In 1980 the College’s present home, St Nicholas House in Dun Laoghaire was bought, and St Nicholas Montessori School opened its doors. Peggy McClatchie was the first teacher, and Sighle Fitzgerald was Principal and Director of the College. In 1984 the College began delivery of its first course, a two year diploma course awarded by the London centre, St Nicholas Montessori College Ireland traces its origins to the late 1940’s when Dr Maria Montessori gave permission to two English women, Margaret Homfray and Phoebe Child, to set up a training centre to teach the Montessori Method in London. This was the first St Nicholas College, and many Irish people completed courses there. In 1970 the St Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland was founded by Sighle Fitzgerald and a group of like-minded educators. The Irish society ran workshops and evening courses in association with the London training centre for many years in locations throughout Ireland ensuring the further spread of the Montessori Method.