Student Life at Trinity College

Student Entertainment

University life is about so much more than just education and nowhere is this more evident than at Trinity College Dublin. The College sits in the heart of Dublin city where there is endless extra-curricular and recreational opportunities. At Trinity you can immerse yourself in a broad range of sports clubs and societies as well as a renowned student media environment. Through these activities you will get a real sense of the ‘Trinity Experience’, something that extends far beyond lectures, tutorials and exams. You will also have the benefit of the best students’ union in the country, providing Trinity students with a wide range of entertainment and services. While all elected representatives work tirelessly to make sure that your Trinity experience is enjoyable and productive, the students’ union officer which will have the greatest impact on you is the Entertainments officer. The Ents officer ensures that your entertainment needs are being fully catered for throughout your time in Trinity.

Freshers’ Week

Incoming Trinity students can expect to be greeted by the infamous Trinity Fresher’s week, filled with daytime and night- time entertainment giving you a real taste of what Trinity and the capital city has to offer. Previous Fresher’s weeks have seen such acts as Fake Blood, Calvin Harris and Two Door Cinema Club perform for the Fresher’s Ball. The Ents officer provides entertainment throughout the year including weekly nights out in Dublin’s best nightclubs, comedy nights, Ireland’s biggest mystery tour, as well as plenty of other events for you to enjoy.

Trinity Ball

The year is capped off with the most anticipated event on the Trinity events calendar, namely, the Trinity Ball. This is a night not to be missed, with the College transformed into a festival site for one night only and performances from internationally renowned artists such as Ellie Goulding, Bastille, Rizzle Kicks, Jessie J and Tinie Tempah performing in recent years.

The Pav

The Pavillion Bar, affectionately known as the Pav is one of the most important institutions that grace the grounds of Trinity. Sitting on the edge of the sports pitches, the Trinity student bar is the social hub of the College and offers a home to live music, big screens for the big games, and even just a meeting place before the night continues on to one of the many music venues and nightclubs located on the College’s doorstep. Whether you’re into a night of dance floor fillers, rock and roll, a bit of trad music, or a trip to one of the local cinemas or theatres, no other College offers such a diverse and easily accessible entertainment scene.

Of course Trinity’s entertainment goes much further than nightlife. The University is renowned for attracting some of the most interesting and famous guest speakers from around the world. Recent speakers have included celebrity, political, sporting and academic giants such as Bono, Al Pacino, Dana White (President of the UFC), John McCain, Helen Mirren, Nancy Pelosi, Rafa Benitez and Alex Ferguson to name but a few. Trinity clubs and societies ensure that your entertainment is not limited to the University’s campus with numerous trips around Ireland and across the continent, including the annual ski trip to one of the best resorts in Europe.

See www.facebook.com/trinityents for details of the latest activities.

Student Societies

There is more to the Trinity experience than lectures and study. One of the core elements of student life is the range of activities organised by students for students. Trinity’s 118 student societies, covering a broad range of interests from the Fashion Society to TFM (the College radio station), constitute the most dynamic and active set of university student societies in Ireland.

You can try your hand at everything from singing to science fiction, get involved at all levels with dance and drama, go on hiking trips or raise awareness and campaign with Amnesty. Why not learn about photography and then take part in an exhibition or write and make your own film? You can then relax with the Yoga society or de-stress in an artistic way with the Trinity Arts Workshop or the Visual Arts Society.

Joining societies is an ideal way to meet people and it offers invaluable support as well as a unique introduction to Trinity life.

You cannot miss the array of society stands during Freshers’ Week, during which Front Square will be packed with all societies, the Student Union, the College Publications committee and up to 50 Clubs all vying for new members. Many events will take place each day and well into the evening to kick off the year in style. Never fear if you don’t make it during this week – societies are open to new members throughout the year.

“Whether it’s making new friends, learning a new skill, leading a committee, or simply keeping up a busy social life, societies gave me the opportunity to experience, learn and do so much more beyond my course of study in Trinity, its where all my best memories of College were made.” Holly Furlong

Find out more about Trinity College’s student societies at: www.trinitysocieties.ie

Sport at Trinity College

Sports centre

Whether a budding sports star of the future or a sporadic exerciser, our state of the art sports facilities, backed up with a selection of excellent services, provide the ideal venue for a range of activities, available to all students, at all levels. The sports centre is based on campus along with other sports facilities and includes:

• 25m swimming pool with sauna and steam rooms
• Fitness theatre and holistic treatment rooms
• A main hall which hosts basketball, badminton, volleyball and 5-a-side soccer
• Squash and tennis courts
• Futsal pitch
• Rugby, soccer and cricket pitch
• A grass athletics track in the summer
• The rowing club’s boathouse is based two miles from College at Islandbridge
• and Santry Avenue (which is 5 miles from College) hosts additional pitches for rugby, soccer, hockey and gaelic games

The sports centre also runs and manages a growing programme of sports courses, and inter-college competitions; as well as fitness assessments/programmes and over 20 aerobic/dance classes every week, including Studio cycling, Power pump, Pilates, Circuits and much more. This is a great opportunity to maintain a healthy and fun-filled lifestyle whilst studying at Trinity. For more information visit our website: www.tcd.ie/sport

Read about our Sports scholarships.

