January by Aisling Twomey

motley january 2011 - issue no. 4 ucc official magazine

The Plight of Others

Formal Fashion

Ball season approaches...

Seanad Reform The best thing? ÂŠ Angela King-Jones

Editor Aisling Twomey

Amidst all of the Christmas Fraping, New Year’s pictures and present receiving (with some giving involved, hopefully), I sort of forgot all about college. And then suddenly three days into 2011, UCC dropped back into my life, and my Christmas presents (A Snoopy Mug and loads of chocolate, in case you were interested) must be tossed aside and replaced with books. Though the mug will inevitably get more use as we near the end of term! January is meant to be about New Year’s Resolutions – or rather, it’s the month when we all fail absolutely with our utterly mental Resolutions, which we will inevitably have broken on January 2nd. Fine, January 1st. So we’ve decided this month to spend some time doing something we’ve never done before, as opposed to giving up nice things we need to keep us happy. To that end, editors and writers at Motley have taken time out this January to visit charities around Cork, and talk to some of the people involved with the amazing groups around the city. UCC students give their time and money to different causes the whole year through- Suas, St Vincent de Paul, Children’s Aid and Surgeon Noonan, to name a few. This month was a learning process for Motley, as well as for the editors and writers who gave of their time; we hope you enjoy it.

The Team aisling twomey adam dinan audrey dearing kellie morrissey john murphy siobhán meehan kathryn o regan andrew mcdonnell michael holland muire o hara

daithi Linnane

Editor In Chief - editor@motley.ie Current Affairs Editor Deputy Editor In Chief - currentaffairs@motley.ie Features Editor - features@motley.ie Entertainment Editor entertainments@motley.ie Deputy Entertainment Editor - entertainments@motley.ie Interviews and Local Editor local@motley.ie Fashion Editor - fashion@motley.ie Men’s Fashion Editor fashion@motley.ie Photographic Editor - photo@motley.ie Design/ Layout - layout@motley.ie Advertising Editor - advertising@uccsu.ie

Contents On the cover... 28.

The Plight Of Others- Motley talks to local charities and learns about those in most need of help.

43.

Formal Fashion- UCC Ball season is fast approaching; fill your ball ward robe here!

Seanad Reform- Sarah Slevin investigates the potential reform of the Irish Senate.

Current Affairs 5.

Wikileaks is testament to the power of the Internet, writes Sean O Se

10.

After Rainbow Week, Genevieve Shanahan argues the case for Same Sex Marriage

Entertainments 14.

Chris Redmond and Mary Crowley watch some modern classics theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never seen before

21.

Kevin Curran talks to artists Dan Leo about his work, his life and his inspiration.

Features 33.

Sorcha Nagle checks out Cork store Amity, set up in the middle of the recession.

36.

Audrey Dearing introduces you to... the Strauss Ball.

Fashion

40.

Kathryn O Regan talks about the art form that is Haute Couture.

46.

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion across the world, by Andrew McDonnell.

Shall we Dance? P.45 03

Current Affairs © independent

currentaffairs@motley.ie

Adam Dinan

Seanad may still have a role to play calls for the abolition of ireland’s upper house should be carefully considered, argues sarah slevin.

nce again, the future of Seanad Éireann has been cast into the limelight. The fate of the Upper House would appear to have been sealed with Fianna Fáil’s recent announcement that it is considering holding a referendum on its abolition. Opposition parties have long since called for its removal, with Fine Gael in particular quick to point out that it was their idea in the first place. However, is this a genuine attempt at real political reform, or nothing more than a token populist gesture? The history books tell us that Ireland has never really been sure of the Seanad’s actual political function. Typifying this are the 10 different committees that have reviewed its role over the state’s lifetime. Not only this, but a referendum on how University representatives are elected to the Second House was passed in 1979, but successive governments have failed to implement the necessary legislation. This is not the first time Seanad Éireann has faced actual extinction, while also not the first time Fianna Fáil appear to have backtracked on the issue. In 1936, Eamon de Valera abolished the Seanad entirely after it failed to pass certain constitutional amendments, but he reinstated the house in the 1937 Constitution. This epitomises the constant instability that surrounds the Seanad, and possibly contributes to its ineffectiveness. The topic has been en vogue of late, with political parties wrestling to be next to jump on the bandwagon. Fine Gael, to give them their due, first tabled the proposal in their policy document ‘New Politics’ in March 2010. Labour quickly echoed this, announcing their support for a unicameral

parliament at their party conference. Within the last few weeks, both Fianna Fáil and the Green Party revealed they are open to holding a referendum on the issue. In addition to this, many political commentators and journalists have come out in favour of the Seanad’s abolition. Fintan O’Toole, never a man to shy away from suggesting political upheaval, believes the Seanad to be an unnecessary cost and a retirement home for weary politicians and failed candidates. The house’s power is severely limited, with the ability only to suggest amendments to bills rather than actually veto them. Debate is quite often perfunctory and lifeless, and Seanad appointments exude elitism and a detachment from the society it’s intended to represent. Ireland remains one of the few non-federal countries to have a second house, and its estimated cost of €25 million per annum has been deemed unsustainable in a time of deep recession. Against this, some still believe that a radically reformed Seanad could play a useful role in a better political system. Senator Joe O’Toole recently stated his opposition to the proposed abolition, and any question of bias must be discounted as he does not intend to seek re-election as a university senator should the Seanad return after the election. Professor David Farrell of UCD likewise wrote a highly critical article in The Irish Times, asserting that abolition is based on a ‘fake notion of reform’. He further said that the revival of the question is nothing more than an attempt to satisfy a bloodthirsty electorate, and would not result in any meaningful political reform.

The ferocity with which some political activists propose the Seanad’s removal would seem to intimate that they believe bicameralism is one of the causes of the current fiscal woes. However, the Seanad is not the source of the recession, nor will its removal be the solution. The same commentators attack the Seanad as being counterproductive and contributing little to political debate. Such a statement is an affront to the likes of David Norris, Mary Robinson and Ivana Bacik, all of whom were/ are able and intelligent representatives who have found a voice through the Seanad. ireland remains one of the few non-federal countries to have a second house, and its estimated cost of €25 million per annum has been deemed unsustainable in a time of deep recession. As well as this, if saving €25 million a year is another objective, then Seanad opponents seem willing to sell a political institution for a relatively cheap price. The calls for the Seanad’s abolition smack somewhat of political tokenism. This is particularly true of Fianna Fáil, who are being pragmatic in an attempt to distract the electorate rather than developing a newfound hunger for political reform. If such reform is what’s desired, then the Seanad’s removal won’t do much to achieve this. A properly functioning democracy is no doubt a worthwhile objective, but we should consider that a reformed Seanad could be a part of this, rather than an obstacle to it. These reforms should be carefully thought out before offering a potentially valuable institution as a political sacrifice. While we wonder if we can afford the Seanad, we must also ask ourselves if we can afford to lose it.

Wikileaks reveals power of internet the spread of information has become more potent as technology has advanced, and we’re now reaping the rewards.

seán ó sé

010 will go down in the annals of history as the year that the knot began to unravel. Government and secrecy have been synonymous since the idea of government was invented. Those who controlled power controlled the secrets and it became the job of journalists to unlock these secrets to piece together what goes on behind the closed doors. Governments have had control of information and using spin and half-truth have covered up many a scandal or injustice. With the advent of broadband knowledge, ideas have been able to spread across the world in a matter of seconds. It is no longer just the state or the owners of media corporations who can spread this news but rather the ordinary citizen. However, there is a massive change occurring in the spread of information. This may seem to have taken place overnight but in reality it has been brewing for the past decade. With the advent of broadband knowledge, ideas have been able to spread across the world in a matter of seconds. It is no longer just the state or the owners of media corporations who can spread this news but rather the ordinary citizen. Today, everyone with access to the internet can take part in this global exchange of news.

Wikileaks came into possession of the ‘War Logs’. These were detailed descriptions of how the US was fighting its war in the Iraq and Afghanistan. For the first time, the public could gain access to what was happening and it became apparent that the US and its allies were on the back foot. In late 2010, Wikileaks published reports that foreign diplomats had sent to Washington. Governments all over the world, including the Irish government, came under scrutiny as information they had attempted to cover up was released. Some may argue that there is nothing new in the leaking of documents and information to the media. Newspapers, television and radio often publish confidential information that they have received from a whistle blower. However, with the advent of the internet, the nature of the game has irrevocably changed. In the Western World, we enjoy a certain level of press freedom and freedom of information. But from time to time, the State or another body with a vested interest may attempt to prevent classified information reaching the public domain by coercion and threat.

Information passed by print or by airwaves can be censored at the borders of a country. It is much harder to censor the internet. Due to the fact that Wikileaks releases its information online, it makes Wikileaks has dominated the headlines it more difficult for those in authority for the past twelve months. And for good to clamp down on it. That has not reason. The organisation first drew attention stopped them trying, though, and the US when they released a video of US troops government has attempted to dismantle this shooting innocent civilians, including web of knowledge. It is possibly too late as children, in Iraq. This caused massive the speed of a government cannot match international outcry and the US military the speed of the internet and those trying to went on a hunt to uncover who supplied close in on free speech are losing the war. them with the footage. During the summer,

Wikileaks is not alone in the spread of information. Websites that most citizens use every day are at the forefront of this war for freedom of information. Facebook and Twitter are hugely important tools in how we spread information. Every time you update your status or post a link, you are sharing vast amounts of information. Twitter has become legendary for its ability to reach mass numbers of people at once. When text messages appeared first, people were amazed that you could send a message to someone, anywhere in the world, in a matter of seconds. Twitter allows us to send a message to millions of people, all at the same time. The US government even asked that the website not be taken down for maintenance on the day of a massive protest in Tehran because they wanted the word to spread about it. It is now ironic that the US government are trying to hold back the tide of information that social media releases. Due to the fact that Wikileaks releases its information online, it makes it more difficult for those in authority to clamp down on it. The internet has yet to reach its full potential. As more and more people connect to broadband, more and more people become informed. The printing press was invented in 1440, but it was not until the 19th century that there was widespread literacy. The internet became available to the public in the 1980s and within 20 years it has found its way into virtually every household in the developed world. If you think about the changes brought about by print, it is easy to see the potential that the internet has to achieve so much more.

Current Affairs

The more things change, the more they stay the same... © Irish Central

student politics goes into overdrive for the next few months, as election fever takes hold. luke p. field gives us a rundown of what to expect.

s we begin a new term, and a new year, we enter another season of Students’ Union elections; it may be an opportune time to cast a critical eye over the various comings and goings, to-ings and fro-ings, happenings and non-happenings that often make up the charming morass that is student politics. A few months back, whilst nursing a pint in the Old College Bar (wherein all conversations of truly important philosophical worth take place) it was put to me that student politics is the most conservative of all politics. I was a little taken aback at this comment, but I found myself nodding as my friend went on to explain the reasoning: there is no long-term thinking in student politics because of the short mandate; the modus operandi of student bodies never changes, even when new people are elected; and the issues rarely change significantly. I suppose all those points are worth taking a look at, but it’s the third bit that I always find most interesting. Every year, pretty much the same pattern repeats itself, to the point where one can almost guess at the start of the year exactly what the major moments will prove to be. From the moment the new SU takes office in June, we can say with a decent amount of certainty that there will be a national march against fees/grant cuts/whatever you’re having yourself (in the cold); a local march against fees/grant cuts/raptor attacks/Bear Patrol tax (in even more cold); an attempt to rewrite the SU Constitution from the ground up; several rumours of resignations; and of course, a barrage of sneering complaints from all corners of the university through whatever means are available.

comfort zone; the female candidate who says she’s running “to make the SU less sexist” and then proceeds to sexualise images of herself in her campaign posters; and of course, the self-styled antiestablishmentarian that will “break down the clique culture in the SU” (plenty of these candidates have come and gone, the culture remains). At this point, I may be sounding just a little bit jaded… Rest assured, this is not the case. The Students’ Union is an incredibly important institution that does very good work; it’s just that, well, one election is often much like another and one Union year much the same as that which preceded it. The question that is rarely asked, though, is “why”? What causes this homogeny and, indeed, monotony from year to year? Perhaps the issue is external; after all, it’s hardly the college community that’s to blame if the national government repeatedly looks to make savings from third-level students by raising registration fees and cutting grants, and it is the role of the SU to protect students from these attacks (assuming that the majority of voting students want to be protected from these attacks).

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The Students’ Union is an incredibly important institution that does very good work; it’s just that, well, one election is often much like another and one Union year much the same as that which preceded it.

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And by extension, if the issues we have to deal with are often the same, so too may be the means by which we deal with them; after all, there’s very little in the SU weapon locker aside from mass demonstration to add weight to our side of the negotiating table. On the other hand, a strong case could be made for the issue being internal, something in the psychology of the college student. After all, most electoral candidates are either “hacks” or “anti-establishment”; the hacks are From the moment the new SU takes office in June, we conditioned by their environment and culture to behave in much the can say with a decent amount of certainty that there will same way that their predecessors did, while the anti-establishment be a national march against fees/grant cuts/whatever crowd tend to just moan about “deh clicks” – not much scope for you’re having yourself... variety in either camp. Perhaps the emergence of a candidate who Then you have the elections, which are even more predictable than does not fit either description comfortably may bring some new the rest of the year’s events. Rumours fly hither, thither, and yon, and flavour to the buffet, if such a candidate does indeed exist. won’t cease until close of nominations. Eventually, the real candidates But put that to one side for there is little you can do about it – unless start to emerge, and there’s usually a few “old reliable” clichés to make up the numbers: the Bill Cullen wannabe, who wants to run the you may be lured to run for one of the many full-time, part-time or SU as practice for building his business empire; the budding national voluntary positions on offer? I wish you the best of luck, if you are politician, who views the SU as a stepping-stone; the SU-hater, who one of the brave and bold few who make that leap. If you are not, then wants to become President so that he can eventually replace the it’s time to get comfortable in that armchair and grab your popcorn; Union with a giant bowl of custard; the aging hack, who desperately the greatest show available on campus is about to begin, and soon we’ll see just How the West is Won. This year. wants a sabbatical position so he/she doesn’t have to leave their

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Let’s make environmental destruction a crime

a new law against ‘ecocide’ may soon be introduced by the un. tom smith welcomes the news

he scenario: bizarre-looking beings from outer space descend on earth and start extracting our little planet’s resources at rates which are entirely unsustainable. These abhorrent extra-terrestrials are rapacious, not caring that their actions provoke the largest mass extinction in 65 million years. They alter the planet’s climate in unprecedented ways, leading to mass (human and nonhuman) habitat destruction. The UN states that ecosystems are “at a tipping point”. Their industrial processes leave high levels of dioxin in every mother’s breast milk. Fuel for their spaceships is becoming increasingly hard to find so, to feed their thirst for oil, they go to Canada and eviscerate an area the size of Florida. That’s the state of Florida, by the way, not the rapper. Governments meet ... to look like they’re discussing ways of ridding the planet of this all-consuming scourge but do nothing. Mothers weep. Babies are inconsolable. But nothing is done. Governments meet at various annual summits to look like they’re discussing ways of ridding the planet of this all-consuming scourge but do nothing. Ordinary people would make a fuss but the X-factor has just started and Cheryl’s outfit is going to be really spectacular this week. This scenario isn’t so far-fetched. In fact, it’s happening all around us, only with industrial civilization replacing those pesky aliens. So what do we do? Nothing really. One woman, however, an English Barrister named Polly Higgins, thinks she has at least part of the solution and has been

The fact that our economies, as currently petitioning the UN to introduce a fifth Crime run, are intimately entwined with Against Peace (the others being Genocide, environmental destruction, and potential Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes and catastrophe, should be beyond dispute. Crimes of Aggression). This one is Ecocide. Indeed, the only thing of late which has The lawyer-turned-activist may have a even moderately tempered Ireland’s impact (probably insuperable) battle on her hands has been severe economic downturn. All but the aim isn’t necessarily unprecedented. of which means that a business-as-usual Genocide, for example, was defined and economy signifies a dead planet. legislated against in 1948 after much similar campaigning work by Polish lawyer Raphael This novel idea of actually Lemkin in the aftermath of the Holocaust. punishing people .... who This novel idea of actually punishing people (as opposed to allowing them to hide behind nebulous corporate entities) who perpetrate atrocities against the natural world isn’t that far outside the current realm of international law. Higgins herself points out that the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute currently legislates for war crimes due to “widespread long-term and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated” (article 8(2)(b)(iv)). Would it be such a leap for provisions to be made which replace the word military with corporate? Yes, actually, in a world where money holds infinitely more sway than any realism about the limits of a finite planet. Businessmen (because they are, overwhelmingly, men) will decry such efforts as certain to bring down economic systems the world over. They will say that they are merely satisfying a demand. They will say that what they do is entirely necessary. And, of course, these were the same arguments made prior to the abolition of slavery two hundred years ago. Plus ça change.

perpetrate atrocities against the natural world isn’t that far outside the current realm of international law. More power to her efforts to get some accountability in this madness though. The trend of increasing acknowledgement of the need to update our socio-cultural and legal thought on matters relating to the environment can be nothing but positive. For example, her work is reminiscent of articles in Ecuador’s new constitution of 2008, which grants inalienable rights to nature, the rights to “exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution”. This certainly seems more logical than our own dated, tragicomic constitution which more-or-less grants women merely the inalienable right to enjoy their lives working in the home, under the watchful eye of “our Divine Lord, Jesus Christ, Who sustained our fathers through centuries of trial…” This is catastrophe. This is a quiet death. This is “civilization”. This is progress. This is ecocide. For more information, see www.thisisecocide.com

Current Affairs

Pubs are losing out because of service, not price

ultan connolly envisages how we might restructure the irish alcohol industry to make bars a more attractive prospect for a night out.

nterest in changing Ireland’s archaic licensing laws usually only reaches a critical mass at closing time. By morning, many of the previous night’s most ardent lobbyists have crossed into the temperance camp, swearing allegiance to Father Mathew on the big white telephone. Recent times have seen a dramatic shift in drinking customs with ‘staying in’ becoming the new ‘going out’. Publicans, as you might expect, are not at all pleased with this change. Not purely because of their loss of revenue, they claim, but because they worry that members of the public would not know when to stop drinking. How would we know it’s ‘time’ without lights flashing, bouncers shouting and pushing, and a perilous walk through a city-turnedwar zone. To add insult to injury for the publicans, supermarkets are now selling alcohol at reasonable prices. According to Gerry Mellett, the President of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, (VFI), the ‘only way’ Ireland’s pub trade can survive is if a minimum price is set for alcohol sales in supermarkets and offlicences. It should be noted by the VFI that price, while a significant factor, is not the sole reason that people choose to stay home to enjoy a tipple. There are other factors dissuading the general public from the thrills and spills of a night out in modern Ireland. Firstly, there is getting into a bar, no mean feat in itself. At the door of the establishment there are burly apostles of temperance forbidding entry to those who may have partaken of the forbidden fruit that is off-licence booze. If deemed sober enough to enter, you can join the scrum for the bar, pushing and elbowing all the while waving a crisp €50 note.

table service. Drinkers and non-drinkers all socialising in a civilised manner, grown adults being allowed to make up their own minds when it’s time to go. You may call me a dreamer but I believe adopting such a system would encourage people out to the pub even with cheap supermarket beer available. Why? Because the alcohol would be secondary to the experience. Perhaps it would even be possible to order some food with a round of drinks, or have I gone too far? This could be a reality in Ireland, alcohol and food available twenty four hours a day, no mayhem at 2.30am on Grand Parade, no pavements covered in blood and vomit in the morning. Why, instead of demanding government intervention to keep a flawed and undesired system in place, will the VFI not allow the whole trade to be restructured? An abundance of bars to cater for all tastes. Instead of paying Rupert Murdock thousands for the right to show Sky sports, bars could invest in local musicians, providing a platform for artists and an option for an evening out without focusing on getting blathered.

