Student bodies distance themselves from Galway rag week celebrations

Students’ unions in Galway have distanced themselves from this week’s unofficial rag week celebrations, which, they stress, are being organised independently of either NUIG or GMIT.

“We have no involvement in this whatsoever. It’s not supported by us, it’s not endorsed by us,” said NUIG Students’ Union president Declan Higgins.

“We’re very disconnected from it. As far as we’re concerned this is just another week. Of course our paramount concern is always the wellbeing of our students, so I think a general discussion about alcohol needs to take place.”

Yesterday, hundreds of students began queuing for Eyre Square’s Hole in the Wall pub from as early as 8am.

It is believed a large number of students travelled from outside Galway to take part.

Many of the early-morning revelers wore Donegal jerseys, highlighting the theme of the event, Donegal Tuesday.

One of the many students who lined up from 8am in front of the Hole in the Wall pub.

It’s thought almost 500 people had attempted to gain access to the venue, which has a capacity of 200, by 11am.

The bar said they had extra security staff on duty to combat this, and that the number allowed on the premises would be strictly monitored.

Since there were no drinks promotions on offer, the bar is not thought to have breeched any laws.

Photos of the hoards began circulating on social media yesterday, prompting a discussion on RTÉ Radio One’s Liveline programme, which received a call from a student vehemently defending one of the biggest student parties of the year.

Queue at 9.30am for the hole in the wall. Earlier every year!! #DonegalTuesday @HoleInTheWallGY pic.twitter.com/zdXsmsCmcY

— Christy Lydon (@ChristyLydon) February 17, 2015

“February is kind of the designated month for drinking,” said the student, who called himself John.

“It’s a quiet month between finishing your Christmas exams, you’re still working but it’s before the real exams start so it’s that middle-cycle point.”

The student said anti-social behaviour surrounding the unofficial rag week was no worse than that at other events, such as the Galway Races.

“There are middle-aged men starting fights in the morning, they’re getting sick everywhere. It’s worse but they just won’t admit to it,” he said.

In 2011, students at NUIG decided to get rid of the annual Raising and Giving week, in return for a number of concessions from the college.

The concessions included free use of the on-campus healthcare facilities for all students, and an increase in the university’s contribution to the student assistance fund.

Chief executive of Barnardos Fergus Finlay, who is also involved with ‘Stop Out of Control Drinking’, said he was afraid someone would get hurt during events such as Donegal Tuesday.

“Some people are going to have a whale of time, some people are going to get very badly hurt, some people are going to wake up tomorrow morning wondering what they’ve done, some people are going to live with the consequences of a riotous day for months and perhaps for years to come,” he said.

Galway Rag Week.1 arrest for being highly intoxicated, dont be the 1 that ruins it for everyone, have fun but Bsafe, hashtag theresalwaysone

— Garda Info (@gardainfo) February 17, 2015

“One of the things we [Stop Out of Control Drinking] wanted to do, to be honest, was try to hold up a mirror to that deeply unhealthy relationship with drink in Ireland.”

In an effort to curb any anti-social behaviour, the gardaí took to Twitter to call on all students to act responsibly during the unofficial rag week, and to remind them they would be on the streets enforcing the Public Order Act.

Gardaí said they have been monitoring the situation and were conducting spot checks on student identity cards around the city.