Graduation Traditions in Ireland

Ireland has always been a country seen by outsiders as “the happy-go-lucky ones that never get bored.” And let’s face it, Irish people do know how to have fun if we were to consider all the party songs they came up with. Considering that the first thing you think about when thinking of Ireland is a green leprechaun, you can imagine that Ireland is not shy about telling the world that they have celebration bone accompanied probably by a little too much booze. Here are some Irish graduation traditions from MasterGrades.com writing company:

The Initial Ceremony

Students also have that happy-go-lucky bone in them – it’s part of the Irish gene! But when you go to a graduation in Ireland, don’t expect to see rainbows, gold pots and students with green robes accompanied by little green leprechauns. Ok, you might see the green robes, depending on the university… but the rest is just graduation traditions that everyone else in the world has: the ceremony where you thank every existent person there for teaching you stuff which you’ll most likely forget in the future as they hand you the diploma signaling your freedom. There will also be a poetry reading and professors offering prizes to honor students.

Graduation ceremonies are held by tradition in the school, but they are sometimes done in churches, to make it seem more grandiose. It is customary that the parents also join the graduation ceremony because let’s be honest: what parent doesn’t want to see their child all grown up? Sure, it’s not like the graduation ceremony will suddenly turn them into adults, but they still like to hope.

After that, an after party is held for students who want to have some fun and relax after a long day.

The Unofficial Customs

Formal traditions don’t usually change in Ireland; as mentioned, they are plain old “here’s your diploma, now get out of here” boring stuff. It’s up to students to kick it up a notch and make getting out of university a real blast.

As a Duke student, for instance, you need to meet certain requirements in order to graduate. Before you do, you ought to do five things:

·         Drive around the circle going backward.

·         Go tunneling on campus.

·         Climb up the dome that’s on top of Baldwin.

·         Fool around in the gardens and the library stacks.

If you do not do this, you are considered to be the wuss of the university, and it isn’t considered as if you have graduated – at least not by the students of Duke.

Getting Ready for the Debs

Sure, students graduate somewhere in May, but the REAL graduation happens at the Debs! This is something like America’s prom, only a lot more fun (or so Irish students say). This happens somewhere in September/October when the hellish time of exams is over.

Schools and colleges usually rent out a nightclub or a space meant to fit a whole load of people to fit – such as students and teachers (obviously). This is where you actually get to have fun, relax and do shots of tequila with your English teacher because let’s face it – they are no longer responsible for you!

Dressing up is a must, and everyone must look their best in their formal outfits while dancing until daybreak, saying their goodbyes and thank yous to the people who were by their side. This is where the REAL graduation happens; not the fake, robotic thing you do in front of your parents in may.

So as you can see, graduation in Ireland is no different from any similar activity in other places (aside from a few unofficial student customs here and there). The most important tradition, however, is to dress up, have fun, and celebrate the ending of an era along with the beginning of a new one!