Thecollegeview issue12 full no spreads

THE COLLEGE VIEW News » 3

Gaeilge » 10

The highlights of the outgoing SU’s year detailed.

Díríonn roinn Ghaeilge na seachtaine seo ar roinnt shuimeanna de chuid mhac léinn DCU: ceol, carthanas agus cultúr.

Wednesday 30th April 2014 Volume XVI - Issue 12 www.thecollegeview.com

Opinion » 8 The pros and cons of committee life.

Flux » inside The last ever and possibly most controversial HIMYM.

Features » 13 A lookback at DCU’s most charitable societies.

Summer Ball: Students queue for their tickets to the sell-out SU event in a tightly packed HUB Credit: Mark Kelly

Clogher blames unforseen circumstances for Summer Ball ticket queue John Casey, Finnian Curran, and Sharron Lynskey News Reporters DCU STUDENTS’ UNION PRESident Aaron Clogher, expressed his disappointment at the reaction of the student body to the long queues for tickets to this year’s Summer Ball.

Ticket sales for the annual Summer Ball were hampered by long queues and confusion over the purchasing system on Wednesday.

Clogher said that there were factors that led to the “unforeseen” size of the queues.

“Anybody who went through the queue yesterday and today knows that for people who were

registered on the system and had exact change, their transaction was done in 20 seconds” he said.

“It was the many people who were never previously at an SU Event and/or needed change that slowed down the process considerably.”

Upwards of 800 students waited for a ticket on Wednesday as the queue spiralled from the Student’s Union Helpdesk as far down as the Terence Larkin building. Clogher felt that the high demand for tickets has made it a huge success.

“There has been a very negative slant put on the coverage so far. I would rather see some positive comment around the fact that so many people are engaged and want to attend an SU

Event, which caused the scenes we saw across campus yesterday,” he said.

Clogher was quick to praise the SU staff for their response to such unprecedented demand for tickets.

“Every single person who stayed in that queue on Wednesday was served, long after our official opening hours had passed, by staff who worked hours they were neither demanded nor expected to,” he said.

This view was contradicted by many students who reported being turned away after more than three hours queuing.A poll conducted by The College View this week states that 79 per cent of students who queued were unhappy with how the Student’s

Union dealt with the queue.

According to the poll, 70 per cent of students who queued on Wednesday were left waiting for two hours or more with 26% of students waiting for more than four hours, with some only to be turned away.

“I started queuing at half twelve and I was still queuing at four when I was told that no more tickets would be on sale and I would have to come back tomorrow,” said first year student Jordan Kavanagh.

“This was despite the SU president informing everyone in the queue that they were guaranteed to receive a ticket that day,” he continued.

Read more on page 3

Lifestyle » 16 The final summer fix of hot travel destinations, celebrities and cool cocktails.

Sport » 20 DCU boxers cap off stellar years.

2

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4

THE COLLEGE VIEW Editorial

SURVEY: Sale of Summer Ball tickets

Positives and negatives; this year’s Summer Ball has encountered both so far.

Do you think more could have been done to control the crowd?

YES 83%

NO 17%

Do you think the current electronic system of purchasing tickets for Students’ Union events is effective?

YES

NO

15%

85%

How long did you spend queuing?

* 331 students took part in our survey

Editor-in-Chief: Michael Cogley Deputy Editor: Finnian Curran Production & Layout Editor: Gianluca Avagnina Deputy Production & Layout Editors: Mark Hogan, Victoria Ivaylova News Editors: Finnian Curran, Sharron Lynskey Deputy News Editors: Katie O’ Neil,

T

he point of journalism as a whole is to keep the government in check. If there were no journalists the government would do as they please with no communication between it and the people it is responsible for.

So under that logic the job of the student journalist and indeed The College View is to report on the actions of the governing student body, the Students’ Union.

In an interview with The College View, SU President Aaron Clogher criticised DCU’s student media for the ‘negative slant put on the coverage’ of the sale of Summer Ball tickets.

While there is the positive aspect that so many students wanted to attend the event there is also the fact of the matter that the sale of its tickets was completely mishandled.

A post on the SU’s Facebook page clarified the fact that if you were buying a ticket for another student, for example one on INTRA, all you needed was their student number and not their card.

This unfortunately turned out not to be the case and was announced via

Elaine Carroll, Laura Colgan Opinion Editor: Christine Allen Lifestyle Editor: Orlaith Farrell Deputy Lifestyle Editor: Emma Dungan Features Editor: Catherine Devine Deputy Features Editor: Jade O’Leary Irish Editor: Caoimhe Ni Cathail Deputy Irish Editor: Barry Scanlon Sports Editor: Ruaidhri Croke

Deputy Sports Editors: Cian Roche, Kevin Taylor Flux Editor: Odran de Bhaldraithe, Deputy Flux Editor: Bryan Grogan Images Editor: Aidan Broletti Phototographers: Anna Kazadojeva, Catherine Batstone, Colin Tonge Online Editor: David Matthews Online News Editor: Mark Hogan

megaphone to an already enormous line littered with people whose intention it was to buy for others.

One thing that perhaps frustrated students queuing was the news that spread through the line, like a game of Chinese whispers, that there was only one person selling the tickets.

Clogher does have a point in that it is great to see so many students desperate to go to the ball but the fact that they offered no sympathy to those lining for hours only to find that tickets had stopped being sold was infuriating to say the least.

Incoming SU President Kenneth Browne wants to make the Summer Ball an outdoor event next year should there be enough demand. Following Wednesday’s chaos that demand should not be an issue for him.

Despite the ball it has been a relatively successful year for the SU. We have seen the passing of a referendum on a new Student Hub and the sabbatical team as a whole have achieved quite a lot in their tenure, all of which is documented in extensive interviews inside.

Sub-Editors: Nicola Ayres, Anna Kazadojeva, Conor Martin

Printed By Datascope, with the DCU Journalism Society Thanks To Sportsfile, SLC, Office of Student Life

3

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4 NEWS@THECOLLEGEVIEW.COM

News

DCU’s merging process with Mater Dei and St Patrick’s College has taken a hit after the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) expressed their concerns about the plans.

Read more online on www.thecollegeview.com

Hub referendum and online voting are highlights of the SU’s year AS INCOMING SABBATICAL officers prepare for a summer of hard preparation, the outgoing Students’ Union are set to say goodbye to DCU for the final time. But what stamp have they put on DCU during their time and most importantly, what do the students of DCU think of their achievements?

Reactions to this year’s SU have been mixed but Fiona Keegan (GI) praised the SU’s interaction.

“We’re always getting emails from them and I saw them around a lot too and found them really helpful and friendly".

However, Mark Cowen (CCS) criticised their lack of communication, “I never notice anything that they do, these guys are more conservative and they communicate with students less”.

Outgoing SU President, Aaron Clogher says the setting up of an online voting system has been one of the main highlight’s during his time here and he hopes that next year’s team will expand on that and have online voting in place for the 2015 elections.

The passing of the recent Hub referendum also sticks out as a milestone during his time, after over 90pc of students secured a ‘Yes’ vote to support the structure.

“This was something we had identified as being necessary and the vast amount of students agreed with us.”

This plan, set to be completed in 2016, includes expansions to DCUfm and extra office spaces.

Clogher is certain that such spaces will be used to benefit clubs and societies which operate around campus.

Limited space has already led to event restrictions for clubs and societies, after it was decided that major events could no longer coincide with Shite Night in the NuBar. “We can’t really have any large scale events happening in the building on the same night as Shite Night”, Aaron explains.

Aaron describes a further expansion of Shite Night as “an av-

▣ Credit: Aidan Broletti

Elaine Carroll and Sharron Lynskey News Reporters

enue we don’t want to go down”.

“We don’t want to discourage people from having a good time but we don’t want to get back to a stage where we have incidents or antisocial behaviour in or around the campus” he says.

In an event that sparked controversy this year, the Mock Wedding was overshadowed by naked strippers at a student night in NUI Maynooth.

Speaking about the event, Welfare Officer Lorna Finnegan says she would have done the event slightly differently had she the opportunity to do it again.

“I just feel that Maynooth upstaged it in a way that it was such a big outing for them and their students could have been drinking from four o’clock that day”, she explains.

“If it was done next year, it’d be good to see it with St Pat’s” she continues. “A closer college might work better because it gets a bit messy trying to transport people back to Maynooth after a long night”.

Finnegan also highlighted the event’s success saying, “it ran well and we raised over €8,500 for our chosen charities and that was the main goal behind it”.

She praised new services to DCU students such as the healthy fruit and veg packs, car sharing and bicycle workshops but admits a dwindling interest in such initiatives in recent weeks.

“These were good when we launched them but have gone down since … But it’s something that’s there which wasn’t there before” she explains.

Throughout her campaign last year, Finnegan promoted the idea of just one or two major balls throughout the year so that the SU weren’t struggling to sell tickets for such events. But does she think the reverse effect has happened following the recent crowds for summer ball tickets?

“The Summer Ball is different. It’s the last event and even the most disengaged students throughout the year want to go”, she says. “It’s the one event where for some people it’s their only engagement with the Students’ Union”.

Outgoing Education Officer, Ciaran O’Connor echoed the opinions of his colleagues by saying his highlights included smashing the SU target of €10,000 for the three chosen

charities and passing the Hub Referendum.

In an interview with The Col-

lege View, the Education Officer said that he is confident in DCU’s class representative system despite admitting that some representatives lack enthusiasm for CRC meetings.

“The class rep system and CRC are different animals altogether.

Asking students to commit a minimum of 2 hours every week can be a large ask at the best of times, considering the amount of CRCs and the length of them” said Mr O’Connor.

This year, there are more class representatives than ever before and O’Connor noted that this was one of the highlights of his year. “We have over 330 reps, which is fantastic.”

Ciaran admitted that he was disappointed that his proposal to extend opening hours in the library didn’t follow through, but he’s confident that incoming SU President, Kenneth Browne, will succeed in doing so next year.

“He's knows at first hand the struggle it has been so he will be able to start this task with knowledge of my attempts and how best to get this done”.

>> Continued from page 1

Clogher blames unforseen circumstances for Summer Ball ticket queue THERE WAS ALSO CONFUsion over the documentation required to purchase tickets with the SU making a last minute demand that a valid student card be presented for each ticket purchased. This meant that many students who planned on purchasing tickets for friends using a student number were prevented from doing so.

Many students on INTRA or placement were unable to purchase tickets due to them not being on campus at the time of sale.

Despite this flaw in the system, Clogher believes that until online bookings are made available the current system is the most fea-

sible.

“We will always have groups who are disenfranchised by this process ad this is very much regrettable, as I know that people who are on INTRA or nurses and teachers on placements off campus are not going to be able to queue,” he said.

Until we have a system that can manage online ticket bookings, which is not far down the line, there is not a fairer way to distribute the tickets than how we currently do so.”

The summer ball takes place on 1st of May in The Hub. Tickets are now sold out.

4

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4

News DCU Student who witnessed racial abuse on bus says driver did not intervene The HSE has warned students in all Irish third level institutions to be aware of Measles symptoms after an outbreak of the highly contagious disease in NUIG.

Read more online on www.thecollegeview.com

THE DCU STUDENT WHO REcorded and intervened in a racial abuse incident on-board a JJ Kavanagh and Sons bus said he was told by the bus driver ‘’if you don’t like it, move’’.

First year communications student, Jack Reardon, received recent publicity after distributing a video of a racial attack on a Nigerian man to a variety of media outlets.

In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson for JJ Kavanagh and Sons claims that the driver of the bus called the Gardaí twice and that he approached the offender and asked him to stop the abuse.

Reardon contradicted these statements, while speaking to The College View. He said when

he approached the driver urging him to take action, the driver refused to do so. ‘’I went to the driver and told him what was going on and said ‘this has to stop, you need to go down and kick him off the bus’, at which point the driver turned around to me and said ‘if you don’t like it, move’, said Reardon.

