BICS Awards 2024

 

University of Galway took home seven awards at the Board of Irish Societies (BICS) Awards in the Clayton Hotel, Galway last night April 11th. This was more than any other college at the event and makes the University the overall winner of more awards since the inception of the event in 1996. The Awards were: Best Society Cultural, Academic & Social (Large College) for University of Galway Dramsoc. Best Society Charity & Civic (Large College) for University of Galway Feminist Society. Best Departmental Society (Large College) for University of Galway Zoo Soc. Best Event (Large College) for University of Galway Fansci Society for their Itzacon Convention 2024. Best Fresher (Large College) for Latisha McCrudden, University of Galway Law, Politics and Mincéirs Whidden Societies. Best Mental Health Promoting Event for University of Galway Law Society - Law & Moder (Movember Ireland). Best Green Initiative University of Galway Environmental Society for the Organic Garden relocation and development. Congratulations to all our nominees who had won at our own awards and represented us at the National Awards: Most Improved Society Neurodivergent Society, Best Individual May McGrath, Best Promotional Campaign: Zoo Soc Wild Life Week, Best poster: Dramsoc, Best Promotional Video: Time Lord Society and Best Photo: Photo Soc

 

Best Cultural, Academic & Social Society: Dramsoc

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: L - R Emer Ni Chionnaigh Kerry 3rd year English, History and Theatre, Ruth Egan, Tullamore, 2nd year Drama and English, Jenny Lyons, Galway, 4th year Drama, Niamhie Mullarkey 4th year Drama, Scarlet Atkins, Belfast, Psychology, Órlaith Nic Cába Kildare, Drama.

 

The University Drama Society had a very successful year culminating in this national award.  According to Auditor Niamhie Mullarkey ‘We held over one hundred events. We supported new writing and produced a total of 14 plays this year: 8 full scale productions, 5 one acts for Theatre Week and a devised, street theatre Halloween performance. We collaborated with other societies and we hosted numerous workshops and social events. Our success is due to all the people involved, our committee could be characterised by an “all for one and one for all” mentality which leads to members helping each other and stepping into other roles outside of their usual remit without hesitating’. 

 

Best Civic Charity Society: Feminist Society (Femsoc)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

Photo: Emma Halpin, Westmeath, 4tg year Law & Human Rights, Naoise Fortune, Wexford, 3rd English & History, Róisin McGrath, Galway, 4th Law & Human Rights, Isabella Barrett Gannon, Galway 4th Law & Human Rights.

​

Roisin McGrath ‘We bring feminism to all areas of campus by engaging with a wide range of issues  and branching out from our immediate community. We provided a vibrant space for the discussion and debate on feminist issues such as boy moms, the recent referendums, representation in science, history and law, period poverty, reproductive rights, gender expression, ecofeminism, toxic relationships, gender based violence, gender and migration etc. We hosted 64 events including our very successful Fem Fest. The week was filled with events on discussion, information and social events including International Women's Day. Fem Fest aimed to promote the importance of feminism in the 21st century and encourage the student and staff body in the university to question what feminism means to them and what a world without the need for feminism could look like. There were over 20 other societies and organisations/artists involved.’

 

Best Departmental Society Zoo Soc

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Daniel Carrey, Galway, Genetics & Genomics, Katala Storey, Donegal, 1st year general Science. Jodie O’Regan, Athenry, 4th year zoology, Alex Keane, Kilkenny 4th year Earth & Ocean Science, Sadhbh Ní Bhéarra, Galway Psychology, Gillian O’Meara, Tipperary 4th year Zoology, Jessica Taaffe, Galway, 3rd Environmental Science. Daniel Carrey

 

According to the Zoo Society Treasurer Jessica Taaffe ‘Our society understands how  passionate zoologists can be, and recognise the importance of providing platforms for those with such an interest to meet and form connections.We held a range of events which enable and encourage socialisation between students interested in zoology. Our ‘Critter Cafés’ are, perhaps, our best example of this. These events provide students with the opportunity to meet our animals, and learn about them. We hosted Wildlife Week which was a week-long campaign fundraising for the Irish Wildlife Trust, with the goal of raising the average students’ awareness of wildlife issues and the importance of conservation and we included a beach clean-up. This year we raised €1976.63 for Irish animal/other wildlife based charities.’

 

 

Best Event Itzacon Fansci Society

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

Photo Anna Cregan. Derry 2nd year Physics, Niamh O’Brien Galway, 2nd year physics, Clara O’Gorman, Galway 2nd year Maths, Luke Madden, Galway 1st year Genetics, Aoife Farren, Galway, 1st year Genetics and Genomics.

