Sin Newspaper Volume 15, Issue 1 by Student Independent News

News

INSIDE Students March for the Right to Say ‘I Do’

Is There Life on Mars?

Freshers’ Special

when they complete their studies. What is to be done? USI, in collaboration with ICTU (Irish Congress of Trade Unions) and ISSU (Irish Secondary Students Union) are renewing efforts to stop the government's attacks on the Irish youth including third level students. Publishing a document entitled Locked out? Investing in a Future for Youth and collectively representing more than one million people, the three organisations set out a strategy to invest in and protect young people beset by youth unemployment of 35% of under 25s, including a number of key demands such

as a national jobs strategy for young people, jobs stimulus and s legal framework for work placements. Speaking on behalf of the Congress Youth Committee, Lorraine Mulligan said; “We cannot afford to lose a generation to precarious work, joblessness or emigration. We need a clear strategy to tackle the problems facing young people, including investment in a Youth Guarantee, offering employment or training opportunities and ensuring decent pay and working conditions for those in the labour force.”

Are College Years the Best Years of Your Life?

Interview with Keith Barry

Beautiful Skin: Foods That Will Make You Glow

Style Spotter

Review: Pain and Gain

Dave Rudisha Visits NUI Galway

All Ireland Preview: Dublin v Mayo

Police Aprehend Anti-Social Pig at Campsite

Continued on page 2…

NUI Galway Students’ Union launched two new posters last week, urging students to get involved in the Pro-Choice movement. “It’s her choice. Let’s not make it for her.”

Final Word

sport

Fees are still set to increase to €3,000 by 2015 and at €2,500 this year are a full thousand euros from the initial hike in 2009/10 to €1,500. The eligible income thresholds for the student maintenance grant have been reduced by a further 3% having already been cut in the previous four consecutive budgets. This means some 800 second year students who received grant payments last year, will be left without this time round. It has yet to be seen whether this will be com-

pounded by the same delays and errors the underresourced SUSI grants system was riddled with last year when around 76,000 students depended on it. The 2012 budget had already abolished the postgraduate maintenance grant scheme and with interest rates at 10.8% for postgrad loans in Ireland compared to 1.5% in the UK, further study is being limited to the more well-off students. Some 35,000 young people emigrated away last year and around 65,000 remain on the dole queues and when asked, 57% of students feel they will have to emigrate

Lifestyle

By Frank Doherty

Arts

Students urged to fight for their future in USI campaign

Features

Free Student Newspaper | VOL 15, ISSUE 1 | 16 SEP 2013

Students to suffer financial difficulty as cost of living increases By Jessica Thompson The cost of living has never been low for students, who make little or no money while at college. But a recent report from Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) has confirmed that the cost, and therefore the financial hardship, is on the increase for the

upcoming academic year. The survey, conducted by DIT Campus Life’s annual Cost of Living Guide, suggests an increase in the average cost of living away from home to almost €8,000. The NUI Galway website estimates that the cost of living in Galway could come up to €9,000 for the year. This figure

is based on a high estimate of €340 for rent and €260 for food every month, along with other necessary costs. “ Fi na n c ia l st re ss i s becoming an increasingly pertinent issue amongst the counselling services in NUIG. Equally, all support services have seen an increase in their usage with no increase

being matched in funding. Part-time jobs have never been more difficult to acquire and for those who have them, they often find themselves struggling hugely,” said Sean Kearns, President of NUI Galway Students’ Union. This is by no means the full figure for one year of college. For the 70% of students

who will not be receiving a grant from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), there is the €2,500 Student Contribution Charge to think about. And if students are expecting to be in college for the next few years, that charge is set to increase to €3,000 by 2015. The 2012/2013 academic year was a disaster

for thousands of students who were waiting months to be awarded their grant. In fact, in July of this year to the beginning of August, there were still over 100 students in Ireland waiting to receive their grant for the last academic year. Continued on page 2…

2 News

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

USI survey finds only 3% of rape victims reported to Gardaí By Ciara Molloy The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) have published the results of their survey on student sexual violence and harassment and found worrying results. The sur vey, entitled ‘Say Something: A Study of Students’ Experiences of Harassment, Stalking, Violence and Sexual Assault’, took the experiences of over 2,500 students in Ireland, and included all genders and sexualities. It was run by USI in co-operation with Students’ Unions across Ireland. The survey found that approximately 16% of students had suffered an unwanted sexual experience while in their third level institution. 7% of men were

victims, while 20% of the women surveyed had suffered an unwanted sexual experience. “While these numbers are unacceptably high, they do not vary greatly from prevalence studies that indicate this level of sexual violence in our society,” said Clíona Saidléar, Director of Polucy and Communications at the Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI). The issue of under-reporting of assault to Gardaí was also seen as a large issue, with just 3% of those who were assaulted reporting it. The main reasons for not reporting it were that the respondent felt the crime was not serious enough to warrant reporting (57%), that they felt that they could deal

with it themselves (35%), or was not even a crime (44%). However, a worrying number of respondents (29%) stated that they were too embarrassed or ashamed to report the incident, either because they felt they would be blamed for it or because they did not want their parents or family to find out. “I definitely think that this crime should be reported as the most heinous, most awful crime. [People] should report the crime straight away and seek help. They should never be afraid to do so and they should know that all the support services here in the college are there for them should they become victims of rape,” said Students’ Union Vice President for Education Declan Higgins.

A majority of respondents (58%) stated that an unwanted sexual experience had not had any impact on their lives. 42% of those surveyed stated that it had had a significant impact on their social lives, in relationships, in their studies and on their mental health. Over 50% stated that they no longer took part in social activities, and more than 40% said that they had considered dropping out of their third level course because of their experience. An aspect which cannot be downplayed is the influence of alcohol in cases. More than 60% of victims estimated that the perpetrators of their experience had been under the influence of alcohol.

This is in line with findings of the Rape and Justice in Ireland report, published in 2009, which found that in 77% of rape cases prosecuted by the then Department of Justice between 2000 and 2004 involved alcohol consumption by the perpetrator. Though Mr Higgins advises caution when consuming alcohol, he stressed that alcohol should not be used as an excuse; “There is no excuse for rape. It’s not an excusable crime nor has it ever been and that’s the message we’re trying to drive home. There are no circumstances where rape is acceptable.” Students should know that there are numerous services available to them on the NUI Galway campus. There is no need to feel ashamed or

embarrassed should you fall victim to a sexual crime and the Students’ Union would encourage anyone who has any worries to avail of these services. “This year we’re running an information and awareness campaign in relation to consent and sexual relations, in co-operation with Yes, a new group that has been formed, so hopefully that will bring about a bit of awareness and perhaps the figures that were so stark in this particular survey won’t be replicated in the future,” said Mr Higgins. Declan Higgins, Welfare Officer for NUI Galway SU, can be contacted via su.welfare@nuigalway.ie should any students require further information or assistance with welfare issues.

Students urged to fight for their future in USI campaign

Students to suffer financial difficulty as cost of living increases

Continued from page1…

Continued from page 1…

Ireland has lost an average of 40,000 per year to emigration since 2008 totalling around 200,000. “Many are highly-qualified graduates who benefited from huge state investment through their education and would prefer to stay and contribute to our national recovery. But the opportunities just aren’t there. That has to change,” said Joe O’Connor, President of USI. August saw USI steal a march with the early launch of the national fees and grants campaign named, ‘Fight For Your Future Now’. The campaign consists of a voter registration drive called SERD or Student Electoral Registration Database; an initial National Day of Protest set for October 1st where students are set to descend on Cork, Dublin and Sligo in their thousands; and a website linking different aspects of the campaign, www.usi.ie/yourfuture, where students can email their elected public representatives expressing their opposition to the austerity policies targeting students and third level education. The website also includes resources such as poster

Former GMIT SU President Joe O'Connor with other USI representatives.

designs and links to promoting the campaign on social networking sites. When Sin asked NUI Galway’s Students’ Union President Sean Kearns about the protests and change from last year’s strategy where Galway city saw its largest numbers of student protesters in recent years with most estimates around 3,000, he explained; “Students from member organisations in the border-western region will be travelling to Sligo in their thousands. We are going to be sending buses of students to Sligo to partake. The reason that we will be hitting Sligo is that due to the construction of the town, we believe that we can shut down the town and make maximum impact.”

He elaborated that this academic year would not see the almost traditional, post-budget, post-Christmas break climb-down stating; “This year, post-budget, we will continue our actions; we are currently formulating plans on additional lobbying and political action that can be taken, with emphasis on businesses in the town and community engagement and support for the student movement.” The voter registration drive, SERD, is hoped to get 50,000 students registered to vote, joining the 120,000 already registered; this gives more weight to the political bargaining power of students in attempts to change government policy and protect the third level education system.

It is hoped that these tactics will garner success where in previous years students have been roundly defeated. Larger numbers engaged and involved in the fight seems to be a determining factor in success cases such as Chile and Quebec where larger, more intense protest movements, in the shape of CONFECH and CLASSE respectively, gained popular support and defeated punitive government education agendas. It is yet to be seen if USI’s new tactics will mimic the successes of these movements or mobilise comparable and critically effective numbers. NUI Galway Students’ Union will be organising buses from NUI Galway to Sligo on 1 October and expects students will march in their thousands. Sign up in the students’ union and get your friends and family on board. Yo u c a n d o w n l o a d your copy of Locked Out? at http://www.ictu.ie/ publications/fulllist/ locked-out-investing-in-afuture-for-youth/. Like the Facebook Page, Union of Students in Ireland (USI), and follow @TheUSI on Twitter and remember to #fightforyourfuture.

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has insisted that grant applications will run “considerably better” this year, according to an article in The Irish Times over the summer. He also said it will be another two or three years until SUSI is running smoothly. So far, the student grants body has reported good news, saying that it has completed its initial assessment of all first-time grant applications received before the 5 August deadline and that this was done “on schedule”. Whether or not things will continue to run on schedule remains to be seen. There are many students who have completed an undergraduate degree and are struggling to raise funds for the postgraduate degree that many employers look for in jobseekers. Postgraduate degrees can cost between €6,000 and €9,000, depending on the college and the course. Sadly, the academic success of a student largely depends on whether or not they can financially afford to stay in education. A survey carried out on almost 4,000 students by campus.ie this year shows that 41% of students rely on their parents to fund their education, 23% receive a student grant, while

19% worked during the semester. The same survey reported that 50% do not work and 44% are in debt. 10% are in debts of between €1,000 and €5,000. Another major survey carried out earlier this year revealed that 60% of Irish students were suffering from financial stress, according to DIT Campus Life’s Brian Gormley. The survey carried out by campus.ie confirms that 35% of students have thought about dropping out of college due to stress – financial or otherwise. Joe O’Connor, President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and former President of GMIT SU said that this stress “impacts on the mental health and academic output of students, and increases pressures on families already struggling with recessionary times but determined to keep their sons and daughters in third-level education.” Despite the enormity of the figure released by DIT’s Campus Life, the cost of living is still €500 lower than it was in 2008. NUI Galway provides several services for students suffering from stress, from financial problems or otherwise. Students’ Union Welfare Officer Declan Higgins is always ready to talk about student welfare and is contactable on su.welfare@nuigalway.ie.

News 3

September 16 2013

Editorial: you freshers don’t know what you’re in for

By Jessica Thompson I remember my first week of college. My parents felt terrible leaving me in campus accommodation, on my own. I knew nobody in UCD. I was thrown into a group of thousands of first years who adopted either D4 accents or fake American accents to fit in. Suddenly I was swimming in a sea of backcombed hair, Abercrombie, and Ugg boots, listening to the word ‘like’ in like every sentence. I wore jeans, t-shirts and leather boots that looked a bit like wellies and I spoke with a slightly boggerish accent. Yeah, I was never going to fit in there. My campus apartment was big and empty. Neither of my new housemates had moved in yet, my room was tiny, everything was unfamiliar, and when I went to make a cup of tea to cheer myself up, the kettle was full of vomit or gone-off soup from the last semester (I

didn’t want to get a closer look to confirm which it was). There were plenty of events during Freshers’ Fortnight, but I didn’t go to any of them. I was nervous and worried that nobody would talk to me and most of all I just wanted to go home. Yes, Freshers’ Fortnight was a difficult time for me, and I didn’t make it any easier on myself by staying on my own in my apartment. I know what it’s like to be a fresher. You’ve flown the coop. Mammy no longer makes your dinner or does your washing. Daddy isn’t there to pick you up whenever you want to go home. Things can be tough and that’s why we at Sin have put together a very special Freshers’ pull-out for this issue. Just flick to page nine and start reading. Our journalists have covered everything from the kind of housemates you want to stay away from, to the art of living on a budget, to advice on sexual health and other important topics. You’ll see a few profiles from a fraction of the societies that NUI Galway has to offer. We have cooking advice, and tips on what to do while you’re in Galway. We’ve also got advice on make-up and fashion products that are affordable for students.

Speaking of fashion and beauty, our Lifestyle section is a brand new addition to Sin. This will cover topics from health and fitness, to food blogging, to fashion and beauty and anything else to do with living life. There are a lot of other changes to Sin this year. I’ve decided to recruit a bigger editorial team to cater for a wider range of interests and opinions among students. My new editors will be very knowledgeable in whatever topic they cover, which means there will be more detailed and interesting articles for everyone. Those of you who have read Sin before will notice that the layout is slightly different. This is thanks to our designer, Shannon Reeves. We figured Sin needed a bit of a facelift, and although the previous layout was excellent, the new layout is fresh and colourful. You’ll notice on this page a small notice with the dates of our first and second Sin meetings. Last year there wasn’t much interaction among sinners, so I’ve made up a plan for each and every meeting this year. If you’d like to be a journalist, this is an excellent way to learn the tricks of the trade and get some experience. Everyone is welcome at our meetings, and the first one will involve plenty of socialis-

ing and getting to know each other. I hope to see a few new faces there as well as some of our loyal sinners who will be continuing their good work this year. Sin signed up no less than 100 new recruits on Socs Day last week. There’s bound to be talent among them and I’m certain we’ll have an excellent team of writers, editors and photographers to get us through the year. Speaking of photographers, we’ll be looking for a few people who are prepared to become happy snappers for Sin. I’m also on the hunt for a good photo editor to keep the standard of photographs as high as the standard for the rest of the paper. In fact, Sin is always looking for new recruits. If you’d like to join us, be sure to drop me an email on editor@sin.ie. Like our Facebook page (Sin Newspaper NUI Galway), follow @sin_news on Twitter, and come along to our weekly meetings. And of course, you can feel free to pop in to my office on Fridays. I like my tea with milk and no sugar. For now, enjoy the first issue of Volume 15 of Sin. Welcome back. Here’s to a great year and may it be successful and fun for all of you.

Jess @Jess__Thompson

Editor: Jessica Thompson | editor@sin.ie Layout: Shannon Reeves | contact via Ed. Sports Editor: Daragh Small sport.sined@gmail.com

Upcoming Sin Meetings Thursday 19 September: What's Sin all about? Thursday 26 September: How to write a news story All Sin meetings will take place at 6pm in AC213 on the Concourse. Meetings are open to everyone and new members are always welcome!

4 News

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

Marriage Equality: students march for the right to say ‘I do’ By Fionnuala O’Leary

and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, a referendum is still required. Only then can LGBT couples enjoy full marital rights on par with every other Irish citizen. NUI Galway Students’ Union President Sean Kearns maintains that ‘civic part-

nership’ is the government having one rule for LGBT The fifth annual ‘March people and quite another for heterosexuals. for Marriage’ took place in “The rights that come Dublin city centre on Sunwith marriage are the rights day, 18 August 2013. The that should be afforded to all event, organised by LGBT couples, regardless of orienNoise, attracted over 2,000 tation,” he said. people, including Trinity’s Q-Soc, USI delegates Furthermore, and our own NUI according to LGBT Galway student repNoise; “there are resentatives. ov e r 1 6 9 r i g h t s The vibrant crowd missing from Civil marched from City Partnership and Hall on Dame Street more still to be to The Department counted.” of Justice, sending a During the very clear message to demonstration, the government and members, such as stressing the need for Max Krzyzanowski change in marriage and Anna McCarthy, legislation for samedemanded a definisex couples in this tive date for such country. legislation, with Miss Although civil McCarthy encouraging Tánaiste Eamon partnership legisGilmore to act and lation was ratified NUIG SU's Education Officer Catherine raise this issue at a here through the Breslin and President Sean Kearns higher level with the Civil Partnership being sound at the march. EU and UN. and Certain Rights

“Marriage equality could be legislated tomorrow if there was political will to do so,” she asserted. The Constitutional Convention confirmed this desire for marital reform in April 2013 when 79% voted in favour of changing the Constitution to cater for same-sex couples and civil marriage. The convention submitted its formal report on 2 July 2013 and the government must respond by 1 November. The statistical evidence here is crucial however a referendum is needed to consolidate marriage equality for all. Mr Ivan Fahy, student and committee member of NUI Galway’s Gig Soc (GayIn-Galway) emphasised the importance of such amended legislation.

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action to terrorise the entire LGBT community.” Consequently, violence against gay teenagers there has increased, with groups such as Occupy Gerontophilia and Occupy Paedophilia targeting teens online. For many, solace comes in the form of communal support, our own Gig Soc being a prime example. Founded in 1992 as PLUTO, it has provided members with the opportunity to meet and discuss LGBT issues in a safe environment. Such student societies, as well as demonstrations like the ‘March for Marriage’ show that there is indeed a rainbow of hope. Mr Fahy at least is confident that the march will be a catalyst for change. “It is hoped that it will be the last needed,” he said.

New bike scheme allows students and staff to take a SPIN around campus By Ciara O’Brien

Unit 4 Westside Enterprise Park, Galway (Behind Dunnes Stores)

He said; “It will give samesex unions social recognition and credibility, where samesex couples are no longer just ‘partners’ but husband and husband, and wife and wife.'' For LGBT students, this colourful protest is significant for several reasons, not namely their future marital status under Irish law. It also highlighted the issues of bullying and prejudice. McCarthy condemned the legislation passed in Russia last July, courtesy of Vladimir Putin, which gave the march a larger international purpose. The law in question inflicts hefty fines on those said to endorse any “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.” The head of the Russian LGBT network, Igor Kochetkov, described it as “an

The 40 SPIN bicycles have the hire computer and GPS technology contained in a box on the headset of the bike. You can register for the scheme for an annual fee of €10. You will receive a PIN and can then hire a bike (rates are on the signs and website). The first 30 minutes are free and you can charge additional hire time to a credit card. When you want to leave the bike back, just park it at any of the 8 SPIN stations and take the bike off hire. “The scheme sits within NUI Galway’s wider vision of a sustainable, green campus as outlined in its Travel Plan 2011-2014. It is, however, an eminently practical way

for both students and staff to make their way around If you‘re a returning a campus that has grown considerably under the Unistudent you couldn’t help versity’s capital investment but notice the amount of changes occurring throughplan in recent years. It further allows those who choose to out the college this year, not Park and Ride the option of least the bright purple bikes docked in various stations either bus or bike when travthroughout the campus. elling from place to place on This is a new initiative campus,” said Pat Morgan, launched as part of NUI GalVice President for Student way’s Green Campus Initiative Experience at NUI Galway. to allow for suitable transport Each bright purple custom for both students and staff branded bike comes with an throughout the campus. integrated keypad unit that On 11 September NUI dispenses the lock key once the user has entered their Galway launched Ireland’s access code. The bikes can be first bike hire scheme outlocked up anywhere during a side of Dublin. The SPIN Campus Bikes are part of NUI hire using the lock provided. Galway’s Travel Plan aimed On-board GPS tracking is at reducing the enviused to tell members ronmental impact of how far they have ridintra-campus travel. den and ensure that It follows the introbikes are returned to duction of a Park and the dedicated racks at Ride bus facility. the end of the hire. The scheme is Unlike systems found across Europe the first of its kind and the US, the SPIN to launch in Ireland scheme does not since the highly sucrequire large heavy cessful ‘dublinbikes’ infrastructure dockscheme launched in 2006. The new scheme ing stations and uses will see 45 SPIN bicystandard bike racks. cles available to hire Maintenance of from eight self-service the system is being stations across camprovided by West pus including the Ireland Cycling, an Aoife Smyth of the NUI Galway Hockey library and university established local Club trying out one of the new Spin bikes. business. sports centre.

News 5

September 16 2013

OPINION: E for Effort Irish University qualifications are not coveted by big businesses?

Is our hard work in university less then desired? The Times Higher Education (THE) published a report on Monday the 12th of August observing contributions by big business in researchers at universities spanning thirty countries. The report charted university attraction to big corporations and Irish universities appeared to be the least appealing when compared with other international universities. This conclusion is worrisome when investment in Irish research academics is coveted. Na t i o n s f r o m E a s t Asia seem to be a prominent choice for corporate investment as they topped the report with noticeable difference. Asian nations such as South Korea and Singapore have emerged as pivotal destination of choice for corporate multinationals contributions and in research. The report indicated South Korean universities achieved funding up to €75,000 per researcher. In grim contrast, Irish and also UK universities dawdle significantly behind their international contemporaries in comparison. UK universities attract a pitiful €9,977 per academic researcher when compared to Asian colleges and Ireland unsurprisingly plunges further down the corporate investment radar.

Irish researchers achieve financial support from big business in the region of €6,000 which is 33% less than the UK and a dismal 10% or less of the fortunes received by top rated investment attractive universities. Ireland is left reeling firmly as the Omega of the wolf pack as Ireland revises its solidified place as bottom of the pack amongst the 30 countries surveyed. Should this be the pebble that trickles down the mountain before the avalanche? Perhaps this is a realization that should be acknowledged by Western society? Those Asian countries, still seen in Western society by the ignorant and the uninformed as irrelevant or beneath a Western education may have to revise their narrow opinions. The importance of universities attracting corporate patronage cannot go unheeded as in this age of European austerity, cuts in funding or resource availability is the difference between overshadowing and being overshadowed. Wi t h Eu ro p e b e i n g enveloped by fiscal chains of debt, Asia seems to have been able to surge ahead through their own merit and through not being unrestrained by fiat bubbles of monetary derivatives, bonds and hedge funds playing havoc with their nations budgets.

