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Wesley College Dublin traces its origins to 1839, when Methodist leaders first proposed creating a Wesleyan grammar school in Ireland, leading to the establishment of the Wesleyan Connexional School on St. Stephen’s Green in 1845.
Founded to provide a strong literary, scientific, commercial, and religious education, the school began modestly in a converted dwelling at No. 79 St. Stephen’s Green with a small cohort of boarders and day pupils.
Despite early financial and accommodation challenges, it steadily expanded its facilities and academic structure, eventually being renamed Wesley College in 1879 and later embracing co‑education in 1911 before relocating to its purpose‑built suburban campus at Ballinteer in 1969.
The College motto is “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians, chapter 5 verse 21).
While founded to serve the Methodist and other Protestant communities, the College welcomes students of all faiths and none into an inclusive and caring environment. It celebrates the diverse talents of all pupils. It aims to develop academic curiosity and the pursuit of excellence; confidence and independent learning. A wide range of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities is provided to facilitate a broad inclusive education. The Methodist ethos of the College emphasizes tolerance of and respect for others; it encourages social justice and responsibility.
The College aims to develop a strong moral and ethical code based on Christian principles. Daily Assembly and special services are an integral part of the life of the College and enable particular celebration of the College ethos. The Religious Education curriculum seeks to promote understanding and tolerance of the sincerely-held beliefs of those of all traditions; it is not a faith-formation programme. Students may thus reach a position where they may make an informed choice about personal faith in their lives.
The College emphasizes the challenge from the Revd. John Wesley (1703-1791) founding father of ‘the people called Methodist’… Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.
Lord of Light! look down upon us,
Hearken as we cry to Thee;
Lighten thou our minds and lead us,
Thine now to be.
Lord of Life, the Bounteous Giver!
Evermore our portion be;
Guide our feet thro’ all life’s pathway
Nearer to Thee.
Lord of love! who only knowest
All the years that are to be;
Keep us pure amid temptation
Looking to Thee.
When from “Wesley” far we scatter,
Servants true for Thee to be,
Home at last, oh safely bring us
Father to Thee.
James Grubb, 1866-1937
The College Crest as we know it today is the latest in a long history.
In 1891 the school cap was designed bearing a Maltese Cross with the initials WCD. In 1892 the motto ‘God is love’ was added below the Cross, and in 1895 there was a new crest with the Latin motto ‘Aut discite aut discedite sors tertia hic nulla est’ which translated is ‘Either learn or leave; here there is no third choice’.
In 1909 a different crest appeared on the Wesley College Quarterly – a wyvern (representing the Wesley family) above a shield containing three flaming castles (representing Dublin City), separated by a bar, but without any motto.
In 1959 the College obtained from the Chief Herald an official grant of arms for the first time.
The upper part of the current shield has a red ground, and bears a book – The Bible – surmounted by a Maltese Cross, an old Wesley College symbol. Beside these is an escallop shell from the arms of John Wesley’s family. The lower part of the shield has a blue ground and on it a flaming castle from the Dublin City arms. The Wyvern, traditionally associated with the Wesley family, forms the crest above the shield.
The scroll below the shield contains the College motto in Greek ‘Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.’ (I Thessalonians 5; 21).
Each year, the Alumni presents the Spirit of Transition to an outstanding Transition (4th) Year student. It is the premier award for the year and takes into account a wide range of involvement and achievement, including community service, academic achievement, use of initiative, extra curricular activities, personal development and maturity.
The award, which is possible by a generous donation from the family of the late Jim Dixon, is a sculpture composed of polished ancient bog yew from the midlands of Ireland. It was designed in 2007 by Celtic Roots, located near Athlone.
Awarded to:
2025: Charlotte Freyne
2024: Isaac Reid
2023: Sam McMullin
2022: Tanya Plunkett
2021: Arthur Sinclair
2020: Bobbie Gillespie
2019: Nicholas Elliott
2018: Peter Costello & Emma Paul
2017: Abby O’Sullivan
2016: Andrea Cabero del Hierro
2015: Jenny Clarke
2014: Owen Clarke
2013: Hannah McKay
2012: Lexy Hunt
2011: Jessica Roe
2010: Yvonne Corcoran
2009: Alison Shine
2008: Ben Doyle
2007: Aoife Cassidy
