Wesley College
School Details
Location
About
Wesley College is a co‑educational day and boarding secondary school situated on a spacious campus in Ballinteer, Dublin, having relocated from its original St Stephen’s Green premises in 1969. The college delivers a broad‑based curriculum that balances rigorous academic study with a wide range of extra‑curricular activities, including sport, music, drama and community service. Its facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, a library, dedicated arts spaces and extensive sports fields, supporting both competitive and recreational pursuits for pupils of all abilities. Rooted in the Methodist tradition, the school embraces an inclusive ethos that welcomes students of all faiths and none. The college’s motto, “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good,” underpins a moral and ethical framework that promotes tolerance, social justice and personal responsibility. Daily assemblies and special services reinforce this ethos, while the Religious Education programme encourages understanding of diverse beliefs without acting as a faith‑formation course. Wesley College therefore aims to nurture academic curiosity, confidence and independent learning within a caring, diverse community.
History
The idea of a Wesleyan Methodist grammar school in Ireland was first discussed in 1839, leading to a formal meeting in Belfast on 16 May 1844 that resolved to establish a Wesleyan Proprietary Grammar School. Although initially planned for Belfast, the founders chose Dublin for its transport links and larger population, leasing No. 79 St Stephen’s Green. The school opened on 1 October 1845 with a small cohort of boarders and day pupils. Early years were marked by financial insecurity, inadequate premises, and high staff turnover. Expansion continued through the 19th century with additional leased houses, a sports field in Rathmines and new schoolrooms. In 1879 the institution was officially renamed Wesley College, and the present Ballinteer campus was designed by architect Alfred Gresham Jones to accommodate 100 boarders and 200 day boys. The college became co‑educational in 1911 and has since evolved into a modern, inclusive secondary school.