University’s Catholic Mission
The program for Irish Language Initiatives contributes to the University's distinct mission in several ways, including the Notre Dame Poverty Initiative, a pillar of the University’s recently released strategic framework. Key components are the Moreau College Initiative (MCI) and a joint partnership with The Robinson Center and Mary Immaculate College (Ireland).
Education majors from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, Ireland, visit South Bend to share Irish language and culture with local elementary, junior, and high school students. These visiting teachers also support the Robinson Community Learning Center, with a special focus on dual-language immersion schools—the same environment where many will teach after graduation.
Learn how these programs impact local students through the Robinson Community Learning Center.
Beyond the classroom, faculty lead courses on Irish literature at Westville Correctional Facility as part of the Moreau College Initiative. These sessions offer students a chance to connect with their Irish heritage while exploring powerful themes in Irish culture, such as justice, redemption, and forgiveness. Begun in 2012 as a one-semester pilot with 15 students and two courses, MCI now offers 60 classes annually to about 90 students taught by almost 40 faculty members from Holy Cross and Notre Dame.