An Cumann Gaelach wins Best Large Society and Best Overall Society Awards
Posted on: 14 March 2014
An Cumann Gaelach won Best Large Society and Best Overall Society at the recent annual Central Societies Committee (CSC) Society of the Year Awards.
The Society was recognised for its contribution to campus life with the number and variety of activities, projects and events organised throughout the year. For the love of the Irish language the society works to strengthen Gaeilge in Trinity and to ensure that more staff and students have an opportunity to attend events and get involved with the Irish Language.
Among the extensive number of events the society held this year were Éigse na Tríonóide, the annual Trinity Irish Festival; Ciorcal Comhrá, a weekly conversation circle in Seomra na Gaeilge; An Tóstal, a gathering of past members held as part of The Gathering and Bliain na Gaeilge; and Cúrsa Yóg, a six week yoga course. The society also established an online debating forum, Fóram Díospóireachta.
Niamh Ní Chróinín, Chairperson of Cumann Gealach, won Best Individual for her role in the society. In conjunction with the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) and Voluntary Tuition Programme (VTP) she founded the society’s Club na Gaeilge, an Irish Homework club where Cumann Gaelach members travelled each week to local schools to help disadvantaged children with their Irish homework. Niamh established ties internationally with two universities in the United States, pairing society members with American students studying Irish, creating a thriving pen pal system. She also initiated a plan to start a series of Leaving Certificate instructional videos to help students with their Irish oral exams.
The Society for International Affairs won (SoFIA) Best New Society. SoFIA was set up in 2013 to promote the discussion of diplomacy and diplomatic affairs. In its first year SoFIA has made a significant impact in College organising a diplomat speaker series, Model United Nations (MUN) workshops, career guidance clinics and hosting events almost every week. SoFIA also represented Trinity in delegations at international University Model United Nations sessions including, OxIMUN (Oxford), LIMUN, ScotMUN (Scotland) and FinMUN (Helsinki). The society has successfully appealed to broad audience and gives visibility to current international affairs, providing a platform for discussion and networking through its many varied events.
An Cumann Gaelach, Niamh Ní Chróinín and SoFIA will represent Trinity at the Board of Irish College Society (BICS) National Society of the Year Awards in Queen’s University on April 10thin their winning categories.
The CSC awards students who have put great effort into fulfilling the aims of their societies, providing a service to their members while adding significantly to the Trinity experience. The 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 110 societies covering diverse interests.
Other Society of the Year award winners include:
Best Small Society: the Student Managed Fund
Best Medium Society: the Maths Society
Best Large Society: an Cumann Gaelach
Most Improved Society: the Zoological Society
Best New Society: SoFIA (Society for International Affairs)
Best Event: Through the Looking Glass (TAF)
Best Individual: Niamh Ní Chróinín (Cumann Gaelach)
Best Fresher: Ursula McGinn (Players)
Best Poster: We Need the Eggs (Colm Summers – Players)
Best Publication: The Player – Players
Online Presence: DU Pirate Party
Best Overall Society: Cumann Gaelach
Societies Choice: Trinity TV