Naomi Foale, third-year law student and Edinburgh native, is under the weather for our interview, and it is over the phone that The University Times speaks to her about the DU Caledonian Society (Cal Soc). Nothing can curb her enthusiasm for Cal Soc, however, and it is with genuine pride that she outlines the society’s role in promoting Scottish culture and history in Trinity.
Though the primary focus of the society is Scottish culture, it attracts an international group. The doors of Cal Soc are open to any nationality, and Foale recounts how, when new people come to their events, “they mightn’t know anyone, and they just have an absolutely great time. We’re not very exclusive, if you come to an event and you don’t know anyone, you’ll get on fine, everyone’s really friendly”. At bigger society events, it can be easy to feel lost, she explains, but running things as a small society gives Cal Soc a uniquely welcoming environment.
The society’s promotion of Scottish culture mostly manifests itself in social events, such as whiskey tastings, a club night and two balls throughout the year. Though the brilliantly named Raveheart club night didn’t transpire this year, the annual St. Andrew’s Ball was a resounding success. Run in celebration of St Andrew’s Day, it took place this term in the Smock Alley Theatre, and Foale was pleasantly surprised by the high attendance of first years. New members came not just from Scotland, but the rest of the UK, Ireland as well as further afield.
Foale herself got involved in Cal Soc in first year, becoming a first-year representative, then treasurer and now the society’s chair. She describes how Cal Soc helped her adapt to life in Ireland, when she first came to Trinity from her Edinburgh: “[It’s] particularly nice if you have come from the UK, to chat to people who share that cultural background. I found it quite a good cushion when I started, and was finding a bit of a culture shock.” She describes how there were many differences between home and Ireland when she first started university here, and Cal Soc was a great way to meet people who had experienced the same culture shock. For Foale, mixing with others from the UK provided a welcome opportunity to meet people who had “made the same leap”.
She laughingly reminisces on her first year in Cal Soc, and we chat together about what it’s like to leave home and come to Ireland: “Don’t you miss the BBC? I miss the BBC so much!”
It’s difficult for Foale to pick out the best events for new members, but she emphasises the great fun involved in the two annual balls, the St Andrew’s Ball and the Burns Supper. In the lead-up to these events, she describes how the society hosts “reeling nights”, where members can go along and learn how to do traditional Scottish reels before the event itself. These are a common way for new members to get involved, with people coming alone or with friends to learn how to reel. No reeling experience is necessary for these very casual, fun evenings held at the top of the Graduates Memorial Building (GMB).
Foale firmly encourages anyone looking to get involved in Cal Soc to keep an eye out for the Burns Supper in the new year. This event is, according to Foale, a great way to get to meet new people, sitting at “huge long tables…you might end up sitting next to someone you’ve never met before”. She is clearly very fond of the Burns Supper, saying “It’s kind of an interesting event, and I’d say it’s the best one…it’s very one-of-a-kind to be eating haggis in Dublin!”
On the whole, she paints a picture of the DU Caledonian Society as a very welcoming society, open to everyone, not just those of Scottish heritage.
There’s one final, crucial question on Scottish culture and the Caledonian Society. Haggis may be unusual outside of Scotland, but are there any deep-fried Mars Bars involved in Cal Soc?
Foale laughs, and admits they have yet to promote this particular Scottish dish. “It’s been a long time since I had a deep-fried Mars Bar! Maybe if we go on a trip to Edinburgh, we can introduce people to the delicacy.”
Soon, perhaps, but with the Burns Supper coming up this January, Cal Soc has plenty to be getting on with, and plenty to offer.