“I thought he misheard me so I said it to him again. He just said ‘yeah, it’s not my problem, move’.” Reardon said.

Reardon said that other passengers on the bus also approached the driver telling him of the abuse to which he repeated that it was not his problem.

When asked if the claims by JJ Kavanagh and Sons spokesperson, that the driver sought to take action and called the Gardaí, were true, Reardon said ‘no’.

A representative from JJ Kavanagh and Sons could not be reached for comment. The Irish

Laura Colgan Deputy News Editor STAFF CUTS IN THIRD-LEVEL colleges across Ireland from 2008 to 2013 are the equivalent of stripping UCD, the country’s largest university, of its entire workforce.

The number of staff has reduced by 12 per cent in universities and institutes of technology.

This decrease in staff numbers comes at the same time as an increased demand for college places. Enrolments have risen by 15 per cent, as the staff-student ratio has reduced by 27 per cent over the last six years.

Third-level institutions are also experiencing reduced state support for day-to-day costs and building projects. State spends per student have reduced from €8,897 to €5,212 since 2008.

In 2013, the core grant funding for each higher education insti-

▣ Credit: UCD

Third-level staff cuts equal to total of UCD workforce

Independent reports that the bus service banned the passenger from their buses for his racist remarks.

Reardon said ‘’I recorded him because one, I wanted proof for JJ Kavanagh’s to say the driver did nothing when this was going on and just to show people a man like that is still around in modern 2014 Ireland.’’

Reardon’s recording, which was featured by media outlets, shows the abuse directed at Nigerian father of three, Yomi Ogunyemi, by a seemingly intoxicated passenger.

Reardon explained the perpetrator began using the ‘n’ word as soon as Mr. Ogunyemi boarded the bus in Clonmel. When Reardon confronted the man he redirected his abuse toward him saying ‘‘how would your parents feel if you brought home a little black b***h?”

tution in Ireland was cut by an average of €3.7 million, according to figures from the Higher Education Authority.

University of Limerick had the largest reduction in funding among universities. Funding reduced by 16 per cent, from €74.7 million in 2012 to €62.5 million in 2013.

Dundalk IT saw the biggest reduction in funding among ITs with funding reduced by almost 20 per cent, from €26.1 million in 2012 to €21.1 million in 2013.

Institute of Technology Carlow was the only third-level institution to have its funding increased, by 1.46 per cent.

Funding for 2014/2015 will not be allocated until the end of the year. However, Minister Ruairi Quinn said in the 2014 budget that funding to the sector of higher education will be €939 million for the year. This is €73 million less than in 2013.

Colleges are relying on research funding, endowments

and international students for income. In many cases, state funding makes up less than half of a college’s revenue.

President of DCU Briain MacCraith told The College View in a previous interview that DCU is looking into a student loan system, such as those used in the US and South America. The funding model allows students to pay a fixed percentage of their salary for ten years after they graduate.

The graduate would only pay the loan while working.

MacCraith said the university is “operating at the edge of sustainability” and cuts have forced student services to be reduced, such as cutting modules and increasing health centre fees.

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has already gone back on his pre-election promise that the student charge would not increase. It has increased by €250 a year and will continue to increase to €3000 in 2015.

▣ Credit: Cathraine Batstone

Katie O’Neill Deputy News Editor

Apathy strikes again as referendum declared void Finnian Curran News Editor ONLY NINE PER CENT OF DCU’s student population voted in last weeks referendum regarding DCU Students’ Union stance on the construction of a labyrinth on campus.

The result has been deemed invalid by DCU SU’ Returning Officer, Steve Conlon, as the quorum of 1,231 was not reached.

According to DCU SU’s constitution, 10 per cent of the student body must vote for a referendum to be declared valid.

Polls were originally set to close on Thursday at 5pm but the deadline was extended by 24 hours as the quorum had not been reached.

There had been some confusion regarding the online voting system as the polls opened with regard to the title of the referendum.

“I was confused with the title of the referendum. It says on Moodle that the vote was on

whether to re-affiliate with the USI or not,” said second year student, Claire Whyte.

The referendum is a result of a petition started by student activist, Sean Cassidy, and signed by over 200 students and was presented to the SU on March 18th.

Cassidy has argued the Labyrinth has perceived religious connotations.

Speaking to The College View, Cassidy expressed his disappointment at the low turnout.

“It’s so late in the year. The SU have had plenty of time to hold this referendum earlier,” he said.

“There was 1,000 students queuing for Summer Ball tickets and they weren’t being encouraged to vote,” he continued.

The labyrinth referendum is the second referendum this year with a low student turnout. Just 12 per cent of students exercised their vote in last month’s referendum. The motion for DCU to rejoin the national student representative body was passed by the narrowest of margins, with 726 ‘Yes’ votes and 725 ‘No’ votes cast.

5

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4 NEWS@THECOLLEGEVIEW.COM

Forty scholarships will be given to new DCU students from Northern Ireland in the next academic year in an effort to strengthen North-South relations.

Read more online on www.thecollegeview.com

National Transport Authority installs bus information screens

DCU's RAW society aims to promote animal welfare

Katie Coyle News Reporter

Aoife Geary News Reporter

▣ Credit: Colin Tonge

SCREENS WITH REAL TIME bus information have been installed outside the Interfaith Centre, making long waits at the bus stop a thing of the past.

The timetables are part of a larger scheme to encourage eco travel throughout the university.

“The real time travel information displays are only a small part of the overall DCU strategy to support more sustainable transport to and from our campus,” said Chairperson of DCU’s Green Committee, Samantha Fahy.

DCU has 12,500 students and almost 1,300 staff on the main campus site, which makes it one of the largest generators of trips in North Dublin. DCU accounts for approximately 4 million journeys to and from its campus every year.

The university has committed to the implementation of a sustainability strategy, as part of the Strategic Plan 2012-2017. Core elements of the strategy will focus on transportation and the reduction of carbon emissions.

DCU joined the National Transport Authorities ‘Smarter Travel Campus Programme’ in

September 2013.

The NTA made the suggestion of putting screens with real time information in DCU early last year. Such screens have already been installed other institutions.

“The NTA have covered the cost of the displays themselves and DCU covers the minimal running costs,” said Fahy.

The university is also looking to display more real time information throughout the college.

“We are also working with

ISS and some individual units to have real time bus information displayed on TV screen across the campus. When resources allow, we will look to further improve transport information on campus.” said Fahy.

Other transport measures taken to support sustainability include the registration of DCU on carsharing.ie, the Cycle to Work Scheme for staff, 400 bike parking spaces throughout campus, free showers for students an

staff who walk or cycle to campus, and the GoCar initiative.

In the future, the scheme could see an increase of bus routes to and from the unversity.

“We are also working with the NTA to improve the Dublin Bus connectivity to DCU and understand from a recent letter from them that there will be some additional connectivity particularly along Collins Avenue from next September”, said Fahy.

DCUfm celebrates 25 years with 25 Hour Broadcast to hunt down fugitive JUST UNDER €1,000 WAS raised in aid of Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland last week after DCUfm held a 25 hour charity

broadcast, to celebrate 25 years since the launch of the radio station.

Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland offers sporting and recreational opportunities to those with cerebral palsy, as well as those with other physical disabilities.

▣ Credit: Colin Tonge

Nicole O’Connor News Reporter

News

The broadcast was presented by Shane O’ Neill and Aoife Duffy. It began at 12pm on Wednesday April 23rd and finished at 1pm on Thursday April 24th.

The broadcast was, “25 hours of just being on the radio, just chatting away” said Shane O’Neill. Like many other people involved, he said he was delighted with how the broadcast went.

“Everyone who got involved did really well.”

The idea for the broadcast came about when Emma Kavanagh, a 1st year Multimedia student, had the idea to run DCUfm Fugitive at the start of the semester, where there would be three “fugitives” roaming around the DCU campus throughout the DCUfm 25 Hour Broadcast and

giving away prizes.

Prizes given away during the 25 hours included an Electric Picnic camping ticket, a surfing trip for 2 to Bundoran, Logitech Ultimate Ears Speakers and 2 tickets to Ireland vs Turkey in the Aviva.

Emma feels sometimes DCUfm doesn’t get a lot of recognition and a lot of people do amazing work for the station. So she thought, “It was good that everyone from FM could get together and celebrate the radio station being 25 years old.”

The broadcast follows the success of the DCUfm 12hr broadcast held in October, which raised €635 for the Irish Cancer Society.

DCU HAS BECOME THE FIRST University in Dublin to set up a society dedicated to animal welfare.

RAW, Raising for Animal Welfare, aims to prevent animal cruelty and neglect through fundraising and education.

The committee is confident that they can get enough students involved to make a real impact on animal wellbeing in Ireland.

“The hope is that in October we won’t be just another society but the society to join and contribute to”, said Rachel Wheeler, RAW Chairperson.

Wheeler has been passionate about animals from a very young age. She once considered a career in veterinary medicine and is now looking forward to expressing her love of animals through the ambitious goals of RAW. “We can change how people view animals, act towards them and so, change the lives of countless animals all over Ireland,” she said.

As well as the chairperson, the RAW committee members for 2014/2015 are Ciara Green as secretary, Laura Lynch as treasurer, Katie Shaughnessy as PRO and Ciara O’Dwyer as events officer.

The society will work with a number of charities including the ISPCA, PAWS Ireland and the Blue Cross to ensure that funds raised by students will be used in the best possible way.

“We have a lot of great ideas for next year, including bringing animals on campus, lectures and hands-on volunteering,” Wheeler said.

The committee is eager to hear suggestions for possible events and campaigns from new members also.

“We believe that after ‘clubs and socs day’ we will have a lot of new members with great ideas and we can’t wait to hear them all,” Wheeler said.

To get involved in DCU’s newest society, follow RAW on Twitter @DCURaw and like DCU RAW’s Facebook page for updates and information.

6

News

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4

DCU Students’ Union Awards: for a full list of winners...

Read more online on www.thecollegeview.com

DCU Drama’s Cabaret proves a hit DCU DRAMA SOCIETY wowed audiences in The Helix last week as they journeyed back to 1930s Berlin for their production of Cabaret.

The Cabaret story follows American writer Cliff Bradshaw (Bob McQuaid) as he arrives in the German city where a vibrant nightlife scene is diminishing amidst the rise of Nazi politics and propaganda.

Emcee (Karl Francis Conyard) heads up the notorious Kit Kat Club, where Bradshaw’s English love interest Sally Bowles (Lorna Dennehy) entertains patrons.

The pair rent a room in the city from an elderly landlady Fraulein Schneider (Aoife C. Ryan), whose loneliness turns to confusion when she falls for Jewish shopkeeper Herr Schultz (Mark Young) and is conflicted between her love and her anxiety about anti-Semitic attacks.

Following on from the success of last year’s RENT, the impressive stage show received an en-

▣ Credit: James Ma cInerney

Sarah Bermingham News Reporter

thusiastic standing ovation from audience members on opening night.

Choreographer Sarah Curran told The College View she was “absolutely delighted with the feedback I’ve received so far. I’ve even been told it was up to professional standard which means a lot.”

She took inspiration for the striking routines from Bob Fosse’s 1972 cult film of the same name, which starred Liza Minnelli.

Auditions for the annual musical were held in semester one, while rehearsals began as soon as college life resumed for se-

New three-year plan aims to boost student interest in STEM subjects Nicola Ayres News Reporter STUDENT APPLICATIONS FOR science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects at third-level are set to increase as a three-year plan is launched to raise awareness about career opportunities in the STEM industry among secondary school students.

The plan was launched by Science Foundation Ireland and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton.