Could the critique be made that Irish universities are somewhat withdrawn or frigid when getting into bed with business or is this perhaps a cultural problem? Ireland has grown in prominence in the last decade in receiving corporate industry funding regarding areas of genetics, Nanoscience and immunology and would be amongst Europe’s best for biomedical investment. Ireland is also attracting large corporations involved in IT through enticement of a low corporate tax but also a skilled software and IT-savvy workforce. Our own NUI Galway seems to be gaining ground and in fact leading biomedical engineering fields along with having an internationally renowned human rights centre and a budd i n g e n e r g y re s e a rc h programme as well as a staunch and solid social science and public policy department. Perhaps focusing on internships, work placements and practicality is what Irish universities need to climb the rankings? Then again South Korea may be ahead of many due to large manufacturing corporations who are dependable on innovation and unlikely to outsource like Samsung? Perhaps business will in fact lose out by not coveting Irish qualifications in the near future?

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6 News

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

European students’ union aims to fight austeriy By Gerard Madden The European Students’ Union, which represents students in NUI Galway through our affiliation to the Unions of Students in Ireland, has come out strongly against austerity policies being imposed by governments across Europe, due to the strain such policies are causing 3rd level students. The group represents over 11 million students in 3rd

level education across Europe, encompassing 47 national unions of students. Rok Primožic, the Slovenian Chairperson of the Union, identified the increased burden of fees as one of the main negative consequences of austerity; “Unfortunately, it seems like students will have to take on a larger share of the cost burden because countries are cutting down public funds for higher education, which will make it more difficult

for many students to enter and complete their studies.” Mr Primožic also identified cuts to maintenance grants as a factor which is limiting the ability of students to access higher education; “It seems like countries do not really want more educated people, because they have started to limit, cut or in some other way make the conditions for current and future students worse. “Students do not believe that it

Irish Defence Forces heading to Syria By Peter Glynn The Irish Defence Force is deploying 115 of its members to Syria as part of a UN peacekeeping mission. 12 officers and 103 soldiers of the IDF will be deployed to Golan Heights to participate with the UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force), along with members of the armed forces of Fiji, India and the Philippines, to help keep the peace between Israel and Syria. Two groups, the first consisting of 30 members made up of

drivers and logistics personnel , and the second group comprising the remaining force, are planned to be on the ground by the end of September. The UN requested Irish troops after the Austrian military withdrew personnel from the area last month. This withdrawal came as a result of escalating violence associated with the current internal conflict in Syria; depleting the force below the authorized level of 1,250 fifty members. The Dáil, Cabinet and UN signed off on the operation mid-July with

intense training modules for soldiers beginning immediately. The conditions in Golan Heights have grown increasingly volatile due to fighting between the Syrian Arab Armed Forces and the Syrian rebels. However, a statement from the UNDOF has reiterated that their mission does not have a role in the current, internal Syrian crisis as it is “paramount for it to retain its impartiality and not be seen as supporting either side.” The UNDOF was established by the UN Security Council in 1974 to maintain the ceasefire in

is either reasonable or sustainable to demand that they take more loans and debt to pay for their education, bearing in mind that the financial crisis was caused mainly by subprime mortgages. We will continue to fight for higher education that is public, even if it goes at the expense of a tank or a submarine.” These difficulties will need no introduction to Irish students, with Education Minister Ruairí Quinn set to violate election

promises by continuing to implement grant cuts and increase the registration fee to €3,000 by 2015. The European Students’ Union is persisting in attempts to raise awareness of student concerns in broader society, demanding that governments take action to increase access to 3rd level education to those from under-privileged backgrounds. Mr Primožic identified the Social Dimension Working Group, a group linked to the

Bologna process, a controversial means by governments to streamline education standards across Europe, as a means through which the ESU can express these concerns on behalf of students. He said; “In the end, our most important task for this year is to stop the austerity mania and to get some sense into European decision-makers. As always, we will be loud and do whatever is needed to ensure that the future is ours.”

the separation area between Syria and Israel. While Syria and Israel still contest the ownership of the Golan Heights, excessive force has not been used by either side since 1974 when the UNDOF was formed to supervise the implementation of the disengagement agreement. Meanwhile, in Syria the internal conflict continues. It has been estimated that over 100 thousand civilians have been killed in the violence with another two million refugees fleeing the country’s violence for neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan. The roots of the current Syrian conflict can be traced back to January of 2011 when minor protests broke out in response to the Arab spring, government corruption, and human rights violations. Large scale, national unrest began to develop with protests

demanding the release of political prisoners including 15 schoolchildren who had been arrested for spraying anti-government graffiti. Protests were peaceful to begin with as calls for urgent reform, democratic elections and a new constitution were made. The government responded to protests by arresting and arbitrarily detaining many of those involved. According to Torture Apeliago, a report made by Human Right Watch, “security forces conducting the arrests did not introduce themselves, did not provide any legal justification for the arrest, and did not inform the detainees as to where they were being taken.” It was also reported that some prisoners held by government forces were mistreated and/or tortured; “It was not uncommon for detainees to be transferred to four or five detention facilities

run by different intelligence agencies… being subjected to torture, the deliberate infliction of severe pain, in several of them.” On August 21, 2013 chemical attacks took place in the suburbs of Ghouta. The Syrian Government and rebels blamed each other for the attack. There is as yet no definitive proof of who may have carried out the attack. The Human Rights Watch believes evidence points toward government forces being responsible for the attack. A recent news article, written by German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, reported that a high-level German intelligence report suggests that Assad was not personally behind the chemical attacks as he had not given permission for them to be used. It also reports that any request to use chemical weapons on rebel forces by Military commanders was denied by Assad.

Is there life on Mars? By Peter Glynn Scientists attempting to answer the question of how life began have discovered new evidence which suggests the chemical ingredients required to start the process may not have existed at the time life was beginning to emerge on Earth around three billion years ago. In late August, at the Goldschmidt Conference of Geochemists in Florence, biochemist Steve Benner gave a talk on the possible origin of life on Mars and its transport to Earth by Martian meteors. One potential explanation for the origin of life on Earth is the ‘RNA world hypothesis.’ This hypothesis proposes that self-replicating ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules were precursors to current life, which is based on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), RNA and proteins. Since RNA can store genetic information like DNA, and act in a similar way to enzyme proteins in chemical reactions, it may

have played a role in the origin and evolution of cellular life. However, two problems with this hypothesis are The Tar and Water Paradoxes. The Tar Paradox describes the problem of organic molecules coming in contact with an energy source without any outside influences. As a result, the matter involved turns into a tar-like substance which is not conducive to life. The Water Paradox highlights the problem with DNA, RNA and proteins forming in a water environment, as water is corrosive to these macro-molecules. “Certain elements seem able to control the propensity of organic materials to turn to tar, particularly boron and Molybdenum, so we believe that minerals containing both were fundamental to life first starting,” said Steve Benner. It is Boron, an element found in Martian meteorites, and an oxidized version of the chemical element Molybdenum, believed to have been present on Mars, that can prevent organic matter

from breaking down and helping to form the molecule Ribose, an essential component of RNA. Mr Benner added; “This form of Molybdenum couldn't have been available on Earth at the time life first began, because three billion years ago, the surface of the Earth had very little oxygen, but Mars did.” Mars also had a lot less water than Earth on its surface three billion years ago, making conditions for RNA formation more likely. “RNA is too big, too complicated. Try to assemble it in water and it just falls apart… what you need is a desert,” said Mr Benner Given the conditions that would have existed on Earth at the time life emerged Benner says; “You have to decide to give up on RNA, or say it formed somewhere other than Earth.” He also makes it clear that while evidence suggests that the formation of life on mars is possible, it is not certain, and many questions regarding the origins of life have yet to be explored; “Nothing I am saying should be interpreted as the problem of the origin of life has been solved.”

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8 Features

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

Celebrity chef teams up with Galway food company to release range of ready meals By Jessica Thompson When we think about ready meals, we usually think about sugar, salt, fat and anything else that’s bad for us. Indeed many

ready meals are exactly that but one celebrity chef has brought out his range of ready meals which are filled with good stuff. Chef John Burton Race has teamed up with Galway

Celebrity Chef John Burton Race launched his new range of readymade meals last month with the help of models Roz Purcell and Holly Carpenter.

food company Galmere Fresh Foods to produce a range of ‘Cooked by John Burton Race’ products that are delicious, nutritious and perfect for Galway’s large student population. “There’s a lot of suspicion about readymade meals, especially with the beef scandal. But we’ve got full traceability of where our food comes from. You’re eating what it’s called on the box,” Chef Burton Race, who is also a brand ambassador and consultant for the Irish Dairy Board, explained to Sin Newspaper recently. Mr Burton Race is one of a very exclusive group of world-class chefs who has been awarded not one, but two Michelin Stars, so one can imagine how good his ready meals would be. The celebrity chef, who

previously appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here and Chefs, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, has developed a range of 32 dishes, including curries, noodle dishes, vegetarian dishes, beef, chicken or lamb dishes, fish dishes and 12 different soups. Furthermore, a range of Asian and Italian dishes are next on this chef ’s cooking ‘to do’ list. “It’s nice to have that variety,” said the Singapore-born celebrity. The first three products launched are Classic Beef Bourguignon, Chicken with Porcini Mushroom and Sumptuous Atlantic Seafood, and all three are gluten free, so they cater for a variety of diets. “I am very excited about this venture. This is a pre-

mium product which is perfect for those who want to enjoy luxury dining at home without the premium cost. I have long held a deep love for Irish produce and quality ingredients. Our intention is to make ‘Cooked by John Burton-Race’ appeal to everyone by adding some of my signature dishes from around the world to the range. We are launching with beef, chicken and fish dishes but have already developed another 10 recipes which will be on the shelves soon,” he said. Students are on a low budget, let’s face it. But this celebrity chef is committed to providing a range of healthy and affordable meals. At a retail price €3.99, Chef Burton Race is certain his range of foods would be perfect for any student.

“Forget the beans on toast and eat my food. A student should be able to have variety,” he advised. While developing this range of ready meals in Galway, John Burton Race hopes to become one of Galway’s major employers. His partnership with Galmere Fresh Foods has already created over 60 jobs and the chef is adamant that he expands this, creating “more part-time work, more jobs, more development”. The range of premium, 100% Irish ready meals was launched in Dublin last month with the help of models Roz Purcell and Holly Carpenter. These readymade meals for one are stocked in Dunnes Stores, Eurospar, Londis, Spar, Mace and Fresh outlets across Galway and Ireland.

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10 Freshers' Special

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

College years are the best years of your life By Hazel Doyle

eople who say ‘school days are the best years of your life’ clearly never went to college. Life in university definitely trumps the craic of Transition Year and the rat-race of the adult world outside of this little bubble. When you think of what most of us left behind – the Leaving Cert, our parents’ houses, small towns with only one night-club – and what most of us can look forward to – mortgages, taxes, pension levies – you’d wonder why anyone would ever want to leave college. Okay, so you spend a lot of time as a student playing the ‘where did all my money go?’ game, but at least it’s acceptable; qualified accountants wouldn’t get away with that as much as their student-counterparts, who might share one tea-bag between three people as they tot up their expenditure. Everyone else is broke, so it’s okay. That’s what Aldi is for. And being poor takes the pressure off.

If you weren’t broke, you’d have to worry about what to do with your money; spending it or saving for a rainy day? As a student, money is a handin-mouth affair, and it’s just simpler that way. And out of necessity comes innovation. If you’re strapped for cash, think of something innovative and apply for the EXPLORE grant this October. If you had more money, you could pay someone else to do it for you. Where’s the reward in that?

eing in college affords you the opportunity to travel and expand your horizons. Think of all the fresh-faced first years forging their paths in life, substituting hot chicken rolls for meals along the way. Without college, many people would never have the opportunity or the where-with-all to fly the nest. I’m currently very jealous of all the J1 tans and Hollister hoodies floating about campus; cultural experiences from which many

young collegians have proffered over the years. I myself benefitted from a stint in France on Erasmus. I can safely say that without the Erasmus programme, which allows student exchanges within Europe, I would never have had the guts to up sticks and high-tail it to L’hexagon. Though student accommodation may not be the most luxurious, for many, it’s the first ‘grown-up’ home they have, and the start of their independent, adult lives. It’s in this haven that you’ll create some of the best memories of your life, and hopefully ensure life-long ties with your new housemates. The craic I had in Corrib Village and the people I met there more than made up for there not being any plaster on the walls of my apartment. And my housemates never made me take my make-up off in the kitchen sink after a night out so I wouldn’t wake them upstairs… Mam. One thing I will miss terribly about college when I leave is the societies. I’ll be hard-put to find

somewhere with so many activities available for free, or nearly free. Not taking advantage of these would be mistake number one in my books. A whole day in the Bailey Allen Hall is given over to encouraging people to join societies, so whether you’re new on campus or you just want to try something different, it’s easy to go along and check it out.

ssignments and exams are stressful, but there’s always the possibility of doing something fun afterwards to reward yourself for all your hard work. If a night out is on the cards, then it’s always reassuring to know that you can be hungover in a large lecture hall and no-one will care; something that is not going to go down well with a boss in a few years. Rewards of a more material nature are made slightly more attainable when in possession of a student card, which comes in handy for discounts. And then there are free flights for setting up

bank accounts. You could always start a study group and predict what will be on the exams, and get some friendly bonding going within your course… unless you’re doing law… though I believe they have some craic playing ‘hide-andseek’ with the library books.

n the long run, it’s best not to think about how your college years may be the best years of your life, lest you’re tempted to fail a few exams on purpose. The possibility of travel, the craic, the memories and the friends you’ll have because of student accommodation and being okay with being broke are just some of the reasons why these years are the best years of our lives, not forgetting the clubs and societies and anything else you use to distract yourself from the actual workload. It doesn’t get much better than this. If you can’t handle the thoughts of it being over soon, it’s time to start looking at postgrads.

College years aren't the best years of your life By Mark Kelly The Financial Situation

It is never easy being poor and, as a college student, that is one of the things you are going to be. If you are on the grant the massive issues with having to wait for 2 months to receive it or having the disaster that has been SUSI trying to get through your paperwork is enough to send any student over the edge from the stress of the situation alone. If you aren't on a grant, the need to work throughout the whole summer just to save enough to scrape by for the rest of the year is stressful enough. And the problems don't end there. We all know that college is about having fun with your mates, and sometimes it can come down to a case of choosing between either having some good food and no nights out or having a mad one

with your mates and living off the basics. Either way it doesn't make life easy for your head or your pocket. Emigration

This is a huge problem affecting our generation and will most likely not be resolved for five or 10 years. With a lack of jobs for a highly-skilled and highly-educated population, the only way for people to make ends meet is to travel abroad. This not only means that the Government are losing their investment in these youngsters but we are losing our close friends and loved ones that we have made through our time at college. That means our memories of it are tainted and it becomes a sadder moment in our lives rather than the best.

Student Accommodation

This is one of the worst things about being in college. First, it's finding a place. In somewhere like Galway, which is a small, predominately student city, it can be extremely hard to find somewhere. If you do manage to get a place with your friends that's great, but it's more than likely going to be a place where you are sharing with two or three other people you don't know. They could be really sound, or they could be the world's worst housemates. Unfortunately, more often than not, it is the latter. Then there is the issue of paying rent each month. It can be tough to get an hour free during the day, and since all the banks close at four o’clock, it can be tough to get in and pay rent on any given day.

However, the worst thing about student accommodation is when other people decide it would be great craic to eat your food. You scrimp and save and then some absolute moron comes in and decides to use your bread or steal a chocolate bar. That is the worst thing ever and makes it hard to enjoy your time in college.

ferent drinks (mixing) when they are heading out. These can lead to problems such as inflicting damage on your wallet, causing permanent liver damage and maybe even being in such a drunken state you cross a garda and decide it'd be fun to provoke him/her, leading to a criminal record. All things you won't want to remember with fondness.

Alcohol Issues

Assignments

This is a big one. Yes, going for nights out with your mates is one of the best parts of college. However, the problem isn't going out to drink, it's going out to get drunk. Students seem to think it would be a great idea to go on the lash for the night and get as drunk as much as possible as fast as possible. This includes drinking copious amounts before going out, extremely quickly as well as drinking a lot of dif-

There really isn't anything good about assignments. Yes, they may help your understanding of a subject but apart from that it only causes bad things to happen. It can cause massive stress on yourself causing sleepless nights and you not getting to eat properly. It can also take up a lot of your time, meaning you are very antisocial. This can, as we know, lead to mental health issues that may damage your grade and maybe even yourself in the long run.

Freshers' Special 11

September 16 2013

Milk was a bad choice: picking NUI Galway wasn’t By Conor Lane There are few cities in the world like Galway. The term ‘city’ in this case can sometimes be thrown around lightly, especially if you have travelled to other ‘cities’ and seen just how extraordinarily big and congested they can be. Not Galway. Galway is really a town in my eyes, although that doesn’t stop me from a l ways te l l i ng p e o p l e abroad that I’m from this great city and proud to be so even though I’m not really from Galway. But there’s one word that will never be used too lightly or carelessly when referring to the Galway and that is “diversity”. Now I’m going to remind you that diversity is not a story about an old, old wooden ship used in the civil war era but is the denotation of variety. NUI Galway is majorly responsible for this.

Almost one in five people in people you know, then The Kingfisher gym, leaving its grasp. That’s why Galway are non-Irish and you’ve come to the right which w ill e ventually you’ll encounter a great many of them have chosen place. With around 25,000 become synonymous to deal of people who have to come to here because of students in Galway, you’ll you with exams and fitness, spent years and years and never be short of a ‘friend’ has a 25-meter pool and is a years and… well you get the NUI Galway. The university is known – ohhh friend, car friend, great environment to be in if point… here and probably for being built around the bus friend. For those who meeting your friends while don’t plan on leaving soon. River Corrib and it incor- still remember The Inbe- you’re working out sounds In my case for instance, I appealing to you. porates itself into the city tweeners. am doing a master’s here NUI Galway will offer The College Bar is a mainly because I couldn’t with a wave of buildings and students who, much you a vast range of societies prime hangout to social- bring myself to leave just like the river, endlessly flow and clubs to get involved ise on Champion’s League yet. in and out with the Back to the changing current This college acts as a sort of tractor beam and p o i n t o f G a l of timetables and way being a city some people have trouble leaving its grasp. appointments. because while it Established in is by criterion, it 1845, NUI Gal- That’s why you’ll encounter a great deal of people very much has that town feeling. Being way has a long who have spent years and years and years and… able to feel safer history of producing alumni who walking home at have gone on to have a big with. On top of that it really nights, to have class parties night and feeling connected impact on the Irish land- is a university that will look or to meet up before a night to a larger network of people scape, including Michael after you. Not that you ever out. You can rest assured even if you only know a few D. Higgins and Enda Kenny. should, but if you fail in an that the people you meet when you first arrive here. But back to the fun things exam and/or therefore need there will be around your This year there will be about NUI Galway. to repeat a year, NUI Gal- age – well, most of them many events that the StuIf it’s a buzzing night- way’s got your back. But you anyway. dents’ Union (SU) of NUI This college acts as a Galway will be offering for life you enjoy, being able shouldn’t fail because it’s a to gallivant around town sin and you will be sent to sort of tractor beam and both entertainment and some people have trouble ameliorating purposes even and constantly run into Hell.

if your only problem is a lack of fun. But we at Sin doubt that you will encounter such a problem in this university. Go to the SU in Áras Na Macléinn to see what I’m talking about. Just remember that it’s a good life in university and that there’s no rush to do everything on offer. You’ll hate some things, love others but NUI Galway will ultimately serve to elevate you from young adult to, you know, a proper adult. One of those man or woman type things. Which is why you’re here in the first place; to progress as an individual and to learn what it is to become someone who will have a greater chance at contributing within society. Ipso facto, you’re here because your parents are sick of your childish shenanigans and want you to grow the hell up. NUI Galway will offer you this chance. Make the most of it.

Five easy and effective ways to successfully lose friends By Jenna Hodgins Freshers, over the course of the past few weeks you have been encouraged and forced to make new friends. All over student leaflets, blogs and newspapers you will find guides on “how to make friends at university”. They will all essentially tell you to join clubs and societies, volunteer etc. However, here at Sin we decided to take an alternative approach and provide you with five ways to potentially lose friends in college.

a great way to break the ice when you first meet a new group of people; it releases our inhibitions and allows us to talk more and express our personalities without the awkward silences. But I cannot stress enough how easy it is to go from social butterfly to stumbling, messy drunk. Just be aware of your limits and try not to vomit on your new friend's lap or projectile vomit in Supermac’s. The first does not go down well and the latter… well let’s say I am a very understanding friend. Stationary wars

Drunkenness

Try not to get absolutely loaded on first meetings. Trust me when I say you are not cool when you are drunk. Your speech is slurred; you're pulling weird facial expressions, crying about your ex or giving out to some random person for accidentally bumping into you on Shop Street. A few drinks can be

Yes, these do exist. There will be people, including yourself at some stage, who will enter a lecture hall unprepared, or their only pen has run out of ink or burst in their pocket. Stationary sharing is common: “Hey, can I borrow your pen?” “Yeah, sure, here you go.” “Thanks! Now we're pen buddies!”

Ok, so leave out the pen buddies line because that's god damn awful. Seriously, it is actually a pretty good ice breaker seeing as nine out of 10 times you will not so much as utter a word to the person sitting beside you. Great, but by all means return the stationary you have borrowed. Do not go all Robin Hood on them because they have other pens. They have spent their money and perhaps wasted their time trying to find the correct flow and grip on that specific pen. If you're going to steal my pen, I will judge you as a person who will steal my soul. End of.

fellow housemates. Sometimes your 'roomies' will become your best friends. They know who you really are and what you're really like behind closed doors – literally. It's also really easy for them to become your worst enemies for the exact same reason, so please, do not become the housemate from hell. Clean up after yourself ; don't eat other people's food without asking and for the love of God, happiness before 9am is a sin. It's also a good idea to learn how many sugars, if any, your housemates take. Tea solves arguments. Fact.

