Student Societies Win National Irish College Awards

Posted on: 09 June 2011

The Dublin University Players were successful for the third year in a row at the annual Board of Irish College Societies (BICS) awards after beating off competition to take the ‘Best Event in a Large College Award’ for the TCD Shakespeare Festival.  The award recognises the effort made by the student society to bring the festival, which is one of the highlights of the Irish theatre calendar, to actualisation. 

Trinity College’s Bridge and Card Society was also successful on the night winning the award for ‘Most Improved Society’.  First year student in Trinity’s School of English, Joel Loll-McKeever, won the award for ‘Best Fresher in a Large College’ along with DIT’s Ruth Murray.

Joel Loll-McKeever receives his award for ‘Best Fresher in a Large College’.

Guest speaker at the event, Regional President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe, Mary Davis said: “We all recognise the huge contribution and the difference that you are making to each of your societies and institutions.  I think these awards are a great example of leadership, active citizenship and volunteerism.  The country needs your determination, enthusiasm and confidence – you are our future.”

The Irish College Society Awards are run by the Board of Irish College Societies (BICS)  which is a national organisation dedicated to providing a national forum for societies in Ireland’s universities, colleges and education institutions. The purpose of the National Awards is to recognise the huge effort and dedication made by the many individuals who run student societies across Ireland and celebrate the importance contribution societies make to college life.  The Central Societies Committee (CSC) is the College body that regulates student societies, granting recognition and funding as well as overseeing activity.  Formally established in 1969, the CSC is now responsible for over 100 societies across College.