‘Mrs Macs’ secretarial college closes

ONE of the oldest private third-level colleges in the country yesterday closed after staff and students were called to a meeting.

HSI college was founded in 1951 as a secretarial college by Nora McNamara.

Students from all over the country learned shorthand and typing at the college, known as “Mrs Macs”.

Her son, Michael McNamara, rebranded the college, attracting many students from abroad. Students currently enrolled there will be able to transfer to Griffith College in William Street.

An emotional Mr McNamara said: “Up to 80,000 students have been educated here and many have gone on to great things.

“ If we had commenced a new academic year in the current climate it would have been irresponsible to our students and staff and that is why we have made this very difficult decision.”