Sports clubs

Sports clubs are at the heart of the University and are run by students for students. There is something to suit everybody, whether you are new to a sport or would like to get involved at a more advanced level.

Thousands of new students use sport clubs each year to forge friendships which often last a lifetime. There are approximately 50 sport clubs ranging from team sports such as GAA, rugby, soccer and squash to individual sports such as athletics, fencing, rifle shooting and triathlon. Most clubs have competitions and trips off campus across the island of Ireland, and club activity can also mean a trip abroad. Clubs such as the rowing, swimming and tennis clubs travelled for competition and training camps abroad last year and the ski club organises a ski trip every year for members.

At intervarsity level last year, Trinity clubs were successful in a number of sports including athletics, boxing, gaelic games, fencing, lawn tennis, orienteering, squash, rowing, waterpolo, and ultimate frisbee.

In addition a significant number of students achieved individual success at intervarsity, regional and national levels, in their chosen sport.

The ladies hockey club play in the 1st Division of the Leinster League, the rugby club play in the AIL Division 1B and the gaelic football club competed in the Sigerson Cup. All sport clubs cater for both competition and recreational sport.

For more information on our sport clubs please view www.ducac.tcdlife.ie

Students' Union

Trinity College fosters a unique sense of community, a bubble divorced from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city centre. In our community, there is a recognition that there are a multitude of stakeholders in university life, with one of the most important being the student population. Trinity’s students’ union is the student-led organisation which seeks to promote and protect the interests of students in the College while also offering an outlet to ensure that students get the most out of the ‘Trinity Experience’.

Trinity College Students’ Union represents your views and interests to College on a variety of issues, such as tuition fees, library opening hours, accommodation and the provision of student services. Representatives from the Students’ Union (SU) sit on all administrative committees of the College, ensuring the student voice is always heard and decisions made by College take into consideration the needs and wants of students.

In addition, the SU seeks to enhance the student experience and utilise the talents of the student body for everyone’s benefit. The Union offers pastoral services, primarily in the areas of welfare and academics. Two full-time Education and Welfare officers assist students who may be in financial, mental or academic difficulties and offer advice and assistance whenever or wherever required. The transition from second level to third level can be difficult for some students, and these officers make it their priority to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible and to ensure that if adversity arises, there is someone to listen, console, advise and resolve.

For more information visit www.tcdsu.org

An Ghaeilge/The Irish language

Irish is flourishing here in Trinity College in the heart of Dublin. You will hear it being spoken and will see it in College and student publications. College’s Cumann Gaelach (see www.cumann.ie) is one of the most vibrant Irish-language student societies in the country, with an exciting programme of social events. Seomra na Gaeilge is a social and conversation space on campus for Irish speakers.

Free voluntary Irish classes are offered and are open to all students in College. Trinity College has two Irish-speaking student residential schemes – Scéim Chónaithe Dhartraí (in Trinity Hall, for first-year students) and Scéim Chónaithe an Champais (on the main campus, for continuing students).

Early in the second term, College’s annual week-long Irish festival, Éigse na Tríonóide, takes place. The programme features a wide range of activities – including sport, debates, concerts and tours. Enjoy the Irish language as part of your Trinity College experience!”

Tá an Ghaeilge faoi bhláth anseo i gColáiste na Tríonóide i gcroílár Bhaile Átha Cliath, agus bíonn sí á labhairt ar fud an Choláiste. Tá sí le feiceáil i bhfoilseacháin oifigiúla an Choláiste agus i nuachtáin na mac léinn. Tá an Cumann Gaelach (féach www.cumann.ie), ar cheann de na cumainn mac léinn is bríomhaire sa tír, a chuireann clár spleodrach imeachtaí sóisialta ar fáil. Is spas sóisialta agus comhrá do chainteoirí Gaeilge é Seomra na Gaeilge.

Cuirtear ranganna deonacha Gaeilge ar fáil saor in aisce agus iad oscailte do na mic léinn go léir sa Choláiste. Tá dhá Scéim Chónaithe Ghaeilge againn do mhic léinn: Scéim Chónaithe Dhartraí i Halla na Tríonóide (do dhaoine atá ag tosú sa Choláiste) agus Scéim Chónaithe an Champais (ar phríomhchampas an Choláiste, do dhaoine atá sa dara bliain nó níos airde).

Go luath sa dara téarma, bíonn féile mhór Gaeilge an Choláiste– Éigse na Tríonóide – ar siúl ar feadh seachtaine, le réimse leathan imeachtaí, idir spóirt, díospóireachtaí, ceolchoirmeacha agus eile. Bain sult as do shaol trí Ghaeilge i gColáiste na Tríonóide!

