ONE OF THE stars of the hit TV show Game of Thrones has become a Scholar of Trinity College Dublin (TCD), joining a record number of new Fellows and Scholars at the University’s annual event.

TCD announced two Honorary Fellows, 16 new Fellows ansd 103 new Scholars of the College – a record number – this year.

The awardees also included President Michael D Higgins, who received an Honorary Fellowship from the college in return for his “commitment to education throughout the course of his career”. TCD also noted that Higgins was focusing his presidency on youth and education, while promoting Ireland abroad and reconnecting with the Irish diaspora.

Trinity alumnus and Professor of Anatomy in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and in the Royal Hibernian Academy, Professor Thomas Clive Lee, also received an Honorary Fellowship.

Jack Gleeson plays the character of Joffery Baratheon in the popular HBO show, which is based on the epic fantasy novels penned by author George RR Martin. Gleeson received a two subject Moderatorship in Philosophy and World Religions and Theology.

Students who demonstrate exceptional knowledge and understanding of their subjects and are elected annually in various subjects as the result of an examination can become Scholars, while research achievement or scholarship of a high order is the primary qualification for a Fellowship.

Gallery: Amazing pictures of Antrim’s Game of Thrones set>