Sin Volume 17 Issue 7

On The Dry Giving up alcohol for the New Year? Read all about the On The Dry campaign.

Page 4

Graffiti at its Finest

A taste of New Orleans

The graffiti of Finbar 247 is taking over the city – in a good way.

Page 11

Stomptown Brass bring their unique talent to Monroe’s Page 21

Galway to host TED event

By Jessica Thompson

FREE STUDENT NEWSPAPER | VOL 17, ISSUE 07 | 12 JAN 2016

Remains of NUI Galway student Michael Bugler found following three week search

By Niamh Cullen Both Galway and Clare communities have been left mourning as the body of Michael Bugler (20) was recovered last Thursday.

The discovery came following extensive searches carried on and off coast since the NUI Galway law student’s disappearance on 18 December.

Galway coastguards and RNLI crew were called to the scene near Oranmore at 1.15pm on 7 January, with the recovery of his remains made at Ardfry Point off the coast of Galway Bay. In an emotional Facebook post, Michael’s older sister thanked the public for their support in the past three weeks; “Thankfully we are so relieved to finally have Michael home today,” she wrote.

Up to 300 volunteers braved poor weather conditions in a bid to find the Ennis native, with daily searches being conducted since his disappearance on 18 December over three weeks ago.

The Irish Coast Guard, RNLI lifeboat crews, Civil Defence and a Garda sub aqua unit have also participated extensively in searches from various points around Galway Bay and the city.

Prayer services were held around the city during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve as a sign of solidarity with volunteers, friends and family. The gatherings came despite harsh

Photo via Laura Bugler's Facebook post.

weather conditions, as those involved kitted out their rain gear, footwear and walking sticks to congregate at such difficult times.

CCTV footage trawled during the investigation showed him passing the Claddagh Church at 00.58am on the morning of Friday 18 December after leaving Quay’s Bar in town. The footage suggested Michael was making his way home to Fairhill Road, however there had also been a reported sighting of him in Gort na Coiribe at around 3am.

Praise flooded in for volunteers involved in searches over the Christmas and New Year period. Inspector Kevin Gately, who co-ordinated the search, repeatedly thanked those involved, saying to the Irish Times: “We have had diving and kayaking clubs, sports clubs and community groups, a man on horseback going out daily from Maree all assisting with the search,” he said.

He also added that a group of parents in Oranmore had provided soup and sandwiches, while Calasanctius College, also in Oranmore, had opened up to allow volunteers to use the school as a base.

Michael’s older sister, Laura, had also praised volunteers daily on her Facebook site and at various searches. She was at the forefront of much co-ordination, urging many on the social media site to repost photos of Michael and to get involved.

She made a particularly emotional plea on New Year’s Eve, writing; “I never thought I would be entering 2016 with my little brother gone and the fact that we haven’t yet found him makes it even harder to get through milestones like tonight.

“As Michael’s big sister, it’s always felt like my job to mind, protect and look after my little man and if anyone can help me and spare a few hours in trying to bring him home tomorrow, it’d mean the world to myself and my family.” #FindMichaelBugler had been used across social media sites, in particular Facebook and Twitter, for easy access to information on meeting points for searches and the latest updates, as well as encouraging everyone to partake in searches.

Known affectionately to close friends and family as “Bugs”, Michael has been described

Galway is set to see its very own TED event as preparations are underway for TEDxGalway, which will come to the Town Hall Theatre on 6 February 2016.

TED is a non-profit organisation devoted to “ideas worth spreading”. TEDx, where the ‘x’ means ‘independently-organised’, is a programme of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TEDlike experience.

“Anyone who spends time in or lives in Galway can see how much Galway has to offer. While many larger or similar cities can become faceless commercial hubs, Galway’s true identity is within its culture, the arts and its community.

as “an incredibly smart man with so much potential” and “an absolute legend”.

President of NUI Galway Dr Jim Brown offered his condolences to the family and friends of Michael Bugler: "We at NUI Galway are deeply saddened and heartbroken to hear of the death of second year Law student Michael Bugler from Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare. On behalf of the University I wish to express our sincere condolences to Michael’s family, friends and classmates.

"Ongoing support is being made available to Michael’s classmates and friends through the University’s chaplaincy and counselling services, as well as through the support being provided by academic and other staff. Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family and friends and may he rest in peace." The Students’ Union have offered their sincerest condolences to the Bugler family and students and friends affected, while the Gardaí have thanked members of the public and all those involved for their efforts in the search.

The funeral for Michael took place on Sunday at 2.30pm in the Cathedral in Ennis, but the university is planning a mass in his honour which, at the time of print is to be held on Thursday 14 January at lunchtime in the chapel.

“Galway is a heartland of culture in the west and we’re hoping to highlight the people and their stories and to show that Galway has something to contribute to a global audience,” said TEDxGalway organiser Conor Stitt.

The last TEDxGalway event was held in The Crane Bar in 2011 and featured such speakers as Stokes Professor of Glycoscience Lokesh Joshi, Astrophysicist Mike Redfern, Poet and Scholar of Irish Studies Louis de Paor, Biomedical Engineer Ronan Brown and Scholar of Drama and Theatre Lionel Pilkington.

This year’s speakers include Personal Trainer Pat Divilly; Anti-Death Penalty Activist Sunny Jacobs, Mental Health Advocate Robert Carley, CEO and owner of Harmonia Norah Casey, Game Designer and Developer Brenda Romero, and High-altitude Mountaineer Pat Falvey. Volunteers are working hard to make the event bigger and better than before.

“Since there hasn’t been a TEDx event in Galway in over five years, we basically had to start from scratch. We recruited a multi-skilled and enthusiastic team of volunteers, secured a venue and put structure in place that speakers can apply or be nominated where this structure puts the foundations down for TEDxGalway to be an organisation more-so than an event so we can have many future events,” said Conor Stitt.

Continues on page 2

2 NEWS

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

National flooding hits Galway following months of storms

By Niamh Cullen Following a hit of six storms in the past three months, Galway has seen its fair share of flooding.

Since 6 December 2015, almost 2,000 members of the Defence Forces have completed flood relief operations in the country.

Many of these deployments took place in affected areas of Galway, including Ballinasloe, Claregalway, Portumna, Ardrahan, Gort, Galway City and Salthill areas.

President Michael D. Higgins visited the south Galway village of Labane on Monday 4 January, where he spoke to locals affected by the flooding.

He noted the numerous isolated and marooned houses in the area, and praised the efforts of local volunteers, army personnel and local authority officials in working to battle the floods.

Higgins, who is a former TD for Galway West, told The Irish Examiner: “It’s been a pleasure to be here in Labane where I know so many people... this is rural Ireland at its best.”

Last Thursday, 60 animals were rescued from a flooded farm in south Galway by both locals and Defence Forces. The news came as up to €2 million was announced for a farmers’ assistance scheme who have suffered fodder losses following heavy flooding the past few weeks.

Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon has also highlighted the efforts of locals in saving up to ten houses in the Cahermore area. Construction on the three mile long Cahermore channel began on Friday 1 January and has helped stabilise flooding there.

“The critical thing now is to continue the work that has begun in Kinvara and South Galway and make sure that this doesn’t happen again,” he said to the Galway Independent, adding that previously recommended work had not taken place due to much of the area being deemed as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

TD Michael Fitzmaurice and MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan had visited the affected area in South Galway and were shown around

by ex-officers of the Irish Farmers’ Association. Much criticism has come however with regards to multiple agencies treating the issue.

“People are sick of task forces and meeting groups,” Labour TD for Clare Michael McNamara said to the Irish Independent.

President Higgins also stated that “if there is a lesson I think in it, it is that we must have inter agency cooperation”.

Much of the flooding issues came as Storm Desmond provided the heaviest rainfall in over half a decade. Road closures, power cuts and flooding all came as a result of the notorious storm, which hit in early December.

It was during this time that RTÉ’s Western Reporter and Galway native Teresa Mannion delivered a live report in the middle of the storm from the Salthill promenade.

The viral report, which generated almost two million views on Facebook, called on locals not to make unnecessary journeys and to stay off treacherous roads.

An Post and The Sunday Business Post call on students for prestigious marketing award

By Niamh Cullen Are you a student of graphic design, advertising, marketing, communications, business studies or social media? Think you could be the next big thing in business innovation?