Bad housemate For many students, starting college means moving out of the family home. Some of you will be moving in with complete strangers and forced to make friends with your

Forcing your political, religious or at that, any views on others No. This is not cool. Expressing your opinion is a huge part of college l i f e, a c a d e m i c a l l y a s well as on a social level.

University isn't a concentration camp; your opinions are encouraged and welcomed. However, do not force yours on others. It's morally incorrect and downright rude. Discussion and debating are welcomed but simply ridiculing another for their religion or political views isn't going to make nor sustain you many friends. If you believe Joe Duffy is God and Nyan Cat should be canonized, as strange as it may seem, I respect your beliefs. Respect others; it's not hard. Ditching new friends O n nights out, you will meet new people in more than one sense of the word. You know the deal, sisters before misters, bros before… Don't leave your friend sitting alone in the corner of Carbon whilst you're off

playing tonsil tennis with some beaut from biochem. Go out in groups, encourage them to make friends, invite them into your conversations. It's OK to talk to new people, flirt etc., just as long as you're not leaving your friend to talk to a wall. Also, if you're going to leave the pub, nightclub or <insert other social environments here> - be it alone or with someone else – always let your friends know that you're leaving. There's nothing more annoying than worrying about someone whilst they're likely having the time of their life in another social setting. It's not hard to make friends and it's even easier to keep them; just be nice. Most of these tips are common sense and it's all just a big laugh. Be yourself, be nice and enjoy your college years.

12 Freshers' Special

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

What to expect when you're not expecting By Ciara Treacy Knowing what to expect from college life is like knowing what to expect from a movie you haven’t heard of before – you hope for the best, expect the worst and if Ryan Gosling is there, all the better. Unfortunately Mr Gosling has yet to accept our invitation to NUI Galway but for now we can give you some advice about what people don’t tell you about starting college. It’s not exactly the same as the prospectus It’s happened to us all; you’re in your first week or two of college, you’re walking to a lecture and who do you recognise but That Guy from the Prospectus. You know, the one who is in every second picture of the dog-eared booklet you examined cover to cover in Leaving Cert when picking your course? It takes a while to settle in to college, you think to yourself on this walk, but hey, at least I see a familiar face. Everything is going to be okay because That Guy from the Prospectus is walking towards me. The face I saw photographed smiling at everything from bookshelves to a tree will show me the same smile once he sees a poor

little first year like myself walking around. He gets closer and closer and what does he do... but give you a dirty look for staring at him and spit on the tree he once cared for so much. It’s soul-crushing but you will get over it in time; like the fact that the sun does not shine over the Quad every day and you won’t ever look that happy in the library unless you’re watching a funny cat video on your laptop. People give bad directions Unless you have an in-built Sat Nav on your schoolbag the chances are you will get lost at some point, particularly now with the construction on campus (dodge the bulldozer and you get ten points!). It is perfectly reasonable to approach someone (apart from That Guy from the Prospectus maybe) and ask for directions to your next lecture. Sometimes it will happen that you are standing very close to the classroom and all your guide will have to do is point across the hall. Unfortunately it is a fact of college – nay, a fact of life – that people give bad directions. It also does not help that NUI Galway, while big and beautiful, is not the most straightforward of universities.

If I could do it all again... By Mark Kelly It’s hard to fathom that 4 years ago, I was waiting anxiously for my first year in University to begin. I was nervous, excited and terrified about what the 4 years were going to be like, how I would cope, what I would do with all my newly gained freedom. I look back on it all now and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. However, the other day a friend asked me “If you could do it all again, what would you do differently?” It got me thinking, would I have done anything differently? The answer was yes. Don’t get me wrong, I have had a great time in University and have been involved heavily in the Students’ Union, Societies and Clubs. But there are certainly many things I would do that I didn’t do the first time around. The first and most drastic change I would make is to be more confident and out-going. That is an issue that many first-years have to deal with in University. Making friends is extremely important. Without friends your problems in Uni-

versity can pile up very quickly. However, being in a new environment, it isn’t always the easiest thing to be super friendly or selfconfident. So, if I was starting out as a first-year again I would sit beside a different person each lecture and say hello, maybe have a quick chat, either about the course or about how college life is treating us. I would go to more events throughout the year run by societies and clubs. I would just have put myself in positions where I could meet more people and make more friends. That would certainly have made my college experience a lot better! The second thing I would do is not commute. In my first year I was coming up every day from Athlone to go to University. I would definitely not recommend this. It makes it harder to go to events and meet new people, it gives you less study time and less time to do assignments and it just drains you in general. Now, I’m not saying if you live in O r a n more don’t commute, I am on about if you have to travel more than 20 minutes by car seriously consider renting somewhere in town.

How to get from the Cairnes Building to the College Bar, for example, can be one of the hardest questions you will have to answer during your time at college – “go straight then left then eh, straight, then right, go through some stuff, hop a river, get the golden key out of the hidden chamber and you’re there!” Consult the campus map in advance for best results. Lecturers don’t all wear elbow patches This is a realisation harder to take than Santa and the Easter Bunny combined. Lecturers do not match the stereotype of aging British men in tweed jackets (although there are a small handful of those around) and actually comprise of a variety of ages, nationalities, star signs, crisp flavour preferences, etc. People fail to tell you that lecturers are generally going to be a lot more friendly and laid-back than your secondary school teachers and usually understand that students need to have playtime as well, which you’ll discover when you see your Economics lecturer in the Kings Head – “oh my god they’re real people!” Just avoid pulling at their face to make sure of that fact. Another myth-buster is that contrary to It will be a lot better and maybe even cheaper for you in the long run. It will mean more time forming friendships, getting stuck into your coursework and material, being more relaxed and having a way better time. However, there are lots of things I would not change about my time in college. The biggest one is my involvement in the Students Union. From first year I was actively involved, becoming a class rep. Being a class rep is a great way to meet people in your class and do some great work for your class and other students to make their life in University just that bit better. The SU do some amazing work, and without the support of all their Class Reps, they would not be able to do their work as effectively. It taught me a lot about myself as a person, to try to help my fellow University students and how to be more self-confident, more out-going and how to form opinions and help out where I can. Volunteering is something that is great for both you and the organisation you are helping. No matter what charity you volunteer with, you will meet some amazing people who will change your life for the better. Whether it’s helping kids with their homework, working with people with both mental and

Roll Call: Some of the 3,000 Freshers who started college this month.

what people say about lecturers not noticing if you’re present or not, some lecturers will take attendance. And if they see that you’re not there they will cry themselves to sleep over a tub of Haagen-Dazs with The Notebook playing in the background (is that really true you ask? Don’t take the risk – go to lectures kids). There is a place for everyone – except in the library Our dear James Hardiman has got himself a facelift over the summer which will hopefully ease the pressure of getting a study space at exam time. Until this has been proven, however, we revert to the original protocol for getting a seat at exam time. Get there early. Camp overnight. If you want an idea of the crowd size at opening time in early December, think of the queue for One Direction tickets, except with more crying. Do whatever is needed to avoid a walk of shame worse than those at 11am after a Wednesday night in Carbon, which is the walk past desks of glaring faces, half disapproving of your shameful ways and half jealous of you for getting a quick escape. physical disabilities, helping the homeless or even just being on a club or society committee, the hard-work and dedication of the people around you as well as some of the stories you will hear from the people you are helping will help you grow as a person and look at your life in a whole different light. I would also still get involved with clubs and societies. The people you meet through them are amazing. Remember, the people in these clubs and societies have the same interests as you do, which means you are more than likely going to meet some great characters and some friends you will cherish for your whole life. It’s also a great way to learn new skills or try something you have never really tried before, making you grow as a person and giving you experiences that you wouldn’t trade for anything. So, as I sat with my friend, thinking about what I would do differently. I looked him in the eyes and said “You know what, I would change some things, but I wouldn’t trade any of the last 3 years for anything.” University is all about forging your own path and making your own memories. So, pick things you would be interested in doing and go your own path, make your own footprints because you know what? These will be the best years of your life.

Freshers' Special 13

September 16 2013

Housemates from Hell By Ciara O’Brien So, you’re starting the college year; you’re more excited than you were at Christmas when you were eight. You’ve spent the whole summer working, trying to make enough money to keep you going during the semester. You’ve bought all your new stationary and now, for the most exciting bit, you’re moving out, flying the coop, propelling yourself as far away as possible from your parents’ watchful eye and into the hands of group-living, sleeping in and partying to your content. Thankfully, you’ve found the perfect housemates... Right? You’ve been planning with your best mates, or indeed, complete strangers, how much fun you’re going to have together this semester and how you’ll live together in perfect harmony, partying and studying in such a perfect ratio that there’s no way you can’t enjoy yourselves every night and pass the year beautifully, right? But what happens when you just don’t get along with your new housemates? Even the nicest people in the world become a pain when you have to deal with their flaws and neuroses every day. Well, after living with my fair share of “interesting” housemates I felt there was no one better qualified to tell you about the differ-

ent kinds of housemate you may encounter. I have whittled it down to the five worst offenders. Keep an eye out for these and if you see any sign of this behaviour fermenting, nip it in the bud immediately: 1. The Mess

Oh, the mess! They’ll start leaving a few dishes unwashed and maybe a few pairs of shoes lying innocently around the place but before you know it you’re cleaning up after them every day and you need a gas mask to walk past their room. Try to figure out how clean your housemate is before committing to any lease or contract. I’ve heard nightmare stories of bowls being left so long with food in them that maggots came, bathrooms becoming so dirty that you could not (or would not) go in and I’ve known of a house that got so smelly downstairs that you had to hold your breath when you came in the front door and run up the stairs. Not an ideal living situation! 2. The Party Animal

Even if you think you have stamina and you can party with the best of them there will always be someone who can party harder and longer than you. They are the best of craic when you’re in the mood but under

Five first year mistakes By Áine O Donnell For all you first years, it’s the first time you are away from the watchful eye of your parents. This newfound freedom can often result in you running around like a mad thing and making the odd mistake. Here is Sin’s list of the mistakes we all make as first years and how to avoid them: 1. Missing loads of lectures

You came to college thinking it would be like an extended summer holiday. There is no one to wake you up anymore. You have been out every night and you keep missing those 9 o’clock lectures. You will only realise when you fail your Christmas exams that maybe you should have gone to class. First year might not

count towards your final degree but you might never get to see second year if you don’t go to class. Few naggins certainly won’t be grand…

no circumstances should you ever live with them. There’ll be people in your living room all day everyday making noise, slamming doors and smoking, either hung-over or getting ready to go out. You have an exam in the morning? Irrelevant to them. After party in your place, again, sure if you’re not asleep by now you might as well get up? Not only that but after you are left sleep-deprived, with bags under your eyes and failing your year you will probably be expected to help clean in the aftermath of these parties. Just no.

4. The Thief

3. The Mé-Féiner

5. The Anti-Social One

We all know one. The person who persistently talks about themselves, despite the fact that no one shows even the slightest bit of interest. You know this person already; they seem super-friendly and eager to get to know you but they’re not. Reflect on your conversations. What’s the ratio of your knowledge of them to their knowledge of you? Not good, is it? You’ll be standing in the kitchen cooking your dinner and inflicted with stories of their latest fad diet. You’re planning a night out and decide you’re going to wear your new dress. No, you’re not, mé-féiner needs to look nice tonight so she needs to wear it. A disaster pairing and one I would never recommend.

They could be building a bomb or planning a terrorist attack in their bedroom for all you know. You will never, ever see them. They will spend all of their time in their room; they’ll sleep, watch TV, socialise with their friends and even eat in there (I’ve even heard stories of people having their own cutlery and dishes and washing them in their en suite to avoid social interaction). When they’re not in their room they will not be in the living room, you’ll never be sure where they are because they don’t want you to know but they won’t be with you. You thought you could make friends? Think again!

all their books. Don’t bother. The books will cost a fortune and you won’t use half of them. Have a look in the library where you can loan the books for free or visit the SU bookshop where you can buy second hand books at a fraction of the full price. Galway bookshop Charlie Byrne’s also buys and sells second-hand books.

5. Sticking with your friends from home

2. Not wearing your coat

You chose to go to college in Galway so expect the unexpected when it comes to the weather. You could wake up and look out your window: the sun is shining so you leave your coat at home. You will walk to campus and you get caught in classic Galway monsoon rain. You’ll be sitting in lectures all day in wet clothes and running back to Mammy crying about catching a cold. Don’t say you weren’t told. 3. Buying all the books

Many first years will listen to their lecturers and rush down to the college book shop to buy

4. Spending all your money

You start college with money in your bank account for shopping, buying books and from your savings. You blow all your money on frozen pizzas, new clothes and nights out in Carbon. You are left with bare cupboards and a few coppers at the end of the week. It is important to budget your money from the very beginning: if you are going out during the week then maybe you should bring lunch in to college so you have more money or if you want something nice to wear, borrow from your new housemates.

The hardest thing to deal with is the politics of food-sharing, even clothes-sharing. I have seen many a friendship fall apart, dramatically, from the overstepping of boundaries as a result of an assumption of generosity of another housemate and the “borrowing” of a snack or a pair of jeans and failing to ever return it. Living with other people has many advantages, but, if you’re the one who buys the most, this is not one of them.

Going to college is a daunting task and it is easy to hang around with your friends while you are adjusting to everything. It is important to make an effort to get to know new people. Every first year is in the same position as you and often the people you get speaking to on the very first day are your best friends for the rest of your days at NUI Galway. College is your first chance to meet people from all over the country and even all over the world in some cases. Make sure to have the craic with everyone you meet around campus.

Don’t make the mistake of taking everything too seriously; the most important thing about college is having the time of your life.

14 Freshers' Special

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

Budgeting: is it even possible? By Valeri Tarassov When starting their first year of college, most students find themselves away from home with the responsibility of taking care of their own domestic needs. We live in Ireland and that means everything costs money. But living on a budget is easy as long as you don’t spend your money foolishly. First thing ever yone needs to handle is accommodation. It’s hard to

pursue any degree with no roof over your head. So make sure rent is always paid on time, whether it’s paid weekly or monthly. Always make sure you can afford your rent – if you need to sacrifice a night out or two, then so be it. The second important thing is food; a student has to eat. The food in the university canteen is tasty but if you eat there for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s going to cost you at least €100

weekly, if not more. If possible, go grocery shopping, check out some simple recipes online, in Sin, or ask your parents for advice and cook your own meals. There’s also no shame in bringing a few home-cooked (by mammy’s fair hand) meals to freeze and eat during the week. Spending 30-50 euro weekly on groceries will most likely cover your food for the entire week. You will find that food cooked at home is a lot tastier than

the food you’ll get in any canteen. If you like coffee or tea during your day, you can get it in the canteen or SU shop for only a euro per cup, but why not include a bag of coffee or teabags in your weekly shop, make it at home and bring it in to college in a large thermos cup or flask? You can also purchase bottles of water or any kind of fizzy drink at better rates in multipacks from supermarkets and just bring a

The thoughts of a freshman By Robert Dalton Apprehension: an apprehension that can be dulled by little as the thought continues to parade around my mind: I’m starting University.

This is a thought I’ve had since I was a mere youth. Observing the idiosyncrasies of the quintessential college student has always fascinated me and left me with a sense of joy, knowing that one could

exist in the realm of adulthood whilst still behaving like a child. Oscar Wilde once coined the phrase “The eternal student”, and that’s what we should all strive to be. One

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who is curious of all the art that is within life, yet free from the shackles of it. The day you start worrying about whether you own a lawnmower or not is the day that life dies. So make the most of it. People often regard one’s school-years as “the best years of your life”, but I strongly disagree, along with many of you who have a disdain for uniforms, mediocrity and the constant struggle to fit in or “belong”. It's all a bit barbaric isn't it? I’ve just finished packing and nerves are starting to take hold once more. What if it’s not for me? What if my roommates hate me? What if I’m lost in the crowd? I’m sure all of us have pondered these questions to ourselves at one time or another over the last few weeks… Now that it’s really sunk in, it’s funny how we all seem to exist in this limbolike state during the summer before college; a perpetual bliss heightened by the prospect of what’s to come. Then we have our communal trek. An exodus begins, draining the country of fertile young men and women, to “celebrate” as it were. Those of you who are doing Arts probably went inter-railing, stopping off in cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague and Budapest; all of which is typically hip and typically “Orts”. And if you were a hard-core Arts student, maybe a philosophy Major or something, you probably went to Glastonbury to catch Nick Cave and The Smashing Pumpkins.

bottle with you to the university. To have your lunch, you can easily make a few sandwiches with ham, cheese or anything you like which will be in your weekly groceryshopping money. If you live in a student village, bills are usually included in your rent, but if you rent from a private landlord, usually you have to set aside some money to cover your share of electricity, internet and heating expenses. These are usually

divided equally between members of your household. And remember, if there is no one in the bathroom, the light does not have to stay on. These are just a few tips that can help you have some pocket money to spend on a night out or a nice cup of coffee in town. You will not live luxuriously unless your income is very large, but your needs will be taken care of and you will still be able to have some fun.

Shopping List

Essentials Don’t forget to add some of these ingredients to your weekly shopping list for simple meals:

Milk Butter Bread Sandwich Filling Eggs Breakfast Cereal Tinned Foods: tuna/beans/etc Cheese Potatoes Carrots Salad Dried Spaghetti and/or noodles Pasta Sauce Dinner meat: beef/ chicken/etc Those of you doing “real” subjects such as Commerce, Medicine or Law probably followed the offspring of Geordie Shore down to Magaluf, Ayia Nappa or Crete. You perhaps lost your virginity as well as your dignity along the way. But I get the feeling there’s more of that to come. Now you feel like you’ve entered adulthood and you want to experience all it has to offer, except of course for

having a mortgage, marriage and kids. The pleasurable aspects and the harsh realities of growing up are further down the line in life – when you start to go downhill on the slope. Right now were nearing the peak of it; a point where responsibility and compromise seem like a million miles away. We are about to set that in stone: Class of 2013. Here’s to us.

September 16 2013

Freshers' Special 15

A fresher’s guide to surviving college By Leigh Michael Keeney Beating the home-sickness bug

From time to time, we can’t deny it, we all miss Mammy and Daddy and their unfailing ability to put up with our whinging when others would murder us. Homesickness is not a myth, and this big and scary world of college can leave you pining for home and its luxuries which the life of a student so clearly lacks. What can you do? • Phone home often to let the parents know how you’re doing and to keep up to date with the craic. Ask if the cat or dog is missing you! • Skype is brilliant if you’ve got internet and a webcam. Arrange a time during the week when you’ll Skype your family and see their wonderful pixelated faces bouncing around your laptop screen. • Make your accommodation feel as homely as possible. Customise your room if you can and just make yourself feel comfortable in your home away from home. • Reach out and make friends. Talk to someone new in a lecture or one of your housemates. Where you have great friends will feel like home and the journey through college won’t seem as daunting. NUI Galway students are lovely and we don’t bite… much.

Coping with stress:

Pressure! Pushing down on me! How can you manage college stress? • Prioritise assignments. Get the most important and closest deadlines out of the road. Try not to let work pile up and suffocate you. Work through it in bite sizes. • Join a sports club or a society. Non-academic activities are great for letting off steam and for making new friends. • Get your 8 hours beauty sleep. • Eat well, don’t skip breakfast and drink plenty of water. • Relax. Read a book. Listen to music. Watch TV. Go to the cinema, a pub or club. College isn’t meant to be a place where every second is hell. Get a great balance between, sleep, study and a social life. Enjoy college!

• If you’ve got a problem, talk it out with friends, family, lecturers, the Students’ Union, the college counselling service or the college chaplain. Everyone is so helpful and friendly in NUI Galway. Talking about problems makes the stress crumble away.

when trying to cross the road in Galway. Getting knocked down in traffic is never fun. • Always have a way to get home, walking with a group of friends or via taxi. Hide some money on yourself before going pubbing or clubbing which you can use to pay for a taxi home.

Nights out and about:

Galway is fairly safe for students but it’s best to stay vigilant and know the score when it comes to having an enjoyable and safe night out. • Obviously there’s safety in numbers. If you’re walking to or from town, never walk alone. Stay in well-lit areas and don’t dare wander down some dark alleyway alone. • Always make sure people can contact you. Is your phone charged? Have you enough credit? Let people know where you’re going and when you expect to return. • It’s a fantastic feeling when you shove your card into an ATM and out pops that sweet, sweet money. But seriously, don’t be flashing your moolah about and be very careful to cover your PIN at the ATMs in Galway, especially in crowded areas like those near Supermac’s. You never know who will be watching. • When approached by a creep, don’t act aggressively or you could start some stupid fight which could have been avoided. Just say something like, “Sorry I have to meet someone,” or “I’m in a hurry,” and then get away as fast as you can. If someone grabs and attacks you, don’t attack them or make things worse, just wiggle away like a boss. • This will sound nasty but, if you are raped, don’t change your clothes or shower as important details about your attacker such as DNA samples, will help to track them down. Go straight to the Garda Barracks, even though something horrible has just happened. The maximum penalty for a rape offence in Ireland is life imprisonment. The Garda Barracks in NUI Galway is located south of Nun’s Island beside The Arms Inn on Mill Street. • Never leave your drink unattended, someone could spike it or steal it… drink is expensive. Ask a buddy to watch it for you; if you still get spiked then you’ll learn something important about that relationship. • Dealing with a hangover? Drink some orange juice – Vitamin C helps. Shower. Drink lots of water before bed and the next morning. Eat something to sober up: Supermac’s before going home… dry toast the morning after. Sleep it off. Exercise. Drink sensibly, prevention is the best cure. • Road Safety. Always look before you leap

Safe sex

It goes like this, you meet someone or you’re already in a relationship, you like them, they like you and you’re both exploding with sexual urges. • Birth-control methods such as the pill, patch, diaphragm, spermicides, etc., are made to avoid unexpected pregnancies. Great! But they don’t protect you from STIs. Not great! • People don’t usually walk around with a neon sign floating over their head saying, “I have an STI!” In the heat of the moment don’t end up leaving yourself

at risk. Always use a condom to protect yourself from contracting a sexual disease and to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. And always remember: a real hunk covers his junk! • If you forget this golden rule and think that you have caught a disease then get yourself tested. Sometimes you can have an STI without any symptoms showing, so if in doubt check it out. • It’s not exactly a good idea to go home with a perfect stranger but if you do, make sure that you’ve told someone you trust so that if things go from The Notebook to a scene from Saw you can phone them immediately and they can save you. • Most importantly, respect yourself. If your partner tries to force you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with then tell them. You’re entitled to say “No.”

