Trinity invites submissions on legacy issues and renaming of the library

Trinity is inviting submissions from the public and its community on future legacy issues to be considered by the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group (TLWRG).

 The University is also seeking public submissions on a new name for the library on its campus that was formerly named after the philosopher George Berkeley.  

The Board of Trinity decided to dename the library in April 2023 following a review triggered by a student petition. Trinity intends to rename the library within the current academic year. 

Submissions on these issues can be made by filling out the relevant forms on the newly launched Trinity Legacies website.

• Submissions on the new library name are due by end-January 2024.  

• Other legacy issue submissions will be considered in this round, if submitted by end-March 2024.  

• All accepted submissions will be published on the website. 

Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle said:  “Trinity is committed to the fundamental values of human dignity, equality, freedom, and inclusion. We aim to always be a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for individuals across a broad spectrum of backgrounds and viewpoints. For these reasons it is important for us to listen to as many voices as possible, as we embark on a further evidence-based review of legacy issues. This website offers us an important mechanism to do that.”  

Chair of the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group Eoin O’Sullivan (below) said:  “Having reached decisions on two critical issues in the first year of our operation– the return of crania to Inishbofin and the library denaming – the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group is now moving on to consider further issues that our complex legacy may prompt. As before, our emphasis will be on evidence-led deliberations. Members of the public will be asked to include in their suggestions as much detail and evidence as possible about the issue and its connection with Trinity.” 

On the search for a new name for the library, Librarian and College Archivist Helen Shenton said:  “We have an opportunity to show imagination in the renaming of this iconic library. We encourage suggestions not just confined to people’s names but all sorts of options, including places, dates, concepts, and more.”  

Trinity is working on a comprehensive inventory of the nature and origin of all human remains in its historic collections, which will significantly improve its capacity to make informed decisions regarding current and future relevant inquiries. 

The University is also conscious of the importance of aligning its approach with evolving national policy on this area. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media has this year established a new expert committee to advise Government on issues relating to the restitution and repatriation of culturally sensitive objects in Ireland.  

Submissions that relate to human remains can be made here. 

Media Contact:

Catherine O’Mahony | Media Relations | catherine.omahony@tcd.ie