilities to students (and to college alumni), it holds a range of set course texts and background reading material for all college programmes.[41]

GBS Research Hub

[edit]
GBS Innovation Hub at Griffith College Dublin
GBS Innovation Hub at Griffith College Dublin

The Research and Innovation Hub at Griffith College Dublin,[42] also known as the GBS Hub, was founded in 2023 and serves as the institution's EU research and innovation centre. It aims to bridge the gap between education and industry by fostering entrepreneurship through consulting services, mentorship, and dynamic collaborations.[42]

The Hub focuses on areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, and healthcare, actively supporting businesses with growth potential. As part of the EU-funded SMART4FUTURE project, the Hub has successfully supported nine start-up companies and three student entrepreneurs through funded research.[43]

The GBS Hub organises annual bootcamps and competitions to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among students and staff. As part of the SMART4FUTURE project, the GBS Hub bootcamp provided €15,000 in EU funding to support student-led companies.[44] The bootcamps offered hands-on support, practical tools, and mentorship to transform ideas into actionable solutions, serving as a springboard for potential dissertation topics or industry-based research.

Conference centre

[edit]

Griffith Conference Center is located on the college campus. The facilities include a 600+ seated auditorium, smaller suites and rooms for hire. The buildings were officially opened by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in September 2006.[45] The Conference Centre has been used for various functions such as conventions of political parties, medical bodies, and industry groups.[citation needed] It has also hosted television programmes such as the You're a Star auditions.[46]

GC50

[edit]
GC50 Prizewinners Booklet Launch at Griffith College Dublin.
GC50 Prizewinners Booklet Launch at Griffith College Dublin .

Griffith College celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. To mark this important milestone, the College held a number of events and initiatives throughout the year.

GC50 Launch Event

[edit]

On 1 February 2024, Griffith College welcomed Simon Harris T.D., Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, to speak alongside Professor Diarmuid Hegarty, Griffith College President and Founder.[47]

GC50 Conversations: Family Amendment Referendum: Yes or No?

[edit]

On Monday, 4 March 2024, the College welcomed Ivana Bacik, TD and Labour party leader, and Michael McDowell, Independent Senator and former Attorney General, to debate the Family Amendment Referendum, which was subsequently held on 8 March 2024.[48]

Restoration of the historic Quarter Master House

[edit]

Built circa 1890, the Quarter Master House, a detached three-bay, two-storey red brick building, was most likely constructed following the conversion of the old Richmond Bridewell into Wellington Barracks. To mark GC50, the college undertook significant sustainability and restoration efforts on this iconic structure, bringing it back to its original splendour. [49]

Prize Winners Booklet Launch

[edit]

The Prize Winners Booklet is a legacy project highlighting the prestigious external awards earned by the college’s alumni and showcasing their national and international success. At the Prize Winners Booklet Launch on 24 January 2025, over 1,000 awards were celebrated and cemented in Griffith College's history.[50]

Notable staff and graduates

[edit]

Buildings

[edit]
Arthur Griffith Building
Wellington Building
  • Daniel O'Connell Building – North Wing, Innocence Project, Griffith College Professional Academy, School of Professional Accountancy, Accounts Office, Careers Office, Admissions Office, Student Activities Office, Learning Support Office, Learner Engagement Office, Wellbeing Support, Healthcare Apprenticeship Department, Journalism Faculty, Business Faculty, Engineering Department, Law Faculty, Digital Learning, Academic Support Services.
  • Arthur Griffith Building – West Wing, Sewing Room, Fashion Room, Lecture Rooms, Reception, Graduate Business School, Student Lockers, Library.
  • Meagher Building – houses the Griffith College Students Union
  • James Stephens Building – Computer Labs, Project Room.
  • Richmond Building – Photography Dark Rooms, Radio Studio, Media Publications Suite, E-Learning Suite, Off Air Radio Training Room.
  • Wellington Building – IT Office, Computer Labs, Printing Centre, Computing Faculty.
  • Stables – Video Editing Studios, Photography Studios.
  • Academic Facilities Building – Restaurant, Auditorium, International Office, Conference Centre, School of Professional Accountancy.

Graduations

[edit]

The college graduation ceremonies take place over two days each November in the Conference Center. In previous years the ceremony took place in Royal Hospital Kilmainham in 2004 and 2005, and St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin the year before that.

