Trinity College Dublin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Trinity College
Collegium Sanctae Individuae Trinitatis
Front Gate on College Green
University	University of Dublin
Full name	The Provost, Fellows, Foundation Scholars and the other members of Board of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin Irish: Coláiste Thríonóid Naofa Neamhroinnte na Banríona Eilís gar do Bhaile Átha Cliath
Latin name	Collegium Sanctae et Individuae Trinitatis Reginae Elizabethae juxta Dublin
Motto	Perpetuis futuris temporibus duraturam (Latin)
Motto in English	It will last into endless future times
Founder	Queen Elizabeth I
Established	3 March 1592; 433 years ago (1592-03-03)
Named for	The Holy Trinity
Architectural style	Neoclassical architecture (majority)
Sister colleges	St. John's College, Cambridge Oriel College, Oxford
Provost	Linda Doyle
Undergraduates	11,718 (2016–17)
Postgraduates	4,707 (2016–17)
Newspaper	Trinity News, University Times
Affiliations	CLUSTER, Coimbra Group, LERU, UNITECH
Student association	Trinity College Dublin Students' Union
Map
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Trinity College (Irish: Coláiste na Tríonóide) is a famous university in Dublin, Ireland. Its official name is "The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin." It is the only college that makes up the University of Dublin.

Queen Elizabeth I started Trinity College in 1592. She wanted it to be like the big universities in Oxford and Cambridge, England. Even though she planned for more, Trinity College was the only one ever built. So, when people say "Trinity College" or "University of Dublin," they usually mean the same place.

Trinity is the oldest university in Ireland. It is known for its strong focus on research. The university has three main parts called faculties. These faculties contain 23 schools. They offer many different courses for students who are just starting (undergraduates) and those who are continuing their studies (postgraduates). Getting into Trinity is based on how well you do in school. It is especially famous for subjects like law, writing, and humanities.

Trinity College Dublin is one of the seven oldest universities in Great Britain and Ireland. It is like a sister college to St John's College, Cambridge and Oriel College, Oxford. This means if you graduate from one, you can get a similar degree from the others without extra exams. The Trinity College Library is the biggest library in Ireland. It has been home to the famous Book of Kells since 1661.

Many famous Irish writers, poets, and thinkers studied at Trinity. These include Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, and Bram Stoker (who wrote Dracula). Four Nobel Prize winners also studied there: Samuel Beckett, Ernest Walton, Mairead Maguire, and William Cecil Campbell. Several former Presidents of Ireland, like Mary Robinson, also went to Trinity.

A Look at Trinity's Past

How Trinity College Started

A long time ago, in 1320, there was another university in Dublin. It was at St. Patrick's Cathedral. But it didn't last.

Then, in 1592, a group of Dublin citizens got permission from Queen Elizabeth I. They started Trinity College on the land where an old church used to be. The city of Dublin gave them this land.

The first leader of the college was Adam Loftus. He was the Archbishop of Dublin. Two years later, a few teachers and students began working in the new college. It was built around one small square.

Over the next 50 years, the college grew. They got more land and money. They also started new teaching positions. The first books for the huge library were collected. They also created the study plan and rules for the college.

Why Trinity College Was Created

Trinity College was partly set up to help the Tudor kings and queens keep control in Ireland. For a long time, it was mainly for Protestants. Even though Catholics could attend, they had to take an oath to graduate that they didn't agree with.

In 1793, this oath was removed. So, Catholics could graduate. However, some jobs at the college, like professors and scholars, were still only for Protestants.

Trinity College in the 1700s and 1800s

In the 1700s, Trinity College was seen as the university for the Protestant leaders. The Irish Parliament, which met nearby, gave a lot of money for new buildings. The first big building was the Old Library, started in 1712. Then came the Printing House and the Dining Hall.

Later in the 1700s, Parliament Square began to take shape. The building boom finished in the early 1800s with Botany Bay. This area got its name partly from a herb garden that used to be there.

The 1800s also saw big changes in professional studies. The law school was updated. Medical teaching had been happening since 1711. But it really grew after 1800, becoming very important in Dublin medicine. The Engineering School started in 1842. It was one of the first of its kind in Ireland and Britain.