Welcome to NUI Galway guys and have a fun, safe and incredible year!

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connected With the Alumni Association and support NUI Galway’s vision for the future For more information on priority projects, events & activities: Visit us @ www.guf.ie l www.nuigalway.ie/alumni l T: 091 493536 Find us on Facebook

THE SU PAGES

Students’ Union President Sean Kearns Hi Folks,

My name is Sean and I am your Students’ Union President for the next year. I am here to be an advocate, activist and representative for you guys! For all first years reading this, I’d like to welcome you to university. You are all about to have the best experience of your lives. I hope everyone has been enjoying their first two weeks and have signed up to lots of clubs, societies and hopefully we already have some class reps too. Still not too late to get involved! It’s been a busy few months for us all here. I’ve spent my time meeting many different people from all sorts of departments in NUIG, from counselling and chaplaincy to arts in action coordinators. I also met with the various university staff, with whom I sit on committees that make decisions from the colour of a given sign to the changes that happen in academic courses.

Vice President for Welfare Declan Higgins

It’s a sign of the time to see the large amount of case work that has been generated since I took over at the end of June; that said, it’s been an awesome experience. Getting to m e e t s o m a ny people from so many different backgrounds has been one of the highlights, and being able to assist people in very practical ways when they are in difficulty is a really rewarding experience. Settling in was tough at the start, but the various training days, not least SUT in Waterford and the National Councils in Derry and Dublin have helped. Already, I have built an excellent network in the form of officers from other SUs around the country who are indispensable in terms of advice and good counsel. All in all, after an excellent summer, I am, together with Sean and Catherine, looking forward to being here for the students of NUIG for the year ahead.

Vice President for Education Catherine Breslin

I’m Catherine and I was delighted to be elected your education officer back in March. Since taking up my position on the 1st of July I have been representing the students of NUIG on Academic Council, Exam Appeals Committee and various other boards ensuring that the student’s voice is being heard on all educational matters. I have been dealing with SUSI in order to build on our relationship in the hope that problems arising with grants this year can be sorted out quickly and effectively. Our summer also involved a lot of work with the Union of Students in Ireland on a national level. I have been elected to represent NUIG on the national campaigns working group so that is an exciting venture that I will be dedicating part of my time to. It’s been a busy few months but I have really enjoyed every minute of it and hope to see any of you that need my help over the coming year.

I have also spent the last two months planning and co-ordinating my team for the year. We have many exciting campaigns coming up and we hope that everyone had an enjoyable Freshers’ Freshtival. We have comedians, hypnotists and many more exciting entertainment acts lined up. However, we will be facing many challenges this year and we will need all students to come together and #fightforyourfuture. So far it has been an incredible experience and a great learning curve, I have not forgotten my manifesto promises; I have commenced work on them all and will have an update soon. Just remember Rome wasn’t built in a day. We’re fighting to protect the Student Maintenance Grant and student supports like the Back to Education Allowance in the upcoming Budget 2014. We’re fighting for the Government to create a National Jobs Plan for young people and invest heavily in the European Youth Guarantee. Work with us to Fight For Your Future NOW. The student maintenance grant has been cut in the last four consecutive Budgets in either the rate or threshold. The average level of the grant is now ¤84 per week, which compares negatively with the lowest rate of Jobseekers’ Allowance at ¤100 per week. The gap between the increasing cost of going to college and student supports available continues to widen, placing an enormous burden on vulnerable students and families in affording third-level education. The rate of youth unemployment in Ireland is currently at over 30%, and rises to 45% amongst young graduates with relevant degrees.

FIGHT FOR YOUR FUTURE On average, more than 200 people per day emigrated from Ireland in 2012. Over 120,000 people aged between 15 and 24 have emigrated in the past 4 years alone. 57% of Irish students now feel they will have to emigrate when they finish their degree.

What you can do: • Sign up to SERD, our voter registration database (at vote.usi.ie) • Share your story with your local TD on deardeputy.ie • Attend your regional protest march in Sligo or Cork on the National Day of Action, October 1st • Contact your local TD directly to let them know you and your family will not stand for being targeted any more • Ask your friends, parents and family to get on board and support the campaign

NUIG Students’ Union will be organising buses from NUIG to Sligo on October 1st and together we will march in the thousands. Sign up in the students’ union and get your friends and family on board. Like the Facebook and Twitter and remember to #fightforyourfuture

Fees have risen every year. We can’t take any more. • 1996 – ¤150 • 1997 – ¤317 • 1998 – ¤330 • 1999 – ¤353 • 2000 – ¤371 • 2001 – ¤396 • 2002 – ¤670 • 2004 – ¤750 • 2005 – ¤775 • 2006 – ¤800 • 2007 – ¤825 What they say is coming… • 2008 – ¤900 • 2013 – ¤2,500 • 2009 – ¤1500 • 2014 – ¤2,750 • 2011 – ¤2000 • 2012 – ¤2250 • 2015 – ¤3,000

DID YOU KNOW?

MY FIRST GAEILGE

This section is to give some handy tips and info about Dia Dhuit (Dee-ah Gwit) – Hello Tá fonn leathair orm! (Taw fowne la-hid urm) – I am horny services and facilities that lots of people don’t know about. Dhá phionta led thoil? (Ghaw few-anta lead hull) – 2 pints 1. CONDOMS – Did you know that your Students’ Snion provides FREE please condoms all year? Just pop up to our office in Áras na Mac Léinn. Sceallóga curaí agus cáis led 2. EDUROAM – Did you know that on your phone and laptop you thoil? (Shcalowga curry ah-gus don’t have to login to your account every time you come on campus. caw-ish lead hull) – Curry If you enable EDUROAM, once you walk onto campus and your wifi is Cheese chips please. on, then you are connected. This is true of everywhere that eduroam exists (so it’s handy when you are visiting other institutions. Check it out - http://www.nuigalway.ie/cs/students/wireless/eduroam.html

An bhfuil coiscín agat? (Un will cush-keen ah-gut) - Do you have a condom? Go raibh maith agat (Guh rev mah ah-gut) – Thank you Slán (Slawn)- Goodbye

Class Reps

3. AN MHEITHEAL ROTHAR hold free bike maintenance and repair workshops weekly in a space that everyone can attend; our workshop and volunteers help you to repair your bicycle for free every Wednesday from 6-9pm and Friday 12-3pm. It is run by NUIG Ecological society. For more information please email us at: an.mheitheal.rothar@gmail. com or phone is on 091 494 347 4. CAREERS – (www.nuigalway.ie/careers) CAREERS CONNECT – log in (Student ID and password) to get alerts on job opportunities & events, book into an event or appointment, or send us a query. Our website also has news, tips, FAQs on job search and careers information, links. 5. BLUE DOTS – Everyone has been asking what those blue dots are – they are the new disability route that shows the most accessible route through campus.

SU Loyalty Card With the SU Card, you can now earn points or free products every time you shop with us. Your SU Card can be used in any of the Students' Unions businesses which include:

• The Wall Café

• The SU Shop

• The College Bar

• Smokey's Café

Students' Union businesses are spread thought out the campus, so your SU Card will quickly start to clock up the points. You can choose to convert your points to a cash balance on your card or exchange points for great offers throughout the year. This year you can also avail of many deals and special offers, we have a link with the IMC cinema so that every week you will receive special offers. Make sure you have your SU loyalty card to get into all SU events too.

The Class Rep is the "Voice of your Class" and represents the views of the majority of the class. They help to solve both individual and class-wide problems. If you decide to run for Class Rep, your responsibilities will include communicating between your class and the course lecturers, attending SU Council and your College Council meetings to help formulate Students' Union policies and arranging class parties, hoodies etc. Being a Class Rep is good fun and a great addition to your CV. Becoming a Class Rep for 2013/2014 will take place by election in each class either by the Students' Union or by lecturers. Upon election, the newly elected Class Rep will be registered by the Education Officer. The Class Rep’s details and a photo will then go up on the Students' Union website. If you have any queries please contact the Education Officer (su. education @nuigalway.ie)

18 Features

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

NUI Galway celebrate volunteering with 12th annual fair By Jessica Thompson NUI Galway will see its 12th annual Volunteering Fair on Wednesday 25 September, with over 2,000 people expected to attend. The fair will provide students with the chance to volunteer with one or more of the 80 charities and community organisations that will be in attendance. The Fair, which will be opened by Ruairí McKiernan, is part of a week-long celebration of volunteering at NUI Galway, the culmination of which will coincide with the National Day of Volunteering on Friday 1 October. “Volunteering and civic

engagement are a hallmark of the NUI Galway experience and students continue to actively seek volunteering opportunities with homework clubs in local schools, fundraising for national charities, befriending people with a disability, or volunteering abroad. Students benefit enormously from getting involved and gain valuable experience, while bringing energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn,” said Lorraine McIlrath, Coordinator of the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) at NUI Galway. ALIVE (A Learning Initiative and the Volunteering Experience) was established

by the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) at NUI Galway to harness, acknowledge and support the contribution the University students make to Galway by volunteering. To date over 9,000 students have been recognised for their volunteering commitment within a variety of pathways, enabling NUI Galway to become a role model in promoting skills related to democratic participation and civic engagement amongst the student body. For further information, please go to www.nuigalway. ie/cki or contact the ALIVE office on 091 493823 or email cki@nuigalway.ie

Internet memes: call for activists By Patricia PrietoBlanco, Feminist Society NUIG, Auditor Last spring, the NUI Galway Feminist Society held an Internet Meme round-table discussion, which focused on the pros and contras of using this powerful but also very simplistic form of communication. A few months afterwards the relevance of the Internet Meme topic has peaked again. And in this case, feminists and feminism is at stake. Memes have been around for a long time; in fact, longer than you may think. Already in 1976, Richard Dawkins coined the word meme as the fundamental cultural unit. And if you

thought that “going viral” was also a cutting-edge term linked only to the Internet, well Richard Dawkins got ahead of you once more. He also used the metaphor of the virus to explain how memes are propagated by cultural manifestations: songs, clothes-fashion, videos or pictures. Memes are replicators of culture in the same way that genes are of biological traits. Internet Memes, however, are one of a kind. Earlier this year, Dawkins pointed out their distinctive feature: they proliferate based on creative human alterations rather than “leaping from brain to brain through a process of imitation”. Some Internet Memes seem to appear

out of nowhere, others are a direct, humorous and sharp response to local or global current issues. Internet Memes seem to compete against each other at times, to collaborate with other meme-mates or even to be part of a family other times. This is because Internet Memes spread socially and develop culturally. And tech-savvy as you are, you have long realized that Internet Memes also leave a traceable footprint when they propagate. What you might not have realized yet, is that Internet Memes aren’t only harmless and funny pictures with captions that put a smile on your face on a grey, rainy, Galwegian Monday morning. Often, Internet Memes are extremely partial, highly disrespectful and they contribute to perpetuate sectarian attitudes and behaviours. Sometimes, Internet Memes create distress and are experienced as severe bullying too. Kelly Martin Broderick’s profile picture became an Internet Meme overnight. While for many, the picture simply shows a Caucasian, socially defined female body holding a sign that reads “this is what a feminist looks like”, for others the same image is read as a confirmation of the very stereotypes Kelly and her fellow feminists were try-

Volunteering Fair

Wednesday, 25th September

1.00pm – 5.00pm, Wednesday 25th September Áras na Mac Léinn • Join a homework club • Fundraise for a good cause • Plant an organic garden • Maintain a charity’s website • Visit the elderly • Befriend a person with a disability • Campaign for human rights

Over 80 stands • Develop new skills • Increase your employability • Help a good cause • Meet new people • Have fun • Get the ALIVE Certificate

alive@nuigalway.ie For more info visit www.nuigalway.ie/alive or call 091 49 5346

Orchestra Soc unveils fresh new sounds By Orchestra Soc The Orchestra society has run successfully for more than ten years and has grown into one of the finest amateur orchestras west of the Shannon comprised of staff members, students and local as well as International music enthusiasts.

This year, the society will delve into not only popular classical pieces but the contemporary world of movie and rock covers to bring a whole new vibe to their concerts which are held each semester. S o W h e t h e r y o u ’ re Dancin’ in the Moonlight drinking Whiskey in the Jar

or watching Smoke on the Water while waiting for your Space Oddity, there’ll be plenty of Madness as it Smells like Teen Spirit and because Nothing Else Matters we’ll take you Around the World, so get to Hotel California as I don’t like Monday’s. Watch this space... WE WILL ROCK YOU.

ing to discredit with their campaign. In Kelly’s own words: “some stole my picture and made a meme out of it because I dare to be fat and feminist in public/while living”. What appears to be a harmless joke on your screen might be the worst nightmare of another human being. At this point you might want to stop reading because of course as a feminist I cannot possibly have

any sense of humour and I am just making a mountain out of a molehill. But if you decide to stay with me a little bit longer, then you might discover that a) ignorance is not bliss after all and b) there are plenty of humorous meme-makers feminists out there like Veronica de Souza or the team behind lolfeminist. In line with Broderick’s initiative we would like to invite NUI Galway stu-

dents and staff to stand up and show the world that feminism is a colourful intersectional collection of movements where everyone has a say and everyone is welcomed. Post your “This is what an NUIG feminist looks like” pictures in our FB (facebook. com/FeministSocietyNUIG), send them to feminist@socs. nuigalway.ie or pose with one of our feminist-made signs.

Features 19

September 16 2013

A blast from the past: UCG History Society 1985-1991

By Dr Margaret Ó hÓgartaigh I arrived in University College Galway [UCG as NUI Galway was then known] in October 1985 and immediately joined the History Society, along with the athletics club and the literary and debating society; all three have fed into my activities for the last quarter of a century. Before long, I was first year class rep of the history society and busy announcing the many activities of the soci-

ety to our 100 plus first year classes. Apparently, luminaries such as Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler were doing first year history, since they occasionally signed sheets seeking names for society tours to exotic spots such as Dublin and Durham. I will never forget the first lecture I heard which was hosted by the society and chaired by the marvellous auditor, Marie Boran. He was medievalist from UCC [University College Cork]. Zen he had not. He appeared to be dressed entirely in tweed – tie, suit, perhaps even his knickers. He had also enjoyed the society’s hospitality prior to his talk, and his shirt sported some blood stains. As he detailed equine fornication efforts in late medieval West Muskery, I sat there and wondered, ‘are they all like this?’ They were not. In fact, I remember outstanding lectures by David Fitzpatrick

of Trinity on ‘Fraternity, Ireland’s solution to liberty and equality’ as well as Alan Titley, a future colleague at St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, on language change in nineteenth-century Ireland. If you ever go to London, it might be wise to read a map of the city on the way there, not on the way home. A Professor of Old English decided that Beowulf was what he needed for entertainment on the way there, but on the way back, a map of London was perused. No wonder he continually got lost. It was a metaphor for the entire trip. The accommodation was basic, but at least the men enjoyed their own beds. I shared a bed with a female friend. We are still friends a quarter of a century later. The men’s room was used for a lecture given by an amused History of Parliament researcher who is now a professor.

Given the appalling breakfast at our accommodation we headed to a bizarre café nearby. The owner has three words of English, ‘everything is coming’. One could ask for anything, and the reply would be the same. But some things never came, a knife for one’s bread, a spoon, anything. Our trip to Oxford was the intellectual highlight. When we visited the Bodleian Library, we were asked, ‘are you readers?’ We assured the librarian that we were literate. When someone who was not doing history saw some skyscrapers she said knowingly ‘ah Tudor’; we kept her well away from a Tudor expert. My strongest memory is athletics. As the intervarsity cross country championships were being held just after the London trip, I trained in Hyde Park, my training partner called me Arkle. After my intervarsity exploits, I fell asleep at the disco after-

wards – a tribute to the energy required for a History Society trip to London. The highlight of the year was the organisation of the Arts Ball. In my last year at UCG, 1991, we gave the department £1,596, old money; I always remember the amount because it was two years before the death of Philip II of Spain. The outstanding auditor, Nora Flemming, was also a member of the Karate Club so we saved plenty of money on bouncers. Having been business editor of Stair in 1990, I was editor the following year. Thankfully the journal received a very positive review in Retrospect, the Journal of the Irish History Students’ Association, 1992; this was relief as I was chair of the IHSA that year. Due to the generosity of Guinness, we made a profit on our journal as a copy could be bought for 50 pence and

this deal included a pint. The journal included an excellent article in Irish by Tom Bartlett on William of Orange or Liam Oraiste, plus a section historical truths, culled from history papers. This included such insights as Magellan circumcised the globe with his forty-foot clipper, and de Valera told O Buachalla, ‘you are abolished’; ‘you are one yourself’, replied O Buachalla. The history society had lots of fun, I hope it still does. Dr. Margaret Ó hÓgartaigh is currently working in Harvard University, and her most recent books are Gender and Medicine in Ireland, 1700-1950 co-edited with Margaret Preston, which was published in New York and His Grace is Displeased. The Selected Correspondence of John Charles McQuaid, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, 1940-72 co-edited with Clara Cullen, which has been reprinted several times.

Archaeology Society and An Cumann Staire invite you to Aiséirí By Siobhán Whyte Archaeology Society and An Cumann Staire have joined forces once again to bring history to life on campus this September 23 – 26 with Aiséirí (Resurrection). This free event promotes the idea of bringing the past to life, engaging an exciting new way of teaching and learning about our history and heritage. The event kicks off at lunchtime (1pm) on Monday, September 23 in Áras na Mac Léinn, which is where most of the excitement will be concentrated. Other events are scheduled to be held on the President’s Lawn and Fisheries Field. NUI Galway will

come alive with the past. Aiséirí has something historical for everyone. The schedule is packed full of talks, workshops and classes like medieval forgery, archery sessions, pottery classes and glass bead-making. Entertainment will be provided by various historically-themed groups to transport NUI Galway to older times. There will be an evening reception at 7pm on Monday 23 September in The View in Áras na Mac Léinn with Nuada, a duo playing Celtic, Folk and early music. Historical re-enactment group Claíomh will be performing on Tuesday. Athenry Heritage Centre has kindly provided their col-

lection of costumes, swords, shields and torture devices for this special event, which will be on site throughout the week. A replica Iron Age chariot will be shown on Wednesday, and there will be a talk on the subject. Food (including spit roast) and craft stalls along with a treasure hunt will add to the fun-filled atmosphere. The entire week will be fun for everybody. Everyone is invited to explore the past with us; students, schools, parents and anyone else who would like to come down. An Cumann Staire and the Archaeology Society are eager to share their passion about our heritage and promote its value as a subject

area for both young and old. The societies have the common ambition of showing the students of the

University and the public of Galway City and County that learning about our heritage can be fun. Come along and

enjoy the festivities with us. For a full list of events and schedule, please see www. cumannstaire.com.

World-renowned astrophysicist to visit NUI Galway By Astro Soc NUI Galway Astronomy Society will welcome worldrenowned astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell on campus next week for a special public talk entitled ‘A light-weight introduction to gravitational radiation’. Professor Burnell is best known for her 1967 discovery of rapidly rotating neutron

stars known as pulsars, and has won numerous awards for her strong role in promoting science. In 2008 she became the first female President of the Institute of Physics and is a strong supporter of women in science. “I am delighted to welcome Professor Bell Burnell to NUIG as she is an outstanding role model for women in

science. I myself as a PhD student in Astronomy have been greatly inspired by her accomplishments,” said Lisa-Marie Browne, Auditor of Astronomy Soc. The talk will introduce the topic of gravitational waves and show that we are on the threshold of detecting a whole new spectrum of radiation. These waves, sometimes called ripples in space-time,

were first predicted by Albert Einstein. Was he right? What are these ripples and how are they created? How are we able to detect them? The NUI Galway Astronomy society is in its second year with over 540 members. The main goal of the society is to promote astronomy, both recreationally and academically. Astro Soc hosts a series of talks on astronomy over the

year and organises events to increase general awareness and understanding of astronomy. The society also works with the Galway Astronomy club and is supported by the university's Centre for Astronomy. Professor Bell Burnell's talk will take place at 7pm on Tuesday the 24 September in the Kirwan Theatre in NUI Galway. This talk is free, and open to the general public.

20 Features MSF: making a difference in Syria By Esraa Hegazy, Auditor of Friends with MSF NUI Galway Friends of Médecins Sans Frontières (FoMSF) is a student organisation working with the wonderful organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Doctors Without Borders UK and Ireland. Our aims are to 1) draw attention to the current international medical relief and humanitarian aid projects of MSF, 2) encourage students to consider working for organisations such as MSF, and 3) to raise funds for MSF. These goals will be achieved by arranging events. So far we plan to have guest speakers, film screenings, awareness campaigns highlighting current MSF initiatives and fundraising activities where proceeds are given to MSF. All of these

will be held on the NUI Galway campus and anyone interested in taking part is welcome. MSF has been delivering medical aid since 1971 and is now involved with over 60 countries. It was created on the belief that all people have the right to medical care regardless of gender, race, religion, creed or political

fiercely independent of both governments and institutions. 90% of their income comes from individual donations. This allows them to stay independent, neutral and impartial and to access those in greatest need around the world. One current international problem gaining worldwide recognition is the use of

is greatly suffering, not only from the direct consequences of war – bombs and bullet wounds – but have also been forced to leave their homes and belongings, their regular lives and medical treatments interrupted. Professor Paul McMaster is a surgeon and head of MSF UK who is currently located in Syria. He says of MSF's

work, “We currently have six field hospitals operating in Syria. I cannot tell you their location for fear of retaliation, but having worked in one, I can tell you that MSF staff are doing fantastic work under very difficult circumstances. “MSF is one of the few international aid organisations assisting civilians in

We currently have six field hospitals operating in Syria. I cannot tell you their location for fear of retaliation... Since June 2012, 66,902 patients have received medical attention. affiliation, and that the needs of these people outweigh respect for national boundaries. From its inception, MSF has proved itself to be unlike any other NGO. It remains

chemical weapons in Syria. MSF have long been located in Syria since the beginning of the country's bitter civil war, providing much needed medical relief and humanitarian aid. The population

MSF are hard at work in over 60 countries around the world.

