RAG Week, Trinity’s fundraising campaign week, has descended upon campus once again. The upcoming days are positively brimming with events from almost every society and club known to students, all with the aim of raising money for charitable causes. In addition to RAG Week’s main events, there are plenty of other weekly events going on as usual with societies. But if you’re eager for a pub quiz or a good old society battle, this week is for you.
To start off the week, Trinity Vincent de Paul (VDP) will be hosting the Rose of Trinity for its second year on Monday at 7.30pm. Twelve talented and witty contestants, along with escorts, are representing their respective societies. With a sharp dress code and the venue of the Sugar Club, this event promises to be an exciting start to the week. For a more grounded evening, Mark Pollock will be addressing Trinity Biosoc and DU Clinical Therapies. After losing his sight, Pollock has carried on being an athlete, running six marathons across the Gobi desert in a week and being the first blind man to race to the South Pole. He will be sharing his story of triumph and tenacity in the Stanley Quek Theatre at 7pm.
Suas Trinity will be hosting what is arguably the most anticipated event of the week on Tuesday, the Rumble in the Jungle. It’s their own version of the Muhammad Ali versus George Foreman fight, with societies and clubs literally battling it out to see who will be crowned RAG Week Champion. The event will take place in District 8 from 7.30pm.
Wednesday will see a variety of imaginative ways to raise money taking place across campus, starting off with DU History’s pub quiz in JW Sweetman’s at 7.30pm. Threatening impossibly obscure questions based on parts of history that you probably didn’t even know existed, this is probably one for the history buffs. Play Philthiest, a witty marriage between the College Philosophical Society (the Phil) and DU Players, will see the two societies go head to head in a combination of everyone’s favourite game shows, including Pointless and Family Fortunes. Proceeds will be donated to RAG week charities. This year, Trinity Cancer Society will be hosting RAG Ball in Opium Rooms after the overwhelming success of last year’s event.
Thursday will see two notable events taking place, the first of which being Trinity’s Best Dance Crew in association with DU Dance. Some of Trinity’s best societies and clubs will be pitted against each other in competition for the undoubtedly coveted title of Trinity’s best dance crew. Of course, all proceeds are going to charity and some marvellous interval acts are promised. Student 2 Student (S2S) will be hosting a comedy fundraiser, Father Ted Comedians, in the Laughter Lounge at 7pm. The night will feature two of the most popular characters from the series, Father Dmo and Eoin McLove, and with a free cocktail on arrival, there really is no reason not to go.
Closing up the charitable week will be an unsurprising mystery tour, hosted by Trinity MOVE. The evening will start off at the Pav before those involved are covertly whisked off. Tickets are €20, so you can comfortably drink all in the name of charity. Friday is also the night of the Science Ball, held in the Ballsbridge Hotel and in the aid of the Trinity Student Hardship Fund. This black tie evening celebrates all varieties of science, from zoology to astrophysics. Being one of the first balls of the year, in opening the season it promises to set a high bar for others to follow.
In the midst of all this, DU Christian Union (CU) is also running a series of events throughout the week based on the theme of “Story” and how it pervades every aspect of life. Three lunchtime events will be held, with a free lunch provided, that explore the story behind Christianity, all held in the Atrium. CU have also invited some intriguing speakers to address the theme of the week. Their Thursday night event, Freedom in Prison, features an ex-paramilitary and will be held in the GMB. With much more happening within the society, this week will prove to be a thought-provoking experience.