Who Could Attend Trinity College?

Catholics were allowed to attend Trinity from the start. But graduating was hard because of certain oaths. After some changes, these oaths were removed in 1793. This allowed Catholics to graduate. This happened before similar changes at Oxford and Cambridge.

However, some restrictions remained. For example, in 1845, a Catholic student named Denis Caulfield Heron was not allowed to become a Scholar. This was because of his religion. This decision showed that only Anglicans could be Scholars, Fellows, or professors.

But within 30 years, all these rules against Catholics were removed. In 1873, a law was passed that got rid of all religious tests. The only exception was for those studying to become priests.

In 1871, Catholic bishops in Ireland told Catholics not to go to Trinity College. They saw it as too Protestant. This ban lasted a long time. It was finally lifted in 1970, just before Archbishop John Charles McQuaid retired. He had been in charge of enforcing the ban since 1956.

Trinity College in the 1900s

In 1904, women were allowed to become full members of Trinity College for the first time. From 1904 to 1907, women from Oxford and Cambridge, who couldn't get degrees there, came to Trinity to receive theirs. They were called "Steamboat ladies." The money they paid helped fund Trinity Hall, a student residence.

Trinity College was a target during the 1916 Easter Rising. But a small group of students successfully defended it. After Ireland became independent in 1922, Trinity College had a difficult relationship with the new government. Some government scholarships even excluded Trinity.

Over time, Trinity became more connected with the Republic of Ireland. By the late 1960s, most students were from the Republic.

The School of Commerce started in 1925. The School of Social Studies began in 1934. Also in 1934, the first female professor was hired.

In 1944, Archbishop John Charles McQuaid required Catholics in Dublin to get special permission to attend Trinity. If they didn't, they faced being removed from the church. This ban was made national in 1956. Despite this, in 1958, the first Catholic became a Senior Fellow on the college's Board.

In 1962, the Schools of Commerce and Social Studies joined to form the School of Business and Social Studies. In 1969, the different schools were grouped into larger faculties.

In 1970, the Catholic Church finally lifted its ban on Catholics attending Trinity College. At the same time, Trinity invited a Catholic chaplain to work at the college. Now, there are two Catholic chaplains and one Methodist chaplain.

Student numbers grew a lot in the 1980s and 1990s. The total number of students more than doubled. This led to more investment in the college's resources.

In 1991, Thomas Noel Mitchell became the first Roman Catholic to be elected Provost of Trinity College.

Trinity College in the 2000s

Today, Trinity College is right in the middle of Dublin. In the early 2000s, the college changed how its academic departments were structured. This helped save money and reduce administration. The number of faculties was reduced from six to three.

The college has a ten-year plan to focus on four main research areas. This helps them compete for funding around the world.

The Hamilton Mathematics Institute opened in 2005. It is named after William Rowan Hamilton, a famous mathematician. Its goal is to make Irish mathematics more well-known globally. It also helps local math research through workshops and conferences.

In 2021, Linda Doyle became the first woman to be elected Provost. She took over from Patrick Prendergast.

Buildings and Campus Life

Trinity College's main campus feels calm and peaceful. This is true even though it is in the middle of a busy city. This is because the buildings are close together and face inwards. They are mostly arranged around open areas called squares. There are only a few public entrances. Trinity also owns other buildings in Dublin. It has a business center near Ringsend and a botanic garden in Dartry.

Main Campus Features

The main college grounds cover about 47 acres (190,000 square meters). The buildings themselves have about 200,000 square meters of space. They range from very old buildings to modern ones. The main entrance is on College Green. The campus is divided by College Park. This park has fields for cricket and rugby.

The older part of the college is on the western side. Here you will find the Campanile (a bell tower). There are also beautiful buildings like the Chapel and Examination Hall. The Rubrics is the only part left of the original 17th-century square. The Provost's House is near the main gate. Its garden faces into the college. The Douglas Hyde Gallery, a modern art gallery, is also on campus. So is the Samuel Beckett Theatre. This theatre hosts many shows and is used by drama students.

The eastern side of the college has science buildings. Most of these are modern. In 2010, Forbes magazine called Trinity one of the 15 most beautiful college campuses in the world.