Then the 2016 An Post Student Smart Marketing Award is just the thing for you.

Considered one of the most prestigious awards for those wishing to get a foot in the door of the marketing world, the award entails a cash prize of €3,000, a highly reputed internship with The Sunday Business Post and as An Post describe in their entry form, “bragging rights”.

One runner up will also be awarded €1,000 and acknowledgement as an upcoming individual or team at the Awards evening. Applications can be made as an individual or as a group of up to three. You must be pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate course in a third level institution or

university. Once you or your team can display a “wow” factor in marketing creativity and strategy, you could be in with a chance to win.

The entry process involves working with a brief on developing a marketing strategy for a nominated organisation. Early 2016 will see the launch of The Sunday Business Post’s new website, incorporating new and dynamic content, software and interactive elements.

With that in mind, The Sunday Business Post would like applicants to come up with a digital revenue development strategy to promote and grow consumer and commercial bases.

They note in the application form that target audience, the key message’s tone of voice, core brand values and various aspects of a digital media landscape should all be considered when developing an idea.

Judging takes place in March whereby up to five finalists are chosen. They will be invited to attend the An Post Smart Market-

ing Awards Gala Night on Thursday 21 April 2016 at the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin 4, where the winner will be announced.

In addition to an internship and cash prize, the award will stand strong to potential candidates wishing to expose themselves to prospective employers in a variety of fields.

Contestants and winners will also receive media attention and acknowledgement, and work submitted could possibly be run as a live campaign with The Sunday Business post.

Padraig O’Connor, UCC student and winner of the 2015 award said; “In putting the campaign together I learned a lot about the different marketing platforms – direct mail, TV and digital. People are unaware of how creative you can get with direct mail so I ensured this was tied into my campaign plan to highlight the benefit.”

The Kerry native has enjoyed much success on his new career platform since last

NUI Galway to host Undergraduate Conference

By Mariah O’Grady NUI Galway will host an Undergraduate Conference in March, organised by a second year commerce group as part of a Skills module.

The aim of the NUI Galway Undergraduate Conference is to allow students to have a voice and opinion on their chosen research areas.

All undergraduates are invited to the conference, giving them the option to attend the conference and/or present at the conference.

This year the University has decided to hold a second Undergraduate Research Conference due to last year’s success. Similar to last year’s conference, the aim is to provide students with an authentic conference experience.

Students, staff and the general public are invited to register and attend the event where there will be workshops, guest speakers, break-out spaces and poster sessions.

The idea behind this conference is to boost undergraduate students’ confidence and presentation skills.

Unlike your normal conference, the Undergraduate Research Conference does not require participants to stand up in front of a crowd and appraise their research to the audience. Resembling last year’s format there will be a world-cafe format of sharing one’s research. This comprises of participants sitting at different tables and sharing one’s research and taking questions from others attending the conference.

Like last year, this year’s conference will also be an interdisciplinary event. year’s achievement, even being invited to the Google offices for the AdCamp programme.

“Spend time understanding the product and the client” is Padraig’s advice. “It’s important to really understand what they want to achieve in order to develop a successful campaign together for them. Use the people around you who may have marketing experience – ask them to review and critique your campaign and get their advice before submitting.”

Entries are free in cost and the deadline is 5pm on 29 January 2016. For further information and entry forms see www. anpostsmartmarketing.ie/student.

Galway to host TED event Continued from page 1

The idea to run a TED event in Galway came to Mr Stitt after he attended a start-up event in the city, and while entrepreneurialism isn’t something that interests him particularly, he could see that Galway has a glowing, enthusiastic and energetic community of people who wish to contribute to making Galway a hub of culture and innovation.

“Anyone who spends time in or lives in Galway can see how much Galway has to

offer. While many larger or similar cities can become faceless commercial hubs, Galway’s true identity is within its culture, the arts and its community.

“I believe Galway has a lot to offer as we have creative thinkers and doers and we have to claim our stake in Ireland and Europe’s future,” he said.

On TED.com, talks from TED conferences are shared with the world for free as TED Talks videos. A new TED Talk is posted every week day, and all TEDx-

Galway talks will be shared on TED.com, immediately launching Galway onto an international stage.

“Our aim is to bring the audience of these videos intriguing ideas and compelling stories and, with any luck, our videos will go viral and people can see what Galway and its people have to contribute,” Mr Stitt said.

For more information, see www.tedxgalway.org, email info@tedxgalway.org or find TEDxGalway on Facebook.

NEWS 3

January 12 2016

By Jessica Thompson It’s always hard to get back into the swing of things. Back to college means back to work, back to study, back to writing an editorial for Sin, back to procrastinating… unless you’re going for the whole ‘New Year, New Me’ mantra which becomes so popular around this time of year.

Luckily, in this issue, we’ve got plenty of ‘New Year’ stuff to get through, including a number of hilarious articles on why we never keep our New Year’s resolutions. But we’ve also got an extremely helpful article on how to quit smoking, because if there’s any resolution you take on for the New Year, it should be looking after your health.

You’re probably better off starting small, so you don’t give up. I personally spent the first week of January getting the bad food out of my system (though I would have loved some chocolate or Christmas cake) and going for a walk every day.

This week, I’m upping the exercise and keeping the healthy diet going, while avoiding bad food and alcohol.

Which reminds me; thousands are flocking to OnTheDry. ie this month to go off alcohol for the month of January, while also raising funds for charity. It’s a great incentive to take a leap forward health-wise, while also helping a charity. Find out more on page four.

I’d like to take a few lines to commend my contributors on an excellent edition of Sin. Over the Christmas holidays, many students worked hard to deliver great content in the first issue of 2016, so here’s hoping everyone keeps it up!

And speaking of excellent contributors: I’m keeping my own editorial short and sweet from now on so that I can let my wonderful editorial team throw in their two cents about the issue. On this page you’ll see the beautiful faces of those who make the editing process for Sin that much easier for me.

It wouldn’t be right for me to sign off on this editorial without first expressing my sadness at the loss of NUI Galway student Michael Bugler. Michael went missing before Christmas and his body was recovered last week. It is such tragic news for his family and friends and for NUI Galway as a whole.

However, the amount of support and help his family had during the search for Michael really shows that there are so many good people in the world, and that we can work wonders if we only work together.

Look after yourselves and each other.

Until next time, Jess @jessicadotie

News: Niamh Cullen

What a month it’s been! While we’ve all been off enjoying our holidays, Galway and the country has experienced a variety of highs and lows. In this issue, we’ll be looking at how flooding affected Galway, with farmlands and many homes completely destroyed as Ireland witnessed the coming and goings of six storms in three months. We’ll also be exploring how the changes to the J1 Visa will have an impact on students, and the momentous year that was 2015 for LGBT rights in Ireland.

On our front page is a story that comes as a massive blow to students, friends and family alike. For weeks, hundreds gathered in atrocious conditions with the hopes of finding law student Michael Bugler. It is with a heavy heart to learn of his passing, and our condolences extend out to all affected.

Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Back to Reality…

Features: Jenna Hodgins

Happy New Year and welcome back to volume 17 of Sin! The first issue of 2016 is packed with features relevant to the post-Christmas capitalist resolution-trap with Michael Glynn telling us why we break our resolutions, and as a bonus, frequently tells us he loves us throughout.

From breaking promises to our cholesterol levels, to having promises broken on us: Dean Buckley tackles the ongoing issue of the student accommodation crisis on page 10. On a less cynical note, Isabella de Luca’s feature on how we can get more involved in college this semester is a must read.

Make the most of the freebies and discounts, guys.

That’s what being a student is, right? Regardless of my incessant disapproval of New Year’s resolutions, there are pledges we can take this New Year to make 2016 the best year it can be.

Get more involved. Have your voice heard. Make a difference. And dammit, have fun! Psst, and write for Sin.

Lifestyle: Sorcha O’Connor

The Lifestyle pages of Sin are where I hope readers will find the best ways of embracing their creative side, of getting in touch with their inner fashionista and indeed find the inspiration to better their mind and body!

