The Trinity Fox | Resident Vulpine Writer
Greetings, fellow Trinity-ites. As the seasons change, and Trinity’s foliage turns from vibrant green to striking red and gold, we advance further into Michaelmas term, and delve deeper into the misty past.
Many of you have now no doubt settled into your new Dublin digs, with a lot of our first year and international students getting comfortable amongst our fabulous wardens at Trinity Hall. However, what you may not know is why Trinity Hall was built in the first place.
Let me let you in on the history of the now-famous Trinity student residences. While almost 60% of all of Trinity’s undergraduates are today female, there was a time (not really as long ago as you might think or hope) when women were barred from entry to this fine college. In fact, despite various laudable campaigns to try to right this wrong in the years preceding, women were only allowed to study in Trinity in 1904.
One of the most serious concerns of the (all-male) members of the upper echelons of Trinity at the time was that the women would offer an inconvenient and undeniable distraction to the male students. What’s more, George Salmon (you will have passed by his oddly morose statue on Front Square), former Trinity College Provost, was deeply concerned as to where the women would sleep. Hence, Trinity Hall was built to house the growing female population studying at Trinity in 1908.
It should here be mentioned that one of the most oft-mentioned Salmon quotes is “Over my dead body will women enter this college.”
It will not surprise you then to learn that Salmon died early in 1904. Women were admitted the following September. Proof that, as another great Trinity alumnus, Oscar Wilde tells us, “In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”
Since that time, Trinity has seen a great many incredible female students pass through. Two Irish presidents; Seanad and Dáil members; two Justices of the Supreme Court; a great many influential journalists, Veronica Guerin among them; a winner of the Man Booker prize; and loads more.
So I say now to all the students of Trinity, as you walk across our fine campus, around this historic city and into Halls, think about those who’ve come before you – and how you shall outshine them all with your dazzling brilliance! I have faith in each and every one of you.
As ever, I am eager to hear from all of the students at Trinity about how they are enjoying themselves here and what pearls of wisdom are being imparted upon you. You can seek me out on Twitter: @TheTrinityFox
