stained glass window in belfast

The Irish School of Ecumenics (ISE) is Ireland’s only cross-border post-graduate institute dedicated to the study and promotion of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland and in the wider world.

ISE was founded in 1970 by Fr Michael Hurley SJ. Fr Hurley challenged many of the prevailing theological and political assumptions of that time on the island of Ireland, overcoming considerable odds to see that ISE was established as a centre for dialogue, scholarship, and service to the wider community. You can read a detailed history of ISE in Fr Hurley’s edited book, The Irish School of Ecumenics, 1970-2007 (Dublin: Columba Press, 2008).

ISE defines ‘ecumenics’ as a multi-disciplinary field of study concerned with dialogue, peace and reconciliation. It has three strands: intra-Christian (inter-denominational), inter-religious, and international peace and reconciliation.

As part of the School of Religions, Theology and Ecumenics within Trinity College Dublin, ISE shares in the mission of the college which is “to confirm its position as one of the great universities of the world, providing a liberal environment where independence of thought is highly valued and where staff and students are nurtured as individuals and encouraged to achieve their full potential.”  We aim to be an educational resource for students, religious traditions, government agencies and civil society groups in Ireland and abroad, and to make available ISE’s unique blend of expertise as they explore their traditions, identities and emerging concerns.

ISE Belfast

ISE has campuses in Milltown Park, Dublin, and in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It consists of eight permanent full-time academic staff, as well as visiting and adjunct academic staff, postdoctoral fellows, and administrative staff. We have 82 students on our M.Phil. and postgraduate diploma programmes and 39 Ph.D. and M.Litt research students. Our adult education programme in Northern Ireland and the border counties reaches 1800 participants each year.

ISE receives guidance from the ISE Trust, which takes responsibility for funding all activities of the school which are additional to its TCD degree programmes. The Trust includes Patrons from Ireland’s main Christian denominations, a Trust Council of academics, clergy, business and community leaders, and a Steering Committee of religious and community leaders and academics familiar with ISE’s work.