Our History

The Quadrangle at NUI Galway

Overview

It may seem more than slightly ironic, but An Cumann Staire or The Historical Society as it was formely known as, knows little about its own history. Certainly the society is one of the oldest still currently in existence in NUIG, probably the oldest other than the literary and debating society. The Arts Ball is the oldest formal ball in the college still taking place. It has took place every february each year without exception for at the very least the last fifty to sixty years. Like the Arts Ball, An Cumann Staire now and in its previous incarnation has always been at the heart of university life in UCG and NUI Galway.

Cumann Staire Armas

An Armas

The Cumann Staire Coat Arms or Armas(seen right) as it is known in Irish was adopted in recent years. The Coat of Arms inorporates a number of elements which reflect the ethos and history of NUI Galway and the society itself. The bulls depict the ancient saga of the Táin; a story at the heart of history of Irish mythology. The oak tree is that of the Uí Chonchúir who built a fort at the bottom of the Gaillimh river and who were the last kings of Connacht and Éire. The Ancient Book reflects the ethos of History and literacy which are at the heart of a spirit of learning and education in the society. In Irish folklore salmon is a symbol of knowledge and also salmon is a fish native to the river Corrib. The De Burgos, founded the mediaeval walled city of Galway and the castle is represented on the coat of arms.

IHSA

CCS - IHSA

The society has always had strong links with the Irish History Students' Association (IHSA) throughout the years. The Cumann Staire has, since the attendance of Niall Delargy at the first annual congress in 1950, been an active member group of the CCS/IHSA. It continues to send students to the annual conferences who wish to present papers, act as delegates or simply enjoy the event. The society hosted the IHSA annual conference in 2008 and 2004 in recent years. Cumann Staire was chosen to host the annual conference in 2012. Former Cumann Staire Reachtaire, Tonaí is the current IHSA Webmaster and is heavilly involved in the administration of the Association. You can see the IHSA Website here.

ISHA Gaillimh

ISHA International

In 2008, Cumann Staire forged new links, opening up new horizons in joining the International Students of History Association (ISHA). An ISHA Representative gave a presentation in Galway and Cumann Staire then decided to become ISHA's newest section. In doing so it became the first ISHA section from the UK & Ireland and this still remains the case to this very day. The Cumann Staire have attended ISHA seminars and conferences in Zagreb, Bucharest, Pula, Ljubljana, Budapest amonst others, participating in workshops. You can see ISHA's website here.

Cumann Staire Armas

Changes

The society has undergone a considerable shift in the last decade, re-inventing and reorganising itself. The society renamed itself An Cumann Staire in 2007 and there was the creation of a society coat of arms. You can read the inspiration for the coat of arms here. It also made itself a blingual society with the promotion of the Irish language at the center of the ethos of the society. There was also the adoption of a new extended constitution in 2009. The society also expanded its horizons, becoming an ISHA section in 2008. Cumann Staire has been quick to move with the times and was one of the first societies to create their own website. The society has a website and has pages on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Wikipedia, engaging with its members.

Cumann Staire Armas

Arts Ball

The Arts Ball has been a staple of the university calender since the 1960's and always organised by Cumann Staire. It has seen a significant change over the years, especially recently. Over the last 10 years, the Arts Ball has seen its attendance figure rocket to more than treble those who attended back in 2002. Now it is able to generate considerable amounts of money to be raised for charitable causes. There has always been high demand among students for tickets, the demand much higher than the supply. Indeed, memorably one year there were students camping outside in tents to ensure they got much sought after tickets. In 2006, a new approach was taken, the ball extending its capacity significantly to cater for the demand. The Ball since then has almost doubled in size and changed venue, always setting the bar for the other balls. In 2011 the Ball had 1,700 attendance, the biggest in its History and It is now usually held in the Salthill Hotel on the third Wednesday of February.

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