The 2002 graduation was addressed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Education Minister Noel Dempsey address the 2003 Graduation[57] and in 2005 justice minister Michael McDowell addressed Law graduates. In attendance are graduates with their families and friends, representatives of Validation Bodies, as well as political and diplomatic dignitaries.
At the graduation ceremony there are prizes awarded such as HETAC Student of the Year Award and Best Academic Achievements for each faculty and school.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Griffith College: How Diarmuid Hegarty built Ireland's largest private third-level institution". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Griffith College Coláiste Uí Ghríofa Institutional Profile, June 2024" (PDF). www.qqi.ie.
  3. ^ "Culture and Entertainment in Dublin | Griffith Halls of Residence". www.griffithrooms.ie. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Accommodation | Griffith College". www.griffith.ie. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  5. ^ "IATI Recognised Colleges". www.iati.ie. Archived from the original on 29 August 2008.
  6. ^ "print". www.cpaireland.ie. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  7. ^ "Programme overview | Tuition providers | Learning providers | ACCA". www.accaglobal.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2008.
  8. ^ "Griffith College Dublin | What's on | ACCA". www.accaglobal.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008.
  9. ^ "Examinations & Grades | Leinster School of Music and Drama". www.griffith.ie. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  10. ^ Wood, Kieron (17 October 2004). "An Educating Business". Sunday Business Post. Archived from the original on 14 May 2005.
  11. ^ A New Beginning for Griffith College Limerick Page 28., Limerick Post, Saturday 9 February 2009
  12. ^ "Cork's former St Patrick's Hospital to be used by Griffith College". Irish Examiner. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  13. ^ "Griffith College Opens its Doors at its New City Centre Campus". www.griffith.ie. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  14. ^ "Professional Law Faculty | Griffith College". www.griffith.ie. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  15. ^ "The Irish Times - Tue, May 26, 2009 - On the trail of the innocent". www.irishtimes.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  16. ^ George Hook interviewing David Langwallner about the Innocence Project, The Right Hook, Newstalk, 26 May 2009
  17. ^ "Bologna Promoters | www.bologna.ie". www.bologna.ie. Archived from the original on 10 April 2010.
  18. ^ a b "National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)". www.qqi.ie. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  19. ^ "King's Inns". www.kingsinns.ie. Archived from the original on 11 January 2007.
  20. ^ "EDUCATION RULES OF THE HONORABLE SOCIETY OF KING'S INNS" (PDF). www.kingsinns.ie. p. 33. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2007.
  21. ^ "The Richmond Bridewell 1813 - 1892 | Griffith College". www.griffith.ie. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  22. ^ "Griff FM". www.gcd.ie. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  23. ^ GriffFM – RadioWaves FM[usurped]
  24. ^ "BAI - Broadcasting Authority of Ireland - Licensed Operators". www.bai.ie. Archived from the original on 17 January 2010.
  25. ^ "BCI: Licensing: Radio: Successful applicants for Temporary services". www.bci.ie. Archived from the original on 2 April 2010.
  26. ^ "Icecast Streaming Media Server". streams.gcd.ie. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007.
  27. ^ "Facilities - Students' Union". Griffith College Dublin. Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Griffith College Students' Union is the representative body for all students, both part-time and full-time, within the College
  28. ^ "Griffith SU - Meet The SU Team". Griffith College Students Union. Retrieved 30 October 2021. SU President [..] SU Vice President (Entertainments) [..] SU Vice President (Campaigns)
  29. ^ a b Griffith College Prospectus 2019 (PDF) (Report). Griffith College. 2019. pp. 24–25. Retrieved 30 October 2021 – via easyuni.vn.
  30. ^ "Campus Life - Students' Union". griffith.ie. Griffith College. 25 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Our Students' Union organises a wide range of student events throughout the year
  31. ^ Academic Prospectus 2010 (Report). Griffith College. March 2010. p. 23 – via issuu.com. GCD Debating Society winners of the Thomas Final Court moot in UCD 2009
  32. ^ "Griffiti". Griffith College. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010. Griffiti is the official publication of the Griffith College Students' Union
  33. ^ "Griffith SU". Griffith College Students Union. Retrieved 29 October 2021. Baked Goods is a new incarnation of the Griffith College magazine (formerly Graffiti magazine)
  34. ^ "Griffiti magazine (Issue 46, November 2011)". Griffith College Students Union. November 2011. p. 3 – via issuu.com. Griffiti Magazine is the Students' Union publication at Griffit College. It was established in 2004
  35. ^ "SMEDIAS 2008 Categories". oxygen.ie. 2008. Archived from the original on 17 February 2008.
  36. ^ "Print Examples". www.gcd.ie. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010.
  37. ^ a b "The Circular". The Circular. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  38. ^ "Oxygen.ie - SMEDIAS 2007 Categories". www.oxygen.ie. Archived from the original on 3 February 2007.
  39. ^ "Griffith Creative 2024". Griffith Creative 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  40. ^ "Fashion News: Griffith College Creative Show 2010". stylebible.ie. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011.
  41. ^ "Griffith College Library". library.griffith.ie. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  42. ^ a b "Griffith College Dublin Research and Innovation Hub┃Research Education and Industry". www.griffith.ie. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  43. ^ "What We Do | Griffith College". www.griffith.ie. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  44. ^ "Innovation Bootcamp Competition | Griffith College". www.griffith.ie. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  45. ^ "Department of the Taoiseach - Official opening of the Griffith Conference Centre and Student Residences at Griffith College on Monday, 25th September, 2006 at 2.15 p.m." www.taoiseach.gov.ie. Archived from the original on 2 December 2007.
  46. ^ "RTÉ Television - You're a Star". www.rte.ie. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  47. ^ "Griffith College Celebrates 50 Years as a Leading Higher Education Institution | Griffith College". www.griffith.ie. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  48. ^ "GC50 | Griffith College". www.griffith.ie. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  49. ^ "Griffith celebrates GC50 with the restoration of Historic Quarter Master House, with a visit on May 18 by the Architectural Association of Ireland". www.griffith.ie. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  50. ^ "GC50 Prize Winners Booklet Launch | Griffith College". www.griffith.ie. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  51. ^ "Laura Woods". IMDb. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  52. ^ Frankly Vaughan by Ewan MacKenna, Sunday Tribune Sport, 23 November 2008
  53. ^ Whitmore, Laura. "London Calling". Hotpress. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  54. ^ "Six Nations Edition: Griffith College and the Irish Rugby Team | Griffith College". www.griffith.ie. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  55. ^ Sheehy, Ellis (1 March 2015). "Deputy Helen McEntee speaks about her time at Griffith College Dublin and her political career". The Circular. Griffith College. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  56. ^ Lemieux, Hannah (8 July 2020). "Meet the 2020 Derby-winning jockey: a former champion pony rider with a first-class degree to boot". Horse&Hound. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  57. ^ "Department of Education & Science - - Press Room". www.education.ie. Archived from the original on 23 November 2007.
Retrieved from "http://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Griffith_College_Dublin&oldid=1277059494"