Welcome to Trinity Week 2014

"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

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The Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, is delighted to host this year’s programme of events for Trinity Week on the theme of The Science of Happiness, which is open to public participation.

Trinity Week begins on Monday 7th April with the announcement of the Honorary Fellows, new Fellows and Scholars of the College. The ceremony is one of the oldest, most colourful and traditional at Trinity College. The announcement is made by the Provost on the steps of the Public Theatre in Front Square surrounded by members of the Board of the College in full academic gowns and hoods with students and staff celebrating the occasion with colleagues, friends and families. Members of the public are welcome to watch the event.

This is followed by a week-long series of events including symposia, lectures and talks on the science behind happiness, its influence on mental health and on creating balance. There are also guided walks, Tai Chi in Front Square, relaxation classes, musical performances and short films.

Among the highlights is the Trinity Week Academic Symposium on Wednesday 9th April titled "The Science of Happiness" with talks on happiness, mindfulness, mental health, creating balance and the importance of the smile.

The keynote speaker for Trinity Week, on April 10th, will be Professor Nancy Etcoff, Director of the Program in Aesthetics and Well-Being at the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry, whose talk 'Let us smile each chance we get' will discuss emerging research that shows that feeling happy is good for you both physically and mentally. Her 2004 ‘TED Talk’ on Happiness has been viewed by over 855,000 people!

Also on Thursday April 10th, Trinity Week’s mini symposium will focus on the keys to Happy and Healthy Ageing featuring talks by members of Trinity EngAGE and will also include renowned author and Professor of Psychology, Ian Robertson.

We hope you will visit the College during Trinity Week and take part in some of the wonderful events which will showcase what goes on in the Faculty of Health Sciences and which may even help you to feel a little bit happier!

Many of these events are of interest to the public, and you will find a full listing of events in this brochure and on our website www.tcd.ie/trinityweek

Professor Mary McCarron
Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences