Volume 15 Issue 9

INSIDE 'Neknomination'

News

Free Student Newspaper | VOL 15, ISSUE 9 | 10 Feb 2014

Tragic death of GMIT students in fire

2

Free Burritos in Boojum

2

GiG Soc hosts first ever Rainbow Ball

2

Taoiseach Opens €30 Million Biomedical Science Building

4

TedFest to return to Inismore

5

Debate: Has Obama made a difference?

8

Ireland (USI) have launched a campaign to ‘break the chain’ of neknominations and have urged students to think about the fact that they may harm themselves or the person whom they nominate and the culture of videos containing alcoholrelated stunts can lead to cybershaming or cyberbullying.

“The consequences of drinking large volumes of alcohol in a short time period can have very real impacts on those taking part,” the online campaign reads.

“As this trend spreads, participants are trying to ‘better’ their friends’ efforts; more dangerous substances, greater quantities and risk. We are asking you to break the chain and not participate in this trend.

Look after your own health and protect your friends from the serious risks associated with it.”

NUI Galway Students’ Union has expressed concern about the issue and has issued a warning to those attempting

to record such videos on campus; “With the videos growing in exaggeration and extreme, anyone found to be recording or engaging in ‘neknominations’ in the College Bar or in any other Students’ Union outlet will be asked to leave.

“We would also like to reiterate the points made in the media that safe drinking is important and that peer pressure from people to engage in potentially dangerous drinking is something that our businesses will neither promote or condone.”

High Court Judge, Mr. Justice Paul Carney, has said that if such online drinking contests continue, it is going to result in “a tsunami of homicide and rape prosecutions” before his court.

This came as he was sentencing a 38-year-old Waterford man who raped an acquaintance after consuming six to seven pints of Budweiser in a local nightclub.

Rebecca O’Reilly, Niamh Ronayne and Brian Kenny (First Year Commerce) pictured at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway for the Commerce Ball. For more photos of the Commerce Ball see ‘Sin Newspaper NUI Galway’ on Facebook. Picture: Daniel O’Loughlin

Final Word

sport

Arts

Lifestyle

The ‘Neknomination’ drinking craze made famous via Facebook videos has resulted in at least one fatality in the country this month and has led to a nationwide appeal for the game to come to an end.

The process involves a person drinking alcohol at a rapid pace and posting a video of their attempts on to the social media site Facebook. They then tag their friends to do the same within 24 hours.

Jonny Byrne, aged 19 from Carlow, jumped into the River Barrow after finishing his drink as part of the challenge and died after getting into difficulty in the water.

His family have now launched a desperate appeal for the Neknominations to come to an end. Jonny’s brother Patrick, who had tried to rescue his brother from the water, asked people via his Facebook page to put an end to the drinking craze.

“He thought he had to try and beat the competition and after he necked his pint he jumped into the river,” he said, explaining the reason his brother engaged in the stunt. It is believed Jonny consumed a cocktail of alcohol before jumping into the river.

Their father Joe Byrne has also spoken out about his son’s death and the impact this has had on his family; “I'm appealing to everyone who is associated with this to please stop. It cost my son his life because of a dare and I don't want to see anybody else in the same situation, because it has destroyed our family.”

He has also called on the government to enact some form of legislation to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.

The death of a Dublin DJ, Ross Cummins was also initially put down to neknominations, but this has since been reported to be untrue.

The Union of Students in

Valentine's Special

By Ciara Treacy

Features

Facebook craze results in fatality

Neknominations and Peer Pressure

10

Alumni Interview: Olive Loughnane

11

How’s your self-image?

12

Online Dating

13

How do social media affect your relationships?

13

Yellow Brick Road

16

The best break-up songs

19

Spring Trends

23

Hall of Shame: Justin Bieber

24

Sin’s Poetry Competition

26

Victory for NUIG Ladies Soccer team

28

GAA: the ones to watch

29

Diary of the Smoky's Pigeon

31

2 News

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

GMIT students lose lives in fire in Belgium

By Jenna Hodgins Two young women, both students at the GalwayMayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), have lost their lives in the Belgian city of Leuven.

Dace Zarinam, 22 from County Longford and Sara Gibadlo, 19 from Oranmore in County Galway, were second year students who and had just started a 30-week Erasmus work placement in Leuven as a part of their BComm in Catering and Hotel Management.

The Institute for Ireland in Europe at Leuven has been host to a number of Irish students completing their work placements over the past 20 years. The fire took place within a private residential building unaffiliated with the college or with KU Leuven.

The fire is presumed to have started shortly after 6am.

A part of the roof collapsed into the building during the blaze that took fire fighters over three hours to control.

The women’s bodies were found shortly after 9am on the Bank Straat residence in Leuven. It is understood that eight other students, including six Irish nationals, were rescued from the blaze.

Injured students received treatment in the city hospital and are now in the hands of the university says Eamonn Mac Aodha, Ireland's ambassador to Belgium.

Surviving students weren't seriously harmed in the fire.

A couple were suffering from smoke inhalation; they are still in shock, but are now physically well.

The owner of the building wherein the incident took place was detained by police and questioned in the afternoon following the fire.

The police have confirmed that the proprietor didn't have the building registered as a student residence. Buildings that operate as a student accommodation are legally required to register with public authorities, where it is risk assessed and a fire safety inspection is carried out as a part of the process.

Leuven Police Commissioner Marc Vranckx says that the investigation into the incident, and the legalities of the property could take several weeks.

A witness commented on hearing screams in the early hours of that morning

but didn't think much of it because the student-dense area is generally noisy.

The 21 year-old student witness told The Irish Times; “I woke up because a girl was screaming. I checked what it was and [saw] it was a fire, so I went outside and the neighbours from next door had already come out.

“One guy was stuck on the first floor so the neighbours from the other side brought a ladder so he could come down. Another girl came down from the roof from the house next door and waited there [and] the firemen took her off the roof.”

Comissioner Vranckx also described the scene on arrival; “When we came here [the fire] was very heavy, with big flames. [...] There

were two people coming out of the window via the roof to get away, six others were on the street, they were okay.

“Two others, there was no news about, and after a few hours the firemen found them in the house. [...] They were all in shock. It was 6am, they were in pyjamas.

They knew that two of their friends were still inside the house, so it was very terrible for them,” said Comissionar Vranckx.

The cause of the fire remains unknown but authorities will reveal more information following the results of further investigation.

GMIT Students' Union President Sam O'Neill spoke with Sin regarding the tragedy that took place in Leuven.

“We are all very shocked with the news that broke today about Sara and Dace.

On behalf of all GMIT students, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two girls,” he said.

“They were very popular students, not only among t h e i r c l a s s m a t e s, b u t throughout the whole college here in GMIT. It's a tragic loss of two bright young students who had great futures ahead of them.

“To any student affected by this tragedy, I would urge them to contact the Students’ Union, and to make use of the counselling and other support services within the college. We will do our utmost to assist those grieving at this very difficult time,” he concluded.

Students’ Union and university in talks about health unit levy increase

By Jenna Hodgins Last semester, Sin reported budget cuts were introduced to the student health unit which consequently lead to the loss of staff, and a change of practice policy where students who aren’t suffering from an acute illness were encouraged to seek medical attention outside the health unit and to consult their own GPs. This permanent 8% cut has proved detrimental on

the health unit leaving it no longer financially viable.

Despite on-going talks with the university health board, these cuts will remain within the health unit and potential solutions to the crisis are being sought by the Students’ Union.

Students’ Union President Sean Kearns spoke with Sin regarding the situation with the student health unit; “We [the SU] considered the possibility of introducing an increase to the student levy.

“The €224 levy would be increased by €10 meaning that the health unit would receive €28.46 per student as opposed to €18.46 per student. This would result in a definite €140, 000 of funding will be provided for the health unit.”

The student levy increase may result in the re-employment of a part-time nurse which will help improve the queues, as well as providing the unit with enough funding to keep the practicing male doctor.

Boojum burrito bar prepares for Free Burrito Day Boojum, Ireland’s first burrito bar is upping its orders in preparation for a free burrito day on Saturday 22 February.

Following the huge success of the eatery’s launch in June 2013, Boojum is extending the taste of Mexico to Galway, without asking for a penny in return.

The mayhem will begin at 12pm on the 22nd and customers are asked to get down as early as possible to avoid disappointment. The casual restaurant can be found at Unit 1, Spanish Parade.

John Blisard, Boojum, is getting ready for the event saying; “We were looking forward to opening a Boojum in Galway for a long time and have been so grateful for all

the support we have received from the community so far.

“We throw a free burrito day for each new restaurant to make sure anyone who wants to check us out can do so on the house, so we are hoping this will encourage anyone who hasn’t been in yet to come down and see what we are all about.

“The free burritos have proved very popular in Belfast and Dublin, so we hope people can come down in the afternoon to make sure they can get their grub before we run out of food!”

Boojum stands for fresh, friendly and affordable food, serving a range of dishes such as burritos, tacos and nachos.

The unassuming burrito joint

is currently Ireland’s largest importer of spices and chillies from Mexico, which the chefs use to prepare each dish from scratch, every day.

With freshly cooked food, complimented by a wide selection of speciality beers and hard-to-find hot sauces, Boojum works hard to offer its customers a little slice of Mexico, many miles away from Monterrey and Mexicali.

Free burrito day will take place from 12pm until the restaurant runs out of food, 22 February at Unit 1, Spanish Parade. For latest news on Boojum, please visit Facebook.com/boojumgalway or Twitter (@ boojum_galway).

An alternative is to implement an undecided charge to be seen by the nurse and/ or doctor.

The compromis e of increasing the student levy

remains only as an idea for the future of the student health unit.

Mr Kearns has mentioned, in recent SU council meetings, a potential stu-

dent referendum regarding the increase to the student levy. However the Students’ Union are pending a response from the university health board.

GiGSoc hold first ever Rainbow Ball

By Sean Reilly GiGSoc (Gay in Galway Society) was delighted to host its first Rainbow Ball which concluded the second annual Rainbow Week, running from Monday 3 to Saturday 8 February.

The week consisted of numerous events to promote LGBTQA presence on campus, culminating in the pinnacle event, NUI Galway’s first ever Rainbow Ball.

Rainbow Week strives to express and celebrate the diversity of people who identify as LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning and Ally) in a proud and visible manner.

The objective is to highlight the broad spectrum of gender and sexual identities that fall under the LGBTQA umbrella, and in doing so break down the stereotypes that exist around such identities.

To this aim, GiGSoc ran a number of workshops throughout the week that shed light on some of the

areas often neglected in public discourse, such as the challenges faced by people who identify as bisexual, and taking a proactive stance when it comes to supporting Trans people.

Other events such as the Blood Ban Demonstration drew attention to discriminatory practices still operating in Ireland against MSM (Men who have Sex with Men), while the Ally Stand emphasised the crucial role that straight Allies play in striving to achieve equality for all.

Of course, the other major aim of Rainbow Week was to celebrate diversity, and quite simply put, that means having fun; and GiGSoc take fun seriously. Kicking off the week was the Rainbow Week Official Launch Party, which took place in The View in Áras na MacLéinn on Monday 3 Feb. Key to GigSoc’s social events is not only reaching out to LGBTQA people on campus, but also to increase collaboration between GiGSoc and other college societies.

To this end, the society liaised with a number of other societies such as the Lit & Deb and Juggling Soc, and worked with as many as possible over the course of Rainbow Week.

The climactic event of the Week was the debut Rainbow Ball, which took place on Saturday 8 February in the Salthill Hotel. Tickets were only €32 each, for which attendants receive cocktail reception on arrival, dinner, dessert, tea/ coffee and the most stupendous entertainment.

The Rainbow Ball was not only aimed at LGBTQA students from NUI Galway, but also students from LGBTQA societies in other universities and ITs. With this Ball, GigSoc aspired to provide excellent social opportunities for both NUI Galway and non-NUI Galway students to liaise and improve networks across the wider LGBTQA community.

For full details on all GiGSoc’s events, follow the society on Facebook and Twitter or email gigsoc@socs. nuigalway.ie.

News 3

February 10 2014

Editorial: You can have my last rolo…

By Jessica Thompson Remember those teenage years where you had your first crush? Sitting in class trying to find excuses to look at them, blushing every time they caught you, getting butterflies in your stomach if you ever caught them looking at you.

Those were the awkward days of “will you shift my friend?” while the friend was standing right there beside you, waiting to hear what you’d say. In my case, the answer was always no. I was asked a lot and I had more respect for myself than that.

Plus I had never “shifted” anyone before and I didn’t know how to do it. I was 14 when I had my first kiss, and it was awkward and, quite frankly, horrible.

Valentine’s Day was always awkward in school. The TY students used to do this mini business where you could buy a rose, or three roses, or six roses, or a dozen roses, and you could write down your message, stick it in an envelope with the money and slip it into a box.

Me s s a g e s c o u l d b e anonymous, and just before Valentine’s Day, the organisers of the business would fish out all the envelopes and write up all the love notes, ready to be delivered to classrooms after lunch on Valentine’s Day.

Each rose or bunch of roses had a rolo attached to it too – to symbolise the “last rolo” in the pack. How sweet.

But I never got any.

I used to hope the guy I liked had sent me a big bunch of roses or even just one little one, but nah. He never did.

Well screw him! I didn’t really want his pathetic roses and rolo anyway…

That little tradition stopped after the second year, partially because people bought roses for teachers and pretended they were from other teachers. The victims of this prank were two religion teachers – a man and a woman – who were both single, both around the same age, and had classrooms opposite each other.

But it was mainly stopped because of bullying. This was the perfect opportunity for the most horrible people in the school to prey on the most vulnerable by sending them fake love notes to make them think that their crush liked them too.

Yes, teenage years were tough on Valentine’s Day, and in general. The peer pressure to do things you didn’t really want to do was another issue and is apparently still an issue to this day.

Peer pressure is major topic in this week’s issue of Sin, especially following the ridiculous #neknomination craze which students – yes, many of you included – decided to take part in over the past few weeks.

The only #neknomination video I watched was one in which a very clever guy made up a ridiculous cocktail of death and then decided to

leave it aside and drink a pint of milk instead – because milk is good and nutritious, while that cocktail was “stupid and dangerous”.

Fair play to him. If only more people were like that.

On the topic of neknominations, Jenna Hodgins and John Ivory have written up features on peer pressure and nominating change respectively. You can find these features on page 10. Read them and stop this nonsense.

The other big topic in this issue is, of course, Valentine’s Day as you may have guessed from all the lovey-dovey article titles on page one.

But we decided not to be too cliché about Valentine’s Day this year. Instead of the typical “gift ideas” or “date ideas” that you’d usually see, we’ve got some stuff that’s different and a bit more interesting.

My favourite article this issue is probably Hazel Doyle’s ‘Yellow Brick Road’, because it’s about experiencing your first disco, and all the awkwardness that goes with it.

It’s really quite hilarious and brings back so many memories of awkward teen crushes.

Luckily, we’re older now and we know how to handle the discos. I mean we can party. We can party hard. And we know a thing or two about picking up girls or gals, so if you’ve got someone special to spend Valentine’s Day with, enjoy the lovey dovey-ness of it all.

If you’re single, however, go out and party hard and pick up a guy or a gal. You’re not the only one who’s single on Valentine’s Day you know. So

don’t be pessimistic. I know a girl who met her husband on Valentine’s Day a few years ago. They fell in love immediately and are now happily married and have a son.

Speaking of falling in love immediately, I met my other half through Sin. It was love at first write. He wanted to write lifestyle articles for the paper and we met for coffee to discuss it. We clicked immediately but didn’t meet again for a month or two.

When we did meet for coffee again, we found excuses to see each other every day. I needed some help with HTML for sin.ie, or he had won a box of tea that he didn’t want, but that I certainly did want (not only because I love tea, but because it was a good excuse to see him).

We had our very first kiss in my Sin office and it wasn’t awkward at all. We’ve been together ever since and he’s written an article for every single issue of Sin since I became editor. If you’d like to get a glimpse of him, flick to page 12. You can read about boosting your self-image while you’re at it.

But look at me rambling away about my own Valentine when you should be reading about what to do with your Valentine on Friday, or how to pick up a Valentine for Friday and all that jazz.

Go forth my Sinions, and enjoy another cracker of an issue.

Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day. We at Sin HQ love you all.

Until next time,

Jess @Jess__Thompson

Upcoming Sin Meetings

Got a story?

Thursday 13 February

The staff members at Sin are always happy to publish interesting and thought-provoking stories on any topic.

Thursday 20 February All meetings will take place at 6pm in the new location of AC215 this semester.

AC215 can be found on the Concourse down the corridor on the right just before the Bank of Ireland. Turn left when you get to the end and we’ll be down that corridor.

Everyone is welcome to our meetings and we always welcome new faces and new ideas.

Our categories include: Campus and Local News National and International News Politics and Opinion Student Life and Humour Health and Fitness Fashion and Beauty Film and Music Theatre and Literature Campus and Local Sports National and International Sports

Pitch your idea to editor@sin.ie

Editor in Chief: Jessica Thompson editor@sin.ie Layout: Shannon Reeves | contact via Ed.

News Jenna Hodgins | localnews.sined@gmail.com Conor Lane | nationalnews.sined@gmail.com

Features Leigh Ashmore | opinion.sined@gmail.com Michael Finn | features.sined@gmail.com

Lifestyle Ciara Treacy | fashion.sined@gmail.com

Arts and Entertainment

Tracey Halloran | artsentertainment.sined@gmail.com Karen McDonnell | arts.sined@gmail.com Shannon McNamee | entsonline.sined@gmail.com

Sports Daragh Small | sport.sined@gmail.com Céimin Burke | sport.sined@gmail.com

Creative Writing

Helen Hughes | creativity.sined@gmail.com

Webmaster Valeri Tarassov | web.sined@gmail.com Photography Daniel O'Loughlin | photography.sined@gmail.com

sinners Leigh Ashmore | Carla Avenia Koency | Andrew Brennan | Maurice Brosnan | Ruth-Anne Browne | Dean Buckley | Ross Cannon | Freya Carroll | Yvonne Clinton | Kathy Dillon | Brenna Dolan | Hazel Doyle | Michael Farrell | Brian Glynn | Tracey Halloran | Jenna Hodgins | Nadine Hoesler | John Ivory | Eniola Kasim | Joanna Kasinska | Jane Kearns | Maria Keenan | Samantha Kelly | Helena Kilbane | Kieran Kilkelly | Conor Lane | Joseph Loughnane | Shelly Madden | Merry Man | Rachel Masterson | Amy McDonnell | Karen McDonnell | Ciaran McGreal | John Mulry | Thomas Murray | Áine O'Donnell | Daniel O’Loughlin | Eva Proske | Sinead Reape | Sean Reilly | Kristina Reynolds | Leonor Rodriguez | Daragh Small | Rebecca Sweeney | Chelsea Tabert | Jessica Thompson | Ciara Treacy | Pádraic Ward | Móna Wise

Keep up to date with the latest news from the Sin team: Online: www.sin.ie Facebook: Sin Newspaper NUI Galway Twitter: @sin_news

4 News

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

Taoiseach Opens €30 Million NUI Galway Biomedical Science Building

By Chelsea Tabert An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD has opened NUI Galway’s €30 million Biomedical Science building. This collaborative approach will bring together 300 scientists and researchers to build on the University’s medtech sector; one of five global hubs in the EU worth €95 billion annually.

The Biomedical Science Building funded under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) and the European Regional Development Fund will create a new platform for discovery and delivery for NUI Galway’s cluster of world-leading biomedical research groups in areas such as regenerative medicine and stem cell research, cancer biol-

ogy (breast and prostate cancer in particular) biomechanics, and biomaterials.

Speaking at the opening, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD said; “This development will help build on Ireland's reputation as a location for the medtech sector.

Already 250 medical technology companies based in Ireland export €7.9bn worth of product annually and employ 25,000 people, and the

Government sees this sector as a key driver of economic growth.

“By bringing the best and brightest together in such an innovative setting there is also real potential here for groundbreaking research to the benefit of humanity,” he added.

Dr Jim Browne, NUI Galways Vice-President for Research, said; “This new development marks the beginning of a new era to find syn-

ergies among different groups and will enable us to continue to compete successfully for funding from European and other sources.

“It will also help researchers focus on translating their research into products for societal benefit.

It is a tangible expression of this University’s commitment to providing the human and intellectual capital needed by the medtech sector here in Ireland.”

NUI Galway is seeking to advance its boundaries of biomedical research and to contribute to the international scientific community.

The research outputs will advance clinical trials to improve the quality of life in patients and will generate high-end, sustainable employment. In so doing, this will also add value to the national economy, something we all are hoping for.

Potter fans swarm to NUI Galway for second annual Potter Fest Helping teenagers

By Jessica Thompson NUI Galway was swarming with witches, wizards and muggles over the weekend as the Harry Potter Society in the university held their second annual Potter Fest.

The college hosted Ireland’s only Harry Potter Convention from 31 January to 2 February, attracting Potter fans of all ages to Galway over the course of the weekend.

“It was very successful as far as we’re concerned, with most of the events running as planned, and the attendees really seemed to enjoy themselves, especially some young children who were so excited about it,” said Potter Soc’s PR Officer Áine Kilbane.

“Some of the more popular events were our flying classes, duelling, divination and defence against the dark arts classes, as

well as the sorting ceremony on the Friday,” she added.

Miss Kilbane also said that this year’s festival outdid last year’s by a long shot, stating that there was “way more happening, much more of a buzz, triple the attendance, and it came together far better overall”.

The three-day event featured events such as duelling, a juggling show, a ‘Goblet of Fire’ raffle and potions-tasting on Friday evening when the festival opened, as well as a sorting ceremony where aspiring witches and wizards were sorted – by the sorting hat – into one of the four Hogwarts houses; Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.

Saturday saw a range of activities including a writing competition, talks by Jennifer Trieu and Gráinne O’Brien from ‘Magic

is Might’, a ‘Snape’ Disco and a Horcrux Hunt, as well as another ‘Goblet of Fire’ raffle.

On Sunday, Potter fans were treated to flying classes, duelling, a cosplay workshop and various other activities before a closing ceremony which took place in the Aula Maxima.