Any government intervention should allow for smaller bars to compete in turn enabling better service provision for the community. Through tax dispensations for small owner occupier bars, livelihoods could be created and communities’ social needs could be catered for. Allowing bars to open for any eight hour period within the day would ensure that the public could decide when and where to drink. Such bars would have to compete for customers and with a little imagination, factors other than the availability of booze may encourage the public in. The system could be turned around so that bars compete for Eyes must be set to a wide angle ready to pounce on any flicker of customers rather than punters competing for service. recognition from a server. Finally you get your drink, you crumple Small bars may not make millionaires of the owners but they would your change into your pocket and attempt to move away from the bar, inadvertently spilling much of your coveted prize onto yourself. provide a decent livelihood. If lower alcohol prices in the supermarkets You stand with friends but it’s too loud to talk so you down your drink end the era of the 'super pub', it should be seen as a victory for the and prepare once more to enter the fray. Come last call, you have two public. Sure there will be job losses, mainly minimum wage jobs that choices: stay put and enjoy your last drink or join the greatest scrum have little prospects or longevity anyway. The recession in Ireland of the night. Then it’s all over, ‘get out!’, you're off into the night has seen all businesses restructuring as competition increases. The pub trade is no different, and government intervention to enforce precariously avoiding fists and food being thrown with abandon. a minimum price on alcohol will only prevent competition not So why is it like this? The VFI have designed it so. A short window benefitting society in any way. Let the public decide how they choose of opportunity for drinking ensures efficiency and better profit to drink: who knows, maybe we will decide that slower paced drinking margins. Imagine the possibility of being able to go out to a bar on a leads to a more sustainable and enjoyable relationship with alcohol in Saturday night, acquiring a seat at a table with friends and getting the long term.

Homeless at risk as government cuts hit Simon community © Fran Veale

audrey ellard walsh met up with paul sheehan of cork simon community to discuss the work they do and the upcoming budgetary problems they will face as austerity measures take hold.

hile no-one has escaped the touch of recession, it can sometimes be difficult to see beyond our own issues. However, imagine having no-where to call your home. Imagine facing the thoughts of sleeping rough in Irish weather, not knowing where your next meal will come from. The Cork Simon Community works quietly and tirelessly from their Cove Street base, helping prevent people from having to face cold nights on the streets and supporting those who have become homeless back into social contact.

Over Christmas I spoke to Paul Sheehan, Campaigns and Communications Manager for Cork Simon and asked him about the work that they do and the difficulties that face them as the recession continues. I heard that Cork Simon is generally a last call for people who have been previously unwilling or unaware of how to ask for help. Many of the people that Cork Simon deals with will have mental health difficulties and/or drug and alcohol addiction. Paul sees demands on their services increasing over the next few years as long-term unemployment affects more and more people and leads to problems such as depression. There is a catch 22 regarding people who are dealing with drug and health problems in that generally neither problem will be treated before the other, leaving people trapped.

Another major issue has been seen since the collapse of the housing market and the huge loss of jobs in construction. Many people, mostly foreign nationals who would have worked on the black market essentially, being paid cash in hand for construction work have been left unemployed. Jobless and with no right to government assistance due to the Habitual Residency Clause (HRC), they are left in a limbo, ashamed to go home and afraid of what awaits them. The HRC also affects many Irish people who have lived abroad and worked out of the country for over two years. Upon return, they are not eligible for state benefits, an issue which affects many Simon users. I was impressed to hear that thanks to a soup run and outreach team on the streets each night, checking in on regulars and identifying new people, there are currently no people sleeping rough in Cork City. The outreach team is the first point of contact for many and supports and helps them gain access to appropriate services. Cork Simon also works closely with young people who have for whatever reason left home and are at risk of becoming permanently homeless. They intervene with a view to reconnecting people with their families before they end up on the streets. Pride seems to be at the core of their work: both the pride which prevents people from asking for help, and ultimately the pride and dignity which is instilled in the people who are helped by their services. In addition to the 44 emergency beds in Anderson’s Quay, there are 44 beds in high support houses where residents have 24 hour care and 27 beds are in flats where people can avail of as much or as little support as they need while they make their way back to living independently.

The organisation itself is staffed by over 650 volunteers, both full-time and parttime and helping out in various ways, from the health team at the emergency shelter, to fundraisers and soup-run volunteers. I was interested to hear that while we may consider J1s or au-pairing the norm for gap years, quite a few of Cork Simon’s volunteers are in fact students from foreign countries who have taken a year out to come over here and help out. They receive a weekly allowance and accommodation in volunteer houses in return for their work. I was interested to hear that while we may consider J1s or aupairing the norm for gap years, quite a few of Cork Simon’s volunteers are in fact students from foreign countries who have taken a year out to come over here and help out. Government cuts are always a worry. 65% of their funding comes from areas such as the HSE, Department of Environment and Cork Chamber of Commerce but this has been consistently slashed over the past few years. €2,000,000 or 35% of their yearly budget must be raised through donations. With cuts set to continue and the amount of spare money that people can donate constantly decreasing, Simon is being forced to work harder to make ends meet. Paul says that while they consider all of their services to be vital, their main objective currently is to keep their 115 beds, which have been a lifeline for so many over the years. If you would like to volunteer with Cork Simon, you can contact Tom Cremin, their Volunteer Co-ordinator at 021-4226031 or by e-mail at volunteer@corksimon.ie

Current Affairs

Civil Partnership Bill enshrines discrimination in law

genevieve shanahan

ampus was recently brightened by Rainbow Week – LGBT Society’s hugely successful annual celebration of all things lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Amid workshops, entertainment and hi-jinks, one highlight was the Mock Wedding in which three couples were ‘married’ in order to demonstrate the equality of same-sex and opposite-sex couples. It was in response to the Civil Partnership Act, which came into effect on the first of January this year, and bestowed on those in samesex relationships the right to have that relationship legally recognised, along with many of the rights and responsibilities one finds in marriage. However, the bill failed to model civil marriage fully. I interviewed Anna MacCarthy, one of the leaders of the samesex marriage campaign group, LGBT Noise, and former auditor of UCC’s LGBT Society. She cited a ‘MarriagEquality’ report which had noted 300 points of difference between civil marriage and civil partnership, meaning that those who enter into a civil partnership have just about half of the rights those in a civil marriage enjoy. These differences are largely related to provisions regarding children. In fact, references to children are systematically excluded from the Civil Partnership Act. They were warned that the bill was very likely to violate both the European Convention on Human Rights Act and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is clearly an incredible injustice - not only to those who look forward to one day raising a family, but also to those who already care for children who are not recognised as their own purely because of the gender of those two parents. In a heterosexual family, if a relationship

Bigots such as Quinn further argued that because gay couples could not create a family as traditionally understood, they were undeserving of having their relation deemed a marriage at all. Setting the crucial issue of children aside, many people wonder how important it is that a same-sex relationship be labelled a marriage rather than a partnership, if it were to grant the same rights. In response to this sentiment Anna stated “language is so important in all of this because in Ireland what civil partnership is It wasn’t as though the Oireachtas was telling society is that LGBT people can be unaware of the needs of these children. In treated differently, and that it’s ok to treat July last year, the Ombudsman for Children them differently in other areas of society.” published a report stating, “It should be The fact that LGBT people are still treated as borne in mind that this is not a hypothetical second-class citizens in this country cannot problem. The omission of robust protections be ignored in all of this. for the children of civil partners will have real consequences for the young people I think you also need to view concerned and it is in their interests that it as essentially enshrining the law reflect and provide for the reality of discrimination in law, and I think their lives.” They were warned that the bill that’s an awful shame when the was very likely to violate both the European government were provided with an Convention on Human Rights Act and the opportunity to be a leader in Europe and in the world in terms of Convention on the Rights of the Child. equality for LGBT people. Instead, the government bowed to the rhetoric of right-wing commentators like Anna pointed out that if you are an LGBT David Quinn, who repeatedly suggested teacher in a catholic school you can be legally that same-sex couples would be unsuitable fired or not hired because of your ‘lifestyle’. for child rearing because they could not By giving same-sex couples civil partnership biologically produce children. This was rather than marriage, the government is despite the 2010 report ‘Voices of Children’ reinforcing that difference in treatment. “I which had actually asked the children of guess we have to acknowledge that it does same-sex parents what their experiences address certain issues for very vulnerable of growing up in such a family had been. people immediately and that’s a good Across the board, they emphasised how thing. But I think you also need to view it loved, wanted and protected they felt by their parents. The only negative experiences as essentially enshrining discrimination in law, and I think that’s an awful shame they reported stemmed directly from homophobia in their community and in the when the government were provided with an opportunity to be a leader in Europe and media, and the hardship and uncertainty in the world in terms of equality for LGBT they faced as a result of the government’s people. They didn’t step up to the mark refusal to protect those in their situation. on that.” dissolves and one partner re-marries, there are provisions for the new spouse to adopt the children from the previous relationship. But with the civil partnership bill, the government is refusing to offer the children of same sex couples the same protections we all take for granted. Indeed the bill seems to deny these children the security they require exactly at those times in which it is most needed – when a parent is ill, or dies, or at the dissolution of the parents’ relationship.

Time we modernised attitudes towards sexual assault claims michelle mccarthy

illy Chrissie was walking home from a student night out when she was allegedly given a black eye and her handbag was stolen. However, most likely Chrissie is lying; she was drunk so she was probably in a fight or fell over and she’s lost a satchel before, or at least we think she may have, so we’re not going to take her complaint seriously. Actually, we think the fact that she claims such an incident took place means she wants to ruin the good name of the nice young lass who was found with her bag. For all we know, Chrissie may have given her a present of it. She’s given friends lots of presents before. Chrissie is a liar. And if she’s telling the truth, well it serves her right for looking so feeble with her skinny frame dangling her big clutch from her wrist, you could hardly blame that lass for robbing and assaulting her. If you think the above anecdote is ridiculous, well you’re right; yet it’s the type of prejudice that Chrissie would most likely have been met with had she been raped. The alleged victim must survive having their character attacked on all fronts. Unlike any other victim it is immediately assumed that they are lying and even if they are proven to be telling the truth, the assumption that it was something in the individual’s behaviour or manner of dressing that procured the crime still plagues our society today. I told a friend of mine (who coincidently identifies as a liberal and a feminist) that I was writing on the subject of rape and her first response was, “are you mentioning that women often lie about it?” Sadly there are some false rape allegations, the effect of which can be almost as devastating as actually suffering sexual assault, yet there are many falsified claims of crimes of burglary or assault where the accused stands to be punished just as severely as a convicted rapist. I wonder if I had told her I was writing about violent break-ins would she have asked about people who fake such instances to make insurance claims?

Anyone who’s been following the explosion of Wikileaks into our world, or who’s just been subjected to months of “revealing updates” from housemates glued to developments, is well aware of the rape allegations that founder, Julian Assange, faces. While the majority of people I know strongly feel it abhorrent to assume that he’s guilty before he has had an opportunity to defend himself at trial, a shocking number feel that it’s reasonable to assume his accusers are liars or whores who got into bed with those trying to silence freedom of expression. What makes this sentiment all the more disturbing is where it’s coming from. Worryingly in our media it seems to be those on the Left, such as Naomi Wolf of The Guardian, who are saying it’s the women who have the case to answer. Worryingly many of those who feel that the whole media phenomenon is a horrific miscarriage of justice and want the accusers to be “named and shamed” are those whose political and cultural affiliations would normally see them advocating on behalf of those who suffer sexual abuse. Whether Assange is guilty or is himself an innocent victim of a political smear campaign should perhaps be irrelevant in many respects, to all but himself and the women involved. If he’s found innocent you can feel pity for him, yet still choose to hate what he’s created. If he’s found guilty, his personal conduct hardly discredits the ideas behind Wikileaks for those who champion the site. Rather it is more interesting to highlight our views as a society towards allegations of sexual assault. The fact that that many

believe “likeable” individuals are incapable of committing this particular crime, the fact that sexual crimes are only the subject of huge media headlines when there is a back story of significant political importance and the fact that the supposed victims are subject to scrutiny just as intense as the accused are all too apparent in this particular case. Why do we feel that rapists are always the dodgy guys in raincoats? People of all backgrounds (including charmers, women, family members and lovers) can be guilty. Why is it that when a person of importance is accused that such crimes make international headlines, when the fact that 96% of reported rapes do not result in a conviction in Ireland sometimes makes an appearance on a 5th or 6th page? Why is it that when someone says the crime they suffered was sexual, they are met with an initial air of suspicion, yet when they say they were victimised in another manner are they met with sympathy? The archaic attitudes of society to those who are raped was highlighted by a recent campaign run by the Rape Crisis Centre in Scotland, which stated “Drinking is not a crime, rape is”. It went on to spell out that if someone is too drunk to give consent, they haven’t consented. We need to start getting out the idea that all kinds of people can be raped and all kinds of people can be guilty of rape. We need to start realising that the blame lies solely with the perpetrator of the crime, as it does with all crimes. As a nation, we’ve had to ask ourselves some difficult questions about our attitude towards sexual abuse in recent years, but as a society we can’t afford to stop now.

Current Affairs

Letters to the Editor

Madam,

The December edition of Motley contained an article on 3rd level fees. In that article the Fine Gael party policy was misquoted by the author. The piece suggested that Fine Gael is in favour of a student loan funding mechanism for 3rd level, while insinuating that the party was also in favour of 3rd level fees at point of entry. These claims are both inaccurate and misleading. Fine Gael believes that 3rd level education should be free at the point of delivery to avoid any undue burden on students or families. This involves abolishing the registration fee which in our view is the re-introduction of third level fees by stealth. We need to ensure that barriers to participation are as low as possible even in the current economic context, in order to ensure that Ireland does create the much talked about "knowledge based economy" Fine Gael does not believe that graduates should bear the full cost of their education at third level. We think that to ask graduates to do so ignores the societal and economic benefits of third level education. We are proposing a system of deferred contribution – where graduates, once they begin to receive the economic benefit of their education, make a contribution towards the cost that was incurred on their behalf. This will be collected through the PRSI system and will come to no more than 30% of the cost of the graduates degree. All funds raised will be ring- fenced and spent in the 3rd level sector to ensure increased quality of delivery over the coming years. Other key proposals by our party include: reforming the maintenance grant system which is inadequate both in terms of the level of support it provides to students and in the way in which it is administered. We believe that the system should be reformed so that maintenance grants are adequate, equitable and transparent. Furthermore we believe that the system should be less bureaucratic and administered by a single body. Education is a right, Fine Gael in Government will seek to maximise participation, by minimising financial barriers to entry to third level. Our education policy is available at: http://www.finegael.org/upload/file/3rdway.pdf yours etc, Tadhg J. O'Donovan Finance Officer, UCC Young Fine Gael MadamI take issue with the article "The dangerous reality of Irish abortion Laws" by Genevieve Shanahan. After reading it, one could easily be deceived into thinking that Ireland is a dangerous place for pregnant women. On the contrary, the exact opposite is true. Ms. Shanahan made no reference to the fact that the United Nations latest Report on Maternal Mortality in 2007, declared that Ireland is again the safest place in the world for mothers. Interesting, coming from the United Nations, who are no friend to the unborn or the prolife movement. Nor was there any mention of the fact that none of these women actually need abortions. In 2000, the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which guides the doctors who care for expectant mothers, clearly stated that life-saving medical treatments for cancer and other conditions were not abortions. The Institute’s Chairman Professor John Bonner said: “We have never regarded these interventions as abortion. It would never cross an obstetrician's mind that intervening in a case of pre-eclampsia, cancer of the cervix or ectopic pregnancy is abortion. They are not abortion as far as the professional is concerned, these are medical treatments that are essential to save the life of the mother.” Furthermore, the official press release of the recent ECHR case issued by the Registrar of the Court no. 974 stated "the Court found that the necessary medical advice and treatment had been available to them in Ireland both before and after their abortions" This is a very important distinction which is rarely spoken about when the issue of abortion arises and which the majority of people don't know. The pro-choice movement tries to fudge this distinction in people's minds, as the Irish Examiner's poll did when it didn't make the distinction and declared "60% In Favour of Legal Abortion", even though they had only surveyed 18-35 year olds. However when the distinction is made between necessary medical treatments in pregnancy and induced abortion, where the aim of the procedure is to target the life of the unborn child, 70 per cent favoured Constitutional protection for the unborn and 13 per cent opposed it, (Millward Brown Lansdowne as mention in the Irish Times 21/12/10). Furthermore Ms. Shanahan's statement regarding assertions about post abortion syndrome, cancer and infertility to be false wasn't back up by a single medical authority. Among others, the European Journal of Public Health says abortion can make a woman 6 times more likely to commit suicide (European J. Public Health 15(5):459-63, 2005). As for compassion, if you really cared about womens' welfare, why don't you actually do something to support them and mitigate the circumstances that make women feel like they must have an abortion, like what the pro-life movement does? I have personally spent hundreds of hours and dollars helping women with crisis pregnancies in the South Bronx in New York. Regarding autonomy, any 1st year Law student will tell you all freedoms are qualified. All rights, choices and forms of expression are subordinate to Justice and the Common Good, because that is what they are there to further, and if an act offends against them, it is not a right, for wrong can never have a right. Abortion offends against both Justice, because it kills an innocent life and the Common Good, because it furthers the private good of the mother to the detriment of her child instead of furthering the good of both together. Charles Quinn

Entertainments

Kellie Morrissey

entertainments@motley.ie

Wanna hear a scary story? © Blue Underground

bad hair and flared trousers weren’t the only scary things to come out of the 70s, writes

kellie morrissey

inema can be an uncertain place. “Nothing is as it seems,” muses John Baxter (Donald Sutherland) in Nicolas Roeg’s dark and dreamlike Don’t Look Now (1973), while, two years later, Miranda (Anne-Louise Lambert) quotes Edgar Allan Poe in Peter Weir’s Picnic at Hanging Rock: “What we see and what we seem are but a dream.” There’s more to scary movies than gallons of blood - stormy nights - calls coming from inside the house. In fact, some scary movies provoke a feeling that’s more subtle than that touted by so many recent slasher flicks: subtle, pervasive, wrongness. There’s nothing like a film that makes you feel as though you’ve just stepped into The Twilight Zone, and the quiet freakiness of Don’t Look Now does it superbly - and, what is very odd, quite beautifully.

