Durham University there is no formal teaching at Durham colleges (with the exception of Cranmer Hall theological college within St John's), although colleges are active in research. The colleges dominate the residential, social, sporting, and pastoral functions within the university, and there is heavy student involvement in their operation. Formal dinners (known as "formals") are held at every college; gowns are worn to these events at just over half of the colleges. Gowns are not worn for formals at Collingwood, St Aidan's, St Cuthbert's, Hild Bede, Van Mildert, Stephenson or Ustinov. There is a great deal of intercollegiate rivalry, particularly in rowing
National University of Ireland colleges, and their years of recognition, are: ‡ In accordance with the Universities Act 1997 (Section 48) graduates of the recognised college of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth who received a degree of the National University of Ireland before the commencement of the act are considered graduates of the constituent university known as the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. National University of Ireland The National University of Ireland (NUI) () is a federal university system of "constituent universities" (previously called "constituent colleges") and "recognised colleges" set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.