The College Chapel

The current chapel was finished in 1798. It was designed by Sir William Chambers. He also designed the public theatre across from the chapel. The chapel shows the college's Anglican history. It has daily morning prayers and weekly evening services.

Since 1970, the chapel has been open to all religions. It is now also used for Catholic Mass every day. Besides the Anglican chaplain, there are two Roman Catholic chaplains and one Methodist chaplain. Many events for different religions are held here. These include the yearly carol service.

The Amazing Library

The Trinity College Library is the largest research library in Ireland. Because of its history, it gets a copy of almost every book published in Great Britain and Ireland. This means it receives over 100,000 new items each year. The library has about five million books. It also has many old manuscripts, maps, and music.

The original (Old) Library is a huge building. It used to be the tallest building in the university and city. Even today, it looks very impressive. It was started when the college was founded. The Book of Kells is the library's most famous book. It is kept in the Old Library, along with other old texts. The Old Library also has the Long Room. About 600,000 people visit the Old Library each year. This makes it Dublin's third most visited tourist spot. In the 1700s, the college received the Brian Boru harp. This is one of Ireland's national symbols. It is now in the library.

The library also has other buildings. These include the Berkeley Library, the Lecky Library, and the Ussher Library. The Ussher Library, opened in 2003, has the Glucksman Map Library. This library has half a million maps. It is the largest collection of maps in Ireland.

The name of the Berkeley Library recently caused some discussion. This is because George Berkeley was involved in the slave trade. In 2023, Trinity College decided to change the name of the Berkeley Library.

The library also includes the William Hamilton Science and Engineering Library. The John Stearne Medical Library is at St James's Hospital.

Business School

The Trinity College Business School has a new building. It cost €80 million and opened in 2019. The Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), Leo Varadkar, who studied medicine at Trinity, opened it. This six-story building has a special area for new ideas and businesses. It also has a large auditorium with 600 seats. There are "smart classrooms" with digital technology. The building is designed to use very little energy. It connects the city to the main university grounds.

Other Places at Trinity College

Trinity also has other buildings and facilities around the city. These include departments for politics and sociology on Dame Street. The health sciences buildings are at St. James's Hospital and Tallaght University Hospital. The Trinity Centre at St James's Hospital has more teaching rooms. It also has the Institute of Molecular Medicine.

The college's botanic garden is in Dartry. This is about four kilometers south of the main campus. Trinity also owns many student homes on Dartry Road in Rathmines. These are called Trinity Hall. A new herb garden opened in 2011. There are also small gardens in Botany Bay and behind the Provost's House.

In 2018, Trinity announced plans to build new research facilities. These would be in Grand Canal Dock. This area is planned to be an "Innovation District."

Besides College Park and Botany Bay, Trinity has sports grounds in Santry and Crumlin. It also has a boathouse in Islandbridge.

How Trinity College is Run

Trinity College is run according to old rules from Elizabeth I and other kings and queens. These rules have been updated over time. The college is officially called "The Provost, Fellows and Scholars of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin." It is led by the Provost. Linda Doyle has been the Provost since August 2021.

The names "University of Dublin" and "Trinity College" usually mean the same thing. Trinity was first set up like Oxford and Cambridge universities. These universities have several colleges. But Trinity was the only college ever built for the University of Dublin. So, the college does the teaching and research. The university mainly gives out degrees.

Who Makes the Decisions?

The main group that runs the college is called the Board. It was started in 1637. The Board makes decisions about how the college is run. The Provost, who is the head of the college, leads the Board.

The Provost

The Provost is elected for a ten-year term. All full-time academic staff and a few students vote for the Provost. The Provost is the chief executive of the college. They lead the Board and Council. The Provost is also very important in the University of Dublin.

Fellows and Scholars

Fellows are chosen from the college's academic staff. Being elected a Fellow means you have done excellent work in your field. It is like a promotion. Professors who are not already Fellows become Fellows.

Scholars are chosen from undergraduate students. They take a special exam in their second year. If they do very well, they are elected Scholars. Being a Scholar is considered a very high honor for students in Ireland. Scholars get free rooms in the college. They also receive an allowance and their course fees are paid. They can also eat for free in the Dining Hall.