The Baxters (Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland) have just suffered the death of their first child: early scenes show us a blur of red raincoat against grey water - she drowns, and the grieving couple make their way to Venice, where John is contracted to complete some architectural work. What follows is a stunning, atmospheric tour de force - the canals of Venice are here grotty, dark places, full of murky water and rotting wood. The couple befriends a blind psychic; visit dark, foreboding cathedrals; make love in a sex scene oddly tender for a quasi-horror movie; John has visions of his wife on a

funeral boat and finally begins to see flashes of a red raincoat disappearing down sidealleys. The entire film is quiet, unobtrusive, strangely English and very 70s - but the clothes, the crackly film, the muted colours (except for the odd streak of red) all add to the feel of the film. The end is incredible, incredulous and a shock after two hours of quiet tension - the entire film got under my skin in a way I’ve not felt since. Overuse of fake blood may push a movie from “scary” to “gross” (Sam Raimi, we’re looking at you), but can that creepy, elusive wrong feeling incorporate both? I humbly submit Dario Argento’s giallo classic Suspiria (1977) for your approval. Suspiria suffers from a bad dubbing (German to English) but is gorgeous in a way that is wholly unsettling - a portrait of ballet, witches and murder all painted in the most garish of primary colours and polished with a sheen of fake blood. My favourite part has a young woman fall from her room, tormented by a disembodied hand, only to stumble down a hallway and into a room filled entirely with razor wire. Another scene sees a blind man’s throat ripped out by his guard dog in a town square painted entirely red. A feast for the senses - even the soundtrack, with its guttural, near subliminal utterances of “witch”, incites jumps galore. Like Suspiria, Picnic at Hanging Rock focuses on a girls’ school – but here the supernatural forces are a lot less slash ‘n’ grab and more portal-into-anotherdimension. Peter Weir’s film is just as dreamy as his blonde, Botticellian cast: English schoolgirls attending a boarding school in turn-of-the-century Australia go on a daytime outing to a rock formation in

the outback where some of them defy their teachers and climb the rock – only to go missing without a trace. Man, this is spooky stuff, and with that beautiful, plaintive theme tune – who knew pan pipes could be so freaky? – and its unsettling final act, Picnic at Hanging Rock will give you some serious goose bumps. You could be forgiven, if you’ve seen the awful remake with Nic Cage, in thinking that The Wicker Man (1973) does not belong in such a list as this. Watch the original and view it from the perspective of our main character, Sgt. Howie, a devout Catholic (and virgin at circa 40 years old) who goes to investigate a disappearance on a pagan island off the coast of Scotland. This film is weird: sex in graveyards, fertility rituals, Britt Ekland, animals buried in children’s graves – and of course, the final scene. The folk ballads peppered throughout elevate The Wicker Man to a level of creepiness that stems from its authenticity and earthiness, aided – again – by that crackly, soft-focused film quality and by a stellar performance from Christopher Lee. Edward Woodward, playing the clueless Sgt. Howie, however, is the standout performance here. Here is a horror film in which there is no-one to root for, and a sustained surreal atmosphere which ends grimly and without consolation. The 1970s produced some of the best movies of all time, but what is really interesting about this decade is the strength and quality of the horrors it produced. The aforementioned films nail the detached, disturbed feeling you get from the most esoteric of Lynch films – but with a coherence, a strength of plot and a dreamlike quality that, eventually and without exception, descends to nightmarish levels.

Entertainments

New Year, New Movie

in the spirit of january and 2011 and all that, chris takes another, fresher look at american beauty while mary watches the godfather for the first time…

American Beauty?

chris redmond takes us on a journey through the subjective consciousness of american beauty barren landscapes of America.

It never ceases to amaze me how time can dramatically alter your interpretation of a film you have always loved, but perhaps never fully appreciated. The most pleasing aspects of watching American Beauty were my realisations of its depth, and that its critics misunderstand the point of the movie. We were not being conscripted into appreciating the hidden beauty in the world, but instead our attention was being drawn to the extraordinary power of subjective consciousness. Perhaps “power” isn't the right word to use, but you have to wonder sometimes how much we take for granted and, conversely, how much we tend to over-analyse when desperately trying to find meaning. Or maybe we don't analyse things enough… Very little is still known about subjective consciousness, and I think the director, Sam Mendes, reveals the fruitlessness of the chase for so many of us. American Beauty succeeds in a similar way to Fear in Loathing in Las Vegas (the novel, primarily), Easy Rider, The Last Detail, and other films from the 1970s, but with a 90s suburbia sheen. The message is very similar: celebrating liberty and freedom but warning of the dangers of an extremely regulated, politically correct society. The difference is that people like Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) have no place to escape to – his voyage is surrounded by expensive SUVs and overgrown sycamores rather than the gloriously

Curiously, however, his optimism never deserts him, even as his family starts to disintegrate before his very eyes. For Lester, the fun is in the chase. He has only started re-experiencing the joys of subjective beauty – lifting weights, smoking pot, pursuing a beautiful young lady – but for what? He, like many others who have chased the American Dream, will only know what they want when they finally have it, and,tragically, that day might never come. Ricky Fitts, our plastic-bag-obsessed character, represents the worrying other side of the coin, as far as appreciation of subjective beauty is concerned. Whereas Lester is at the beginning of that cycle, Ricky has driven himself to near madness because he has spent his life looking for themeaning behind everything; while he can stand in awe of the ‘beauty’ of something as apparently mundane as a plastic bag, his lifelong dedication to this has left him frustrated and isolated from a society(personified by Mena Suvari’s character) which he regards as ‘boring and totally ordinary’. That which is boring and ordinary for Ricky, however, is beautiful and wonderful for the reinvigorated Lester. But which worldview should we adopt? Isn’t the real beauty the complete diversity of subjectivity, where one person’s dream is another person’s nightmare? When we currently know so little about subjective consciousness, despite the best efforts of philosophers and neuroscientists, the best thing we primates can do at the moment is marvel at its mysteriousness, for surely that is where the real beauty lies.

The Corleone family is in town mary crowley is made an offer she can’t refuse…

“One of the greatest films of all-time that’s been imitated but never duplicated, The Godfather (1972),based on Mario Puzo’s novel, is one of the greatest crime stories ever told.” It would be difficult to coin a more appropriate phrase when discussing The Godfather. I recently watched this film for the first time, and it is easy to say that watching it is one of the best cinematic experiences one could encounter.

The opening scenes introduce the power of the Corleones, as family members call on favours they need from the Don. He has the ability to make his family’s wishes come true, as seen in his godson’s request to land a role in a film which, he believes, will start his acting career. When the film producer finds the head of his $600,000 racehorse in his bed after initially refusing to give the part, the film brings to light the “actions speak louder than words” rule which the mafia strongly live by. Refusal to the request of Don Vito results in a violent confrontation that will quickly lead to a resolution.

turn as Connie is subjected to domestic abuse from the hand of her new husband. Michael (Al Pacino) eventually avenges this abuse, and once again the audience learns that nobody will get away with the mistreatment of the Corleone family. Michael becomes a full member of the family business and becomes the head of the family after the death of his father. He was not involved in the family business for many years, but, in compliance with the values of his family, he defends the Corleone name after the attempted assassination of his father – thus proving that the mafia blood runs in his veins, he cannot deny who he is.

Despite the violent actions the family takes in the film, there are many aspects which make the family very likeable. Don Vito is a man who sends people to do terrible things, yet he fondly plays with his grandson in his garden as an old man. His family are always his priority, and Brando superbly portrays Don Vito as a proud father on his daughter’s wedding day – a marriage which takes a disturbing

Having not seen The Godfather was a sin I had been guilty of for too long. From the opening scenes to the end credits, I was fascinated with every aspect of this film. You experience every emotion possible while watching it: fear, happiness, sadness, anxiety and many more as you watch the family rise and fall and rise again to become the most revered family in New York.

Movie Previews

Daniel Kiniry paves the way for upcoming movies in 2011.

Oh, and he really likes Winnie the Poo...

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

First of all, that is the worst title I have ever read in my life. Why not go the whole nine yards and just call it Dark Side of the Moon? I mean, yes, Transformers and Pink Floyd do not exactly mesh that strongly, but at least it wouldn’t sound as idiotic! As for the trailer itself, it’s nothing too thrilling. It’s one big lead to an apparently massive reveal: a Transformer was found during the 1969 Moon Landing! The fucking Moon Landing?! Seriously?! Linking historical events to fictional stories only works if you are really, REALLY good at moulding these two things together – something I don’t have much confidence in Michael Bay doing too well. © Paramount Pictures © mamapop.com

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Hate to admit it, but this trailer really resonated with me. It’s action-packed, smooth, really fun and really gives you a great taste at the direction they’re taking this franchise. While the series pretended to mainly focus on Orlando Bloom’s and Keira Knightly’s characters and their relationship, the real star of the show was Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow – so it’s only natural they would give him the actual starring role of a film (rather than the over-exposure he got in the previous movies while the plot pretended not to focus on him, one of the many mistakes of those movies, but I digress). I’m not sure if Jack can carry his own movie or if this will be the movie that saves the series quality-wise, but the trailer has ignited a little bit of hope that it can turn around and be as great as the first movie.

Paul

I was so excited when I heard that Simon Pegg and Nick Frost were doing another movie together. I loved Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and a large part of that had to do with the dynamic these two share; they could almost be this generation’s Laurel and Hardy. Then I saw the trailer. Firstly, the alien of the piece looks… goofy and kinda creepy. You think with the way CGI technology has progressed that they can make an alien that doesn’t look like it belonged in an 80s movie. Regardless of that, it just looks like a substandard, run-of-the-mills chase comedy movie with no real surprises or anything of much innovation thrown into the mix. Even the alien idea seems like a rehash!

I will say that Pegg and Frost are still really funny, and actually managed to make me laugh a bit for their parts. It looks pretty nice, kind of murky like an 80s buddy comedy, but modernized. Even with that, I’m very hesitant about this movie now, and pray that the trailer is actually hiding a gem of a flick.

Red Riding Hood This film really does look trite. A boring, forced love story with a very big conflict thrown in because there is no other way to show conflict in a relationship than to retell the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Is there? Which is a shame, because it looks nice, the location is great, and the director seems to be working with decent lighting, compared to her remarkably dull excursion on Twilight. I really like two of the leads (Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman), and © Warner Brothers they really should be in a higher calibre film than this, honestly. If you are expecting anything than a paper-thin copy of Twilight, you’re probably in for a big surprise. Let’s just hope we have no sparklingly AMAZING dialogue like ‘the lion fell in love with the lamb’. Or sparkling, for that matter.

Movie Previews

Entertainments

Scream 4 (or Scre4m, as it likes to be called…) Now THIS looks good! The master of suspense himself, Wes Craven, is back on the helm for a new Scream for the first time in 11 years. I loved these movies when I was younger, and it looks like it has all the same suspense, the same scares and the same laughs that the original trilogy had going for it. The entire cast is back, so we all once again are at the edge of our seats wondering which one of these guys is going to kick the bucket, if any. It’s rare to watch a slasher film and you DON’T want certain characters to die – that’s how well invested the previous films have gotten you into these people and how they’re going to play that up once the film starts rolling. It’s also perfect time to come back; with all the latest rehashes of classic slasher movies and retreads of old franchises flying around, Scream 4 is going to come on in and start its pastiche to the horror genre yet again. © Dimension Films

Winnie the Pooh

Now this is a trailer I love. Would I recommend you see it? Not unless you had a young child to bring, otherwise you would be looking fierce dodgy! No, what got me about this trailer is how simple and honest it was. It didn’t try to win you over with awe-inspiring graphics or 3-D, it didn’t try to have wise-cracking side characters, or supposed ‘sophisticated’ humour for the adults in the audience. It’s just a simple, sweet looking movie with classic, beloved characters that will never age. The animation looks beautiful, very traditional and reminiscent of the Pooh of old, the © Walt Disney Pictures voices are great and really take you back to your childhood. The atmosphere is classical, calm and just very secure, very in touch with childhood without having to talk down to him. This will probably be the best movie you’re not going to watch, and neither am I, but all I’m glad to say is that a movie like this is being made at this day and age; a movie that is actually respectful for something cherished by millions.

Awkward... paul o’connor takes a look at how fight club made its cinematic audience inwardly cringe...

abdication of this responsibility and posits the theory that the only way forward is for everything we’ve built to be destroyed: “I see all this potential, and I see squandering… an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working Fight Club was one of the first mainstream jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't films to openly question and attack the need.” fantasy land we all enter when we go to the To say that this outlook was met with cinema as a microcosm of problems on a awkwardness or unease by the people social, political and economic scale that watching in the cinema would be an exists in Western society. In Tyler Durden’s understatement; nobody wants to be insidious introspection: “We're consumers. However the one ‘awkward moment’ that told that they are not a superstar, or will We are by-products of a lifestyle obsession. towers above the rest is actually an entire never become one. The fact that Facebook, Murder, crime, poverty, these things don't film -‘Fight Club’. “We've all been raised on YouTube and the XFactor have become concern me. What concerns me are celebrity television to believe that one day we'd all be household names that feed this slavish need millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. magazines, television with 500 channels, to feel that we are important ‘snowflakes’on But we won't. And we're slowly learning that some guy's name on my underwear”. the cusp of stardom merely reinforces the fact. And we're very, very pissed off ”. The etymology of the word economics is aforementioned theory: Fight Club was an the Greek term meaning‘household rules’ ‘Fight Club’ was a commercial flop uber-awkward moment for cinema goers implying a responsibility to be borne by and received mixedreviews from critics in Western society. Facebook is no more a everyone in their own home so that an upon its release; its popularity was gained communication tool than Fight Club is right economy itself can exist and prosper. Fight retroactively via massive DVD sales and a wing. Thecusp of stardom is merely their Club zealously attacks the generation’s burgeoning cult following. The reason precipice of no surprise. The somewhat abstract subject of ‘awkward moments’ in film could encompass a wide range of examples; from the ‘special’ hair mousse used by Cameron Diaz in There’s Something About Mary to Joe Pesci’s excruciatinggrilling of Ray Liotta concerning the nature of his comedy in Goodfellas, to the verbal torture of an elderly shop-owner by the psychopath Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men, you have a veritable cavalcade of cringe-worthy moments in recent film history.

behind its financial failure and its dubious critical reception,is steeped in an awkward yet tacit admission by viewers and critics alike that the film is attacking the convention of cinema going and the nature of celebrity that feeds it.

Dare you enter The Room?

james hooper invites you to experience the “citizen kane of bad movies”

It's very hard to put down in words the exact appeal of The Room. It's awful. Actually awful. The acting is laughable. The dialogue is horrendous and the plot barely exists at all. It's a series of mystifyingly terrible non-sequiturs and incoherent melodrama. Yet, for all its faults it is strangely engaging and utterly hilarious. Unlike something that's just the normal kind of shit, Twilight, for example, The Room is so awful, so unimaginably crap that it transcends bad; the living embodiment of “so bad, it's good”.

The Room tells the story of Johnny, a loving and poetic soul, who is betrayed by his manipulative fiancé Lisa. It’s less a film,more an experience; the dialogue frequently makes little or no sense, plot threads are introduced and abandoned almost instantly, characters enter and exit scenes for apparently no reason at all and Wiseau himself, in the role of Johnny, is inherently hilarious seeming, as one critic put it, like “Borat trying to do an impression of Christopher Walken playing a mental patient”.

The film originated in the brainwomb of mumbling visionary Tommy Wiseau as a vehicle for displaying his writing, directing and acting skills. Wiseau, through unclear means, raised $6 million on his own to finance the project. What resulted is considered by many critics to be the worst film ever made.

Poster of the Month

The Room Rules: Over the years a set of viewing rules, based on a good-natured celebration of the film’s many failings, organically developed and are actively encouraged by Tommy Wiseau: “When you see The Room, you can yell, you can scream, you can express yourself,”

The film quickly became an underground cult smash thanks, in part, to celebrity fanslike Paul Rudd and Will Arnett, and its many fans frequently attend midnight screenings of the film cheering their favourite lines (“Oh hi Mark!”) and adhering to a set of rules like passing a football around the theatre. Wiseau attends many of the midnight screenings and now claims that he always intended the film to be a black comedy. Endlessly quotable (“Keep your stupid comments in your pocket!”) bizarrely engaging and side-splittingly funny, there are simply no words with which I can properly describe The Room. It is something you must experience for yourselves! UCC FILMSOC will be screening The Room on Tuesday the 25th of January in Boole 3 at 7.00pm.

Whenever one of the works appears on screen, you yell “Spoon!” and hurl plastic picnic spoons at the screen.

Here are but a tiny selection:

Yell: “Meanwhile, back in San Francisco!” Whenever a shot uses the iconography of the city to verify that, yes, we have not left San Francisco.

”Spoon!” Nearly all of the artwork in the film features spoons.

When the characters throw the football back and forth, you do the same thing with your friends.

Staying in? Rent for a Night - Salt

Another issue, another Polish film poster. Check out this poster for Raiders of the Lost Ark: it’s pretty badass, and a little less mindblowingly, skin-crawlingly creepy as most other Polish posters.

CIA officer Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is accused of being a Russian spy by a defector claiming that she will assassinate the Russian President in his forthcoming visit to New York. In attempting to prove her innocence and protect her husband (August Diehl) and dog (as Her/Himself ), a cloud of doubt and mystery grows over Salt’s loyalties and, using her vast array of skills, she runs. Is Salt a Russian spy? Is she being set-up?And just who was the Russian defector who made the allegation? One thing is for certain:Jolie’s performance in this clever, fast-paced, action-thriller is certainly not one to miss. © Columbia Pictures

Movie Reviews

Entertainments

John Murphy

My castle, my rules john murphy learns from the king’s speech that

he has a sieve of sifted thistles. somewhere.

So, was the acting up to scratch? Put simply, Firth, Rush, and Bonham-Carter each offer one of their best performances to date. Guy Pearce as the, erm,‘controversial’ successor to George V’s When Albert (Colin Firth), Duke of York and son of King George throne gave the impression of being younger than Albert, which, V (Michael Gambon), is asked to speak at the British Empire unfortunately, detracted from his position as an older brother and Exhibition held at Wembley Stadium, the crowd of listeners are as King – a fact that becomes prevalent when his father has died, sympathetic to the speaker and disappointed with his performance and a later scene when he childishly ridicules Albert’s stammer. – Albert has a stammer which causes him pronounced humiliation Gambon as King George V was, unsurprisingly, the perfect actor for (pardon the pun). Increased speeches via radio required of monarchs the role, and Timothy Spall’s appearance as Winston Churchill was result in his father, the King, pressurising him further to address a strangetreat, adapting effortlessly to the role and, oddly enough, the problem: as his father explains, monarchs must ingratiate reminding me of Alfred Hitchcock… themselves in people’s homes through the “devilish device”. They One scene which deserves a mention is when the full implication have been reduced to the “lowest, basest of all creatures” – actors. of the stammer is revealed – not during a public speech, but at his Elizabeth (Helena Bonham-Carter) has tried several ‘specialists’ home. Albert shows great discomfort when asked for a bedtime story to aid her husband’s stutter, and she eventually finds Lionel by his children, but his wife and children listen patiently until his Logue (Geoffrey Rush) in the “classifieds – next to ‘French model, tale has ended. It is a poignant scene of Albert’s love for his family, Shepherd’s Market’” (go figure). Enlisting his help, she hopes that and an effective demonstration of his perseverance throughout his Albert will overcome his fear-induced stammer and, when required, life. reach his full potential as the heir of the British throne. There are many ways in which this could have gone wrong, but an Approaching this film with high hopes, I didn’t want to be incredible cast and an engaging script, combined with a harmonious disappointed. Was the appraisal from critics just hype? Would Colin soundtrack, proved this film to be a deserver of high praise (and Firth deliver a good performance? Would it be a boring historical perhaps a ‘hot-tip’ for some Oscar nominations?). film? Could it just be two hours of underwhelming cinema? Not a And remember, “I am a thistle-sifter. I have a sieve of sifted chance! thistles and a sieve of unsifted thistles, because I am a thistle sifter”.

