The college annuals of University
College Galway are an indispensable record of student life and activity on
campus. With updates on study and academic courses, sporting life, achievements
of students and academics, contributions to social and cultural life and
general news of interest for and by students it is an insight into what being
student in Galway was like over 100 years ago.
In an issue for 1914 the Dramatic
Society documents the activities of the first year in existence of the UCG
Dramatic Society. According to the notes:
"The
first year of this society has been very successful, notwithstanding some
"excursions and alarums". There was first of all the question whether
we were a college society at all, which was pursued by some so far that one
night of rehearsal we found ourselves faced with an order by a college official
that we are not to be allowed into the Aula Maxima".
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| UCG Drama Society, 1914 |
Thankfully things did improve for
the society as it is noted how "Twelfth Night" was to be the first production:
"Rehearsals
were frequent, but though they take up much time, they were essential and often
good fun as well. The actors were all enthusiastic and painstaking, and from
the beginning each did his or her best to make the play a success, and a
success it was."
A tribute to the success of the
play was noted as being the attendance of the President of UCG on the night of
the play (December 16th):
"This tribute of loyalty and respect, not to say affection, acted
as a message of encouragement and a stimulus to the actors and made manifest
that this was truly "a college night", and such a one as it is hoped
will be frequent in the future."
To view the 1914, and other
editions of the historic College annuals visit the Archives and Special
Collections Reading Room.
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| UCG Drama Society, 1915, seated at Aula Maxima |
