Is notre dame a french college?

Answer 1

The University of Notre Dame was founded by the French Brothers of the Holy Cross, hence the traditional name of Notre Dame du Lac (translated to Notre Dame of the Lake). We are located in Notre Dame, Indiana. We are known as the Fighting Irish. We are not an Irish school and there is no record as to how we got the name Fighting Irish. One story, the most likely, is that there were a lot of Irish people settling in this part of the country and the Irish are known for their fighting as much as they are for their drinking. "Another tale has the nickname originating at halftime of the Notre Dame-Michigan game in 1909. With his team trailing, one Notre Dame player yelled to his teammates - who happened to have names like Dolan, Kelly, Glynn, Duffy and Ryan - "What's the matter with you guys? You're all Irish and you're not fighting worth a lick." Notre Dame came back to win the game and press, after overhearing the remark, reported the game as a victory for the "Fighting Irish." (from the ND Athletic website)"

So in short, yes have a French ancestry and an Irish tradition.