The tradition of college societies in Ireland began over 300 years ago. With the number of colleges and students in the country, this tradition continues to grow. The size of the college and level of sponsorship generally determines the number and success of societies. The Literary and Historical Society (L&H) in UCD is the college's most celebrated society and one of the oldest in Ireland. The L&H is a debating society which organises guest speakers to make presentations and invites its members to put questions to them. Among the more prominent guests to make presentations to the society in recent years are, F W de Clerk, George Mitchell, Paddy Hill and Gerry Adams. The line up for the coming year is to include President McAleese, journalist Charlie Bird, Ken Maginnis of the Ulster Unionist Party and comedian Dara O'Briain. Last year two of the society's members won the Irish Times debating competition.
The Commerce and Economics Society (C&E) is the largest college society in UCD, Ireland and the British Isles, boasting a membership of over 4,300. The society organises trips away, black tie balls, theme night club events and, on a more serious level, debates and career talks. A committee has been set up within the society to support and facilitate first year students in expressing grievances and suggestions to the organising committee. The society has been awarded "society of the year" for the second time in three years. The Law Society, which also puts great emphasis on debating, offers tutorials to new members who have little debating experience. Other societies making their presence felt and increasing in membership are the Dramsoc, Netsoc, the film society and several faculty-based societies.
As you will soon find out, societies put great emphasis on what auditors like to call "social development". This aspect of student life at DIT is likely to flourish, it being situated in the heart of the city. But there's more to it than social development. Over 100 clubs and societies operate in the institute and its Challenging Times team reached the final last year. Debating societies are among the most popular and successful societies. UCC proved the strength of its debating society when it won the 1997 Irish Times debating competition. Another society of which the college is especially proud is its Wargaming and Role-Playing Society (WARPS). The wargaming aspect of the society involves card and dice games. The college hosts a major gaming event every January, attracting students from colleges around Ireland and from elsewhere in Europe. The January 2000 gaming event is expected to draw greater numbers than previous years as it will be the first gaming event in the new millennium.
The strong financial support enjoyed by the larger colleges makes development and maintenance of societies easier. For smaller colleges it proves more difficult but they continue to strive to create and expand the place of societies in student life. Such is the plight of Christina Nee of Letterkenny IT students' union. While acknowledging that without financial support the viability of societies is jeopardised, Nee believes apathy is often just as big a factor. She says many students "don't realise the benefits of participating in societies". Societies at Letterkenny that have strong membership are the Mountain Bike Society; the Dramsoc, and the Weekend Society, which organises weekend entertainment for students living away from home. It is not surprising, being embedded in the home of Irish arts and culture, that NUI Galway's most popular societies are its Dramsoc, Musoc and the Cumann Dramaiochta.
The Cumann D, as it is more affectionately known, has been the launching pad for some of our most talented actors, among them Siobhan McKenna (a founder member in 1946), Mick Lally and Dermot de Faoite. The society in recent years enjoyed success in the area of scriptwriting. This is a valuable resource as it ensures its members new and modern material, which is not widely available in the Irish language.
Padraig O'Dailaig received a prize at Feile Naisuinta Dramaiochta in 1995 for his play Le Cuimhne na nDaoine and for the last three years, Breandain Mac Gearailt's plays have been represented at the feile. In UL, situated in the country's oldest chartered city, the Historical Society is its most prominent. The society, established two years ago, was voted Best Society, Best New Society and awarded Best Event this year. It also received a merit of achievement award at the Board of Irish College Societies' Awards.
In terms of sport, GAA clubs are very strong in colleges throughout the country. Intervarsity leagues and championships are held during the year, such as Gaelic football's Sigerson Cup and hurling's FitzGibbon Cup.
Rugby is very popular in UCC at present, following its victory in the European Intervarsities Rugby Championship Water sports are increasing in popularity, with a strong Rowing Club in UCC, Kayak Club in NUI Galway and Sub Aqua Club in Letterkenny IT. Some colleges have gyms, one of the most modern being in the University of Limerick, which contains a swimming pool, basketball court, exercising equipment and rockclimbing and absailing facilities.
The clubs and societies mentioned here are only a fraction of what is available. A full list is often included in college prospectuses and many societies can be accessed on the Internet. Student Unions, the Students' Consultative Forum (UCD) or the First Year Integration Society (UCC), will tell you all you need to know about activities in your college.