Sunday afternoon also featured the much-anticipated Quidditch match in which the local team – the Galway Grindylows – took on the Anime and Manga Society and won.

“The weather cleared perfectly the morning of the Quidditch match, allowing us to play in slightly overcast, but otherwise perfect weather,” said Miss Kilbane.

Speaking to the Irish Independent last week, Miss Kilbane explained the rules of Muggle Quidditch; “Muggle Quidditch

follows – kind of – the rules that you see in the series, except for the snitch is only worth 30 points and each goal is 10 points, and the snitch is a person who runs around with a tag or a sock around their waist, where the seeker tries to grab it.

“Everyone still has brooms – mind you, of course we’re not flying, so there’s that. But they pretty much follow the rules from the books, but minus the flying,” she said.

While the committee of Potter Soc were mainly targeting college and secondary school students, the convention appealed to a much wider audience, from children to parents and middle-aged Potter fans.

All proceeds from the weekend will be donated to the Make A Wish Foundation.

Stem cell manufacturing facility opened in NUI Galway

By Maurice Brosnan Ireland’s first human stem cell manufacturing facility was opened by Minister of State for Research and Innovation Seán Sherlock at NUI Galway on Monday 27 January.

Scientists at the lab aim to produce cells to combat arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and similar conditions. It is the first Initiative of its kind in Ireland.

Stem cells are the body’s repair mechanism. They can be isolated from tissues such as bone marrow and fat and recreated in a

lab. These stem cells are not taken from embryos and thus fewer ethical issues arise.

Scientists will take cells from the bone marrow of donors; these cells will then be cultured in a lab to grow billions of stem cells which are then injected back into the donor or other patients.

The hope is that they will regenerate diseased or damaged tissue. Before use in human therapy the procedure must undergo clinical trials.

Dr Jim Browne President of NUI Galway described the manufacturing unit as a “great

opportunity to develop the whole med-tech sector in this part of the country. It’s a huge step forward”.

The facility is licensed by the Irish medicines board, and trials must be approved by the hospital ethics committee.

The first tests will be on the cells effects on critical limb ischemia or reduced blood flow to lower limbs, a common complication associated with diabetes which often results in amputation.

The facility has also been welcomed by arthritis Ireland.

The Centre for Cell Manufac-

turing Ireland (CCMI) will also be working with the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at the university, which since 2004 has been working to develop new therapies for diseases which either have inadequate or ineffective treatments.

It is estimated that there are over 1,900 cell therapy clinical trials under way worldwide and the industry was valued at €1.3 billion in 2013. However while this is a major development it is unlikely that we will have definitive results stemming from such trials for at least five years.

Student-organised undergraduate science fair to be held in March

By Maria Keenan Among the projects being funded by this year’s NUI Galway’s EXPLORE programme is an undergraduate science fair.

The fair is set to take place on Wednesday 19 March 2014 in the View, Áras Na Mac Léinn.

The fair is aimed at students studying any scientific discipline and seeks to promote the diversity of NUI Galway students’ knowledge and prowess within all aspects of the field. The liberty of choice of project is one which the organizers hope will spur excitement and interest in those willing

to participate.

A workshop offering information for any prospective participants who wish to develop their project or to overcome any obstacles hindering its success which they have encountered will also be provided. This workshop will be facilitated by NUI Galway

staff at a date in February which is yet to be confirmed.

To add assistance to those wishing to take part, funding is also available for poster-board expenses incurred.

The chief organizer of the event, Joanne Duffy, said that she “hopes the fair will engage as many peo-

through a mother’s illness

By Leonor Rodriguez Teenagers of women with breast cancer are invited to participate in a new study at NUI Galway which seeks to understand and help adolescent adjustment to maternal illness.

The importance of family support for a person with cancer is now well accepted but also there is increasing recognition that when someone in the family gets cancer other members also need help.

The study at NUI Galway is focusing in particular on the impact of maternal breast cancer on sons and daughters aged 14 to 19.

The study, AMBC- Adolescent Adjustment to Maternal Breast Cancer, is being carried out under the direction of Dr AnnMarie Groarke, School of Psychology and Professor Pat Dolan, Director Child and Family Research Centre, UNESCO Chair in Children Youth and Civic Engagement.

The research will examine the psychological impact of a mother’s breast cancer on teenage children and the benefits of an online skills based programme designed to help adolescents cope with this situation.

Dr. Groarke, who has recently published work showing benefits for stress management programmes with Irish women with breast cancer emphasises; “The crucial need for additional information on how a cancer diagnosis affects the entire family. Paying attention to ado-

lescent response to parental illness can help us to identify the kind of support needed and enable the design of programmes targeting their needs.”

Professor Dolan who has considerable research experience in child and family support affirms that; “Many families are affected by breast cancer and their support needs are unspoken. This study is an opportunity for young people to discuss concerns and needs for reassurance for their families and themselves” The researchers are keen to hear from women who might be interested in their adolescent son or daughter taking part in the programme. Ideally, from mothers who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 12 months and who have an adolescent son or daughter between 14 and 19 years of age.

Par ticipation involves completing an online survey exploring adolescent needs and experiences and completing an online programme of approximately eight sessions.

The online programme covers themes such as communication, stress management and social skills /social support. The online intervention allows adolescents participate in their own time and at their own pace.

Those interested should contact researcher Leonor Rodriguez through the School of Psychology main office 091493454 or email l.rodriguez2@ nuigalway.ie.

For more information see http://ambcstudy.wordpress.com/

ple as possible with science, that it will encourage people to come up with projects themselves as well as engaging them with projects already going on in the university”.

The closing date for the receipt of ideas for entries is 21 February.

These should be emailed directly to nuigsciencefair@gmail.com as

should any further queries about the initiative. Updates are posted regularly on other social media platforms also.

For Twitter updates, you can follow @nuigsciencefair and for Facebook updates, you are encouraged to like facebook.com/ undergradsciencefair.

News 5

February 10 2014

UHG overcrowding “critical and dangerous” according to Nursing Union

By Chelsea Tabert The emergency department at University Hospital Galway has been labelled “critical” and “very dangerous” for frontline staff trying to provide safe care to patients.

Industrial relations officer, Regina Durcan is calling for the bed capacity issue at the hospital to be reviewed and is asking for additional nursing and frontline staff to be recruited at the soonest possible date.

“It’s not good enough to crisis manage on a day to day basis.

This is a very critical and very

risky situation for frontline workers. The majority of these patients [on trolleys in A&E] are critically ill and need a good standard of care,” she said.

“Staff are under stress and it is manifesting itself physically and mentally. They are trying to provide a safe standard of care in an intolerable and horrendous environment. Patients cannot complain; they are so vulnerable.

“It’s all about maintaining and keeping within budget, safety is not given a high enough priority. Nurses tell me that they come home from work and say ‘Thank God nothing happened to any of

the patients in my care today.’”

The number of patients on trolleys at UHG has reached an all-time high in the past seven years. There were 3,261 patients awaiting beds last year, compared to 1,654 in 2006.

Overcrowding in the facility’s emergency department has worsened. There were 27 patients on trolleys in the emergency department Tuesday 21 January, 17 of which were inappropriately accommodated in wards. Figures for inpatients last week told a similar story, according to the Nursing Union’s trolley and ward watch service.

The health authority has stated that the emergency department continues to be very busy; “This time of year is traditionally a busy period for hospitals and brings an anticipated increase in activity in emergency departments around the country.”

Deferral of non-urgent surgery, ensuring all available beds are utilised, and ensuring no unnecessary delays are put on necessary diagnostic tests were all included as measures being put forth to deal with the current issue at hand.

Miss Durcan has described

the situation as “very disappointing” and insists the overcrowding crisis must be addressed.

She has also stressed that despite the spotlight being on emergency overcrowding for nearly a decade, hospitals across the country still struggle with the issue on a daily basis.

“It is difficult to see how this crisis, which has been ongoing since late 2004, can be solved without major investment. It was deemed a national emergency in 2006 but the numbers have increased by 22% since then,” she said.

Cllr Padraig Conneely, the city mayor and chairperson of the HSE West’s regional health forum, says it is difficult to find an “instant solution” to the ongoing overcrowding issue.

“I think the health service should be exempt from cutbacks which affect patient care; they should not happen to frontline services. I’m sure there are lots of other areas in the hospital where they can save money. I’ve said this repeatedly. You can’t deal with patients as an economic issue, it’s often a life or death one.”

Ireland shows signs of progress as thousands of high end jobs on offer at Career Zoo

By Andrew Brennan Careers Zoo is highlighting Ireland’s road to economic recovery and progression as thousands of high-end and high skilled employment opportunities will be on offer in both the domestic market and internationally for indigenous and foreign firms.

Career Zoo is a free indigenous job fair where the world's most innovative companies

and educators meet Ireland's brightest talent.

On February 15, Career Zoo will be taking place in the Convention Centre in Dublin and will be focused on career-building and networking among the event’s four areas; Tech Town, Engineering Quarter, Financial District and Science City.

The ‘Tech Town’ segment of Career Zoo will showcase Irish technology and the unique career opportunities this indus-

try has to offer in the hopeful Irish market. This specific focus displays the Irish governments’ pivot and industry reshuffle from property to technology.

Launching the Career Zoo event, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, said; “at the heart of the government’s ‘Action Plan for Jobs’ is supporting the accelerating transition from the old economy based on property to the new economy

based on enterprise… there are real reasons to be positive about the employment prospects, with 1200 jobs now being created every week in the private sector.”

On Saturday 15 February in the Dublin Convention Centre, the appearance of Irelands brightest talents will be guaranteed as ambitious graduates and experienced professionals will have a unique opportunity to interest major business firms.

No crackdown on festival season drinking

By Maria Keenan Chief Superintendent Tom Curley recently attested that Galway City Gardaí will not be cracking down on street drinking during festival seasons.

Local officers have previously been lauded for their “fantastic policing” efforts, particularly after a report issued in November 2013 stating that crime had decreased by 20% in the last year.

Chief Sup Curley then stated that the practicalities of confiscating alcohol from everyone found in possession

of it during peak festival times are u ­ nfeasible.

In highlighting the sheer abundance of those who indulge in street drinking he said that it would be possible to open “an off-license in Mill Street” should confiscation become the norm. This claim is supported by the fact that Quay Street is routinely populated by in excess of 20,000 throughout the duration of Race Week.

As well as the impracticalities presented by the pandemic levels of those who drink in public, Curley made reference

to the number of Gardaí at his disposal falling short of that needed to satisfy the demand restrictions which were more severe than those currently practised would incur.

Curley has also reiterated the importance of festivals such as the Galway Races, the Galway Arts Festival, the Oyster Festival and others of their ilk particularly in relation to the revenue and enjoyment provided by them.

Local publicans and vintners were also praised by Curley for their compliance with the Gardaí

BIC are offering Irish designers the chance to win €5000 to design a new lighter décor for the brand through a dedicated Facebook app.

This is the first time the competition has been launched in Ireland. Three designs will be chosen each week by a panel of European experts and 18 finalists will then face a public vote.

The winner of the public vote will get their design reproduced on one million BIC lighters which will be sold all across Europe and be the recipient of €5000.

A second prize is available of €2000 to the person who can come up with the best slogan for the campaign based on the theme of “from flame to flame”.

The Irish entrants will have to battle it out with designs

coming from all over Europe.

The competition follows the successful #BICPICS which took place in Ireland last year.

BIC is a French company which was founded in 1950 in Clichy. BIC started off as a pen company and was founded by Marcel Bich and Edouard Buffard. The first BIC brand lighter was released in 1973 and now the company is the world leader in the field of pocket brand lighters.

to some of the world’s biggest food, beverage and pharmaceutical companies.

TCD School of Business, Science Foundation Ireland, among others will also be attending with Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of (SFI) saying; “Career Zoo is an excellent example of how vibrant the career opportunities are in Ireland right now for professionals and graduates with a scientific or engineering qualification.”

TedFest returns for its eight year during peak periods such as Arthur’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Efforts undertaken by local Gardaí in order to ensure public safety where public alcohol consumption is unavoidable, ‘glass-free zones’ were introduced during festival season in 2007 and continue to be implemented with great success.

These zones have prevented many injuries which were once synonymous with such gatherings displaying an effective and pro-active approach implemented by the local authorities.

BIC launch ‘Design on Fire’ competition in Ireland By Áine O Donnell

Among the major multinationals in attendance, Kerry Group, TripAdvisor, Symantec, AOL, Fidelity Investments, Johnson & Johnson, Pramerica, SIG (Susquehanna International Group) and State Street are all confirmed to be present in Dublin Convention Centre on the Saturday.

Ireland’s own, Kerry Group has now 24,000 employees worldwide and supplies over 15,000 ingredients and flavours

The company is also famous for producing student favourite the BIC biro and BIC disposable razors. BIC put every lighter under scrutiny to check that it meets the brand’s promise of 3000 identical flames before running out.

For more information, terms and conditions or to enter your design, log on to www.facebook.com/BICLighterLife or www.twitter.com/biclighterlife.

By Kiernan Killkelly On 27 February, the eighth annual ‘TedFest’ will commence on Inis Mór, and will last for four days. As the name suggests, it is the celebration of all things Father Ted. The idea itself was spawned by both Peter Phillips and Fergal McGrath in 2007 and since then it has reached cult status, becoming a yearly pilgrimage for lovers of Father Ted. True to the spirit of the show it is a long weekend filled with nothing but craic. It is obligatory fancy dress so be prepared to see many people sporting Dougal’s red jumper, the glittery blue Eurovision outfits, and you’ll even find the odd Pat Mustard floating about.

Tickets for the event are €150 but travel, accommodation, food and drink are not included in this. However, you do get a cup of Mrs Doyle’s finest tea when you arrive – which is worth every penny after the first sup!

The ticket price does include entry to ‘Watty’s’, ‘Shebangos’ and the ‘Crack Den’

which are restricted to ticket holders only.

Accommodation is also solely reserved for people attending the festival, but camping is another available option.

In recent years there have been related themed events such as ‘Lovely Girls Contest’, ‘Ted’s Got Talent’ and a yearly Father Ted Quiz. This year will be no different with all these happening again; this time bigger and better than ever before.

There will also be the addition of a race day on the Sunday, where there will be a prize for the best dressed lady, and also a ‘My Lovely Horse’ competition, which, if last year’s ‘King of the Sheep’ contest is anything to go by, should be intriguing to say the least.

If you do happen to be going make sure to brush up on your Father Ted quotes and bring your ‘dancing priest’ with you.

If the last couple of years are anything to go by ‘TedFest8’ should be four days of nothing but insanity where you’ll be ‘drinking like a mad eejit’ for most of it. Tae that is, I hope.

6 News

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

Irish drinking culture allows sex crimes to go unreported

By Chelsea Tabert According to the Rape Crisis Network (RCNI), the binge drinking culture of Ireland has progressively allowed sex crimes to go unreported.

New research, which was carried out by NUI Galway researchers has been published regarding the statement and contrasts the way in which young people respond to issues such as sexual consent and sexual violence.

The research has also concluded several serious failings in the protection of children, which requires an immediate

response from government.

One of the main consequences outlined by this research was that the drinking culture of teenagers in particular, results in a decrease of reporting in regards to sexual crimes.

The RCNI has said that children and young people of all ages need to be “encouraged to develop skills around the issue of consent” when in regards to sexual activity.

Both the RCNI and participants have agreed that alcohol plays a central role in Irish social life, and it was considered “unusual to see somebody not drinking on a night out”.

The study, ‘Young people, alcohol and sex: What’s consent got to do with it?’, found “levels of drunkenness” affected the way young people interpreted sexual crimes and found that participants were overly cautious when labelling sexual events as rape, or crime.

While there was consensus on the unacceptable nature of non-consenting sexual behaviours, it was often considered that the victim has subtle responsibility as a result of alcohol consumption; a finding which came as a surprise to both the RCNI and the participants themselves.

Executive Director Fiona Neary has concluded the results of the research to be “shocking”, and has expressed feelings of despair regarding the inability young people have to talk about sex, and the little grasp they have to negotiate sexual consent.

Previous studies published by the RCNI also demonstrate the lack of rape prosecutions, and reports across Ireland since 2009.

The RCNI has yet to announce whether or not they will be following up with the implications regarding the most recent study.

Complaint from intern lands Munster Express two month ban from JobBridge By Áine O Donnell The Munster Express has been banned from taking on interns for two months using the JobBridge scheme following a complaint filed by a former intern.

Martin Malone was an intern at the newspaper and subsequently filed a complaint with the Department of Social Protection who found, following an investigation that the newspaper was in breach of the rules of the scheme.

Photographer Martin Malone outlined the exploitation he suffered while working at the publication in a press conference in Dublin on 28 January

organised by ScamBridge.ie.

Mr Malone stated that he was given no mentoring during his time at the Munster Express and also accused the newspaper of selling photographs which he took during his internship.

The former intern expressed his anger at the incident in the following statement; “the Munster Express clearly used JobBridge to provide them with services that they would otherwise have to pay for. They were aware that it was displacing work. They had no intention of providing any training or development of the intern they took on.”

Mr Malone lodged an official complaint with the Department of Social Protection claiming that he had to provide his own equipment during his internship and his working week exceeded the 60 hour permitted allowance.

The publication refuted the claims, alleging that he was indeed given mentoring during his internship and also disputed the claim that he has to work more than the hours permitted under the scheme stating that the job was assignment-based and should have taken just 30 hours a week to complete.

After the Department of Social Protection completed their investigation, they banned

the Munster Express from hiring any photography staff under the JobBridge scheme in the future and banned them totally for two months from October.

The Department released a statement outlining changes in the scheme moving forward; “future JobBridge placements will be regularly monitored to ensure that appropriate mentoring is provided and that terms and conditions of the scheme are adhered to.”

While the newspaper was sanctioned, Mr Malone believes that this was not a sufficient penalty; “The sanction they applied, does not, in my opinion, really penalise the company.”

Mexican drug lord captured by government forces

By Kathy Dillon Mexican forces made a breakthrough in their efforts to combat endemic drug trafficking in the Mexican state of Michoacan this week.

Military troops captured infamous drug lord, Dionicio Loya Plancarte. Loya Plancarte is a key member of the Knights Templar drug cartel in the region and had a bounty of $2.2 million dollars on his head.

Local vigilante defence groups, who accused Mexican authorities of not effectively responding to the extortion threats of such drug cartels,

instigated the intervention through military force, as they clashed with Knights Templar gang members. The military were deployed to restore calm to the region and to disarm such self-defence groups.

Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong commended the victory as a testament to the institutional competency of the Mexican government and to both the intelligent and federal defense forces.

In relation to the local defense groups, the Minister acknowledged that the government has signed an agreement with the groups

to provide support for military troops when needed and only under specific military command. However, he insisted the arrest was a direct result of Mexico’s institutional capability.

Until recently The Knights Templar had dominated the Michoacan State and controlled much of the geopolitically strategic areas.

The drug cartel has long affirmed that they provide protection for the local civilians against other cartels and specifically protection from the neighbouring gang New Generation who dominate the adjoining region of Jolisco.

The last few weeks have seen the local self-defence groups, who are said to mostly consist of local farmers, drove Knights Templar from their strongholds.

The gang claims that the vigilante members are heavily armed and believes that their members are not from the local farming community but rather the groups are working on behalf of neighbouring gang New Generation.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto denies such claims of furthering instability in the region despite surges in the need of the number of troops being deployed to the state.

Are You Being Watched?

By Yvonne Clinton Do you play Angry Birds?

Check Google Maps when you get lost? If so, you could be providing US and British spy agencies with your personal data.

It’s not what you think of when catapulting birds towards pigs on your smartphone. And 1.7 billion people have downloaded the app worldwide.

The latest revelation from the National Spy Agency (NSA) whistle-blower Edward Snowden reports that the NSA and its British equivalent GCHQ regularly attempt to gain access to personal data from Angry Birds and other mobile applications that have become a feature of everyday life.

The reports, published

by The New York Times, suggest personal data like the phone location, user age and address are collected by the app developers, who are responsible for it. There have been no indications that the developers hand over data to government agencies.

In the past, Google and Facebook sued the US government over wanting to disclose more information to the public on what data they have released to spy agencies.

Classified documents show that ‘leaky’ apps like Angry Birds are exploited to intercept sensitive information. A 2008 document from GCHQ reportedly is quoted as saying that the spying programme “means that anyone using Google Maps on a smartphone is working in support of a GCHQ system”.

A top secret NSA slide published by the Times shows the agency’s excitement at the spying opportunities of apps. It is titled “Golden Nugget” and describes a “perfect scenario” for data gathering in which a photo is uploaded to a social media site using a phone by a “target”.

In their defence, an NSA spokeswoman stated; “We collect only those communications that we are authorised by law to collect for valid foreign intelligence and counter-intelligence purposes.”

Seven injured in stampede outside Copper’s By Áine O Donnell On Monday night 27 January, seven people were taken to hospital as a result of a crush incident outside Copper Face Jack’s nightclub in Dublin, locally known as Copper’s.

A young Donegal woman, Niamh Cannon aged 18, was in critical condition in St. James’ Hospital following the incident but her condition has subsequently been upgraded to stable.

The stampede is believed to be a direct result of Copper’s first over 18s night as the club generally only permits entrance to those aged 19 and over.

The over 18s night was advertised as “Messy Mondays” which included admittance to the club and €3 drinks promotions. An estimated 1,500 people were queuing outside the establishment when the young people were injured.

At the time of publication, the cause of the crush had not yet been deduced; however, owner Cáthal Jackson has reacted confirming that there

will no longer be promotional nights due to the gravity of the event on Monday: “we are finished with the promotions”.

Jackson was witness to the event, he expressed that Niamh Cannon and her family were in his thoughts.

Miss Cannon’s father confirmed that she was talking and was now in a stable condition.

A friend of Miss Cannon confirmed how she was involved in the crush: “she was crushed at the front of the queue and passed out”.

Niamh Cannon is a Letterkenny native and is studying primary school teaching at Marino Institute Dublin.

Young people attending Copper’s on the night revealed that although bouncers were ill-equipped to deal with the volume of people they reacted swiftly when the stampede occurred by opening emergency doors to alleviate some of the crowd.

