The fate of this year’s Trinity Summer Series is uncertain, with discussions underway ahead of a set of concerts that sees national and international acts take to College Park each July.
Thomas Deane, a Trinity media relations officer, wrote in an email to The University Times on May 8th: “The organisers of the Summer Series are currently working with the artists and with Trinity. More information will be communicated soon.”
Trinity told The University Times on May 7th that the concerts had been cancelled, but Deane subsequently clarified that this information was not accurate.
The series, organised by entertainment company MCD, is due to showcase sets from The Specials, Walking on Cars, Keane, HAIM, Beck, Michael Kiwanuka, Alabama Shakes and Crowded House, with tickets costing between €49 and €60.
Last year, sets from Foals, Janelle Monae, New Order, Vampire Weekend and others brought over 25,000 people to College Park.
The Summer Series has been a money-making initiative for Trinity over the last four years.
Speaking to The University Times in 2017, Provost Patrick Prendergast said: “When we have an opportunity to make money from events, we need to do it. Every university is doing it …. and this is generating revenue we can use for academic purposes.”
In 2016, the Commercial Revenue Unit set up Trinity Brand Commercial Services Ltd, an independent company that aimed to establish Trinity as a global brand by imitating the success of colleges such as Harvard University, selling everything from stationery to branded chairs.
Provost Patrick Prendergast warned last week that Trinity could lose up to €120 million over the next two years as international student numbers plummet due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk, Prendergast said that “education shouldn’t be way down the list” when it comes to state funding priorities, adding: “We’d be saying it’s just not good enough that education – third-level, secondary or primary – should be way down the list.”
The Book of Kells, which brings in around €12 million a year to the college, has been closed since March 11th.
Correction: 16:01, May 8th, 2020
Due to incorrect information provided yesterday to The University Times by Trinity, an earlier version of this article inaccurately stated that Trinity’s Summer Series had been cancelled. College today clarified that discussions are still underway surrounding the concerts. The headline, subheading and body of this article have been updated to reflect this information.