Tuilleadh eolais/further information: www.tcd.ie/gaeloifig

Trinity Publications

Trinity students produce the widest range of student publications of any other third level institution in Ireland. Our current publications include two broadsheet newspapers, ‘Trinity News’ and ‘The University Times’; ‘The Bull’, Ireland’s only student financial paper; ‘Icarus’ literary review; ‘Piranha’, a satirical newspaper; ‘TCD Miscellany’; ‘Trinity Film Review’; ‘Trinity Agora’, a political magazine; ‘The Attic’ and ‘The Looking Glass’. We also support a number of the College’s academic journals, namely ‘The Social and Political Review’, ‘The Histories and Humanities Journal’, ‘The Journal of Literary Translation’ and the‘Social and Economic Review’.

All students are encouraged to contribute to our publications, and new student publications can be supported should you feel we’re missing out on coverage of any particular area. Contributors are regular award winners at the National Student Media Awards, and many of our alumni have had very successful careers, including author and journalist Mark Little; Peter Murtagh and Eoin McVey – Managing Editors of The Irish Times; Paul McGuinness – Manager of U2; Ed Mulhall – former Managing Director of News at RTÉ, and former Financial Times editors.

Visit www.trinitypublications.ie where you find more information on what we do as well as links to all of our publications. lternatively keep up to date with all things Trinity on www.trinitynews.ie or www.universitytimes.ie.

Theatres

Trinity contains four theatres, the Samuel Beckett Theatre, Players Theatre (which is used by the student drama society), and two theatres in the Lir Academy. During term time the Samuel Beckett Theatre and the Lir’s theatres showcase the work of students taking drama and professional acting courses, as well as performances directed and designed by some of Ireland’s leading theatre practitioners.

The theatres also host performances during the Dublin Theatre Festival, and the Dublin Fringe Festival, while the Samuel Becket Theatre has hosted visits from some of the most prestigious dance and theatre companies from Ireland, Europe, Asia and the United States.

Find out more at: www.tcd.ie/drama, www.trinitysocieties.ie/society/83/players, www.thelir.ie and www.facebook.com/TheLirAcademy

Galleries

Make sure to visit the free, cutting-edge exhibitions and events at Science Gallery on the Trinity campus. The antithesis of the dusty museum, Science Gallery is an ultra-modern, creative space where science and art collide, where white-hot scientific issues are thrashed out and you can have your say.

Science Gallery develops an ever-changing programme of interactive exhibitions, events, workshops and experiences that link science, technology and art, and encourages you to discover, express and pursue your interests in a friendly, sociable environment. Recent exhibitions include GAME, which explored the future of virtual and real-world play; and MAGICAL MATERIALS, which investigated the properties of the world’s most futuristic materials.

We welcome you to attend an exhibition, take part in an event, or drop into our café to grab a coffee or pizza with friends.

See what’s on now at sciencegallery.com.

Trinity also hosts one of Ireland’s leading galleries of contemporary art, the Douglas Hyde Gallery. There are regular exhibitions of Irish and international art and photography, in addition to free film screenings, talks, and music events.

Find out more at www.douglashydegallery.com

Restaurants and coffee shops

Students can choose from a wide range of restaurants and coffee shops to suit all tastes and budgets, including:

• The modern Buttery Food Court with a hot food counter, deli counter, and gourmet coffee shop.
• The Old Dining Hall, where lunch is enjoyed in traditional splendour.
• The Hamilton Restaurant.
• Coffee shops serving Lavazza coffee in the Arts Building, the Westland, Áras an Phiarsaigh, and the School of
  Nursing & Midwifery.
• In addition, Dublin city’s wide selection of restaurants, cafés, delis and coffee shops are within a few minutes walk of College.

See www.tcd.ie/catering

Accommodation

New entrants are predominantly accommodated at Trinity Hall, in Dartry, near Rathmines – about 2.5 miles from the city centre and easily accessible from Trinity College by bus and the LUAS tram system. There are over 1,000 residential rooms at Trinity Hall and a significant number are reserved for new entrants to College.

Rooms on campus are primarily reserved for students in their final year and Trinity Scholars, however, there are a number of rooms on the campus suitable for students who have mobility difficulties and who are capable of independent living.

See www.tcd.ie/accommodation/StudentsandStaff/Students/ApplyforaRoom for further details. Students may apply for a room once they have accepted a place in Trinity College.

Trinity Hall

Rooms are arranged in self-catering apartments, with each typically accommodating six persons and consisting of a mix of single and twin en-suite bedrooms with a large kitchen/ living room. Residents of Trinity Hall also become members of the Junior Common Room which organises a range of extracurricular activities.

Why apply for a place in Trinity Hall? See www.tcd.ie/accommodation/StudentsandStaff/Students/TrinityHall/whyhalls
Hear the views of former residents and parents of Hall residents by viewing our video clip at www.tcd.ie/accommodation/StudentsandStaff/Students/TrinityHall

Trinity Hall Open Days are usually held on the Friday afternoon and Saturday in August after the Leaving Certificate results are published.
For information on prices see www.tcd.ie/accommodation/StudentsandStaff/Students/TrinityHall/Rates

Other options for first-year students

For students who do not apply for or do not secure a place in College accommodation the alternative is to seek private rented ccommodation, usually sharing an apartment or a house with other students.