My aim as Lifestyle editor is to provide fun and easy ways to brighten up your fortnight, if that be helping you find the motivation to join a new club or society or giving you the knowledge on how to excel as an NUI Galway student outside the lecture theatre (check out our weather-proof clothing guide on pg … for example!)

Sports: Aonghus Ó’Maicín

The 2015 sporting year taught us a lot.

The “Notorious” Conor McGregor proved that he is indeed all that he says he is. The Irish soccer team brought us on an adventure that none of us could ever have imagined while the Dubs proved that they have got what it takes to be truly great team. All of this happened as a new era of Irish boxing success appeared on the horizon.

Looking forward to 2016, what questions do we await to be answered? Can Rory McIlroy once again rise to greatness at the top of the World Rankings? Ireland are posed to bring a host of medals home from the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The pressure is on but can our athletes stand up and deliver?

A disappointing World Cup for Ireland can be soon forgotten if they become the first team to retain the 6 Nations twice.

If you thought 2015 was hectic, well then you better strap yourself in for 2016.

Find us online:

www.sin.ie

Entertainment: Neil Slevin

This Entertainment section features articles from seasoned Sin campaigner Dean Buckley, “What’s on in Galway?” guru Frank Roddy, News Editor Niamh Cullen, and Resonate, featuring artist and writer Julianne Eleanor.

Pride of place goes to Dean, who has written a wealth of articles recounting the greatest hits entertainment-wise of 2015, and outlining his predictions for the coming year; Niamh also pitches in here with her guide to 2016’s most anticipated films.

Meanwhile, Frank previews the best entertainment that Galway has to offer this January, wisely accounting for the fact that many of us will need to seek our thrills and spills on a shoestring budget…

Last but not least, Resonate features the poetry and portraits of Julianne Eleanor in what is arguably our most ambitious edition to date.

I hope you enjoy it all.

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

Niamh Cullen | localnews.sined@gmail.com FEATURES

Jenna Hodgins | features.sined@gmail.com LIFESTYLE Sorcha O’Connor | fashion.sined@gmail.com ENTERTAINMENT

Neil Slevin | artsentertainment.sined@gmail.com SPORT Aonghus Ó’Maicín | sport.sined@gmail.com

4 NEWS

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

Michael D Higgins gives lecture to mark launch of ILAS Centre at NUI Galway

By Neil Slevin On Monday 30 November, President Michael D Higgins gave the inaugural lecture marking the official launch of the Institute for Lifecourse and Society (ILAS), following the Tánaiste’s visit to open the Institute less than two weeks before.

An NUI Galway alumnus, President Higgins congratulated the university on the “splendid building” that is the Institute for Lifecourse and Society, and paid tribute to the “breadth and depth” of research that is conducted within it by its 150-strong team of staff, “a formidable resource” led by Professor Pat Dolan.

Pictured at the inaugural biennial lecture were, from left, Professor Pat Dolan, Director of the Institute, Sabina Higgins, President Michael D. Higgins, and Dr Jim Browne, NUI Galway President.

Stressing the importance of the ILAS centre’s “capacity to cooperate across disciplines”, President Higgins described the Institute as “a response to a fundamental issue” that has existed in Ireland since the formation of the State, socioeconomic inequality, and highlighted that one of the centre’s “great strengths” is its “strong emphasis on civic engagement”.

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of NUI Galway’s social sciences research centre, President Higgins’s lecture was inspired by his personal reflection on the enormous shift in social action and policy that has taken place since the college first opened as UCG; he said he found it “greatly inspiring to witness the real will that exists to envision a new version of citizenship, one that is fair and equitable and allows all its people to flourish.”

A notable academic, President Higgins also remarked on the “interdisciplinary character” of the Institute, and encouraged it to maintain its interest in “strong theoretical work”, while warning that to abandon work grounded in thorough academic research would be “disastrous” for all who participate in it.

Throughout his lecture, President Higgins repeatedly highlighted the dis-

tinction between “craft” and “science”, questioning which is more effective at a human level, and outlined his hopes that the Lifecourse Institute would be “an exercise of empowerment” for young people that would give way to “a new form of contemporary literacy” and re-engage “young scholars”.

In the latter half of his talk, President Higgins explored what he believes to be “welcome signs of change”, including the impending introduction of politics and society as a Leaving Certificate subject in 2016, a change he feels will foster future generations’ capacity for “transformative thinking”.

Repeating the importance of “crafting” in the Lifecourse Institute’s work (marrying theoretical research grounded by academia with a practical approach that embraces “the fullness of the person”), President Higgins revealed his hope that all who work in the ILAS centre are joyful in their approach to their practice, and that their work will lead to a better, more cohesive society in modern-day Ireland.

Renowned nationwide for his allencompassing vision and perspective, President Higgins’s lecture did not just focus on the Lifecourse Institute and

the work conducted within it; his talk was grounded in global issues such as the role of the State, economic policy, the migration crisis in the E.U., and the rise of extremism.

Contrasting the holistic approach taken by ILAS-based researchers, President Higgins expressed his frustration at what he perceives as a lack of an interdisciplinary approach worldwide, outlining his belief that society’s response to the suffering of individuals must be “immediate”, while also recognising that their “right has been denied”, and supported by a “clear vision” for progression.

Concluding, President Higgins reflected on the recent Paris attacks, and accepted that we live in “a time of understandable fear”, but encouraged all present to “face up to tough choices”, to “seize the opportunity to work together”, and not to “let words become empty”.

He reminded the audience that “the participation of citizenship was at the centre of the republicanism” that led to the founding of the Irish State; that “a true republic” should be judged on how it meets the needs of its people, “and of the stranger,” particularly as we approach the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

ON THE DRY: it’s a revolution in New Year’s resolutions Thousands flock to onthedry.ie to ditch alcohol in New Year The Irish Heart Foundation’s second annual On The Dry campaign supported by 2FM has attracted nearly 3,000 registrants over the Christmas period so far from people looking to make a fresh, alcohol-free start in 2016.

In a survey of last year’s participants, 62% said they had better sleep and more energy after taking part, 49% reported losing weight, 79% saved money and 82% said they felt a sense of achievement.

According to organisers the campaign is on target to more than double its participation on last year aiming to top 4,000 sign-ups from individuals, teams and workplaces. January 2015 was the first time a ‘Dry January’ style campaign ran in Ireland.

Already Dublin, Cork and Galway are the counties topping the registrations to give up alcohol this January and raise money for a good cause, while registrations from Wexford are coming in as a close fourth with just five sign ups between it and Galway.

On Christmas Day, although most visitors to onthedry.ie came from

Dublin, the most serious about taking action to give up alcohol on 25 December were from Mallow, Ennis, Carlow and Bray, all of which had the highest conversion rates to sign up.

With New Year’s Day fast approaching, the national charity continues to encourage the nation to join the revolution in resolutions at onthedry.ie and get sponsored by friends to give up alcohol for 31 days in January to make a healthy kick-start in the New Year.

2FM’s Keith Walsh who is set to host New Year Live from Three Arena with Kathryn Thomas on 31 December, is ready to go On The Dry the next day.

“I like a drink but I also like to have periods where I don’t drink. Not drinking in January is a great way to start the year with a clear head. I got involved with Dry January hoping to encourage others to take down time out from drinking, ‘cause not drinking is the new drinking,” he said.

Earlier this month, equipped with copious cups of tea, 2FM’s Breakfast Republic crew Jennifer Maguire, Keith Walsh and Bernard O’Shea joined the

inimitable Father Ted actor Frank Kelly to launch the On The Dry campaign and steer the nation away from alcohol for the month of January.

Meanwhile in the southeast, RTE correspondent Damien Tiernan hopes to rally his local counties to join him in a month of abstinence from alcohol and he said; “The Irish Heart Foundation’s initiative is brilliant and I hope tens of thousands of people across the country take up the challenge. It’s such a simple thing to do and yet for many it will be a challenge. The more people you tell, the more likely you are to do it.”

According to the Irish Heart Foundation, if you’re serious about losing weight in the New Year, you will be more successful if you cut out alcohol altogether until you reach your target weight which makes On The Dry an ideal launch pad to a healthier body weight, along with a healthy eating plan and regular physical activity.

To avoid regaining weight lost, gradually resume alcohol consumption and do not exceed 11 standard drinks per week if you are a woman and 17, if you are a man.