 

According to The Convention Director Clara O’Gorman ‘Itzacon Eire is Fansci’s annual gaming convention. It runs over a weekend and has a variety of role-playing, boardgame, card game and war game focused events. It had not happened since before COVID, we were delighted to bring it back this year. College is a very stressful and intense time for many young people. Events such as Itzacon can greatly improve students’ quality of life by allowing a break from study to have fun, spend time with their friends, and discover new hobbies. We were also delighted to raise €720 for the Galway Hospice out Convention Charity ‘

 

Best Fresher: Latisha McCrudden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Latisha McCrudden From Belmullet studying 1st year Law
 

This year Latisha was First Year Rep in the Law Society, Auditor of the Political Society and Vice Auditor of Mincéirs Whiden Society, According to Larisha ‘I am a nineteen year old woman that once thought I wouldn't make it to my fifteen birthday, so each day I give 110% to life and that is what I aspire to give to the next three years in my degree and societies within the college. I want to make a positive difference in college and for the people that I encounter and to be a positive influence and role model for my younger sister Tulisha and all upcoming young Travellers. Within the societies I have gained lots of confidence as before I would have struggled somewhat around people my age with confidence but by helping arrange events and my own events in particular, talking at meetings and engaging with people I had never meet before has made me a lot more confident and very prepared and excited for being a part of societies as I continue in the college.’

 

 

Best Mental Health Promoting Event University of Galway Law Society ‘Law & Moder (Movember Ireland)’

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Sean Bonner, Clones, 3rd Law, Sam Mulyneux, Wexford, 3rd Lay, Latisha McCruddent, Belmullet, 1st Law.

 

According to Krystian Bachan the event captain and law Society Secretary ‘The Movember event at the University of Galway, spearheaded by our legal community, stood as a testament to our local student body's dedication to addressing mental health challenges within the legal profession. Led by the Law Society, in collaboration with the other law societies, ELSA, FLAC, Women in Law, plus the student Law Review, and the School of Law, we united in our mission to break the silence surrounding mental health issues.  During the month we hosted Coldvember, physical challenges, workshop,  a table quiz and  growing mustaches. The success was showcased by the fact that we exceeded our initial goal of €2000 and ultimately raised €4165, almost tripling last year’s result. We placed in the top 100 Movember fundraisers nationwide.’

 

Best Green University of Galway Environmental Society

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abbi Fritz from Sligo 2nd year BA Law and Soc & Pol, Sofia Uppsala Sweden 2nd BSC General Science., Lisa Schindles Hamburg Germany Postgrad MSc Climate Change. Judith Waugh, Tralee co Kerry, 2nd year BCL with Human Rights,

​

Winner of Best green Initiative which was judged by an Taisce Green Campus. 

​

The prestigious award for Best Green Initiative was the salvaging of the societies’ organic garden, which had to be relocated due to building work starting on the new library to its new location beside the concourse and its development over the course of the year, and its inclusive and collaborative maintenance by the society’s committee and its members. According to the Society Auditor Sofia Sjöqvist a 2nd year BSC General Science student from .Uppsala, Sweden, ‘The organic garden and its community not only serves as a vital platform for raising awareness of green issues on campus and in the world as a whole, but also has directly positive impacts on our local biodiversity, and our climate. The garden is an inherent part of the campus, flourishing year-round and yielding organic fruits and vegetables, providing participants with the opportunity to engage in both planting and harvesting activities. also brings many mental health benefits to our members and the campus community. With the support of the University creating a  living  ecosystem on campus has been a labour of love for our committee.’

 

 

All the winners at BICS Awards 2024

 

Best Photo: RCSI Photographic Society

 

Best Poster: RCSI Pride Society

 

Best Promotional Video: RCSI Caribbean African Society

 

Best Mental Health Promoting Event: University of Galway Law Society

 

Best Green Initiative Environmental Society - Organic Garden.

 

Best Promotional Campaign UCC Global Justice Society

 

Best Intervarsity DCU Dance Society Dance Inters

 

Best Fresher (Small College): TUD Tallaght Campus: Lucy Meagher

 

Best Fresher Large College: Latisha McCrudden University of Galway.

 

Best New Society Small College:  MTU Cork Formula Society

 

Best New Society Large College: UCC Pop Culture Society.

 

Best Individual Small College TUS Midlands Amanda Keyes

 

Best Individual Large College Emer Neville UCC

 

Best Event Small College RCSI Paediatric Society -Teddy Bear Hospital

 

Best Event Large College Fansci University of Galway Itzacon

 

Most Improved Society in a small College

TU Dublin Blanchardstown Eastern European Society.

 

Most Improved Society in a large College UCC Global Justice Society

 

Best Departmental Society Small College

MTU Cork Civil and Structural Society

 

Best Departmental Society large College University of Galway Zoo Soc.

 

Best Society Charity Civic Small College

RCSI Paediatric Society

 

Best Society Charity Civic large College University of Galway Feminist Society

 

Best Society Cultural, Academic & Social, Small College

MTU Cork Glor Choral Society

 

Best Society Cultural, Academic & Social  Large College

University of Galway Dramsoc