TCD Launches Historical Records of a Half Century of University of Dublin Graduates

Posted on: 06 July 2006

Dublin University’s Chancellor, Dr. Mary Robinson launched three historical records of a half century of University of Dublin graduates, on July 6th last. They included A Catalogue of the Graduates of the University of Dublin (Volume VIII), Trinity College Record Volume and Companion to the Record Volume – Statistical Reports.

 The Catalogue of Graduates of the University of Dublin (VIII) includes details of the 58,700 graduates of the university during the years 1970-2000. Commenting on its significance, Trinity College’s Provost, Dr John Hegarty, said: “it bore testimony to the university’s human achievement in terms of education and forged a formal link with those alumni who have an important role to play in Trinity College in the present day.”

The Provost made particular reference to the significance of the number of graduates of 58,700 who graduated during the 30-year period which was almost equivalent to the total number of 56,000 graduates who graduated from the university over a period of almost four centuries (1592-1969).

Other volumes launched were the Trinity College Record Volume which covers the period 1949-2000 and Companion to the Record Volume – Statistical Reports which was published for the first time. The Statistical Reports summarise historical trends over half a century, covering scholars, honorary degrees, degrees conferred and qualifications awarded. The invaluable information contained in the Reports accurately portrays Ireland’s changing society during that period.  They highlight for example the substantial increase in female students in all areas including the award of Scholarships and Fellowships to women since 1968.  In 1950, of the degrees conferred, 15.5% of recipients were women while by 2000, the percentage had more than trebled to 48%.

Overall, during the years 1949-2000 the University of Dublin awarded 44,196 degrees and qualifications, and 491 honorary degrees were conferred. There were 20,943 moderators and respondents during the years 1950-2000 and 1,128 were elected to scholar during the years 1951-2000. 

Both the Chancellor and the Provost paid special tribute to the sterling work of Dermot Sherlock, Trinity College’s former Assistant Secretary (Records) and Recorder of Alumni who  compiled the volumes and who was assisted by TCD’s former  Information Systems Services’ manager, Gail Hogan along with Jean O’ Hara of the Alumni Office and Leona Cody of Students Records.