Interviews
Name: Rory O’Sullivan
Trinity Qualification: BA 2019
Title: English Literature and Greek Scholar, 2017
About: Trinity celebrated the beginning of the annual Trinity Week 2017 with the announcement of 55 new Scholars, 14 new Fellows, and one Honorary Fellow. The ceremony is one of the oldest and most colourful at Trinity. Students and staff celebrated the occasion with colleagues, friends and families in Front Square. Rory O'Sullivan tells us about being awarded a Scholarship for English Lit. and Greek.
What first sparked your interest in applying for Trinity Schols?
I’m not entirely sure to be honest - I guess it was always something advertised to Trinity students, and it’s such a prestigious thing with such great perks that it was always at the back of my mind. And then last year a friend of mine got it, so it felt like it was achievable if I just worked hard enough. I also figured that even if I didn’t get it, I’d at least come out of the exams with a much better knowledge of my subjects, so I decided in around October to give it a go.
From your perspective what was the greatest challenge in this process?
Definitely the biggest challenge was having to study through the Christmas break. Of course, I took a break from Christmas Eve to St. Stephen’s Day, but gearing myself up after that, to face into exams just over a week later, was a grim prospect. All of my family were relaxing and enjoying the festivities, while I was locked upstairs. What kept me going was how much I loved the work, and the chance that it would all be worth it in the end.
What motivational motto kept you going while studying?
The closest thing I had would be something that a friend told me early on, which was to remember to enjoy the work. I chose my degree because I thought I would enjoy it, and so even though the work was hard, it represented an opportunity to really deeply engage with my course. I think it’s much easier to work hard on something if you enjoy it: it means that those hours in the library feel well-spent.
How did it feel when the Provost said your name during the Schols ceremony?
I’ve been pinching myself since, trying to process it all, but honestly in the moment all I could feel was relief. It was probably the first moment all year when no part of me felt tense, and all of the weight of worry and anticipation lifted. The whole day is so rapid that it’s hard to process anything in the moment, but I do remember that the next day I was reading this funny piece that someone had sent to me and as I read that all of the stress poured out of me and I just couldn’t stop laughing, I had tears streaming down my face. That was a good moment.
Tell us about the societies that you are currently involved in? Any favourite memories from these experiences?
I was involved with the Hist and Trinity News this year, and am going to be with Trinity News and Trinity Publications in the year ahead. My favourite evening with the Hist was definitely the Honorary Members dinner and debate. It was so interesting to hear all of the past members tell their stories. With Trinity News, the highlight has been the production weekends, which are the weekends before the paper goes to print. We stay up all night and work around the clock. You really get to know people on those weekends; they’re a lot of fun.
Tell us about your role as alumni officer with Trinity publications?
Of course. I'm responsible for archiving and maintaining the history of our publications. A large part of my job is connecting our alumni with each other, tracing the history of Trinity Publications, sending out Christmas cards and organising get togethers. Our most important event every year is our Alumni Dinner, where we host our vast range of alumni in the Trinity Dining Hall, usually around March. We are always building our alumni database, so if you haven't heard from us or you’d like to be added to our online alumni networking groups, please do email us at alumni@trinitypublications.ie.
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
Socrates - just to get a read on him. And besides, if the ancient sources are right, he’d drink me under the table.