Trinity College

What would Dublin be without its prestigious Trinity College? Considered one of the best universities in Europe and the oldest in Ireland, this institution has long been a cornerstone of education. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, the university has always been known for high-quality education, attracting notable Irish figures such as politician Theobald Wolfe Tone and writers Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde. Since its inception, the highly competitive Trinity College has maintained a very selective admissions process. Initially, only male Protestants could enroll. It wasn’t until 1793 that Catholic students were also allowed to study there. Eventually in 1904, women were admitted , but could not receive any degrees until 1948. At the time, women were slowly gaining access to higher education. It was the University of London who first admitted female students in 1878, with Oxford following the same year, even though it took another 22 years for them to be able to obtain degrees. You might be surprised to learn that the prestigious Harvard University did not fully accept female students until 1977! But back to Trinity College. Over the centuries, this elite university has continued to grow, expanding its already extensive range of courses. Today, about 15,000 students study here, all working hard for a promising career. Aside from registration fees, studying at Trinity College is free! For those who complete their degrees, there’s an added bonus: they can get married in the university chapel. Take a look at the arch with its bell tower in the middle of the square. If you see people standing underneath, they are probably tourists. According to legend, any student who passes beneath it will fail their exams! Another old university tale claims that anyone who could reach the top and touch the cross would be granted immediate admission from their exams. A daring feat, but certainly not worth risking your life for. One last fun fact about Trinity College: graduation ceremonies here are called “commencement ceremonies,” marking the transition into the professional world—and they are conducted entirely in Latin! If you’re eager to learn more, you can book a guided tour of the campus.