SFI hope to train up to 450 volunteers by 2016, to teach students about the STEM industry on roadshows and school visits throughout Ireland.

University of College Cork student, Shane O’Donnell, has been recruited by SFI to become an ambassador for Smart Futures.

O’Donnell said, “I’m excited to encourage students to consider a career in STEM, which can be very rewarding, offering a chance to make a difference in

the world and contribute to society in a meaningful way.”science DCU Science and Engineering students have also expressed their views and excitement on the launch of the Smart Futures initiative.

Matthew Nulty, an engineering student, told The College View, “I think the plan is a good idea because most students at second level need to do their own research, it would be helpful to have trained STEM professionals to inform students on the subjects.”

His classmates Liam Faulkner and Thomas Ryan agreed with Thomas adding, “there should be more talks for these courses and there should also be trips planned, for example the geography field study trips. This could help students in experiencing what it is like to work in the STEM industry”.

Science and Health Convenor, Conor Palin-Stewart, also gave his views on the Smart Futures initiative saying, “I believe that the new initiative to be launched

by Minister Richard Bruton will

mester two.

Chorus member Neil Farren played a variety of smaller roles and said he was delighted when he first heard Cabaret announced as the society’s 2014 musical.

“I got very excited. I didn’t know the musical very well but that didn’t stop me from audi-

tioning… Lately, I’ve found myself quoting lines from the show on a daily basis”, he said.

Directed by Maureen Ward and produced by Rachel Byrne in conjunction with DCU Drama, this gripping and emotive production showcased the best of DCU’s theatrical talent.

Students’ Union hosts inaugural awards ceremony

and many more.

Categories included Class Rep of the Year for every school along with Faculty Rep of the Year, Staff Member of the Year, both academic and non-academic as nominated by students, specific awards for members of the DCU Media Crew, acknowledgements to the Welfare working group and ENTS Crew and Outstanding Contribution to Student Life.

Twenty-four class reps received awards on the night including Shauna Kilbride (BNCG), who won overall Class Rep of the Year. Anni Hayes secured the Overall Media Crew Member of the Year whist Steve Conlon won the award for Contribution to student life by a staff member.

Nominations to the categories were made by the 3 sabbatical officers and members of the Office of Student Life and were discussed by the SU Damien McEvoy was the presenter along with a couple of special guests.

Finnegan hopes that the Student Union Awards will continue on to be an annual event as it “will encourage students to get involved with different aspects of student life as we are highlighting the hard work they have done throughout the year.”

Leandro Pondoc News Reporter

▣ Credit: richardbruton.ie

be a great boost to the already good up take in studying areas of science, technology, engineering and maths. The sector is still growing with increase in research and investments from multinational companies in Ireland. I can only see this new plan as a good thing, especially due to the creation of jobs from these multinational companies, which will hopefully be filled by Irish graduates due to this new initiative”.

DCU’S FIRST EVER STUDENT Union Awards were held on Tuesday April 29 to acknowledge the hard work of students throughout the year beyond clubs and societies.

The awards were created, according to Welfare Officer Lorna Finnegan, to celebrate the hardworking students involved as class reps and those running SU campaigns and thank them for their help and co-operation.

“We feel class reps and others alike put a lot of work into the running of SU campaigns and events throughout the year and we want to give them the thanks they deserve!”

Former CS student and singer/ comedian Abandonman provided the entertainment for the night.

Awards were be given to students who gave the most outstanding contribution to many aspects of the Students’ Union, including the Electoral committee, Class Rep Council, Media Crew, Welfare working group

7

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4 NEWS@THECOLLEGEVIEW.COM

IT lecturers remain “far from convinced” by the move towards technological university status. Over half of lecturers believe that their institute should not merge and apply for technological status.

Read more online on www.thecollegeview.com

Swim for Pádraig raises over €32,000 Eimear Moriarty News Reporter

NUIG hire debt collectors to recoup unpaid fees

Irish and History.

After 2 weeks in intensive care in the US, his parents brought him home to Ireland. Eventually Pádraig’s parents took the decision to move him to Germany, where he is now receiving the treatment he needs.

“Apart from being freezing in the water, we all got on very well.

There was a great sense of spirit on the bus travelling around the coast. We even got some sunny beaches,” Maria said.

Jen Ní Mhathúna, a friend of Pádraig’s took part in the swim and believed it was a fitting tribute to Pádraig.

“Pádraig is a very talented swimmer, he even represented Ireland underage. We felt that

this would be a great way to raise the funds”.

Pádraig has been in the coma since June, but he is starting to make progress; “He is moving his hands and fingers now. He is even opening his eyes and registering sound, these are good signs,” Jen said.

Event organiser Aodhán Ó Deá came up with the idea with a few other of Pádraig’s friends. The event was organised in both Irish and English, to honour Pádraig’s passion for the language.

“Pádraig is a keen gaeilgeoir so we wanted to incorporate that. I am delighted with the outcome but we need to look forward- we have a marathon next,” said Aodhán.

IT’S BEEN REVEALED THAT NUI Galway is hiring debt collection agencies to retrieve unpaid student fees.

Such a move is part of an increasing trend by Irish colleges seeking to clamp down on students defaulting on fees. The agency hired by NUIG is known to be South Western, whom the university believe to adequately represent their values.

A spokesperson for the university has said “NUIG wants to maximise the amount of overdue debt that it collects from students that have left college without fully graduating or who have dropped out of a course without paying the full financial compensation due.”

Mairéad Farrell, a spokesperson for Sinn Féin Galway East, previously described the move as “outrageous” and emphasised the enormous financial pressure students and their families face.

The University’s Students Union Welfare Officer, Declan Higgins, believes debt collection to be a “sensitive” area and that each case should be handled accordingly. The Students Union

▣ Credit: NUIGalway.ie

Shane Houlihan News Reporter

▣ Credit: Aoghan O’Dea

OVER €32,000 WAS RAISED for Pádraig Schaler, a Trinity college graduate who is receiving rehabilitative neurological care after being hit by a truck during his J1 last June.

Over 50 of his friends took part in Swim for Pádraig, a swimming fundraiser, where they swam in the shores of 17 counties over the course of 38 hours. They started out in Balbriggan on saturday 12th April, traveled north and into Connaught and Munster before concluding in Bray on the Sunday.

Pádraig Schaler’s sister was shocked by how much has been raised for her brother through the event.

“We never expected over €30,000, it’s amazing. Myself and my family are really happy with how well it has gone, we really never expected to get this amount and this much support,” Maria said.

Pádraig Schaler is currently in a coma in Germany after being knocked off his bicycle when cycling to work in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He had just completed his undergraduate studies in Trinity, where he was studying

News

say they are yet to receive complaints of excessive harassment from students by the agency.

UCD, with student numbers of over 24,000, also employ debt collectors in recouping fees that could amount to almost 1 million euro.

DCU are known to be employing a debt collection agency called Legal and Credit Management Services Ltd. DCU President, Professor Brian MacCraith, spoke last week to The College View on decreased public funding being made available to universities and this may in part explain the surge amongst colleges in debt collection.

These widespread financial pressures come at a time when student contribution fees are ever increasing and will reach a total of 3,000 euro by 2015, as per the 2013 government budget.

This is coupled with a predicted rise in student accommodation prices, particularly in the Dublin area.

Trinity opens puppy room to relieve exam stress Alison Ring News Reporter TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN'S Student Union have organised a room full of puppies to help stressed students relax and destress during exam time.

The event was run in conjunction with Peata Ireland, a charity which aims to enhance the quality of life of people in caring institutions with the use of dogs.

“It’s something we’ve been trying to for the entire year, our exams start next week so there’s high level of stress amongst the student body” said SU Welfare officer and organiser Stephen Garry.

“It’s something a little bit different and something that was really desired in the college so I’m glad we could do it.”

The puppy room was open solely to Trinity students. They didn’t have to pay but were encouraged to make donations of either €2 or €5 to Peata Therapy Dogs Ireland. They were allowed to spend between 10-15minutes with the dogs.

“The donations are not the reason we ran this in the first place, we’ve no target per say but I think what’s really beneficial for Peata is the publicity, it’s gained a lot of national media coverage which is obviously fantastic for the organisation” explained Garry.

The event was the first of its kind in Irish Universities but was an initiative started in the US universities a few years ago.

There were over two thousand five hundred attendees on the Trinity SU’s Facebook event.

Final year student Eoin Egan was very much looking forward to the event saying “I think it's a brilliant idea. The reason it's so popular is because we're all stressed out. Trinity, in its wisdom, puts all our exams at the end of the year.”

A snapchat account was set up on the day under the name ‘TCDbarks’ to keep students across the country who couldn’t attend up to the date with all the action throughout the day.

▣ Credit: galleryhip.com

Corrections

Issue 11 April 16th

The College View would like to apologise to Ferdia Mooney who was wrongly referred to as female in 'Sober as a...student?'. This was due to a sub-editing error.

8

Opinion

“

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4

It can be daunting as a first year to sign up and attend straight off the mark. As the weeks pass, it can then become even more difficult to get involved when it seems that everyone has already found their place.

Commit to committee or regret it

pect, you should remember that everyone in the room is there for the same reason that you are. Whether you are successful in your committee bid or not, the fact of putting yourself out there can only be beneficial to you in the long run. Also remember that just because you didn’t succeed in your first attempt, doesn’t mean you can’t go for something else. In previous years people have ran for numerous positions before find-

ing on a society committee can take up a lot of your time, the rewards you receive more than make up for this. Not only can you gain insightful experience into your chosen career, you are also bound to make a lot of new friends who will all become important contacts. Society life can also directly lead to employment - holding a committee spot looks great on a CV, it shows that you're willing to go the extra mile by immersing yourself

ing what was right for them.

However, if elected, you will be surprised at how easy it is to become involved in something that you are passionate about. In fact, I believe that running for a spot on a committee is the best thing that you can do throughout your time a college.

You may ask, what’s in it for me? Whilst it’s true that be-

society life.

The benefits don’t stop there; running for a committee position can also improve your academic standing. Ever heard of the Uaneen module? Uaneen is a voluntary module that depending on your degree, can count for extra credits. It is completely based on your extracurricular involvement.

Last year, Eve Kerton was the DCU Society officer and this year she will be acting as the DCU Welfare Officer. Eve says, ‘getting involved in club and society life is the best thing you'll do in DCU. Your fellow dancers/ footballers/Friends enthusiasts etc, become your family away from home. You bond with these people over common interests, become fit from rehearsals and utilise your time in college.

There's more to life than assignments and going on the beer, club and society life allows you to become the best person you can be, maximising your potential, maintaining your physical and mental health and giving you endless opportunities. So get up, get out, and get involved.’

When put like that, it's impossible to argue with right?

In my opinion, if you don’t get involved in society life, it will be your biggest regret when you look back on your time spent at DCU. Ruth Marnell is a final year Journalism student who attributes her biggest college mistake to not getting involved more in clubs and societies - ‘I’ve seen how much fun my friends involved in society life have. I feel I missed out on a large chunk of college life. It would definitely be the one thing I would change about my experience.’

For those of you who have a second chance to get involved, seize it. There are so many roles to occupy, from Chairperson to Events Officer, that it is almost a certainty that you will find your place. Whether it is Style Soc or Saint Vincent de Paul Soc, there truly is something for everyone.

So what are you waiting for?

regard for any man or woman who desperately wants a child or has suffered a loss.

Over 6,000 people have signed an online petition urging Channel Five not to cast Cunningham, while viewers have also threatened to boycott the show if she appears.

It seems even Team Cunningham are against her appearance on the reality television show, with Cunningham's manager Rob Cooper tweeting ‘I must be one of the only managers in the UK/World who is hoping one of their clients doesn’t get selected for a TV show.’ Doesn’t it say it all when someone in your own camp speaks out against you?