Taking it handy

There is probably nothing more horrifying to the human psyche than the prospect of one’s own impending death. That’s exactly what faced mountain climber Aron Ralston in 2003 when, for five consecutive days, his arm was trapped underneath a boulder in a remote Utah canyon. Ralston came to accept that he would die in that spot; even filming a goodbye message to his family on the handheld camera he had brought with him. He didn’t die - though his method of escape was perhaps almost as unthinkable as the alternative. Having deliberately broken the bones in his forearm, and using a blade attached to what he later described as “something you’d get if you bought a $15 flashlight and got a free multi-use tool with it”, Ralston plied off (cut would be too generous a term) the trapped segment of his arm. The story received enormous media attention due to his gruesome ordeal, and Ralston now regularly gives motivational speeches around the world.

adam dinan finds horror and laughter in 127 hours

Given this subject matter, it is quite astounding that Danny Boyle has produced a film that—for a whole 94 minutes—keeps us enthralled, engaged and, well, entertained. We can’t help laughing as much as wincing at the sight of a dehydrated and exhausted Ralston (James Franco) experiencing vivid flashbacks (if only he’d picked up the swiss army knife before leaving; if only he’d answered the phone to his mother to say where he was going) and hallucinations. Franco excels as a one-man cast in

conveying the maddening exasperation of the whole situation. We cheer him on in attempting to construct a makeshift pulley to leverage the boulder, and we share in his horror as he realises that chipping away at the rock has actually made it more settled on his trapped arm. Behind the camera, too, we are treated to effortlessly snappy editing, a wonderfully appropriate (and often hilarious) soundtrack, and awe-inspiring visuals. Above all, Danny Boyle seems to have outdone himself again. Here, he takes a story that many of us will already be familiar with, and puts his instantly recognisable stamp right across it, resulting in a movie that is compulsively watchable in spite of the events upon which it is based. Come the end, you’ll be hoping that Ralston’s escape was just another hallucination and we can keep going.

Music

Who’s around the corner?

Kevin O’ Neill

You’ve gained half a stone in chocolate/turkey weight, the novelty has worn off that new gadget which was crammed into your stocking, and you’ve suddenly realised that your timetable now includes three 9a.m. starts and your day off on Friday is no more… That’s right: it’s January.

singer-songwriter who has performed with Girls Aloud, the Pet Shop Boys, and many more in her short career to date. With a dedicated following already, she can be expected to make waves too. Tennis, Lia Ices, Cloud Nothings and Smith Westerns too have done the groundwork and should be set to make some noise this year.

On the brighter side of things, the new releases in the music world will slowly start to creep out of the woodwork in the next few weeks (between now and March look out for REM and PJ Harvey, if nothing else!) and new bands will start to grace the music magazines, blogs and radio waves.

Quite staggering is the omission of J. Cole, a German born, North Carolina raised hip-hop artist, notable for being Jay-Z’s first signing to Roc Nation. Jay-Z himself has tipped Cole to step up to the plate this year, largely due to his refreshing attitude for rapping about “real things”, rather than “worrying about “keepin’ it real” (Cole’s own words). His debut album is set for release in 2011 and should include the likes of ‘Simba’ and ‘Who Dat’. The most exciting new face in hip-hop since Kanye West? Maybe even since Jay-Z himself.

The BBC’s traditional curtain raiser to the year is their noted “Sound of…” poll, in which a group of “in the know” journalists put together a list of acts set to break in the next year. Sometimes they get it very right (50 Cent, Franz Ferdinand and Mika have all won) and sometimes they get it very wrong (the Datsuns, the Dead 60s, the Twang…) Oddly enough, the Beeb are usually capable of comprising the list, but their winners are usually questionable. The Bravery fought off Bloc Party and the Kaiser Chiefs in 2005, only to enjoy a fraction of the sales of either. More recently, Little Boots topped the poll in 2009. Notable losers include Florence & the Machine and one Ms. Lady Gaga…

Closer to home, Ireland’s current boom is set to continue (musically, of course. Not financially. Sigh.) with the likes of Sean Kangataran, We Cut Corners and Deaf Joe all readying and releasing work, while we can keep our fingers crossed for Cork’s Toby Kaar and Ladydoll.

If nothing else, if you check out the list, at least you’ll have the satisfaction of saying “Who? Oh yeah, I heard them aaaages ago!” when they do hit big.

So, as is clear, winning is the not the ‘be all and end all’ of the “Sound of…” poll. This year’s list includes a handful of acts certain to break: The Vaccines (the rapturous energy and style of the Strokes and the Ramones reincarnate… again.), Warpaint (who have already enjoyed sizeable success with their debut release) and Anna Calvi (PJ Harvey, Nick Cave and Imelda May all rolled into one package).

Awful Album Art of the Month

They have hit the nail on the head with Clare Maguire, an act noted for intriguing covers that swamped YouTube last year and has already developed a huge following, while Mr. James Blake is a name that is familiar to some. To those unfortunate to have missed out, he is a man who counts R. Kelly and the xx as influences in equal measure and has put together of the most subtle, sultry and soulful debut albums in years. It touches on the aforementioned xx, Volcano Choir and, in parts, Kanye’s more tender moments and is not to be missed. An early contender for “Best of 2011…” On the pop side of things, the BBC has tipped Jessie J and the Princes of Leon (sorry, that should read: Mona. Nashville born, preacher father and stadium filling southern sounds…. Hmm…) to strut their stuff on the radio too. Perhaps more interesting, however, is the acts who didn’t quite make the cut in the BBC’s eyes. Florrie is a drummer and

Somehow, I don’t imagine Ken got all too many requests…

Album Reviews

Entertainments

Seen My Friends? teaming-up with the stars, keavy o’ sullivan joins ray davies’ entourage.

inspired by the exploits of Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse, and contributed to the soundtrack for Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The resulting track is a heartfelt, atmospheric piece of music, with a distinct American flavour (no doubt due to the guest artists). The 88, by the way, are an LA-based band who have featured on 32 TV soundtracks, ranging from Kitchen Confidential to How I Met Your Mother. This track, in particular, shows just how eager Davies was to work with a range of artists who would appeal to fans from all walks of life.

Ray Davies, former lead singer of The Kinks, has now been in the music business since 1964. Unsurprisingly, he's picked up a few ideas on the way, as well as more than a few famous friends and fans. His latest album (See My Friends) pays homage to the band that started his career, The Kinks, by reworking some of their most famous songs with some of their most famous fans. ‘See My Friends’ starts solidly enough with ‘Better Things’, on which Ray is joined by the inimitable Bruce Springsteen. Their voices complement each other particularly well, and the sense of two seasoned, mutually respecting artists collaborating is a joy to hear. Davies has also said that Springsteen was an influence on The Kinks' songwriting, giving the song a nice sense of musical completion to kick the album off.

While admirable, and for the most part a success, Davies' decision to work with such a wide range of artists had to backfire at some point, and for me that comes at Track 5, which features Metallica, and was one of the first tracks to be confirmed (to promoters' delight). The track in question is ‘You Really Got Me’, arguably The Kinks most famous song, but, as it appears on this album, it's liable to become infamous. At the risk of being beaten up by Lars Ulrich, it sounds like an ill-prepared karaoke offering, or, at best, a reasonably prepared (but fatally misguided) attempt of a teen band to prove they know their stuff – ya know, metal-wise.

Next on the list is another American rock god – Jon Bon Jovi. His contribution turns the otherwise routine ‘Celluloid Heroes’ into quite an epic track, featuring a guitar line which wouldn't be out of place on a western soundtrack. Once again, both artists appear to be really enjoying working together, and seem to be comfortable and confident in the new arrangement.

Luckily, it's the shortest track on the album, at a just bearable 2:17. ‘See My Friends’ is swiftly rescued by a delightful offering up of ‘Lola’ with Paloma Faith on vocals. It's upbeat, more than suitable for dancing, and makes you forget about the track that went before! The album continues to pleasantly surprise from this point on, with appearances from Amy McDonald and Billy Corgan bound to incite interest from young fans of both.

The highlight of the album, for me, was a mash up of ‘Days/ This Time Tomorrow’ with Mumford & Sons. On this track, you get the first real sense of this album as an original work – not just a rehashing of old songs. Mumford & Sons lend their own distinctive sound (folk-esque guitar, mandolin and banjo to those of you who have somehow missed them) to a great song, and Davies fits in perfectly, working around the younger generation's arrangement on what is without a doubt the stand-out track on this album. Faced with the task of living up to the Mumford’s appearance (I really do like that track) is Lucinda Williams and The 88 who feature on ‘Long Way From Home’. Although I didn’t immediately recognise Williams, a quick trip to Wikipedia enlightened me: she has featured on a Flogging Molly album, covered an AC/DC track, written a track

That is where the strength and power of See My Friends really lies: while there are some gems contained on the album, the sheer diversity of the featured artists means that a whole new generation of fans will discover the work of The Kinks, which – let's just face it and quote all our dads' this one time – is what you can call proper music.

Kanye West: Beautiful, Dark, Twisted and Fantastic adam el araby explores kanye west’s beautiful dark twisted fantasy Hip-hop music has long busied itself with glamorising excess: champagne, jewellery and fashion have beensome of the most common motifsof the genre, but while Kanye West has always been one of the most ostentatious, on MBDTF he adds depth to these superficial desires by offering a glimpseof the motivations and insecurities that drive him to seek such grandeur.

he sings: “Let’s have a toast for the jerk-offs/ and how they never take work off.” On the opener ‘Dark Fantasy’, he opines that “The plan was to drink until the pain over/ But what’s worse, the pain or the hangover?” On ‘Blame Game’, he ponders his selfdestructive inability to stay in a relationship while heavily distorted versions of his own voice argue back and forth.

is newcomer Nicki Minaj who delivers a stunningly bizarre verse in a range of voices and accents that is sure to put her firmly on the map as a force in the industry.

West has rarely been out of the news in the past year; between the notorious incident with Taylor Swift and his lengthy stream-of-consciousness-style ramblings on Twitter, it’s clear that Kanye has done a lot of soul-searching – and the result is a deeply introverted album. We see him wryly embrace his arrogance on ‘Runaway’ when

‘Monster’ is a standout track with a dark, discordant beat that has Westacknowledge his negativereputation, accompanied ably by Jay-Z who unleashes an assault on the younger rappers who profit from his name without showing him the respect he demands. However, the real star of this track

On ‘POWER’,Kanye struggles with the conflict between the childlike innocence that frees his creativity and the responsibility forced upon him by the negative consequences of his recklessness: “My childlike creativity, purity, and honesty is honestly being crowded by these grown

>>Continued on page 24

local@motley.ie

Siobhan Meehan

Dan Leo is an interesting character; he is gaining notoriety for his abstract canvas artwork using spray paint with bold lines and subject matter which often is reminiscent of cartoons. Leo emerged on the Irish art scene in 2006 after moving away from animation which he studied in college and moved into dynamic canvas paintings. He is also a well-known street artist and one of the pillars of “performance art” in Ireland. He captained the Dublin Crew that reached the finals of the Secret Wars performance art competition. He catches up with kevin curran to explain what the hell all this is about. How did you learn your trade? I am definitely still learning my trade; I don't think you ever stop. I've just always been into drawing. So it’s natural you’re going to get a bit better the more you practice what you’re into. How did your own style of drawing come about? I've always been into bold graphic art, whether it’s a font in a poster, a cartoon character an advertisement or whatever. So I guess I have an appreciation for impact imagery and that probably has a lot to do with where I am now with art. Who would be your heroes? John Kricfalusi of Spumco is my hero; he is the guy behind the Ren and Stimpy cartoon. How do you get inspired to draw and paint? I get inspired loads of ways. Seeing friends doing good stuff around me and everyone trying to raise the bar at what they do however small or big. Like for instance if someone was telling me about how they made the best sandwich EVER or something. That would make me want to paint. Little things like that.

If you were to label yourself in terms of what kind of artist you are, what would you be called? People peg me as a graffiti artist and all this but I don’t do letters or anything I just paint big walls sometimes. So I don’t really know. Just a painter I think. I will go through stages where I will be all about Digital Illustration and then I’ll paint walls and canvas for a while and switch back and forth so it’s hard to say.

Can you sit down and just come up with something, or is your process more serendipitous? I would usually have a rough idea about what I want to do next halfway through a piece. So I'd sit on it for a bit. Then when it’s time to start I’ll read a bit if I need to, sketch up a few shapes to get the spacing right and just do it I guess.

Would you make the distinction between tagging graffiti and street art? I think a lot of people will have different views on this but for me I think that street art should be something that engages people who walk by and gives them a buzz for a second or two, whereas tagging is more for the person doing it and not as many people will notice or analyse a tag on a wall. I think for the most part people who are into that side of things will notice it more.

What medium do you prefer for your art? Generally I use spray paint. Paint from an aerosol can be applied with brush for smaller work and then just the can for bigger stuff. I also like biros.

Is it ever difficult to take an idea from your head to the page? Sometimes it can take what seems like a lifetime. You just have to get on and get through it. It is not too often I give up on something though I hate doing that. You are involved with Secret Wars; can you explain what that is? Secret Wars is a global art battle that pits artists against each other in a competition format much like break battles. It’s basically a chance to show off your style and have a laugh. There are two walls, you can only use black markers or paint and in ninety minutes you basically have to draw a better piece than the other team. Obviously try to get a few digs in there if you can.

>>Continued on page 23

Entertainments

RSAG (rarely seen above ground) or jeremy hickey is a multi-instrumentalist from kilkenny who has made an impressive impact on the irish music scene since his debut album in 2008. an interesting character who plays all the instruments himself on his records, hickey plays live on the drums with projections of himself playing other instruments on screens behind him, he speaks to kevin curran about his life, music and his new album. myself.” He explained the pressure he sometimes faces being the sole person responsible for coming up with good ideas. “It can be hard when a part won’t come to me, but it’s not like I’m locked in a room on my own banging my head off the wall, I often ask the advice of people and show them my stuff so I’m not always in complete isolation!”

If you have seen him live or are trying to visualise the previous image it is fair to say it is quite an original idea. The interview starts at the usual point for Hickey; where did he come up with the idea but as is usual for the Kilkenny native it is not a straight forward answer. “It actually started around 1996 when I came up with the idea of playing everything by myself, I tried out a few things and worked with a friend of mine using two four tracks we owned recording different instruments, I was inspired by guys like DJ Shadow doing things by himself and was trying to do a kind of acoustic dance thing.” To explain the length in time between the idea and the album Hickey described how he shelved the idea to form Blue Ghost who were critically acclaimed in the late nineties early noughties and who performed at Electric Picnic and other large festivals before entering into a hiatus in 2006. “After Blue Ghost where I had lots of fun I decided to go back to that old idea I had all those years previous and I started to mess around with stuff myself again”

The only physical help Hickey receives is from visual artist Paul Mahon who programs the visuals for live performances but once again he still gives a lot of input to that side of the performance. “My brother is a visual effects and graphic designer so when I was thinking of playing everything myself the idea of having the silhouettes behind me while I played came quite naturally.” To explain what happens live when RSAG performs there are several silhouettes of Jeremy playing the other instruments along with other visuals to create a fantastic spectacle. “Paul helps me a lot, I do know what I want visuals wise a lot of the time and he has the technical ability to take what I say and put it into action.” With this interesting spectacle of a man playing drums and singing on his own with all these visuals in the background RSAG garnered a large live reputation following the first album it giving him an impetuous to make a more band sounding album on 2010’s “Be It Right Or Wrong”. “I think it’s always a natural progression to change your sound but yeah on the new album I was looking for a more complete sound with stronger melodic parts.” The album seems to do what Hickey says and was a critical hit as well as receiving a lot of airplay with the lead single “The Roamer” a radio hit. The album has definitely been a success for me and a progression from Organic Sampler. My second single from it will be in February of this year and I am going on another tour in March.”

“When I was playing in bands from my teens I was always a drummer but I always used to try and give the lads ideas and also came in with ideas on the other instruments. I was probably a bit annoying looking back, but the point is I was always interested in the overall sound of the band not just playing the drums”. When interrogated further Hickey intimates that he does regard himself as a percussionist first and as a multi-instrumentalist second. He agrees that his first album “Organic Sampler” is rhythmically driven by the drums and that will always be his first love. “Yeah I’ll probably always view things from a percussionists perspective more than anything else. In Organic Sampler the groove was set by the drums, I suppose I was probably getting used to doing it all by

Not one to stay idle Jeremy is already planning his next album which he says is going to be influenced by Dub step and Reggae. “It’s always something I’ve been really influenced and inspired by so it’s probably a natural step. I’m going to take a different approach to writing, using a “guerilla” approach you would call it”. While writing a new album isn’t work enough Hickey has recently joined a French band called Bot’ox who are famous as an electro act in their own right in France and not to make you feel dizzy he is attending the SXSW festival in Austin Texas this year at the behest of some record labels interested in signing him. “It’s going to be a busy year alright, I travel over to France a good bit for gigs with Bot’ox and we’ll see what happens with The South by South West, I just want to continue making strides in whatever direction it doesn’t really matter” RSAG plays The Pavilion in Cork on the 5th of March.

A UCC Graduate in Hollywood kevin bambury

Is life in Hollywood with the movie stars all it’s cracked up to be? Is it really all that hard to make it in Tinseltown as an actor, writer or director? These are questions that we have all asked ourselves at some stage, but very few have taken the leap of faith and actually given it a go. Mark Hayes was once where you are now. He spent 5 years in UCC, graduating with a degree in commerce and German and a Masters in Electronic Business back in 2007. After graduation he knew immediately he didn’t want an ordinary job, the thought of a 9 to 5 made him feel nauseous. He spent some time in Cork writing screen plays which he sent to RTÉ and paid the bills through promoting nightclubs and a translation company he had set up. He got some favourable replies from RTÉ but they balked at his lack of experience. He knew he had to be where the decisions were made and where there was enough money to finance new up and coming writers. So after a little deliberation Mark packed his bags and headed off to Los Angeles. He arrived in LA without a visa, without knowing anyone and spent his first nightsleeping in his rented car. From there things got better; he moved in with two models and quickly “embraced” the LA party scene. He rubbed shoulders with stars like Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, and Justin Bobby from The Hills. Once settled in Hayes began writing a blog that became an overnight sensation and even befriended none other than Robbie Williams himself and now plays

soccer regularly at his house in Mulholland drive. After a few months his blog began to catch the attention of the Irish media and he was nominated for an Irish Blogger of the Year Award and began doing radio interviews for many of the biggest radio stations in Ireland. He was the man on the ground in L.A., living the life many people dreamed of. As one can only imagine, his nights out led to many “random” adventures and it’s these adventures that gave him plenty of material to write about and the title of his first book.

got an honest account of life in Hollywood from a Cork man.