Gardaí are investigating the incident and reviewing queuing arrangement outside the Dublin nightspot.

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8 Opinion

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

This week’s debate: Despite his State of the Union address, Barack Obama hasn’t actually made any significant changes to American society.

YES: A show that belongs on Broadway NO: There’s still hope with Obama

By Andrew Brennan Incumbent US President Barack Obama’s State of Union address was all smiles and theatrics as this quasi-orator read from Teleprompters. With cold smiles watching and well structured PR using sick moms and scarred soldiers to tug on the hollow pride of viewers, this show belonged on Broadway.

Mr Obama spoke for 90 minutes to repetitious jovial standing applause while all the time, over Obama’s right shoulder, Mr Joe Biden produced and impressively held a more fake smile then when Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat met. Biden’s acting, was nothing spectacular compared to all the ‘enthused’ applauding politicians, versed in Bolshoi standard acting.

The entire scene was somewhat laughable and it’s truly sad that people will actively buy this mantra, promoting the Obama Administration’s improvements to American society. His announcement of a minimum wage rise is a cheap trick as to keep up with inflation and wealth.

The minimum wage in America should be $22 per hour.

Guantanamo Bay is still a black spot on American society contradicting the image of democratic America as a defender of human rights to a disappointed public.

Fracking is a widely allowed process much to the disgust of American communities displaying the executive branch of government, the presidential office, as yet again an office not for the people but for the corporations.

A plutocratic office that doesn’t listen to the wishes of the people who attest to fracking being the reason towns in Texas, Missouri or Kentucky can ignite their tap water. Would Capitol Hill politicians drink that water? No, but this again displays the ‘disconnect’ and lack of change by Obama.

He is more of the same disguised to placate the notions by society of a disconnected and selected political class.

Obama hasn’t addressed the mental health problems in America where psychiatrists have been allowed run rampant and diagnose every conceivable action as some disorder.

Catering for pharmaceutical companies to make ‘a mint’ off large numbers of children, being dosed up to their eyeballs on Ritalin is not a helpful scenario for a gun-available nation. This failure affects US society, creating a drug-reliant society, where all problems are answered solely by a wonder drug where a ‘problem’ may not exist at all.

Obama has escalated the use of drones in By Freya Carroll foreign policy but also domestically which only adds to the ambiance of siege Ameri- Obama’s State of the Union address at the can society feels as the surveillance industry end of January outlined many of his sucand gears perpetuate with greater strength cesses over the past five years, from the rising levels of employment, to the rapid fall and size.

Obama has not attempted to dilute the of deficit, to pulling the American troops reliance of the US economy on the arms out of Iraq. Yet, he still remains under huge industry. Obama has allowed the militarised levels of scrutiny.

American economy to continue without Having followed Obama’s campaigns reform thus concentrating a great many since early 2008, I’ve found that it’s not jobs solely in a conflict focused setting. This necessarily the number of policies he has affects the psyche and social norms of the put in place that lend to the significance American society. of his effect on American society, but the Obama hasn’t addressed student loans, kinds of issues these policies have surnow a trillion dollar debt continues to feed rounded.

As a democratic candidate, it comes interest to commercial banks but there will be no mention of this. According to The as no surprise that Obama’s policies are Institute for College Access and Success more left wing than that of his predecessor (TICAS), the average borrower will gradu- George W. Bush. However, the extent to ate $26,600 in the red. which Obama supports and speaks out for That said, one in 10 graduates accumulate the underdog is truly remarkable. more than $40,000. This debt is the second His support for the LGBT community is highest form of consumer debt behind reflected in many of his policies; in Octomortgages. With the federal debt at $16.7 ber 2009 he signed a federal bill enacting trillion, student loan debts measure at 6% the Matthew Shepard Act which expanded of the overall national debt. If $26,600 is the hate crime law to include those of sexual base expense, then a 10-year-payback plan orientation, showing the clear stance of the American government against homocosts a total of $38,600.

A monthly repayment of $320 would be phobia. a heavy burden. The opportunity for educaIn July 2011 he repealed the “Don’t Ask tion costs around $40,000. Obama is hardly Don’t Tell” policy in the military giving visa reformer and America is hardly a state that ibility to LGBT soldiers, an area of society ensures education as a right. where the LGBT community were hugely Instead, there is an inequality gap that oppressed and forced to lie about their blocks a great deal of American society from identities. higher social standing or accreditation. The In June 2013 the Supreme Court successcreditor in this scenario is the US tax payer. fully defeated the Defence of Marriage Act Employment restrictions, bad credit, eco- (DOMA), giving same-sex married couples nomic inequality and stagnation in the jobs the same rights as straight couples when it market all occur when these loans are un- comes to taxation and healthcare. Obama’s repayable. administration had been strongly in supObama also claimed that under him there port of taking down DOMA as it was clearly has been a five-year unemployment low unconstitutional. but just like Ireland, saying it has lowered He has also introduced a number of unemployment, secretly through emigra- policies supporting women’s rights. In tion, America kicks people off of the jobless November 2010 he implemented the list after a certain time.

Women Owned Business law that had been Obama equally hasn’t displayed any true brought in by the Clinton administration accountability with General Attorney’ Eric but ignored during Bush’s time in office.

Holder’s link to Operation Fast and Furi- The law pushes for women-run businesses ous which gave guns to Mexican cartels. to compete for federal contracts.

In June 2009 he appointed a special I would attack the fact that Obama, just after defaming inequality in his speech, presidential advisor on the issue of violence has allowed greater subsidies for farmers against women and sexual assault and in his while axing $8.6 billion from the food stamps 2010 budget the US government allocated programme which 538 million dollars to support women 50 million American’s depend on for What’s your opinion? victims of violence, survival, but there including domestic are too many lies to abuse and sexual Join in the debate at sin.ie. discuss in one night. assault victims.

Obama has also always been a strong supporter of equal pay, consistently fighting the statistic of women’s 70 cents pay to the male’s dollar and in January 2009, shortly after being sworn into office he signed the Ledbetter Act which resets the 180 day time limit in which a woman may file an equal pay law suit with each new pay check.

His most controversial and biggest policy movement of the last two years is that of his health care reform, Obamacare.

American society is one that has always glorified and prioritised the rich, and that has been a major issue in America’s healthcare system.

In America at the moment, hospital bills reach levels that we on the continent cannot possibly fathom, where one night’s stay in a hospital can reach up to the cost of 5,000 dollars or more.

At the moment, those who can’t afford health care can’t get it. By introducing Obamacare, Barack Obama is seeking to give his public affordable health care by making sure everyone is insured; a policy that will benefit the American people for many years to come.

Even in spite of these major social movements, Obama is still continuously attacked for not doing enough. But it’s Obama’s stance on American progression that makes his time in office so significant.

His strength in public speaking and his position of power gives him a great deal of influence over the American public, and it is this influence that he uses to express a message of equality and co-operation for the masses.

To have such a forward-thinking, feminist, gay rights activist in power is a hugely meaningful thing because once he is normalising the subjects and making them accessible to his supporters, he gives them weight and pushes for progress to be made.

His policies and way of thinking allows for rapid social change in the USA, a pattern that is needed in this growing and developing world where society is becoming more expansive and accepting of all races, creeds, genders, and sexualities.

His presidency is one that will go down in history, not simply because he is the first African-American President but because not only has he consistently fought for the social issues that have been ignored for so long, he has put them at the forefront of his political banner and has paved the way for many more years of fighting for social justice for the discriminated.

Opinion 9

February 10 2014

Re:

New Public

By Joanna Kasinska Body and gender have been explored for centuries. The twentieth century brought a revolution to the concept of the body. Its history was joined by the trio of phenomenology (philosophical study of the structures of experience and consciousness), psychoanalysis and cognitive science. In addition, artificial intelligence and the invention of “body criticism” contributed to the changes.

A subject so close to every individual, to myself, leads me to investigate it more deeply.

Usually we think of the body as either male or female. Aspects of bodies are directly related to gender.

Sexual differences throughout history were mostly defined as binary, either male or female, within a mainly heterosexual framework. Since the last century, identification of the sexes became more flexible. Minorities raised their voices and grew more visible.

Looking back at history, the male body “gave up” its central position in visual culture, to the point that “nude” is now associated with femininity. Masculine nudity became viewed as something not really manly.

The female over-sexualised image was during the 1950s considered the norm, especially in

"Love the person, not their role" advertising. The wave of feminism began in the 1970s, and females started to “wear trousers”.

Finally, along with feminists, sexual minorities started openly marking their place in a world.

American visual artist and filmmaker Matthew Barney, repeatedly uses his naked body as art material. In the Cremaster Cycle, a series of five films made out of order, he explores gender identity, exposing the subject to the public through his art.

The title is taken from anatomy. The cremaster is a muscle that raises and lowers the testicles in response to changes in outside temperature or to external threat. It is not the muscle Barney is interested in, but the process of sexual differentiation that takes place within the womb.

During the first eight weeks of pregnancy the embryo sex is undefined. From the ninth week the internal gonads begin to move to become either ovaries (upward) or testicles (downward).

The underlying motif of the films has to do with the organism’s struggle to resist that fateful moment of sexual definition.

Cremaster 4 presents us with the artist’s representation of an intersex person. Barney visually presents his scrotum covered with yellow and blue threads signifying male (blue) and female (yellow) parts that stretch to the two motorcyclist teams, who draw them tight,

The ‘Gay Marriage’ debate: An alternative questioning

By Brian Glynn As the wild party animal first year Arts student that I am, I found myself sitting in on Saturday 1 February watching The Saturday Night Show. One segment in particular grabbed my attention; the debate on ­homophobia.

Now that is an issue I won’t be covering here, however it did get me thinking about an ongoing debate in Irish Society: The Gay Marriage Debate.

Now, this issue has being playing at the back of my mind for some time now, slowly but surely driving me insane. But now after seeing one too many debates on the subject I’ve decided to give in and write about it.

My problem with this debate goes right down to how it’s being labelled: “The Gay Marriage Debate”. It’s an inaccurate title, this debate is about much more than just homosexuals wanting to marry and is in fact also about Ireland growing up and being modern.

This shouldn’t be a debate built around being gay but instead should be built around marriage in general. Every time I hear the term ‘gay marriage’ I can’t help but remember when Idris Elba questioned why people were saying he would be the first ‘black James Bond’ by saying “nobody called Daniel Craig the latest ‘white’ James Bond”.

Nobody says ‘straight marriage’; it’s just marriage and that should be the case regardless of the gender of those standing atop the alter.

How can you possibly address a debate on sexuality at any level when you continue to separate the groups and emphasise what is a very small difference?

Homosexuality and Heterosexuality are separated in definition by one detail only, yet in society they are stereotyped and discussed differently.

In, ahem, ‘modern Ireland,’ people will still ask if someone is gay, children and adults are still bullied over what is a small difference in how these people live their lives and to top it all off we are grouping a debate over homosexual people in love’s right to marry in a different category to that of heterosexual people.

It really gets one wondering if this debate is happening too soon without proper consideration and contemplation among both the general public and the Dáil (by the way Enda Kenny. this is a bigger issue historically and presently than job creation).

It is difficult to see an acceptable solution to this debate coming anytime soon and I personally fear another botched legislation similar to the abortion bill, where we took half a step forward but didn’t go the whole way.

As seems to be the case when I think about topics such as this, I hope I’m wrong, I hope that the right to marriage (and yes the right to adoption) will be awarded equally to the homosexuals, bisexuals, heterosexuals et all in Irish society sooner rather than later. I fear that until that happens Ireland will always be a little more backwards than our government will admit.

leading us to the conclusion that both genders can become one in an individual.

In the Cremaster 1, a group of dancing girls form a pattern of multiplying cells. The cast is all female, perhaps because the growing foetus is always by default female.

In the following parts of the cycle Barney underlines the fact that it is ok to express our ambiguous gender. He mixes male and female outfits and goes deeper, showing fluid personas as they often are within us.

At some point in the film, the naked Barney is jumping from a bridge with pigeons strapped to his testicles, as a metaphor for freeing his sex from the pressure of differentiation.

In the final episode, the artist stretches our concept of the pre-written role one should play in life. In the film we can spot Aimee Mullins, a disabled model with prostheses below the knees, who was also a Paralympics athlete.

In one of the scenes the Entered Appearance (played by Barney) turns into an effeminated Barney, himself in high heels and a white dress.

Barney is bitten by a beautiful female (Mullins wearing see-through prostheses and a white dress) who turns into a cat lady, showing us that looks can be very misleading and what is beautiful on the outside is not always a representation of what is on the inside.

With Barney’s representation of the body and the notion of a third gender (no gender), the artist brings to us a new modern idea of the sexes.

We could say that the he is creating works about the role of the individual adult in the modern world. The role of his “bodies” is to resist, avoid inflexible form, and smooth the boundaries between the genders.

The artist is trying to make us understand that there is a space for being both male and female and being neither of them at the same time.

After such a long period of boring conceptual art works that lectured the viewer about gender, identity and sexual politics, here, Art is breaking new ground. We can only hope that more international artists will pick up the subject and speak about it as loudly as Barney's films have done.

Life can be a struggle, but there are many amazing aspects too it. One of them is love.

Whoever you are, in whatever form you were born, remember that love has no boundaries; we are all people regardless of the role chosen or pressed upon us.

Written by Joanna Kasinska in collaboration with FemSoc NUI Galway. Joanna is a Galwaybased artist. Her work can be viewed at http:// rawandfired.wix.com/joanna.

10 Opinion

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

The changing face of peer pressure: face-to-Facebook

By Jenna Hodgins In secondary school we all got that one SPHE class or week-long lecture on peer pressure. Most of us never listened because well, who listens in SPHE? And it’s such a simple concept that we don’t need countless posters and lectures to instruct us on this simplistic ideology of saying ‘no’. Saying ‘no’ when I don’t want to do something? Yeah, that’s easy – or is it?

When you’re a child with your little sponge brain that absorbs every bit of information it processes, you learn that when someone says “smoking is bad” that it is bad and that is gospel.

It’s easy not to conform to your adult peers who smoke cigarettes on the street.

When you’re 16-years-old surrounded by all your friends offering you “a drag, one drag won’t hurt, go on” it isn’t as easy as saying “smoking is bad” anymore.

In response to the social media drinking phenomena ‘neknomination’, the topics of drinking responsibly and peer pressure are slowly making their way back into our stratospheres as we are reminded about that apparently very simple lesson we learnt back in Junior Cert.

At the time of publication, it had been reported that two deaths had already been linked with the drinking game – not directly but both incidents occurred in tangent with the viral craze.

One young man told the Mail on Sunday; “I told my friends ‘don’t dare nominate me because I’m not doing it, it’s stupid’. But sure the inevitable was going to happen – my friend Sean nominated me. I wasn’t going to do it at first but I knew I’d get torn apart by the lads if I didn’t. My friend’s and I enjoy the odd challenge here and there.

“I tried breaking the trend by not nominating anyone and certainly didn’t see it going viral like it did. I was just trying to beat the 70-odd likes my friend got for his video.”

Sounds familiar, eh?

The rules of ‘neknomination’ are outlined as follows: “Neck your drink. Nominate another.

Don't break the chain, don't be a d***. The social drinking game for social media! #neknominate.

Drink Responsible”.

If you’re ‘neknominated’ in a peer’s video then everyone knows you’re next resulting in an impending pressure for you to conform, and as we’ve already established: if you break the chain you’re a d*** and who the hell wants to be a d***?

Although, surely the fact you’re not confronting peer pressure face-to-face would mean it’s easier to say ‘no’, so why do we still feel the need to conform, earn ‘likes’ and in some cases such as ‘neknominations’ put our health at risk?

We seem to associate peer pressure with the physical entity of the ‘group’. But has the face of conventional peer pressure changed? Is there even a face any more?

By John Ivory

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and call me a dry shite. Anyway, it seemed like good fun”.

Another user, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Sure, didn’t I want to show the world I can neck a pint as if it was second nature to me!”

Some social network users are describing the game as “just a bit of craic, it’s harmless” and defending the phenomena in relation to ‘responsible drinking’.

A user’s comment on the recent incidents linked with the game said; “It’s not like everyone is forcing each other to neck a litre of vodka.

Stupid c**ts taking it too far. It’s just a laugh!”

He’s right as the intention is not to literally force your friends into taking part. On the other hand, it may not be explicit but that doesn’t necessarily mean the pressure doesn’t exist.

NUI Galway student Colin Norton thinks “the power of social media has been bridled in a horrendous fashion in recent years, causing individuals to feel pressured into doing things that they wouldn't do under normal circumstances”.

Mr Norton also suggested; “The watchful gaze of online peers should be harnessed in a more productive light to promote debate on current events such as equality and slander against members of communities.”

What do you think: Has the face of peer pressure changed, or are we once again using social media as a scapegoat?

Nominate Change

SMOKEY’S CAFE

=

Yes there is; Facebook. “I was trying to beat the 70-odd likes my friend got for his video” says it all.

Facebook user Tadhg McDonnell answered my question; “With Facebook, the pressure is put on you by others and it's public – not only those who initiate the pressure can see whether you follow along or refuse, but it's all the people on yours and their friend list.”

That’s the worst part; everyone will know you’re that d*** who broke the chain.

The forum has changed and now we are pressured by ‘likes’ – virtual tokens of your peers’ respect, the new currency replacing the pat on the back and smiles of appreciation.

Our peer groups have expanded to not only our best friends but our best friends’ friends, cousins, colleagues, college friends, school friends, not-so-friendly-friends, the ‘friend’ with the coolest profile pictures.

And that’s what our peers are: profile pictures.

Static images of our peers judging our virtual moves and trends as we document our lives over a computer screen.

I asked Facebook friends of mine why they posted ‘neknomination’ submission videos online.

One answered with; “I had no choice. My friend nominated me, and 100 plus friends of ours liked his video. If I didn’t follow through, those 100 plus friends would know I didn’t

The word ‘neknomination’ has sparked outrage after two young Irish men apparently fell fowl of the internet craze. Ross Cummins, 22, a DJ from Dublin and Jonny Byrne, 19, from Carlow, apparently died as a result of the ‘game’ or so it was reported early Saturday and Sunday.

There are contradictory reports as to whether or not Mr Cummins was drinking on the night he died. However, the autopsy carried out has revealed ‘pulmonary aspiration’ was the cause of death.

This is commonly referred to as food or drink “going down the wrong pipe”. Whether this was brought on by consuming food or drink on his journey home we can’t know, but ‘pulmonary aspiration’ can kill in minutes, so the suggestion that pint he downed days previous in his ‘neknomination’ video had something to do with it isn’t likely.

Jonny Byrne is said to have jumped into a river after downing his drink, so as to add another layer of daring to his video. Unfortunately he paid the highest price. Jonny’s older brother, who was reportedly filming the video, jumped into the river after his brother got into difficulties but was unable to save him. A video was never posted.

If you find yourself the unwitting recipient of a nomination and you feel uncomfortable about it, don’t do it. As is the case with any craze that sweeps across our small nation, it will die out soon enough. The damage people have done to themselves by participating is unknown but you don’t need to be a Doctor to know it isn’t healthy.

Just because there is a convenient fad to lay the blame on, doesn’t mean it is at fault. Ireland’s drinking culture had a hand in these tragedies too.

Alcohol abuse is accepted in this country.

It always has been. People start drinking earlier and more often. The stereotypical drunk Irishman is not sobering, but only moving on to more harmful drinks.

So much attention is given to other social problems such as drug addiction and depression, and rightly so, but this is the most common and fundamental problem and nothing that has been done is making any inroads. The phrase ‘drink responsibly’ goes in one ear and out the other.

Whether or not Ross Cummins or Jonny Byrne died from taking part in ‘neknominations’ is irrelevant; they will only have died in vain if we don’t take their tragic deaths and memory as a turning point in Irish society so that the unacceptable acceptance of binge drinking is eradicated from our collective psyches as a generation of ‘neknominees’.

The next few weeks will see the various colleges of Ireland hold their ‘RAG’ weeks and with that comes a new set of dangers.

A week-long binge may sound appealing or romantic or even heroic but everyone should know the reality is much, much different.

While wanting to have fun is totally understandable, losing control of yourself only ever results in embarrassment, humiliation and a sore head. So look out for yourself and your friends because one alcohol related death is one too many.

Features 11 Alumni Interview: Olive Loughnane February 10 2014

Has NUI Galway changed since you were here?

NUI Galway graduate Olive Loughnane retired from race-walking in 2013. She represented Ireland in four Olympic Games and five World Championships in race walking.

Year of graduation: 1997 Course at NUI Galway: Bachelor of Commerce Current Occupation: Statistician in the CSO

What is your fondest memory of NUI Galway?

It was a very small place when I attended college so you knew the majority of people which was great.

Yes, my sister graduated 10 years after I did and even then there was a huge change in the campus. The facilities used to be nonexistent. We did circuit training in a place called The Bubble which was like an inflatable tent. You had to close an outer door before you opened the inner door so the whole thing didn’t deflate!

Just as I was graduating they had put in a proper gym beside the College Bar. There has been a huge amount of development since then again. The College Bar used to be over in the Quad and you could get a drink for £1.40.

How did attending NUI Galway develop you as a person?

I still have contacts with a lot of people I met at NUI Galway. I went to college quite

young – I was only 17 – so it was a very formative period for me. I had liked commerce subjects at school so that’s why I chose commerce in College. Before I started in the College at the open night a professor said that which degree you chose didn’t really matter and he was kind of right in that getting a degree was a good basis for your education unless you were doing something specific like medicine.

Did you partake in any societies, sports clubs or volunteering at NUI Galway?

I was a member of the athletics club and I also worked while I was in College because we had to pay fees back then. I didn’t have a lot of free time.

What was the college newspaper like when you were in NUI Galway?

Did you write for it?

There was a paper but I can’t remember the name of it! Back then student life revolved around the canteen and the SU Office was over there too. Campus was such a small place back then that we just hung around there and in Smokey Joe’s at the end of the concourse.

There were 200 students in my year in Commerce and that was considered a big class. I think there were about 6,000 students in total in the University so now it has tripled in size which I suppose has brought huge benefits to the University in terms of funding and the development of facilities.

