Trinity News Launches Online Archive, 1953-1970

Posted on: 01 April 2011

An online database of every issue of Trinity News from 1953-1970, representing the first 17 volumes of the publication, was recently launched in Trinity College.  The material, which was donated by former editor Colin Smythe in five bound volumes, can be viewed online at www.trinitynewsarchive.ie. 

The original material was scanned using optical character recognition software which allows the material to be searched for key phrases.  Digitising of the volumes, which was organised by Martin McKenna (editor, 2008-9), was funded by the TCD Association and Trust and the Publications Committee. 

Former editors of Trinity News,from left: Aoife Crowley (2011), John Hautz Ex-Sch (Michaelmas term 1956), Aidan Fitzmaurice (1992 & 1993), Kate Palmer (2012), Paul Nolan (Hilary term 1973), Martin McKenna (2009), Kim Robinson (Hilary term 1954), Andrew Payne (2006), Colin Smythe, Robin Hanan (Michaelmas term 1977), Lady Carol Ann Holland Ex-Sch (Trinity term 1959), Sara Morris (1988), Peter Henry (2007), David Molloy (2010) and Catherine Troy (Trinity term 1980).

Speaking about the archive, current editor of Trinity News, Aoife Crowley said: “I think it is a wonderful initiative and adds hugely to the store of historical information on Trinity available online.  It offers alumni, historians and the general public a glimpse into a fascinating era in both the College’s and Ireland’s history.  In the 1950’s Irish people were still feeling the effects of the war.  There were 30 million refugees in Europe and as Colin Smythe recalls, much fundraising activity on the part of students and staff of Trinity took place.  The Trinity News archive offers a chronicle from a unique and heretofore forgotten point of view.”

Historical issues of the Trinity News can be downloaded as PDF files from www.trinitynewsarchive.ie.  Current issues of Trinity News can be found on www.trinitynews.ie under the tab “PDF Archive”.