The Board

The Board is the main group that governs Trinity College. It includes the Provost, other senior staff, Fellows, academic staff who are not Fellows, non-academic staff, and students. There are also members from outside the college, like from business.

The Council

The Council handles academic matters. All its decisions need to be approved by the Board. The Council is responsible for hiring academic staff. For example, if a new professor position is created, the Council decides to create it. But the Board has to approve the money for the salary.

The Senate

The University of Dublin was designed to be like Oxford and Cambridge. Trinity College was meant to be the "mother of the university." Since no other college was ever built, Trinity College and the University of Dublin are mostly the same. However, the university has its own legal rights. The Senate of the university must agree to changes in the university's rules. All graduates with at least a master's degree can be members of the Senate.

Visitors

Trinity College also has two "visitors" who oversee it. These are the Chancellor of the university and a judicial visitor. They act like a final court of appeal within the college. This means they are independent from the college's daily management.

Academic Connections

Trinity College is a "sister college" to Oriel College, Oxford and St John's College, Cambridge. This means that if you graduate with a degree from one of these universities, you can get a similar degree from the other two without taking more exams.

Teaching Hospitals

Trinity College works with several hospitals for teaching and training. These include:

• Tallaght University Hospital
• St. James's Hospital
• St Patrick's University Hospital
• Dublin Dental University Hospital
• Naas General Hospital
• Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital
• Rotunda Hospital
• Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital
• Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
• Peamount Hospital
• National Rehabilitation Hospital

Other Connected Institutions

Trinity College is also connected to other teaching places. These include the Royal Irish Academy of Music and the Marino Institute of Education. The School of Business also works with the Irish Management Institute.

How to Get In

Getting into Trinity College is very competitive. It is based on how well you do in your school exams. You need to meet certain requirements, like having good grades in English, math, and a second language.

Students from Ireland, Britain, and the European Union apply through a system called the Central Applications Office. Trinity College then chooses students based on their exam results.

Students from outside the European Union have different ways to apply. There are also special programs for students who might not otherwise get to go to university. These include programs for disadvantaged, disabled, or older students.

If you haven't taken certain international exams, there is a one-year Foundation Program. This program helps prepare students for studying at Trinity. Students must also show they are good at English.

Applying for postgraduate studies (after your first degree) is done directly through Trinity College.

Special Awards and Honors

Entrance Exhibition and Sizarship

Students who get amazing results in their final school exams receive an Entrance Exhibition. This comes with a prize of book tokens. Students who receive this award and have limited money are called Sizars. They get free evening meals.

Foundation Scholarship

Second-year undergraduate students can take a special exam to become a Foundation Scholar. This exam happens in December. On Trinity Monday (in April), the college announces who has become a Scholar. This is considered the most important undergraduate award in Ireland.

Scholars from EU countries get free rooms and free meals in the Dining Hall. They also get a yearly payment and don't have to pay tuition fees for five years. Scholars from non-EU countries have their fees reduced. Scholars can add "SCH." after their names. They can also wear special robes and a velvet hat.

The Scholarship exam is very difficult. Successful students must be very talented. Many famous people from Trinity, like Samuel Beckett, were Scholars. The Scholars' dinner is a big event in Trinity's calendar. It celebrates excellence in academics.

The idea of Scholars dates back to the college's founding in 1592. For a long time, there were 70 Scholars at any one time. Trinity Monday was the day when new Scholars were announced.

Until 1856, only classical subjects were part of the exam. Later, other subjects were added. Around the 1900s, "Non-Foundation" Scholarships were created. This allowed more than 70 students to be Scholars if they met the high standards. Both Foundation and Non-Foundation Scholars get the same benefits. They are both highly respected.

Trinity College's Reputation

University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World	151–200 (2023)
CWUR World	235 (2022–23)
QS World	81 (2024)
THE World	=134 (2024)
USNWR Global	215 (2023)

Trinity College is highly ranked among universities worldwide. In 2024, it was ranked 81st in the world by the QS World University Rankings. This makes it 26th in Europe and 1st in Ireland. Its highest ranking was 43rd in the world in 2009. Trinity is also ranked 134th in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2024. It is also 1st in Ireland in these rankings.

