Student Life at Trinity College
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 112 societies, covering a broad range of interests from Afro-Caribbean to Zoology, constitute the most dynamic and active set of university student societies in Ireland.
There is something for everyone with large societies such as the Philosophical Society and the College Historical Society with their established debating tradition and impressive list of guests; to DU Players, the drama society who hold approximately 50 shows a year, which as a member of, anyone can get involved with at any level. You can learn all about horse racing, engage in activism with DU Amnesty or make a difference with Vincent de Paul. You can write and produce your own film with the Filmmakers Society, host a show with Trinity FM, perform with the renowned Trinity Orchestra or learn all various aspects of digital and SLR photography with the Photography Society.
You can try your hand to everything from singing to sci-fi, juggling to jazz, alternative music to animal rights, and politics to paintballing, relax with the Yoga society or de-stress in a different way with the arts and craft activities run by the likes of the Trinity Arts Workshop.
Joining societies is an ideal way to meet people and offers invaluable support as well as an introduction to Trinity life. However, if you don’t find a society that interests you, you can always set one up yourself!
You cannot miss the array of society stands in Front Square during Orientation Week but never fear if you don’t join during this week – societies are open to new members throughout the year.
Find out more about Trinity Colleges student societies at: www.trinitysocieties.ie
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 contains a vast array of facilities, including a 25m swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, fitness theatre and holistic treatment rooms. The main hall hosts a range of sports including basketball, badminton, volleyball and 5-a-side soccer. Also on-campus are squash courts, tennis courts, a futsal pitch, rugby, soccer and cricket pitches, and a grass athletics track in the summer. Two miles upstream from the College is a boathouse accommodating the Ladies’ and Mens’ Boat Clubs and at Santry Avenue, five miles north of the campus, there are 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
Thousands of new students use sport clubs each year to forge friendships which often last a lifetime. Student sport clubs are managed by the Dublin University Central Athletic Club which runs 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. Whether you are new to a sport or would like to get involved at a more advanced level; there is something to suit everybody.
At intervarsity level last year, Trinity clubs were successful in a number of sports including boxing, climbing, cycling, gaelic games, fencing, lawn tennis, rifle and volleyball. 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 was promoted to AIL Division 1B and the Gaelic Football club gained promotion to the Sigerson Cup. These clubs also cater for recreational sport and the Gaelic Club introduced recreational hurling and football (Camán Abú and Peil Abú) last year.
For more information on our sport clubs please view the departmental website at www.ducac.tcdlife.ie
Students' Union
The Students’ Union is the hub of student life on campus. Whether you are looking for a place to hold a class party, looking for general advice on how College operates, feeling stressed and need someone to talk to, having problems with timetables, or for almost any other reason you can think of the Students’ Union will point you in the right direction. It is the main representative body for all students in Trinity College and its role is to work on behalf of students. The Students’ Union provides a broad range of services, including two shops, a bookshop, a café, a travel card and information office, and job listings. The union also organises a comprehensive entertainment programme including class parties, gigs, nights out, mystery tours, comedy nights and the famous Trinity Ball.
Five full-time officers are elected to work as union officers every year. These are: the President, Education officer, Welfare officer, Communications officer and Entertainments officer. Part-time officers work on representing and promoting specific areas of College and every class has a class representative who organises class parties as well as helping with student problems and acting as a link between students and College officers.
The Students’ Union is also affiliated to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). All students are automatically members of the union and it’s very easy to get involved as a class rep, by writing for student union newspaper, The University Times or by being on the Ents crew. It’s your union, so we hope that you will use it!
For more information visit www.tcdsu.org
An Ghaeilge/The Irish language
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 líon mór ball sa Chumann Gaelach (féach www.cumann.ie), ceann de na cumainn mac léinn is bríomhaire sa tír, a chuireann clár spleodrach imeachtaí sóisialta ar fáil.
Tá Oifig na Gaeilge (féach www.tcd.ie/gaeloifig) ann chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ar fud an Choláiste, mar aon le comhairle a thabhairt maidir leis an Acht Teanga. Bíonn an Oifig ag feidhmiú i gcomhar le Coiste na Gaeilge, le tacaíocht ó údaráis an Choláiste agus ón Údarás um Ardoideachas. Leagtar amach gealltanais maidir le seirbhísí dátheangacha i Scéim Teanga an Choláiste.
Cuirtear cúrsaí deonacha Gaeilge ar fáil saor in aisce do mhic léinn agus cuirtear fáilte ar leith roimh mhic léinn úra nach bhfuil ag déanamh staidéir ar an nGaeilge mar ábhar acadúil. 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!
