NUIG calls a halt to ‘Christmas Day’ festivities

Galway City Tribune – When it comes to stealing Christmas, the Grinch is normally the first suspect.

But closer to home, Galway students have seen their annual festivities pinched due to a decision by NUI Galway to prohibit the annual Students’ Union ‘Christmas Day’ celebrations in November.

The move has been met with strong opposition from students – 3,500 of whom have signed an online petition for the event to go ahead next Thursday.

The event, which the petition describes as “integral” in spreading “positivity and friendship” throughout the college, was also one of the Student Union’s biggest annual fundraisers, bringing in thousands of euro over recent years for charities such as the RNLI, Galway Rape Crisis Centre and the Irish Cancer Society.

Normally taking place in the College Bar on campus, President of NUI Galway’s Students’ Union, Megan Reilly, said unofficial celebrations are likely to take place in a less controlled environment.

“If it were to happen on campus, we would be able to keep control of the event.

“We do need the university to recognise that having events on campus all adds to the student experience,” said Ms O’Reilly.
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