Caroline Cullen, from the Irish Heart Foundation said; “Giving your body a break after the party season is a great way to kick-start a healthy new year, plus reducing your alcohol consumption will help you feel better all round.

It’s not always easy to motivate yourself to take the plunge to a healthier you.

“The act of physically signing up now to www.onthedry.ie will help you feel committed to your New Year’s resolution but the real magic is making it known to your family and friends. By

asking for sponsorship, you’re much more likely to stick to it and get the health benefits you want.”

Funds from On The Dry will go directly to help prevent heart disease and stroke which is responsible for the biggest loss of life in Ireland annually.

Monies raised from On The Dry will support the Irish Heart Foundation’s prevention programmes for children, adults and local communities which are vital to keep more hearts beating around Ireland.

NEWS 5

January 12 2016

Galway remembers Easter 1916

By Ciarán Ó Meachair Ireland 100 years ago from now was a very different place. As war raged on the continent, the old Fenian saying ‘England’s difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity’ finally came to fruition. The Rising may have been unsuccessful, but it sparked years of conflict in Ireland which would shape the future of the island for decades to come. While many of the larger commemorative events will be taking place in Dublin, a number will be held in Galway City.

An official state ceremony will take place in the city on 28 March at a yet to be confirmed venue. The ceremony is expected to be attended by both the President and Taoiseach. Throughout the month of April and up until 8 May flag-raising and lowering ceremonies involving community groups and members of the Irish Defence Forces will be held on Eyre Square.

The most intriguing event on the official commemoration list is possibly that of the Patrick Whelan commemoration.

On 24 April, which was the date of the first day of the rising in 1916, ceremonies will take place in both Bohermore cemetery and at Carnmore, near Oranmore. Whelan was a Constable with the Royal Irish Constabulary and died in an engagement with the Irish Volunteers in Carnmore. He was the only fatality of the Rising in County Galway.

In June, a week-long festival will be held to remember Éamonn Ceannt. Galway City museum will host a seminar programme along with a special exhibition.

Outdoor concerts and a pipe-band parade involving uileann pipe players from Ireland, Scotland and the United States will also take place during the festival.

Ceannt was the only Galway-born signatory of the 1916 proclamation. He commanded a force of 100 men at the South Dublin Union workhouse, located on what is now St. James’ Hospital. The festival to commemorate Ceannt will run from 13 to 19 June.

Galway City Council are expected to unveil a memorial arch at the O’Brien’s Bridge entrance to the riverside walk.

The arch was originally proposed in the 1930s and a number of unsuccessful fundraising efforts were held to finance its construction. Notably John Wayne contributed to one such effort at a concert in Salthill in 1951 while he was in Ireland filming The Quiet Man. An explanatory plaque will also be unveiled at the Liam Mellows statue on Eyre Square.

This is not an extensive list of commemorative events in Galway. NUI Galway will be holding a significant number of seminar and conference events throughout the year beginning on 14 January with a public seminar organised by Dr Sarah Anne-Buckley on ‘Class, Gender and the separation of women’ in the Mechanic’s Institute on Middle Street.

A two-day conference entitled ‘Proclaiming the Revoultion’ will be held in the university on 22 and 23 January.

For full details of events being held by NUI Galway, visit www.nuigalway.ie/ anationrising. For more information on events in Galway city, visit www.ireland. ie/galway-city.

Tim to renew your Student Leap Card Students with last year’s 2014/2015 Student Leap Card will find their card expired on 31 December 2015. It’s that time of the year again, to renew your card and get the new 2015/2016 red Student Leap Card. It’s available here on campus from the NUI Galway Students’ Union office, which is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm.

Students in Galway can avail of the student discounts on both Bus Éireann and City Direct bus services (20% off cash fares). Students can also avail of up to 66% off public transport fares nationwide with their valid Student Leap Card – as well as many great discounts across leading brands.

Student Leap Card – The National Student Travel and Discount Card – is available from your NUI Galway Students’ Union. Seewww.studentleapcard.ie for details.

6 FEATURES

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

STUDENTS, IRELAND, LGBT RIGHTS and the transformative year of 2015

By Niamh Cullen

Dublin Castle as the results emerged on the fateful afternoon of 23 May: 62.1 percent, or The world may continue to spin as it always over 1.2 million, in favour, and 37.9 percent, has around our tiny green nation. But for Ire- or 734,300 against. Only one year prior, NUI land, 2015 presented a transformative year Galway had witnessed over 250 students for the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual & trans staging demonstrations both in favour and (LGBT) community. against the motion.

On 6 April, the right to In June it was announced that adopt fully as a joint same sex couple arrived as the ChilNUI Galway’s students, clubs and dren and Family Relationships Bill 2015 was signed into law. societies had collectively raised Previously, while individuals regardless of their sexuality over ¤6,000 in aid of BeLonG To could adopt, civil partners and cohabitants could not enjoy Youth Services, Ireland’s national the same protections as those of married couples in terms youth organisation for LGBT youths. of guardianship, custody, and access rights.

Most notably was the island’s acclaimed Most recently, protections for both prostance as the first country to nationally spective and current teachers and medics legalise same sex marriage by popular vote. emerged as The Employment Equality Bill International papers slapped colourful (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2013 came into photos of many wrapped in rainbow flags in effect on 2 December. Prior, Section 37.1 of

the Act highlighted that teachers and medics could be dismissed on the grounds of their sexuality based on conflict with the religious ethos of the school or hospital they worked in.

President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) Kevin Donoghue welcomed the amendment on the day, saying; “Putting anyone in a position where they feel they need to conceal their sexuality to keep their job compromises their dignity, equality and inclusion.”

Throughout the movement of Irish LGBT rights in 2015, students have been at the forefront of the discussions, campaigns and results. The start of the year saw USI kick off a “Yes” campaign ahead of the marriage referendum.

Elective member of the USI National Marriage Equality Campaign Task Force Síona Cahill stated that the implemented #makegráthelaw hashtag reinforced that the referendum was an inherently Irish issue.

In June it was announced that NUI Galway’s students, clubs and societies had

collectively raised over €6,000 in aid of BeLonG To Youth Services, Ireland’s national youth organisation for LGBT youths. Galway students lobbied at length, knocking door to door and contacting local TDs in a bid to discuss the marriage referendum and proposals to amend adoption and employment rights.

The foundation of strength in protecting LGBT rights has always stood in USI policy.

Its Congress has founded and maintained USI Pink Training, an annual weekend hub for discussion on LGBT related affairs.

Furthermore, it has outlined its disproval of the upheld blood ban on gay and bisexual men, as well as mandating USI Officers to campaign for equal access to marriage and fair employment regulation, an LGBT Friendly Campus, fully inclusive gender identity questions on forms and an array of other mandates and campaigns.

Without such a foundation, the voices of many students on such matters would not be heard. Perhaps without it, Ireland would not have witnessed such a transformative year for LGBT rights.

Higher education students forced into dole queues

By Samantha Kelly It is a disappointment for students who wish to go back to complete higher education if they are not financially stable, as they have no other choice but to sign onto the dole if they wish to receive the funding they need.

Those who are in need of a grant to go back to college must have a receipt of social welfare to be entitled to receive the full grant (special rate postgraduate fee contribution) of €6,270.

Whereas, those who have worked the year previous, regardless of how little they have earned, are only entitled to €2,000.

Student Union President, Phelim Kelly comments that “the current rule that you or your parent has to be in receipt of full time social welfare the year preceding the time you wish to study is, in my view, pointless.

“Referring to the article cited in the Irish Times, that was a student who didn’t want to be on the dole but wanted to work a bit instead and now she is being penalised for being an honest upstanding citizen who wanted to try and foot her own bill instead of depending on the state.

“If you look at it in a financial perspective, it’s cheaper for someone not to be on social for a year and help them further their education so that they may get a decent job once it’s finished.”

Therefore, for those who are 25 or over and are on social welfare receiving €188 each week, the following year when they apply for higher education they can receive an additional €160 per week from the Back to Education scheme. Furthermore for those

who are in extra need of financial help, can also receive rent supplement.

This is an unfair process for those who are in full or part-time work the year previous to applying for a higher education course. Is the Government’s logic to punish those who are honest and hardworking, while rewarding those who are lining up in the dole queue?