Did you ever get in trouble while you were here?

I was a model student! I am making myself sound ancient here but I was pretty low key.

I don’t think I ever had to submit a paper as everything was based on the end of year

exams – there was no continuous assessment back then.

I remember someone showing me how to use email in third year! About a year later email was widespread but on campus there were maybe six computer rooms with about twenty computers and massive queues for them.

have now. I didn’t take sport very seriously when I was there as the support wasn’t there back then in terms of sports scholarships and I preferred socialising. The bigger student numbers now bring better facilities and more opportunities for students.

Of course NUIG is still a great party place!

What advice would you give to current NUI Galway students?

What are you up to now in terms of sport and training?

Use it as a stepping stone to do whatever it is that you want to do. Also to believe that you can do whatever you want to do – it’s up to you to go out there and grab the opportunity.

I am just staying fit as I firmly believe that fitness is for life. While what I did was great and I was very lucky to have the opportunities that I had, Elite sport is not for everyone. That level of training takes a massive commitment.

However, keeping fit and being healthy is something people need to make time for.

Now that I am back working I have a greater appreciation of how much discipline it takes to commit to staying fit and healthy.

If you could go back and do it all again, what would you do differently?

I don’t think so as I quite enjoyed it. If I went back to NUIG/UCG in the morning I suppose I would benefit from the great sports facilities they

Upcoming Career Events By the Career Development Centre Every fortnight, Sin brings you the latest updates form the Career Development Centre. This week, the centre has provided us with a list of upcoming career events.

When? What?

Where?

Tuesday 11 Feb History & English - "Taking the next step". Now you know your options learn Careers Seminar 1pm – 2pm how to find what's best for you at this workshop Room Tuesday 11 Feb Postgraduate Open Day - talk to lecturers and current postgraduate students Bailey Allen Hall 12.30pm – 4.30pm about the wide range of taught and research programmes available to you Wednesday 12 Teaching Fair - This event is open to those thinking about Teacher Training and Atrium, Orbsen Feb 5pm – 7pm PGDE students and graduates seeking employment in teaching.

Buildin Teaching in China - Presentation on Teaching in China by graduate Fiona Ní Cheirin Wednesday 12 from Middle Kingdom Teachers Teaching Opportunities in the UK - Presentation. IT125G Feb 6pm – 7pm ER and M - Education Recruitment and Marketing. UK recruitment company.

Thursday 13 Feb Teaching Jobs in UK - Engage Education presentation on teaching opportunities IT250 1pm – 2pm in the UK. Monday 17 Feb Careers with Psychology - Find out about your options with a degree in Psychology. Kirwan Lecture 6pm – 7pm Includes visiting speakers.

Theatre (TBC) Making good applications - History and English Final Years - Learn how to put Careers Seminar Tuesday 18 Feb a good CV together and how to write personal statements for postgraduate Room 1pm – 2pm course applciations.

Tuesday 18 Feb CV Workshop - Get hints and tips on how to create a great CV. All disciplines Careers Seminar 6pm – 7pm welcome. Book your place on Connect.

Room Personal Statement Workshop - Most postgradaute courses require a personal Careers Seminar Wednesday 19 statement as part of the application process. Attend this workshop to get tips Room Feb 1pm – 2pm on how to write one.

LinkedIn Workshop - Find out how to set up your own profile, get connected with Careers Seminar Monday 24 Feb new contacts and learn about the many other features of this social networking Room 6pm – 7pm website.

Tuesday 25 Feb TEFL Information Session - Attend this seminar to find out all you need to know Careers Seminar 5pm – 6pm about teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Room

For more upcoming events see: http://goo.gl/90sZUK

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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 contact Galway University Foundation.

Visit us @ www.guf.ie l www.nuigalway.ie/alumni l T: 091 493536 Find us on Facebook and join National University of Ireland Galway on LinkedIn

12 Features

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

“New Year New You” series part 3: Self Image

By John Mulry In the last issue we talked about goal-hijacking and how it can completely derail you from your own unique goals. This week we’re going to go a ­little bit deeper.

The roadblock we’ll be discussing here is one that can play a big part in holding you back: your self-image. According to Wikipedia; “A simple definition of a person's self-image is their answer to the question, ‘What do you believe people think about you?’”

Self-image may consist of three types: 1. Self-image resulting from how the individual sees himself or herself.

2. Self-image resulting from how others see the individual.

3. Self-image resulting from how the individual perceives others see him or her.

One of the best books available on self-image psychology and one of my favourite books of all time is Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr Maxwell Maltz. Dr Maltz was a plastic surgeon and discovered the power of self-image psychology after what he thought were successful operations on his patients.

In one instance in the book, he describes that he successfully operated on a car crash victim and

returned her face to what she looked like before the crash. He exclaimed that this was his best work.

While the woman he had operated on had physically changed for the better, mentally she still felt awful. He discovered that, although he fixed her physical scarring, it was her deep, internal, mental scarring that had the most impact on her happiness.

She had suffered trauma much worse than a car crash, trauma that damaged her self-image.

Because of this, no amount of surgery could heal her.

If you haven’t read Psycho-Cybernetics, I highly recommend you do. It’s possibly one of the greatest books ever written on the topic of self-image and personal development.

I, too, suffered some serious self-image scarring when I was growing up. I was bullied as a kid and my confidence took a massive knock because of this. There were other life events that left scarring for me. Losing a best friend to suicide was another one.

These events left internal scarring that always made me question what I was doing and the direction in which I was going. I was always second-guessing my actions, thinking about things way too much, and taking little action.

From reading and studying Dr Maltz’s work as well as applying his techniques, I have overcome my issues and now have a positive self-image – one that helps me rather than hinders me.

You can change on the outside all you want, but until you start to heal the internal scarring you may have, you will always revert back to the way you are. This is because your self-image controls everything.

If your self-image is damaged or feels like a failure, then no matter how many times you try to change, you won’t be able. Your threats will always get the better of you. You won’t change, your ability to succeed won’t change, and your life won’t change.

This article is an adapted excerpt from John’s upcoming book Your Elephant’s Under Threat. The book is being launched in Charlie Byrne’s Book Shop on 28 February at 6.30pm. All are welcome.

For more information, visit www.JohnMulry.com.

Erasmus Diary of an Student By Áine O Donnell Isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing? I talked about a party we were having for my birthday in my last diary and let’s just say the expletive has hit the proverbial fan.

The party was all going well until our neighbour called the police and then typical Irish student banter ensued which involved a bit of damaged property and the uncovering of a collection of street signs.

No names will be mentioned for legal reasons.

I’m only joking; it isn’t that bad but let’s just say the “be grand” attitude of Irish people is not applicable over here. The sort of slap on the wrist one would have received from the authorities in Gort or Corrib is what we expected but French people obviously don’t understand the concept of banter.

We are getting money taken out of our deposits and we are not allowed to have parties anymore but in true Irish style: when things are rough, we feck off skiing.

We are all heading off on Tuesday morning on a ski trip to a resort called Super Besse (again, not joking) near Clermont Ferrand. I have never been skiing unless you count sliding on a bin lid down your front garden a winter sport.

I am nervous at the prospect of skiing given the recent news of Michael Schumacher’s fall on the slopes (obviously not as nervous as my mother) but I’m delighted to get away from Poitiers for a while and discover a different part of France.

While I am about to set off on my big French adventure, this weekend we are certainly making an attempt to emulate our home comforts. On Sunday, the lads and I are planning on making a Sunday roast before watching the start of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign. We are trying to make Poitiers a home away from home.

I have managed to secure about 23 credits which is still four short of my requirement so I have been scrambling to try and enrol myself in two more classes.

Although the whole organisation side has been a shambles, my new teachers are very nice and seem to realise the struggles we are facing as Erasmus students so I sincerely hope by the time I get round to writing my next Erasmus diary I will have managed to organise some more classes and I will have made it home safely from skiing.

As that French lot say, qui vivra verra…

Wanderlust: Brussels

By Carla Avenia Koency Much more than just the unofficial capital of Europe, Brussels is the cosmopolitan capital of Belgium – a country well known for two worldwide favourites: chocolate, and beer!

Why go? You certainly can't go wrong with a visit to Brussels, ripe with experiences to be enjoyed: whether you're after a taste of its bustling cultural scene, hunting for rare vinyl or chasing after the latest fashion trends. This international city has it all.

What to eat? Well, how about what to drink? Belgium is the home to over 1,000 different beers. And you can quench your thirst at Delirium, a must-stop in any visitors' ­itinerary.

Nestled among other bars in a dead-end alley in the Old Town, this bar doesn't scream excitement from its subdued outside demeanour. But you'll know you're in the right place once you step in and you feel a wave of glee and joy emanating from the basement.

Follow the merriment to find a unique bar serving those 1,000 Belgian beers, and many more. Go with time, you'll need it just to get through the whole menu.

If you get hungry, there is nothing more Belgian than its famous frites, or chips. You can try this source of local pride at any of the many French fry shops that dot the Old Town.

But if you're after a more serious meal, you cannot leave Brussels without trying the local delicacy, moules frites or mussels and... you guessed it: chips. The place to savour them is Chez Léon, again in the Old Town (conveniently around the corner from Delirium, I must say).

Ready for dessert? Then it's time for more local fare, gaufres, or waffles, with any topping of your chosing: from cream to chocolate to strawberries and bananas or even nutella.

Why not go crazy and get all of them? Find the gaufre of your dreams at any of the myriad of waffle shops in the streets around the Grand Place, or Main Square.

Where to shop? Brussels is for vintage lovers. Start your expedition at Place du Jeu de Balle, with their daily flea market. After it dies down around 3pm, you can continue on to any of the streets surrounding the square, where you can thrift your little heart out at the many second-hand clothing shops in the neighborhood.

I don't mean to brag, but last summer, I saw Macklemore parading around... and we all know he loves a good deal at the thrift shop.

If vinyl is more your thing, start at Caroline, right by the Old Town. Their second floor is a second-hand vinyl junkie's version of ­paradise.

Where to stay? Hostels cost on average €16 per night in a shared dorm room. Try to find one that is close to the Grand Place, or Main Square.

Good to know: Don't leave without tasting some of Belgium's world-famous chocolates.

Beyond Leonidas (found in Eyre Square Centre!), you have renowned chocolatiers such as Neuhaus, Godiva and Pierre Marcolini.

Where from: Fly from Dublin. Daily flights, starting at 19.99 Euro one way.

February 10 2014

Valentine's Special 13

Is online dating all it is cracked up to be?

By Rachel Masterson Thousands of people in Ireland log on to sites like Plenty of Fish and Tinder every day in the search for their soul mate. Hundreds of pairs have been matched online all across the country. It seems that online dating is the way forward; but is it really?

While we can agree that thousands of couples have met their perfect match online, is it much better than meeting someone face to face and falling for them the old fashioned way? Online dating offers a fun service and gives you the advantage of choosing who you speak to, but do you ever really know who the person behind the other screen is?

Some people have gotten lucky and met the person of their dreams while oth-

ers have had complete nightmares. This begs the question, is it that much better than meeting someone out in a pub?

Most people join dating sites because they are “sick of the pub scene” which is completely understandable.

People get weary of drunken chat up lines which never amount to anything so try their hand at online dating.

What makes online dating so different? Not much in my opinion. While picking up strangers in a bar may get tiresome at least you know what you are letting yourself in for. You can quickly judge a person by how they act and carry themselves. Even if they do just want a one night stand, it is easy enough to figure out.

Thousands of relationships have been formed out

of one night stands or random meets in a pub; they are not necessarily a complete write off. However people have begun to look onto a computer screen rather than seek human contact and make a personal judgement.

What sits behind the other computer screen? Many argue that drunken people are only out for “the one thing” but they will find that the same goes for plenty of online dating users. In fact, many go on these sites to look for others to hook up with for easy sex. So what is the difference? You still have to decipher who is the real deal and who just wants sex.

When you do meet someone online who you believe to be genuine, then you have to figure out if they are really who they say or if they are a complete phoney and total

creep. Then you go through some awkward, “trying to get to know one another”, messages before finally deciding to meet.

That inevitably leads to the awkward first hello, the forced conversation, the uncomfortable silence before finally settling into some good conversation. Then there is the predicament of what is expected next, do you sleep together? If all goes well you may get a second date, a relationship or, if nothing else, some good memories.

So what is my point?

While some good can come of dating sites, a lot of bad can come too. You could meet someone who isn’t who they were claiming to be and things could go completely awry. You could meet for a date but even if it all went well you might never hear

from them again, which leaves you in the same predicament as the one night stand.

There is so much emphasis put on online dating nowadays that people seem to forget how we did things before that. While picking up someone in the pub isn’t ideal, it has all the same pros and cons of online dating but with a human element attached. Meeting people face to face and establishing a connection has a lot more to say for it than establishing a connection with a computer screen.

What is the solution? Get out there, get active, get in control of yourself and your own life and don’t just hope the right person will come along. If you want to meet someone with similar interests to you, go out

and explore your interests, you won’t find them on a computer screen.

Anyone can write a profile and fill it with misleading information to make it sound great. It takes a person with real life inside of them to go out and enjoy what they claim to be interested in.

Join some clubs and interest groups which fit the description of what you are and what you want in a potential partner. Take people at face value and not at words typed on a screen.

If you have met someone online that has blossomed into something more, then all the best. For the rest of us however; don’t get so caught up in the online dating craze because you may be setting yourself up for a fall.

Social Media and Relationships

By Nadine Hoesler “There’s a problem with the internet connection between you two. Hold on while we try to get the call back” flashes on my screen, while I am desperately trying to have a conversation via Skype.

During my frantic efforts to restore the conversation, I condemn these modern applications, which seemingly never work when you need them the most.

Social media – Skype, Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, Youtube, etc. – are supposed to help people interact with others and, therefore, support relationships. Influenced by my recent experience with Skype, however, I question the validity of this assumption.

In the age of social media it is possible to connect with an endless number of people. A friend of mine has over 1,000 friends on Facebook.

Thus, social networks enable us to easily make contact with new acquaintances and keep in touch with them.

Whether you write birthday wishes on your classmate’s timeline, ask how your friend is doing via Whatsapp or like your colleague’s holiday pictures on Facebook, it can be done within seconds.

Nevertheless, this fleeting way of communication supports rather superficial relations rather than deep relationships. Now and then a like and a non-committal enquiry as to how someone is doing, forms – in my opinion – not a friendship.

In the world of social media one has to be reachable at all times. As a matter of fact, a friend of mine was utterly shocked, when I left my phone at home one evening.

Ignoring the fact that this particular night my phone would have been very useful, (we were waiting outside in the rain for an acquaintance, whose number unfortunately only I had saved in my phone) I insist on my right sometimes to be an individual without a phone.

However, the pressure to immediately answer a message has increased – especially now, that electronic communication enables us to see when the recipient reads the message. Sometimes a delayed response is interpreted as ignorance and causes damage to a relationship.

Another tricky feature of social media is the communication via written messages.

Almost every text message can be read with “good” and “bad”

intentions. Depending on the recipient’s mood, the message “I am busy right now. Let’s talk later”, can be understood as an honest account of one’s situation or as a cold-hearted rejection.

In particular, the non-use or wrong-use of emoticons can result in misunderstandings. Of course I am exaggerating a little, but miscommunication does occur constantly in the world of social media and affects relationships negatively.

Social media also influence relationships existing beyond internet borders. Sometimes I catch myself checking my phone for new messages while someone is talking to me. I seem to be unconsciously obsessed with a fear of missing out on something.

Nowadays it seems that people are too distracted by social media to enjoy a moment of togetherness.

At times my friends and I exchange instant messages with others while we are simultaneously having a conversation. Social media has made us masters of multitasking. Whether we produce meaningful conversations or not, is to be questioned.

The aforementioned pressure of answering and miscommunication due to

social media seem to intensify in love relationships. To discover that your loved one posted funny comments on Facebook, while you were impatiently waiting for a response, can lead to a quarrel.

In fact, Facebook has become one of the main causes for relationship break ups.

The all-time favourite social network offers plenty of issues couples could argue about: relationship statuses, pictures, comments, the – in the opinion of the girlor boyfriend – ‘wrong’ self-portrayal of the partner, etc.

Facebook can turn a person with a healthy amount of jealousy and curiosity into a green-eyed monster.

The timeline supports jealousy issues by enabling a reconstruction of every little interaction a person had on Facebook in the last few years.

With a few clicks one can find out who the exes are, when they came together and when they broke up.

Trouble is ahead when the partner likes something the ex posted or the other way around. My examples, need-

less to say, do not apply to all couples. In some partnerships, however, a harmless click on Facebook can have serious consequences.

Rereading the article, I have to admit that I sound like an anti-social media person. At this point I want to make clear that I am not at all like that. I use social media frequently and appreciate the advantages social networks and messengers offer.

How could I keep in touch with my parents in Germany, my sister in Thailand and my boyfriend in the US without Whatsapp and Skype? What would I do while procrastinating without Facebook and Youtube?

Nevertheless, I do believe that social media has changed our relationships considerably and one should be aware of that.

14 Valentine's Special

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

The truth behind the dreaded Valentine’s Day

By Chelsea Tabert Contrary to modern beliefs, Valentine’s Day is not as overrated as you may think, but instead, perhaps logical?

Now, for those of you still reading, let me enlighten you as to why.

Some of you out there may feel that Valentine’s Day is just another silly day made into over-the-top consumerism centering on flowers and chocolate. The

remaining may say that it’s ridiculous to have society decide on one arbitrary day in the middle of February to shower your significant other with love and extra affection.

And to be completely honest, it makes sense. Not everyone loves the mushy love letters and rose petal trails leading into the bedroom where the inevitable is about to happen.

However, the one thing that we all can relate to is the unconditional want to be loved. Whether it be the 14th of February, or the ninth of July; we all long to feel loved. It is an emotion; a feeling which we cannot escape.

So yes, as the years have progressed – and likewise so has the consumerism market – Valentine’s Day has become a little extravagant. But whoever decided that chocolate and teddy bears mean ‘I Love You’ anyways?

In this modern day, we live at an incredibly fast pace.

So fast in fact, that we tend to lose ourselves and the ones we love most in this place called life. One arbitrary day out of the year to show love is nothing but bear minimal.

Some of you will try to fight me here by saying “Oh, flowers are so much more expensive on Valentine’s Day” or “I have no significant other to share the day with!” None of that should be used as an excuse though.

If you don’t have the money for flowers, don’t buy any. If you don’t have a significant other, that’s okay too (I won’t overlook the fact that so many of us have expectations to this either, that is how society has shaped us, but that doesn’t mean expecting is the correct way).

This day is meant to be about appreciation. A reminder, may you, to hold the ones you love close and show them the much deserved, and

needed affection. After all, to be wanted is what we are all seeking out of life, conscious to the thought or not.

That being said, if you truly love and care about someone, in a romantic way or not, you shouldn’t have to wait for one particular day of the year to express that.

What most people tend to forget, and this goes for every holiday, is the origin. Valentine’s Day did not start out as a ‘buy your wife a set of earrings and hop into bed’ kind of day; instead, it started with a single saint whom we have inaugurated and twisted into endless hearts and kissy faces.

Don’t get me wrong here; I understand the amount of money businesses pull in on this particular day of the year, and any of you who like to look at things from a business aspect will agree with me when I say that this consumerism trend will never end.

Shops and vendors bring in such large amounts of money when it comes to holidays such as Valentine’s Day that they will never give it up.

Here's where the issues lie with Valentine’s Day... it is a day of love, but only really focused on one particular person. This day needs to be approached in a different manner, how about a day to show appreciation and love for all people; a day where you give a rose or a hug to a stranger who crosses your path?

Give your time, or a smile.

When you do these acts of kindness it is then you feel the true appreciation. Time should be treated as more valuable than objects.

Objects can be replaced, but when someone gives you a piece of their time, they are giving it wholly to you; they can never ga i n t hat back.

But that being said,

why does there even need to be a day to show appreciation and do something special for someone else? Why can't that be every day?

I think if you truly care for and love someone you don't need to wait for society to give you the thumbs up for an acceptable day. You should just do it.

If you see something you would like to buy for your significant other, just buy it... your actions should not be forced out by a novelty calendar date, but should be shaped by your heart.

Valentine’s Day for cynics

By Michael Finn I used to enjoy Valentine’s Day, but then again I used to be in a good relationship.

Even when in a good relationship, you may also be cheap and not want to go above and beyond to celebrate it with your significant other.

No amount of “it’s just a made up holiday” will mask the fact that you’re just not bothered.

When you are single, it serves as a reminder of the fact that you are single. You can either take it as a reminder that you are going to die alone, or that you aren’t tied down to anyone.

Personally, I’m indifferent to Valentine’s Day, unlike what I was in early secondary school.

When you’re about 13 or 14 years of age, and being bet with the puberty stick big time, hearing the more popular lads talk about getting the shift or more can have a bit of an effect on your self-esteem.

Granted, I went to Summerhill College Sligo, an all-boys school, birthplace of sexual frustration. Any chance to get

in contact with a walking pair of boobs, also referred to as a woman, is during lunch time in town.

If you haven’t made any friends from the local girls’ school, you have no reason to go into town. You stay at the school and talk about all the cool things that were happening in 2005, like Bebo and Black Eyed Peas.

Getting the shift was a badge of honour, just as losing your virginity would be later on in life.

Luckily when you go to an all-boys school, you’re in the same boat as many other weird and womanless lads (a ‘Frigit’ is what you would call someone who has never gotten the shift).

As you’re standing there in a Valentine’s Day teen disco, watching as people in your class get someone to brag about on Monday, your confidence deteriorates.

Luckily, I’m older and wiser, and after a long relationship ending before Halloween, I can ignore the holiday and be happy that I’m not forking out

anything for the day.

Others, however, seem to take the whole idea of love seriously, as opposed to a mechanism to gain a few acres of land.

When you have a really insufferable friend who seems to be in the ultimate fairy-tale relationship you may be subjected to; inspirational status updates, dozens and dozens of photos of them together and little private jokes appearing on your Facebook newsfeed, bear with it, even on Valentine’s Day, and you will reap the rewards.