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

the opposition areas, and our presence is making a difference. Since June 2012, 66,902 patients have received medical attention, including for violence-related injuries such as gunshot wounds, shrapnel wounds, open fractures and injuries due to explosions. Over 3,400 surgical procedures have been carried out and we have delivered 1,428 babies inside Syria." On top of this, the number of Syrians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries is increasing. So far, nearly two million people have fled to Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and other countries. MSF have provided medical care for nearly 200,000 people in the region. Would you like to help more people receive the medical care and attention they deserve? If so, join up to our society. It’s going to be a great year.

NUI Galway ChoiceSoc: for abortion rights in Ireland The Humanist Atheist Society By Robin Pötke The NUI Galway Choice Society was founded in response to the shameful and entirely preventable death of Savita Halappanavar, who succumbed to complications from an unviable pregnancy after doctors refused to perform an abortion on her, despite her repeated pleas for the life-saving procedure. This tragedy made it impossible to further ignore one ugly truth: for women with crisis pregnancies, Ireland is a cruel and compassionless place. As a consequence, the government has finally introduced a new law that grants women the right to a termination if (and only if ) a pregnancy places their lives in acute danger. Let that sink in: only now, in the 21st century, has it become legal for women to get an abortion if they would otherwise die. Of course, the new law is a far cry from anything resembling real bodily autonomy. Any woman who has an abortion for reasons other than to save her life faces a prison sentence of up to 14 years. This is not a typo. Fourteen years. To put this into perspective, the average sen-

tence for rape is 5 to 7 years. This means that a woman who decides to terminate a pregnancy that is the result of rape could spend twice as long in prison as her rapist. Consequently, an average of 12 women leave Ireland

every day to have abortions abroad. Among them are women who endured rape or incest, women whose contraception failed, women with unviable pregnancies and women who simply do not feel ready for motherhood.

The poster used last year for the Abortion referendum.

We want to make Ireland a country where people are in charge of their own bodies. Pregnant women must be free to make an informed decision about whether abortion, adoption or motherhood is the right option for them. To that end, all of Irish civil society must throw their weight behind the cause, and that includes the universities. In a referendum organised by ChoiceSoc and FemSoc, the overwhelming majority of students voted to make their Students’ Union adopt a Pro-Choice position. We now have a challenging and exciting year of activism ahead of us. We will organise and attend demonstrations, petition TDs, work with other Pro-Choice organisations around the country and, most importantly, ensure that our campus is a place where everybody’s reproductive choices are respected. If you support a woman’s right to choose, we could really use your help! Whatever your forte, be it writing, art, music, public speaking, organising or simply being there and lending a hand ChoiceSoc needs you! Get in touch at choicesoc@socs. nuigalway.ie.

By Peter Ferguson The Humanist Atheist Society aims to provide an organised body and representation for atheists and Humanists within the University, and spread awareness of Humanism and its ideals through open discussion and debate. Humanism is a philosophy which emphasises human nature and promotes a value system centred on mankind. We believe our morals do not require divine justification nor are they bestowed upon us by a supernatural being. We base our ethics on reason, compassion and integrity. Humanism prioritises science and rationality over superstition and unquestioning dogma, and encourages open and honest inquiry in all aspects of life. We tend to be free-thinkers who aspire to a progressive, compassionate world free from religious privilege, discrimination and intolerance. Humanism promotes secularism as it is the only form of governance which protects people of all faiths and none and permits freedom of religion and expression without the fear of persecution. Humanism continues a tradition which has existed for over 2,500 years and still flourishes

today. We are guided by practical, scientific and technical understanding for the benefit all people everywhere, now and in the future. The society itself is only a year old but we enjoyed a very successful inaugural year. We held a variety of events, including discussion groups, lectures, debates, and movie nights. All of which are usually followed by some free wine, because all that debating is thirsty work. We hosted international speaker and author Sanal Edamaruku who is currently exiled from his country of India for exposing an alleged miracle crying statue of Jesus as nothing more than capillary action. We also held a debate between Michael Nugent of Atheist Ireland and John Waters of the Irish Times. At the end of the year we won the “Food for Thought” award for hosting the most thoughtprovoking events throughout the year. After an extremely successful first year, the society is highly optimistic about the year ahead. We hope to build upon on our early success and hold better events and engage with a larger number of students. If you would like to join the society or simply learn more about it, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Features 21

September 16 2013

Recipes: Quick and easy for the busy or lazy Moving away from mammy’s cooking can be tough, especially for first years who are used to being at home. But eating well is essential during your studies. With that in mind, we’ve put together a couple of very simple recipes to get you started. Cooking Method:

By Siobhán Whyte

Jacket spud with spicy beans This is really very easy. You will need: • Potato • ½ a tin of mixed beans. Tinned taco beans also work great here • Chilli powder (experiment with other herbs and spices too) • Cheese, salsa, sour cream or crème fraiche to top

1. Take a large potato, pierce it and cook in the microwave for about 7 to 8 minutes. Turn it over halfway through to ensure it cooks evenly. 2. Mix in your favourite spices with the beans (if it’s too dry, mix a little olive oil and 1 tbsp passata). 3. Split and fill the jacket, add topping of choice and stick back in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutess. 4. Serve with a side salad.

Cheesy Pasta You will need: • 75g pasta of your choice • 125g passata (this is a must-have for the kitchen!!) • 1 onion • 1 clove garlic • Handful mushrooms • ½ tin beans (e.g. cannellini) • Handful spinach • 1tbsp mixed herbs

• 1tbsp oil to cook • Grated cheese to serve (reduced fat cheddar is good, but tubs of grated parmesan are ok as well)

Cooking Method: 1. Boil some water for your pasta. Throw it in, cover and let it boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Some people add salt and/or vegetable oil to stop it sticking. Stir occasionally. 2. Next, start the sauce. Heat up some oil in a pan. First to go in are your chopped onions. Get them sizzling and keep an eye on them while you chop or crush the garlic. Then you can add the mushrooms and beans. After 5 minutes, add the passata a couple of tbsp at a time so it’s right for you. Bring this all to a simmer, while stirring every now and then. Add in your herbs, then finally your chopped spinach. Leave this simmering for another minute or so. 3. Plate up your pasta, add your sauce on top and finish with the grated cheese. Yum yum!

A few simple tricks to help make your staple meals a bit healthier... • Use wholemeal or wholegrain varieties of your favourite carbs (noodles, bread, pasta, rice). • Homemade sauces like the Cheesy Pasta Sauce are great to substitute jars or packets of sauce. • Salads can be added to your meal very easily – get your five-a-day. Throw in some fruit, nuts, veg – whatever you fancy to jazz it up! • Freeze leftovers in take away containers. This works especially well with lasagne, shepherd’s pie or potato bake – perfect for those miserable, wet Galway days.

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22 Features

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

Review: Boojums Mexican Burrito Bar

Diary of an Erasmus student

By Jessica Thompson

By Shannon McNamee

I had never had a burrito before Boojums came to town. Not once in my whole life had I tasted the taste of a floury tortilla, packed with enough food to keep me going for a whole day. Boojums is a relatively new joint in town, and so far it’s proving quite popular with the students, which is no surprise. Where else could you get an entire meal wrapped in tinfoil for well under a tenner? It’s like heaven for your wallet. Last week I decided to take a trip to Boojums to see what they had to offer: burritos, fajitas, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads. They had vegetarian options, chicken, beef, pork and chilli con carne. And to top it all off, a choice of black beans or pinto beans, Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice and then all sorts of extras including salsas of various mildness or spiciness, sour cream, cheese and salad. What’s not to love? The restaurant is fully systemised to ensure faster, easier service, with a menu on the wall so you can decide your order while you stand in a fast-moving queue. Once you get to the top of the queue, your order goes through two pairs of very clean and hygienic hands (wearing gloves of course). One prepares the meat, rice and beans before passing it to the next person who loads your choice of meal with whatever extras you’d like. I’ve never been a big fan of tortillas so I went for a burrito bowl. The first lady filled it up with Mexi-

can rice, chilli con carne and pinto beans before passing it to the next lady who crammed it full to bursting point with whatever toppings I desired – plenty of cheese, guacamole and mild salsa. I’m not one for the spicy foods and Boojums certainly catered for my taste. There are spicier options and a selection of hot, spicy sauces on each table if you want to shake on a bit more heat. Starving and full of anticipation, I spooned my meal into me. The mixture of tastes hit me like a slap in the face. Never had I tasted so many different flavours at once – chilli, rice, salsa, guacamole, beans and cheese all merged together in a mouthful of deliciousness. This was a complete meal in one bowl. I felt myself getting full quite quickly – the sign of a proper meal. Once my companion (who went for the pork option in his burrito bowl and enjoyed it equally as much) and I had cleaned out every morsel, we were offered a plate of tortilla chips with a hot, four-cheese sauce. Stuffed as we were, we just about polished these off before we left. Boojums is well on its way to becoming a popular student joint. Situated in a prime location – close to the Spanish Arch – it’s easily accessible and very affordable. One meal in Boojums will keep you going for a day. With friendly staff, a well-structured system of service and most importantly, delicious food to cater for any taste, Sin highly recommends Boojums to any student.

Sunday 8 September 2013 Leaving home for the first time was never going to be easy. Sure, I left the comforts of home in the wee county for Galway back in September 2011, but that was different. At weekends I went home for Mammy's dinners and people in NUI Galway speak English (to my dismay, my French has significantly diminished). Here in Lille, France, my ignorance as a born English speaker has shone through, “but, why can't they all speak English?” I left Dublin airport far too early in the wee hours for my brain to even work. I had an emotional and tearful goodbye, but set off with a strange excitement. That was Wednesday. Today is Sunday and I'm still living in a hostel. Although the hostel is amazing and the staff are incredibly friendly, it's not exactly where I had planned to be five days in. The plan was to land here and arrive at my new home in Lille, but alas! Plans change, people let you down, and then you're left unexpectedly homeless in a country where you can barely speak the language. Needless to say, the past few days have been the most stressful experience of my life. I landed in Charleroi, Brussels and got a bus to Lille from there. When I arrived in Lille I had no idea where to go to get to my hotel. Which bus, or train, or tram or metro to take, and to top it all off, the internet on my phone had decided to stop working. Cheers for that by the way, Meteor. Hav-

ing finally figured out I had to take the red metro line to get to my hotel, I then realised I had left my jacket on the airplane in Brussels. Yes, because I'm just that absentminded. After I got off the metro, feeling quite sorry for myself (I was on my own, and jacketless) I found my hotel after about a half an hour of searching and nearly cried with relief when I got through the door. I won’t go into details of the emotional phone calls home, but they were tearful and repetitive, “Mammy I want to come home!” Finding an apartment for a four-month lease in France is not an easy task. After days of stressful phone calls home, dodgy apartment viewings and eating baguettes (I swear, the stereotype is true) I finally found a place to stay, and I move in Tuesday. Phew. For a while there I was seriously contemplating coming home. My money was running low and I was at my wits end. Now I can focus on college, or as they call it here, Université, which, by the way starts at 9am every morning. As an arts student I'm used to strolling down the concourse at 12 o'clock on a Monday morning, having a few hours of college and then I'm off for the day. Oh how I do miss Galway already, but Lille is great too, now that I'm more settled and less homeless. When the time comes for me to write my next entry here, I shall be more accustomed to the French ways, I shall be able to string a sentence together, and I won't be living in a hostel.

Alumni Interview: Keith Barry Year of graduation: 1998 Course at NUI G alway: BSc Hons graduating in Chemistry Current Occupation: Mentalist/Hypnotist/ Magician

What is your fondest memory of NUI Galway?

Did you ever get in trouble while you were here? Honestly I could have been arrested a number of times for doing stupid stuff when drunk but luckily avoided the guards every time!

Has NUI Galway changed since you were here?

Any other juicy stories of your time here?

Not a whole lot. It's obviously more modernised now but overall the youthful vibe and energy remains the same.

I remember hypnotising one of the girls, Denise Healy, into acting like a chicken during a lecture. The whole place was in knots with the laughter. The lecturer failed to see the funny side

I think my true personality developed and shined in NUIG as I didn't really like school or have many friends there. In NUIG I immediately connected with a lot of people who had the same interests as me and remain friends with them to this very day. Also I learned to work hard and play hard which I still do to this very day.

Did you partake in any societies, sports clubs or volunteering at NUI Galway? Unfortunately no – I do regret not playing rugby – it's something I would have liked to try my hand at.

boojumgalway

Always! I passed there today and my heart skipped a beat. The only other place I would live in besides where I live now would be Galway. I love the place.

Heading to the River Inn every Thursday night, followed by craziness in The Alley or The Warwick afterwards.

How did attending NUI Galway develop you as a person?

www.facebook.com/ boojumgalway www.facebook.com/

Do you ever miss NUI Galway?

What was the college newspaper like when you were in NUI Galway? Did you write for it? Never read it!

What advice would you give to current NUI Galway students? Ignore the advice from lecturers and government officials. I got 1-1s the whole way through college and graduated with the top points of my class that year. CRAMMING DOES WORK!

If you could go back and do it all again, what would you do differently? I would have played rugby and set up a magician society. Other than that I would change nothing as I loved every minute of my time there.

For more information on the NUI Galway Alumni Association visit: http://www.nuigalway.ie/alumni-friends/

Lifest yle 23

September 16 2013

Wise Words: Hummus 7 reasons to make this By Mona Wise Mona Wise, a mature student and local food blogger, is back at NUI Galway for another year of learning as she undertakes her MA in Journalism. She can be found at www.WiseWords.ie or you can find her on Twitter at @ WiseMona. I sw o re, o n c e I wrapped up my undergrad last May (2013), that I was finished with my stint in college. I had had enough of the life of academia and I just wanted to take a break and write, or even ‘not write’. Academic writing, English essay-writing in particular, has a way of zapping the life out of you, leaving you swimming in a sea of similes and supposings. As a mature student, Mum to four kids, and wife to a neglected husband, I needed to just stay at home and take care of house; stuff like laundry and gardening. But I felt like I had unfinished business. Breaking into food writing in Ireland is a tough nut to crack. Unless you know someone that knows someone that used to live beside someone that lives in Dublin, then it is virtually impossible to become part of the inner circle of fabulous Irish food journalists. Inevitably, hard work does pay off. After a 15-month stint working as a food columnist for The Sunday Times, I came away with the knowledge that I have a lot to learn. So here I am, 12 weeks later, sitting in the Journalism suite in the Arts Millennium building, embarking on, what I hope is, the final leg of my academic journey. Over the course of the next few months, I want to share a few recipes with you that will never break the bank and possibly even encourage you to expand your culinary skills just a tad. If you feel like you are getting stuck in a culinary rut and tempted to eat a plate of chips every day from An Bialann, then send me an email at WiseIrishFood@GMail.com. I am always happy to share my (packed) lunch!

Hummus

Mashed chickpeas. Surely you can take a stab at this recipe? That will be the hardest part actually, the mashing of the chickpeas. Making Hummus can be as complicated as you want it to be. Yes, the process is easier and faster if you have a food processor or blender, but you are in college, you are here to learn. First things first. Hummus is an excellent item to have in the fridge. It can serve as an alternative to butter or mayo on a sandwich. It makes for a nutritious snack when paired with raw veggies, is perfect for sharing with your flat mates on those evenings where no one feels like cooking, and it has an excellent shelf life when kept in the fridge. Tahini, vital for the making of Hummus, is a liquid paste-like substance made from ground sesame seeds and a bit of oil. It comes in small glass jars and is available at most large grocery stores or Evergreen health food shops. Now that we have discussed the weird and the challenging parts of the recipe, it is time to get cracking.

What you will need • • • • • •

540g Chickpeas (500g (dried) for €1.19 at Tesco) 40g Tahini 60ml Lemon or Lime juice (fresh) 60ml Olive Oil 2 cloves of garlic, minced 240ml warm water

How to prepare it 1. Soak the dried chick peas in cold water for 12 hours or overnight. Once they have soaked, you need to boil them, covered in fresh cold water for 2 hours, or until they are soft enough to mash with a fork. 2. Strain them, holding back a small cupful for garnish later, and put the rest into a large mixing bowl. If you buy tinned chickpeas you can pop them in a bowl and put them into the microwave until they are soft and easily mashed. This is only necessary if you do not have a food processor. 3. Using a potato masher or a fork, mash the chick peas until they are soft like a paste. Add the tahini, olive oil, minced garlic and lemon juice. Mix until well incorporated. Add the warm water slowly. You might not need it all. Just add enough until you are happy with the texture of the paste. Serve with raw veggies and pita bread. 4. If your cabinets are well stocked, then you can add a little extra love to the garnishing of the Hummus by doing the following:

What you will need for garnish: • • • • • • •

60ml olive oil 1tsp garlic, minced 1/2tsp paprika Pinch of sumac Pinch of cumin 50g fresh coriander 1 whole lemon, sliced into wedges

How to prepare Turn the pan on and get it hot. Add the dried spices, then the oil followed by the minced garlic. Mix for a minute or two until the aroma from the spices and garlic fill your kitchen. Pour this oil mixture on top of the hummus and top with the remaining un-mashed chickpeas, the fresh coriander and a few slices of lemon.

semester a healthy one always win. Once you become fit, new surges of energy course through your veins. You thrive on motion and activities that used to tire you out now leave you energized. Reason to be fit #4: You are strong

By John Mulry I spend a lot of time talking about what it's like to be working towards your fitness or health goals; oftentimes that goal can seem very distant. Today I'm going to switch perspectives and turn the focus onto how it feels to be at that goal. In addition to getting you pumped up and motivated to work even more diligently towards your goal, studies have shown that those who spend time visualizing the accomplishment of their goal have a higher success rate in actually getting there. So if you’ve decided to make this year at college one that will be a healthy one then sit back and let the following seven reasons to be fit really sink into your mind. Visualize the following as being a part of your reality. Reason to be fit #1: You always look great

When you are at your ideal weight, you simply look better. The clothes you wear look and feel amazing on you. Gone are the days of looking for ways to cover your ‘problem’ areas because even those areas look great. Friends, family members and co-workers tell you how fantastic you look and that you've never looked better. Reason to be fit #2: Your confidence is high

The act of accomplishing any worthwhile goal is enough to seriously boost your confidence, and this is even more apparent when reaching a fitness goal. When your body goes through a transformation there's no hiding it. You are tighter, leaner and more attractive. You stand straighter, walk taller and exude a genuine confidence that can't be missed. Reason to be fit #3: You have lots of energy

Before you reach your fitness goals, getting off the couch may be a challenge – one that you won’t

The life of a truly fit person knows no limits. In your free time you hike, bike, walk, pick up new hobbies, join active societies and enjoy college life. Picking up items that used to feel heavy is now a breeze as your functionality for daily tasks has never been stronger. Gone are the days when you'd tell yourself’; "I can't do that. I'm not strong enough." Reason to be fit #5: You have no health worries

You'll never forget the look on your doctor's face when examining your transformed body. Gone is the lecture about the many risks of weight-related ailments. Those days are behind you. Your healthy, strong thriving body is health-worry-free. Reason to be fit #6: You no longer have weight to lose

How long have you been trying to lose the extra pounds and get down to your ideal weight? A long time, right? In all that time your fat loss goal has been a giant monkey on your back – always in the back of your mind, always weighing you down. Guess what? Poof! That giant monkey disappeared the day you reached your goal weight an in its place came a sweet, carefree peace of mind. Reason to be fit #7: You are able to enjoy college life

Once you transformed your body, college life got decidedly more fun and exciting. You never knew how much your weight had held you back from excitement and adventure until the day that burden was lifted. You now enjoy life with carefree abandon – the way you were designed to. If these 7 reasons to be fit have lit a fire under you to reach your goal weight once and for all then don’t delay in getting started. Use the inspiration and motivation you feel to get going right away. What should you do? Honestly, it doesn’t matter. Just do something positive. The rest will take care of itself. Action breeds success. If you’re joining the gym this semester and unsure of what you should be doing then I recommend you check out my book which details exactly what you should (and shouldn’t) be doing when exercising. You can find out more about that here www.johnmulry.com/ultimate

24 lifestyle

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

Student makeup essentials By Jane Kearns For many of us, makeup is the last thing on our mind when we’re back at college, just managing to brush your hair in the morning seems to be an accomplishment and looking fresh and put together on a daily basis can be tiresome and time-consuming. But having flawless makeup doesn’t have to be difficult, just mastering a few of the essentials is all you need to look amazing on any college day, here are the must have makeup items to keep in your bag that can help you look and feel great; even if it’s exam time and you haven’t slept or eaten right in nearly a month. 1. Moisturiser

College life can be draining, late nights and busy schedules mean a lot of us don’t get enough sleep or water; leaving our skin dull, dry and blemished, the best way to combat this is to invest in a good moisturiser, preferably one with an SPF, this hydrates skin, helps prevent premature ageing and acts a good base for your makeup. Simple Kind To Skin day cream is great moisturiser that’s widely available and very cost effective too. 2.Concealer

Everyone gets blemishes, redness and dark circles to some degree and covering them up can be the bane of our daily routine, but a good

concealer will work wonders for the complexion. If you have a lot of redness or spots then a heavy coverage concealer is what you need; a cream rather than a liquid will work best. One of the very best available is MAC Studio Finish which is very creamy and completely opaque so it will cover up anything. If it’s dark circles you want covered up then a light liquid concealer will brighten up your eyes and make you look more awake. Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer does this perfectly. 3. Foundation

Daytime foundation can be hard to get right, if you go too dark or heavy you might end up looking like you’re ready for a night out, but opting for a light coverage liquid that matches your skin tone is the best way to avoid this. Maybelline Fit Me is a great product that does exactly this and it gives skin a nice matte finish, to fully achieve a matte look and prevent the inevitable shiny face we all get after a long day, finish this off with a pressed powder like Rimmel Stay Matte translucent powder. 4. Blusher

To finish off your face and give it a natural healthy glow, use a soft pinkish blusher; just using a blush will keep your complexion looking fresh and young and ditching the bronzer is a great way to transition your makeup from Summer into Autumn. Natural Collection at Boots does a wonderful selection of natural

colours that suit any skin tone. 5. Eye Shadow

For the eyes try using a light shadow in the corner of your eyes and brow bone, then use a darker beige or brown through the crease; brown shades like these are easy to blend and prefect to wear during the day. The Urban Decay Naked pallet offers a really good selection of neutral brown and beige shadows. For mascara always opt for waterproof, because no one wants panda eyes going into a lecture, and living in Galway inevitably means getting caught in the rain. 6. Lip Balm

Finally for lips try going for a tinted lip balm rather than lipstick or lip gloss, this will help prevent your lips from getting chapped in the cold while still adding a pop of colour. Maybelline Baby Lips is an adorable collection of coloured balms that come in a wide variety of shades.

