Photo courtesy of Thompson & Bender
Iona University expands its presence overseas to County Mayo, Ireland for an exciting pilot program set to begin in 2024.
It’s been a year since Iona celebrated its transition from a college to a university and two years since the New Rochelle institute acquired its 28-acre campus in Bronxville. Since doubling in size, the university has only gained momentum. On September 19, Iona University announced its newest venture: a pilot program in County Mayo, Ireland.
With classes kicking off next summer, the students and faculty will be able to dive deeper into the university’s legacy by connecting with its Irish Catholic heritage as well as expanding opportunities abroad.
“Iona University’s legacy in Ireland dates back many centuries. From St. Columba in 563 A.D. to Blessed Edmund Rice in the early 1800s to the Christian Brothers who opened our doors in New Rochelle in 1940, this is a legacy we proudly carry forward to this day,” says Iona University President Seamus Carey, Ph.D.
Lectures will be held within the historic Westport House Estate along the Atlantic coast. The 400-acre estate and biodiverse ecosystem is along one of the longest costal routes in the world and boasts stunning views of Croagh Patrick, a holy mountain. Plus, the Westport House is devoted to building a sustainable future and holds history that dates to the 16th century.
“We will be delighted to welcome the visiting students of Iona University to Westport next year for their first ever summer academic programme in County Mayo. Westport House and its environs have so much to offer every visitor – steeped not only in Irish history and Celtic mythology, but with an enviable heritage spanning over 400 years and going back as far as the famous 16th century pirate queen, Grace O’Malley,” says Barry O’Connor, chief executive of Westport Estate.
Students who study abroad in Ireland will have the opportunity to live in the town that was voted the “best place to live in Ireland” by the Irish Times. The walkable, vibrant town of Westport is home to an array of musical performances, art galleries, and dining options all within its quaint landscape.
Iona University has been gaining recognition on several new national rankings, including The Princeton Review’s ranking of “The Best 389 Colleges” nationwide and The Wall Street Journal‘s ranking of the school as the 66th “Best College in America.” In addition, Iona increased new student enrollment by nearly 30 percent since 2019.
As Iona University continues to expand and its community grows worldwide, the school celebrates the well-earned recognition. It now has over 50,000 graduates around the world.
Related: Iona University’s President Discusses the School’s Past and Future