Mark is still based in Hollywood and is as busy as ever. He is actively blogging about life in LA at http://trickaduu.com/ , has recently finished his second book (the follow up to Randumb) and is working on a number of screenplays. Away from writing he has made a name for himself as a DJ; his night Purple Rain is one of the most popular in Los Angeles. He has also become a regular performer in some of Hollywood’s stand up comedy clubs. As he said himself “It was After a few months of some serious something I never considered before but I blogging that garnered him a following of was told it was great place to learn and build hundreds of readers daily he was approached up confidence and now I love it”. Nowadays by a publisher and soon after, the blog he is performing in many of the clubs where became a book. His book “Randumb: The stars such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Adventures of an Irish guy in LA” has been Richard Pryor and Chris Rock made a name flying off the shelves here as well as in his for themselves and where film producers new home LA. The book is an honest and and talent scouts frequent. Although Mark personal account of life in Hollywood. It is now set up with a long term visa and has doesn’t look at life there through rose tinted a relatively steady income he knows he has glasses but tells it as it is. He describes the a lot more to do before to do before he can hangovers in as much detail as he describes count himself among some of the biggest the excessive parties in the Hollywood hills. names in the business, “It's a tough place He also deals with practical issues that any to make it, but knowing the right people aspiring actor, writer or director who moves and being ready when a chance comes along to Hollywood will have to deal with such is key. It’s all about ploughing on through as getting to know the right people, how the hard times!” So next time you’re sitting to get acting lessons for free and of course around dreaming about making the move to getting that all important visa. It is written LA and giving it a go, remember that it isn’t in a uniquely humorous style that has some as farfetched as you might think, but alas critics comparing him with literary legends Mark also warned me to “Be prepared to be Charles Bukowski and James Joyce. It is in it for the long haul. It only takes 10 years certainly worth a read as it isn’t often you to become an overnight success!”

>>Dan Leo continued from page 20 That culture seems to be growing in Europe and the UK, How healthy is that kind of culture in Ireland?

Do you have ideas before the competition? We will sit down a bit before a battle and see what we can rip on, see what we have on the other team and just go with something that sounds funny. You want the crowd to get a laugh off what you’re putting up because at the end of the ninety minutes two guest judges and the crowd decide who wins.

Yeah it’s growing everywhere. I still think there are plenty of grey public spaces in the cities here that could do with something bright on them, although Ireland is doing better. It’s just going to take people time to understand that it’s not a bad thing to paint murals for people to enjoy and to let people enjoy painting them.

What made you get into urban/performance art?

What does 2011 hold for you, what are your aims for the year? I have a big show coming up in the next few months. I’ve been keeping the head down recently getting piece’s together for it. There is still work left to do but it’s shaping up. I’m excited. Other than that I’ll just wait and see. If I get to go places and paint with as many nice people again this year as last year I’ll be doing good.

Basically I saw that this was happening in other cities in Europe and there was no way I was not going to try get it over here, seemed to take off really well. But then live painting etc has been around for a while I just think this is a newer slightly more exciting way of doing it.

Feel free to make Dan’s flat pack toy on the back cover. To check out more of Dan’s art go to www.danleodesign.com

Entertainments

Standing on the edge of something big kellie morrissey catches up with dead school Cathal Maher and James McDonald are pretty excited when I meet them in the Student Centre the night after playing Crane Lane in support of G.I.M.P. “There was a London record label there,” says James, “and they were pretty impressed, which is great.” I’d seen them the previous Wednesday at a packed gig in the Quad; the general feeling there was of a band on the brink of something big, and these heady suspicions were confirmed by the band themselves. “We’re about to release a double-A side single at the end of January,” says Cathal, guitarist/drummer/keyboardist (these guys are goooood) - for a band who’ve only been together since August of 2010, Dead School are off to a pretty meteoric start. Naming Depeche Mode, My Bloody Valentine and Killing Joke as among their influences, Dead School’s first single “Standing on the Edge” is a sexy, darkly energetic mix of grinding guitars, steady, rhythmic drums and wild vocals - the Quad was electric the week before, the space around the stage crowded, and much of the crowd dispelled for the second act. “We’re only five gigs in,” says Cathal, “but we view

each gig as a progressive step up from the last - we just want to keep getting better.” It’s been a cumulative process for Dead School, all of whom have gigged before in separate projects: James had previously been in a band with Donal, his brother. “I met Cathal through…” he pauses, “… socialising, etcetera, and we had previously been in a band with Rory, our bassist, so when we came together, he slotted in perfectly.” Dead School was born. The double-A side at the end of January (“Standing on the Edge”/”Frailties”) is soon to be followed by bigger things, according to the band. “We’ve just been confirmed to play at the Academy in 6 weeks,” says James, “It’s gone nought to 60 in such a short amount of time.” Before then, the band are playing a host of gigs around Cork City, in Waterford, Limerick and Dublin - they temper this newfound buzz with perfectionism, according to Cathal. “We get friends to record our gigs and we look back at them to see how we can improve.” The band has few recordings online - “We’re perfectionists about quality,” says Cathal, “But we’ll have some stuff up in late January and early

>>Kanye West continued from page 20 thoughts/ Reality is catching up with me, taking my inner child, I’m fighting for custody.” ‘All of the Lights’ is a soaring trumpet-driven climax with a massive line-up of musical talent including Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Elton John, Elly Jackson, and, regrettably, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas. ‘Lost in the World’ sees Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon join Kanye to reprise his haunting vocal from ‘Blood Bank’ before it exits to a lengthy sample of Gil Scott-Heron’s spoken word piece “Comment #1”, which poses the question, “Who will survive in America?” The America conjured up by Kanye is one of wild limitless hedonism, yet one senses his dissatisfaction, both with the state of society and his own personal life. Kanye’s production shines throughout,and comparing the final version of the album’s tracks to early leaks or versions put out as part of Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Friday series shows how much subtle tweaking has gone into every beat. His efforts were not in vain. In MBTDF Kanye has crafted a record that is sure to be considered a modern classic. Like the artist himself, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” is complex, daring, overambitious,arrogant, yet insecure, but always completely fascinating. Rating: 9/10.

February.” If they get a chance, that is - they admit to having several recording labels vying for their attention. I must profess a sort of excitement at this band - they are very cool guys playing some very cool music, moving at a very quick pace through the music scene. They deserve your attention, readers - have a peek at their FB page and catch their next, free gig. I ask about their name - “Dead School” is pretty provocative, n’est-ce pas? - and I expect a funny story. No go. It’s a Patrick McCabe novel. Told you, these guys are shit hot.

Upcoming Gigs in Cork: 26th January - The Bróg 31st January - Battle of the Bands in Captain America's February 9th - The Bróg Febraury 15th - Captain America's

Information Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-School/133402830049296 Contact: deadschoolcork@gmail.com

What’s happening in Januray? Let’s ask Fiona Burke…

Music

Other

artist: Click Box date: Fri 21st of Jan. location: The Pavilion overview: Described as a mixture

event: Take Ten. Ten Minute Plays. date: Fri 21st and Sat 22nd of Jan. location: Cork Arts Theatre. overview: A series of ten

of proto-house, electro and techno.

minute plays performed by senior drama students.

artist: Daft Punk date: Sat 22nd Jan. location: Cypress Avenue. overview: Pretty self -explanatory (a tribute to Daft Punk). If their YouTube channel is anything to go by, I’d say a good night is guaranteed.

artist: CW Stoneking date: Fri 28th Jan. location: Cypress Avenue. overview: An Australian musician heavily influenced by pre-war blues.

event: Des Bishop (My Dad was nearly James Bond).

date: Thurs 27th – Mon 31stof Jan (sold out apart from the 27thand 31st). location: The Opera House. overview: Regretful tales from the comedian’s life (obviously humour infused).

Books

The Hunger Games

ryan gallagher introduces us to the nation of panem The Hunger Games is young adults author Suzanne Collins’ first venture into the gritty world of science fiction. The book is centered on the life of Katniss Everdeen in the nation of Panem, born out of the ashes of the former United States of America. Panem is split into twelve districts, each generating a valuable produce. Malnutrition is common and starvation the fate of many. Katniss is sixteen, and for the past five years she has acted as her family’s breadwinner through her skills as a poacher, following the death of her father in a coalmine explosion. The story opens on Reaping Day, a state-imposed ‘holiday’ where two children – one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts – are chosen by lottery to participate in the Hunger Games. During the Hunger Games, the 24 ‘tributes’ are forced to kill each other in a massive free-for-all on national television until the lone survivor is declared the winner. To Katniss’ shock and horror, her 12-yearold sister Primrose is picked. Knowing her little sister faces certain death in the arena,Katniss takes her place and thus enters the world of the Hunger Games.

Peeta, who is her male counterpart from District 12. This rare perception of love is a refreshing breakfrom the typical lovey-dovey characters out there today – think Twilight, but much better.But as the Games progress, Katniss faces crucial decisions that pit principle against survival, and life against love. It’s hard not to get caught up into this adventure and survival story. Katniss is an intricate character that grows on you almost immediately. The action keeps you drawn-in and this book is extremely difficult to put down. Although written mostly from a female perspective,Collins mixes the perfect amount of action with a healthy dose of teenage love and humour to ensure The Hunger Games is appealing to both sexes. It is one of the most innovative and intelligent books to hit the shelves today, and is a must-read for all hardcore book lovers (an ideal starting point, too, for those just looking for a good read).

What truly sets ‘The Hunger Games’ apart from other teenage fiction novels is that it deals with the unrequited love from the perspective of the loved rather than the lover. The lover in question is a boy named

*Recommended Read* john murphy takes a look at akey festival in the irish literary calendar. Celebrating its 40th year as Ireland’s primary literary festival, Listowel Writers’ Week has become an international success in recent years. The annual competitions for writers, poets, playwrights, and storytellers alike have provided valuable recognition (and prizes!) to winners and runner-ups who have illustrated their talent to the judges. This year’s winning submissions will be published in the ‘Winners Anthology 2011’,and, like preceding anthologies, the entries from all agegroups are set to be highly appreciated by readers. In 2010, two UCC lecturers were winners: Prof. Graham Allen of the English department emerged first in the ‘Single Poem’ entry, while Dr. Mary Noonan from the French department secured top place in ‘Poetry Collection Prize’. Well, as students I’m confident that we can outdo our lecturers– anyone else feel that it’s time to prove it? The deadline is February 25th, so get typing! Workshops from successful writers, such as the esteemed

Terry Prone and successful screenwriter Mark O’ Halloran, have recently opened for bookings; getting started on novels, short fiction, writing for screen, song writing, and freelance journalism are but a sample of what’s available. Places are limited, and early bookings are recommended to avoid disappointment. The final programme of events has yet to be finalised, but they never disappoint. Last year alone, Jennifer Johnston (How Many Miles to Babylon), David Mitchell (Ghostwritten), Roddy Doyle (Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha), Darren Shan (Birth of a Killer), and Derek Landy (Skulduggery Pleasant) all featured during the week, so the revealing of the programme in early April for the 40th anniversary is eagerly anticipated. The Listowel Writers’ Week is open from the 1st to the 5th of June. For further information visit writersweek.ie.

We Need to Talk About Kevin Lionel Shriver’s 2005 We Need to Talk About Kevin is made of nightmarish stuff: think of each fear you may face as a budding adult, a someday parent, roll them up into a neat ball and toss a stick of dynamite in there too. The book is the (fictional, but horribly raw) account of Eva, who is trying to come to terms with her broken family, broken life after her teenage son Kevin commits murders in his high school. It’s being turned into a film – with TildaSwinton in the lead role, an inspired casting – so catch it while you’ve got no preconceptions. This is seriously harrowing stuff, kids – I had to put it down several times because I felt nauseous and by the end I was crying, not because of the effect it had on me emotionally (although it packs a serious punch) but because it is so intense. Don’t read while pregnant.

Television

Entertainments

TV IN THE FESTIVE SEASON aisling salter confesses her obsession with tv. especially eastenders…

Okay so it’s safe to say we weren’t left feeling too festive after the storylines in the soaps this year – but man was it good TV! I actually found myself planning my nights out around the Eastenders timeslot to ensure I didn’t miss any juicy action. Yes, I am obsessed. Although T.V. bosses found themselves in major hot water for the controversial baby-swap storyline played out in the square, it was thrilling viewing. The cot death drama surrounding Cat and Ronnie got a whopping 8,500 complaints – the most complaints ever received for a soap storyline apparently! I will admit it was pretty hard viewing to see crazy Ronnie clutching someone else’s baby after dumping her dead one on her supposed friend. Cut to the next scene where we not only endured Cat without her bright red lippy and black eyes, but her loud wailing too. The BBC is planning to cut the storyline early to avoid any more complaints. Fairly dramatic, I mean we were barely over the fact that Stacey left forever – maybe they could throw in a laugh every once in a while? Yes, this yearwe saw Stacey finally say her last farewell, but not before everyone in the

square finally discoveredshe murdered Archie. Such drama, and not at all unrealistic! Meanwhile, the worst father in the world award goes to Max for declaring his love for his dead son’s wife AGAIN! As if it wasn’t bad enough for him to have an affair with Stacey, he even offered to leave his kids and run away with her and be a fugitive. Maybe I’m cynical, but I might suggest he is not the greatest dad in the world by any measure.

Last, but by new means least, we finally got our wish and the BBC decided to remove that dopey Ben, a.k.a. Phil’s son, from our screens. He was quite possibly the worst actor and the biggest eejit on television! Although his replacement leaves a lot to be desired, he’s still better than the other fool. Can you tell I didn’t like him?

Eastenders aside, what other TV treats did we tune into over the Holidays? Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special and the genius of James Corden and Ruth Jones. QueNessashouts “Oh!” and you’re hooked – it will never get old. Add a pinch of Pamela and Gavela (in Smithy’s voice) and we have TV gold. This year, Jimmy Carr hosted another “Big Fat Quiz of the Year” with possibly the best teams ever, including Michael McIntyre and Jonathan Ross. Even if their jokes didn’t have you chuckling, Jimmy Carr’s laugh surely would have. It can only be described as a cross between a deranged sea lion and an epileptic walrus. It's just hilarious and so unfortunate for a comedian. Also on Channel Four was the Father Ted documentary featuring the stars and the writers. They travelled back to the infamous house in the Clare countryside for a trip down Irish comedy’s memory lane. Amazingly, the blue 1981 Ford Cortina that was used during filming is still well and truly in action, and the parochial house is now a major tourist attraction. Little guest spots from troubled spouses John and Mary and even Father Stone added even more comedy. Definitely well worth a watch!

Billions and billions of stars kellie morrissey spaces out - 1980s style I was never really one for the Discovery Channel. Or the History Channel – or the 6 o’clock news. Biographies bore me, newspapers put me to sleep; my head is firmly rooted in the clouds, and I devour novel upon novel, poem upon poem, movie upon movie – you know, as long as it’s not, like, factual. Which is why my love for a slightly hokey, early 1980s TV series about space and science is bewildering, even to me. Carl Sagan, author, cosmologist, and most immensely quotable man ever to live (eat your heart out, Wilde) wrote Cosmos: A Personal Voyage in the late 1970s: first broadcast in 1980, as of today, it’s still the most widely watched PBS series in the world. Cosmos is narrated and presented by Sagan throughout its thirteen episodes,

in which we systematically explore areas like the ancient origins of science, religion, astrology and cosmology - all while © PBS travelling in Sagan’s Spaceship of the Imagination. The dandelion shaped spacecraft is a (rather dated, now) CGI representation which Carl uses to allow us to float through nebulas, pass by black holes, and experience rotating pulsars and brightly lit quasars. Sound a little cerebral? A little hippyish? A little bit much? It is, but it’s all part of the fun.

>>Continued on page 25

>>Billions and billions of stars continued from page 24 in which we systematically explore areas like the ancient origins of science, religion, astrology and cosmology - all while travelling in Sagan’s Spaceship of the Imagination. The dandelion shaped spacecraft is a (rather dated, now) CGI representation which Carl uses to allow us to float through nebulas, pass by black holes, and experience rotating pulsars and brightly lit quasars. Sound a little cerebral? A little hippyish? A little bit much? It is, but it’s all part of the fun.

that the whole interlude was pretty useless – a googolplex is too big to be represented in rolls of toilet paper! He chuckles to himself. Gee, thanks Carl.

But aside from the cheesy humour, the dated graphics, the overly dramatic music (think heavy on the harpsichord) and Carl’s interesting fashion choices, what permeates Cosmos is a sense of wonder from which even the most cynical cannot escape. Sagan is a man perpetually awed at the fact that we’ve been to space, we’ve Sagan’s enthusiasm is infectious; he wanted Cosmos to bring stood on the moon - in one episode, he is seen distributing pictures science to the people in an age where it was seen as the preserve of Jupiter’s moon to a class of schoolchildren, and his face is certainly of intellectuals – privileged people –nerds. Cosmos, I suspect, is the brightest in the room. watchable to even the hardiest of luddites, tolerable to even the most It sounds odd, but by the end of the thirteenth episode, your face ardent of Christians – Sagan aims to please, to instruct, and to teach will be glowing, too: never before has space travel seemed so exciting, – not to offend. so important, and this is coming from a girl whose childhood Cosmos is fun, if not simply for Sagan’s omnipresent red turtleneck favourite movie was Star Wars (episode four– I was a discerning and tan jacket combo, then for his quips to the camera, the silliness of kid). It’s difficult to write about such a science-centric subject from some of the scripted presentations, one of which finds him unrolling an entertainment point of view, but Cosmos – trust me – is pure rolls of toilet paper around the grounds of a stately manor in order entertainment. It just runs a little deeper than that. to represent a googolplex (ten to the power of one hundred zeroes) Cosmos: A Personal Voyage is available to buy on DVD from before finally giving up and admitting to the camera Amazon.com.

Tw e e t tweet @rihanna (Rihanna) @katyperry just saw ur E true ho’wood story! U a bad bitch!!! -Well, that’s not very nice?!

aisling salter checks out what’s tweeting with the stars

@SethMacFarlane(Seth MacFarlane) My house needs a few more gargoyles. -You can never have enough really. Head to gargoyles.ie for some great offers!

@FrankieTheSats(Francesca Sandford) Dentist :( anyone want to come and hold my hand? - I’m sure you’ll get many male offers dear ;)

@BrunoMars(Bruno Mars) Dear @TheEllenShow you're still joining the band right? w/ your voice & my moves we'll be unstoppable! -Hey, if you think it’ll work...

@RealMattLucas (Matthew Lucas) Fearn Britton divided by Holly Willoughby equals Fearn Cotton #ShowbizEquations -Well you definitely aced Maths Matt!

@Wossy (Jonathan Ross) I said a oops upside your head I said a oops upside your head. Words I try to live by. -Always good advice. I think.