Even though there are other options for those who need extra financial help, such as a student loan, financial aid funding, and scholarships. Not everyone is eligible for a scholarship or even a loan depending on their credit ratings, savings, and guarantors. Thus, forcing those who are financially disadvantaged and wishing to further their education onto social welfare, manipulating those who are trying to take a step forward to also take two steps backwards.

“I’m just genuinely baffled that this is what Ireland has come to. Students don’t want to sign on the dole, they want to work and this kind of policy is disingenuous to every student out there who works through what can be the most difficult time in their life with the financial burden that College has become.

“To me this is a cheap slap at everyone out there who wants to better themselves and with a general election coming up, this has to be a priority for the political party manifestos,” says Mr Kelly.

The Government and SUSI ought to reassess their process of awarding grants to higher education students, as the education system seems to be failing in that only those who are financially secure can afford to go to college.

8 FEATURES

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

How do I change mobile phone network?

How to get the best deal for a student budget Switching mobile networks is confusing. However, it can be really worthwhile. A recent survey from the Irish National Consumer Authority estimated that the average saving for people who switch networks is €292 per year.

Despite this, only 9% of Irish consumers switch networks annually, mainly due to confusion about the process. In this article, we will look at some of the main areas of difficulty and confusion that arise when switching networks.

1. New phone or just a new network?

Before the switch, decide whether you want a new phone or to just switch network. Many networks offer deals when phones are purchased alongside a plan. Usually, bill pay plans include a new phone at a discounted price, but the contract will tie you in for a long duration, typically 12 to 24 months.

While your phone may cost more on prepay, you have freedom to choose operator and tariff at any point. It’s best to shop around and remember to consider the lifetime cost of a contract.

2. Find the best plan to suit your needs In an industry often described as a ‘confuseopoly’, extracting the best value can be a challenge. Before

switching, assess your phone habits and, based on this, choose a plan that will offer you the best fit your usage. For the majority of users, ‘unlimited’ plans are overpriced and have greater allowances than you need. It’s best not to overpay for gigantic allowances and, at the same time, avoid underpaying for allowances that you will definitely breach. The KillBiller smartphone application is the best way to do this automatically.

3. Check with the network provider that your area has coverage Switching network is pointless if you end up with poor service.

Operators should be able to provide you with coverage maps and information on the service in your area. While those living in Dublin should experience little difficulty with coverage, outside of Dublin the quality of network coverage varies drastically. It’s well worth checking before making the switch.

4. Check whether your phone is “unlocked” for all networks Phones are commonly “locked” to the network on which they were purchased. This means that the phone will only accept SIM cards from that same network, preventing easy switching. Most of the

time these phones can be easily unlocked free of charge once specific usage thresholds are passed (e.g. topping up by €120 in the last six months). Unlocking is completed using a code that can be obtained by contacting your original network provider. Alternatively, many third-party retailers and websites offer mobile unlocking at a cost.

5. Assess your contractual obligations (billpay only) If you are currently engaged in a contract, check what penalties are in place for breaking it. Termination charges may be incurred if a contract is terminated prematurely.

In some cases you remain obligated to pay your contract in its entirety even if you have switched providers before it ceases. Failing to do so can result in legal action.

6. Identify the easiest switching option for you (online/in-store) Most providers offer multiple options for switching. For most, ordering a SIM online is the easiest option. Once the SIM arrives you can choose to “port your number” (your number stays the same) or take a new number. As long as your phone is unlocked, the process should be as simple as inserting

your new SIM into your phone, calling your provider, and following the steps given. Alternatively, if a network store is convenient to your location it’s easy to pop in and do the SIM purchase, porting and switch in-store.

ing overnight. Make sure that you arrange for them to take place at a time when it is not essential for you to be contacted (doctors on call take note!).

7. Be aware that the porting and switching process can take a few hours

If you have a large amount of credit topped up on your phone or avail of additional network benefits remember that these cannot be transferred to your new operator. It’s worth using up your credit before switching operator if you’re on pay-as-you-go, also if your plan grants you certain allowances, it’s in your best interest to use these up before switching.

Porting and switching your number over to the new network can take a couple of hours, during which time you will not be contactable.

These switchovers can usually be organised so that they occur at a time that is suitable for you, includ-

8. Use credit before switching

Applying for the J1 this year? Take note

By Niamh Cullen If you’re mulling over the idea of working in the States this year, then you better get your skates on!

Significant changes to the J1 were confirmed in early November 2015 and now state that a job must be arranged before arriving in the country.

More than 150,000 students have travelled to the US on J1 Visas since the programme commenced in 1966.The alterations come despite fierce opposition from the government, with efforts between Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan and US Secretary of State John Kerry falling short of a resolution.

The changes come as US travelling companies bring stricter measures to the temporary visa system. The majority of Irish J1 visas are issued by two US based sponsoring agencies. These are CIEE who work

in partnership with USIT, and Interexchange, who are partnered with SAYIT. The agencies have stated that partner countries under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) must pre-arrange jobs before their students travel to the US this summer.

There are 38 countries under the VWP, including Ireland, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and others.

Both Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) have expressed their fears that far less students – as many as 60 to 80 percent – could be rejected a visa, with unsuccessful applications rising due to the measure.

“When the J1 programme was launched we saw a surge of Irish students travelling to the USA on a working summer visa,” said USI President Kevin Donoghue.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for personal development through refining independent skills and

experiencing another culture. Geographic distance leads to improved problem-solving, and openness to experience builds skills and capacities.”

The USI have added that they will be implementing infrastructures in co-operation with student unions across the country to assist students in their search for work before travelling.

Mr Kenny also expressed his concerns that “people would travel out on holiday visas and then decide to work illegally – which would only cause trouble for themselves and for everybody else afterwards.”

Galway-based Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh argued that the changes merely reflect the need for more effort to be made by students in organising their visas; “You’d be more worried about the students who leave it until the last minute who haven’t taken on board that there is a change and will be hoping

to apply for a J1 but haven’t realised that they have jumped through these extra hoops,” he said.

If you’re considering an application, here are a few important pointers to note: The US embassy has confirmed that the changes are not applicable to the 12 month graduate visa, which applies to students who have recently graduated from third level studies.

J1 Visa application paperwork takes about 12 weeks to process the documents. Bear this in mind when trying to obtain a job commitment from an employer on application.

The best solution to this tricky part is to be honest with your potential employer about the need to secure employment as part of obtaining your visa.

Utilise your contacts as early as possible – preferably now – in the cities you’re interested to enhance your employability.

The US J1 Visa website has a host of sponsor organisations working with US employers to facilitate and employ J1 students. You can find their contact details at http:// j1visa.state.gov/.

USIT have already announced a schedule of Skype interviews as well as a job fair to be held in February.

Be sure to have as much of an idea as possible as where you’d like to go and work before attending this.

Any professional or internship-based positions will not be approved for the J1, as there is a specific internship visa for this kind of work. You can find out more information at http://www.usavisa.ie/ internship .

Minister Flanagan has said that his department and the Irish Embassy in Washington will continue to monitor the impact of the changes to the J1 Visa, adding that he will remain in close contact with the US State Department.

FEATURES 9

January 12 2016

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Three lessons learned from the “Galway Go Giver”

By John Mulry We all set ourselves some goals at the beginning of each year; sadly, the majority of people do not achieve these goals and my hope is that the story of the giant I’m going to share with you today can help you achieve your goals.

Unlike many of my giants that I’ve learned from and continue to learn from, this giant isn’t outside of Ireland, but right here in Galway City. This giant is someone to whom I attribute a large debt of gratitude and is someone I’ve learn more from every time I meet him.

His name is Liam Bluett and he’s a former Finance Director of Nortel, former General Manager of the SCCUL Enterprise Centre, member of the Corrib Lions Club as well as being an advocate for countless community projects, charities and organisations in and around Galway City.

Liam Bluett has been helping me directly and indirectly from the very beginning of my business career. His energy, enthusiasm and willingness to help others is something I've not come across before. Liam is always there to lend a hand or to give advice.

His work for SCCUL and the community it encompasses is fantastic. He was one of the

what you want and then you must go after it. And if needed you must be willing to seek out help, advice and guidance. You must be willing to ask yourself and others questions others won’t.

