Irish College, Douai

The Irish College was a seminary at Douai, France, for Irish Roman Catholics in exile on the continent of Europe to study for the priesthood, modelled on the English College there. It was founded in 1603 by Christopher Cusack, with the support of Philip III of Spain, as a Spanish foundation and endowed with 5,000 florins a year by the King of Spain.

The course of studies lasted six years and the students attended lectures at the university of Douai.

The college was rebuilt about the middle of the 18th century. The college closed in 1793 and in 1795 the buildings, valued at 60,000 francs, were alienated by the French Government during the war against the United Kingdom in 1793 to 1802, and provided back to Irish priests in 1802.