@JKCorden(James Corden) Ok.This is my fina l#premierleagueboyband : Theo Walcott, Macheda, Chicharito, James Tomkins, Bacray sagna. That is a HUGE boyband -I think you need a hobby James! Knitting maybe?

@rihanna (Rihanna) Have u ever had the feelin like u'v been occupying ur table a tad too long?The whole staff is staring @ me! Waiter even offered check *hint* -They’re probably staring at you because you’re Rihanna and you’re eating in their restaurant. Just a theory!

Internet

@daraobriain(Dara O’ Briain) According to the Daily Mail, my constant appearances on the BBC may cause cancer -I knew it! If it happens to me, you’ll get my bill O’ Briain...

@RobKardashian (Robert Kardashian) I Will Follow You Into the Dark -I wouldn’t say that too often Rob, what with it sounding extremely creepy and all.

@TheEllenShow (Ellen DeGeneres) What happens if @Sn00ki gets scared by her own poof? Three more weeks of winter, I think -Here’s hoping she has no mirrors at home ’cos that thing is frightening!

@rihanna(Rihanna) Young ladies, love yourself! Your skin, your booty, your hair... You're all beautiful! Keep your hearts pure! Love and laugh, and live life -Preach Riri! PREACH!

The Plight of Others we occasionally give money to charities, rarely thinking about what we’re actually partaking in- but the fact is that in these bad times, people are suffering more than ever before. students aren’t exempt from this- grant problems and delays, loans and rent issues, living costs and books all add up- but ultimately, we have a roof over our heads and support systems within ucc and back at home with the parents that we can rely on at least somewhat. for other people, and in other places, that is not the case, as motley learned in investigating this month’s special feature...

Filling in the gaps kellie morrissey talks to tess noonan of the ispcc

am immediately seated when I walk into the ISPCC offices in Penrose Wharf, a warm and airy space whose kitchen sports a notice-board brimming over with colour and messages from volunteers - in the corner, a sticky note on a cupboard bearing the legend “Volunteer Snack Press” makes me smile. I am met by Tess Noonan, regional manager and former UCC student; within minutes she asks me to thank UCC students for their contribution to ISPCC services in Cork. “I think UCC students bring something to the services,” she smiles, “An energy, a dynamic feel to it - they bring new learning to us, and they challenge us.” Tess exudes warmth and friendliness - and with her professional background in nursing and mental health, it is easy to see why she chose the ISPCC. “It seemed a perfect fit,” she says, “with its strong focus on child protection.” The precursor to the ISPCC was set up first in the New York in the 1800s, she tells me, when a woman, concerned for a neighbouring child’s welfare, was barred from intervening. In frustration, she complained to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals who, when they called out, were shocked to discover the distressed “animal” was a child. The SPCC was born, and since then, the Irish branch has been “filling in the gaps of where the health board’s work hasn’t been done.” The ISPCC provides four main

services - Childline, Tess says, “is not a helpful, but children do come for help and advice. Most just ring up for a chat.” Childline is a free phone number and is manned by trained volunteers, and serves children up to 18 years of age. In recent times, the ISPCC has also launched a number of online services to counter childrens’ changing needs and new communication mediums. “Sometimes they won’t say what’s bothering them but they’ll type it out,” Tess points out. ChildFocus and TeenFocus are comprehensive counselling services for the age brackets of 12 and under and 13 to 18 these services, again, are provided by trained volunteers and provide intensive, one-toone counselling and advice. The ISPCC runs all of these services at a local level, and also works for children’s rights, advocacy and runs various fundraising events. It’s a tough time for children in Cork. When I ask Tess what the most prominent difficulties children face in the city and its environs, she cites access to services as the main problem. “There are huge waiting lists around the cities,” she says, “depending on the service you want to get to.” This coincides with a time of economic difficulty for many families. “A lot of the children are coming with complex problems,” Tess says, “Mental health difficulties, anxiety, depression - that whole range, along with

parental separation, marriage breakdown, drug and alcohol issues.” I didn’t expect, when walking into this interview, wrapped up in my own issues and study problems, that I would leave with such a heightened awareness of others’ problems and, more significantly, such a wish to help. “The ISPCC depends on its volunteers,” Tess insists. With such a wide range of areas to assist in, prospective volunteers have a lot of choice. Most of us encounter social and emotional problems at some point in our lives, but those who are young - particularly infants - endure a critical period where their physical, emotional and psychological development is threatened by external forces in their environment. With that in mind, who wouldn’t feel the need to help? ISPCC Information To volunteer: 021 4509588 To donate: http://www.ispcc.ie/Donate-Now.aspx Website: http://www.ispcc.ie/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ISPCCChildline/109912082370456/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/ISPCCChildline Upcoming Events 2011 Marathons & Mini Marathons September 2011 Childline Seven-a-side Soccer Tournament March & April 2011

Penny Dinners kathryn o’ regan visits cork penny dinners, providers of a home cooked meal to the less fortunate

was typically disorganized the morning I visited Penny Dinners. Missed buses, missed lectures and a runny nose, and looking for a street that seemingly didn’t exist, I finally found the charity headquarters tucked away in a one storey non – descript building on Little Hanover Street. Truth be told, the first time I had heard of the charity was when asked to partake in this project; Penny Dinners is low key, but that doesn’t mean to say that there is anything insignificant about the work they do, but rather quite the opposite.

just as much as they do to socialise and have a chat in a homely environment over a hot meal.

Penny Dinners is one of Cork’s oldest charities with a heritage going back over 150 years to the time of the famine. The charity is believed to have begun life as a soup kitchen established by Quakers in the 1840s. The purpose of the charity is to provide a wholesome, home cooked meal for the less well off among us in exchange for a small coin if they can afford it. The charity serves food – a different meal every day - seven days a week from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30p.m.

Angela has been working at Penny Dinners since 1998 – 2003 and returned in 2007 as manager. I asked her if she finds the job rewarding. She tells me she does, and proceeds to tell me a story of a man who used to eat at Penny Dinners several years ago and recently saw a television feature on the charity. After seeing this, he returned to the premises and donated one hundred euro. ‘It’s very rewarding to see how people pick up’, Angela says. Progress, I comment, and how rewarding it must be for Penny Dinners to think they might have something to do with that. Just as I am leaving, the little dining hall is about to fill up and there is a delicious smell of roast dinner permeating the air.

Angela McCarthy is the manager of Cork Penny Dinners. She is warm and welcoming and happy to chat about the charity. I ask Angela who avails of the service. I expect her to tell me that it is largely the elderly, but am surprised to learn that in fact, people of all ages arrive on their doorstep in want of a nutritious dinner. She tells me that people who live on their own or are generally ‘down on their luck’ come along and that it is a confidential service, there are no questions asked. Angela says that people come to eat here

Recently Cork Penny Dinners began opening its doors at the weekend as well as weekdays due to increase in demand. Penny Dinners has several volunteers and various helpers come in during the week to help out – students from Ashton Secondary School and helpers from The River Lee Hotel. Angela remarks that they’re ‘a great bunch’.

Cork Penny Dinners is an independent charity funded by voluntary contributions. There is also a Dublin based Penny Dinners but it is a separate entity. Visit the Cork Penny Dinner’s website at www.corkpennydinners.ie. Donations can be made here.

The COPE Foundation siobhán meehan

he COPE Foundation was founded back in the 1950’s using the buildings and services of the defunct Polio care and treatment facilities in Montenotte, Cork. The foundation caters for 1,720 adults and children in 60 locations around Cork city and county with intellectual disability through schooling, supported employment and housing. The COPE Foundation does receive Government funding but as John Clifford, Head of Fundraising and Public Relations with the COPE Foundation tells me they still rely on the generosity of the public for a large proportion of their income “We rely very heavily on donations. We’re a big

organisation, but in a small area. Then in the last budget we received an on average 7% cut in Government funding” In Montenotte alone the organisation has 3 schools which they run in conjunction with the Department of Education. Scoil Bernadette which is a post primary schools for 12-18 year olds with mild general learning difficulties, Scoil Eanna looks after children with mild general learning difficulties of primary school age and St. Paul’s which caters for children aged 4-18 years with moderate severe and profound learning difficulties. The mission of COPE is “Fulfilling the potential of persons with

intellectual disability” and cope maintain this mission not only through education in schools but also through training and development services for adults with learning difficulties such as the DORAS programme at Penrose Wharf. This scheme aims to develop the personal social and work skills of adults with learning difficulties with a view to gaining employment. One of the ways this is done is through a ’Job

>>Continued on page 30

ISPCA the ispca works for animals who are sick, in danger or neglected. aisling twomey talks to lisa o donovan, an inspector with the society.

hen I first talk to Lisa O Donovan, an Inspector with the ISPCA based in Cork, my immediate question is how she ever got involved with the society in the first place. She has a twelve year background in veterinary nursing, and so always had a genuine interest in Animal Welfare. “In Veterinary practice you clearly see the care and love that exists between the pets and their owners; however out there on the road it’s a different story, and it’s very satisfying and rewarding to be part of a society that plays an active role in trying to help as many animals as we can.” You instantly get the impression that Lisa is dedicated to her job, and that the difference between caring for animals and seeing the love that surrounds them, is very different to the upsetting cases the ISPCA deal with.

acquired as the puppy farming capital of the world, but she’s also optimistic for the future. “With the introduction of the new “Breeding Establishment” bill in the coming weeks, the ISPCA hopes that this will somewhat control and regulate this industry. But there will always be those who slip under the radar.” She asserts that “There are a lot of good conscientious breeders, who breed on a small scale – they are the type who will make sure that their pups go to suitable homes..

Lisa relates that no two days are the same and we each day the ISPCA is out on the road. There are always calls to attend to and she never knows what she might find until she arrives at a property. She admits, “It’s not always possible to attend to every call as it comes through and you are always playing catch up and being the only ISPCA Inspector covering the city and the county, it’s not always easy to meet the goal.”

Surely, I argue, it must be hard to see these things on a day to day basis; but Lisa takes a very positive view of the work the society undertakes. She tells me the story of Beag, a dog Lisa met just two months ago. “I attended a call and discovered a small puppy farm – there were fourteen dogs - twelve yorkies and two westies on site. Al they were living in filthy conditions and most of them were locked in dark sheds, living in their own faeces and urine and not used to being handled. All of them were surrendered to the ISPCA. One little yorkie, as well as being in terrible poor condition, badly matted and very thin, was very depressed and non responsive. She lay in the same position for 2 days and would not move. I took her home; it took her 3 days to accept food and a full week to move off the couch she had found a secure corner in. Whilst she is very nervous and distrusting, she now had learned how to be a dog again- she’s not too keen on humans but is now barking and playing with the other dogs and has learned that destruction of my possessions is great fun!”

She mentions that mostly the calls relate to dogs in unsuitable environments and horses in fields, though there are then the more serious ones that require immediate intervention with the assistance of a vet and the Garda, as well as the occasional rescue calls, where she could find an animal in danger or injured wildlife “– anything from bats to very cross swans!!”

On asking Lisa about calls she has recently undertaken, she relates a sad call from just last week in Cork, where on one site 4 ponies died. She says that, “Of the remaining ponies I had to remove 2 of the living ones as they were in appalling condition. Thankfully the owners of the remaining 2 are more responsible with their ponies.”

A Dog is for life, not just for Christmas; this we all know for sure, but in bad times, Lisa says that she has noticed a sad uptake in services- “We are inundated with equine calls – contrary to media publications lately, 95% of the ones I come across are not abandoned, Lisa says that watching Beag progress is a daily reminder of the they are owned by people who are no longer in a position to feed and difference the ISPCA can make for an animal. We cannot help them care for them.” all, but the ones we do come across we endeavour to do the very best we can to give them a second chance. Puppy farming is something Ireland seems to be quite troubled by; we don’t provide legally for animal welfare, and puppy farms are You can contact, donate to and follow news from the ISPCA at all too common. Lisa is saddened by the reputation Ireland has ww.ispca.ie

>>Cope Foundation continued from page 29 Shadow Initiative’ where students at DORAS are sent out on work placement in various town councils and businesses. In 2009 alone 4 students earned full time employment through this programme. Volunteers account for a large proportion of the organisations work force and are welcomed to help out with the organisation. “We welcome students to volunteer with us. It depends on what they are doing in college already and in what area they have an

interest in.” Mr Clifford explains, “We take on a lot of nursing students who very often continue on in college, get their degree and then come back to work with us here. When filling out the volunteer form we’ll ask ’what can you offer us?’ For instance if you have an interest in music you might want to volunteer at the Musical Therapy Department. However it’s important that volunteers can give plenty of their time and build up a relationship with the people while they are here.”

The COPE Foundation is one of the most highly respected organisations of its kind in Ireland “I think we are well structured and above all the staff we have are extremely caring and are good at what they do and that’s what makes it work.” Please visit: www.cope-foundation.ie to find out more on how to help this worthy organisation in whatever way you can whether it be by giving up a few hours of your week to volunteer or a few of your hard earned euros!

features@motley.ie

perfect stranger l.a. was developed in 2009 by journalist caitlin foyt to examine the millions of fascinating and diverse residents of l.a. to show what makes the city’s heart beat. perfect stranger cork hopes to continue that aim, only with people who say “like,” and “biy” more.

Name:

Kenneth Collins

Cork Story: Born in Cork City, grew up in

Baltimore in West Cork

Found:

Found: UCC Visitor’s Centre

enneth Collins is one of the first faces many see when they first come to UCC. As an employee of the Visitor’s Centre, Collins spends a lot of time giving tours to primary and secondary school students, as well as selling UCC merchandise in the North Wing.

couple coins into a busker’s case as we were walking about Cork doing this interview. He said that he loves the job for the people alone, and would do it even if it was voluntary. “You get some mad people on some of the tours,” Collins told me, laughing. “One group came around from an outreach scheme to try to get the Collins, who just graduated with a Masters kids interested in college, and two of them in biotechnology in winter 2010, began his started to get into a bit of a scuffle over job in 2009 when he was approached outside seating in the Honan Chapel. One lad broke the Student Centre, as the manager had seen them apart, screaming, 'For fuck's sake, lads! him giving tours through the peer support Don't be fightin in a House of God!'” programme. Collins says that his favourite part of the job is all the interaction with There seems to be a large difference in people on a humanistic level. “It's very easy the tours for primary school students as to not talk to people when they come into opposed to secondary school ones. “The the shop, but I always try to have a chat primary school kids want to be here; they're with the customers and get to know them in awe of it. The secondary school kids just a bit. It's great to know you put a smile on want to know where the pub is.” Collins said someone's face, that you brightened their that the primary school students even send day.” in thank you cards to him addressed to the Brightening people's days seems to be a special skill of Collins, who casually threw a

“Big Swearing Giant” after he said “damn,” whereas secondary school students mostly

just want a day off school and a chance to leer at older girls. Working in the shop also gets a few characters in. Parents of American Erasmus students are common customers. “They’d buy the shop if they could,” Collins said, adding that Americans are generally very into branded gear and proud to be going to an Irish school. Some customers are just looking for someone to chat with, however, such as one gentleman who looked “like a bush” who was looking for an AA meeting. “He said that he was so smart that the university gave him two phD’s.” Kenneth Collins is a great representative of UCC, and I'm glad that we keep him on the forefront. He certainly gives a great first impression, as a jovial and open person who's always there for strangers and friends alike. “Open as a book,” Collins agreed to this last bit. “Such as this book by John A. Murphy available at the Visitor's Centre for €25....”

Look-a-Likes in a new monthly feature, motley finds the inner celebrities of college students. if you think you look like a famous face, email us at features@motley.ie. "I was becoming a slave to cigarettes. I'll be a slave to nothing."

from this...

ÂŠ Michael Holland

"The real riches of the Irish nation will be the men and women of the Irish nation, the extent to which they are rich in body and mind and character."

to this...

Liam O'Sullivan, 2nd Year Genetics Michael Collins, the famous Irish revolutionary credited with helping in the foundation of the modern Irish Republic, has been portrayed in films since 1936, including most famously the 1996 film, Michael Collins, by legendary Irish actor Liam Neeson. Here pictured portrayed by his great-grandnephew from Clonakilty, Cork.

"I want peace and quiet. I want it so much I'd die for it."

ÂŠ Michael Holland

"He had a temperament impatient of all restraint, even that imposed from within, exploding in jerky gestures, oaths, jests and laughter; so vital that, like his facial expression, it evades analysis. Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words and actions, taken separately, might be commonplace, but the vibrancy and ebullience of the man was infectious. He exuded an aura of confidence that inspired others to tackle assignments more readily; they felt safer and stronger and more fearless when he was around. " -James MacKay

Murphy‘s Law resident ucd tosser kieran murphy regales us with stories of his time down in the old homestead of cork for the christmas holidays. Going to college to another city is like being the only son of divorced parents: Dublin is like the fun dad who'll buy you beer and let you for study week, I learned I left my keys back in Cork, meaning I was stay out all night, whereas Mallow is the stern mom who will leave locked out of my room for the best part of a week. My notes were you go out, but you won't want to because it's Mallow and, well, inaccessible to me, and also my clothes. Mallow is no fun. Running back and forth from Dublin to Cork and back again has turned my life into a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-type scenario. In Dublin I'm fun loving and with a GSOH, but down in Cork I present myself as well-read and an earnest studier as I almost choke myself with my UCD scarf so everyone will know where I attend. Keeping up with friends has been difficult as well, since inside jokes are lost on either party and the only thing you have in common is liking pages about Mass on Facebook.

I finished off the term similarly, as in my excitement at finishing exams, I stuffed my suitcase full and took the next tram to the train station, only to discover I had left the bulk of my clothes in Dublin. I've been fashionably sporting a mix of my brother's and father's clothes for the past month.

Yes, this problem will continue until I finish college and devote myself solely to one county (or country by the ways things are going). When I do eventually settle down, it won't be an easy choice. Dividing my material possessions between two places has been Will I choose based on employment? Friendship? Availability of the difficult at best. During first year, I left so many toothbrushes at home Morning-After pill? A lot of these questions belong to grown-ups, that by the end of the year I was in possession of far too god damn people who aren't accepted into Masters or Research PHDs, and definitely not an arts student like myself. many replacements. Most recently when heading up to Dublin Kieran Murphy studies English and Film Studies in UCD; he is the Fashion Editor for the University Observer. © Skinnipeach.blogspot.com

Taking a Chance in a Recession sorcha nagle

Setting up a business in the middle of a huge economic downturn is fairly strange- but that’s exactly what the owners of Amity (17 French Church Street) did. Despite Ireland being in the middle of an cruel recession, they opened their little slice of sartorial heaven in December 2009. Intrigued by anybody who would take such a chance in such a bad environment, I went to talk to them. Part-owner Hazel Buckley was a brand manager for Calvin Klein in Europe, and part-owner Tina Scully was an interior designer in San Francisco. They have been friends for almost 20 years and lived together in America, where they began playing around with the idea of opening a small boutique on the basis of vintageinspired clothes that were unique and

affordable. Both Hazel and Tina were amazed at the small boutiques and shops in San Francisco and wanted to do something for the Cork area along the same lines. At the same time, a friend and now silent-partner Brian McMaganagan had his own idea of opening a shoe shop. The three settled on a location, a little stylish shop in the heart of Cork city in the Huguenot region of French Church Street. Tina tells me they picked their location due to its quirky nature to match the way they both wanted the shop to be, and to stand out among a street full of cafés and restaurants. The three set about renting the premises and making it their own in November 2009. Hazel showed me some of the better points of opening during a recession: the rent is

>>Continued on page 35

History of UCC According to Clubs and Societies “On rooting through a cabinet in the Accommodations Office, Societies Guildie John O Donoghue discovered a whole museum-load full of documents, photographs and stories about UCC Clubs and Societies- right from the 1800s to the present day. What he found is to be catalogued into Special Collections in the Boole Library.In this four part feature, he takes us through the best things he rediscovered, and why they’re so important for the history of UCC.”

he previous article in this series documented the beginnings of Clubs and Societies in UCC along with how they shaped our university in its early days. This article shows how these student run institutions survived and developed as the college and student population around them changed with the times. As previously mentioned, under President Windle (1904-1919) student services and societies were greatly increased in both magnitude and quality. Political involvement from students also increased dramatically near the end of Windles tenure and that was reflected in the UCC student publications at the time. With Windle moving to Canada in 1919, a new President, Patrick J. Merriman was elected; he would serve until 1943 and his tenure brought another explosion in the formation of student Clubs and Societies.