Liam is brilliant at this; he’s never afraid to ask for help. There’s a running joke that you “can't say no to Liam Bluett” and why would you want to, because everything he asks you for, you know it's going to benefit others – which leads me to the third and most important lesson I’ve learned from Liam Bluett;

focal points in the organisation of the SCCUL Enterprise Awards which has been running for numerous years (and is on again this 29 January in NUI Galway). He was the genius behind the Choir Factor which has raised thousands of Euros for the SCCUL sanctuary and other charities.

Three of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from Liam Bluett are:

1. Always be open to giving and sharing Liam gives his time selflessly and is always willing to lend a hand when needed. This has been something I immediately recognised and took on board because I too see the value in giving. The hole you give through is the hole you receive through. No matter how much you get or want to get in life, always be willing to give first. Zig Ziglar once said the secret to getting everything you want in life is by giving to others.

3. He takes care of his network no matter how great or small Before Christmas, I met with Liam for a coffee to discuss his film and movie autographs blog (Liam’s a massive film fan and has a fine collection of autographs from famous actors and actresses – see www.

LiamBluett.com).

2. He’s not afraid of asking the tough questions No matter what you want to do in life, in sports, in business or your career, if you think it’s going to be handed to you or you think you’re entitled to it, you better think again. To get what you want, you must know

We started talking about one of his projects when he mentioned that someone he met years ago has gone on to great things and has become a massive contact for a big project he’s working on. Throughout the years Liam kept in contact with him and when it came time that Liam happened to call in a favour the person responded immediately, happy to help out.

The funny thing is Liam has countless stories like this. Remember no matter whom you meet, beggar in the street, waiter, waitress, cleaner or the star of your favourite TV show, treat them with respect because you never know where or what that person will achieve (and when you might need them).

This year, instead of making resolutions purely around money, health and personal goals make one to be more like Liam Bluett and adopt these three philosophies as your own. There’s only one Liam Bluett but that doesn’t mean we can’t all be more like him.

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10 FEATURES

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

What to do when you don’t get on with a roommate

By Jessica Hannon Living in close proximity to total strangers for the first few days and weeks of college will pose problems. Emotions run high as people miss the comforts of home and everyone is finding their feet. Five times out of ten you’ll get lucky and get landed with a tolerable roommate. That’s if you’re lucky. With exceptional luck you may become very close friends with your new roommate.

However when you do not get along with your roommate or another housemate, serious problems can arise. Fear not, so many people have gone through this situation, it’s important to remember you’re not the first to get landed with a nasty housemate and you definitely won’t be the last.

THE BASIC LIVING SITUATION Generally when you move into college accommodation you will be able to choose your living situation. Options consist of a twin room which you share with another person, a single room with a single bed for yourself or a double room which consists of a double bed for yourself.

This selection process can be tough as the rooms vary greatly in price with the shared twin room being cheapest. Many people choose the cheaper option for obvious reasons, but the reality is if you choose the cheaper twin room, you will be paying a lot more in the long run in terms of health and

wellbeing if you can’t live in harmony with your roommate.

Don’t underestimate the importance of alone time in college. It’s very important to have a place where you can relax at your own comfort and just get away from it all, and trust me college is hectic; you will need alone time.

A bedroom to yourself is so important for this, in a twin shared room the reality is that you can never get away from your roommate for long. A twin room becomes a virtual hell if you don’t get along with this roommate. So from the outset I would advise, if at all possible, choosing a single/double room to save yourself the mental agony of not getting along with roommate and not being able to do anything about it.

However this isn’t always possible, so here is a guide for what to do if you find yourself in a less than desirable situation.

COMPROMISE In the past, a roommate of mine didn’t understand this term. And that caused serious problems. Compromise: this fantastic ten-lettered word is essential in twin room vocabulary, and basically it means give and take.

You can’t expect all the comforts of home when you come to college; bed times will change, you and your roommate will have different friends and will spend down time differently. When moving into a twin room, this is all to be expected.

You may enjoy going out once a week and your roommate may not socialise as much but the two of you will just have to set up a system of what to do when one of you comes in at 3am. This is college and everyone deserves to spend it how they like.

One of you should not feel the pressure to change who you are as a person just because your roommate doesn’t like it or it doesn’t suit the way they had planned to spend their days in college.

COMMUNICATION Proper communication is key when you are sharing personal space with a total stranger or someone you don’t get along with. Talking is one of the oldest forms of communication and making friends, so it’s essential in maintaining a healthy friendship with your roommate.

If you are having problems with a roommate, talk about it with them in a mature and adult way. It’s an option to have another housemate in the house while you are having a serious conversation for both support or in case events get out of hand. There’s obviously tension built up if there’s need for a serious conversation and when you don’t know someone well, you never know what turn events may take.

Use a civilised tone and do not under any circumstances curse or swear at your roommate. This shows you have no respect for the other person and their feelings and it also does you no favours if further action needs to be taken.

TALK ABOUT IT If you’re having serious issues with a roommate you should let somebody know what’s been happening. Be they a family member, friends and other housemates or if you’re living in sanctioned student accommodation complexes then a member of the reception team who oversee all events in the student village and can facilitate a move if events call for a complete move.

It’s imperative not to bottle up your feelings with regard to what’s happening as that may lead to other, equally serious problems.

KEEP HAPPY AND HEALTHY When you’re in an unhealthy living situation it’s easy to let the negativity wash over you and lose hope. But this will only make things worse. It’s imperative to keep happy and not let your roommate get to you.

Spend quality time with your other friends and try to go about your college life as much as possible.

Your roommate isn’t worth it and when he/she is causing you so much trouble, you can bet other people have experienced the same with this person.

Remain positive and happy. One unhappy relationship should not make you question if you should stay in college or not.

Also turn to your other housemates. Many apartments in student accommodation house 4/5 people so not getting along with one housemate doesn’t mean you can’t get on with the rest. Stay positive!

Rent crisis kills third level dreams

By Dean Buckley Across Ireland, there are young people who should be calling themselves ‘students’, but can’t, because they have put their education on hold due to the lack of affordable accommodation available in our university cities and towns.

They have had to defer their offers, or skipped applying to the CAO at all, and it is not clear when they can expect to welcome a more favourable season.

Rent in Ireland rose at a rate of 3.2 percent in the third quarter of last year alone, and that’s just the national average.

Galway’s prices have risen a full 12 percent, at one of the highest rates in the entire country.

“Quantities, not prices, are where the problems lie in the Irish rental market,” according to Daft.ie’s Rental Report for Q3, but the sharp drop in availability has enabled mercenary landlords to take students for a ride, with first-years hit the hardest.

Of course, it is not landlord’s jobs to make decisions in the best interest of this country’s students, but it is the government’s, and their inaction thus far is inexcusable.

Hanlon’s Razor tells us to never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity, but the government seems to be afflicted by a maelstrom of both.

If it were a smarter government, slashing the grant year and year again in a time of depressed wage growth and an explosion in rent prices would make me suspect they were eroding the viability of the grant system in order to build the political capital to abolish it in favour of a loans system that would benefit their friends in the banking industry.

But this government has been so stubbornly sure that a loans system isn’t even on the table that it seems more likely to be a combination of their traditional disregard for a demographic with low voting

rates and their well-established gross incompetence as the managers of our economy.

Their only attempt at a solution has been a twoyear rent freeze, but freezing rent at a seven-year high just means two more years of dozens of young people staying at home, potentially without any chance of a job, instead of continuing their education.

The government says they want Ireland to become a smart economy, to be competitive in these modern times, but apparently expect this transformation to be funded entirely by imaginary money from Morbeg Land.

Though, to be fair, it only took the Morbegs a hundred episodes and change to learn to save the Growing Tree, whereas this government has had nearly five years to figure out that a smart economy requires an educated workforce.

Unless, of course, the truth is more malicious, and the government doesn’t really care about having a smart economy, just one that’s smart enough to attract some tech giants looking for a more manageable tax bill.

If so, it seems the government sees education primarily as a safe area for them to ransack in order to send the funds to whatever areas the Troika has told them to support.

Unfortunately for them, that political calculus is based on an apathetic low-voting demographic failing to rebel in a way that has material consequences.