What goes up must come down. You will witness the greatest fallout soon enough as abuse starts creeping its way in.

Their passive aggressive status updates will be a source of amusement for some time until a child is involved and it all seems futile.

You have basked in the misery of others as a reminder that not having a date for Valentine’s Day isn’t all that bad.

Was it all worth the heartbreak?

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 10 2014

Valentine's Special 15

Romancing this Stone Give long-distance a chance

By Karen McDonnell I consider myself a romantic, but I’m not good at weddings.

There’s always the ‘and guest’ bit on invitations that leaves one feeling inadequate if one’s status is ‘singleton’.

Even if you’re not a Bridget Jones, there’s a chance that one part of the couple will be on the outskirts of the friendship that got you the invitation in the first place.

Barring family weddings, and those of childhood friends (‘till-we-dieswear-on-it!’), I’d rather not go, thank you all the same.

The best wedding I was ever at?

My brother’s. I love my sister-in-law and her family. Her friends were the best crowd, and included talented musicians and actors.

The singsong lasted until breakfast-time. The wedding party travelled around the country for a week, as my brother and sister were home for the first time since they’d got their Morrison visas. The craic was mighty.

The best wedding I was never at?

Let me tell you about one of them.

A long time ago, before any of you were born – before I was,

for that matter – a girl met a boy at school. They fell in love. They would meet behind their parents’ backs. Sometimes they met clandestinely at a local quarry. I’ve seen an old photo of the girl smiling into the camera, letting it share their secret.

The boy was Catholic; the girl, a Methodist. It wasn’t that they thought their parents prejudiced or bigoted. The girl had seen her younger sister waiting for years to marry the man she wanted, and she wasn’t that patient. She was stubborn and independent.

She and her young man eloped to London.

Their priority was finding a place in which the girl could live.

They had very little money. The young man stayed in a shelter for homeless men at the crypt of St Martin in the Fields, just off Trafalgar Square.

Then he got some farm work – going out of London every day with a lorry load of men. They married, and found work with a doctor and his family. The doctor’s wife had interviewed the girl, trusting her enough to give her £5 to buy a maid’s uniform.

Eventually, they wrote to their families and were persuaded to return home. They took the boat from England and the train to Limerick. When they got back to the girl’s house, the young man’s family was also there to greet them. They never looked back.

I was in the Mrs Keane’s sweet shop. I must have been nine years old. Mrs Keane was a widow, and my grandmother recently widowed. I examined rows of black-lidded jars, while the ladies chatted, trying to choose between apple-tart sweets, pineapple cubes, iced caramels and acid drops.

Would I blow the whole treat on a bar of chocolate? Or a toothcracking slab of Geary’s toffee?

Grannie always used a hammer to break toffee into chewable shards.

My reflections came to a sudden stop when I heard my grandmother say: “Of course, my husband and I eloped.”

I don’t remember what sweets I got. We left the shop and walked along the narrow street. A school kid and a middle-aged woman dressed in black. Holding hands.

I stared up at her.

“Good for you, Grannie!” I said.

Diary of a Cynical Graduate: Cupids lie

By Shelly Madden What is the difference between an Arts student and Cupid?

Nothing! You are both optimistic beings with an overwhelming zest for life and a romanticised view of the world. You are funloving; imbued with a sense of goodwill and a burning desire to make your mark on the world.

Fast forward four years and the only resemblance remaining is that you are both naked, vulnerable babies trying to navigate through a world filled with other lonely cynics. People expect much more than you have to offer and curse all of your misfires. Welcome to your life!

While this is most certainly the season for ostracising overly affectionate couples, it must be remembered that even the taken can be equally disdainful of St. Valentine’s holiday. I myself am betrothed and did not experience the anticipated welcome pack of romance and self-fulfilment on my very first Valentine’s last year.

In fact, our attempt at a slightly fancy (by fancy, I mean the Dáil) hungover meal out

was inescapably cringeworthy.

As we sheltered underneath papier maché hearts and tried to avoid the smug gaze of fellow couples, we proceeded to discuss our ravenous hunger and how we might potentially leave the other one day.

Such is life. I have no clue if the other couples were discussing baby names and skirting boards but I certainly did not feel that I belonged to the same category. I might even dare to be so bold and suggest that it is almost worse to be in a couple on February 14th.

Before you aim your pitchforks, do be reminded that I enjoyed a blissful 20 years of boy-free V-days and I too, once scorned the other side. I continue to despise the assumption that every singleton yearns to find their counterpart in a chance encounter, perhaps in a log cabin on a rainy day, or a

similar Nicholas Sparks vomitinducing scenario.

But that is the beauty of the holiday; the entitlement to sling figurative eggs at the red heart industry and be reassured that the promise of promiscuity and freedom lay ahead.

This brings me back to the equipollent life of an Arts student. We are indoctrinated to believe that your graduation is the culmination of all your hard work and will validate all of your life choices up until that point.

Earn a degree! Nab a man!

And all your dreams will be realised. But of course, we all want what we can’t have. When we get the ambiguous Arts qualification, we realise we should have probably opted for a more specified degree.

Likewise, when we get that person to snuggle up to on the couch, we wish to revert back to Party Island where compromise and dependence are urban myths.

I am not an embittered cat lady (not yet anyway). But Cupid is a dirty liar. And so are our guidance counsellors.

P.S.: Apologies to my other half. You can dump me on the 15th.

By Eva Proske Cheesy Valentine's romance everywhere and the beloved one many miles away? Long distance relationships can really suck.

But let's take the Valentine's Day loneliness as a good occasion to think about the long distance relationship. Why is it so hard?

What are the obstacles you can expect? And above all, is it really worth it?

Going off to college, being offered a great job opportunity abroad or just finding the love of your life during a stay abroad – not many would choose the long distance hardship, but sometimes there is simply no other way.

The good thing is we don't have to spend ages waiting for the carrier pigeon to bring our love letters anymore. The bad thing is beaming from one place to another is still not invented and even the most advanced communication technology can't replace physically being together.

Basically this is the hardest part of “going the distance” and

it’s not just about the total absence of sex. Distance reduces a relationship to mere communication – talking and texting. Any actual activities together become suddenly impossible. That can prove to be very problematic.

All out of a sudden, couples run the risk of finding out that there is not that much to talk about. And then there are the pitfalls of phone calls. Not everyone is proficient in the art of talking on the phone. Some people can spend hours on the phone; others tend to limit their use to necessary one or two-minute calls.

But this is not a cause to worry; usually awkward phone talks featuring long silent pauses decrease after a while. Sometimes videotelephony improves the situation, as it indicates subliminally a different atmosphere contrasting the normal short phone call feeling.

There are many more ways to manage long-distance relationships: showing the partner the new living environment right in the beginning to ease the feeling of being excluded; searching

for new shared routines or little rituals (that others might find ridiculously pathetic, but so what?); and celebrating the planning of the time spent together.

However, the talking about long distance in terms of survival should end right here, in order to leave space for the positive aspects new conditions can bring. You may ask what could be positive about being apart and terribly missing someone?

Not much certainly, but believe it or not there are also some tiny little things on the pro-list.

Long-distance can intensify feelings and appreciation for what is really important for a couple.

Above all it can also free a relationship from old disputed issues; annoying habits repeatedly causing stupid fights at home simply fall away.

So long distance can open a new refreshing chapter of a relationship. In some lucky cases it even has a rejuvenating effect on a relationship, making all the trouble of saying goodbye, missing and feeling lonely well worth it.

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16 Valentine's Special

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

The advantages of being single Romantic Reminiscing: My first disco

By Kieran Kilkelly So February 14th is upon us again; a day of love for all involved. Well, not exactly. Single people worldwide have to endure the plight of not having anyone to share this beloved day with; however, this does have its advantages.

The alarm clock rings, you stretch to the full extent of your mattress, you pull the cover into you and turn over for that last five minutes of sleep before you have to face the day. No breakfast in bed to cook, no bed to share, you are your own person just like every other day of the year.

And this is just the beginning. While, anyone who has another half has had to put days and maybe even weeks of preparation to make Valentine’s Day “something special”, us singletons can relax and take in our surroundings without the worry of what type of card or chocolates we have to get.

That worry that we don’t have also corresponds with having no overheads for this commercial holiday. It seems as though the price of flowers and any other relevant romantic gift spikes dramatically. That leaves the single people with more money to spend on individual luxuries.

Finance aside, as money isn’t everything, there are many more benefits to having this day to yourself. There is of course no obligation to anyone but you. You can laze around all day, wearing no pants, eating ice-cream from the tub, while watching repeats of ‘Friends’ on Comedy Central. There are no disadvantages to that scenario.

On the other side of that spectrum, you can decide to meet up with your other single friends at any time of the day you please; you are not committed to anyone or

anything. The options are endless from there on in.

If you are, however, feeling somewhat lonely on Valentine’s Day you don’t have to despair yet. You are not the only single person in this city.

There are loads more like you that feel the same way when looking at couples exchanging gifts and clinging off each other.

And this is where the real advantage of being single on Valentine’s Day comes into play. Luckily, the nightlife is good in Galway and with it just so happening to be a Friday night that this celebration day of love falls on, it will be extra busy.

As someone who is single you are plunged into more favourable circumstances than might have been. Someone who might not have been interested in you before may suddenly have a change of heart, considering the day that’s in it and also the fact that their two best friends that are going out together are out along with them.

It’s a chance to meet someone who, perhaps, on another night you would have not. Maybe it will lead to something special?

Luckily, the nightlife is good in Galway and with it just so happening to be a Friday night that this celebration day of love falls on, it will be extra busy.

So single people go and use your isolation as an advantage. Enjoy the day amongst other single people and who knows next year you might be fighting for the quilt covers the morning of Valentine’s and realising the advantages (and disadvantages) of being in a relationship on Valentine’s Day.

By Hazel Doyle As we approach Vally Day and all the impending red and pink chocolate hearts that will inevitably come through your letter-box this Friday the 14th, think back on some of the less smooth romantic moments in your life, such as your first date, your first kiss, your first time or the first crush you had.

Let us now appreciate how far we have all come from the scenario which follows.

It’s 2007 and you’re heading to your first disco. You’ve not got a clue what to wear because there’s no facebook yet and so you can’t creep on last year’s Transition Years to see what’s cool to be seen sporting at these things.

You’ve practiced putting on your make-up a few times but it never looks quite like the girl in the ad. Your boobs aren’t quite as big as everyone else’s and so you’re considering stuffing a pair of tights in each cup, but what if one fell out? You decide it’s not worth the risk.

You’re not even sure you know all the words to all the songs they’re going to play and what if it turns out you’re actually a crap dancer? You can’t worm or anything like that.

Your Mam has put tan on your back and you’re praying your Dad will still consent to giving you a lift when he sees how short your skirt is.

This is your big entrée into society. Your whole life depends on this one night, this great big first impression. The girls in your class who you don’t hang out with normally will see you in non-uniform clothes and, most importantly, there will be boys there. It all hangs on this one night.

You’re in the queue and there’s noise everywhere. You have the ticket in your bag, all ready to go, signed by your viceprinciple to confirm that you are in Transition Year. There’s some boy who did the Junior Cert last year trying to get in to the disco and being told where to go by the bouncer. You’d be so embarrassed to be him.

You pass by the cloak room where you leave your coat that your Mam made you bring. It covered the length of your skirt anyway, so you wore it, but you were terrified that you’d be the only one wearing one. Thank God your friends had theirs too.

There’s a place where you can buy cans of coke and crisps. That’s good. That’s good to know. Maybe you’ll need to recharge your batteries after all your super-cool dance-moves.

There’s people smoking outside. You can see them through the open double-doors under the basketball net. You make a mental note not to need fresh air.

You might get an asthma attack.

That would not be cool. No; best to avoid that.

So, here we go. That song ‘Suicidal’ is being mixed with ‘Stand

by Me’ by the DJ. This is clearly an unreal disco. And you know the words to both those songs. You can bop to this. You’ve so got this.

You and your friends from school form a circle and start dancing, looking around nervously to ensure you’re bopping in uniform with other boppers.

You’re aware there are girls here from the other girls’ school. They

think they’re so great, don’t they?

State of them.

There are boys here too. They all have shirts on, but not like the CBS ones you usually see them in after school. These shirts have lines on them.

You think one of these boys is good-looking. He sees you looking at him. Oops! Think you could pass it off as just a dance move? You start to shake your head around a bit. But maybe this isn’t the right kind of bopping. You start to slow down the shaking before stopping it altogether.

Sometime later the circle has turned a little and you catch that boy’s eye again. Oh dear. You go red. He’ll think you like him now and someone will cop it and write ‘Hazel <3s’ and then his name on the blackboard in school. You’ll be mortified.

You feel a tap on your shoulder and you turn around. It’s that boy you were looking at. Now that you

see him up close, you’re pretty sure he’s your friend Emma’s cousin and you were on her trampoline together one time in Sixth Class.

You’re afraid he’s going to “start on you” for looking at him too much, but it was accidental both times, so that’s not fair and won’t all the other lads laugh at him for starting on a girl?

He looks a bit worried. Your friend Claire pushes you forward a bit so you can hear what he’s saying. You suddenly realise that this is like an American prom off the telly for people who just got their Junior Cert results.

You think maybe he’ll make a big romantic gesture and sweep you off your feet. You lean in to hear the sweet nothings he is about to shout over “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”.

“Here you,” he begins and your pulse races. He points over his shoulder. “Will you shift my friend?”

TOGHCHÁIN 2014

AN tUACHTARAN LEAS-UACHTARAN/AN tOIFIGEACH OIDEACHAIS LEAS-UACHTARAN/AN tOIFIGEACH LEASA Osclófar Ainmniúcháin ag 10 r.n., Déardaoin, an 20 Feabhra Dúnfar Ainmniúcháin ag 5 i.n., Dé Céadaoin, an 26 Feabhra

Lá an Toghcháin: Déardaoin, an 6 Márta

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Valentine's Special 17

February 10 2014

Wise Words: Valentines Dinner Making time for two How time flies these days. One minute you are sipping long neck bottles of beer at the college bar and the next minute you are skipping down the aisle to wedded bliss with your whole life ahead of you and then WHAM! you wake up startled by the reality that you are late for the annual parent teacher meeting at the kids’ school.

We are celebrating parenthood for ten years this year. Although we had many years of togetherness before the children arrived into our wise-world, life as we know it has never been quite the same since we brought the first bundle of joy home.

Finding and taking time for just the two of us is something we never seem to do enough of, but something we treasure, as each minute of time ticks by.

If you are planning a romantic evening at home on Valentine’s Day this year why not source a sturdy piece of beef to share with your significant other?

There is a new butcher shop opened up over near Terryland fruit and veg and it is well worth checking out as they have excellent prices and great quality meat too.

By Móna Wise

By Shannon McNamee

Porterhouse steak for two

We see the slimmer T-Bone steaks from time to time at the butchers but like to place a special request for a Porterhouse steak when there is a special occasion on the horizon.

The porterhouse is cut a good inch and a half thicker than the t-bone and has four or five bites of the fillet steak attached to the strip loin. More than enough for two people to share and plenty left over for lunch the next day too.

What you will need

1 large Porterhouse (or T-Bone) steak 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp black pepper, coarsely ground 2 tsp salt, coarse 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce How to prepare it

Allow beef to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC. Using your hands, rub the olive oil and salt and pepper into the meat on both sides.

Heat a heavy (cast iron) pan to smok-

ing hot then place steak on the pan and leave it for five minutes.

Turn the steak over to cook on the other side and splash in the Worcestershire sauce. Remove from the heat and pop it into the oven for 15 - 20 minutes (for medium-rare) or longer if you like it well done.

Remove from the oven and leave to rest on a chopping board for ten to fifteen minutes before serving.

Sin Guide: What not to do on Valentine’s Day By Áine O Donnell Although your Valentine’s preparations should be well underway, Sin is here to make sure you don’t make any mistakes when wooing the one you love this February 14th.

Recession Romancing

While we are all students dealing with money problems whether it is grants not coming through or having to quit your part time job to concentrate on college work, this is no excuse to skimp when it comes to Valentine’s Day plans.

There are plenty of budget options available when organising something romantic; however this doesn’t mean letting your better half pick one thing off the Eurosaver menu at Mc Donald’s before settling in to watch a pirate version of the latest release with a terrible stream on your student accommodation’s dodgy internet and on the walk home pulling up somebody’s flowerbed because you wouldn’t spring for the two euro bunches of flowers in Aldi.

Being good with money is always a positive trait in a partner but being stingy definitely is not.

Forgetting

The biggest mistake to make this Valentine’s Day is to forget. While some of you might be lucky to have those annoyingly persistent girlfriends or boyfriends who are always dropping hints and reminding you of big events, many of us are likely to forget in the midst of a mountain of college work.

We have all heard stories of lads scrambling round a Topaz at the last minute in order to escape the wrath of a woman void of Valentine’s Day romancing. Make sure to have a reminder set if you are likely to forget so you can be prepared if disaster strikes.

Pessimism

Many of us realise that Valentine’s Day is in fact a holiday manufactured by card companies in order to make money and is in fact a huge industry rather than the romantic idealisation that we want to believe.

Super Sexy Valentine’s Day Recipe

It is tempting (mostly this applies to the lads among us) to dismiss the day as just a waste of money and say things like “but sure I love you every day”.

Irish girls, whether they want to admit it or not, love cheesiness and Valentine’s Day is the only chance in which their other half is forced to show a bit of emotion for once.

So rather than being pessimistic towards the Hallmark holiday, show your boyfriend or girlfriend what the really mean to you.

Boring Old Dates

Whether you have being going out with somebody for a long time or just two weeks, it is hard to be original when it comes to dating. The easy choice would be to go for dinner followed by a movie.

While dinner and a movie is a classic combination, it is not exactly something you are likely to cherish as a fond memory forever.

The most obvious different thing to do in Galway is to go for a walk on the prom in Salthill but with the weather

still wreaking havoc and the chances of your loved one being swept away very likely, you should probably choose a safer option.

You could go to a concert in Monroe’s or take a romantic stroll down in the Latin Quarter which will no doubt be bustling with young couples.

Forever Alone

Being single on Valentine’s Day isn’t always easy. Many of us have found ourselves crying into a tub of Tesco’s own brand ice cream as we can’t even afford the stereotypical Ben and Jerry’s while watching The Notebook for the 500th time, still having not found the Noah to our Allie.

Usually we would assume that the best thing to do is to sit at home and avoid all those couples which will only make us sick with their PDAs but in likelihood our Noah could be out there and what a romantic story it would be to meet your future boyfriend or girlfriend on Valentine’s Day! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Fancy a super sexy night in with your super sexy significant other (or significant other to be) on Valentine’s? Follow this simple and cost-effective recipe, grab a date, some candles, wine, maybe some sexy underwear and get rid of that Valentine’s Day cynicism.

You don't need to be Jamie Oliver and you don't need to spend a load of money to create a cheap, yet romantic meal. All the ingredients here can be bought in Tesco, Aldi or Lidl, meaning you won't have to spend to impress this Valentine’s Day. Before you begin to cook, set up your kitchen, dining room or boudoir of choice in the most sexy, romantic way. Scented (yet not overpowering) candles create some nice mood lighting. Have a bottle of wine, or two at the ready and get ready to woo your V-Day date.

For mains, we've got delicious rosemary chicken in a tomato sauce and for dessert, luscious chocolate mousse – couldn't go Valentine’s Day without chocolate!

For the rosemary chicken you'll need: 1 tbsp olive oil 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1 rosemary sprig (dried rosemary will do) 1 red onion, finely diced 3 garlic cloves, sliced 2 anchovy fillets, chopped 400g can chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp capers, drained Method: 1. Heat half the oil in a n o n -s t i ck p a n , and then brown the chicken all over. Add half the chopped rosemary, stir to coat and set aside on a plate.

2. In the same pan, heat the rest of the oil and gently cook the onion for about five minutess until soft.

3. Add the garlic, anchovies and remaining rosemary, then fry for a few minutess more until fragrant.

4. Pour in the tomatoes and capers with 75ml water. Bring to the boil, and then return the chicken pieces to the pan. Cover and cook for 20 minutess until the chicken is cooked through.

5. Season and serve with a crisp green salad and crusty bread and a nice bottle of Tesco's finest Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.

For the chocolate mousse you'll need: 100g dark chocolate 2 large eggs (separated) 100ml double cream 1 flake (crushed) 1/2 tbsp caster sugar Method: 1. Break chocolate into small pieces and place in heatproof glass bowl.

2. Using a saucepan, bring water to the boil, remove from the heat and place the bowl containing the chocolate on top. Allow to melt stirring occasionally.

3. Whisk in egg yolks to the melted chocolate.

Semi-whip the cream and add into the chocolate mix.

4. Put the egg whites into a clean bowl. Beat with a whisk until they are fluffy and then add the caster sugar.

5. Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and add the crushed flake bar.

6. Spoon the mousse into two glasses and put into the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

This mousse is delicious served with thin biscuits and topped with whipped cream.

So, NUIGers, there you have it. The simple, cheap, stress-free way to impressing your loved ones this Valentine’s Day!

18 Valentine's Special

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

“Have ya any land?” – Lisdoonvarna speed-dating night goes down a treat

By Jenna Hodgins As a warm-up for this coming Valentine’s Day, the Irish Studies Society held a Lisdoonvarna matchmaking themed speeddating night here at NUI Galway.

The society loosely based the night on the w orld renowned annual Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival which takes place over

the course of the month of ­ eptember.

S The non-gender biased, lovey-dovey event took place in the College Bar on Monday 3 February complete with spot prizes, cheesy pop/country music and not only one, but two matchmakers covering for Willie Daly on the night.

The matchmakers, Colin Norton and Claire Long, MCed

the night with witty quips, inappropriate jokes and a Cher impression or two, both in English agus thrí Gaeilge freisin.

In true Irish fashion, the committee members compiled a list of tongue-in-cheek set questions and chat-up lines bound to get the spuds boilin’, some of which included: “Do ya have any land?”, “Have you any road frontage lad?” and

“Is your name Jacob? Because you’re one hell of a cracker!”

