Location and Facilities: Trinity College, founded by Queen Elizabeth in 1592, is the oldest university in Ireland and extends over 40 acres in a unique site in the heart of Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath).  The College Library is one of the largest in Europe.  Among its treasures is the famous 8th century illuminated Irish manuscript, the Book of Kells, which is housed in the Long Room in the Old Library.  Among the many well known men and women educated at Trinity College are the Irish writers Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett; the Irish scholar and Ireland's first President, Douglas Hyde; and the first woman President of Ireland, Mary Robinson. Eavan Boland, a contemporary poet who has turned attention to the role of the woman poetin modern Ireland, is a graduate of Trinity College and served as Trinity College's 'Writer in Residence'. In recognition of her work, she was awarded an Honorary Degree from the College of the Holy Cross in June, 2000.

Orientation:

Trinity's Semester Start-Up Programme: All Holy Cross students participate in Trinity's rigorous Semester Start-Up Programme, which is an intensive course devoted to Irish literature, history, and archeology, art and architecture. the course serves as an outstanding introduction to ireland in general and prepares you well for your year in the country. the course id graded and appears on your transcript, but does not count toward the 60 credits that comprise a full load at Trinity.

Courses taken so far at Trinity for Holy Cross credit
 

Course Load: Trinity College estimates 60 units as the equivalent of a full academic year at Holy Cross. The weighting varies across the different disciplines and depends upon whether a course runs for a single term of a full year. Courses generally range from 5 units to 15 units each. The sciences arrange a specialized course of study formed of smaller interrelated modules: some may earn as little as 1.5 or 3 units, so that you must combine lectures and laboratory meetings which will deepen your understanding of the subject and provide you with a sufficient number of credits.

Independent Cultural Immersion Project (ICIP): 
Students are required to complete an ICIP under the direction of their ICIP advisor at Trinity.  As an alternative to the ICIP, students may choose to complete a two semester language course in Modern Irish Language and Literature. (N.B. If replacing the ICIP with this course, the course will not count towards the regular courseload, but rather will be recorded on the student's transcript as an "overload.") For interesting information (in Irish and English) relating to Irish language and culture, go to fiosfeasa.com.
 

Living Arrangements : Students live in on-campus or near-campus apartments and dorms. Students generally have single rooms and shared kitchens. Trinity is self-catering. Application:  A minimum GPA of 3.5 is generally required, though students who wish to study English literature generally must have a GPA of 3.7, due to the competition for places. Visa: Not required, but students must register shortly after arrival with the local police (Garda). Your advisor will assist you in the process. Work: U.S citizens studying in Ireland for the year may by Irish law work up to 20 hours per week during term. However, Holy Cross limits students work to 10 hours per week during term. Study Abroad Contact Person: Professor Brittain Smith - Associate Director For more pictures of Trinity, follow this link.