But last year’s referendum means there are thousands of new student voters already registered, and more since, thanks to the founding of the Social Democrats, whose brand aligns readily with the left-liberal social values of most Irish youth.

Now, it seems the government might actually have to take the needs of students, and young people who can’t afford to be students more seriously in this year’s general election.

They may yet lose all the power they so clearly enjoy.

FEATURES 11

January 12 2016

“If you’re waiting for a sign, this is it.”

Artist and activist Finbar 24/7 is the brains behind Galway’s colour

By Niamh Cullen It’s hard to walk around Galway City without finding many signs that strike the mind’s eye.

There is a certain cultural charm to the West’s metropolis that begs its people to be inspired, its tunes to be sung loud and its walls to never be grey. Finbar 24/7, the man behind the inspiring visual cues you see scattered across the city, answers the call to that charm.

Whether it’s a political divide tearing at the minds of the country, an installment to comfort the ill and provide chicken soup for the soul, or a touch of “art busking” to complement the artistic diversity of Shop Street, Finbar is rarely without a weapon of colour in hand.

Perhaps what is most striking in the Galway native’s work is his declarative statements, and his insistence on sticking by them.

His often used phrase, “good time, all the time” harps back to a project encouraging others to face the reality of their lives as they stand. Love Versus Fear saw those from all walks of life enter the Galway Arts Centre to a room divided in black and white.

As adults sauntered and discussed over a glass of wine and children dashed to and fro pointing and asking questions, the walls stood still with frank messages to remind us of the challenges we face in taking action of our own lives, and how to overcome them.

The installation lasted a month between April and May of this year, and acted as a fine headliner for Galway’s Cúirt Literature Festival.

Not only did it get the city speaking, but it also saw teenagers gather around Finbar for an art workshop evening, where the graffiti artist taught them how to, as he puts it, “think on walls”.

October saw the foyer of Galway University Hospital become a landscape for mindfulness to mark Mental Health Week. Carefully placed above the alcove are the words “If you want to take care of someone, take care of yourself first”. Another, “You are the sum of the five people you spend the most time with” and “Take the time to send someone a message telling them how great you think they are,

and see how you feel”. The Arts Trust commission project followed the same monochrome effect as Love Versus Fear to give an element of light in the darkness, with the instalment set to be left in place until December.

Another distinctively black-and-white project comes to mind, oddly on the colourful topic of LGBTQ rights. In one of the most divisive political and social battles of our time, Finbar captures the spirit of the lead up to marriage equality with a simple whiteboard-esque painting, discussing votes of “The Past” and potential votes of “Our Future”.

Entitled “It’s Your Chance”, the message reads upwards as a message asking “…in 20 years, will you be proud of your vote?” hovers above the whiteboard. The following day, as crowds celebrated a massive nod, Finbar sprayed over his piece to create a beautiful mural of a man back-dropped against the large, colourful, three letter word: YES. The Galway Arts Centre seems to be back on the agenda for the activist-artist, as recent social media posts have teased the public with promises of something involving a band and a blank room. The only touch of colour is a multi-coloured guitar, held in the arms of well-known busker and up and coming Irish musician David Owens. There are no messages, no words, and no hint of what’s yet to come. The boys are keeping tight lipped on what’s going on, but keep both eyes and ears open for late November.

12 FEATURES

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

16 REASONS TO BE HOPEFUL IN 2016

By Jessica Hannon As the dawn of a New Year approaches we here at Sin have compiled a list of reasons for you happy people to be hopeful in the New Year. Enjoy!

Semester Two As we leave 2015 behind and enter 2016 we can be hopeful for all the new things to come. We leave behind semester one but take with us the happy memories we all share. We can leave behind the destruction of the winter storms and look forward to the new season of spring and no more power outages.

Resolutions The emergence of the New Year gives us ample opportunity to put all the mistakes of 2015 behind us. Embrace the New Year and the new opportunities it provides.

Maybe this year you can be hopeful about sticking to all the resolutions you have just made.

The Economy Re cently the U S Fe deral Res er ve increased interest rates for the first time since 2007/2008. Perhaps this signals an improvement in the US economy, which

will have positive impacts around the world. Surely something to be hopeful about hey!

A General Election Again something to be hopeful about: with all the rumoured dates surrounding a general election, it’s highly likely we will partake in one in early 2016. Out with the old and in with the new.

The Arts Ball For those of us who haven’t yet experienced the NUIG Arts Ball, I’m sure it’ll live up to all our expectations. And for you non-arts students who are missing out on a hell of a time, be sure to get an invite..

Extra Holidays!

So many concerts

Sticking with the Easter theme; Easter and St. Patricks day this year fall very close together, meaning extra holidays for all!

Easter Sunday falls on the 27th of March.

With the arrival of Justin Bieber’s ‘Purpose’ tour in November, you’d think our lives would be complete right? Don’t fear you non-Beliebers… Adele is also making her stage return. The New Year also allows yet another chance to attend all the fantastic Irish summer festivals such as EP and Longitude in 2016 if you missed them last year.

Did someone say John Snow?

Yes. Game of Thrones is rumoured to premiere Season 6 in April 2016. If that’s not reason enough to be hopeful then House Of Cards season 4 premieres on Netflix in March 2016. Need I go on? Pretty Little Liars is also supposed to be released 14 January. You don’t even have long to wait!

The Economy 2.0

Falling this year between Monday 15 February and Friday 19, RAG week is definitely something to look forward to. Get ready to Raise and Give.

While Michael Noonan and Enda Kenny speak about all these improvements in the Irish Economy it’s hard not to be hopeful about a possible turn around on the horrible USC. In addition the New Year could signal new jobs. Just recently 50 new jobs were announced at Glanbia.

Centenary Year

Sport

This Easter we will be exactly 100 years on from the events of the 1916 Easter Rising. 2016 will be marked by a number of centenary events held in the country. A memorable year for all you History buffs like myself.

The new season of sport kicks off come 2016. Already in January we’ve already had the NUIG Ladies Rugby team making it to the Connacht final. Galway’s sporting fanatics can hope for a successful 2016 in sporting terms.

RAG Week

New Opportunities The new Semester provides a second chance to join clubs and societies if you didn’t do so in Semester one. Also it provides a chance to kick all the bad habits you’ve made in semester one. Hopefully…

Movie Releases Finding Dory is released on 17 June.

Enough said?

Summer Now that Christmas is over, we’re on the home run. Summer is only a couple of months away at this stage, and that means a summer job and sweet, sweet money.

How Many Days?

Now that we’re starting the New Year… its officially only 365 days to Christmas!

IT’S TIME TO GO COLD TURKEY

By Cayla Bloomer This is a short guide which I have designed to assist those who are trying to quit smoking. It aims to give you the tools necessary to maintain the right attitude throughout the time of change and to facilitate your transition with the use of affirmations and other widely used methods in the attainment of a smoke free life.

Step 1: Start by saying affirmations on a daily basis.

‘I don’t smoke’; ‘I am a non-smoker’; ‘I think smoking is disgusting’; ‘the smell of smoke repulses me’.

This is the very starting point to bringing about change in your life. In order to create change, you must start to use language which is reflective of that of the desired mind set, i.e. a non-smoker. It is important that you embrace your new stance as a non-smoker.

For the initial period, you may feel more like an actor than yourself. This is very normal.

The brain is very receptive to the words that you speak.

In time, as you repeat these affirmations, they will be internalised, and eventually you begin to believe it. While this may seem far-fetched in the initial stages, if you are consistent, you will see the results. If you put a lot of passion and belief behind these affirmations, the results will be evident much sooner.

If you believe, you can achieve, as they say!

So do not expect to see results if you are not willing to commit to believing that this will be a new reality for you. You must start by believing you are capable of taking this control into your own hands. And I say this with great confidence: you can do this.

These affirmations are just examples.

I would recommend using words that you can connect with, such as words with greater meaning to you. It’s best to make things as personal as possible because that’s where the emotion lies. This journey which is yours is personal so make it so. If it’s simply changing ‘disgusting’ to a word you can embrace more readily then do that.

You could even try using your own self-created affirmations!