Jane demonstrates her makeup tips.

Healthy Skin: 3 foods that will make you glow By Jessica Thompson We all want clear, healthy, beautiful skin. But sometimes it’s difficult. Products can dry our skin out, or chemicals can clog pores. More importantly, what we eat often shows on our skin; it affects us from the inside out. Unhealthy foods can cause breakouts, while healthy foods with high water content (such as fresh fruit or veg… or water itself ) can give us that clear complexion we love. Food is so important to our skin that I’ve decided to make a short list of foods you should keep in your kitchen cupboard for healthy skin.

lmonds: These tasty little nuts provide tonnes of goodness for your skin. They are filled to bursting point with antioxidants, which will cleanse and eliminate toxins from your body, giving you that beautiful skin you long for. They are also a great source of vitamin E. Many of us will rub vitamin E creams on our skin, which is great, but imagine having that vitamin E coming from the inside too – a double whammy of Vitamin E equals doubly beautiful skin. Rubbing almond oil on your face can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while also helping to cure acne or blackheads. Almonds also cure constipation and ensure a healthy digestive system, which is essential for healthy, glowing, beautiful skin. You just can’t go wrong with almonds.

vocado: This fruit is a natural way to replenish and nurture your body. It is filled with healthy fats, which are needed for soft and beautiful skin. Avocado oil has long been used in many of our beauty products, so why not try it in its purest form? Avocados are full of vitamin A, which helps to remove dry and dead skin, and glutamine, which protects the skin from environmental damage. Avocado oil is easily absorbed and is great for penetrating the deepest layers of skin, while stimulating the growth of new skin cells and improving circulation. The oil is also a great moisturiser and helps to soften the skin. Avocado oil is also great as a sunscreen, face mask and even conditioner if mixed with the right ingredients. So you can use it on the surface of your skin, but eating it will also work on your skin from the inside out.

atermelon: There is just so much this delicious fruit can do for beautiful skin. Let’s talk about eating it first. Watermelon is made up of 95% water (which is why it’s called “water”melon… obviously). Water is essential for beautiful skin as it can flush out the toxins, leaving us with a clean, clear, beautiful complexion. It is recommended that we drink approximately two litres of water a day, but how many of us can actually do this? Fortunately, a couple of slices of water melon can contribute to your daily intake, so there’s more water going in, but less of that glugging from a bottle or a glass.

But that’s only one benefit of watermelon. There are tonnes more. This tasty melon is bursting with antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C, which are powerful tools against signs of aging. Young-looking skin is beautiful skin, and watermelons can help you achieve this. Watermelon is also a source of lycopene, which is a red pigment found in tomatoes and other red foods. This can help to protect your skin from the sun, by eliminating free radicals which cause damage to the skin. Let’s move on to the next benefit of watermelon. Its high vitamin A content means this fruit is not only good for vision and healthy bones; it is also important for the health and vitality of your skin as it reduces the amount of oil secreted from the skin, while also reducing pore size.

Finally, watermelon juice can be used as a natural beauty product, instead of the expensive products you buy in shops. It can be used in homemade face masks by mixing it with honey for dry skin, or witch hazel for oily skin. The pure juice can be used as a natural toner which will remove traces of cleanser while also exfoliating, lightning and tightening your skin. Phew! With all those benefits, I bet you’re wondering why you don’t have a watermelon in your kitchen right now! Now, if you don’t mind, I’m off to the supermarket to get all of the above foods. They’re tasty, nutritious and they’ll help me to get beautiful skin – what’s not to love? For more natural beauty tips, check out my blog at www.jessica-thompson.com.

Lifest yle 25

September 16 2013

Wardrobe Essentials: What to wear in college By Jenna Hodgins For the majority of us, college is the first educational institution where you are no longer forced to wear itchy woollen jumpers, back-to-school value shirts and suffocating neck ties. In the first few weeks of the semester you may find yourself dressing to impress, or expressing yourself through fashion. But it won't be long before it becomes a pain in the neck. Dressing efficiently is a skill you will develop over the course of your studies here at NUI Galway. It's a bit like writing academic essays; you just get the hang of it... eventually. This being said, here are my top three wardrobe essentials that are practical, stylish and don't burn a hole in your pocket.

oots: I cannot stress enough how perfect boots are for college. Comfortable, low heeled or flat boots will keep your piggies warm in the winter as well as prevent your feet from getting soaked in the Galway rain. Once broken in you will struggle to take them off your feet. Boots are easy to style and go well with both jeans and dresses both on a casual and going-out level. The same applies to you boys – even the girly dresses if that's your thing. Canvas shoes may be unbelievably comfortable, stylish and versatile, but they are not always Galway friendly. I'd recommend, alongside your high tops and slip-ons, you find a nice, comfortable pair of waterproof shoes. Be it boots, runners or tap shoes, so long as they don't let the rain in – nobody likes being Sniffles McSnottysnout blowing their nose in echoed lecture halls.

Style Spotter with Jenna Hodgins Kevin Devenney – 2nd Year Medicine

Craig Shalvey – 2nd Year Arts

Jacket: Penneys, €20 Shirt: Penneys, €6 Jeans: Penneys, €15 Shoes: Nike, €49 with discount. Name your one college fashion essential? Tracksuit bottoms.

Jeans: Topman, €40 with student discount. Top: Penneys €8 Sunglasses: €7 New Look Shoes: €68 Schuh Bracelets: Present from the shop assistant in Healing Earth! Describe your style in one sentence: Affordable and Versatile – anything that can be worn in college and on a night out.

good coat: I lived in my parka coat last year. It kept me warm, dry and better yet, it had plenty of pockets for my keys, phone, pens etc. They dry quickly and look really good too. Just be aware of smelly-furhood syndrome (SFHS). Most parka coats have faux fur linings on the hood and they need to be washed (so should the coat too, you know) every now and then. If not, it will smell and so will you and you will be diagnosed with SFHS. Another cheap and useful alternative to the parka is a rain jacket. They're reasonably cheap and can be found in most high street shops and boutiques. Raincoats now-a-days are also a lot more fashionable than poor Paddington Bear's little yellow number and come in many styles and colours. It's also useful to note that the SU cloakroom is free to use and open until 9pm Monday-Thursday and until 18:30 on Fridays.

This means you don't have to lug around your heavy/wet coat from lecture to lecture and leave puddles behind you when you walk!

hoody: Hoodies were made for college students, sure, I'm wearing mine right now and probably still will be when this is published! Snoozed for too long that morning and don't know what to wear? A hoody and jeans. Coat has no hood? Wear a hoody underneath. Rough night? Take the subterfuge of your hoody the following morning. Heating is broken? Hoody. Don't want to wear a bra? Hoody. You'll notice a lot of courses, societies and clubs have their own hoodies too. The hoody is an institution of college life, an emblem of pride, a stamp of who you are and how hung-over you may be. Join us and invest in a good, comfy mecca of a hoody.

Shannon McHugh – 2nd Year Arts with Theatre & Performance

Mairead Coll – 2nd Year Science

Top: Penneys, €7. An almost identical t-shirt can be found in Topshop for €22!! Skirt: Boutique store in the Galway shopping centre, €11 Boots: Penneys, €24 Tights: Penneys, €3.50 Scarf: Penneys, €6 Jacket: Topshop, €40 reduced. Comes with a removable fur lining. Describe your style in one sentence: Whatever I can find on my floor that's clean. Name your one college fashion essential: Tights. A good pair of warm tights!

Top: €1 because it had a hole in it! Shirt: €3 Leggings: €4 Boots: €15 Necklace: €1.50 All of the above are from Penneys, Belt: Charity shop in Letterkenny, €cheap. Name your one college fashion essential? Boots! Where are your favourite places to shop? Penneys and charity shops, definitely.

26 Arts & entertainment

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

Review: Pain and Gain DVD Release: Iron Man 3 By Kenneth Glennon After plumbing some grim cinematic depths with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (I didn’t find time to catch the follow-up) Michael Bay has made a good movie. Not a great work of art or even a massive improvement in taste, but nonetheless the extraordinarily bizarre true story of three Florida bodybuilders-turned-kidnappers and extortionists provides fertile ground for Bay to dish out some chaotic entertainment in this crassly entertaining action comedy.

Mark Whalberg (soon to be seen in Transformers IV) is Daniel Lugo, portrayed here as a fitness freak who believes in the American dream of working hard and reaping the rich rewards. Disillusioned with his life and envious of the wealth enjoyed by a particular client Lugo opts to organize a kidnapping and torture the wealthy Victor Kershaw into signing over his assets. Kershaw is played by Tony Shaloub who does a good job portraying his character as obnoxious enough to fit into Lugo’s deluded rationalization that he deserves to be stripped of his money by any means necessary but never descending into unlikable caricature. It’s a strength of Pain and Gain that the cast and Bay manage to ground characters who in a another skewered light could be whacky cartoons playing out their sordid deeds in a Coen brothers movie (Burn After Reading springs to mind). An ex-con turned born-again Christian played by Dwayne Johnson and a fitness buff with a penchant for steroids played by Hurt Locker actor Anthony Mackie make up Lugo’s partners in crime.

And it’s no spoiler to reveal the crime here pays off at first as the boys successfully, after some varied forms of persuasion that mix brutality and idiocy to strong effect, get everything owned by Shaloubs businessman. They get to live their American dream of fitness, cocaine, girls and fast cars for a while before the inevitable need for a second job sends everything spiralling out of control. Based on a series of Miami Times articles and corresponding novella by Francisco Alvarado, Bay takes a gruesome true crime event

and turns it into a grisly crime caper. Thankfully he does a fine job keeping the film in place tonally as elements of pitch black humour, extreme violence and in one instance bodily dismemberment slot together without overly pushing the film in any one direction over another. Everything in Pain and Gain feels of a piece, for better or worse depending on how you feel about taking this story and turning it into an action/comedy hybrid with some satirical meat in there for good measure. As the central gang are extraordinarily stupid, it takes a while for the grotesque sickness of their actions to really hit home. As a result the story works for the first half as an especially violent Three Stooges comedy with Whalberg leading the well-meaning but naive Johnson character and the similarly easily led Mackie character before comfortably segueing into more vicious water later on. Most impressively, with or without the prescience of a true story, the central trio are convincing enough to make us believe in these impossibly lump-headed criminals.

As comfortable doing heavy drama in The Fighter as he is broad comedy in Ted or standard issue action guy stuff, Mark Whalberg again shows what versatile screen presence he is, infusing Lugo with a volatile mix of childlike stupidity, meat-headed determination and grand self-delusion. Dwanye Johnson continues his surprisingly durable ascent into movie stardom with this performance that convinces both as a naive mind led astray and manipulated but oddly plausible enough in his pursuit of fortune to commit his part in these heinous crimes. He also subtly milks some decent comedic moments during scenes where his character is high on cocaine. After a couple of nothing roles in big budget misfires like Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter and Gangster Squad it’s nice to see Anthony Mackie get a decent role that’s central to the action, comfortably holding his own with the larger screen presences of his big name co-stars. Bay himself manages to dial things down a bit behind the camera enough for the action to play out in a coherent manner next to the flurry of carnage offered in his godawful sequels to Bad Boys and Transformers. Miami is fittingly gorgeous with the movie draped in sunlight and Bay as ever remains happy to linger on a beautiful body, his style in synch with the setting. Credit to him for dropping his typical salary in favour of making a comparatively low budget picture and for bringing in class act Ed Harris (with whom Bay worked with in his 1996 action thriller The Rock) to play a private detective on the Bad Boys trail. Neither high art nor as dangerously terrible, artistically bankrupt and spectacularly stupid in the vein of Bad Boys II or his second Transformers movie, Pain and Gain is a return to form for Michael Bay. Violent, arguably tasteless and well-acted across the board it gives Bay’s best movie The Rock a run for its money and filmgoers jaded from big screen carnage this summer past a late shot of adrenaline.

By Kenneth Glennon Arriving on the heels of last year’s monster hit The Avengers, the latest entry in Marvel’s ever-expanding cinematic universe is among the best. Fast-paced, irreverent, witty and – in at least one major plot instance – blindingly inspired, Iron Man 3 is unashamedly good fun thanks in huge part to a clever script by Shane Black and Drew Pearce that loads the film with deliciously sharp one-liners, a healthy sense of self awareness and enough character insight into the title figure to go with the action.

If there’s a criticism to be in the plot of Iron Man 3 there seems to be actively less interest in disguising how much of this we’ve seen before. Bizarrely (and quite successfully) the movie takes a narrative detour more than half way through that suggests more than a hint of superhero satire at play. Looking at co-writer/ director Shane Black’s back catalogue, by his own admission, few if any of his villains have been terribly memorable, often they exist as a basic plot necessity rather than Alan Rickman in Die Hard or the most recent two Batman villains where the antagonists comfortably left their mark alongside the title hero.

Review: Elysium By Kenneth Glennon In the ruins of Earth circa 2154, 99% struggle to survive day to day while 1% has fled to a self-sustaining space station to “preserve their way of life”. That orbiting space station is Elysium and bewitches the dreams of a young boy named Max who will grow into Matt Damon three decades later. As a boy he dreamt of life in the floating palace, following an industrial accident that leaves him five days to live he now needs to break into Elysium where any illness or injury can be fixed in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately for Max, a defence system ruthlessly run by Jodie Foster’s ice cold defence secretary is set up to prevent anyone without a fortune breaching the walls of the one per cent’s kingdom. Swapping bigotry and racism for class conflict, District 9 writer-director Neil Blomkamp expands the ghetto aesthetic that pervaded his Johannesburg setting in his feature debut to the surface of the planet this time out. A bravura opening shot establishes skyscrapers covered by shanty dwellings as if slum life has become a virus that has devoured most of the planet. The juxtaposition between rich and poor

is visually conveyed in some nice touches as we jump from Max receiving an undeserved beating from a robotic law enforcer for making a harmless joke, to members of the one per cent enjoying champagne and cupcakes. While Elysium citizens enjoy impossible comprehensive healthcare, hospital staff back on Earth are predictably overrun. Indeed it’s a disgusting disregard for Max’s life by a worker drone under the watchful eye of William Fitchner’s evilly entitled Corporate Titan that sets the plot in motion.

An ex-con turned wouldbe liberator, Max’s quest to Elysium sees him accidentally hijack a series of reboot codes that could open Elysium to the entire planet. On his trail, courtesy of Jodie Foster’s duplicate political figure, Blomkamp reunites with District 9 leading man Sharlto Copley. Playing a foul-mouthed, South African mercenary – “I don’t believe in committing violence in front of children,

As such, the plot isn’t that far removed from that of a Bond villain and, as ever, Robert Downey Jr is never anything less than untouchable even when his mansion is being blown to pieces. It’s the characters’ everenjoyable dialogue and a general sense of irreverence where chatter (in this case excellent chatter) is more memorable than the latest apocalyptic showdown that Iron Man/Spiderman/Batman or whoever else is on call that particularly bad week must rally to prevent. For this series, Iron Man 3 is light on its feet and much better for it. Iron Man 3 is available on DVD now.

tell your daughter to close her eyes” – whose hobbies we’re told include murder and rape, Copley carries the nasty edge of authenticity over from District 9. He’s alone though in edge stakes, as Matt Damon gives a likeable, engaging but slightly predictable heroic turn in the central role. Damon’s very good but where Copley’s character in District 9 began as an unsympathetic bigot and went on a gut wrenching journey that was violent, unpredictable and genuinely unsettling to watch, Max is a far more typical heroic leading man type. Fitting neatly into Damon’s nice guy persona, the script tries to make Max as selfish as possible, but by and large we expect him to put the needs of the many above his own fight for survival. Rounding out the main cast Alice Braga appears as a childhood sweetheart of Max’s, and Jodie Foster gives reliable ice queen (albeit with a distracting French-African accent) in the vein of her work in something like Inside Man. While it lacks the harsher qualities and moral ambiguity of Blomkamp’s last film, Elysium still offers a consistently entertaining and visually impressive sci-fi action adventure with class politics that don’t feel tacked on as an afterthought.

September 16 2013

Arts & entertainment 27 GUINNESS LIVE in Galway’s Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter Galway recently announced programme details of the GUINNESS LIVE music festival which will take place from Thursday 26 until Sunday 29 September. Now in its third year, GUINNESS LIVE in The Latin Quarter will be a four day music festival which will feature an extensive line-up of national and local acts (and more) in a series of intimate gigs in venues and pubs throughout the city’s Latin Quarter, with more than 40 live performances over four nights. Admission to all gigs will be free and on a first-come, firstserved basis. All events are over 18’s. GUINNESS LIVE begins on Thursday 26 September and promises a great weekend for Galway with some of the finest acts in Ireland and the UK including Snow Patrol (DJ Set with Nathan Connolly & Jimmy Symington), BiPolar Empire, Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison (Ocean Colour Scene), The Complete Stone Roses, Kila, Hermitage Green, Wallis Bird, This Club, DJ Terri Hooley and Galway favourites Baile an Salsa and more to be announced as well as many of Galway’s finest bands playing a wide range of popular, rock and traditional music. For full listings including information on acts, venues, times and for regular updates on the festival visit www. thelatinquarter.ie. The festival is again made possible through the support of the businesses of the Latin Quarter and GUINNESS. Chairperson of Galway’s Latin Quarter Aoife Qualter said; “GUINNESS LIVE will further consolidate Galway’s position as Ireland’s premier festival city and continue to highlight the Latin Quarter’s significance as a quality tourist destination. We acknowledge and appreciate the support of GUINNESS in making it happen.” The Latin Quarter is the area of Galway situated on the left bank of the Corrib – defined by some of the city’s most historic landmarks, it stretches from Spanish Arch at Long walk to O’Brien’s Bridge to St Nicholas’ Church and back (via Buttermilk lane) to An Taibhdhearc on Middle St. It is home to many of Galway’s quirkiest and best known pubs, restaurants and shops and has for many years played host to much of Galway’s renowned cultural activity. For details on where to shop, eat and stay during the Festival, visit:

www.thelatinquarter.ie This is a strictly over 18’s event. Enjoy Guinness Sensibly. Visit www.drinkaware.ie

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Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

NUI Galway alumna brings play to Off-West End Theatre By Áine O Donnell Former NUI Galway language student Fiona O’Malley is bringing her play The Daily Fail: The Musical to the Waterloo East Theatre, an off-West End venue for a six day run from October 15 to 20. The play has previously been performed at IYAF (International Youth Arts Festival) to soldout crowds and at the Rose Theatre in Kingston. Ms O’Malley is the co-founder of the Untold Theatre Company (UTC) and wrote the musical. The musical is a satire based on the Leveson Inquiry scandal and the price of fame in the modern world. The protagonists London and Dim are two girls eager to be famous but lack any talent. The fairy godmother, Rupert Murdoch, grants their wish but the girls are unable to cope with the pressure of fame under the spotlight of the media. The musical features songs with comical titles

like ‘Hugh Grant Is My Ideal Man’, ‘We Could Be Famous’, ‘Making A Sex Tape’ and ‘Seven Deadly Press Sins’. After the success of The Daily Fail at the IYAF and Rose Theatre, the script has been edited including the removal of two songs and the addition of a new scene. The show has been almost entirely recast ahead of the London performances with Ms O’Malley calling the actors “triple threats: they can all sing, act and dance to a world-class level”. The changes to the musical were intended to bring the production to the high calibre that would be expected on the London theatre scene. Fiona O’Malley from Newcastle Road graduated from NUI Galway and completed a Masters in Journalism at Kingston University. Ms O’Malley has previously worked for Vogue magazine, The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Guardian and The Irish Times.

She has recently written her own columns in newspapers and magazines. Along with her successful journalism career, Ms O’Malley writes plays, films and novels in her spare time. The production team includes another Kingston University graduate, Adam Wollerton as director and the play is composed by Joseph Alexander and choreographed by Glaswegian Rachel Kelly in her choreographic debut. The play has been met with favourable reviews including Prince William and Kate sending their well wishes to the Untold Theatre Company on their latest venture. Everyone from radio DJs to theatre critics to Kingston’s Deputy Mayor have lauded the company for their premiere of The Daily Fail. Ms O’Malley is flattered by the critical reaction to the play but is as concerned with general public’s opinions on the performances: “we value the

Some of the cast of The Daily Fail: The Musical. common man’s support just as much, if not more, because they’re the ones buying our tickets and an artist is only as good as its fans!” The play opens in London on October 15 and more information is available on www. theuntoldtheatrecompany.com.

Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat.

