The Pontifical Irish College has been a seminary in Rome for the Catholic Church in Ireland since 1628. Located on the Coelian Hill near the Basilica of St John Lateran since 1926, the College has existed in four other locations in the city since its foundation almost four hundred years ago.

The mission of the College today is primarily as a house of ongoing formation for young priests from all around the globe. They are sent here to Rome by their local Bishops and Religious Superiors to do specialist studies in preparation for particular tasks, missions, and projects in their home dioceses or orders.

The College welcomes young seminarians from the USA who come here to complete a 'semester abroad' programme.

In a special sense, the Irish College is a place of welcome for Irish pilgrims to the Eternal City, a place where the saying 'home away from home' rings true.