More necessary quizzing was ensued as contestants had to find true love by filtering one another out with the essential “Barrys or Lyons” and “Kings or Tayto crisps” deciding questions.

Alongside students of NUI Galway, many visiting students attended the event and thus gained a satirical insight into

the colloquialisms and quirks of Irish dating. One student from Brazil vowed to return to his homeland with the infamous road frontage debate as well as his new favourite phrase, ‘shift’.

Spot prizes were awarded throughout the night for the ‘Lovely Girls’, ‘Most Awkward Couple’, and ‘The Couple Who Most Resemble the Morbegs’.

Winners were presented with condoms, potatoes and jelly engagement rings.

Despite a hiccup or two regarding food, the night was a success as contestants proved they were still hungry for love.

One couple even proposed to one another with their jelly rings showcasing that having a substantial amount of land always gets the gals!

First date dos and don’ts for guys First date dos and don’ts for girls

By Sinéad Reape

Valentine’s day is creeping ever closer; the time of year when we all question our love lives and wince bitterly at the loved up couples walking hand in hand and avoid eye contact with the plethora of cards, chocolates and the colour red that invades every shop window.

If you are lucky enough to

secure yourself a date for the valentine’s period, there are a few things that are key to making a good impression, apart from the obvious good personal hygiene, being smartly dressed is essential to getting off to a good start with a lady you are trying to win over.

Chances are she has dedicated a large portion of her day to getting glammed up, so if you don’t do the same she

will instantly feel you aren’t interested.

Clothes and Hygiene First and foremost, don’t turn up in anything that you have plucked from your ‘floordrobe’. While we are all guilty of having one, a creased shirt that just about passes the smell test is a nonstarter. Go all out, and get your ironing board out.

The right aftershave can be a powerful tool in wooing a lady, but do not overdo it. The intention may be good, but smelling like you are wearing enough to put a hole in the Ozone layer is off putting.

Shoes There is a saying that you can tell what kind of a man somebody is by looking at his shoes.

Now although admittedly this is a rather shallow way of judging a person’s character, it does hold some truth.

Avoid turning up in your dirty trainers, she will think you have just come from football with your mates.

Not something conducive to securing the all-important second date.

Don’t overdo it... or underdo it It is also of vital importance that you don’t look like your mammy picked out your outfit/you are going to Christmas Day mass. Steer clear of the sweater vest at all costs unless you are going for the Father Dougal look.

The real cardinal sin of first date attire however is the joke tee. The “I’m with stupid” tee does nothing to make a girl feel special, and quite frankly the chances are she will be embarrassed by the whole thing.

This is not to say that you shouldn’t express your own personal style, just be realistic. The ‘FBI: Female body inspector’ joke isn’t original, and it certainly won’t win you any dating brownie points.

While dating might seem like a minefield – and it is – making sure you look your best can help you feel that little bit more confident while you wait at the cinema praying to God she hasn’t stood you up.

By Ruth-Ann Browne So your crush has finally plucked up the courage to ask you out on a date, but what to wear is the most worrying question on your mind. Fret not ladies! I believe when it comes to first dates everything should be kept simple. After all your crush likes you exactly the way you are so why go over do yourself when there is no need?

Although some would argue it is necessary to go all out on a first date to make an impression, I beg to differ. Natural-looking makeup and hair in addition to simple yet girly clothes is the key to his heart. Here are a few easy tips on how to achieve the perfect first-date look with minimal effort (and minimal panic!).

Makeup and hair When it comes to makeup for a first date, it is best not to go too over the top.

A light foundation with some blusher, mascara and clear lip-gloss is more than enough.

Keep the heavy eye make-up and tan for those extra special occasions. In terms of a hairstyle you cannot go too far wrong with a cute, messy plait or your hair left down with some light, soft spiralling curls.

Do not spend too much time at your hair, the more natural looking the better it will look.

Clothes I am all for keeping it girly when it comes to outfits for

a first date. Here are a few ideas for outfits for first dates.

One outfit in particular that I would wear myself would consist of a skater dress. It's super-flattering on everyone, and as long as you skip the sparkle and lace, it won't feel overly fancy.

If you're set on rocking heels, pick a pair of platform pumps with a thicker heel that's easier to walk in so you will not be stuck teetering behind your date (nothing more awkward than that, trust me!).

Another outfit that works well for a first date is the Indie Rocker look. Show off your cool, downtown style with a graphic tee that makes a fun statement! A plaid shirt is cool and laidback, while black-coated skinnies and shiny oxfords make the whole ensemble feel a little more special.

The final outfit which I think works well for first dates is the vintage look.

To keep retro styles from looking costume-y, keep your look simple with just a printed dress, cute flats, and a handy cross body bag.

Don't forget your red lipstick for a confidence boost!

Remember ladies the key is to keep things simple. If you are comfortable with what you are wearing it will show. Do not try to be something you are not, it will not do you any favours.

All of us ladies are beautiful just the way we are so we should never feel pressure to change how we look for anyone else (unless it’s Bradley Cooper or the likes!).

February 10 2014

Valentine's Special 19

Best Break-up Songs

By Brenna Dolan With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, things are all happy and loved up right? Well sadly for some singletons it is the worst day in the calendar.

Sure there are birthdays, but everyone has birthdays and it was nice to get spoilt over Christmas. But this day right here is only for somebody who has a somebody.

As Michael Bublé, that beautiful Canadian man, sings “You're nobody until somebody loves you, You're nobody till somebody cares”.

I can think of a handful of girls who wants to scream, cry or throw chocolate at you right now.

This right here is for all you people who are heartbroken over this loved-up holiday.

For those feeling more angry than loved up.

Don’t fret; I once knew a guy who broke

up with his girlfriend right before Valentine’s just so he wouldn’t have to get her a present.

It’s alright love, that time it actually was him and not you!

So here I give you… the 10 best break-up songs of all time!

10. Carly Simon – You’re So Vain: A great way to kick off when you hate your ex.

9. Justin Timberlake – Cry me a river: For those whiney ex’s who come sobbing back to you.

8. Kodaline – All I want: “If you loved me, why’d you leave me take my body, takkkee myy boddy”. Take this one with a large box of tissues.

7. Adele – Someone Like You: If Adele does one thing and one thing well it is break-up songs. I feel sorry for her the poor thing

Duo Who? but this one took everyone by storm.

6. The Script – The Man Wou Can’t be Moved: “How can I move on when I’m still in love with you” enough said.

5. Gotye – Somebody that I used to know: “But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough”. It’s going to take some time to be able to sing this one guys. If you even can sing mid-break up I applaud you.

4. The Streets – Dry your eyes: “There are plenty more fish in the sea”. Do you know what? There is! Go fish!

3. Taylor Swift – We are never getting back together: This one is for the girls, sing it as loud and as out of key as you can!

2. Gloria Gaynor – I will survive:When you’re at “I don’t need no man” part of the break up.

1. Passenger – Let her go: Cause “You only know your lover when you let her go”.

What makes a perfect love poem?

By Maria Keenan Love can be platonic, sardonic, sarcastic, bombastic and otherwise splendid, but what you must take from this is that, above all else, love is a great many things.

One of the reasons why writers haven’t yet surrendered the theme of love is not because of its universal eternity in any or all of its episodes. Rather, it is because it is so complex, even when it is all one can think of.

In broaching any subject beyond full understanding, we must think of it from a variety of angles; or, in this case, a variety of poems.

In the beginning, there was tact. With that, there was no sacrifice of the element of surprise. Love can never be bland. Too many things in this life are. Love cannot be one of them.

“Only by you my heart always moves” – EE Cummings.

Cummings always had a penchant for the seemingly absurd yet resonant. A great love

poem is one which makes you reminisce about the person you love; the sole person you love.

Here, Cummings manages to remind you of the one you care about even though they will never be more than a stranger to him.

He is discrete in this. He is the direct antithesis of the ‘twerk’ which is, admittedly, not his greatest compliment, though it is one nonetheless.

Those in love need not be honest to each other, but must be honest to whom they write. Otherwise, they would never be believed. This is a truth when any poetry is taken into consideration but it is particularly jarring for a poet to express their love most particularly when it’s at its end:

validate the tragedy of our affections.

At other times, love is the only eternity a mortal can hold.

“And neither the angels in heaven above/nor the demons down under the sea/can ever dissever my soul from the soul/of the beautiful Annabel Lee” – Edgar Allan Poe.

“I can write the saddest poem of all tonight/I loved her and sometimes she loved me too” – Pablo Neruda.

The connections we are shaped by are the most difficult to articulate. This is not only because grief is consuming, but also because fathoming the strongest feelings we can have into words is like trying to drink the contents of a bath in one gulp. No matter how dark, a love poem with power breaks though with hope.

A Wittgenstein quote that I will never claim to have stumbled upon alone was once used by Stephen Fry and holds as much resonance here:

Neruda is a poet of love, though also of confessions. He has the ability to lift and drop his reader’s heart as easily as a feather. Some of the greater love poems are those which

“When we understand every single secret of the universe, there will still be left the eternal mystery of the human heart.”

What makes a good love song?

By Eniola Kasim Stuck for ideas on what to get your lover for Valentine's Day? Looking for something more original and creative to give this year instead of your standard, run-of-the mill, bought from Dunnes, box of chocolates, card and flowers?

How about this Valentine’s Day you be a bit more daring with your gift and compose your very own love song dedicated to that special someone in your life?

That's right throw away the heart-shaped chocolates, step away from the red roses and simply grab a pen and some paper as I share with you the secret ingredients of a good romantic love song. I guarantee that by the end of this you'll have your lover swoon-

ing in no time!

The topic of lurve is a delicate one but, through intensive study and research I have been able to isolate the key ingredients that make up a good romantic number.

All good love songs have a slow but steady tempo. There's nothing sweeter than a slow love ballad you can literally feel the love oozing from the singer's voice (that's right, Elton John, we can feel the love tonight). Plus the slow tempo gives you a valid reason to hold your loved one close as you whisper the lyrics of the song to each other and slow dance the night away...

Emotion is key! You've got to belt it out like you mean it. The best love songs are always emotive – It’s easier to relate to them that way, and that's what we love best about romantic

numbers.

Take note: the lyrics to loved-up love songs know no shame. This is the one time where saying the most cheesy and sappy cringeworthy things about your feelings is sociably acceptable. In fact, the more over-the-top your declarations of love the better! It's a proven fact that in song form these clichéd lines don't sound half as bad and are bound to have your lover swooning in your arms.

And finally, a good, romantic number must be sung by a good singer. You don't have to be Mariah Carey but you must at least be able to carry a tune!

So now that you know the key ingredients to a good love song, go forth and create your own romantic number and have your lover loving up on you this Valentine's Day.

By Kristina Reynolds We all have our own taste in music, whether it be chart music, pop, rock, indie, alternative, singer-songwriter, folk, heavy metal and even the classical.

Music is a personal and individual experience to each person and what appeals to them. But just because you're interested in a certain genre of music which you may believe 'defines' you and your character, does that mean that we should disregard other great artists and their music because of this? Or is it okay every now and then, to think outside of the box and broaden our interests?

This Valentine's day, why not branch out and try something different;something dreamy,that doesn't necessarily have to be cheesy, but romantic in a way that doesn't actually imply romance at all? Why not look into the perfect duo, male and female voices that work well together, complimenting each other and re-creating well known songs, with a twist?

Duets - male and female voices that blend together musically- appeal to me more than anything, and although I don't mind the odd Rihanna and Eminem duet, every time one pops up, there are many other duos out there that deserve the recognition more than them.

I've always been a fan of alternative music, myself, particularly that of the singer-songwriter genre. I enjoy finding covers of well-known music and songs by those who are not recognised in the musical industry, despite their talent.

Above all else, I enjoy discovering artists who work well together; perhaps solo-artists who may pair or team up with others in order to create something that compliments their own talent as well as complimenting each other.

So, for the annual event that is the lovely (but sometimes dreaded) Valentine's Day, here is a select list of some of the greatest duets of our time, romantic and unromantic, known and unknown, that may surprise you.

Kina Grannis and Imaginary FriendPumped Up Kicks (cover) James Morrison and Nelly FurtadoBroken Strings (original) Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan-Volcano (original) Euan McGreggor and Nicole KidmanCome What May (cover. featured in The Moulin Rouge) Mick Flannery and Kate Walsh-Safety Rope (original) Civil Wars-Poison and Wine (original) Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova-In These Arms (orginal) Don't knock them tillyou try them, folks.

And if you don't know them, all the more reason to look them up! Enjoy your Valentine's Day with a few romantic tunes this year, whether you're alone or not!

20 Valentine's Special

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

Review: The Quiet American by Graham Greene

By Dean Buckley The course of true love never did run smooth, but rarely did it play a role in the geopolitical destabilisation of an entire region. Graham Greene’s The Quiet American rises to the challenge of filling that hole in the literary landscape.

Published in 1955, and based on Greene’s experience as a war correspondent in French Indochina (modern-day Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia), The Quiet American is a brutal

love story, where tenderness is only found in bruises.

Thomas Fowler is a middleaged war correspondent living in French Indochina during a bloody war of independence.

He is trapped in a loveless marriage with his estranged Catholic wife, which prevents him from marrying his young Vietnamese lover, Phuong, as his wife will not grant him a divorce.

This displeases Phuong’s conniving sister, who sees her as a trinket to be married off in order to bring wealth and

prestige to the family.

When Fowler meets an idealistic young aid worker named Pyle (the titular quiet American), the delicate balance of his life is thrown into disarray, as Pyle falls for Phuong, a relationship actively encouraged by the latter’s sister.

However, in the political jungle of Vietnam, a simple love triangle is rarely a simple love triangle. While covering the ongoing civil war, Fowler begins to suspect there’s more to Pyle than meets the eye.

Review: Wait for Me by An Na

By Dean Buckley Fate is probably a load of horse crap, but you do kinda ponder when you stumble into something that ultimately comes to gain near-cosmic personal significance in humble surroundings.

That unlikely alignment of circumstance is how Wait for Me by An Na found itself in my hands. An Na differentiates herself from the usual crowd of YA-fiction Newbery-chasers with her minimalism and gentle but firm hand.

Wait for Me is certainly the most poorly-reviewed work in

her repertoire, but I’m going to stray from the critical consensus and call it her best.

Wait for Me is the story of two sisters, Mina and Suna, daughters of Korean immigrants, and their struggle to find a future for themselves in a world where they are constantly drowning in the

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Soon, Fowler and Pyle’s rivalry goes beyond love, and they find themselves fighting each other not just for the hand of Phuong but for the future of an independent Vietnam.

Through terrorist bombings, assassination plots and long nights trapped behind enemy lines, the boundaries of a smaller war, personal but never private, are drawn, contested and, ultimately, won and lost.

The Quiet American is widely considered one of the greatest anti-war novels ever

written, but its beauty as a work of romance is often overlooked.

This book provides a harsh but realistic vision of how love operates in a world where everything is political. Fowler and Pyle embody prurient and prudish views of sexuality respectively, and both, along with her sister, ultimately prevent Phuong from becoming herself. Do they all love her?

Undoubtedly. But are they people worth loving? That’s a harder question.

The Quiet American does not sell you love as a transformative or transcendental force. The Quiet American does not let you forget that even the most personal relationships are inherently political, and a site for abuse, oppression and control.

But in doing so, this book incites you to a greater regard for love. The Quiet American shows you why love is too precious to corrupt with your flimsy desires.

inevitability of their own past and the unspoken truths that haunt their family.

Mina is supposed to be the perfect student, Harvardbound, but has actually been stealing money from her parents’ laundromat in order to escape her mother’s expectations and the sexual threat of her former best friend.

Suna is partially-deaf and suffers with developmental problems, and lives every day with her mother’s resentment. But everything changes for them when a Hispanic migrant worker, Ysrael, comes to work for their parents. Both sisters fall for him, and Mina discovers her one true weakness: she cannot lie to Ysrael.

The modern literary pool is too often choked with “meditations” on serious issues, where nothing happens, but five characters sit around their family home after many years apart and chat about their problems. Wait for Me is not that book. It ticks along at the hesitant pace of a walking man preparing to break into a sprint.

In the eye of their stormy romance, Mina and Ysrael try to negotiate the space between their origins and their destiny in a racially-charged America that no longer cares. Meanwhile, Suna struggles with her increasing marginalisation within her own family, something for which love-struck Mina is in no small part to blame.

Romance is the central axis of this amazing book, but other relationships orbit it: sisterhood, marriage and the incomparable bond of mother and daughter, and An Na refuses to privilege romance above the rest, or let it flower without casting shadows on the others.

Wait for Me is a romance of consequences, and a book worth caring about. Other reviewers have found the end of the book disappointing. I think it’s perfect. Whether you agree with Mina’s final choice or not, it speaks to a story that concerns itself so much with free will and responsibility.

Find it. Read it. Love it.

Rating: 5/5 hearts.

Rating: 5/5 hearts.

The Sinners’ List of Romantic Reads

By Karen McDonnell What makes a romantic novel?

Obviously: the story and the way in which it is told. The quality of writing adds sensual depth to a reading experience.

But key, I believe, is the emotional state of the reader.

The magic combination of time, emotion, and novel is unique to the person reading a book.

Brideshead Revisited is about many different loves: the exploratory love of young men; love of the self, heterosexual love, selfless, patient love; and love of religious faith. It’s all in Waugh’s classic novel about Charles Ryder and his relationship with the aristocratic Flytes, set in England during the interwar years.

To tell the truth, I’m afraid

to re-read Love in the Time of Cholera – my first reading occurred in that magic combination described above.

This work of South American magical realism is nominated in the hope that some reader out there will be captivated by the tale of Florentino, Fermina and The New Fidelity – finding it matches their current romantic state and mood.

Orlando has romance within its pages. The writing of the novel itself, however, was a romantic act. The book was a gift from Virginia Woolf to her friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West. Sackville-West could not inherit her beloved home ‘Knole’ because she was a woman.

In Orlando, Woolf recreated Vita, in male and female forms – down a historical chronology

– allowing Vita roles denied her by society.

It was inevitable, I thought, that Jane Austen would make it onto the list… but two women writers from the nineteenth century have been nominated.

Both Pride & Prejudice and Wuthering Heights are loved the world over, and need no introduction here. Jane and Emily on the list? Indubitably!

In alphabetical order, here are five romantic reads as recommended by the Sinners: Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Orlando by Virginia Woolf Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

THE SU PAGES SU Charity Aquathon – Win tickets to the Sea Sessions!

The NUI Galway Students' Union Charity Aquathon takes place on Tuesday 25th of February 2014. The closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday 21st of February.

The event consists of a 750m swim (30 lengths) in the swimming pool in the Sports Centre followed by a 5km run in Dangan.

Participants are asked to raise a minimum of ¤25 to take part and all proceeds will go to the SU Charities: Galway Rape Crisis Centre and ISPCC Childline.

We now have an extra incentive to get you involved as the Sea Sessions Surf & Music Festival have kindly given us a pair of tickets for the participant who raises the most money for charity!

You can sign up in the Students' Union office and the Sports Centre now and collect your Sponsorship Card.

You can also fundraise online via our iDonate page: www. idonate.ie/event/611_nui-galway-su-charity-aquathon.

Entry includes free t-shirt and food for all participants.

Got Neknominated?

Think about these facts first: • You may harm yourself.

• The person you nominate may be seriously injured.

• It comes from online-orientated peer pressure which can lead to cyber-shaming or cyber-bullying. Stand up to the online trend and say no.

Anyone found to be recording or engaging in “Nek Nominations” in The College Bar or in any other Students’ Union outlet will be asked to leave.

While some of us may see this as a bit of fun, this ‘game’ is causing great harm to some of those who get involved.

The consequences of drinking large volumes of alcohol in a short time period can have very real impacts on those taking part.

We are asking you to break the chain and not participate in this trend. Look after your own health and protect your friends from the serious risks associated with it.

We are also reminding students of the University Code of Conduct and the serious implications for students found in breach of this code.

NUI Galway Student Code of Conduct: www.nuigalway.ie/codeofconduct/

NUI Galway Students’ Union

SHAG Week

(Sexual Health Advice and Guidance) Monday 10th February 11am SHAG Week Launch – The Quad 12pm – 4pm How Long Can You Ride? Rodeo Bull at the College Bar 8pm SeX Rated Comedy Hypnotist O’Flaherty Theatre (Tickets ¤5 – last few tickets on sale in the SU now) Tuesday

11th February SEX – You can hook up with more than you bargained for. STI Awareness Information.

Wednesday 12th February 3pm – 4pm Aids West Risky Behaviour Workshop in AC201

SHAG Packs across Campus Thursday 13th February 1pm – 3pm Cope Galway Information Stand in Áras na Mac Léinn 7pm – 9pm The Dirty Circus (FREE Burlesque and Cabaret show) – Venue TBC Friday

14th February Valentine’s Day Rolos and Roses

More information from su.welfare@nuigalway.ie

Life Skills Spaces Update We are now enrolling students for the following Life Skills Courses:

Upcoming Class Reps Meetings

3 Day Door Security Procedure Course

Tuesday 11th February 6pm-7pm Health Sciences Council in MY123 Áras Moyola.

9am-5.30pm Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd February (6 spaces left).

Monday 3rd March 6pm-8pm SU Council in IT250 – All Class Reps must attend

8 Week Yoga Course

For more information contact Catherine on su.education@nuigalway.ie

Thursday 13th February–Thursday 3rd April Beginners/Improvers 6pm–7.30pm (4 spaces left) Intermediate 7.30pm–9pm (7 spaces left)

Connacht Rugby Tickets

¤100 (usual price ¤175)

¤40

6 Week AWARE Living Life to the Full Course FREE

6pm-7.30pm Thurs 6th March-Thurs 10th April (18 spaces left)

Connacht vs Edinburgh Saturday 15th February 2014 at 5pm ¤10 NUIG Student discounted tickets on sale from the SU Office NOW!

Contact Us

Coming Soon: Bar Skills Course and Barista Training

You can contact the Students' Union by email to studentsunion@nuigalway.ie with any questions or suggestions you may have. You can also like or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Sign up in the SU Office Monday-Friday 10am-5pm with the course fee. More information is available at www.su.nuigalway.ie/index.php/su-life-skills.