Josie first came to the public attention when it emerged that she had conned the NHS into paying for a breast enlargement

in order to further her glamour modeling career. She then hit the headlines once again with the revelation that she had become an escort. This will be the third time the wannabe model has been heavily criticised in the media.

The most distressing part of this whole story is that if she does in fact choose to keep the baby, it will most certainly know that its mother was on the verge of giving it up for a shot at fame.

If she doesn’t, her two children will know that their mother decided to have an abortion for her five minutes of glory. It truly is a lose lose situation.

However, it seems that Josie Cunningham will do anything for a place in the spotlight. A word of advice Josie, be careful what you wish for.

FROM YOUR FIRST DAY OF college it is drilled into you to get involved in DCU clubs and societies. Often it is drummed into you so much that ironically, you don’t bother.

It can be daunting as a first year to sign up and attend straight off the mark. As the weeks pass, it can then become even more difficult to get involved when it seems that everyone has already found their place. Essentially, it can be one viscous circle.

However, you should remember that it’s never too late.

Over the next two weeks, all club’s and societies will be holding their AGM’s. For anyone not in the know, an AGM is a society meeting where committee spots

▣ Marie Monnelly’s speech for fotosoc AGM | Credit: Colin Tonge

Claudia Gocoul is a final year Journalism student from Wexford.

are up for grabs.

In order to stand for a position, you only require two votes from other society members. Following a nomination, a few words on why you would be good at the job will suffice. This is then followed by a secret ballot While making a speech in front of a room full of people may seem like a daunting pros-

Fame vs Family IN 2014, IT WOULD APPEAR that there is nothing some people won’t do for their five minutes of fame. Never has this been clearer than this week, with aspiring glamour model Josie Cunningham’s shocking confession that she will undergo an abortion in order to appear on Celebrity Big Brother.

During an interview with The Mirror, Cunningham confessed that fame was more important to her than the life of her unborn baby. The 23-year-old fame junkie claims that Channel 5 approached her about starring on the reality show, but were put off upon realising that she was pregnant.

The mother of two went as far as telling the newspaper, ‘an abortion will further my career.

This time next year I won’t have a baby. Instead, I’ll be famous driving a bright pink Range Rover and buying a big house. Nothing will get in my way.’

Is Cunningham ruthless in her search for fame or just delusional and in need of help?

The majority of people online think it is the former. Countless celebrities and appalled members of the public have expressed their outrage, with one twitter user branding the situation, ‘a new low for humanity’. Glamour model and mother of two Nicola McLean, has spoken out vehe-

Claudia Gocoul is a final year Journalism student from Wexford.

mently against Cunningham.

The former Big Brother star has sparked a war of words by tweeting, ‘Totally outraged reading about that stupid slag that wants an abortion so she can go on big brother. She doesn’t deserve children.’

Cunningham’s statements have clearly struck a chord with McLean, who publicly suffered a miscarriage last year. The statement also shows a flagrant dis-

9

“

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4 OPINIONS@THECOLLEGEVIEW.COM

Surely an offer of exclusivity was not that rare of an occurrence as to warrant such a vague and casual offer so appealing?

Opinion

Keeping it Casual - one big wind up?

Christine Allen is the Opinions Editor of the College View

"LET’S JUST GO WITH THE wind.”

This was the response I recently received regarding my request for exclusivity with a girl I had been on a number of dates with. To say that I found her response unexpected (and not just due to the meteorological reference), would be accurate.

The weeks leading up to that particular conversation had consisted of daily Facebook messages in which we had expressed a mutual liking for one another, coupled (oh the irony of that word) with hours spent hanging out. So what had gone wrong?

Initially, I viewed her response as a massive red flag. After all, I quite liked this girl and wasn’t too keen on the idea of some airy fairy 'relationship lite' scenario that could leave me open to getting hurt. However, before I made any decision on the matter, a friend’s advice stopped me in my tracks. "Maybe I’m just a cynic” He began, “but that seems like more than what most are offering."

At first, I dismissed his claim that her suggestion was 'more than what most' were bringing to the table. Surely an offer of exclusivity was not that rare of an occurrence as to warrant such a vague and casual offer so appealing? With this, I decided to turn to other friends for their opinions on the matter.

"I'm in my mid 20's, in a new city - I love dating a couple of people." 25 year old Actuarial student Claire Mullan states.

"I'm happy to be seeing someone who is also seeing others - less chance of drama.” while 19 year old Multimedia student *Jane says "I like to keep things casual.

You don’t have the stress of worrying about how the other person is feeling all the time."

According to About.com Dat-

▣ Credit: Huffington Post.

ing, what my friends (and the girl) were referring to is 'Casual Dating.' This can be defined as "an interaction between two people who are looking to get to know one another better, without commitments or promises."

It should be noted that casual dating can and often does include sex.

Taking it one step further, across the water, UK entrepreneur Thomas Thurlow has tapped into the youth of today’s preference for all things 'casual' with the release of ShagUni.com.

Set up in 2012 and boasting 2,000 new student subscriptions each day, the site advertises itself as "a space for students to get laid on any night of the week" without "any of the strings attached with dating."

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not a prude. But is keeping it casual really the healthiest option?

Despite the assertion made

by Engineering student *Sam

that a casual 'dalliance' can in fact be a "confidence booster", a new study claims that college students who have such casual 'relationships' report higher levels of anxiety and depression. The study itself, contained in The Journal of Sex Research, surveyed 3,400 heterosexuals, revealing that 11% had engaged in casual sex in the last month.

In her new book, The End of Sex: How Hookup Culture is Leaving a Generation Unhappy, Sexually Unfulfilled, and Confused About Intimacy, author Donna Freitas writes 'Hookup culture teaches young people that to become sexually intimate means to become emotionally empty.' In a survey she conducted whilst researching her book, out of the students who reported hooking up, 41 percent used words such as “regretful,” “empty,” “miserable,” “disgusted,” “ashamed,” “duped” and even “abused” to describe their experience.

In regard to the risks of STD's being transmitted, a survey conducted by the University of College Cork found that more than half of students do not use contraception for every sexual encounter, while two thirds have never been tested for a sexually transmitted disease. The survey also found that only 10% of students had not had sex within the past year.

However when it comes to getting naked, this is where Claire draws the line. "Don't get me wrong, I'm no bed hopper.

Kisses are one thing but...call me old fashioned, I only like to sleep with someone that I'm genuinely interested in."

So, what are the rules when it comes to all things casual? Does either party have the right to know what the other is up to?

Is jealousy a deal breaker? And most importantly, can casual dating ever turn into something more substantial?"

"Two things are very impor-

tant," points out 23 year old Sexuality student Milena. "One, that you respect each other and two, that both people want the same thing. It's no good if someone is compromising for casual if they want committed or vice versa."

While setting boundaries and communication are important aspects when involved in any form of a relationship, I cant help but view one parties request to 'Keep things casual' as inherently selfish. I also find it hard to believe that two people can be intimate and/or spend time together without becoming attached. And if they can, is that really something to celebrate?

In my opinion, 'Keeping it Casual' is a recipe for disaster. So, unless the girl referred to at the start of this article is interested in offering something more tangible, or at the very least clarifies what she means by 'go with the wind', the only arrangement I will be agreeing to will be friends - minus the benefits.

10

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4

Gaeilge

Cuireadh tús leis an Lá Dearg nuair a dhear an eagraíocht Gael Force Art na focail “AN LÁ DEARG” ar an Sliabh Dubh

An slua bailithe i mBeal Feirste don Lá Dearg | CREDIT: Killian Barrett

Na Mílte Gael Ag Siúl Ar Son Na Gaeilge Barra Ó Scannláin Leas-Eagarthóir Gaelach

MEASTAR GUR SHIÚL TIMpeall 10,000 Gael ar son cearta, cothromas, agus cóir don Ghaeilge i mBéal Feirste Dé Sathairn 12 Aibreán. Eagraíodh an mórshiúl seo mar chuid d’fheachtas náisiúnta ar son cearta teanga do lucht na Gaeilge in achan chearn den tír. Tá cúpla chúis leis an fheachtas seo; easpa cearta, easpa measa, easpa seirbhísí, agus an chúis ba mhó ná gurb éigean don Choimisinéir Teanga Seán Ó Cuirreáin éirí as a phost de bharr nach raibh an Rialtas ag tabhairt puinn tacaíochta dó nó do chúis na Gaeilge. I mí Feabhra eagraíodh mórshiúl darb ainm Lá Mór na Gaeilge agus bhí an Lá Dearg i gcomharba air.

Cuireadh tús leis an Lá Dearg nuair a dhear an eagraíocht Gael Force Art na focail “AN LÁ DEARG” ar an Sliabh Dubh. Bhí sé le feiceáil go furast ó Iarthar na Cathrac, an Ceathrú Gaeltachta, an áit ar thosaigh an mórshiúl. I

lár na Ceathrún, lasmuigh den Chultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, bhailigh na sluaite Gaeil le chéile agus thug aghaidh ar an siúlóid dhá mhíle chuig Cearnóg Teach an Chustaim. Is ansin a labhair cuid mhaith cainteoirí don slua; gasúr ó Rann na Feirste a rinne aithris ar dhán dá chuid féin, girseach ó Dhoire a labhair faoin ghá le meánscoil sa chontae, múinteoir agus máthair ó Dhún Geannain a thug óráid faoin dóigh

a bhunaigh sí Gaelscoil sa cheantar, agus faoi dheireadh ceann de phríomh-ghníomhaithe na Tuaiscirt, Caoimhe Ní Chathail, a labhair go hionsporáideach agus go bríomhar paiseanta faoi caidé atá i ndan don teanga amach anseo.

Bhí ceol agus damhsa ar an stáitse fosta, agus go leor doirne san aer, spreagtha ag Tomaí Ó Conghaile, fear an tí ar an lá.

Bíodh is gur mórshiúl síochánta ar fad a bhí sa Lá Dearg, bhí dornán beag frithagóidithe ag seasamh i lár na cathrach, cuid acu ag déanamh comhartha Naitsíoch.

Dílseoirí antoiseacha a bhí iontu, agus fiú bhí bratach an Aontais le feiceáil á chrochadh ag duEadaoin Nic Mhuiris agus Barra O Scannláin | CREDIT: Caoimhe Ní ine acu. Níor Chathail

“

chuir siad isteach ar an mhórshiúl, College View le Caoimhe faoi áfach, agus ní fhacthas foréigean agus nochtaigh sí go raibh “acainní ag dul thart”. “Táimid á mbailiú le tabhairt suas daofa [dóibh], beimid ag cur litreacha chuig na páirtithe ag lorg cruinniú leo,” a dúirt sí.

Rinneadh ionadaíocht mhaith ar son DCU ag an mhórshiúl; Bhí ceol agus d’fhreastal ceathrar baill de damhsa ar an choiste an Chumainn Ghaelaigh, ag iompar brataí leis na focail stáitse fosta, agus “DCU Ag Siúl Ar Son Na Gaeilge” go leor doirne san uirthi. Úsáideadh an bhratach nuair a rinneadh ionadaíocht ar aer, spreagtha ag son DCU ag Lá Mór na Gaeilge i Tomaí Ó Conghaile, mBaile Átha Cliath i mí Feabhra fosta. fear an tí ar an lá. ar bith an lá ar fad.

Agus Caoimhe Ní Chathail thuas ar an stáitse ag beannú an tslua, luaigh sí trí phríomh-éileamh a bhí leis an Lá; Acht na Gaeilge sna sé chontae, córas cuimsithe oideachais (meánscoil i gcontae Dhoire), agus acmhainní cuí do Phobal na Gaeilge sna sé chontae.