Trinity's dentistry program is ranked very high globally, between 51st and 75th.

Student Life at Trinity College

Student Societies

Trinity College has over 120 student societies. These groups are managed by the Dublin University Central Societies Committee (CSC).

The three oldest societies are in the Graduates Memorial Building (GMB). These are the University Philosophical Society (the Phil), the College Historical Society (the Hist), and the College Theological Society (the Theo). They all hold debates and discussions. The Phil claims to be founded in 1683. The Hist was founded in 1770.

The Phil has many famous people as honorary patrons. These include Nobel Prize winners, world leaders, and actors like Al Pacino and Stephen Fry. The Hist has also hosted many important speakers, like Winston Churchill.

Other popular societies include the Vincent de Paul Society (VDP). This group organizes many charity activities. DU Players is a theatre society that puts on over 50 shows a year. The DU Film Society helps students make films. Trinity FM is a student radio station. The Q Soc is Ireland's oldest LGBT society.

There are also clubs for poker and bridge, comedy, and dance. The Trinity Fashion Society holds an annual charity fashion show.

Sports Clubs

Trinity has a strong tradition in sports. The college has 50 sports clubs. These clubs are part of the Dublin University Central Athletic Club (DUCAC).

Some of the oldest clubs include the Dublin University Cricket Club (1835) and the Dublin University Boat Club (1836). The Dublin University Football Club, founded in 1854, plays rugby union. It is the oldest documented "football club" in the world. The Dublin University A.F.C., started in 1883, is the oldest existing association football club in Ireland.

The newest club is the American football team. They joined the Irish American Football League in 2008. The Dublin University Fencing Club has won many titles. Its history goes back to the 1700s.

Student Publications

Trinity College has a long history of student publications. These range from serious newspapers to funny magazines. Most are managed by Trinity Publications.

There are two main student newspapers: The University Times and Trinity News. The University Times has won many awards. Trinity News is Ireland's oldest student newspaper. It started in 1953. It publishes online and a print edition every three weeks.

Student magazines include the funny newspaper The Piranha. There is also the general interest magazine T.C.D. Miscellany. Other publications cover film, literature, economics, law, and medical topics.

The Trinity Ball

The Trinity Ball is a big yearly event. About 7,000 people attend it. It used to be held on the last teaching day of the Trinity term. Now, it is held on the final day of teaching in the Hilary Term. The Ball celebrates the end of lectures. It is organized by student groups and event promoters. The Ball celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009.

Students' Union

The Students' Union helps students connect with the university leaders. It is run by elected student officers. These officers include the President, Communications Officer, Welfare Officer, Education Officer, and Entertainments Officer. All students can vote for them. The President, Welfare Officer, and Education Officer are also members of the College Board.

There is also a Graduate Students' Union for postgraduate students. Its president is also on the College Board.

Traditions and Culture

Commons Meals

Commons is a three-course meal served in the College Dining Hall. It happens Monday to Friday. Scholars, Fellows, and Sizars attend, along with other college members and their guests.

Commons starts at 6:15 PM. The bell of the Campanile rings at 6:00 PM to let people know. A special prayer in Latin is said before and after the meal. During Advent, the Chapel Choir sings Christmas carols during the meals.

Trinity Week Celebrations

Trinity Week starts each year on Trinity Monday in mid-April.

The week begins with the election of new Fellows and Scholars. The college leaders announce the names in front of the main square. Then, a special service is held in the College Chapel. The Chapel Choir sings music.

Other Traditions

Trinity College has a long-standing, friendly rivalry with University College Dublin. Every year, they compete in sports events. They also have debates between their debating societies.

Famous People from Trinity College

Many famous people have studied or worked at Trinity College. Here are some of them:

Four former Presidents of Ireland also went to Trinity: Douglas Hyde, Éamon de Valera, Mary Robinson, and Mary McAleese. Two Irish Prime Ministers (Taoisigh) also studied there: Éamon de Valera and Leo Varadkar.

See also

In Spanish: Trinity College (Dublín) para niños