Our office is located upstairs in the Áras na Mac Léinn building beside the College Bar and we are open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm. Our new reception desk in the Engineering Building foyer is open Monday – Friday 11am-3pm.

e-mail studentsunion@nuigalway.ie if you are interested.

Lifestyle 23

February 10 2014

Spring trends

By Amy McDonnell A new year means a new you. More importantly, however, a new year means it's time to treat yourself to a new wardrobe.

If you're one of the few fortunate enough to have any cash left over from the January sales, now is the time to invest in some key pieces.

These select purchases should work around your current wardrobe to allow you to be fashion forward this spring without breaking the bank!

Athleticism

Workout gear is no longer confined to just the gym (or your lazy hangover days). Stores everywhere are packed full of sporty-inspired styles, with everything ranging from baseball caps, to Varsity-style tops and even pool shoes.

The key to this look is in the details.

Sweatshirts adorned with mesh and leather panelling allow you to be slouchy with just a little bit of sexy.

Backpacks get a makeover in fabrics such as velvet and denim. Keep an eye out in Penneys, for beautiful pastel baseball tees with mesh overlays and cheap as chips denim backpacks!

In order to be bang on trend in just one easy purchase, you should get your paws on this season's new outerwear. The simple bomber jacket is set to be huge this spring!

Models were seen sporting the jacket all over the catwalks of both New York and Paris fashion weeks. Replace your biker jacket or blazer with the bomber to add a fresh twist to all your usual outfits.

If sportswear isn't really your thing, you can opt for some simple accessories to freshen up your look. Keep an eye out for embellished baseball caps and slouchy football-style tops.

Pastels

Lavender blue, mint green and blush pink are colours that ooze femininity. Pick up simple pieces in these beautiful shades to put a spring in your step. All major high street stores are literally bursting with pastels hues and other candy colours this time of year!

One important thing to remember about pastels is that they don't always sit too well with pale Irish skins tones so unless you want to be lathering on the Sally day after day, try before you buy or maybe stick to just one piece at a time.

For a casual daytime look, think perhaps a blush pink tee, (see River Island for some sweet boxy numbers) teamed with pale turned up jeans, a simple chain necklace and some Converse (or even better, the €3 Penneys versions!).

For those wild nights out, pair a pastel pencil skirt with a crisp white crop top and your best statement jewellery for a look that's sure to sizzle.

Of course, if you're a little wary of these icy shades, channel your inner Blair Waldorf and adorn your gruaige with a cute pastel headband.

Never forget you can always add a biker jacket or studded jewellery to grunge it all up to suit your taste. Or if you dare, score double points by picking up a pastel coloured bomber jacket to nail two trends in one!

Floral

Florals are a big hit once again this spring!

Indeed, the ever-stylish Alex Chung has already been spotted packing some serious flower power. A few tweaks to this classic trend have updated it for 2014.

The new prints are overall more realistic and give an illusion of painted petals. They are to be seen featured on floaty, flirty fabrics and are sure to put you well ahead of the fashion pack.

A chic twist on this look would be to pair a pretty patterned dress or a floaty blouse with a 'borrowed from your boyfriend' sharp white collar. For some intense inspo, check out Burberry's September fashion show, where a flurry of rose petals simply wowed the audience during the finale!

Metallics

For a long time, metallics and everything that shines have been associated with the Christmas season. Not this year!

Spring 2014 is certainly the new time to shine. Paris fashion week shimmered in dazzling shades of gold, silver and bronze. The amazing thing about this trend is that it only takes one key piece to make your outfit.

One piece means once purchase which equals more dollar bills to save (or splurge).

A metallic bodycon paired with opaque tights and super high heels is bound to get you noticed without flashing the flesh.

For those who are little more reserved but still want to get well on the band wagon, goldtipped shoes and metallic threaded cardigans are soon to be your new best friends!

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24 Arts & entertainment

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

Review: Inside Llewyn Davis Review: Nebraska

By Brian Glynn

Following in a similar artistic format to films such as Broken Flowers, Somewhere and Lost in Translations, the latest film from the Coen Brothers follows a semi-plotless narrative of one person’s life set over a short period of time.

In this case the narrative follows the life of Llewyn Davis (played brilliantly by Oscar Isaac), a folk singer struggling to ‘make it’ in 1961, five years before the folk music revolution led by Bob Dylan.

Along the way Davis meets a series of unique and diverse characters such as the always moody Jean

(played by the ever endearing Carey Mulligan), her soft spoken husband Jim (played with great effect by Justin Timberland) and the deeply irritating Roland (played by the great John Goodman).

The real driving force behind this movie is Oscar Isaac himself in what is sure to be a career-making performance role for the man who was turned down for the lead role in the latest Bourne movie.

Isaac carries himself convincingly as a fed up and tired man, just trying to live his life the way he wants to.

This is perhaps best captured during his musical performances during which his face

and voice drip with emotion and anguish.

However, that’s not to say that Isaac is the only strength of this movie. Excellent support is given by Carey Mulligan whom in between swearing tries to figure out if Davis is aware of his actions and their consequences; the traditional Coen Brothers’ humour is here in spades and never fails to raise a smile.

Meanwhile the stellar musical performances will have many long term Coen fans remembering one of their earlier films, O Brother Where Art thou?

But Inside Llewyn Davis is let down by its design. Paced similar to a Gus Van Sant

movie, it will no doubt find a niche audience but will have limited mainstream appeal.

Another issue with this style of film-making is the use of purposeless scenes, such as when Davis, while travelling home to New York runs over an animal. The act happens, they pause for thought, they move on and we, the audience, forget.

Despite having some flaws, based on admirable performances by the cast, engaging writing and the outstanding soundtrack (in particular Marcus Mumford’s rendition of ‘Dinks’ Song’), Inside Llewyn Davis is definitely worth a watch and repeated listening.

Cue Ennio Morricone's 'Silhouette of Doom', because Quentin Tarantino is on a rampage

By Thomas Murray The biggest betrayal since Rosencrantz and Guildenstern screwed over Hamlet, occurred recently in Hollywood. Celebrated director Quentin Tarantino gave the script of his planned western, The Hateful Eight, to three actors, two of whom worked with Tarantino on several different projects.

Actors Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction), Bruce Dern (Nebraska) and Michael Madsen (Kill Bill vol.

2) were all entrusted with the sacred script. The script has since been leaked.

Tarantino is confident, however, that recurring collaborator Tim Roth was not responsible for the script leak. This leaves Bruce Dern and Michael Madsen, or rather, their agents respon-

sible for the misdeed.

It is unknown, as of yet, which actor gave the script to his agent. However, the director has confirmed that he has since shelved the project, hopeful that he can return to it in the future.

It is reasonable to speculate that the actor and/or agent responsible are now in hiding or in a government-sanctioned witness protection programme.

You cannot simply betray the man who re-defined the revenge film genre and expect to get away with it. There has to be consequences!

And if the Kill Bill films, Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained are anything to go by, we can expect Tarantino’s revenge to be gruesome and merciless.

The intended film, The

Hateful Eight, would have been shot on 70mm, a rarity nowadays, especially since the introduction of digital filming. 70mm was typically used on large, epic films such as Ben Hur, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and more recently, Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master.

For Tarantino and his fans this comes as another punch to the gut, as a Tarantino film shot on 70mm would have been stunning and a likely Academy Award-winner.

Having spent the last year mulling over what film to make next, Tarantino may well decide to pick up one of his other shelved projects.

Killer Crow, a story about a group of black soldiers who go AWOL during the allied invasion of France, was reported earlier last year as being his next film. In addi-

Hall of Shame: Justin Bieber

By Freya Carroll On 23 January Justin Bieber was arrested for a DUI, resisting arrest, and driving with an expired licence. His toxicology report showed that he tested positive for marijuana and prescription medication.

Once news hit, his loyal ‘beliebers’ took to their holy ground, twitter, in his

defence (many of them couldn’t understand why their beloved star was arrested for ‘Drinking Under the Influence’).

Reportedly Bieber enlisted his body guards to block off a road so he and his friend could have a drag race, because apparently common law and sense doesn’t apply to the rich and stupid.

Despite having admitted to being under the influence, Bieber has chosen to plead ‘not guilty’ to these charges and has yet to give any form of public apology.

Bieber will face a jury on 14 February where he could receive up to six months jail time and have his licence suspended for a further six months.

tion, the director’s insistence that a Kill Bill vol. 3 would never happen, may now be on the tables.

However, the wound is still fresh and Tarantino has already taken his anger out by suing popular website Gawker who did not directly leak the script, but rather, wrote an article containing a link to another website who had a copy of the film's first draft.

One thing is certain: do not get yourself into Quentin Tarantino’s bad books. If you see the eccentric director stalking the streets of Hollywood wielding a Hattori Hanzo sword and whistling Bernard Hermann’s eerie ‘Twisted Nerve’, then run; because he will likely, in the immortal words of Pulp Fiction’s Marcellus Wallace, “get medieval on your ass”.

By Jane Kearns Nebraska is director Alexander Payne’s follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2011 film The Descendants, and just like that and many of his other films, Nebraska follows the s omewhat monotonous but enthralling lives of a quirky family.

In the town of Billings, Montana, David Grant (Will Forte) consistently has to pick up his wandering, elderly father Woody (Bruce Dern). After receiving a letter from a junk mail sweepstakes, Woody now believes he has one million dollars waiting for him in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Despite the best efforts of his two sons David (Forte) and Ross (Bob Odenkirk) and his nagging wife Kate ( June Squibb), Woody is determined to get to Nebraska even if he has to walk there himself. David eventually gives in and drives his father to Nebraska to spend some quality time with him and prove that Woody's new found fortune is nothing more than a scam.

From early on we learn a lot about the Grant family, Woody is an ageing drunk, his wife Kate is loud and opinionated and their sons David and Ross are facing some big changes in their personal lives; this introduction really gives depth and believability to the characters even before the real events of the story begin to take place.

The real story of course is set against the somewhat depressing backdrop of Woody and Kate’s hometown, Hawthorne, Nebraska, a small town full of Grant family history, and the town where most of Woody’s family still live. It is during their visit to Hawthorne that David and Woody become the subject of local gossip and greed on the part of their extended family and old ‘friends’.

Despite being a family road trip movie, Nebraska never succumbs to any of the clichéd pitfalls that it so

easily could have, instead it is portrays the failings of a family and the overwhelming sadness that can come with ageing and losing who you are in the process.

Nebraska echoes some of the sentiments put forward in Little Miss Sunshine, but with much more of an emphasis on just how shallow and manipulative people can be, this is most apparent during a scene in which all of Woody’s extended family battle to get their voices heard and demand a share in his fortune which they all believe he has actually won.

This scene in particular is more realistic than any other in the entire film, mirroring experiences that most viewers will have experienced at some point in their lives.

However the real triumph of this film lies in the acting, all of which is spectacular; June Squibb injects some comedy into her role through her outrageous claims about her in-laws and old friends and Will Forte is fantastic as the exasperated son who just wants to do right by his father.

Bruce Dern is magnificent in the lead role, managing to be endearing yet infuriating in the same scene; he perfectly manages to straddle the line between being coherent and senile throughout, making it virtually impossible to feel nothing more than melancholic during his confused confrontations with his family.

Nebraska has been nominated for a total of six Oscars this year, all of which it deserves from the deadpan comic writing, to the cinematography that perfectly captures just how dull life can be, to the poignant performances; this simple little film is a major contender for this year’s awards.

And despite its lack of obvious sentimentality, Nebraska is an incredibly heart-rending and touching film, that will certainly leave you feeling a little emotional by the end.

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26 Arts & entertainment

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

MÚscailt 2014: Laugh, Nourish, Love

By Freya Carroll Muscailt launched its 14th annual festival on Monday 27 January in The Cube Theatre in NUI, Galway’s Áras na MacLéinn.

This year’s festival revolves around the theme of ‘Laugh, Nourish, Love’ and was launched by Arts officer Fionnuala Gallagher and special guest Dr. Kieran O’Conor, Lecturer in Archaeology.

A variety of acts are taking part in this year’s festival commencing with NUI, Galway’s new Victorian Society who are hosting their own fun fair in the Soils Lab next to the Bank Of Ireland Theatre on February 11 from 12pm to 5pm where you can learn about Victorian art, literature, and life.

A number of art exhibitions will also be taking place between February and March.

Student artists and NUI Galway’s knitting and crochet club will display some of their work in Áras na MacLéinn.

They will be joined by portrait artist Joe McCaul, who will be sitting in Áras na MacLéinn for the week of Muscailt, painting the portraits of anyone brave enough to allow him before being displayed up until 1 March.

On Wednesday 12 February from 11am to 1pm McCaul will also give an illustrated lecture on portraiture with Conor Newman, Chair of The Heritage Council and lecturer in Archaeology, who will discuss early Medieval Insular Art. The Soils Labs will also host a number of exhibitions including five paintings from the late, internationally recognised, mythology artist Sharon O’Malley and Susan Keane presents her seascape

exhibition entitled ‘Where Sea meets Sky’.

In the BOI Theatre, ‘Hello Delia Murphy’ is a show about the Irish ballad singer, written by her niece Carmen Cullen including a dramatized reading and a display of family photos.

A collection of ‘Muscailt Monologues’ by NUI Galway students and staff will also be presented in the BOI Theatre.

‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’ from the Oscar Wilde festival directed by Sandra Coffey and performed by Rab Swannock is back due to popular demand – it will also be shown in the same theatre. Colours Street Theatre will début a new show ‘The Seat’, written and performed by James Fleming.

Triko Cirkus Teatar will perform on 27, 28 February and 1 March in An Taibhdhearc, and promise to

Poetic Justice: Fourth Time Lucky for Morrissey

By Karen McDonnell Poet Sinéad Morrissey recently won the 2013 TS Eliot Prize for poetry, with her collection Parallax, published by Carcanet.

It was fourth time lucky for Armagh-born Morrissey, who was previously nominated for her collections Between Here and There (2002), The State of the Prisons (2005) and Through the Square Window (2009).

The State of the Prisons was a Poetry Book Society Choice – thereby granted automatic entry for that year’s prestigious prize.

The chairman of the judging panel, Ian Duhig, said; “In a year of brilliantly themed collections, the judges were unanimous in choosing Sinéad

Morrissey's Parallax as the winner. Politically, historically and personally ambitious, expressed in beautifully turned language, her book is as manyangled and any-angled as its title suggests.”

Four of the ten nominees for this year’s prize had been previous PBS Choices: George Szirtes, Michael Symmons Roberts, Moniza Alvi and Anne Carson. Anne Carson and George Szirtes are both previous winners of the prize.

When contacted by Sin, George Szirtes gave his reaction to being an Eliot Prize nominee.

“Being shortlisted is marvellous and lucky. The first time I was shortlisted I actually won it - back in 2004, with Reel. I was shortlisted again in 2009 with my next book, The Burning of the Books, so this is three new books in a row, which astonishes me.

“I know it is a great honour and I sincerely don't expect to win this time (I never did expect to win it) but just to be in the same breath as some of those other books are exciting because winning is potentially life changing. I know because it did change mine in 2004/5,” he said.

Included in the ten nominees were a debut collection Division Street (Chatto & Windus), from the Derbyshire poet laureate Helen Mort, and the winner of the 2013 Forward Prize for best collection, Michael Symmons Robert’s Drysalter ( Jonathan Cape). Morrissey’s Pallalax was also nominated for last year’s Forward Prize.

The TS Eliot Prize winner receives £15,000.00 and the shortlisted poets, £1000 each. The prize fund was inaugurated by the poet’s widow Valerie Eliot, and is managed by the Trustees of the poet’s estate.

Dr Morrissey is based in Belfast where she is the Belfast poet laureate, and Reader in Creative Writing at the Seamus Heaney Centre in Queen’s University.

On the day after she won the prize she commented to Sin: “Winning the T S Eliot Prize is a dream come true.

I've been in the running on three previous occasions, so it was amazing to be named as winner this time round.

I'm honoured to be in the superb company of previous winners!”

provide entertainment for all ages. Tickets for which are available from www.antaibhdhearc.com or 562024.

The festival also provides for those with an interest in literature. Lionel Gallagher launches his children’s book Jumbo wants to be a Hippo illustrated

by Marina Wild, and Rab Swannock Fulton will read from his sci-fi blog-novel Marcus Marcus & the Hurting Heart.

With regards to music in Muscailt, the Witless battle of the bands final also takes place in the coming weeks, with each heat happening on Tuesday evenings in the

College Bar. ‘Arts in action’ features siblings Padraic Keane on uileann pipes and Maisie-Kate and Siobhán on fiddles.

Galway University Musical Society presents their annual production from February 11th to 15th in the Black Box Theatre.

This year’s show ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ is a colourful comedy taking place in the glitz and glamour of the 1920s, whose story surrounds the frantic wedding preparations of a Broadway starlet and her heart throb fiancé. With lively dance numbers, great music, and guaranteed laughs, it’s not

one to miss. Tickets for ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ are on sale from the Socs Box and the Town Hall Theatre at www.tht.ie or 569777.

The Galway Music Residency-NUI Galway Sponsor’s Concert is the closing event for Muscailt, and takes place at 1pm on 14 February in the Bailey Allen Hall. Pieces will be performed by ConTempo Quartet and will be themed around romance in conjunction with Valentine’s Day. As has come to be expected, Muscailt is set to be another successful festival event within the University this year.

Sin Poetry Competition Calling all poets on campus – Sin needs you!

It’s time for the annual Sin Poetry Competition. This year’s judge is the Galway-based poet and writer, Fred Johnston.

A founder of Cúirt literature festival and the Forge Festival at Gort, which takes next month, Fred Johnston also runs Galway’s Western Writers’ Centre. His latest volume of poetry is Alligator Days.

He writes in English and French and

was awarded the Hennessey Prize for prose, and the Prix de L’Ambassade.

Email your poems to arts.sined@ gmail.com with “poetry submission” in the subject line. Make sure to include your full name in your email.

Poems should be no longer than 40 lines.

The closing date is February 28th.

The winning poem will be published in Sin at the end of March.

The winning poem and two runnersup will be published also in Sin Online.

Lorca to the core at Druid

By Karen McDonnell NUI Galway Drama students will present Federico Garcia Lorca’s Yerma at the Mick Lally Theatre, Druid Lane.

The production is in association with Core Theatre College, Galway, and is the beginning of a number of projects in which students from the drama programmes at the University will work with theatre professionals in public arenas.

Lorca, a Spanish republican poet and playwright, died in the Spanish Civil War. His work is filled with passion and poetic musicality, which this production of Yerma seeks to highlight. Translated by Peter Luke, the play is directed by Max Hafler. He is keen to stress the support of poet Lorna Shaughnessy, of NUI Galway’s Spanish department, in working with the translation.

Hafler designed the set with Nelson Barre, a Drama

PhD student. The production team is drawn from BA Connect, Theatre Performance and Arts students, in collaboration with students of MADT and Core Theatre College.

The composers of the original music are singer Katerina Katanova and physics student Sean McLoughlin, who will perform live. The actors are drawn from second-year NUI Galway, Drama students and MADT. Aoife Corry plays the title role.

Yerma is a woman driven by her need to have a child and by the pressures that religion, the greater society and that of a small village place upon her. Yerma is ‘a play about the hunger to conform, and the dangers of obsession’ – themes as relevant now as in 1934, when Lorca wrote his play of life, death, and blood.

The play runs from 13-15 February. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets may be bought at the Town Hall Box Office 091- 569777 or at www.tht.ie.

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

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Check www.clubs.nuigalway.ie for updates.

CLUB

TIME

VENUE

Swim Club

7am - 8.30am

Aikido

1-2pm

Hall 3

Karate

6-8pm

Raquetball Court

Badminton

6-8pm

Hall 1 & 2

Archery Club

6-8pm

Hall 3

Futsal Soccer

8-10pm

Hall 1 & 2

Taekwondo & Judo

8-10pm

Hall 3

Swim Club

8.30pm - 11pm

Mountainbike - Spinning

6-7pm

Fencing Club

6-7.30pm

Hall 1

Ladies Basketball - Varsities

6-8pm

Hall 2

Karate Club

6-8pm

Hall 3

Aikido Club

7-9pm

Hall 3

Maui Thai

7.30-9.30pm

Hall 1

Cricket Club

9-10.30pm

Hall 3

Volleyball

8-10.30pm

Hall 2

Kayak Club

9-11pm

Full Pool

Swim Club

7-8.30am

2 Lanes

Archery

8-10am

Hall 3

Volleyball

1-2pm

Hall 2

Aikido

1-2pm

Hall 3

Archery

4-6pm

Hall 3

Mens Varsity Basketball

5-7pm

Hall 2

Cricket Club

7-9pm

Hall 1

Badminton

9-11pm

3 halls

Taekwondo

7-9pm

Hall 2

Karate & Judo sharing

6-8pm

Sub Aqua

9.30 -11pm

Full Pool

Swim Club

7 – 8.30am

2 Lanes

Frizbee

5 – 7pm

Hall 1

Muai Thai

7 – 9pm

Hall 1

Cricket

9. – 10.30pm

Hall 1

Ladies Basketball – Varsities

6 – 8pm

Hall 2

Ladies Basketball – Recreational

8 – 10pm

Hall 2

Table Tennis & Fencing

6 – 8pm

Hall 3

Taekwondo & Aikido

8 – 10pm

Hall 3

Fencing Advanced

5 – 6 & 8 – 10pm

Swim & Lifesaving Club

9 – 11pm

Mens Basketball - Varsity

11am - 12.30pm

Hall 2

Archery Club

11am - 1pm

Hall 3

Inline Hockey

7-9pm

Hall 1

Volleyball Club

6-10pm

Hall 2

Judo Club & Table Tennis Club

7-9pm

Hall 3

Swim Club - Varsities Team

9.30-11pm

Taekwondo

12 – 2PM

Swim Club

4 – 5.30pm

Fencing Club

2 – 4pm

2 Lanes

Full Pool Studio

Hall 3

Raquetball Court Full Pool

Full Pool Raquetball Court 2 Lanes Raquetball Court

28 Sports

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

The Health Hub Great away win for NUI Galway Ladies Soccer Quick, easy healthy lunches

By Rebecca Sweeney The thought of preparing lunch for tomorrow when we go home after a long hard day seems like an exhausting task. But with an hour to spare at the weekends you can make a healthy lunch for the week, which will save you time, effort and money.

