In the early eighties, moves were made to establish a teachers’ centre in Tipperary which would cater for the professional needs of teachers.
Results of an I.N.T.O. sub committee’s investigations revealed that teachers in Thurles, Nenagh, Roscrea, Templemore, Cashel, Cahir, Tipperary and Clonmel felt strongly that there should be some facility established to cater for their needs.
Consequently, a Study Group was formed. The Christian Brothers community in Thurles were more than helpful in accommodating night courses. The Ursuline Sisters generously offered premises free of rent until such a time as Department recognition and funding became available. These premises were furnished with funding procured from the I.N.T.O., the A.S.T.I. and the T.U.I.
From the very outset, the aspiration of this group was that they would be recognised officially one day as a Teachers’ Centre. During the years 1985 to 1989 the group went from strength to strength.
Throughout those years, many requests of recognition were made to the Department of Education. On March 2 nd, 1989 a delegation met Department officials and a fifteen page submission was presented outlining the reasons why a teachers’ centre was needed in Tipperary.