At Trinity College Dublin we look at campus life in two of its busiest times – freshers week and graduation. At Ireland’s oldest university there is a selection of more than 170 student societies and sports clubs to join. Recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest student society, the ‘hist’ society was founded in 1770. So, whether it’s the karate club, rowing club, the film society or the Afro-Caribbean society, students have a lot to choose from.
Meet Niall and Paul from the Security Team
Who’s keeping you safe? We meet Trinity’s Security team whose role is to keep Trinity’s city-centre campus and 20,000 students, staff and visitors safe day and night.
The security guards, like Niall and Paul, who work on campus are important characters in college life, they look after students and make a conscious effort to introduce themselves to first years, particularly during ‘freshers’ week.
The security team work at big events such as VIP visits, conduct 24/7 mobile and foot patrols, monitor CCTV and quickly jump into action at the sound of any alarm.
In a dynamic and diverse campus based in a bustling city centre, the university security team is a reassuring presence, ensuring peace of mind for all who study, work, and visit the campus.
Meet Lorraine Norton, Master of Ceremonies for Conferrings
The day you officially graduate from university is a significant time in any student’s life, on campus it is a day filled with excitement, joy, relief, but also for some it can be bittersweet, as the students leave the gates of Trinity once more, only now, they leave as Graduates.
Each ceremony is co-ordinated by a large team led by Lorraine Norton. Lorraine’s role is Graduation & Research Examination Activity Lead, however on the day of Trinity’s conferring’s she is the Master of Ceremonies.
The ceremonies are held in the historic grand Exam Hall. The gowns, the scrolls, the all-Latin ceremony, the colourful gowned Caput (parade) of officials; all add up to an emotionally charged experience for students, families and guests. In this series of ‘My Uni Life’ we’re offered a seat at this special ceremony.
Meet Sam, student and President of the Afro Caribbean Society
Being part of a Trinity Club or Society is a lot of fun especially for Sam who studies Biological and Biomedical Sciences in Trinity College Dublin. His decision to choose this course stemmed from an interest in understanding chemical reactions within organisms. Beyond the excitement of pursuing his interests, Sam found a sense of community in societies.
When Sam was in first year he was elected the first Year Rep of the Afro Caribbean Society. Through this role, he assisted with numerous events and met many people. He says “Society life in Trinity is incomparable, you really get out of it what you put in.” This positive experience led him to run for and become the President of the Afro Caribbean Society in his second year.
Sam believes society life is paramount for social life in college.
We also catch up with Áine and Sébastien from the College Historical Society, the oldest university society in the world and still going strong!
About Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) is located in the heart of Dublin city centre and is the oldest university in Ireland, established 1592. It is recognised for academic excellence and a transformative student experience. There are over 121,000 alumni across the globe, including Oscar Wilde, novelist Samuel Beckett and former Presidents of Ireland Mary Robinson and Mary MacAleese.
Trinity has over 18,000 students enrolled and three large faculties offering over 400 academic programmes, at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, students have a wide range of course options in the arts, business, economics, humanities, social sciences, engineering, mathematics, sciences, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and a range of other health science programmes.