Dúirt sí i ndiaidh sin uilig, narbh sin ach tús an scéil. Labhair The

Gluaiseanna Na Mílte Gael Ag Siúl Ar Son Na Gaeilge feachtas = campaign doirne = fists ionadaíocht = representation

11

“

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4 GAELIGE@THECOLLEGEVIEW.COM

Gaeilge

Ní thig liom na focail chuí a fháil chun cur síos a dhéanamh ar an chlaochlú ar mo shaol a bhuí leis an Michaela Foundation

Mo Thaithí den Michaela Foundation Aoífe Ní Shiadháil Rannpháirtí AR AN 10 EANÁIR 2011 BAIneadh stangadh as pobal an Chumann Lúthchleas Gael agus an saol Fódlach nuair a scaipeadh an scéal go raibh Michaela McAreavey imithe ar shlí na fírinne.

Mar iníon Mickey Harte; bainisteoir foireann peile Thír Eoghain, mar mhúinteoir meánscoile, mar chara, mar dheirfiúr agus mar iar-iomaitheoir de chuid an Rose of Tralee, bhí áit speisialta ag Michaela i go leor croíthe cé nach raibh ach seacht mbliana is fiche slánaithe aici.

Bunaíodh an Michaela Foundation go gairid ina dhiaidh sin agus cuireann sé gliondar croí orm cé chomh mór atá sí ag dul ó neart go neart lá i ndiaidh lae a fheiceáil.

An aidhm atá ag an Michaela Foundation ná leagáid Michaela a choinneáil beo agus í a úsáid le haos óg na tíre a spreagadh.

Tá tuairim ag an Fhondúireacht go bhfuil an cumas ag daoine óga bomaití beoga, draíochtacha, inspioráideacha a chruthú go fochomhfhiosach.

Lá cinniúnach a bhí ann dom nuair a fuair mé scairt fóin le hinsint dom go raibh mé roghnaithe i gcuideachta cúigear eile le duais speisialta a fháil ón Fhondúireacht Michaela. Tugtar ‘Scolairí Michaela’ orainn agus an ról atá againn ná a bheith mar ambasadóirí don Fhondúireacht inár gcoláistí éagsúla agus an teachtaireacht a scaipeadh i measc ár gcomhscolairí.

Bíonn blag le scríobh achan mhí againn, ag cur síos ar ár gcéad bhliain ar an ollscoil. Go dtí seo tá cur síos déanta agam féin ar an athrú idir an mheánscoil agus an ollscoil, ag bogadh ón bhaile go dtí an chathair mhór gan foscadh mo thuismitheoirí, mo scileanna cócaireachta millteanacha agus ag glacadh mo chreideamh liom chuig an choláiste. Fosta, tá cur síos déanta agam ar mo ran-

npháirtíocht leis an Chumann Gaelach, DCUSVP agus Sober Soc agus taithí réadóra ar an saol sóisialta.

An aisling atá ag an Fhondúireacht ná na luachanna a bhí tábhachtach do Mhichaela a choinneáil beo. Bean le spiorad dea-mhéineach a bhí in Michaela, a chuaigh i bhfeidhm ar chuile dhuine a tháinig sí i dteagmháil leo. Bhí sí ina dia beag agamsa agus mé ag fás aníos mar gheall ar an dóigh a d’iompar sí í féin agus an stádas a bhí aici mar réadóir.

D’éirigh léi saol iomlán agus sásta a chaitheamh gan cuidiú ar bith ó alcól nó drugaí agus is é sin atá ar intinn agam féin fosta. Bhí ceangal daingean docht ag creideamh Michaela leis an saol a chaith sí agus chreid sí go láidir gurbh é an chúis go raibh sí chomh sona sásta sin. Bhí grá aici don Ghaeilge agus bhí sí i gcónaí fíor-bhródúil as a fhéiniúlacht Ghaelach. Thar gach rud eile áfach, rinne sí a dhícheall gach lá sult a bhaint as an

‘Scolaire Michaela’ Aoífe Ní Shiadháil; mac léinn de chuid DCU | CREDIT: Una Kelly

saol.

Ní thig liom na focail chuí a fháil chun cur síos a dhéanamh ar an chlaochlú ar mo shaol a bhuí leis an Michaela Foundation.

Tá borradh tagtha faoi mo féinmhúinín agus faoin mhisneach atá agam seasamh suas do na rudaí atá tábhachtach dom agus ní

thig liom buíochas go leor a ghabháil le muintir na Fondúireachta a thug an seans speisialta seo dom. Tá saol an mhadaidh bháin a chaitheamh agam anois. Tá mé ag baint sult as m’am anseo i DCU agus, gan amhras, go fada buan a bheidh.

a bhí muid ag iarraidh.”

Nuair a chuir mé ceist faoina gcuid pleananna don chéad chúpla mí eile, do phromóisean agus réamhtheachtas an albaim, dúirt Michael Fortune go mbeidh neart ceolchoirmeacha ar siúl acu ach go raibh na hamhráin úra a seinm acu le sé nó seacht mí cheana. “Is ealaíontóir tú agus tú i mbun al-

a deir sé.

Cinnte go bhfuil Storyfold ina siamsóirí. Seó den scoth a bhí ann an oíche sin i Leitir Ceanainn. “Is cuma liom más ar a gcosa a bhí an slua le deich n-uaire anuas nuair a théann muid féin ar an stáitse. Tá fios maith agam go bhfuil na hamhráin chuí againn chun iad a chur na bhaile agus meangaidh móra ar a n-aghaidh” a insíonn Paddy Mc Kenna dom.

Sin fealsúnacht an bhanna; go mbeidh am den chéad scoth ag an slua ag ceolchoirmeacha an bhanna. Tá an pobal ag teacht chucu oíche Aoine nó oíche Shathairn tar éis seachtain fhada oibre nó scoile agus tá sé mar fhreagracht ag an bhanna cinntiú go mbaineann siad taitneamh as an am sin caite amach as baile. Ag deireadh an lae, scarfaidh daoine deá-scéal fúthu más rath é an cheolchoirm.

Mar a deir Paddy, “Ní Rocket Science é!”

Caidé an Scéal? … Le Storyfold Caoimhe Ní Chathail Eagarthóir Gaelach

AR CHÚL STÁITSE, I MEASC trealaimh agus uirlisí buailim le Paddy Mc Kenna agus Michael Fortune ón bhanna ceoil Storyfold.

Bunaithe sa bhliain 2009 ag Paddy i mBaile Átha Cliath (cé gur ó Liatroim ó dhúchas é), tá rath mórthaibhseach tagtha faoin bhanna ó shin. D’eisigh an banna EP úr s’acu The Underpass an mhí seo. Seo an chéad saothar ceoil uathu óna albam Rocket Science sa bhliain 2011. Tá albam taifeadta ag an bhanna ach mar a deir Paddy, ba mhaith leo an ceol úr a thástáil leis an EP úr seo ar dtús. Cuireann sé síos ar cheithre amhrán The Underpass; The Underpass, Michael, Beech Row agus True Love Never Lies mar “ionadaíocht mhaith de mhóid an albaim”.

Leis an chuma ar an scéal go

mbeidh albam iomlán leo ag teacht de dhílseacht an chúigear don alamach i dtreo deiridh na bliana, ba bam. Cé go dtiocfadh le hamhrán phroiséas dearfach é tairgeadh an úr tosaigh le rif giotáir ó Michael Fortune nó liric le Paddy Mc Kenna, bheadh obair ollmhór curtha isteach ag an bhanna iomlán ansin. Fuascailt na faidhbe d’easpa ama baill an bhanna nó na bunsmaointí seo a fhorbairt le chéile mar aonad, iad a thaifeadadh agus forbairt déanta go haonarach orthu i rith na seachtaine roimh an chéad seisiún eile an tseachtain dár gcionn.

Aontaíonn an bheirt liom go bhfuil athrú tagtha ar fhuaim an bhanna. Míníonn Michael nach raibh sé sa bhanna ach ar feadh ocht seachtaine nó mar sin roimh eisiúint Rocket Science sa bhliain 2011. Tá sé de thuairim ag Paddy mar sin nach raibh forbairt iomStoryfold ag seinm i Leitir Ceanainn lán déanta acu ar línte giotáir na CREDIT: Caoimhe Ní Chathail hamhráin. Ar an EP seo áfach, “Tá saothar i súile Paddy. Chaith siad i bhfad níos mó, tuilleadh faobbeagnach bliain go leath air, lena hair.” Tá na bun-gnéithe ann go gcuid amhráin ar fad scríofa ag fóill ar ndóigh. “Liricí maithe, séStoryfold iad féin. Is ráiteas é sin iseanna maithe láidre, crúcaí; sin Mo Thaithí den Michaela Foundation

Gluaiseanna

leagáid = legacy fondúireacht = foundation claochlú = transformation

“

Cinnte go bhfuil Storyfold ina siamsóirí. Seó den scoth a bhí ann an oíche sin i Leitir Ceanainn.

bam a chumadh agus is siamsóir tú agus tú ag cur seónna ar siúl”

Caidé an Scéal? … Le Storyfold táirgeadh = production réamhtheachtas = anticipation siamsóir = entertainer

12

Features

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4

It has been a crazy, jam-packed, fun-filled year for most of us here at DCU. Amidst the chaos and craic, the students of DCU still made time for a little charity.

Sweet Charity Catherine Devine Features Editor

FROM THE BEGINNING OF semester one the SU has been raising money for their chosen charities CARI, HeadstARTS and Smiles for Shauna. Discount cards were sold to students in October with all profits going to charity. At Halloween, the SU went trick or treating around campus in return for donations.

C-RAG-GY week was also hosted by the SU in which a series of Father Ted themed events were held to raise more funds for their charities. At Christmas time, the SU staged a 24 hour sleep-out on campus. From these events in semester one, the SU raised over €5,000 for their charities.

The highlight of Charity Week in semester two was the Mock Wedding hosted by the SU. Students saw Lorna getting married off and enjoyed a night’s craic in the name of charity. Over €8000

was raised from this week alone.

In an interview with the College View, Lorna said: “At the beginning of the year our target was to raise €10,000 and I’m delighted to have reached and passed this target.”

The St. Vincent de Paul society also worked hard this year to make DCU a more charitable place. With two soup runs in the city every week, a local kids’ club and ‘Adopt a Grandparent’, the society was busy with volunteering. On top of their weekly activities, they hosted a 24 hour sleep-out in March.

The Chairperson of SVP, Claire McManamon, told The College View that, “this event was not just a fundraising activity, but an awareness event also. It captures the spirit of the society and of DCU as a whole. If it wasn’t for the co-operation of estates and the enthusiasm of students it would never have been possible.

Our night under the stars is always filled with fun, stories and

music”. The event which is in its third year has raised more than €5000 for the society to date. The society also held two appeals at Christmas for food and toys.

This event is new to the society and was a great success due to

“

Rumble took place and was a success for the society. In December, RAG teamed up with Art soc, Esoc and the Style society to hold DCU’S Little Christmas. Candy canes were sold and delivered by Santa and his Elf with proceeds going to charity. In March, RAG relief took place with five of DCU’s best comedians performing standup, followed by a performance from Fred Cooke. All profits from RAG relief were donated to GROW Ireland. RAGon’s Den was also a success for RAG this year. Students were given the chance to show their social project ideas in front of a panel of judges, including co-founder of RAG Ireland, Daithí de Buitléir. €800 was given to three winning social projects. This month, the society held a Father Ted style

This event was not just a fundraising activity, but an awareness event also. It captures the spirit of the society and of DCU as a whole.

the generosity shown by the students and staff.

DCU RAG has held various events throughout the year for charity. The Underwear Mile in October saw students running around campus in their underwear and raised over €500. For the third year in a row, RAG

Credit: Media crew member James MacInerney (above), DCUSVP (top right),DCURAG (bottom right)

‘Lovely Ladies’ competition in order to raise more money. The society held the annual ‘RAG Awards’, where volunteers were awarded for their hard work this year.

