Students’ Union launch “Big Yellow Thing” socks for charity

By Mark Lynch

NUI Galway Students’ Union have launched fundraising socks featuring a tribute to the iconic “Galway Yellow” (AKA Big Yellow Thing) sculpture on campus. The socks, a collaboration with Galway company Irish Socksciety, are on sale now for €9 per pair, with all proceeds going to the SU charities. The launch came just before conferral week, and the Students’ Union will be hoping that many graduates will donate through buying the socks out of nostalgic sentiment towards the NUI Galway campus. The SU says, “They’re an ideal present for anyone who has ever said “I’ll meet ya at the Big Yellow Thing” over the years!”

The designated Students’ Union charities for the academic year 2019/2020, as announced recently, are AIDS West and Domestic Violence Response. Through AIDS West, the socks will help to raise money for high quality care and support for those affected by HIV, AIDS or STIs, or those who are worried about their sexual health. The money raised for Domestic Violence Response will help the community-led organisation to respond to the issue of domestic abuse in the county of Galway.

The “Galway Yellow” sculpture outside the James Hardiman Library on the NUI Galway campus was created by artist Brian King in 1976 and has been a landmark and meeting point for UCG/NUI Galway students since then. It goes by several nicknames, most commonly “The Big Yellow Thing”, but down through the years has also been referred to as, “The Squiggle”, and “Archimedes Balls”.

Students’ Union President, Clare Austick, said at the launch, “We are delighted to launch our socks just in time for the NUI Galway conferring ceremonies. They are a great gift and will support the work of two very worthy local charities AIDS West and Domestic Violence Response. We hope past and present staff and students will love the socks as much as we do. We look forward to seeing them on cosy feet across campus!”

The socks are on sale now from the SU Office, upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn, and the SU Shop, beside the Bialann, at NUI Galway.