The Great War (World War 1) and the execution of the leaders of the 1916 Rising provoked a strong nationalist reaction from the students within the newly established University College Cork (1908). Republicanism in the college was a far more formidable movement than the Blueshirts at the time, as was the case nationwide. There is also an account, in the archives, of a discovery of explosives in the chemistry department, indicating bomb-making activities there during the civil war. But away from the political unrest at the time, much of the public interest in UCC in the late 1920s was concentrated on the new dairy science institute; the inaugural meeting of the Dairy Science Society (more familiarly known as Cowpunchers Society) in the Aula Maxima in December 1926 was described as a “memorable Occasion”. Other academic departments also began forming

societies of their own with the Chemical Society starting in 1925, Biological Society in 1928 and the Law Society in 1929. The expansion of the college allowed for the departments to expand themselves and therefore increase student numbers. The completion of the Chemical and Physics building in 1911 (now the civil engineering building) and the Dairy Science Building in 1928 (now the Geology Building) contributed towards this expansion. Other Societies started at this time include the French Society in 1934, by the first female professor in the UK or Ireland, Mary Ryan. Also founded was the Academy of St. Thomas (1931) which was originally a literary and philosophical society which would later become the Iona Society. Other than societies and clubs, students had plenty of other opportunities for letting off steam in UCC. In the 1930’s, the Queen

Victoria statue (replaced in 1934 by a statue of St. Finbarr) atop the Aula Maxima was clad in an undergraduate gown and the annual RAG days continued to flourish until they were abruptly terminated in 1944 by Alfred O’Rahilly. Conferring ceremonies in the 1920s and 1930s were marked by scenes of chaotic student rowdiness with fireworks and flour bombs thrown into the Aula Maxima during the events.

Dance continued annually until the 1970’s (later joined by the Medical Society), making it the predecessor to the modern day Science Ball. All these events were well advertised by the student magazines.

Student Publications in UCC also went through a very rough patch until the late 1920’s. Originally starting out as the Q.C.C., the student magazine then became The Quarryman for a time. This was then Throughout the 1920’s, balls took place dropped in favour of The Chronic in primarily in the Aula Maxima, Main 1919/1920 but was then dropped again in Restaurant and The Arcadia Ball Room favour of The Locker in 1924. It then seems, near the train station; which was later due to the war, and a “deplorable laxness” demolished and rebuilt as apartments for there was no magazine again until March student accommodation. It was suggested 1929 when the students of UCC revived the by the editor in the student magazine (The old Quarryman name. This new Quarryman, Chronic) in January 1920 that Dances should which continued well into the 1960’s is a be held in the “Exam Hall” (Aula Maxima) as gem in student publications and serves as a this would cost much less than hosting them great reference for societies, clubs and the downtown. Unlike today, where each society Students’ Union. may have a ball, there were only about three These student publications gave extensive in the entire year, the Graduate Dance, coverage to the sports clubs which grew College Dance (for all college students) and enormously with the formation of national the Guild Council Dance (now called the and inter-varsity cups in various new sports Clubs and Societies Ball). It wasn’t until throughout the 1920’s and 30’s. The UCC the 1930’s that dances became organised by societies such as the Chemical and Biological ladies keep the college at the top spot in both Camogie and Hockey in 1929 and the Societies Dance, first started in 1934. This

Athletic Club achieved two new records in the same year. Rubgy was regularly referred to as the largest of the clubs in the college, in terms of members, while the hurling and football clubs often finished near the top of their leagues. By the 1930’s UCC had a huge selection of Clubs and Societies including a growing number of non-academic ones such as the Art Society, which was formed in 1931 by the famous composer Aloys Fleischmann, and the Chess Club was also formed in the early 1930’s. Societies were starting to attract local and national media coverage of their events, such as Seán Lemass’ address to the Chemical Society in 1933 entitled “Industrial Possibilities”. UCC was expanding- there were new departments and more students each year, but it was with the appointment of Alfred O’Rahilly as President that the landscape of UCC changed most. During the 1940s and 50s, the subject of the nect article in this series, Clubs and Societies would grow beyond all expectations.

>>Taking a chance in a recession continued from page 33 lower, equipment costs less, and people are going back to basics when it comes to shopping. They renovated their shop on a shoestring budget including a small loan from their bank. When they opened in December 2009, they had done a wide range of market research and advertising all culminating on the day they opened. They started with only one floor, but have now opened the upstairs of the old mill that their business is located in. They have 7 dressing rooms as well as many pieces that make up the décor of the shop floor.

a large customer pool by ensuring that they get the labels and keep them. They stock fair trade jewellery from Kenya, as well as labels from Canada, America, France, and Australia. The only items they stock in bulk are their famous Bear Hoodies (which I’ve personally fallen in love with), and a selection of in-demand belts. All the stock is vintage-inspired, and although the appearance of the shop is slightly eccentric, the staff are always at the door to say hi as you walk in. Their dresses start at a mere €34 and range upwards to €199. They offer student discounts of 10%.

Amity stock a maximum of eight of anything, dresses, shoes, jewellery, belts, blouses, trousers. Tina and Hazel maintain

It’s a small store in a small street in a small city- and it’s beautiful, no matter the risk undertaken to get it there.

Strictly Come Straussing audrey dearing So it happened. You watched Amadeus and Marie Antoinette back to back, and you turned off the DVD player to see that Strictly Come Dancing is having a six-hour marathon. You have no choice to stand up and curse God for the awful fate of having been born in the wrong generation. You rue the day your parents copulated in 1989 and not 1889, because there's nothing that you want more than to get all gussied up and waltz to The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II with that girl who keeps staring at you at your Tuesday 10 am lecture. (You know the one.) Luckily for you, UCC also likes waltzing quite a bit, and the Creative Arts Societies are throwing the 27th annual Strauss Ball on the 20th of January in the Gresham Metropole Hotel.

(or “Ballspenden” in German) eventually grew more and more elaborate, and ladies carried them in ostentatious, bejewelled cases that hung from their wrists or waists. In keeping with the period, a dance card will be presented to each lady (and gentleman) at UCC's Strauss Ball. Social dancing was an extremely important aspect of 19th century Europe. The Regency Era (1811-1837) featured form dancing similar to modern line dancing, where partners were an arm length's apart. In the Victorian Era (1837-1860's), the waltz took a main hold. The closeness of the partners shocked the elder generations, calling it licentious and overly sensuous. As a result, more lively dances such as the Galop and the Polka started to become popular to dilute the romance of the waltz. As the 1900's progressed, the lower American classes started popularizing Ragtime music: much faster and animalistic dancing which quickly spread to Europe. Swing dancing quickly followed with the emergence of jazz in the Roaring Twenties.

Fashioned after balls of the 19th century, the UCC Strauss Ball gets its name from Johann Strauss I and his son Johann Strauss II, German and Austrian composers who are regarded as popularizing the waltz in 19th century Vienna, the city of music. Balls of that time were more The UCC Strauss Ball features a two hour chocolate and punch than a time to dance; similarly to modern clubs they are an excuse to see and be seen by the elite (or not so elite), to wear the latest and reception at the Metropole Bar, followed by a three-course meal. The Cork Pops Orchestra will play a two hour set of waltzes, tangos, and outrageous fashions, and to possibly procure a potential mate. swing dancing, followed by a DJ playing the latest dance tunes of our Dance cards were provided by the host to the ladies in attendance. generation. These were small booklets which listed the type of dance in the order It expects to be an elegant night, and a gesture to times gone by they occurred, and were to be filled out by men who approached the ladies requesting a dance. This provided a way to remember the social with a modern flair, as this year's theme is the 1920's. Tickets are at engagements for the night, and for a polite way to decline a suitor, the reduced price of €40 for the full ticket, and €20 for afters. Contact strauss@uccsocieties.ie for more information. citing that her dance card was already full. Dance cards

Lead

10 Things I Love About...College Road So we've all walked up and down it a thousand times, but have you really appreciated the simple, understated beauty of College Road? 1. Mongkok Chinese - I'm pretty sure God invented this place just for me. Open until one and home of the world's sexiest 4 in 1 with black bean sauce. The guy there doesn't even ask what I want any more, just throws it at me when I walk in. Kinda makes me feel like a bit of a fatty really. (021 496 6896) 2. The IRA Graffiti in the Footpath-- I just think it's funny, okay? 3. That One House with the Hot Guys Who Are Always Sitting Outside Drinking Cans and Lazily Playing with Hurleys-- You know the one.

4. Curl Up n'Dye - I have no idea of the quality of this salon, I just think the name is clever. Then again I just googled it and I found about forty other salons with the same name, so I guess they're not as clever as I thought. That's kinda disappointing. (021 427 2637) 5. The Condom Hedges - For all your used condom needs, the hedges of College Road are always fully stocked! I like to make up stories about how they got there on my way to college in the mornings. 6. College Road Pharmacy - I am a fan of this place because they sold me (or rather someone I sent) two pregnancy tests which I have gotten favourable results from. It must be a lucky pharmacy. You should go there if you don't like babies. (021 434 0455) 7. The Power Line with the Shoes on Them - According to wiki, shoes on power lines (or “shoefiti”) signify the presence of a crack dealer, someone who has lost their virginity, a gang's territory, or simply that your shoes suck so you threw them at a power line. I like to think it was the last one cause crack scares me. 8. Daybreak - They have some really sexy hot chicken rolls here, let me tell you. Plus there's always loads of ladish types standing outside smoking, looking hard, and wearing blue jumpers with their hoods up. 9. Kiwi - What a great place. Pretty cheap place to get hot food and run into people you want to run into. Plus I like the toilets here because it's where I took one of them pregnancy tests I was on about earlier. They must be lucky too. 10. My House - I'm not saying which one it is, just that it's pretty awesome. Come around for tea sometime. I'll make you a cuppa.

5 Hobbies That Keep You Guessing 1.Geocaching

sam marks gives us a rundown of the most unusual and downright weirdest hobbies a person can take up… Giving something up alone for the New Year does not work. Period! Unless you’ve miraculously developed the willpower of a Buddhist monk that eats only a boysenberry a decade and drinks satori at breakfast, one must fill the void spent procrastinating with their unwanted habits by taking up new ones. Then again procrastination whispers in our ear: “I’m going to the gym more often have washboard abs by June… I’ll definitely start tomorrow!” Next thing you know, you’re still a 200 pound lardo on the sofa eating cholesterol in a cloud of cigarette smoke and drowning yourself in vodka on the tear if and when you do make it out of the house! It’s so much easier if you can find a fun, interesting hobby to quell those withdrawal woes. Gym? It’s boring. Painting? It’s probably been done before! Why not take up something unique like some of these people have done?

This is like a more elaborate form of hide-and-seek and treasure-hunting combined . All you need is a GPS and some exploration time on your hands to locate © 4chan.org caches. Caches consist of a waterproof container with a items and logbook. You can take items or donate your own for others to find. Now we’re not talking drug-dealing here, it’s small sentimental items of no fiscal value for those looking for a quick-fix to their recession woes, but you never knowwhat you might find. Just tap it into Google where you’ll find reams of different hunts taking place around the globe.

2.Erotic Knitting

Grandma got tired of jumpers and being unpopular with the grandkids. Originally knitted for her community nurse daughter to teach mothers how to breastfeed, octogenarian Audrey Horncastle

>>Continued on page 39

Important Life Lessons Learned cathal brennan

Rule 3: when in an awkward situation, lie.

s a ten year old, Catholicism proved to be an elusive and confusing concept. On the one hand, if I did my homework and knew all the words of “I Confess,” I would get a gold star and an approving comment from my teacher. Conversely, I had to give up sweets for Lent. It is not a long stretch to conceive that my current scepticism of religion has its roots in the annual deprivation of both Curly Wurlys AND Meanies (how Meanies were counted as sweets, I will never understand). Crisps aren’t sweet, therefore they can’t be sweets – they’re crisps, like. The compulsory nature of this brutal tradition ended with primary school, thankfully. For all my years going to confession, this nugget has done the job. It covers all the rudimentary bases of Catholic guilt, One Easter Sunday, the family and myself went to mass as usual. I was packed into the backseat of our tiny Ford Fiesta in a manner much akin to a game of Tetris. As I sat between my two older brothers in the backseat approaching the cusp of asphyxiation, I yearned for the Easter eggs and Sega Mega Drive that awaited me back at home.

forever be associated with bastards). Forty minutes of restless queuing later, and I entered the dark confines of the confession box. The air inside was heavy, and tinted with incense and plywood. Light through the cracks of the door illuminated the surrounding dust particles. The shutter slid back, and the elderly, bespectacled priest mumbled the introductory lines of the ritual. “Now, tell me your sins..," he said. I thought for a moment, and then proceeded to rattle off the usual spiel that I still say to this day; “I did not show love when I became angry, annoyed, impatient, or selfish. For these and all my sins I am sorry.” For all my years going to confession, this nugget has done the job. It covers all the rudimentary bases of Catholic guilt, while allowing me to remain sufficiently absent minded and removed from the sheer greyness of it all. This time, however, the priest was not content with such an automated response. “Ah come on now,” he deplored, “what are you really sorry for? If you don’t tell me all your sins, then you can’t be properly absolved.”

I was taken aback by this development. It was the first time that I was forced to properly examine my morality in the face of the Almighty. “Er,” I began, poetically. “I punched my brother in the arm last week.” The church was small, sparsely decorated The silhouette of the priest’s head nodded gravely, but did not respond. He wanted and stuffy, and the ceremony slow, tedious and overwrought. Not even the disapproving more dirt. “I, uh, shouted at my mam. I’m sorry for that.” This scandalous admission of glances from my mother could stop me guilt was followed by the same grim nod and from yawning incessantly. As the last, pious silence. As I tried in vain to construct monotonous tones were omitted from more semi-fictitious anecdotes that made the pulpit, I drew a sigh of relief – I could me look like a bastard in the eyes of the Lord, finally get out of this self righteous hotbox my heart rate escalated. What did this priest of boredom and piss off back home to play want me to say? I was ten years old - the Streets of Rage on the auld Mega Drive. As I only things I coveted were Playstations, I made my way towards the exit however, my may or may not have stolen a penny sweet father’s hand grabbed me by the shoulder. when I was seven, and I wasn’t in a position "We shtill have to go to confession," he to commit too much adultery, what with the explained. My frustration at this moment lack of puberty and what have you. was only matched several years later when I was severely cockblocked during the As I scrambled through the recesses of my Fresher’s Week of my first year in UCC (for mind in an attempt to fabricate something me, the smoking room of the Classic will

appropriately heinous, a memory of the week previous came to mind. After school one evening, myself and the brother had a bit of puck around in the yard of our farm. It was a ritual of ours to pass around a battered auld tennis ball to each other after dinner; it provided an outlet to blow off steam without beating the crap out of each other, while also giving our Labrador pup a bit of exercise. At one point during the puck around, my brother struck the tennis ball at me with a bit more sting than usual. Wanting to impress my brother, I decided that I would match his challenge and volley the tennis ball right back at him in mid air. Not being blessed with the keenest sense of spatial awareness, I missed the ball entirely, and ended up smashing the side view mirror off of the father’s old farming car. This wasn’t that big a deal though – any car that was in a worst state than our shitty Ford Fiesta wasn’t worth worrying too much about. The priest stared cynically at me through the wire mesh of the confession box, disapproving of my apparent dishonesty and cowardice before God. I cleared my throat, and taking inspiration from the above events, I told the most incriminating sin that I was able to fabricate on the spot. “Last week," I began, “I was playing hurling with my brother. I swung at the ball, but I missed it. I hit the dog by mistake, and now he’s blind in one eye.” I left the confession box with an exasperated sigh; I had thrown off the priest enough to put an end to his condescending inquisition, and had paid my dues to Himself upstairs for the time being. We were out of the church at last, and back into the real world. In the car ride back, I looked forward to a day full of chocolate, video games and a small spot of hurling with my loyal pup.

Retail Hell caroline o donoghue

There are two things you are not allowed to complain about if you are in college: one of them is your hangover, for the simple reason that hangovers are far, far too common for anyone to really want to hear about them, so buck up and get to class. The second thing that will not be tolerated is complaining about your steady income. Half the campus would kill to have a part-time job with fixed, reasonable hours and in the current economic climate (anyone else getting sick of that term?). It’s become more of a white whale than ever, so buck up and get to class. I am one of the lucky minorities who have managed to land this proverbial Moby Dick, so I suppose I should have absolutely nothing to complain about. I have a job that tolerates my college hours and employers that quite gamely tolerate my hangovers. There’s just one thing that I think is too often overlooked: if you work in retail and you are under twenty-five, you are the peoples' bitch. From the trivial and inane to the violent and insane, all complaints about everything everywhere are officially Your Problem. After much study and conferral, I have sorted the customers that make the retail world feel like a Manson family get together into three main categories. 1) “WHY DON’T YOU CARE ABOUT THIS IS AS MUCH AS I DO?” On a basic level, this customer represents a mere conflict of interest. The customer cares enormously about their problem, whilst you, with your broader scope of what an actual problem is, don’t. This customer is generally an overworked mother sporting four kids under the age of eight. She leads a life that offers a complete lack of control, and probably wakes up every morning with a three year old climbing into her bed so he can pee in it. When she gets a spare moment, she has a cheeky cigarette, and she makes life hell for anyone behind a till. “You don’t have any bags? You expect me to just carry this?” This customer gets very frustrated when you don’t have the thing she wants, because as she will remind you several times throughout her rant she “came into town especially for this!” She will scowl and add that (and you should be really frightened if this happens, because it means she will immediately afterward ask to talk to your manager) that she “paid for parking and everything”.

>>5 Hobbies continued from page 37 knitted over 100 breasts in less than 3 years and is still at it today.

