On April 28th, 10 of Trinity’s biggest societies collaborated to raise money for The Irish Cancer Society. Stuck inside for 14 months and unable to take it any longer, over 20 students jumped at the chance to ruin their appearance impulsively as part of “Shave or Dye”.
Throughout the day, two DU Players freshers, Sean “Dermo” McDermott and Odhran “Oz” Exton, took part in a series of challenges on Instagram. Rounds included a fitness test, quiz, scavenger hunt, bingo and a spritely game of countdown. Sporting a “hot monk” look, McDermott said his inspiration was “the people”. “A bidding war ensued and the people wanted tonsure, so they got tonsure”, he explains.
I then asked the pair, who are good friends despite the following remarks, what they thought of each other’s new “do”s. “That silly little man thinks he came out on the better side of our battle”, McDermott begins. “However, he cannot see the true power and beauty of a tonsure. Keep your blonde, Odhran. I have God.” Exton wasn’t much kinder. “Sean’s hair looks shit”, he said. “Still though, when he shaves his head in a week or so and dyes what’s left green, I’m sure it’ll look great.”
I then spoke to Maisie McGreggor, who dyed her hair red for the cause. “I showed up to the event not knowing much about it”, she says. “But I love dying my hair spontaneously, so not much thought went into it, but I’m glad I did it for a great cause!”
The first mullet of the day was provided by Kallum Linnie of DU Film Society, whose initial response was: “I finally feel at home in the Arts Block. If I take up smoking now, I’ll fit right in.” Keeping my questions society-relevant, I ask Linnie what film star he thought he now resembled the most. “Patrick Swayze was the goal, but I don’t have the length”, Linnie concedes. “I clearly bear an uncanny resemblance to John Travolta, so that would have to be my answer.”
Fresher and avid debater Erika Magan volunteered to represent the University Philosophical Society (the Phil). I asked her whether she thinks this new hair style will help or hinder her performance in future debates. “Before, my speeches never really held anyone’s attention for more than 50 seconds”, she replies. “Now, with my cherry red balayage, I’m guaranteed to capture people’s attention in the chamber.” She adds: “It doesn’t matter if they actually listen to me as long as they keep their eyes on me, if you catch my drift.”
Representing QSoc was second-year drama student Daire Kelly. Kelly shaved their head and eyebrows and dyed their remaining hair the colours of the rainbow. When I ask Kelly what inspired them to go down this route, they simply sent me back a picture of Avril Lavigne. The resemblance? Uncanny.
They also note that their face felt “very cold without eyebrows, but at least now [they] have a blank canvas to draw [their] emotions on – anything from angry eyebrows to nike ticks”.
This event was organised by DU Players Ents Officer Faith Jones, who was thrilled with its success. “It was such fun and so great to see so many brilliant societies collaborating”, Jones says. “But most importantly it showed that, even through a pandemic and the dreaded exam season, we could all come together to support a worthy cause and have fun doing it.”
The original goal for the event was to raise €1,000 euro for The Irish Cancer Society. In the end however, over €4,800 euro was raised within a 48-hour period.
