Mary Immaculate College, Ireland

mary immaculate college (mic), founded in 1898, is a university-level college of education and liberal arts, academically linked with the university of limerick, ireland. the college has a growing and diverse community of students enrolled in undergraduate programmes in education, liberal arts and early childhood care and education, as well as a range of postgraduate programmes at diploma, ma and phd levels. in addition the college offers an array of continuing professional development (cpd) courses and numerous access and inclusion pathways. student numbers have grown ten-fold since the early nineties and, with this remarkable rate of expansion, academic provision has broadened significantly with the physical campus transformed and now offering state-of-the-art teaching, learning and research facilities. the college has recently completed a major capital investment programme resulting in tailteann, our award winning multi-purpose sports complex; and the tara building which includes a specially-designed student's union, student medical facilities, purpose-built lecture theatres, extensive computer facilities and language laboratories. it also houses the 510-seat lime tree theatre, which plays host to a wide range of performances, including theatre, music, comedy, traditional arts, schools'​ performances and conferences. the college is situated in the southern suburbs of limerick city, the third largest city in the republic with a population of over 80,000. it is within ten minutes walking distance of the city centre, providing easy access to all cultural and social amenities, as well as the mail rail and bus terminals. the city offers a variety of historical, artistic and theatrical activities. there is a lively pub music scene and the magnificent lime tree theatre, in the college's tara building, hosts a range of performances from national to international theatre, dance, opera and ballet companies, to live musical and comedy performances.