Irish is flourishing here in Trinity College in the heart of Dublin. You will hear it being spoken throughout the campus 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.
The Irish Language Office/Oifig na Gaeilge (see www.tcd.ie/gaeloifig) promotes the Irish language in College generally as well as advising in relation to the Official Languages Act. The Irish Language Office operates in conjunction with Coiste na Gaeilge, Trinity College’s Irish Language Committee, and with the support of the College authorities and the Higher Education Authority. Commitments in relation to bilingual services in College are set out in TCD’s Irish Language Scheme.
Voluntary Irish classes are available free of charge to all students, including those who are not studying Irish as part of their academic course. 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!
Student Entertainment
University life is about so much more than just education and nowhere is that more evident than at Trinity College Dublin. By attending Trinity you have the option to experience 112 societies and 50 sports clubs and play a part in a vibrant student media environment, the oldest and best in the country. Through these activities you will gain a true sense of the Trinity Experience, something that involves so much more than just academia. You will also have the benefit of one of the best student unions in the country providing students with a broad range of entertainment and services. While all elected representatives work tirelessly to make sure your Trinity Experience is an enjoyable and productive one, the Students Union officer that is likely to have the greatest impact on your time at Trinity is the Entertainment Officer or ‘Ents Officer’. The Ents officer will ensure you have someplace to go whenever you feel like a night out and is also responsible for the world renowned Trinity Ball - a night to remember year in and year out.
The Pav is Trinity’s on campus bar located on the edge of the sports pitches and the entertainment hub of the University. Listening to live music, watching matches on big screens, or simply relaxing with friends watching the sun sets over an institution that is older than the state itself have made the Pav a favoured haunt for generations of students. When you feel like a change from the Pav, you have all of Dublin’s night clubs, Temple bar and a plethora of other venues right on your doorstep. No other Irish university can offer 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 quests from around the world. Recent speakers included – Bono, Nancy Pelosi, Sean William Scott (American Pie), Eddie Jordan, Rafa Benitez, Alex Ferguson, Helen Mirren and John McCain to name but a few. Should you still require more ways to spend your time, Trinity’s societies and clubs organise numerous trips abroad to various European destinations, many events, and even an annual ski trip to one of Europe’s best resorts.
Trinity Publications
The award-winning magazines and newspapers that constitute Trinity College’s vibrant student media are supported by Trinity Publications. These include Trinity News (Trinity’s independent broadsheet newspaper) and its supplement magazine Tn2, The Bull (Ireland’s only student financial paper), The University Times (Student Union broadsheet newspaper), Icarus (literary review), TCD Miscellany (commentary and the oldest student publication in the country), The Piranha (satire), Trinity Film Review (film review), The Attic, The Social and Political Review, and The Histories and Humanities Journal.
2012 was a successful year for Trinity’s Publications at the National Student Media Awards, with the University Times winning ‘Newspaper of the year’ for the third year in a row, while the editor of Trinity News won the ‘Editor of the Year’ award. Other awards for Trinity Publications included ‘Best Magazine’, and the ‘Sports Writer of the Year’. In total Trinity claimed over one fifth of all awards on offer. If you think you may like a future career in media then we, as national leaders, can give you the best possible experience.
Trinity Publications celebrated alumni include 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, former Financial Times editors and many more notable figures in Irish and international media.
All students are encouraged to contribute to our publications. We also welcome applications to start up new student publications in College, and can offer funding to cover print costs and the use of our industry-standard design software and equipment.
Visit www.trinitypublications.ie where you find more information on what we do as well as links to all of our publications. Alternatively keep up to date with all things Trinity on www.trinitynews.ie or www.universitytimes.ie.
Theatres
The Samuel Beckett Centre comprises the Samuel Beckett Theatre (a 208-seat black box performance space), Players Theatre (the studio theatre of the student drama society), a dance studio/rehearsal space, seminar rooms and offices. During term time the Samuel Beckett Theatre showcases the work of Drama and theatre studies. It has also hosted visits from some of the most prestigious dance and theatre companies from Ireland, Europe, Japan and the United States. Regular events at the Samuel Beckett Theatre include the Dublin Theatre Festival, as well as an on-going series of lectures in contemporary theatre by practitioners and scholars.
Find out more at www.tcd.ie/Drama
The Lir Academy includes two studios – Studio One (a 150-seat black box performance space) and Studio Two (a 70-seat black box performance space). From September 2013 The Lir’s performance spaces will present a continuous programme of work featuring graduating students of the Academy, directed and designed by some of Ireland’s leading theatre practitioners. The Lir also hosts professional productions as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival and Dublin Fringe Festival as well as an occasional series of once-off performances, entitled The Lir Presents…, conceived in the context of the degrees and courses offered at The Lir featuring performances from some of the world’s leading theatrical innovators.