MPS also raised funds this year for charity. Their 24 hour TV broadcast raised over €5000

for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and they managed to have great craic in the process. Last week they also marked the 25 year anniversary of DCUfm and had a 25 hour radio broadcast to raise funds for Celebral Palsy Sport Ireland.

DCU Global Brigades have had a great year for charity work.

This year they’ve sent 87 students to Ghana and Panama on brigade programmes such as water, public health, microfinance and human rights. The funds raised for these trips were close to €150,000. These brigades have had a lasting impact on all of the volunteers and have helped those less fortunate to get their basic needs.

Enactus DCU prides itself on its charity work. Their project HeadstARTS empowers and enables people with intellectual disabilities through the arts.

HeadstARTS is one of the SU’s chosen charities for the year.

They also launched an AfricanIrish accessories line where profits help to improve the lives of asylum seekers in Ireland.

Enactus DCU are also working on a project called ‘Thrifity’, which enables charity shops to sell books online. This project has received a €5000 investment from Enterprise Ireland.

Although it has been a busy year filled with many highs and lows, charity was not forgotten among the students of DCU. The incredible selfless acts undertaken by many students this year continue to make DCU a caring and charitable place for us all.

13

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4 FEATURES@THECOLLEGEVIEW.COM

Features

Life lessons on a cubicle wall Credit: Pinterest.com Jade O’Leary Deputy Features Editor IF SOMEBODY SAID THE word ‘graffiti’ you would automatically think of crude expletives, various people being called names and countless drawings of the male genitalia. Train stations, public toilets, bus stops and side streets are defiled by hateful comments and vulgar language. It causes disapproving ‘tuts’ from old ladies, and mothers to cover their children’s eyes for fear that they will learn the F word before their time.

It’s refreshing, therefore, to enter the ladies’ toilet cubicles in The Hub only to be greeted by positive messages and inspirational quotes. You might as well make the most of your trip to the bathroom by uplifting your spirits and boosting your selfconfidence.

These particular cubicle doors and walls promote a positive message to the students of DCU to love themselves for who they are, because everybody is fabulous in their own way. Every toilet stall has a cartoon of a flower with the caption “You’re a pretty flower”. Another wall reads: “your appearance does not define your worth” – which is quite a lovely sentiment to mull over while sitting on the loo.

The Hub toilets are used for freedom of expression. From “I

like girls and boys. That does not make me greedy or mean that I’m looking for attention” to “Why can’t I just f*** someone who isn’t a loser?” there’s definitely a door in there that you can relate with. It gives a heartwarming sense of unity amongst

“

‘sexperts’ are looking out for the welfare of their fellow students.

The Hub graffiti reminds girls to never feel pressured into doing anything you don’t want to.

Remember, it’s “Your body, your rules”.

Along with being a tool for boosting self-esteem, having your voice heard and getting a free sex education class, these

to spell the word ‘diarrhoea’ this particular cubicle is your man.

“Misspelling diarrhoea can happen to anyone.” So don’t let it get you down.

Although defacing college property is not advised, and you should probably refrain from doing so, it has to be said that this kind of graffiti is a lot more tolerable than your regular mind-

People are very philosophical with their pants around their ankles.”

the female population of DCU. The cubicles are also advocators of safe sex. We are told to “Think choices. Think contraception. Think protection.”, and informed that “Being on the pill doesn’t protect you from an STD!!” You know, just in case that particular nugget of information hasn’t been bet into your mind since SPHE classes in secondary school. It’s nice to know that these anonymous

cubicles let you know that you are not alone. Perhaps strategically placed beside the Niteline advertisements are the supportive words “Depression can happen to anyone. Help is available.”

It might seem trivial because it is scrawled on a bathroom wall, but behind the graffiti here is probably a person who has suffered and is letting you know you are not alone.

If you have struggled with how

less vandalism. And it’s not just the girls’ bathroom that is covered in fun-filled, handwritten cubicle banter.

The boys’ toilets situated in The Hub have also been affected by this light-hearted graffiti craze. However their walls and doors are not half as cute and self-affirming as their ladies’ loo counterparts. One cubicle is home to an ongoing game entitled “Describe your poo with

a movie title”. For those of you that are wondering, “Superbad”, “The Fast and the Furious” and “The Longest Yard” are all strong contenders. This piece of vandalism undoubtedly makes the mundane chore of going to the bathroom a lot more interesting for the male students.

Films appear to be a recurring theme in the gentlemen’s toilets, with the quote “For relaxing times, make it Santori time” from the movie ‘Lost in Translation’, written above one of the urinals. Thanks to this, chuckling to a Bill Murray quote while standing at a urinal must be one of life’s greatest bonding experiences.

Good-vibe graffiti is what sets DCU’s lavatories apart from the regular, boring, graffiti covered toilets of the world. There aren’t many toilet doors that can cause you to crack a smile, or many cubicle walls that you’ll actually be anticipating what will be scribbled on them next. Positive, humorous, clever and thoughtprovoking, this is possibly the best kind of anti-social behaviour (but again, it is still not advised that you should engage in defacing college property).

We’ll leave you with one last quote from the boys’ bathroom, written by a very observant occupant: “People are very philosophical with their pants around their ankles.”

14

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4

Features

Fresher of the Year

Aoibheann Diver Contributor

What a year it has been Jordan Kavanagh Contributor

THE LAST TWO SEMESTERS flew by in the blink of an eye but they definitely left their Getting to know the kids and impressions and memories upon A HUGE PART OF the college watching them improve each the student body. It seems that experience is joining and being week has been very rewarding freshers’ fortnight was just active members of societies. for Eoin Lúc. The group recorded underway, and now here we are, First year journalism student the kids’ music recently which at the summer ball.

Eoin Lúc Ó Ceallaigh they are going to use Now that the awards season has done exactly that. to make a CD for each is coming to an end, it is great The 19-year-old from of them to take home. to look back on all the brilliant Carlow was recently “It took a lot of moments that made the year. named Best Fresher organising and Such standouts include the at the BICS awards, I’ve met some planning but “Anchorman” video that went where he got national it was very fantastic viral and nights out like Shite recognition for his worthwhile and Night which has become a staple participation and people I’d recommend of the DCU student’s weekly dedication to societal to everybody to outings. through my life. get involved in President elect Kenneth Browne involvement In an interview with the RAG social spoke fondly of his campaigning The College View, with RAG.” projects, as it’s in the recent student elections but Eoin Lúc said: “I was one of the most told The College View that “one delighted when I found worthwhile of my favourite events has to be out that I’d won and then things you’ll do DCU’s Best Dance Crew.

I can’t when RAG won the best in DCU, ” he told The College think of any other event that society in a charity/civic field, View. pulls in students from so many we were celebrating all over Another of his highlights was different clubs and societies to again. It was a great night.” helping to organise the RAG Eoin Lúc also won Most Rumble, which was the society’s Promising Fresher at the DCU biggest event of the year, which society awards on March 27. “I took place in the Venue in didn’t even know there were awards until I was told that RAG December.

“I’ve met some fantastic were nominating me for it,” he people through my involvement told The College View. with RAG. I’ve had the chance When coming to DCU, Eoin to get involved in all aspects of Lúc joined a “ridiculous amount the society too. ” of societies” but is especially Eoin Lúc joined MPS with the involved in RAG and MPS. intention of focusing on DCUfm “I was elected onto the events but also became a part of DCUtv team of RAG at the start of the “more by accident than anything year and I’ve been involved in else”.

He has since learned how organising events all year,” says to film and edit videos, which Eoin Lúc. He also took on the has been a huge help to his roles of the first year rep when course. the original one had to take a step His new media skills have also back. helped him with other societies, Eoin Lúc’s highlight of his first as he explained, “I’ve been able year in DCU was setting up Rag to make videos to promote RAG Rhythms, his own social project too.”Eoin Lúc doubts he’ll join in Ballymun. He organises a any new societies next year but group to go to the Aisling Project plans on staying very involved in Ballymun every Tuesday to teach music to children. with his current ones.

“

the one place for the one cause.

Everyone is stepping out of their comfort zone, trying something new and having a great laugh. I look forward to it next year.”

We’ve had so many great events throughout the year, like the Mock Wedding, RAG Relief (am I right?) and the Hybrids. Dramas and shows like “Cabaret”, “the Panto”, “Strictly Come DCU” and the MPS 24 hour broadcast, which raised over €5000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation, really show how much hard work and planning go into these events to make them so great.

Just last week the DCUfm 25 Hour Broadcast was underway.

Aoife Duffy, co-host and a final year communications student, told The College View: “Working on the broadcast, although challenging, was a really rewarding experience.

I loved getting to spend that

much time in the studio and working on such a variety of shows.”

Exam season has hit the college and with it, it has brought tough times for most students. All-nighters, trying to make a deadline, and going to a crowded library are common features of this time. However once they finish, summer can finally begin and all the hard work leads to great celebrations.

Throughout the year we’ve had ups and we’ve had downs.

We’ve had great nights and we’ve had Shite Nights. We’ve had controversies, falling outs and referendums that have come down to one single vote. We’ve had lazy sunny days in the park and we’ve had days were the rain just wouldn’t end. It has been eventful to say the least, full of highs and lows, but thankfully the good times have outweighed the bad.

Credit: Conor Palin - Stewart

15

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4 FEATURES@THECOLLEGEVIEW.COM

Ten years ago, television was that massive box in the corner of the sitting room. It was as long as it was wide, this huge mammoth black casket that absorbed any light around it.

Features

Mass Media’s Migration Kevin Kelly Contributor

Fast forward to today and television is not a physical presence. It has become an idea

NOW MORE THAN EVER, we crave entertainment, especially of the moving picture kind. Getting home from a long day studying or working, we want to lose ourselves in the stories we’d see on television. Then along came the most disruptive tool humanity has probably made, the internet.

The internet made a generation of now.

We are impatient. Sitting down with a television magazine, using a tiny pen from the bookies to circle what we want to watch for the week ahead just doesn’t cut it anymore. We want to watch shows or movies whenever we want, not whenever RTÉ wants to put it on. The internet has spoiled us.

Now, finally, television and movie producers are starting to realise this.

They still need as many of our eyeballs as they can get to watch what they put out, but our eyeballs are slowly starting to roll away from the television screen.

They need to follow us, and they’re finally doing that.

Netflix wasn’t the company we know today when it began. It would originally mail you out DVDs that you would have to play on a DVD

player hooked up to a television then mail the discs back to them, like some kind of Neanderthal man. Now, the Netflix we all know and love is a goliath of television programming, and you cannot see it on everyday TV. You need an internet connection.

Netflix’s decision to start making its own original programming was the turning point. Before, it was nice to have a service where you could watch what you want (as long as they had it) when you wanted it. But along came House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, a new season of Arrested Development. These are must watch television programmes, available only online. A revolution had begun.

This was the point that television graduated. No more was it confined to that lumbering box in the sitting room. It was liberated.

Writers and

producers, who have the next great television saga in their hands, might steer away from traditional outlets to gain the interested internet’s attention.

It’s still new enough that if you decide to choose Netflix over a network to produce your show, you’re going to get a lot of attention.

YouTube steadily fits in this bracket too. The Google-owned site is this generation’s entertainment, end of. If we want to check something out, a new song or a goal from last night’s match, we don’t tune into MTV or Match of the Day anymore. We go to YouTube.

It is the font of all quick entertainment today.

PSY’s Gangnam Style sits at

almost two billion views.

Television could never have accommodated that.

Stepping back, you realise this is all great for the consumer. They are getting access to more content through more means.