I liked his poetry: it’s as simple as that

By Niamh Prendergast

By Siobhán Whyte

Not a drop of rain in sight and blaring music all night. Yes, indeed for many it was the last hurrah of the summer 2013 and on Electric Picnic’s 10th birthday, the organisers insured all the stops were pulled out, and, against all odds, they even had the weather on their side. In a sold out 10th birthday of probably the best-known music festival to transpire on Irish land in recent years, festival-goer veterans were highly anticipating this one. With big names like Fat Boy Slim, Artic Monkeys and Bjork as well as new kids on the block like Disclosure and Irish favourites Kodaline, the line-up was always going to amaze, and that it did. As thousands started to arrive on the County Laois estate from all over, the ambiance was already igniting through all the campsites, which kick-started that Friday fever. Fat Boy Slim did more than just open the main stage on Friday night, he created a wild and flamboyant atmosphere which afterwards led most to the ‘Rave in the Woods’ chanting “eat, sleep, rave, repeat” which was to be the motto for many throughout the weekend. The ‘Rave in the woods’ can only be described as absolute brilliance, pumping loud music till the early hours of the morning, for those who weren’t quite ready to call it a night. The Salty Dog stage, which is a shipwreck, held numerous talented live acts over the course of the weekend, such as The Viking Project and Cathey Davey, which were two of best. Ellie Goulding, while still undoubtedly brilliant, can be forgiven to some extent for her sore throat and coughing at stages during her performance, as she comes to the end of a long summer of festivals. It didn’t seem to bother her fans as they were in awe as she sang big hits of the summer including ‘I need your love’ as well new releases like ‘Burn’. Her fans were indeed starry-eyed and highly entertained for the exact hour she played for. Disclosure, while not to everyone’s taste, wowed on Saturday night. With their mixes of house music and electronic vibes, they gained a lot of new fans, including myself from their performance. The duo of brothers warmed every heart at the main stage, where not an inch of

grass could be seen for the duration of their performance. They played ‘White Noise’ and ‘Latch’, amongst other big hits to an extremely hyper and colourful young audience. Other highlights on Saturday included Belfast band Two Door Cinema Club, and Bjork who gave viewers a wild and raunchy onset. Sunday night saw Irish greats, Kodaline wow audiences with big hits ‘High Hopes’ and ‘Love like This’. Noah and the Whale also failed to disappoint. And Headliners Artic Monkeys really cannot be summed up on paper. The Sheffield Band is world class, and listening to them Sunday night you really wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the whole world. On leaving, the main stage that night, I overheard people say that they would have come just to see them and I can see why. Comedy acts deserve a mention too, as they proved the perfect hangover cure in mid-afternoon over the weekend, if you appreciate a good slagging, up and coming act Al Porter would have you in knots as well as well-known acts like Karl Spain. The Dublin Gospel choir were a nice Sunday afternoon treat too on the main stage. This year having been my first year attending the Stradbally venue, I really didn’t know what to expect and I’ve come to the realisation that it is a place of many things, to say the least. In theory, its fields among fields of grass and forestry on which people reside once a year, blending together a whole world of somehow perfect craziness. In some very odd way, the music, the arts and, what electric picnic is most well-known for, it’s just general relaxed vibe and all round bizarreness, all somehow blend together in perfect harmony among fields of tents, plastic beers cups, bongs and vomit, amongst the queues for porta-loos and dodgy hot dogs. It’s where people can connect with nature and urinate in the woods believing that some higher power would have wanted them to. It’s the only place I know of where it’s acceptable for grown adults to dress as pirates or superheroes, or come to think of it, anything they want to. The extent of this somehow accepted weirdness, yet, at the same time, amazedness cannot really be put to just in words alone, to understand what electric picnic is really about one must pay a visit. Happy Birthday Electric Picnic! Ten more years? Bring it!

We were killing pigs when the Americans arrived. A Tuesday morning, sunlight and gutter-blood Outside the slaughterhouse. From the main road They would have heard the squealing, Then heard it stop and had a view of us In our gloves and aprons coming down the hill. Two lines of them, guns on their shoulders, marching. Armoured cars and tanks and open jeeps. Sunburnt hands and arms. Unknown, unnamed, Hosting for Normandy. Not that we knew then Where they were headed, standing there like youngsters As they tossed us gum and tubes of coloured sweets. (‘Anahorish, 1944’ – Seamus Heaney) As a child, I knew nothing of poetry. As a teenager, I grew to know poetry as beautiful words on a page – I just loved most of the poems I came across. I loved my English class. We have all studied Seamus Heaney, but have we all enjoyed it? I am writing this in the wake of his death, though not as an analysis of his personal life, or as a statement of mortality. I am not going to say he was the greatest poet ever to have walked on this earth. This is simply a look at how a contemporary Irish poet can leave an impression on a disinterested Galway girl on a Wednesday afternoon. I first encountered Heaney in Ms. Farrelly’s classroom, when I was twelve or thirteen. MidTerm Break had been printed and stuck onto the wall with Blu-Tack. The poem really resonated within me, I still think of those bells he speaks of. I sat all morning in the college sick bay Counting bells knelling classes to a close. Sure, this week I’ve been reading lots about Heaney – opinion pieces, obituaries, quotes from his friends and peers. Most say he was amazing. A couple have said he was overstated. One wrote that he “just wasn’t that good.”

I think all of these are redundant. A poet’s greatness (or lack thereof) is partially made up of what his reader feels, and not just the words he writes. This is the attitude that allows me to say with conviction that “I just don’t enjoy Shakespeare.” Poetry is personal, and cannot be measured by one person’s standards or ideals. Before I knew who Heaney was, his simplicity struck me. It has stuck on to me almost as if with Blu-Tack. Seamus Heaney left an impression on me, just as those Americans left on him in 1944. I didn’t know he was a Poet Laureate, or that he was a Professor at Harvard. I didn’t know if he was dead or alive. It didn’t matter. Maybe Heaney didn’t rhyme and maybe he told a dull, unsung tale which some may not relate to, but I could relate to it. It’s uncomplicated; I know what he’s saying. The cold smell of potato mould, the squelch and slap Of soggy peat, the curt cuts of an edge Some might say that digging potatoes isn’t glamorous; it isn’t sparkly subject-matter for acclaimed poetry. It has, however, been part of Irish life for hundreds of years. More to the point, father-son relationships based on lots less than “I love you” seem to have been part of Irish life for as long as memory can account for. Heaney was part of the changing culture which made it ok for Irish men to have feelings and to express them. The man from Derry expressed intimacy and honesty in a way that I have not experienced from anyone else. I like that. I like the feeling that I could become something great. I like knowing that Ireland can have a reputation as an intellectual community, partly because of this man’s success (among others, of course). I like reading his poetry. For me, it’s as simple as that.

Arts & entertainment 29 To Do: Galway

September 16 2013

By Róisin Daly If you’re new to our glorious city and are wondering what to do to make the most of your time here, Sin would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some suggestions. Galway is one of the best cities in Ireland for entertainment; whether you’re interested in music, sport or history, Galway has it all. Music: There are some great venues in Galway including the Róisin Dubh or Monroe’s on Dominic Street who between them have upcoming gigs with acts such as The Converse All Stars and Turbulent Eddy, among others. The Latin Quarter is an excellent location for music and will feature a four-day festival this month. There are also plenty of pubs that host live music events on a regular basis. Theatre: Galway also has plenty of theatres including the Druid Theatre on Flood Street and the Town Hall Theatre, which has a great autumn 2013 line-up featuring ballets and musicals. Other theatres include An Taibhdearc, The Black Box, Nun’s Island Theatre as well as NUI Galway’s own Bank of Ireland Theatre. Sport: If it’s sport that takes your fancy, NUI Galway students are lucky enough to be able to purchase discount tickets for Connacht Rugby matches with a season ticket costing just €160. Tours: An open-top bus tour costing just €8 for students drives by famous landmarks such as the Cathedral, The Salmon Weir Bridge and it also give you a great view

of Salthill too – or you can stroll down the Salthill prom yourself. There is also a free walking tour which meets outside the Skeff twice a day. If you want to see a bit more of the county itself, bus tours run daily from the Coach Station on Forster Street to both Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher for just €20. History: If it’s history that tickles your fancy, The Galway City Museum, beside the Spanish Arch, is completely free to enter, as is the Claddagh Ring Museum, which is based on Quay Street. Gaeilge: For those of you that enjoy things as Gaeilge, An Taibhdhearc is the national theatre for the language and Club Áras na nGael on Dominic Street offers a variety of activities that will allow you to try out your cúpla focal. Movies: For a rainy day there is the IMC Cinema by Tesco in Terryland and the Eye Cinema which both have student nights on Tuesdays where tickets are just €5 in the IMC and €4 at the Eye. You can also head to the Planet for some Bowling where two games of Bowling and a bottle of beer of your choice are just €9.99. Food: There are plenty of spots for a cheap meal too and Finnegan’s Corner is perfect for students with dinners costing just €6.90. There are also pizza slices available at Pizza and Pasta Napoli on Cross Street starting from €3 and you’ll get plenty of pizza for your money in this place. Pubs: Finally there are plenty of places to stop off for a few pints with several pubs scattered along Quay Street and Shop Street so it’ll be easy to find somewhere to suit you.

Opinion: Miley, we should stop By Mike Finnegan What do Miley Cyrus and the United States Government have in common? They are both dancing on the blurred line that separates ‘heading for disaster’ and ‘full train-wreck mode’. (Congress also misuses foam-fingers though, so half-credit goes to anyone with that answer.) I won’t dive into the issues that the US faces as they play with the idea of intervening in yet another violent international conflict of the Middle-Eastern variety, so I’ll veer off and focus on the US’ twerking, tongue wagging, metaphorical parallel: Miley Cyrus. It was the performance of the night; the twerk seen ‘round the world; the foamhanded grope that at least two sets of parents probably wished they’d never seen. But is it really a front pageworthy story?

Unfortunately the tragedy of witnessing the downfalls of America’s child stars isn’t a new phenomenon, so why is Miley Cyrus’ VMA performance so shocking to us? I mean yes, she was a bit on the nude side and her twerking and foam-fingered groping were certainly on the aggressive side, but we’re hardly a visually censored society. For the entirety of the previous two weeks we’ve focused our attention on the wrong issue. Miley Cyrus undeniably turned herself into a ticking time bomb for the whole world to observe, but why do we care so much? Syria is its own ticking time bomb, but apparently the repercussions of the Syrian conflict blooming into a fullfledged World War doesn’t seem quite as important to us. We have troops from all over the western world gearing up for another potential World War, yet for some reason all we can consider is whether Miley went too far.

I ask myself, why do we hype the celebrity up as we do? Why do we care what baby clothes these “stars” have for their children, or what shampoo they use? Why are Americans so obsessed with these petty topics as a culture, especially with a public image so disgraceful that tourists claim false allegiances to Canada while on holidays, just to avoid the imminent abuse that comes with being an American abroad. In closing, I wish Miley Cyrus the best with her ‘unique’ dancing and likely drug-induced tongue wagging, but for the rest of us, life must move on beyond the VMAs, We must face the true dilemmas that we encounter as Western society, and build ourselves up from there, with no petty distractions keeping us disconnected. The twerk came. It saw. It conquered. Now let’s focus on something completely different. Let’s focus on something worth our time.

Monday 23rd Sept Reporting from Conflict Zones Workshop with James Brabazon Producer of Which Way is the Front Line From Here? The Space, Áras na Mac Léinn, 1–2pm

8x8

NUI GALWAY

TIMETABLE

Waste Land The View, Áras na Mac Léinn, 3–5pm

Which Way Is The Front Line From Here?: The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington Followed by Q&A with producer James Brabazon Darcy Thompson Theater 7–9.30pm

Tuesday – 24th Sept God Loves Uganda Followed by Panel Discussion The View, Áras na Mac Léinn, 12.15–2.30pm

Give Us The Money Followed by Panel Discussion Cairnes Theater, 6.30–8.30pm

More Than Honey Darcy Thompson Theater, 7–8.50pm

Wednesday 25th Sept Rafea: Solar Mama The View, Áras na Mac Léinn, 4–5.35pm

Fire in the Blood Followed by Panel Discussion Kirwan Theater, 7–9.30pm

Here was Cuba Huston School of Film and Digital Media, 6.30–8.05pm

Thursday 26th Sept Living on One Dollar The View, Aras Na Mac Leinn, 3-4.15pm

Town of Runners O’Flaherty Theatre, 6.30–8.05pm

9 – 10am 1 – 2pm 6 – 8pm 6 – 8pm 6 – 8pm 8 – 10pm 8 – 10pm 8.30 – 11pm 5 – 6pm 6 – 7.30pm 6 – 8pm 6 – 8pm 7 – 9pm 7.30 – 9.30pm 9 – 10.30pm 9 – 11pm 8 – 10.30pm 8 – 10am 1 – 2pm 1 – 2pm 4 – 6pm 6 – 7pm 7 – 9pm 9 – 11pm 7 – 9pm 6 – 8pm 8 – 9pm 9.30 – 11pm 7 – 8.30am

Hall 2 Hall 3 Raquetball Court Hall 1 & 2 Hall 3 Hall 1 & 2 Hall 3 Full Pool Hall Hall 1 Hall 2 Hall 3 Hall 3 Hall 1 Hall 3 Full Pool Hall 2 Hall 3 Hall 2 Hall 3 Hall 3 Hall 2 Hall 1 3 halls Hall 2 Hall 3 Hall 3 Full Pool 2 Lanes

University Sports Clubs Schedule – Kingfisher Get off the couch this semester!

ThUrsday

Mens Varsity Basketball Aikido Karate Badminton Archery Club Futsal Soccer Taekwondo & Judo Swim Club Boxing Club Fencing Club Ladies Basketball – Varsities Karate Club Aikido Club Maui Thai Cricket Club Kayak Club Volleyball Archery Volleyball Aikido Archery Mens Varsity Basketball Cricket Club Badminton Taekwondo Karate & Judo sharing Table Tennis Sub Aqua Swim Club

VENUE

FrIday

TIME

sUN saT

MoNday TUEsday WEdNEsday

CLUB

TIME

Frizbee Muai Thai Cricket Ladies Basketball – Varsities Ladies Basketball – Recreational Table Tennis & Fencing Taekwondo & Aikido Fencing Advanced Swim & Lifesaving Club Mens Basketball – Varsity Archery Club Inline Hockey Volleyball Club Blank Judo Club & Table Tennis Swim Club – Varsities Team Taekwondo Swim Club

5 – 7pm 7 – 9pm 9. – 10.30pm 6 – 8pm 8 – 10pm 6 – 8pm 8 – 10pm 5 – 6pm & 8 – 10pm 9 – 11pm 11am 10.30 – 1.30pm 7 – 9pm 6 – 10pm 6 – 7pm 7 – 9pm 9.30 – 11pm 12 – 2PM 4 – 5.30pm

VENUE Hall 1 Hall 1 Hall 1 Hall 2 Hall 2 Hall 3 Hall 3 Raquetball Court Full Pool Hall 2 Hall 3 Hall 1 Hall 2 Hall 3 & 1 Hall 3 Full Pool Raquetball Court 2 Lanes

Fencing Club

2 – 4pm

Raquetball court

Check www.clubs.nuigalway.ie for updates.

Sports 31

September 16 2013

Galway lifesavers come sixth in National Lifesaving Championships The Galway Lifesavers came sixth in the National Surf Lifesaving Championships at Curraclow Beach, Co Wexford last Saturday 14 September. Competitors at the National Surf Lifesaving Championships had their skills and stamina tested in events that simulated emergency rescue scenarios in glorious sunshine and in an azure blue sea at Curracloe beach. The winning team from Clare dominated the competition with the fittest lifesavers nationwide at this annual gala of lifesaving. Ireland's best lifesavers were challenged in open water conditions off the Wexford coast to

rescue simulated "casualties" in testing run, swim, board rescue, surf ski races and ocean man events. Irish Water Safety Chief Executive, John Leech said these are the lifeguards who saved 559 members of the public during the heat wave in July. “This is hardly surprising as we have 7 European medallists competing on these teams. These athletes demonstrated great competence and professionalism and made for a stunning spectacle on a sun drenched Curracloe Beach. “It is a credit to Irish Water Safety coaches nationwide who spent all year preparing competitors around Ireland's

Take a leaf out of their book By Daragh Small It’s not every week that Galway gets to welcome the Olympic champion and World Record holder to the city of the tribes and that’s exactly what happened last week as David Rudisha touched down in the county for the first time, even visiting NUI Galway on Clubs Day last Thursday. The Kenyan, accompanied by his Irish coach Brother Colm O’Connell, arrived on the back of a request from the Kenyan community in Galway with the aid of Ultra-Marathoner Richard Donovan. Despite only 23 Kenyan adults living in the city, the sense of patriotism was palpable and David was delighted to be given the opportunity to return to Ireland after his visit to Dublin last year. David told me how he was enjoying his visit; “it was fun visiting the schools and the University where the kids are very knowledgeable about the sport.” Growing up back in Kenya, David wasn’t as fortunate as the kids he visited in the schools in Galway; “Many young Africans come from rural peasant farming backgrounds where life is generally tough and therefore their level of endurance and level of commitment to survival is very high,” and Brother O’Connell attributes this to much of their success; “as a result they are highly motivated and when they get the chance and see that they can make a career and living out of the sport they tend to succeed.” Due to the abundance of talent oozing out of Africa in middle and long-distance running, the budding talent always have someone to look up to.

“There are role models like David training in our areas. The young lads see him, they see other WR holders and World Champions training there so they are inspired to become like them,” said Brother O’Connell David himself, didn’t have far to look for his inspiration; “I was inspired a lot by my father who was an Olympic medallist and really helped me decide to join the 800m discipline. I also enjoy watching YouTube videos of Sebastian Coe and Wilson Kipketer. I learned a lot from their tactics and I mirror my races on them, they were also a big reason behind my decision to race that distance.” Indeed, Rudisha managed to break his idol Kipketer’s 800m World Record in 2010. In 2012, London was calling as he and Brother Colm embarked on one of the most important races of David’s life. Going into the Olympics, Rudisha was the raging hot favourite to take the 800m crown and he delivered. He showed a clean pair of heels to Botswana’s Nijel Amos in second and his fellow countryman Timothy Kitum who took bronze on his way to breaking yet another World Record. More importantly for David, he had now reached the pinnacle at the tender age of 23; the reigning World Champion was the undisputed champion and had the gold medal to prove it. Yet he never lost the humility, “it was a great feeling I suppose, when an athlete reaches the top of his sport. I think it’s what everyone dreams of and for me to be at that level it’s very important and I love it.”

coastline. Ireland won 10 Junior and senior European medals in Holland and Italy during the summer.” The Sport of Lifesaving offers lifesaving skills and the development of a healthy lifestyle. As part of its remit to promote water safety in Ireland, Irish Water Safety trains Lifeguards employed at beaches, lakes, rivers and pools nationwide. Irish Water Safety encourages the public to learn to swim and enroll in one of the many courses nationwide in the valuable skills of water survival and lifesaving. Further information is available at www.iws.ie. The Lifesaving Championships last weekend consisted Especially in a sport that can receive such bad press in relation to doping, it’s refreshing to see someone like the Kenyan doing all the right things and keeping his feet on the ground in the process. His coach, who has trained five Olympic champions now, told me “it’s always a disappointment to see that there are athletes testing positive in the sport but I think that can’t be changed now. It’s just a matter of educating people and it’s not just the injustice of it but also the health issues that can arise as a result. If nothing else, it sets a bad example for the kids.” Both he and Brother Colm are big fans of Arsenal and due to their recent travel commitments they haven’t had the chance to follow their beloved Gunners. “We’re great believers in Arsenal because of the way they try to encourage the youth players to progress through the ranks at the club and also the way in which they instil a salary cap, although it doesn’t win them trophies year in year out, ethically speaking they are doing the right thing.” After hearing this from Brother Colm it really helped sum up in my head what these two guys are all about. Humble and driven, they win by doing things the right way. It’s not all about money for them, not even the medals that go with it; they are doing this for the love of the sport. They are the true role models of our generation. Daragh Small is a free-lance journalist and Bachelor of Arts Graduate from NUI Galway. Currently studying a Masters in Journalism in the University contactable on daraghsmall@ hotmail.co.uk or by twitter @ daraghs0. Blog address, daraghsmall.blogspot.ie

of several events that tried and tested each participant: Surf Race: With a running start into the surf from the start line on the beach, competitors swim around the 400m course designated by buoys, returning to shore to finish between the finish flags on the beach. Rescue Tube: Four competitors from each team participate in this event: a "victim," one rescue tube swimmer, and two rescuers. The victim swims approximately 120m to a designated buoy, signals, and waits to be rescued by the rescue tube swimmer. As they return to shore, the remaining two rescuers enter the water to assist. The event finishes when the first competitor in a team crosses the finish line while in contact with the victim. Beach Flags: From a prone starting position on the beach, competitors rise, turn and race to obtain a baton (beach flag) buried upright in the sand approximately 20m away. Since there are always fewer batons

than competitors, those who fail to obtain a baton are eliminated. Beach Sprint: Competitors take their positions in their allotted lanes. At the starting signal, competitors race the 90m course to the finish line. The finish is judged on the competitor's chest crossing the finish line. Competitors must finish the event on their feet in an upright position. Beach Relay: Teams of four individuals compete in baton relay fashion over a 90m course. To start, two competitors take positions in their allotted lane at each end of the course. After the start each competitor completes a leg of the course with a baton held in either hand and passes the baton at the conclusion of the first, second, and third legs to the next runner. All competitors shall finish their leg of the event on their feet and in an upright position. Competitors are not permitted to interfere with the progress of other competitors.