Find out more at www.thelir.ie
Gallery & Science Gallery
Located at the Nassau Street entrance of Trinity College, the Douglas Hyde Gallery is one of Ireland’s leading galleries of contemporary art. These are twelve exhibitions each year, including shows by some of the most highly regarded international painters and photographers, as well as highlighting interesting and exciting new art from Ireland. It is often the case that an exhibition in the Gallery is the first time an artist’s work is shown in this country.
The Gallery regularly holds free film screenings, talks, and music events. Students can avail of a discount on the Gallery’s books and our wide range of art, architecture, and culture magazines.
Find out more at www.douglashydegallery.com
Science Gallery is a world first. A new type of venue where today’s white-hot scientific issues are thrashed out and you can have your say. A place where ideas meet and opinions collide. See www.sciencegallery.com
Restaurants and coffee shops
On-campus, students have a wide choice of restaurants and coffee shops to suit all tastes and budgets. All outlets are proudly operated and managed by Trinity College’s Catering department. Students can choose from the Buttery Food Court with a hot food counter, deli counter and gourmet coffee option; the Hamilton Restaurant, and the very popular Dining Hall, where lunch is enjoyed in traditional splendour. You will also find coffee shops serving Lavazza coffee in the Arts Building, the Westland, Aras an Phiarsaigh, and the new Biomedical Sciences Institute. All coffee and tea served is ethically sourced and of superior quality. For more information on opening times and menus visit www.tcd.ie/catering or for details of upcoming events or special offers follow us on twitter.
In addition, Dublin city’s wide selection of restaurants, cafés, delis and coffee shops are within a few minutes walk of College.
Accommodation
There is accommodation both on campus and at Trinity Hall a short distance away. New entrants are predominantly accommodated at Trinity Hall which is 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.
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. All rooms are centrally heated, all floors are serviced by lifts, electric appliances are supplied in the kitchens, and for security, electronic swipe card locks are used throughout and are fitted on bedroom doors. Residents of Trinity Hall also become members of the Junior Common Room which organises a range of extra-curricular activities.
Why apply for a place in Trinity Hall? See www.tcd.ie/accommodation/StudentsandStaff/Students/TrinityHall/whyhalls
To hear from former residents and parents of Hall residents view our video clip at www.tcd.ie/accommodation/StudentsandStaff/Students/TrinityHall
Ar mhaith leat páirt a ghlacadh i Scéim Chónaithe Dhartraí, scéim i Halla na Tríonóide do lucht na chéad bhliana? Would you like to take part in Scéim Chónaithe Dhartraí, an Irish speaking residential scheme for Junior Freshman students in Trinity Hall?
Tuilleadh eolais/For further information, go to www.tcd.ie/gaeloifig/sceim-chonaithe/sceim-dhartrai
Trinity Hall Open Days are usually held on the Friday afternoon and Saturday in August after the Leaving Certificate results are published.
Cost of rooms in Trinity Hall 2012/2013
Twin en-suite room €4,256
Single room with shared bathroom €4,605
Single en-suite room €5,536
Rent inclusive of utilities, data, and cable TV.
How to apply for Trinity Hall
As soon as you have accepted a place in Trinity College you may submit an application for Trinity Hall online at www.tcd.ie/accommodation/StudentsandStaff/Students/ApplyforaRoom
On-campus rooms
Rooms on campus are mostly reserved for students in their final year and Trinity Scholars (see page 17). There are a number of rooms on the campus suitable for students who have mobility difficulties and who are capable of independent living. Where, due to medical or other particular circumstances, participation in College may be facilitated by the provision of accommodation, applications will receive special consideration. Applications from students with special needs should be addressed to the Registrar of Chambers, Accommodation Office, West Chapel, Trinity College, Dublin 2 as soon as an offer to a course at Trinity College is received. A supplementary form will then be sent requesting information from a medical practitioner and other relevant professionals, this form can also be downloaded from the web.
Find out more at www.tcd.ie/accommodation/StudentsandStaff/Students/ApplyforaRoom
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 accommodation, usually sharing an apartment or a house with other students.
The Accommodation Advisory Service operates annually from late August to the beginning of term in cooperation with the Students’ Union. It provides information and contacts for students wishing to secure rented accommodation and offers guidance on what to look for when renting. Phones are provided so that students may make contact with landlords. The Advisory Service may also be able to give some information on digs or lodgings (residing in a room in a house with meals provided).
For further information and advice see www.tcd.ie/accommodation/StudentsandStaff/UsefulInformation/PrivateRentedAccommodation