Foreword

Trinity Week is one of the most enjoyable weeks in the Trinity calendar. During Trinity Week we celebrate the academic and scholarly achievements of our staff and students.  This year it will take place from the 8th to the 12th of April. 

It commences on Trinity Monday with the long established tradition of announcing the new Fellows and Scholars from the steps of the Public Theatre. The Fellows are academic staff who have demonstrated great achievement and scholarship through their published works, and who have shown commitment to the College’s core mission in education and research. The new Scholars are undergraduate students who have excelled in the arduous scholarship examination. They have demonstrated their ability as critical and innovative thinkers. At the Scholars' Dinner that evening special tribute is paid to new and past Scholars, with many of those in attendance representing several decades of scholars.

Following the announcement of the new Fellows and Scholars, the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving is held in the College Chapel, with this year’s address being given by Dr Geraldine Smyth from the School of Religions, Theology and Ecumenics.  The Trinity Monday Memorial Discourse will be delivered in the GMB by Dr Zuleika Rodgers – her discourse will be on the life of Professor Jacob Weingreen.  On Wednesday, the Trinity Week Academic Symposium will draw together leading experts to discuss ‘Irish Migration Today and Yesterday’, a fitting subject matter given Ireland are currently holding the Presidency of the EU. 

This year the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences are hosting Trinity Week and have put together an exciting programme which should attract a great level of interest.  With the theme of The Irish Diaspora: Social, Cultural and Economic Perspectives, events during the course of the week include symposia, concerts, theatre, lectures and a Trinity edition of University Challenge!

Of course Trinity Week is not just about academic activities: the infamous Trinity Ball will have taken place on the Friday preceding the start of Trinity Week and the traditional Chariots of Fire in Front Square will take place on Trinity Wednesday.

On behalf of all of us who can look forward to a vibrant Trinity Week, I thank the organisers of the many events. I look forward to participating.

Patrick Prendergast
PROVOST