Surk Ski Race: Competitors steady their skis in line in kneedeep water about 1.5m apart. Competitors must obey directions from the starter or check starter concerning ski alignment at the start. On the starting signal, competitors paddle their skis around the course marked by buoys and return to finish when any part of the ski crosses the in-water finish line – ridden, gripped, or carried by the competitor. Competitors may lose contact and control of their ski without necessarily being disqualified. To complete the race competitors must have (or have regained) their ski and paddle and cross the finish line from the seaward side while maintaining contact with the ski and paddle. Competitors are not permitted to hold or otherwise interfere with other competitors' skis or deliberately impede their progress. Other events include a boat race, board rescue, and the Oceanman/Oceanwoman, formerly known as Ironman/ Iron woman.

th Saturday 12 October 2013

Join students, staff, alumni and friends of NUI Galway for a spectacular run around the University campus along the banks of the River Corrib

For more info log on to

www.kingﬁsherclub.com or call 091 570 800

JOIN THIS FUN EVENT & HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR

32 Sports

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

NUI Galway and Connacht Rugby announce high performance partnership NUI Galway and Connacht Rugby have announced a comprehensive partnership to further develop the sporting, academic, research and educational links between the two. The partnership aims to nurture the next generation of sports performers and scholars. The partnership will see NUI Galway support the Connacht Rugby Academy and the Connacht Rugby Age Grade Representative teams. A key aspect of the partnership is the offer of structured third level education to elite players. This structured education will also involve a mentoring and development programme. Speaking at the launch, NUI Galway President Dr Jim Browne said that the aim is “to provide professional players with the opportunity to combine third level study with a professional rugby career which will provide a powerful incentive for talented young players to come to Connacht and NUI Galway.” Connacht Head of Commercial and Marketing, Alex Saul said; “We are delighted to

welcome NUI Galway on board to support our Academy and Age Grade Programmes. NUI Galway are the perfect partner to have on board to ensure that our development pathway continues to flourish, whilst also opening the door to further commercial, educational and research opportunities.” CEO of Connacht Rugby, Tom Sears said; “Our new partnership with NUI Galway will enable Connacht Rugby to further enhance our holistic approach to elite player development. We have always sought to develop our players in every aspect of their lives, on and off the pitch, to ensure they reach their full potential and this link will provide tremendous opportunities for them. We fully intend to explore all the exciting opportunities of working closely with NUI Galway and see this new partnership as fundamental to our future development in many areas.” Connacht players and NUI Galway brand ambassadors Robbie Henshaw, Eoin McKeon,

Conor Finn and Rory Maloney will be taking an active part in the NUI Galway schools liaison programme, visiting schools and talking to students about the potential to balance elite sport with third level education but also the broader benefits of both an active mind and an active body. Ciaran Fitzgerald, former Connacht, Ireland and Lions captain, launching the partnership, said that the initiative is a wonderful opportunity for young people both inside and outside the province of Con-

nacht to benefit from the combination of two schools of excellence. This marks the beginning of a broader partnership that will extend beyond school visits, structured education for elite players and underage team support to world class research in areas like psychology, nutrition and performance excellence. The aim is to address challenges facing elite athletes in the professional game and enable leading researchers to address those challenges in rugby played at the highest level.

Success for NUI Galway Boat Club at National Irish Rowing Championships By NUI Galway Boat Club The last season proved the most successful in the NUI Galway Boat Club’s history, with a record number of seven championship victories including the two blue ribbon events in men’s rowing in Ireland – Senior and Intermediate Eights. Notably, it was also the most successful season of any previous women’s squad with three championship wins including the senior pair, who registered the first senior women’s pot since 1997. NUI Galway reaffirmed its position in July as the leading club in Irish rowing having returned with more than twice the number of championships than the nearest university, including Senior Men’s Eight, Intermediate Men’s Eight, Senior Men’s Coxless Four, Senior Men’s Lightweight Sculls, Women’s Senior Coxless Four, Women’s Senior Pair and Women’s Intermediate Double Sculls. This year marks great progress in the development of the club and the creation of a robust legacy. A new club structure,

which mirrors that of international teams, was introduced by this year’s committee. David Mannion was appointed to the newly established position of head coach and has made great strides towards long-term success, developing a high performance institution at the university. It is even more impressive that this success is founded entirely upon the relentless energy of unpaid volunteers. Without their dedication, experience and love of the sport; we as an institution would not exist. We are proud to take this passion forward into the professional era. Irish Rowing Championships

On 19 -21 July, over 2,000 rowers representing approximately 50 clubs competed in 40 championship events. With over 770 crews entered, the Irish Rowing Championships was the biggest to date in the 100 years of the event. The National Rowing Centre at Inniscarra Lake in Cork was thronged with athletes and their supporters from all over Ireland.

Men’s Intermediate Eight: Paul Giblin, Shane Cawley, Donal Spelman, Luis Simo, Liam Keane, Kevin Neville, Huw James, Patrick Higgins, Éanna Mac Donnchadha, Mantas Pukelis, David Mannion, Oisin Hennigan.

Pictured (left to right) NUI Galway Student Ambassador Conor Finn, Former Lions, Ireland, Connacht captain Ciaran Fitzgerald, Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam, NUI Galway President Dr Jim Browne, Student Ambassador Robbie Henshaw.

NUI Galway Rugby gets ready to tackle new season By Tony Hall, NUI Galway Rugby PRO The 2012-2013 season was very successful for NUI Galway Rugby. The women's team progressed all the way to the All-Ireland Colleges final, and were very unlucky to lose out by a single score to the University of Limerick. The men's team won their inter-varsities, the Maughan Scally Cup, and two players were selected and played for Connacht in the junior inter-provincials. The Youth Academy, only formed in 2011 also made history last season by winning their first silverware. The men’s first league

game was at home in Dangan against Carrick on Saturday 14 September, after this paper went to print. The Ladies will open their season the following weekend, 21 and 22 September, away to Carrick, with their intervarsity league fixtures to be confirmed soon. The amalgamation at u21 level with Galway Corinthians RFC (promoted last season to Senior AIL Division 1b) will continue this season. Training has started back for all teams, check the Club’s website for details: http:// nuigrugby.com.

NUIG Rugby were crowned intervarsity champions 2013 after defeating UCC 24-0 in the final

Sports 33

September 16 2013

Draw a fair result

Connacht flatter to deceive

By Patrick Glynn

By Ross Cannon

Cork 3–16 | Clare 0–25

four at the 52nd minute. It was Clare 0-19 and Cork 1/12. But it wasn’t over – not by a long shot. Clare conceded another free and Nash ran up to the roars of ‘Nasher’ from the Cork contingent. He gave the ball a ferocious slap, throwing it high in the air, gaining three or four extra yards, and drilled it into the roof of the net. This left the scores at 2-13 to 0-21 with just 13 minutes remaining and it was very much all to play for once more. Then in yet another twist Nash was once again summoned, this time he was barely back in his own half. Throwing the ball about 20 yards ahead of himself as per usual, the Cork stopper went for a lower trajectory and was this time foiled by a clueless Colin Ryan who’s hurl was in the right place at the right time. Then to rub salt into the wound, moments later the majestic Ryan made a brilliant catch upfield and sent a point over that may have looked like the icing on the cake. You could feel the banner passion, with each point greeted with fist bumps. Drama ensued once more in the 64th minute when substitute Cathal McInerney almost scored a goal, hitting the crossbar before finding its way to the eager Podge Collins. Nine times out of ten the Cratloe native would have finished, but not this time, the occasion had gotten the better of him. Nevertheless, Nash got down well and

Corner-back Donal O’Donovan became the most unlikely of heroes in Croke Park on Sunday as his late point gave Clare another shot at all-Ireland glory. The menacing pound of drums and an overcast sky was the setting for a game that had everything, with the first Sunday in September fast becoming the highlight of the Irish sporting calendar. It was a peculiar game in many ways. The game went according to script as Clare outplayed their opponents in every facet and Davy Fitzgerald’s tactics looked to have worked until a whirlwind last few minutes in which Anthony Nash and Pa Cronin both netted for the Rebels. Prior to the match, Clare had averaged a goal a game this season while their opponents had only managed a solitary effort in the entire championship. Yet, with what has become synonymous with this hurling this year the roles were reversed as Cork peppered Patrick Kelly’s goalmouth. The opening ten minutes were sketchy, with messy hurling for Cork as Clare had a lightening start, proving deadly. The banner men were doing all the hurling however. Cork pulled themselves back into the game; Pat Horgan kept his side in touch courtesy of a few easy frees as his side trailed 0-7 to 0-4 after 20 minutes. Meanwhile, 15 He gave the ball a ferocious slap, throwing minutes in, Shane it high in the air, gaining three or four extra O’Neill was fortunate not to receive yards, and drilled it into the roof of the net. a red card when he raised his hurl and seemed to strike Darach Honan on the side reaffirmed his billing as the best net-minder of the helmet. Honan went down in a heap in the game. Eventually the ball made its directly in front of two bemused umpires way to Pa Cronin at the other end of the who amazingly seemed to shrug off the pitch who scored one of the goals of the accusations as both players received yel- year, sending it into the top left-hand corlow cards from referee, Brian Gavin. ner in an incredible strike. Several minutes later, Cork won a When Pat Horgan lit up the score board 21-metre free and Anthony Nash took it. with a tremendous ‘writsy’ effort in the 72nd It was saved by Patrick Kelly, rebounding minute it looked like the writing was on the off his thigh. Clare surged ahead at this wall. But never say never, especially when stage with a brilliant catch and layoff from Donal O’Donovan’s around. Conor Ryan at 0-8 and 0-4 to Cork who were Overall Clare ou-hurled Cork but Cork indomitable and came back with only two were tenacious and scored the goals just points down at the break. when they needed them. Brendan Bulger, After the break, Clare reasserted their Conor Ryan and Podge Collins were dominance with points from Tony Kelly rampant for Clare with Collins scoring a and Conor Ryan giving them a four-point fantastic point where he soloed into the lead. Davy’s charges were very much the side corner, wheeled about balancing the ball in the ascendency and the omens weren’t on the hurl and striking it without looking good, for a Cork side that looked bereft of at the posts. ideas. Nevertheless with just a half an hour Similarly, Cork had leaders in Nash, left, Cork were presented with their first real Patrick Horgan (who scoed 10 out of 11 sight of a goal and Conor Lehane made no frees) and Seamus Harnedy who battled mistake. on in midfield. Lehane pounced on a searching puck Even if the corresponding fixture can out from Anthony Nash and made a beau- offer up half of the excitement that we got tiful arching run from the 65 in a curved here on 28 September we will be in for loop, outrunning his parker and striking it another cracker in store. into the corner. Man of the Match: Conor Ryan Clare faltered after this sucker-punch with Ryan missing two frees before showAttendance: 81,651 ing their true grit with two points to lead by Referee: Brian Gavin

Pat Lam began his tenure as the new head coach of Connacht Rugby with a futile 25-16 win over Italian side Zebre, as the Rabo Direct Pro 12 resumed after its summer break. New management, new players and an all new green kit greeted the 4,084 strong crowd at the Sportsground, on a wet and gloomy September afternoon, but the home support hadn’t long to wait to cheer as prop Nathan White intercepted a poorly worked short Zebre lineout, and he trundled home from 25 metres out after just four minutes. Dan Parks missed the conversion and also had an unusually inconsistent night from the kicking tee, but still managed to kick 10 points for the western province. Parks may have been inconsistent in his place kicking but he made amends kicking from hand as he pinned Zebre back into their own 22 on several occasions. Connacht’s winger Matt Healy went over for Connacht’s second try of the night on 29 minutes and this time Parks was on hand to make the conversion. Zebre offered very little in attack throughout the 80 minutes and didn’t trouble the Connacht defence until dying embers of the game, as Andrea Manici bundled the ball over the white wash after some close quarters battling on the Connacht try-line. Connacht may have been a little disappointed to concede so late in the game and after a pretty solid defensive effort.

Italian international Luciano Orquera managed to kick 11 points from the tee throughout the game and kept the visitors breathing down the necks of the home side in the second half. Fionn Carr returned to the west of Ireland after spending two seasons in the blue of Leinster, and he did so with a bang as he finished off a great Connacht counter-attack, touching down in the corner. All in all, it was a solid display from Connacht. Whilst they didn’t face the most ominous test, they showed flashes of great teamwork, a solid and powerful scrum and some eloquent quick passing and constantly looked to offload in the tackle. Whilst Lam, his coaching staff and the players will be happy to have won their opening game of the new season, there will be a few negatives to be looked at. Ill-discipline saw Zebre receive several soft penalties. Extremely flat and risky passing saw Connacht flirting with the possibility of interceptions and knock-ons but in doing so they also showed real and ambition and desire to attack and run from deep. Connacht will have gone to Cardiff when this paper goes to print, with a much sterner test to come. Man of the match: Robbie Henshaw Referee: Rhys Thomas Attendance: 4084

Dreams v Expectations By Mark Kelly The two best teams in the country meet at headquarters on 22 September as Dublin take on Mayo for the first time in an all-Ireland final since 1921. In recent years, Mayo have had Dublin's number come the business end of the championship. Last year, they beat Dublin to advance to the all-Ireland final where Mayo once again came unstuck on the big stage, this time Donegal blitzed the hapless Westerners for two goals early on. Nevertheless, both Dublin and Mayo have made huge strides in the last year. Jim Gavin’s system of all-out attack complimented the influx of bright new talent into the squad. This has seen the Boys in Blue wipe aside all opposition in the Leinster Championship. Prior to this season, encounters with Cork and Kerry would have struck fear into the Dublin psyche, yet they entered these games as favourites and duly obliged with two notable victories. Although unimpressive in the proceeding fixture, Dublin played their part in an absolute classic in the semi-final. Meanwhile, Mayo have looked peerless throughout their campaign. They took inspiration from the defeat in last year’s final and haven’t looked back since. Despite the

devastation in the county following their defeat to Donegal, they flew through the Connacht championships unopposed and more importantly, under the radar. However, their demolition of Donegal in the Quarter-Final showed their true potential. The mystery surrounding Mayo was never how much quality they had, rather how they dealt with the adversity. Surprisingly Tyrone provided the toughest challenge of all, but once again Mayo had all the answers when having to adopt a new game-plan after their poor start to the match. So what's going to separate these two sides? Both are great in attack, showing that they are more than capable of overcoming even the most stubborn of opponents. In the end, it will all come down to the tactical battle. Dublin will press like Tyrone did, keeping pressure on Mayo up and down the field without tiring like the men from the North did. As for their opponents, if they can pressurise the Dublin kick-out similar to Kerry in the semi-final and send quick diagonal balls into the forwards, the result could go their way. The deciding factor will most likely come down to whoever gets the bounce of the ball on the day. The heart says Mayo but the head says Dublin.

34 Sports

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 1

Ireland say goodnight to World Cup hopes in Vienna By Martin O’Donoghue Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil were always going to rest on the crucial double-header with Sweden and Austria. The likelihood was Giovanni Trapattoni’s job was too. As it happened, it looks like the results accounted for both issues. Defeat to Group C rival Austria on Tuesday night left the Irish team six points adrift of second place Sweden and three behind the Austrians with just two matches remaining. When one considers that one of Ireland’s final two assignments is away to Germany next month and the suspensions of John O’Shea and Richard Dunne for the game, the improbable series of events needed for Ireland to qualify slips from view. Ireland’s performance on a night when they lost their first competitive away game of Trapattoni’s tenure was certainly not their worst, but ultimately it was not good enough.

The away side showed energy in the first half with Anthony Pilkington looking lively and shooting narrowly wide. Irish keeper David Forde was also called upon to beat away an effort from Bayern Munich’s David Alaba. This was a sign of things to come as the Austrians assumed more and more control as the game wore on. Andreas Weimann and Martin Harnik squandered chances but when Marc Wilson failed to clear a left wing cross with 82 minutes on the clock, Alaba made no mistake and crashed the ball into the roof of the net. Alaba had clearly been the best player on the field and his intervention was to prove crucial. The gloom at the final whistle contrasted with the anticipation of the previous week as the squad assembled for the qualifiers. Allowing for the usual string of international week withdrawals (which claimed the likes of Aiden McGeady and Sean St. Ledger), preparation appeared to be going quite well with the eventual addition of Norwich City winger Pilkington and a Tra-

pattoni team selection for the Swedish game which unusually seemed to please most fans. The game started positively too as Ireland took the lead inside twenty minutes. Almost inevitably, it was Robbie Keane who claimed the goal, capitalising on a mistake in the Swedish defence and commendably staying on his feet after goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson attempted to pull him down inside the penalty area. Keane’s assured finish was his 60th in 128 appearances for his country. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of the night for the home supporters as Johan Elmander headed the sides level twelve minutes later. Ireland tried to raise the tempo after the interval but Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s astute through ball found veteran midfielder Anders Svensson who slid the ball past David Forde to put the Swedes in control. It was a control the visitors never ceded from that point. Ireland became increasingly frustrated as the second half

wore on and proved unable to create the chances that could resurrect their qualifying hopes. However, another defeat was to follow in Austria, ironically, the country where Trapattoni last managed a club side. It might prove oddly symmetrical if it is also where he finishes his entire managerial career. The FAI have since quickly moved to part company with the legendary Italian. Already, bookies and pundits are making Martin O’Neill the favourite although rumours have circulated around the names of David O’ Leary, former Reading boss Brian McDermott and even ex-Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen too. For Trapattoni, it remains to be seen if he will look for one last challenge in football or finally retire into the sunset. For Ireland, the search for a new manager begins with Euro 2016 qualifiers on the horizon next September.

From obscurity to Galáctico: the rise of Gareth Bale By Ross Cannon Labelled a teenage prodigy with a penchant for scoring free-kicks, Gareth Bale started his professional footballing career at the age of 16 with Southampton playing at left-back. Bale became the second youngest player ever to play for Southampton (after Theo Walcott) making his debut in a 2-0 victory over Millwall. After an impressive first season making 45 appearances, scoring 5 goals and winning the Football League’s Young Player of the Year the young Welsh man caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur and then manager Juande Ramos who snapped up the promising young teenager for a fee of £7 million. Life in the Premiership didn’t go to plan for Bale as his first two seasons as a Premier League footballer were blighted by injury and mediocre performances which resulted in the starlet being replaced by Benoit Assou-Ekotto as the starting left back for Spurs. At the beginning of the 2009-2010 season Bale picked up the accolade of playing 24 consecutive matches of the losing side, a record that

still has not been broken. After much hype surrounding the player, Bale was quickly labelled a flop and was rumoured to be on the verge of a £3 million move to lowly Birmingham City. The young Welsh man’s career had looked to be on the verge of collapse, but at the closing stages of the 2009-2010 season Bale showed glimpses of the attacking force he could be. He helped Spurs to a 3-1 victory in the FA Cup against Fulham and netted against Arsenal in the London derby. After a string of good performances Bale was named the Barclays Player of the Month for April 2010 and subsequently signed a new 4-year-deal with the London club. When Bale returned for the 2010-2011 there was a noticeable change in the youngster’s physique. He had quite clearly bulked up in the weights room and looked a more powerful and physically capable player with the ability of competing with the best players in world football and he demonstrated this in what may now have been a defining moment for the Cardiffborn man, when he tore apart the Inter Milan defence with lung bursting gallops down the left-hand side of midfield.

Bale scored a second-half hat-trick and in the process tore the Brazilian right-back Maicon (who was voted best defender in the world that same season) to ribbons. While it was an inspired fight back from Spurs and Bale they ultimately failed, going down 4-3 to the blue half of Milan, but what followed after that career-defining night was that world football stood up and paid attention. No longer was Gareth bale the “six-foot, gangly, slim boy”, as Sir Alex Ferguson had described him; he was now turning into a devastating left winger, capable of gliding through some of England’s and Europe’s best defences. The last two seasons in the Premier League Bale progressed at an astonishing rate. He now possesses the ability to pick up the ball and glide effortlessly across the turf, bypassing defenders as if they were statutes and is a lethal finisher of the ball. While the now 24-year-old has an array of attacking tools at his disposal he is not the complete article. Many Premiership teams have noted his prowess for exploiting open space and have ‘doubled up’ on the player, cutting out the amount of open space to run into, causing

Bale to be less effective out wide, which has resulted in the winger roaming further infield with the intent of effecting proceedings from a more central role which has now opened up the possibility of Bale reinventing himself as a central-attacking-midfielder. Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas recognised this and used Bale in this central position towards the end of 2012-2013 season resulting in the midfielder scoring some stunning goals from long range. After a final glittering season in the Barclays Premiership and summer where speculation surrounded the player’s future for what seemed an eternity the news was finally confirmed by Villas-Boas after his side’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal that Gareth Bale would be unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Monday 2 September. Gareth Bale was unveiled to thousands of spectators at the Santiago Bernebeu fully kitted out in the white of Real Madrids, smilling and clapping as he was humbled by the Mardista masses. Gareth Bale has moved from the obscurity of Southampton FC to Real Madrid Galáctico in the space of just 6 full years.

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September 16 2013

Final Word 35

Bizarre but true:

Police apprehend anti-social pig after a night out Police in Western Australia have arrested a pig for anti-social behaviour. The pig, which had come across a campsite, stole and drank 18 cans of beer before rummaging through garbage bags for food. “In the middle of the night these people camping opposite us heard a noise, so they got their torch out and shone it on the pig and there he was, scrunching away at their cans,” one witness told ABC News last week. Highly intoxicated, the pig began fighting with a cow; “There were other people camped right on the river and they saw [the pig] being chased around their vehicle by a cow,” the witness explained. The pig, after stealing as much beer and food as it could get its snout into, was finally apprehended by police who found it collapsed into a drunken slumber under a tree.

Useful facts to prepare you for the “What Do They Teach You in College?” scenario • More Monopoly money is printed in a year, than real money throughout the world. • There is approximately one chicken for every human being in the world. • Women blink nearly twice as much as men. • Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2-6 years of age. • Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a 'Friday the 13th'.

diary of the Smokey’s Pigeon It’s not easy being a pigeon during Freshers’ fortnight…. I’m greeted by shouts of “OMG look! There’s a pigeon inside!” I’m shooed away by 18-year-olds who think they own the place. I’m met with screams whenever I land beside a table. I swear most of them have never seen a pigeon in a building before. But I didn’t get the name “Smokey’s Pigeon” for nothing. I was here first. This is my turf. So you first years better get used to me. I’ll be picking crumbs from under your table for the rest of your college years.

Deal with it.

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