I mentioned, it’s television

programming liberated. But what about the traditional media powerhouses? How is RTÉ, TV3, BBC, HBO, these names we all know and still love navigating these new turbulent waters of internet television? Right now, the jobs they’re doing are surprisingly good. They’ve figured out, quicker than the movie industry anyway, that we want the internet to deliver our content, so they all (for the most part) set up streaming services. RTÉ Player receives thousands of views a day from people who are free to choose when they watch Telly Bingo.

The only real hold out in internet streaming was sports. Rights for the big games are so tied up in regulations, it was impossible to try and get them online. The shift has begun though as RTÉ and the GAA recently announced a subscription streaming service available worldwide that’ll stream games from the 2014 All-Ireland Championships. The price is still unknown, but the possibility exists that it’ll be a per match fee. Yet with the popularity of the GAA and the vast Irish numbers abroad, people will pay.

Students living on campus here in DCU don’t have a television. They have an Ethernet cable to plug into their laptops. That, whether intentionally or not, is the future. The cables have been swapped. Once, that thick tube that accompanied the phone line and plugged into the television was the source of all our motion picture entertainment. Now, it’s that Ethernet cable, opening up a whole new world of video content from around the globe we’ve only touched the surface of. Old media outlets are slowly catching up, but while they drag along, the new media model is being shaped and formed by a few who realise that a la carte programming is the way of the future, but it’s here today

16

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4

Lifestyle Celebrity Health Fads Claudia Gocoul Contributor OFTEN WHEN YOU’RE FAMOUS there is a lot of pressure on you to look a certain way. Some celebrities deal with the media scrutiny by trying out some extreme health fads in order to look better or to lose weight quickly.

We round up the top five.

Oil Pulling- Oil pulling is an ancient remedy made more popular in recent years by devotees such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Shailene Woodley. All you do is put a tablespoon of sesame oil into your mouth and swish it like a mouthwash for 15-20 minutes. 20 minutes with oil in your mouth is an extremely long time. However, if you manage it, oil pulling claims to dispel foul breath, digestive problems, fatigue and aches and pains.

Lemon Detox Diet- Made famous by Beyoncé, the lemon detox diet consists of drinking a concoction of hot water, lemon, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Queen Bey credits the cleanse with helping her to lose 20 pounds in 14 days. Sounds wonderful right? Maybe the side effects might put you off. The diet messes with your digestive system so much that it is recommended you take laxatives twice a day.

The Baby Food Diet- The baby food diet became popular in the celebrity world when celebrity

personal trainer Tracy Anderson endorsed it. A-List celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Lady Gaga have all been rumoured to have tried it. The baby food diet consists of replacing all meals for tins of baby food.

If it’s safe enough for a baby its safe enough for an adult right?

Wrong again. Baby food only gives a fraction of the nutrients that an adult needs daily, plus it tastes disgusting.

Cabbage Soup Diet- This one is self explanatory, you are given a recipe for cabbage soup that contains cabbage, peppers, onions and celery and that is all you eat for seven days. Besides the fact that cooking that much cabbage will stink out your house, the cabbage soup diet lacks nutrients such as calcium iron and zinc.

Despite this, Actresses Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jaime Pressly swear by it.

The Sleeping Beauty diet- This diet is older than the rest and much more laughable. The sleeping beauty diet, made popular

by Elvis Presley requires that you sedate yourself for as long as possible. The idea is that you can’t eat whilst you are asleep.

However, one would believe that upon waking you would be so famished that you would undo all of your hard work.

Health fads are usually named so because they don’t usually work. We suggest sticking to a healthy, balanced diet and leaving the baby food for the babies.

Easy summer cocktail classics

A day in the Dam

Emma Dungan Contributor

WITH SUMMER JUST AROUND the corner, the mind can’t help but wonder to places far away – but what if, maybe because of work or money, 10 days away in the sun is not on the cards for you this year? Well not to worry, the Dam awaits.

Only a short one and a half hour flight away, Amsterdam is the perfect place for a short city break. The busy, charming city is just bursting with places to eat and bars to drink in – it’s a tourist’s paradise.

If you’re a steak person, you’re certainly in luck.

You’ve arrived in a carnivore’s heaven with at least two Argentinian steakhouses on every street. And with all that stiff competition – the prices are pretty delicious too. Not to worry if you’re a sweet tooth, the Dam has got you covered. You absolutely must treat yourself to a waffle.

Whether it’s covered in caramel or doused in chocolate, this delicious treat is available from the early hours of the morning.

Yum. Now that we’ve got the Dutch grub sussed, here are a couple of good places to stay in. The Ramada Apollo Hotel is located just a few tram stops outside of the actual city centre, which isn’t a problem. The public transport in Amsterdam is

Katie Shaughnessy Contributor

Piña Colada

THE PIÑA COLADA HAS BEEN THE OFFICIAL DRINK OF PUERTO RICO SINCE 1978, BUT YOU CAN ENJOY THIS TROPICAL BEVERAGE FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME. GETTING CAUGHT IN THE RAIN IS NOT REQUIRED. INGREDIENTS Credit: Ilbe.com • 2 PARTS WHITE RUM With the summer fast approaching, you’re going to need to cool • 1 PART COCONUT CREAM off. What better way to relax before the Summer Ball, or at a • 3 PARTS PINEAPPLE JUICE barbecue, than with a delicious, refreshing cocktail? Hey, even • 1 PINEAPPLE SLICE if the Irish weather is abysmal, at least your mixology skills • ICE won’t be. Check out our list of easy to make concoctions; just shake and serve.

second to none and when the trams do stop in the evening, a taxi home is still less than €20.

It is a very chic, fashionable business hotel and it’s the choice of all the pilots that fly in and out of the city, so it’s got to be good. It has a great sky bar on the 17^th floor that gives you a view of the entire city, and if you’re lucky, you can get a room here for just €39.

Sometimes, particularly if you’re only going somewhere for a short time, you want to be as close to the hustle and bustle as you can. There are loads of reliable hostels that allow you to do just that. You can bag yourself a nice, clean and safe room in Bulldog’s Hostel from just €30, and it’s only a stones throw away from the heart of everything.

Now we move onto the “everything”. What is there to do in Amsterdam? During the day, you can visit Anne Frank’s house, a humbling experience and a must-see. Although if you are considering on paying this historical sight a visit, plan ahead. Get up and go early to avoid the queues! You can also visit Madam Tussaud’s, but I recommend you brush up on your Dutch celebrity culture a little bit first, otherwise there will be an entire floor of scarily, life-like wax figures that you

don’t know.

At night time in Amsterdam the city erupts into a hive of activity, and you’re spoilt for choice with what to do with your evening. There is a canal boat tour that cruises through the city for just €35 and you get unlimited wine and a cheeseboard – what more could you ask for?

There is certainly one more thing on the list of things to do and see in Amsterdam – The Red Light District. It’s got to be done. Before you find your choice of a bar or a club for the night, take a walk down through the Red Light. It’s not scary or rough like a lot of people say; it’s just a little bit strange. It’s a bit like being in a fun house at a carnival, you’re not really sure what’s coming next or what you’ve just witnessed – but you’ve absolutely got to see it while you’re there.

Amsterdam really is a city like no other. Its relaxed vibe mimicked by its cool, calm locals make for a very enjoyable, mellow, but actionpacked couple of days. It’s the kind of city you’d happily spend a week in, but a few days is all you need to get a real taste of life in the Dam. So do it, if you’re not sun bound this summer, at least be Amsterdam bound.

GUMMY BEAR

Ingredients • 2 parts vodka • 1 part Kahlua • Ice Feeling brave? Serve with Guinness for an Irish Russian

Drunken gummy bears. What could be better? This fruity drink incorporates gummy bears soaked in vodka for a tasty alcohol infusion. Mix while singing the Gummy Bear song from back in the day.

Ingredients • 2 part vodka • 1 part raspberry schnapps • 1 part cranberry juice • 1 part Sprite/7Up • Ice

BLACK RUSSIAN

It takes a good drink to survive a Russian winter, and this one definitely makes the cut. Perfect as an after-dinner drink (for anyone that refined).

COSMOPOLITIAN

Affectionately known as a Cosmo, this sweet little number found its fame with Carrie and Co. in Sex and The City. Is there anything better for a night with the girls?

Ingredients • 1.5 parts vodka • 1 part Cointreau • 1 part cranberry juice • Dash of lime.

17

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4 SPORTS@THECOLLEGEVIEW.COM

Sport

DCUfm retain Bill O’Herlihy Cup in dramatic fashion Ruaidhrí Croke Deputy Sports Editor

CELTIC VERSUS RANGERS, MANCHESTER United versus Liverpool, River Plate versus Boca Juniors, Barcelona versus Real Madrid and so on. These are the answers that roll off the tongue of football fans all over the world when asked what the biggest derby in football is.

However, in an Irish university located between Ballymun, Santry, Glasnevin and Whitehall there is a rivalry that goes above and beyond these.

A rivalry so great that it is played in honour of one of Ireland’s most revered broadcasters, despite the fact that he barely knows of its existence.

It is of course the annual Bill O’Herlihy Cup between The College View and DCUfm. A five-a-side (becoming sixa-side three quarters of the way through) match played each year as The College View don their traditional red colours to take on the green of DCUfm. Played out in the bubbling cauldron of emotion that is AstroTurf pitch number five at the back of the DCU Sports Centre, this year’s contest had everything that makes a derby a derby – tough tackles, spectacu-

lar goals, heated emotions and an almighty sting in the tale at the end made the fifth Bill O’Herlihy Cup the best yet.

In the days leading up to the match DCUfm had been rocked by the news that their deputy head of sports, Cian Roche, had made the switch to The College View for a fee believed to be in the region of €0.50c and two cans of Strongbow. Signing the deal at The College View’s Hampstead Training Complex Roche said he was “delighted to link up with The College View” and felt that it was “a great opportunity to play with some of the best players DCU has to offer”.

DCUfm team manager Eoin Sheahan was said to be disgusted at the manner in which the newspaper had carried out the deal, saying that they had gone completely over his head.

More drama was to follow however when College View team manager Ruaidhrí Croke made an appearance on DCUfm’s Action Replay, along with Roche, just hours after the deal had been completed.

Examining the contract during the show Sheahan noticed that it had been signed by Michael Cogley under the title ‘Editorin-Chief’, despite the fact that

Cogley had yet to officially take on his role as the head of the paper. The radio station subsequently lodged a complaint to the FAI and successfully had the contract declared void.

Tensions had reached a climax by the time the two teams took to the field of play and the opening minutes were tight with both sides looking nervous on the ball in front of the large crowd that had gathered to witness to hotly anticipated contest. The deadlock was eventually broken by The College View’s Michael Cogley when he slotted the ball past Ross McCarrick in the DCUfm goal to give the newspaper the lead.

The lead didn’t last long however and it was only a matter of minutes before DCUfm equalised and then took the lead themselves. With McCarrick in goal and Mark Kelly dictating the play from the back it was the radio station that was on top of the game while The College View battled to stay in touch as Odrán de Bhaldraithe was forced into save after save.

With DCUfm’s squad easily outnumbering that of The College View it was never going to be easy for the newspaper as the warm weather took its toll on the players.

The victorious DCUfm team celebrate after their penalty shootout win| Credit: Sportsfile When half-time came DCUfm had built up a two goal lead and managed to increase it to four shortly after the restart thanks in part to Mark Kelly’s long range strike that was the pick of the goals.

The College View weren’t going to give up that easily however with goals from Paul O’Donoghue, Michael Cogley and a brace from Ruaidhrí Croke taking the scoreline to 8-8 with less than 10 minutes to go.

The College View were now on top and pushed for a winner but were denied by the brilliance of McCarrick. Neither team could grab a winner however meaning the game went into a penalty shootout.