3.Gooming

Ever wanted a panda for a pet? Ever got bored of the same old dog? Well here’s the next best thing. A growing trend in China, gooming, involves the trimming and dying of fur of dogs to look like other animals. It promises to be hours of fun and creativity for you and man’s best friend, though perhaps at the cost of their dignity.

The problem here is that this customer, in her own home is absolutely central in importance, and often gets confused when in a shop she is received as a mild annoyance. 2) “I’m sorry, but I’m a terrible consumer and still have no idea how shops work. Will you be my friend?” It’s not that these customers are bad people, they’re just incredibly dense. They will send you on the wildest of goose chases, giving you the most obscure information to go on, and more than likely not listen to your suggestions. As I work in a DVD and music shop, I get this kind of thing a lot. A co-worker was once asked if we sold any DVD’s, whereupon my co-worker then incredulously gestured at the walls of DVD’s that surrounded the conversation. The customer flew into an irritated rage, claiming “No, not the ones you watch! The ones you listen to!” Hmmm… 3) “Hello, I’m completely insane. Be prepared to deal with that for the foreseeable future.” When you work in retail longer than three days, you acquire the skill of locating the Total Fucking Weirdo at a mere cursory glance. The oversized jacket, the damp smell, the vacant expression. This pattern of identification should make the TFW easy to avoid, but unfortunately the TFW will not be avoided, particularly if he or she has decided to take a shine to your hardworking self. There is no way to predict the TFW’s behaviour, and therein lies the danger. The other day I was forced to reassure a man in his fifties that just because George Michael is gay doesn’t make him any less of an artist, only to have him run out of the shop shouting when I asked if he wanted to purchase any of his albums. You get the idea. Another downside of TFW’s is that if they know where you work, and might become accustomed to paying you visits. I have become a victim to this of late, as a TFW I made the mistake of dating five years ago has developed the habit of watching me work while snarling obscenities from behind DVD cases. So, consumers of Cork, hear my plea. Be nice to your local till monkey. Remember your pleases and thank you’s. And for the love of God, don’t piss me off.

4.Cosplay

Why stop at conventions and Halloween parties just to dress up? It doesn’t just haveto be anime or Twilight fanatics that get all the glory. Sure, the first time you try might be a tad embarrassing. Besides, it doesn’t even have to resemble a character exactly either, just their style. Plus, dressing extravagantly, as Ms. Gaga has shown us, is probably a good way to make a name for yourself. I mean, who on campus isn’t going to remember ‘Pikachu Guy?’

5.Playing Dead

A little more elaborate than face-downs that took the nation this year, but with much more impact if you can pull it off. Chuck Lamb (The Dead Body Guy) is the man to thank for this little quirk. Be prepared to empty your pocket for oodles of fake blood and to lie for hours on end until some unsuspecting bystander discovers you. Some would argue it’s sleeping in style. There’s an important note to take in however… Try not to get emergency services involved!

Fashion fashion@motley.ie

Kathryn O’Regan

THE CURIOUS CASE OF HAUTE COUTURE kathryn o’ regan examines the super and strange, haughty world of haute couture

here is increasingly depleting support for the existence of haute couture in our recession – ridden world. It is frequently regarded as over – indulgent and even obscene – consider the cost of couture pieces: €30,000 for a jacket, anyone? There is no denying these unseemly truths behind the famously hush – hush fantasy realm of the fashion world, but is it merely a cynical commercial venture? Or a richly creative project that builds the sartorial stuff of dreams?

In post – war Europe there were some 46, 000 people employed in the couture industry with a hundred couture shows taking place per fashion season. Compare this with the 4,500 people employed now in the industry and the nine haute couture shows occurring at last count. It’s a dying industry – there is little place in our instant obsessed world for a dress that required 150 hours to construct. Haute couture lines are disappearing with Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent as some of the most high profile haute couture casualties in recent years.

one of the registered haute couture houses – consider Chanel, Christian Dior, Givenchy. It is a hand – finished, made – to – order clothing service that exists exclusively in Paris. It is serious business with haute couture granted its own division in the French Ministry of Industry. Haute couture is the last remaining stand of European decadence and grandeur; the last gateway to a rarefied world. Indeed, it is exactly this decadence and grandeur that is the very blood running in the haute couture industry’s veins. This is precisely why haute couture is still in existence. There are people out there, albiet a minuscule number, who desire to be a part of the exclusive, glamorous world represented by haute couture. This is the superficial cause of the industry - a yearning for a material exclusivity so profound that one is willing to spend thousands on clothing. Taking that cause on face value, haute couture is certainly ridiculous, but that’s only one side of the story. The other side tells a tale of craftsmanship, enchantment, perfection and utter quality. It is enthralling to watch these craftspeople at work, quietly and diligently creating a piece that could cost as much as €100,000 (on Youtube there is a brilliant short video showing the making of a Chanel couture outfit). Although the ye olde ‘Is fashion is art?’ question is a tired debate that rarely yields any definitive answers, the sheer intricacy of design, labour intensive nature and concept involved in the construction of haute couture certainly elevates haute couture above the mere status of clothing. Indeed, many owners of haute couture eventually donate their collection to textile museums. Without question, for these affluent ladies, haute couture is an art form and they are its patrons.

With a mere 200 or so clients the world over, haute couture is one expensive industry for such a small number of people. But what qualifies as haute couture and what is In 2009, Vantity Fair wrote an article on all about? Garments are certified as haute haute couture claiming that it has overcome couture if they are handmade in Paris by any

©vanda.com

much more than recession in the past, including world war and cultural revolution. Haute couture is a proud industry with an equally proud heritage. ‘In painting there was Cubism. In fashion there was Paul Poiret,’ said art historian Kenneth Silver in the aforementioned article. Poiret began the haute couture lineage in the twentieth century with Coco Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet, Cristobal Balenciaga and of course, Christian Dior following in his footsteps. Dior and Balenciaga are particularly associated with the haute couture world what with being the most prominent and revolutionary designers during the post – war, golden age of haute couture.

“The best ideas I had in my life, I saw them in my sleep, in the early morning”- so says Karl Largerfeld in relation to designing haute couture. For those involved in the haute couture world, whether in the creation or wearing of, haute couture is associated with the dream realm. They consider it to be an enchanting element of the material world with the actual wearing of couture pieces described as ‘like wearing a second skin...it becomes a part of you’. Alas, something only a very select few amongst us will ever be able to attest to.

©Listal.com

The Alexa Factor lynn harding considers why we’re all so crazy about chung

have never quite been able to put my finger on what it is that makes the inimitable ‘It’ girl. Every now and again, fashion magazines appear to join forces and begin referring to someone by the ubiquitous term. Just what is it that sets ‘It’girl Alexa apart from the past - her – sell – by – date Kate and – everyone say it in hushed tones, now – Blake Lively?

only provided the masses with a source of items almost exactly similar to what the muse herself would sport, but which was entirely wearable in average, everyday life. One of the hardest balances to strike seems to be how to dress nicely without looking dressed up, while simultaneously dressing casually without looking like you’re going to the gym. Madewell’s Betty tea-dress and Harriet pintuck dress, or mid-length shorts and baggy shirts, allow the wearer not only to appear, but to actually be effortlessly well put-together.

Alexa Chung has rocketed into the public eye with a seemingly effortless, yet sharplytimed ease. Between presenting MTV Rocks and dating Arctic Monkeys frontman, Alex Turner, the gods were smiling when Chung turned her hand to Frock Me, a show exploring that deliciously influential relationship between music and fashion. Every cliché imaginable seemed to flock to her; she ‘became an overnight sensation’, a ‘visionary’, who single-handedly brought about the vintage revival, all while oozing a ‘je-ne-sais-quoi’ the likes of which the average Charlotte Gainsbourg would be jealous.

Now, I am not one to see a celebrity wearing something and immediately fall in love with it for the fame accessory – and it seems that I am not the only one. Individuality is, dare I say it, raising its head from the ashes of Juicy Couture and Ugg mania. The beauty of Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe et al is that their designer collaborations can be moulded to your own tastes and existing wardrobe. They inspire, without necessarily requiring dogmatic imitation. And this, perhaps, is where Kate Moss has fallen by the wayside.

When Chung’s collaboration with Madewell was announced, a general swoon swept the nation. Here was, for the first time, a celebrity-designed range that not

Ah, Kate: where did you go? It appears the epitome of the British indie icon of the

nineties and noughties has finally grown up. Following the exit of her last collaboration with Topshop, Moss graduated to Longchamp and is slowly leaving the dishevelled teenage look behind. She may rock shorts and a tux jacket just as well as Alexa, but her Topshop line was always punctuated by a few accent, statement pieces that screamed ‘I AM WEARING KATE MOSS’, as opposed to the allure of mixable mystery that hovers around Chung’s clothing. Plus, given that a typical Longchamp duffel bag starts at £590, most people under the age of at least 25 have been automatically ruled out of Moss’s newest elite club. And finally, Blake Lively: beautiful, famous – and yet never exactly a trendsetter. All the deals as the new face of the Chanel handbag can’t change the fact that Ms Lively graced the cover of one of the worst-selling issues of US Vogue last year. She is nothing Kate Hudson hasn’t been and, well, she’s just a bit blah, isn’t she? The wholesome, homogenous, 1990s’ girl-nextdoor has given way to the indie cindy of the 2010s with Alexa as its poster girl. Vive la différence!

11 Fashionable (ish..) Resolutions and Trends for 2011 2.Bob’s your hairdo:

4.Plum pudding:

Flapper or chic French lady, it’s a win win situation either way.

No, not the festive dessert, that should be long gone... Plum lip stick shades. Delish.

5.Start a subculture: Wait, what? Go on. Gather your friends, find some new music and dress in a similar manner. Ideally acquire a questionable political outlook. If not...just act cool. No one will question that.

1.Lookin’ zesty: Fruit patterns were seen at Moshino Cheap and Chic and Stella McCarney. Brighten up these dull January days with some tropical inspired silliness.

3.Fun in the Sun: 6.70s’ Fever:

True, there’s little sun to be seen at the moment, but resolve to ditch those oversized Jackie O sunglasses for Cat –eye shades like at Dior or novelty frames a la Prada.

Think wide leg trousers, denim, florals and crochet rather than roller disco. Marc Jacobs and Topshop Unique for catwalk inspiration. ©gorunway.com

>>Continued on page 42

Fashion

Read Me...

style blogger blau von t gives her choice of fashion blogs to read in the new year the great thing about blogging is its accessibility and indeed, the past year saw a flurry of stylish new blogs go online. here are my choice style blogs to click on in 2011. it's a mixture of the old and new, the irish and the international, the glossy and the edgy. hopefully, i have catered for the wide and varied tastes of ucc's followers of fashion.

6. Kisses and Cross Stitches;

1. Stitches, Fabric and Soul; Waterford born and now residing in Dublin, blogger Stephen Moloney, serves up the best of Irish street style and trendy haunts with a side of outfit posts. www.stitchesfabricandsoul.com/

Lady Lavelle captures my heart daily with photography posts which find the perfect balance between the feminine and the vulnerable. Sofia Coppola would love this blog. kissesandcrossstitches.blogspot.com/ © stitchesfabricandsoul.com

2. Whisty Blogs Dublin Fashion; Mistress of thrift and vintage-hunter extraordinaire, Laura Whiston combines the edgy elements of rock'n'roll with rascal attitude. whisty.wordpress.com/

3. My Third Cousin; A new fashion blog from UCC student, Sarah Commane, My Third Cousin offers a quirky and unique approach to fashion via dialogue and outfit postcards between her third cousin and herself. mythirdcousin.blogspot.com/

4. She’s in Vogue; Fellow UCC student, Kathryn O’ Regan, provides a haven for modern musings, retro inspiration and cultured couture. shesinvogue.blogspot.com/

5. Boheme Musings;

7. Dustattic Jacket; Caters for all your editorial needs with a concise collection of all the best photo spreads. dustjacketattic.blogspot.com/

8. Coco's Tea Party; Who needs to buy the glossy mags when this site brings you all the designer news and celebrity pictures in just one click? www.cocosteaparty.com/

9. Male Mode; Cillian O'Connor continues to provide insightful musings on menswear and designer collections. www.male-mode.com/

10. Greene is the New Black; A blog that has only just launched and is run by David Greene, winner of last year’s 'Style Wars'. I'm quite excited to see what David will bring to the blogosphere in 2011. greenewithenvy.blogspot.com/

A whimsical and romantic exploration into the young and reckless of Hamburgs first lady of style, Isabelle Ida Küster. bohememusings.blogspot.com/

blau von t writes acclaimed, quirky style scrapbook blaubushka (www.blaubushka.com). blau is also the fashion editor for cork student news.

>>fashionable resolutions continued from page 41

7.Backpacking:

9.Ballet:

Backpacks have been hovering under the radar for some time now. Possibly to become what the satchel was for 2010 ie. everywhere. But, cool, no, to have those hands free (unless, of course, you have an irrational fear of pickpockets, which I sort of have...)?

The phenomenal Rodarte did the costumes for Black Swan. Trend. Made. Pirouette through the New Year in tutu skirts and ballet slippers.n too – make that a rule for 2011.

the craic: 8.Mellow yellow: 11.Have You know, clothes need not just be a necessity, but they can be a lot Keep the winter blues at bay in sunshine yellows.

of fun too – make that a rule for 2011.

Spring/Summer 2011 Trend Report dominika wojciechowska

Into the Wild

Spiky Punk

Back once again – but this time it’s far beyond fall’s basic leopard prints. Animals’ shapes and prints, feathers and safari and jungle themes are the biggest hit of spring/summer 2011.

Break all the rules – this spring and summer masculine meets feminine. Spikes, studs and leather are back. Mix and match bright coloured clothes with tomboytough accessories!

70’s Less than desirable now, retro bohemian shirts, wide-leg pants and floor-grazing skirts will be very popular this summer.

Colours and prints Neon colours and vivid prints are coming back this summer. Houses from Miu Miu to Loewe created beautiful collections by playing with different prints and patterns. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your look this spring!

Lace Games This spring we’ll see a lot of lace and crochet on the high-street. If a full-body lace is too sophisticated for you, try something more feminine or go for lace accessories.

If you want to find out more you can also find Dominika on her blog - http://fashionmydarling.blogspot.com/ Images clockwise from left: ©style.com, © style.com, ©greening beauty, ©style.com, © MIU MIU.

You Shall go to the Ball...

be the belle of the ball in twinkling vintage, classic black and cinderella chiffon, and let prince charming sweep you off your feet in sophisticated suits and excellent tailoring. boys styled andrew mcdonnell, girls styled by kathryn o’reagan. hair and make up,laura hastings

Siobhan wears dress; Miss Daisy Blue Vintage @The English Market, €135, Shoes Ted Baker Michele wears dress, Coast, €250 Necklace, Coast, €36 Bracelet, Coast, €23 Sandals, Stylists own

Coast offer a 10% Student discount all year round. shot on location at the clarion hotel, lapp’s quay. special thanks to ray kelleher, sales manager.

Orla wears; dress Ted Baker €250, Hairband Coast €36, Bracelet Coast €36, Bag Coast €70 Calvin wears; shirt €105, pant €165, suit jacket €410, tie €39, shoes €165, all Ted Baker

models: Orla O’ Connell, Siobhan Meehan, Michele Martin, Jamie Semple, Sam Marks, Calvin Brannigan

Fashion

Andrew McDonnell

fashion@motley.ie

2011 is about being different and embracing challenges both in fashion and otherwise. i thought an article chronicling the men’s fashion looks of some of the most influential cities of old and new was needed. i hope that for the new year a new and challenging style may be opened up for you and the same ol’ boring jeans or fat man pants and tee may take a back seat for at least one day. Life is not eternal and if you want to stand out you have to dress the part first. -AVDM

I have picked a look I feel was born within each city. Shown are street styles of people living their lives in their respective cities. New York Seems an obvious choice but there’s always something new to see; from Bryant Park to the steps of the Met, New York is the epitome of fashion.

Look: Upper East Side Obviously the style is tied to the area. The Upper East Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, between Central Park and the East River. It has been labeled the most affluent area of New York and this style certainly shows that. To me this look is all about the Ivy League. The trends in this area are more static with regards to men’s fashion than any other style. Designers such as Ralph Lauren, GANT and J. Crew are the epitome of what this look is about. Preppy, traditional, school and university are words which define this look.. Of all the looks, this is the easiest to achieve. Chinos and blazers are essential to give the school-boy edge. A tie is optional but can work really well, and a satchel works the best- especially in brown. As for coats and jackets, a double-breasted style is your best bet but the trench works just as well if the blazer is not an option. The most important quality is that the fit is right on the shoulder and back; any deviation from that will make you look like you’re wearing your Dad’s jacket and pants.

Tokyo Look: Eccentric Tokyo is a huge up and coming region in the fashion world. The fashion influence is not surprising as Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area and capital city of Japan. The fashion is uniquely different with many pieces possessing an ‘haute couture’ vibe; pretty much anything goes and the louder the outfit the better. Vintage pieces and second-hand pieces are absolutely essential. This eccentric feelinghas an air of androgyny; flowing, colourful, draping female pieces are blended with masculine pieces such as military boots to create an entirely distinctive look. Designers such as Rei Kawakubo or Yohji Yamamoto add to the look, but the argument could be made that most designers cannot yet grasp the feel and edge as each look is so uniquely different that it is up to the individual to find random pieces in charity or vintage shops and create their own peculiarities.

Copenhagen Look: Laid-back Scandinavia I originally had Oslo in this category but realized that Copenhagen is just as up-and-coming yet it doesn’t garner near enough attention as its Norwegian counterpart. Copenhagen is not only the capital city of Denmark but it is also the largest. People going about their daily business were photographed and it is obvious the ‘lumberjack’ laid-back look is popular. Boots are essential as are pale primary colours- especially blues, greens and reds. Cardigans and heavy knitwear work really well, especially in heavily patterned styles. Quilted jackets as well as duffle coats are solid outerwear choices. Blue denim is a popular choice- moreso than black denim, and checks are another attribute of this look, particularly checked shirts. Designers such as Junk De Luxe, ACNE, and Won Hundred are some of the best Scandinavian designers out there.

* E d it o r P ic k s *

Choice Fashion Designer

Ted Baker Bag Obsessed much? Been going everywhere with it and rightly so. This bag is truly a must have. Vintage detailing with great handles, It has a sense of school-boy satchel while not being solely schoolwear. At €105 it’s expensive, but worth every cent in longevity and style. © ASOS.com

ted baker vintage-style bag, brown thomas €105

Thomas Gundorph foundedJunk de Luxe in Denmark in 1986. Junk De Luxe encompasses both American and Scandinavian influences which don’t break the bank. Quirky colours and statement pieces occupy the styles created within the brand. It is very much a young and ‘hip’ brand and takes risks with some of the pieces marketability due to the quirky nature of the styling and colouring. However, it is these little ‘quirks’ that make it what it is; one of my favourite pieces is a pair of normal looking chinos with a lumberjack print visible when they’re turned up. It is subtle elements such as this which make it stand out to me. Another bonus is that the knitwear range is exceptional with vivid colours, peculiar prints and excellent quality. © ASOS.com

Zara Trench coat A double breasted camel colored trench coat; this one is bang on trend. Currently on sale in Zara!

zara trench coat -€79.99