FAQ

General

Who can go to the ball?
The ball is open to all current Trinity staff, current Trinity students and also to Trinity graduates.
Can I bring my friend who's not in Trinity?
You can bring your granny if you want to! If you buy two tickets you are entitled to bring a non-TCD guest with you.
I'm a postgrad. Am I a student or a graduate?
If you've got a current TCD student ID card, you're a student. If you've got a staff card, use that.
As a TCD graduate, what ID do I need to bring to collect my tickets?
Bring your Ball Reference Code and a form of picture ID, such as a driving licence or passport. Your credit card is not an acceptable form of ID. We are not storing credit card information so we have nothing to identify it against.
Who is Lucy?
Lucy is the main Wonder-Woman behind the administration of the Ball's ticket sales. She is contactable by email at lucy@csc.tcd.ie. Her office is in the CSC in House 6.

Getting tickets

How do I get tickets for the ball?
You must apply for a ticket online at this website. Read the 'Tickets' page and follow the instructions there.
How do I pay for the tickets and how much do they cost?
Tickets cost €78 each, or €80 if you pay by credit card. Once you have your Ball Registration Code you can pay for the tickets:
- In person with cash at the Student Union Shop in House 6 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Thursday and until 3pm on Fridays.
- By Phone with a credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Laser) on our credit card hotline on +353-1-8961827 or +353-1-8961887 between 10am and 4pm, Mondays to Fridays.
Before you pay by any of these methods, you must have your Ball Reference Code that you'll get after registering for a ticket on this website. And don't forget to bring this code along with you when you go to pay!
Last year some people paid online but I don't see that option
We introduced a PayPal payment option for a limited number of applications last year. We are increasing the number of PayPal payments this year but the number will still be capped in order to allow people pay in cash at the SU shop. When the PayPal facility is enabled there is a 'Pay online' button on the website. This facility is only open to TCD students and staff at present; graduates are asked to pay by phone or in the SU shop.
I paid for my ticket but never got an email.
If you know your Ball Reference code use the Application Status Checker or contact lucy@csc.tcd.ie if you have lost your application code.
I have a ball reference number but when I tried to pay they said they were sold out. How do I pay for my ticket?
Sorry, you are only assured of a ticket when you've paid for it and now all tickets have been sold.
Last year I applied for a ticket but when I came to collect it in Goldsmith Hall there were none left. I thought that my ticket was secure?
Applying for a ticket does not guarantee you a ticket. Only when you've both paid for your ticket and received an email from us saying that your application has been accepted, do you have a ticket reserved. You must have applied online, paid for, and received a confirmation email in good time before the day of the ball. Last year many people turning up to Goldsmith Hall had to be turned away as the ball was SOLD OUT. There were many tears! Apply and pay early and avoid the hassle.
When do I get the actual ticket?
On the morning of the ball, Friday, 8^th April, a large ticket collection office will be situated in Goldsmith Hall from 9am until 2pm. You'll need to bring your ball reference code, which looks something like QIOPWA1, and your college ID. If you have paid for your ticket in the SU Shop, please bring the receipt along with you as well. Hint: the queues for tickets are big - come early and beat the queues! Remember: No College ID means No Ball Ticket.
Can someone else collect the ticket for me?
Sorry, we have to check the college ID to the face of the person collecting the ticket. If you are unable to collect your ticket in person on Friday morning, please contact Lucy O'Connell in the CSC Office, 1st Floor, House 6 (lucy@csc.tcd.ie) as soon as possible.
Where is Goldsmith Hall?
It's here.
Help! I've lost my ID card
If you lose your ID card and can't get a replacement one in time for the ticket collection, contact Lucy (lucy@csc.tcd.ie) as soon as possible. If you do not do this we may be unable to issue you with a ticket (a number of wallets are stolen before ticket collection and the thieves attempt to collect the tickets -- this is why we match the face on the card with that of the person who turns up).
I ordered a single ticket but I have a new friend I'd like to bring. Can I get another ticket?
If you've ordered a single ticket you must contact Lucy first and she will change your order to two tickets.

The night of the ball

What time does the ball start at?
The gates (front arch) open at 10pm. You must be inside by midnight as the doors will be closed at this time and no further admittance will be possible. There are two entry points, Front Arch and Nassau Street - please check your ticket carefully to see which entrance you should use.
Can I leave and come back by midnight?
No, once you leave you can't come back in as your ticket will have been invalidated.
Is this a black-tie event?
Yes, it is a black-tie event. Patrons dressed inappropriately will be refused admission.
Can I bring booze in?
Nope! Bags will be searched on entry. Also, intoxicated patrons will be refused admission.
What time does the ball end at?
This year the ball closes at 5am. By this stage, your feet, especially if you are wearing heels, will be killing you after a night's dancing on the cobblestones!

Ball Rules, Terms and Conditions

Ball Rules and Conditions of Sale

All persons entering the event area are admitted only subject to the following Ground Rules and to the Rules and Regulations of Trinity College Dublin. These rules will be posted on the Trinity Ball website and a copy will be given to each patron on collection of an admission ticket. Entry to the Ball area shall be deemed to constitute unqualified acceptance of all these Rules and Regulations. Patrons assume all risk of injury and all responsibility for property loss, destruction or theft and release Trinity College and its agents from any liability.

The Trinity ball is a formal event and appropriate dress is required. Patrons inappropriately dressed will be refused admission.
Admission will be refused to any person who appears to be suffering from an excess consumption of alcohol or drugs.
Patrons assume all risk of injury and all responsibility for property, loss, destruction or theft, and release Trinity College and its agents and employees from liability.
All of those attending the Ball must familiarise themselves with the emergency exits in each of the venues.
Patrons are required to obey the directions of the Safety and Security Staff on duty. These are uniformed College staff, stewards and marshals who will be wearing luminous bibs. Stewards and marshals will be posted at all venues during the Ball. Please contact them if an emergency arises.
Please exercise good judgement if an event is too crowded. If an event is overcrowded you may be asked to leave that particular venue temporarily.
In the event of an emergency an alarm will sound and/or an announcement will be made over the P.A., or staff will give warning and directions. Patrons must leave the area of the emergency in a calm and orderly fashion.
Should the need arise, patrons will be directed to leave a section of the Ball area via the routes indicated by the staff on duty.
The Trinity Ball Committee reserves the right to refuse admission to and remove from the Ball area any person whom, in the opinion of the stewards, may be a danger to themselves or others, or who behaves in a manner contrary to the regulations set out for the Ball.
Your attention is drawn to the legislation regarding ‘smoking on a university campus’. All indoor areas, will be NO SMOKING areas, including the areas covered by Marquees.
There will be no re-admittance to the Ball area if a patron leaves. There is NO ADMISSION to the Ball after 12.00 midnight.
St. John’s Ambulance Brigade will be stationed at the main First Aid post in the laneway near Pearse St. Gate.
For your safety: No Bottles, Glass or Plastic, No Drinking Glasses and No Cans may be brought into the Ball Area. Please note that in the event of anyone attempting to gain entry to the Ball whilst carrying bottles, glasses or cans, the said items will be confiscated. Persons found carrying bottles, glasses or cans in the Ball area will be ejected from the Ball area by Security Staff.
The Trinity Ball is an event for those aged 18 or over.
Any ticket applications or payments found to have circumvented standard procedures or breached application rules will be cancelled and a cancellation fee may apply.

Trinity Residents

Special arrangements apply to TCD Residents. Details of these arrangements will be available on the Accommodation Office website at http://www.tcd.ie/accommodation/.