Stranmillis University College

The college was established in 1922 to provide state-funded teacher training by the then newly created Government of Northern Ireland to ensure that there would be a non-denominational teacher training college within Northern Ireland's boundaries after the partition of Ireland. This status was undermined early in its existence, after a statement by Catholic bishops to the effect that a graduate of the institution would not be allowed to teach in a Catholic school. While Stranmillis remained the principal provider of teachers to state schools, in latter years, students could pay privately to complete their certificate in Catholic education. Throughout its existence, Stranmillis has been…

The main building of the college is attributed to Roland Ingleby Smith, chief architect of the Northern Ireland Ministry of Finance at the time of its construction in 1928-1930. The design, however, may have been partly or even wholly the work of an architect in the Government of Northern Ireland Works Division, T. F. O. Rippingham. T. F. O. Rippingham is directly credited with the design of other college buildings, especially the Henry Garrett Building (1944).