Under blue skies and glorious sunshine, a packed Front Square was the scene for the annual Trinity Monday Scholars and Fellows announcement.

Image containing two square photos. The left features a close-up photo of the Provost making the Trinity Monday announcement on the steps of the Public Theatre. She, and the college leadership team who stand around her are all wearing academic gowns. The photo on the right features two students hugging following the Scholars announcement. The Campanile is visible in the background.

Screams of joy could be heard in pockets throughout the crowd as the Provost read the names of the new Fellows and Scholars from the steps of the Public Theatre, surrounded by members of Board. Among this year’s Fellows was John Bosco, the Director of Trinity’s Centre for Deaf Studies, and Trinity’s first Fellow who is deaf.  

Image with two square photos. The left photo features Linda standing with two new Scholars, and their two mothers. The right photo features Linda with new Fellow, John Bosco. They are both wearing academic gowns.

Following the celebration on Front Square, many made their way to the College Chapel for the annual Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving. This year’s guest preacher was Rev. Canon Mark Birch, Canon of Westminster and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. As ever, the Chapel Choir provided a stunning musical backdrop for the gathering.  

The service was followed by the Trinity Monday Memorial Discourse in the Graduates’ Memorial Building. Prof. Patrick Geoghegan, Professor in Modern History, delivered this year’s discourse on the life of Trinity graduate and Nigerian statesman, Jaja Wachuku. Prof. Geoghegan’s discourse was acknowledged with prolonged applause and was followed by a wonderful response from Jaja Wachuku’s daughter, Nwabueze Jaja Wachuku Nwokolo. The discourse was also attended by the Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland, Her Excellency Ibiyemi A. Ajiboye-Roberts.

Trinity Monday celebrations continued in the afternoon as Scholars and Fellows were invited to an ‘At Home’ reception in the Provost’s garden, followed by a light-hearted Fellows vs Scholars marbles match on the steps of the College Chapel. This year, the Scholars were the victors! 

The day concluded with the Scholars and Fellows Dinner in the Dining Hall, and the traditional group photo in the Public Theatre, which also included the ‘Scholars of the Decades’. These are the Trinity Scholars who received their scholarships in previous decades. Notable returning scholars this year included Mary Robinson (1965) and David Norris (1955).

Image with four square photos. Top-right features Linda standing for a photo with the Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland, Prof. Patrick Geoghegan, and Jaja Wachukus daughter. Top-left is a photo of Fellows and Scholars gathered in the Provost garden for the At Home event. Bottom-left features a Fellow and Scholar about to play marbles at the College Chapel. Bottom-right is the group photo.