With the record books showing that the sides were locked on two Bill O’Herlihy cups each the penalty shootout was of paramount importance. After five spot kicks the sides were tied and the shootout entered sudden death. Stepping up for The College View Odrán de Bhaldraithe put his penalty wide of the mark leaving DCUfm with the chance to clinch a second consecutive Bill O’Herlihy Cup. There was to be yet more drama however as Cian Roche, the man at the centre of the week’s transfer saga, stepped forward to dispatch the winning penalty and ensure that the trophy will remain in the DCUfm studio for another year.

Natural supplements to give you the extra mile Seán Cuddy Sports Editor FOR ALL ATHLETES ANY natural competitive advantage is

always welcome.

As captain of the DCU boxing team I was keen to find ways of maintaining high levels of training and performance during a busy academic year. After reading about the potential energy enhancing benefits of hemp foods and the sea algae spirulina I decided to test them out for myself. I was amazed by the increased energy I felt and have been using them to the present day.

I was so impressed by their effects that I decided to make them the focus of my final year health action project. The project was entitled “Promoting the uptake of hemp foods and spirulina among DCU athletes”. As part of the project I undertook a literature review where I found many studies, especially regarding spirulina, that showed that these foods resulted in improved sporting performance.

Hempseeds contain many nutrients such as iron and magnesium that are essential for oxygen transportation and muscle contractions. Hemp is high in protein and contains all 20 amino acids required by the body. It is also high in essential

fatty acids. In fact the 3:1 ratio of Omega-6/Omega-3 fatty acids contained in hempseed oil is the ideal ratio required by the human body!

Spirulina is an alga that grows in alkaline lakes under strong sunshine. Spirulina can be harvested and dried into a powder which then forms an extremely nutritious dietary supplement.

Spirulina powder is high in a variety of nutrients such as beta-carotene (pre-cursor to Vitamin A) iron, magnesium and Vitamin B12. Spirulina is little known among the general public but it has been used by Olympic athletes for decades.

Scientists have only recently begun to study its effects on

exercise performance but recent studies on cyclists and runners have confirmed the reports of spirulina’s efficacy as a performance and energy enhancer.

Although it has quite an unpleasant taste, mixing it into smoothies can effectively mask the flavour.

Hempseeds and Spirulina powder is available from health food stores such as Holland & Barrett, Nourish and The Hemp Company on Capel Street. As part of the health action project I undertook, The Hemp Company agreed to provide Hemp Protein Powder at the wholesale price per kilo instead of the standard retail price for any member of a DCU sports club.

18

Sport

“

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4

We have a few star athletes. The thing for me right now is our team is so big right now”

Enda Fitzpatrck, Atheletics Academy Director

Clean sweep for DCU Athletics in Waterford IT Cian Roche Deputy Sports Editor

Athletics academy finish successful year with 47 medal haul| Credit: DCUAthletics DCU ATHLETICS ACADEMY COMPLETED a comprehensive win this month, claiming all team trophies at the IUAA Track and Field Championships at Waterford IT. The men’s team took home 21 medals (seven gold, nine silver and five bronze), while the women’s team enjoyed fresher’s wins from Sarah McCarthy, Grainne Moynihan and Emily Rodgers bringing the women’s medal haul to nine gold, seven silver and 10 bronze.

The results meant that at the end of the two day event DCU were crowned IUAA team champions, breaking five IUAA records and 10 DCU club records in the process.

Speaking to The College View, Athletics Academy director Enda Fitzpatrick praised the athletes on another impressive win.

“We have a few star athletes.

The thing great thing for me right now is our team is so big right now, if a more senior athlete had a bit of a niggle or an injury, I was able to replace that athlete and say don’t risk

your track season right now.”

Fitzpatrick was also encouraged by the team spirit shown by the athletes and their level of commitment to one another.

“All the athletes live in the same house on campus which is great for bonding as well. It’s just great for team moral full stop.”

He also placed big emphasis on the role of first year athletes and how they have come along and settled into the academy.

“It’s great for them because they get the opportunity to run in university competitions and when they do compete invariably they do tend to perform very, very well anyway.

“They’re out there to do their best and it’s great to be able to give them some exposure and some experience as well.

“The university’s triple jump champion is Sarah Buggy, a first year from St. Patrick’s.

The first year high jump champion is Emily Rodgers, first year sports science and health. The long jump and multi-events champion

is another first year, Sarah McCarthy.

“Our influx of first year female athletes has been of a really high standard. A measure of how good you are is if you come in in first year and you win the intervarsity title in your first year.

“That’s huge. Sometimes it might take three or four years before you establish yourself as a university champion and we’ve currently got four first years that are reigning IUAA first year champions.”

Other first years to impress included Sophie Parkinson Brown in the throw events, Lilly-Anne in the hurdles, Sarah Bourke in the walk and Niamh Markham in the 800m.

However with continuously rising numbers of athletes coming into the academy every year, it remains to be seen whether more funding will be pumped into the set up.

“I’d love to think we’d be in a position to get more funding.

But I mean our funding budget has gone down and down every year.

“To be brutally honest I think our success could be a negative too in the sense that so many athletes come here now because of what we’ve done and what we’ve set up.

“But look we’ve had a great year, despite all the cut backs that we’ve had, we’ve virtually dominated everything again this year.

“The size of the team and the team spirit as well as training with better athletes… An awful lot of athletes want to come to DCU. If the numbers were to continue going up we would need an increase for sure. Whether it’s going to happen I just don’t know.”

“

However recent re-enforce success this year, more and and since the more academy was athletes first established, wanting to They’re out there to come here.

Fitzpatrick was always quite “You’ve do their best and optimistic about got blood it’s great to be able the direction that testing to give them some they are going in. exposure and some analysis “If we’re able experience as well.” here and to replace the we’ve love ones going out to utilise more of the sports the other end and graduate science graduates to carry out with their degrees and replace more testing. We’re linked them, which invariably I have into to everybody and we have been able to do for the last a superb system in place for four or five years now, and injured athletes also.” supplement with a few extra Looking forward to the athletes, which appears to be summer, there are also other the continuing trend, then I events on around the college think it’s a warning for the aimed to get students and staff other colleges. We aren’t going alike involved and active. to get any weaker.

“The DCU Fun Run 5k is “The sports facilities are taking place Wednesday the getting better and better. If you 30th of April here on campus. go up to the sports grounds, It’s a real staff/student initiative. the new football pitch and the “Last year when we had our athletics buildings that are run out we had about 65 or 70 attached to that are absolutely athletes. I think this year it’s fantastic. going to double at least, you’ll “There’s a long jump pit over probably see about 150-200 there as well as throwing athletes outside the Helix. The cages, throwing circles, track is around Albert College practice circles, high jump Park and it’s two and a half laps facilities. That’s only going to in there.”

19

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4 SPORTS@THECOLLEGEVIEW.COM

Sport

DCU Players Back Sky GAA Deal

Kevin Taylor Deputy Sports Editor A COLLEGE VIEW POLL has found that 78 per cent of DCU GAA players think the GAA’s recently signed deal with Sky Sports is good for gaelic games.

The poll was conducted through Facebook, and asked men and women playing GAA sports for various DCU teams the question - is the Sky Sports deal good for the GAA? Almost four fifths of those questioned are in favour of the deal, with Dublin natives more likely to support Sky’s involvement than those hailing from outside of the capital.

The deal will see Sky Sports cover 20 All-Ireland Championship games throughout the summer, 14 of which will be exclusive to Sky. All of the games will be covered live by Sky Sports 3,

and there will be a midweek highlights package each week reviewing the action. The majority of games covered will be Saturday evening qualifiers.

The controversial three-year agreement sees Sky take over from TV3 as the secondary rights holder for the All-Ireland championship, while RTÉ remains primary rights holder in Ireland.

RTÉ will cover 31 games, with 25 of these being exclusive to RTÉ. The six games shared between RTÉ and Sky will be the All-Ireland semi-finals and finals in both hurling and football.

Premier Sports holds the UK rights to games not covered by Sky, and this is also a monthly subscription channel.

The deal has been lauded by some as a way of spreading the

GAA gospel but criticised by others as selling out to a huge multinational by making people pay to watch.

In order to see the 14 exclusive games, including two All-Ireland football quarterfinals, those who want to watch at home will have to pay €64 per month to subscribe to Sky Sports.

Among the most vocal of critics has been RTÉ Sunday Game panellist and former Derry footballer Joe Brolly, who has taken to Twitter to voice his concern.

Brolly argues that the GAA are “paying lip service to the diaspora” and claims that the “GAA’s purpose is to rally against capitalism.”

Monaghan midfielder Dick Clerkin and Kerry forward

Darran O’Sullivan took to twitter to back the deal with O’Sullivan humorously tweeting, “Sky made a top sport out of darts and that’s two fellas standing on a stage.”

After an RTÉ Prime Time debate on the issue, GAA President Liam O’Neill criticised the broadcaster saying, “we are shocked by the treatment we got from RTÉ. Every single one of the interviews was aggressive.”

It is unclear yet as to who will make up the Sky GAA broadcasting team, although Paddy Power have priced Kevin Moran at 6/5 to become a football pundit and priced Nicky English at 6/4 to take a position as hurling expert.

Hull City and Ireland striker Shane Long is priced at 6/4 to

join Sky’s team as a hurling analyst. The Tipperary native played inter-county minor hurling before moving across the water as a professional soccer player.

All of the 45 games will also be shown on Australia’s Channel 7, which is a terrestrial free-to-air channel.

W2 Sports Consultancy, owned by former rugby international Keith Wood, estimates that the deal will bring 8,000 extra tourists to Ireland annually to watch live GAA. Despite the deal, there has been little pressure on the GAA to increase the grant paid to players of county teams that reach the Championship final four. This grant is currently €500 per player.

SPORT Boxing club takes The College View

THE COLLEGE VIEW 30.04.1 4

20

78% backing for Sky GAA deal Read more on page 23

home biggest prize at DCU Club Awards 20

Ruaidhrí Croke Deputy Sports Editor DCU AMATEUR BOXING CLUB was crowned Club of the Year at the DCU Sports Club Awards on Thursday night, less than two years after it was on the brink of extinction.

All of DCU’s sport clubs and their members were recognised for their achievements on and off the field at the 21st edition of the awards. The ceremony, which is held in conjunction with the Club Life Committee, was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with over 300 people in attendance and was hosted by DCU Alumni Damian McEvoy.

After a hugely successful year that culminated recently with the club winning the AllIreland title, DCU Boxing Club took home the biggest award of the night – the club of the year, presented by Jim Dowling, DCU Deputy President. This follows on from the boxing club winning the most promising club of the year last year, despite the fact that the club was non-existent due to lack of funds when treasurer Terry Keegan took over in September 2012.

There have been numerous successes for the DCU boxers this year with the standout being the recent All-Ireland title won at the Intervarsity National Championships along with five

DCU boxers celebrate after being crowned club of the year| Credit: Nicola Leddy individual All-Ireland medals won over the same weekend.

Also in a year of highs for DCU Boxing was the recent Darren Sutherland Cup, held in The Venue. The event was held in memory of Irish Olympic boxer Darren Sutherland, who died tragically in 2009. The Glasnevin university boxers put on a master class on the night to

take home the title and cap off a wonderful year for the club.

DCU’s ladies basketball team won the Team of the Year Award after recently completing a league and national intervarsity championship double. The recent basketball intervarsities were held in the DCU Sports Centre and saw the ladies team defeat city rivals

UCD in the final to complete the double and officially take their place at the top of the Irish basketball pile. The award was presented by Siobhán Byrne, DCU’s Clubs and Societies Finance and Development Officer.

The award for Most Promising Club of The Year went to DCU Badminton while DCU

Weightlifting Club won the award for Communications and Marketing.

Clubs and individuals can nominate themselves or be nominated by another club for the awards. Award winners are decided by a five-member selection panel consisting of staff from the Office of Student Life and the University.