I just love eggs but I never have them for lunch in college, only on weekends when I can cook them at home.

However I discovered an egg muffin recipe, added in my favourite ingredients and voilà; the perfect lunch!

You can keep them in the fridge and have them during the week, with salad for lunch, or perhaps with beans for breakfast.

Egg Muffins 1. Mix two eggs, salt and pepper in a bowl.

2. Pour into muffin tray (spray with Frylite before so they don't get stuck) with whatever flavour you choose. My favourite combo is onion, garlic, pesto and goats cheese.

3. Pour egg mix on top.

4. Cook on medium heat for around 15 minutes or until no longer runny.

Another great tasting, easy lunch is of course soup.

I normally just throw in whatever vegetables I have in my fridge. But one of my favourites is butternut squash and chickpea soup.

This should warm those toes up in this chilly spring weather!

Butternut Squash and Chickpea Soup • 1 tsp ground cumin Ingredients: • Olive oil for sauteing • 5 cups of vegetable stock • 1 onion • 1 butternut squash • 1 carrot • Salt and pepper • 1 stalk celery • 3 cups of cooked • 3 cloves of garlic chickpeas • 1 tsp oregano When the sauteing of vegetables is done (approximately 10 minutes), add in the stock, chickpeas and simmer until vegetables are soft (approximately 25 minutess). All it takes now is two minutes in the microwave in college: easy peasy.

So there’s no excuse for spending a fortune on unhealthy lunches. Happy lunching!

By NUIG Ladies Soccer

For their final league game this season, the Galway ladies made the relatively short trip to the renowned sports facilities at the University of Limerick.

UL were out in force for this match as a win for them meant they would finish top of the table. Underdogs NUIG, however, were also confident following a few positive performances before Christmas.

Leanne O’ Dowd was stand-in captain for the day, and was part of an extremely tight defence alongside Deanne Jones and Rosa Shine.

Not long into the game, Limerick took the lead thanks to a slick ball through the Galway defence. The UL striker rounded the keeper before slotting the ball with ease

into the open net. Galway will have been utterly disappointed to concede in a match where possession stakes, and chances, were relatively equal up until this point.

NUIG swiftly got their rhythm back following this brief drop in concentration, with Paula McGrory and Maebh Coleman controlling the game efficiently from the centre of the park.

Shortly before half time, Eimear latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the box. She dummied the UL defender before unleashing a powerful shot into the top right corner of the net, leaving the keeper with no chance.

With confidence clearly growing in the team, and new winger Emily Ing showing great promise on the left, a half time scoreline of 1-1

Winger Eimear Foley and full-back Anne Marie Flanagan were also showing some great link-up play down the right side and causing problems for the home side’s defence.

looked unlikely to remain that way for long.

Indeed NUIG looked the more competent side from the whistle and all through the second half. Rachel Keyes was

taken down just outside the penalty box after a threatening run from her own half. Striker Tessa Mullins stepped up to take the free kick and was soon celebrating in style as her strike proved too powerful for the keeper to hold on to.

Although the Galway ladies had many more opportunities, they found it difficult to score again past the impressive Limerick goalie. A clean sheet for the away side in the second half meant that NUIG left with two points in the bag and a full time score of 2-1.

Another Galway victory, but more importantly an adept and skilful performance suggests that the ladies are reaching their peak at just the right time of the season. They will now take on the University of Jordanstown in the plate semi final, and also have the upcoming Intervarsities to look forward to. Watch this space!

Jenkins must have taken note of the managerial changes at both Sunderland and Crystal Palace which have rejuvenated their respective seasons.

Sunderland lay bottom with one point after seven games but since Gus Poyet has propelled them out of the relegation zone winning two Tyneside derbies in the process. Palace have also had a similar fate with Tony Pulis tightening up the defence, holding the second best defensive record equal with Arsenal.

Gary Monk has been installed 8/13 favourite and Everton assistant manager Graeme Jones is behind him at 4/1. Names also being mentioned are ex-England

manager Glen Hoddle, former Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola and their Champions League winning manger Roberto Di Matteo.

It does look likely that Monk will get the job with him being at the club for almost ten years. He aware of the philosophy of the club on and off the pitch and for that reason he is stand-alone favourite.

It is always an unfortunate sight to see a manager get sacked but more so in Laudrup’s case. He tried to play attractive football against the ‘Big Boys’ and succeeded.

A misfiring Michu and underperforming record signing Wilfried Bony didn’t help him and ultimately Jenkins said enough was enough.

Laudrup Sacked

By Kieran Kilkelly Michael Laudrup was sacked as manager of Swansea last Tuesday after almost 20 months in charge of the Swans. Former captain and current player Gary Monk has taken temporary charge alongside first-team coach Alan Curtis.

Laudrup’s sacking comes as a bit of a surprise to most considering his achievements in such a short space of time.

This time last year Swansea were lying in seventh in the Premier League having already amassed the 37 points

which was ultimately enough needed to stay up.

League Two team Bradford City awaited them in the Capital One Cup Final also, Swansea’s first chance at a major trophy. Michael Laudrup was the name on everyone’s lips. What a difference a year makes.

His dismissal, however, was not unfair. After only winning one game (against bottom table team Fulham) in the last ten and despite his progression in the Europa League the chairman Hugh Jenkins seen it fit to part ways with the Dane.

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Sports 29

February 10 2014

No Six Nations surprises

Transfer Round-Up

By Michael Farrell

By Ciaran McGreal

Ireland got their campaign off to a solid start, despite a nervous opening few minutes, comprehensively beating a poor Scotland side who showed little threat apart from the boot of Greig Laidlaw.

Ireland will have to be wary of this result though as the performance wasn’t as convincing as the score line suggests. The Scottish defence was suspect for all three tries, although credit has to be given for the efficiency of the Irish maul for Heaslip’s try.

Joe Schmidt will be happy with the manner in which the result was ground out, given our recent problems with putting Scotland and Italy to the sword in recent years. He will also be pleased with the performance of a number of second string players such as Dave Kearney, Chris Henry and Dan Tuohy.

With marquee players such as Paul O’Connell and Tommy Bowe likely to be

available for later games it is conceivable that this Irish team will get stronger as the tournament goes on.

The opening weekend of the Six nations is always make or break and, as England found out against France, it takes more than a spirited performance away from home to keep you in the race for the championship.

bled instead of mounting their own comeback after England had gone ahead.

A brilliant move finished off under the posts by Gael Fickou showed that this French team has some resilience.

The French look more professional this year and the character showed against England will stand to them in games to come.

Ireland will have to be wary of this result as the performance wasn’t as convincing as the score line suggests.

Winning on the first weekend is all that matters and England will be disappointed to come away from the Stade de France knowing that they will need four wins, and other results to go their way, in order to challenge for the title.

France will be pleased with their performance and rightly so. In the same situation last year the French would have crum-

Also it is worth noting that France have won the Six nations the year after the last four Lions tours, so it would not be a great surprise if they were to claim the title.

Wales’ quest to become the first team to win three championships in a row opened with an unconvincing win over an Italian side who left themselves in an unenviable position

after conceding an early try from a horrible mistake by debutant Angelo Esposito.

Although Wales had a 17-3 lead at half time, it was not easy for them in the second half. Michele C a m p a g n a r o’s t w o tries ensured that Italy remained in the game until the end, although they lacked the cutting edge needed to really threaten Wales’ line at the death.

With Italy only having two home games this year – against Scotland and England – it would be a surprise if they beat any team other than the Scots given their terrible away record.

As for Wales, the history books show that the Lions tour has traditionally taken its toll on the home nations in terms of fatigue and one would have to expect that Wales will bear the brunt of this considering that ten Welsh players started the final test against Australia.

GAA Players to watch 2014

By Padraic Ward This weekend sees the start of the Allianz National Football League campaign.

With that in mind, we take a look at some up-and-coming footballers to look out for in 2014 as well as three hurlers who may have a point to prove this year after disappointing campaigns in 2013.

Footballers David Moran (Kerry) Son of the legendary “Ogie”, David Moran has cemented a place in the Kerry midfield this year following a couple of horrendous cruciate knee injuries. He lined out in that position in their first league outing of the season against their arch nemesis Dublin at Croke Park last weekend.

Barring injury, expect the Kerins O’ Rahilly’s man to play a key role for “The Kingdom” this year and

reach a level reminiscent of the form he showed when he first bust on the scene as a minor back in 2006.

Adam Gallagher (Mayo) The latest talent to emerge on the Mayo football conveyor belt Gallagher looks destined to have a promising career in the green and red.

The 2012 minor captain has all the attributes to make it as a modern day Gaelic footballer – power, pace and accuracy in front of goal. With Alan Dillon likely to miss most of the league, expect Gallagher to stake a claim for a starting place in the Mayo half-forward line this year.

Turlock Mooney (Cavan) Cavan footballers have continued where they left off after last season’s promising championship campaign with a place in the Dr. McKenna Cup final against Tyrone.

Add to that, three Ulster title winning U21 teams and

it seems as though the “Breffni Blues” are awash with talent at the moment.

Possibly, their most promising gem is the towering Turlock Mooney. Having been forced out of the 2012 campaign with a damaged cruciate ligament injury, expect Mooney and his Cavan teammates to make their mark in 2014.

Hurlers Brendan Maher (Tipperary) After a disappointing championship last year, Eamon O’ Shea will look to his more senior players in the squad to lead the way in 2014, none more so than Brendan Maher the 2010 Young Hurler of the Year.

His undoubted hurling ability, coupled with his athleticism and experience will need to come to the fore if Tipperary are to have any hope of having a say in this year’s All-Ireland race. After a disappointing 2013 expect

Maher to re-discover the form of 2010.

Joe Canning (Galway) The expectancy on the Galway hurlers, having reached the previous year’s All-Ireland Final, seemed to weigh heavily on their shoulders in 2013.

This year, with expectations lowered, can the carrot of the captaincy being offered to Joe Canning inspire the most gifted hurler of his generation to even greater heights? Expect “The Joe Show” to take centre stage this summer.

Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny) Is 2014 set to be “King Henry’s” swansong? At the age of 35 and with the number of career ending injuries he has suffered over the years one would expect it is.

Given these circumstances, coupled with the disappointment of a disastrous 2013, expect Shefflin to be more determined than ever to go out in style.

The excitement of Transfer Deadline Day is over and Premier League clubs can now focus on the remainder of the season.

Sixteen of the twenty clubs made additions to their squads and there were some notable departures right through the league. Juan Mata made his big money switch from Chelsea to Manchester United while Yohan Cabaye bid farewell to Newcastle United and headed back to France to join Paris St. Germain, illustrating the lure of Champions League football.

Arsenal, who have been very impressive this year, recruited Swedish international midfielder Kim Kallstrom on loan from Spartak Moscow.

On paper, this seemed a good addition but a back injury showed up in his medical. Despite this, it was decided that Kallstrom would still join and undergo his rehabilitation at Arsenal.

Paul Lambert strengthened at Aston Villa as he recruited both Grant Holt and Ryan Bertrand on loan. Holt joins from Wigan while Bertrand joins from Chelsea where he had found first team opportunities hard to come by this season. Stephen Ireland left Villa and made his transfer to Stoke City permanent.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was busy at Cardiff as he raided his former club Manchester United for left defender Fabio and winger Wilfried Zaha (loan).

Striker Kenwyne Jones signed from Stoke City with Peter Odemwingie going in the opposite direction.

Chelsea were busy too, resigning Nemanja Matic from Benfica. Mohamed Salah joined from Basel while promising French defender Kurt Zouma signed from Saint Etienne for £12.5 million.

Tony Pulis looks to have made some good additions to his Crystal Palace squad. Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessy joined as back up to Julian Speroni. Scott Dann and Tom Ince both made the step up from the Championship while Joe Ledley moved south from Celtic to play Premier League football.

Irish international Aiden McGeady moved to Everton from Spartak Moscow. This looks to be a clever addition by Roberto Martinez to an already strong squad. It is also a positive transaction for Ireland with McGeady now playing in a more competitive league, this will improve his own game.

Bottom side Fulham have strengthened their squad as Clint Dempsey returned on loan from Seattle Sounders. Rene Meulensteen also borrowed German midfielder Lewis Holtby from Tottenham Hotspur.

Olympiacos striker Konstantinos Mitroglou signed for £12.4 million and Meulensteen will be hoping that the Greek striker will be able to replace Dimitar Berbatov who moved to Monaco. On top of these offensive additions, Dutch international Jonny Heitinga should help to ease their defensive worries.

Steve Bruce had goals on his mind during January with Nickica Jelavic and Shane Long bolstering the Hull ranks. Meanwhile, Newcastle recruited Dutch striker Luuk de Jong on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach while Jonas Gutierrez left the North-East club and joined Norwich City on loan.

Sam Allardyce made some good signings in an effort to help them avoid the drop. Italian internationals Marco Borriello and Antonio Nocerino joined on loan from Roma and AC Milan respectively.

All clubs involved will be hoping that these signings can hit the ground running and make an impact on the remaining part of the season.

30 Sports

Sin Vol. 15 Issue 9

United break bank in Mata steal Cheltenham Preview

By Ross Cannon Easily the biggest and most unexpected transfer of the January transfer window was Manchester United’s acquisition of Juan Mata from Chelsea. The two time, back to back, Chelsea player of the season swapped red for blue as United landed the diminutive midfielder for a fee of €44.75 ­million.

United shattered their record transfer fee of €37 million, for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008, making Mata United’s most expensive player to date.

Inconceivable Had you said to a Chelsea fan at the beginning of January that Juan Mata would be lining out for Manchester United at the end of the month you would have received a crazed stare of contempt. It was initially inconceivable that Jose Mourinho would let such a prized asset move to a traditional rival.

Mata, a man who has had such overt love for Chelsea, the fans, and London itself made it seem he bled blue and that leaving Chelsea, no matter the circumstances, was not an option.

According to an article in The Guardian; In late August Mata had been given a strong sense from Mourinho that he did not figure in the managers plans.

Mata was so unhappy with the situation that he approached the Chelsea higher-ups and was told

by Roman Abramovich that if he retained his professionalism and did not cause a rift amongst players and staff he would then be allowed to leave in January.

All the while executive vice-chairman of United, Ed Woodward monitored Mata’s situation and informally regis-

tered interest in the player.

What had originally looked like a desperate move by United was in fact a calculated courting of a player who was aware of his own need to play first team football in a World Cup year.

After Mata’s departure Mourinho described his sadness at the Spaniards parting of company but also confirmed that there was no place for Mata in his longterm plans.

Mourinho stated; “I'm so sorry I couldn't make him [Mata] happy in this squad – I'm so sad with that, but I build my team around Oscar playing as my number 10."

Puzzle Where exactly Mata would fit into United’s first team was the most pressing concern after the deal had gone through. Arguments put forth were that United needed a deeper lying midfielder to play alongside Michael Carrick and a left-back to replace Patrice Evra.

United seemingly have enough cover in the number 10 roll which Mata prefers to operate in. Wayne Rooney has been a rare United player in fantastic form playing in that position, while Shinji Kagawa is an out and out number 10, but Moyes evidently has plans for the Spanish World Cup winner.

“I can play him in any role. I can play him off the left, I can play him off the right” beamed David Moyes after Mata took part in a 2-0 win at home to Cardiff City in which he picked up an assist on his debut.

Mata looked to have fit in seamlessly on his United debut linking well with all those around him.

He made the most attacking third passes out of anyone else on the pitch (18) and also created the

most goal scoring chances (5) [Stats from Opta]. Questions over his role in the United team were initially quelled after a promising debut.

Four days later United were in action away to a misfiring Stoke City team who had just lost four games on the bounce. The team sheets were released and as expected the attacking trio of Mata, Rooney and Robin Van Persie all started the game and added an air of expectation and excitement to proceedings.

What ensued was anything but exciting and was completely lacklustre. While Mata personally had a good game, picking up his second assist in as many games and once again creating the most attacking third passes (23).

He even made the most successful tackles in the game (5), those around him in contrast epitomised United’s faltering season with stagnant and uninspiring performances.

The puzzle may not be where Moyes fits Mata in at United but how he gets the rest of his underperforming team to start firing and performing.

Optimism For many footballers a big money move to a new club may be extremely daunting but Juan Mata glows with an unerring amount of optimism.

“I feel even more motivated to face this wonderful challenge! I’m very happy” he states in his regularly updated blog.

United’s Spanish playmaker seems to be at ease with the large price tag put on his head and with life on and off the pitch at his new club and city. United, though, continue to flounder in a time of unprecedented uncertainty.

CONNACHT V EDINBURGH

SAT 15TH FEB 2014 | K.O. 5PM BUY TICKETS AT

CONNACHTRUGBY.IE | CENTRA & SUPERVALU PROVINCE WIDE | TICKETS.IE

By Kieran Kilkelly With four weeks to the Cheltenham Festival things are beginning to take shape. The staff are working relentlessly to have the course ready for the March 11th date. The trainers are putting in last efforts to ready their horses and the punters are laying down their ante post money.

While it will be hard to see anywhere near the feat of 14 Irish winners last year, Willie Mullins does, once again lead a strong team having no less than six ante post favourites.

Most notable of these would be Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle on day one of the Festival. He narrowly leads the betting at 3/1 ahead of the 100/30 priced The New One trained

by Twiston-Davies. My Tent Or Yours, owned by Limerick man J P McManus, bridges the gap at 5/1 and last years’ Triumph Hurdle winner Our Conor is currently at 6/1.

This is shaping up to be the most competitive race of the Festival and any variance in conditions going to play a big part. Having beaten Our Conor twice already this season it looks as though Hurricane Fly will have the run of him in this race.

However, if the ground is good I can see the Mullins’ trained favourite struggling just as he did two years ago.

This could mean Our Conor could run him closer than the 1½L defeat in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

The two English horses also have met each other this year in the Kempton Christmas Hurdle on St. Stephen’s Day. The New One went down by ½L that day but that was after only a 12 day break and he looks a much better horse when he’s fresh.

Ante post betting won’t change too much up to and including the day and there is value to be had for holding onto your money until then.

The main English horse is of course Sprinter Sacre in the Queen Mother

Champion Chase on day two. With only one pulled up run this season, punters might wonder why he still odds on (best price 10/11 Paddy Power). But he is the highest rated National Hunt horse and has been given the all clear since his irregular heartbeat problem.

Sire De Grugy, winner of that Desert Orchid Chase that Sprinter Sacre was pulled up in, is available at 9/4 for any doubters and the Dessie Hughes trained Benefficient, winner of a 2m 4f Grade 2 race at last years’ Festival ends a gap at 8/1. That is, however, if he doesn’t run in the much more suited 2m 5f Ryanair Chase of which he is 5/1 favourite for.

With the Pertemps, Ryanair, and World Hurdle all taking place on the third day, it would normally hard to pick a highlight. But this year sees the return of Big Bucks after his spell out with a leg injury.

This is made more interesting following his disappointing run at Cheltenham three weeks ago. A disappointing third may have punters worrying about the class of this horse.

Leading by two lengths in the closing stages he just seemed to fail slightly coming up the hill which is uncharacteristic of him.

Unfortunately, the 2013 winner Solwhit is out with a fetlock injury so we will not be seeing a contest between the two most recent winners but the unbeaten Annie Power for the Mullins’ yard should provide a big test if she doesn’t run in the Champion Hurdle or the Mare’s race which is unlikely.

To close the Festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Golden Miller, Arkle, Best Mate and most recently Kauto Star all come to mind. This looks like a race that will go to the English with the first three in the betting belonging to the Brits.

Last years’ winner Bobs Worth tops the betting as a 9/4 shot. This race is always open but this year trying to pick a winner seems impossible.

The favourite, Bobs Worth, was beaten 40L by Cue Card in November who was subsequently beat by Silviano Conti at Kempton the following month. They are 7/1 and 7/2 to win it respectively.

It is hard to see a 40L defeat being overturned but Bobs Worth has been shown to be a progressive sort as the season goes on, with him always seeming to peak come Cheltenham. There is of course the question of would Silviano Conti have challenged him if not falling three from home last year?

One thing is for sure, Cheltenham will be as spectacular as always, providing big price winners and lots and lots of surprises. Keep your money close to your chest as this is one sporting occasion that unless you’re in the know you’ll be left broke come the end of it.

Final Word 31

February 10 2014

What do they teach you in college?

By Shannon McNamee

• Peladophobia is the fear of bald people.

• The act of clicking one's fingers is called a 'fillip'.

• When the game Twister was first introduced in 1966, critics described it as “sex in a box”.

• Kevin Spacey has an older brother, Randy, who makes a living as a Rod Stewart impersonator.

• Lightning strikes the earth about 8 million times a day.

• A group of ­grasshoppers is called a 'cloud'.

• In space, astronauts can't cry, because there is no gravity, meaning the tears can't flow.

• A man's beard grows fastest when he anticipates sex.

• The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.

• A group of rhinos is called a 'crash'.

• It's estimated that at any one time, around 0.7% of the world's population is drunk.

• On the 2011 Czech Republic census, over 15,000 people listed their religion as “Jedi”.

• In every episode of ‘Seinfeld’ there is a Superman picture or reference somewhere.

diary of the Smokey’s Pigeon Temptation is killing me. It’s been over two weeks now and I’m getting fed up of being healthy. The only thing keeping me going is the want to look good for this lady pigeon friend I met. She is amazing.

She has the cutest beak and her feathers make her look so elegant. I met her outside the Cairnes Building when I was on my morning glide. She shared a bit of a bread crust with me.

I can’t stop thinking about her, it’s changed me. Muffins, bread crumbs and Tayto used to fill my dreams but now it’s just her. If only she didn’t hang around with the crows, they intimidate me with their big thick black feathers.

I want so much to spend Valentine’s Day with her. Maybe we could share apple core as a treat. Or fly to the top of the Cathedral and ‘coo’ together. My insides warm and my feathers stand on end every time I see her.

I think I’m falling in love.

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