In our society, no one wants to come across as being untrue to their words and no one wants to be seen as a failure. This is something that can be used greatly to your advantage when in the process of change. By putting the idea out into your world, it creates obligation.

This feeling of being obliged to commit because you’ve expressed that you have committed, is one of the major driving forces for this progression. You have become accountable to those around you in reaching this goal.

This may sound like it takes a lot of courage, and to be completely honest, it does. If you are serious about this, it is one of the bestused forces in the transitional process and I would highly recommend that you don’t neglect this step.

‘CAN’T’: ‘I’VE TRIED SO MANY TIMES, AND I CAN’T DO THIS’.

Step 2: Extend these affirmations beyond yourself.

Step 3: Never EVER say words which give rise to the possibility of you not achieving your goal.

Step 4: Embrace the idea that smoking is a repulsive act.

Start telling those around you: ‘I’ve quit smoking’; ‘I’ve never felt so good’; ‘I can’t believe I ever smoked’; ‘I feel like a different person’; ‘I’m so happy I’ve achieved my goal’; ‘I feel like I have the power to be anything I want now’; ‘I have the control now’; ‘who knew its could be so easy’.

Find ways to bring the fact that you’ve quit smoking into conversation with others. This allows this new goal to be a part of your social interactions. And like with any goal, it must be the centre of your attention (for the time necessary) in order for it to be achieved.

Words to avoid: ‘HOPE’: E.G.: ‘I HOPE I CAN DO THIS’.

This word suggests a lack of control on your part in achieving the end goal. And you, you, and only you are in control. No outside force and no force within you is bigger than you.

And you must remember this. Change it to: ‘I am doing this’; ‘it is far easier than I had imagined to do this’.

For obvious reasons, you should never say that you can’t do it (this applies to all areas of life). Society has bombarded us with feelings of limitedness… But there is no limit on our capabilities. It is only you who is capable of limiting your own possibilities. Never say ‘never’.

There are many words I could list that I would suggest removing from your vocabulary when you are discussing this with others or yourself for that matter. However I feel these two give you an idea of what words would work against you on the road to achieving your goal. In short, avoid putting yourself down in any way. But rather, empower yourself with I can; I am.

When achieving any goal, you have got to provide your mind with visual stimulation to support the new thoughts you are bringing into your experience. The objective of this is to magnify the meaning behind the affirmations and to give them validity. It’s almost as if it’s a convincing act. Your aim is to convince your mind of laying down new ideas. In order to convince anyone of anything, there must be facts and clean evidence.

Gather evidence which validates your anti-smoking position: • find gruesome anatomical images of

FEATURES 13

January 12 2016

New Year’s Resolutions we never keep

By Pádraic Ward So it’s that time of year again when we decide to ditch old habits and become the person we’ve always wanted to become. We’ve pigged out on turkey and ham, sherry trifle and scoffed one too many boxes of Roses and we feel bloated, heavy and downright disgusted with ourselves.

It’s time to turn over a new leaf and start off the New Year on the right footing. This year will be different of course. It’s amazing how a false sense of motivation can cloud the mind. Here is a small selection of resolutions that we can never manage to keep.

Wait, I have to make my smoothie, go to the gym and get fit, lose weight so I can fit into those jeans, go hill-walking, floss and refrain from procrastination.

God, there are just not enough hours in the day.

Eat Healthy – detox January The detox starts here. I swear no more sweets and/or desserts. Oh yeah and I might have said this before but I really mean it this time – I’m never drinking again. I’m going to put that smoothie maker that I got from my brother for Christmas to good use. I’ll have one every day. I’ve even got a really good recipe for Cabbage soup!

It starts off so well, but by day three you’ve run out of fruit and it’s just too much hassle to go to the shop to buy some more. That cabbage soup recipe isn’t as nice as the first time you tasted it and the smoothie maker is impossible to clean.

Oh yeah, and I’m meeting the girls for drinks later tonight. I haven’t seen them like in two days! So much to talk about.

Now where did I put that double latte?

Lose Weight Ok so I’ve just bought these to-die-for jeans that I saw in town. They are shamazing! One problem though, they are the tiniest bit too small for me. I’ve piled on the pounds over the festive period and could do with shedding that extra weight.

That detox should help. The cabbage soup (see above) is a guaranteed fat burner.

I’ve stocked up on fruit (I’ve managed to get to the shop) and nuts. Chocolate is off limits. This is a carb-free zone. It’s happening people. But I’m so hungry.

Join a Gym and get fit 2016 is the year I’m going to get fit. The last straw was when I was beaten in a straight what smoking does to the body • find stories on lung cancer, and emphysema sufferers The objective is to instill emotion in you that is passionate enough to motivate you to do this for your own good. And it also offers you understanding as to why you should commit to achieving the goal. If you have any disbelief as to whether all this effort is worth it, scare yourself a little!

Step 5: Observe those who have succeeded in achieving your goal.

Begin gathering evidence of ideas which support your own success: • look at success stories of people who have quit smoking • observe what they did and how they did it • begin to relate to their experience with the objective of acquiring some of their habits which brought them to where they are • start to see yourself in them It is absolutely key that you find people who give you some faith in your own ability and inspire drive in you. There are so many incredible people on this planet who can offer you inspiration; find them! Youtube is an incredible resource for finding inspirational speakers if you need that boost.

out race by my Granny to the last caramel crème at the bottom of that box of Roses.

Santa’s been good to me and I’ve got a new pair of runners. I’m off now to buy some new gym gear. Oh I love this new me.

New sports gear is really nice. I have it all planned out. I’m not going to go all in.

No, this year I’m going to ease myself into it. You know just half an hour a day and build on it. Start off slowly and gradually build up the speed.

Two weeks in and motivation has hit an all-time low. My muscles ache and I have pains everywhere. I won’t go today – I went earlier in the week. And besides, college work is beginning to pile up. My philosophy essay is due in four weeks!

Yeah it’s just too much effort but at least I have some nice new sports gear.

fully coloured in and looks amazing. No more procrastination. I’m going to be in the library by 9 o’clock each morning. And I’m not leaving everything to the last minute again. Now where’s that econometrics book? Right page 1.

Oh this is boring. I’ll just take a short five-minute break and take a look on the BBC sports website. Oh and now it’s lunchtime. I’ll be more productive after lunch I promise.

Find a new Hobby

Watch that box set you said you’d watch last year

This year I’m getting more active (see above). I’m starting a new hobby – hillwalking. Yes you heard me correctly.

Going on my first hike next week. I’ve just bought my new hiking boots (another excuse to shop) and I cannot wait.

Fast forward two weeks and the hillwalking didn’t go as well as I’d planned.

Yeah, it was just so boring. And I almost twisted my ankle like 10 times! Besides I can’t go hill-walking in this weather.

Stop Procrastinating This is the year I become more focused and organised. Its final year and I’m getting a first. I’ve spent about two days drawing up a study plan which is beauti-

Floss (every day) Good dental hygiene is paramount, my dentist always tells me. So I’ve decided to start flossing. Oh wait a second that’s just way too sore. My gums are killing me.

Besides it’s way too much effort. Brushing will be fine.

Ok so I’m sick of people harping on about various different shows that I haven’t seen. I’m totally lost in the conversation and it’s really annoying. So I’ve got my hands on a few box sets over Christmas.

First up its Breaking Bad then Game of Thrones. After that it’s Orange is the new Black, oh and I’ve never seen The Wire or The Sopranos.

Oh but wait, I have to make my smoothie, go to the gym and get fit, lose weight so I can fit into those jeans, go hill-walking, floss and refrain from procrastination. God, there are just not enough hours in the day. Ah sod the lot of it. I’m getting a takeaway.

Why don’t we keep our New Year’s resolutions?

By Michael Glynn Why do we follow this same bleak pattern every year?

After a couple of weeks of self-indulgence over Christmas we begin to feel guilty over enjoying ourselves and decide that we must change, we must better ourselves in some way, be it a small resolution like “try to be kinder” or a large one like “lose 10 stone”.

You make these same resolutions every year without fail and every year you do fail, why is that? I’ll tell you why, because you don’t need to change!

Why should you have to “better” yourself in the next year? What was wrong with you last year? No, you my friend are perfect, as am I, as is everybody that starts to think they need to change themselves on the birth of a New Year.

Am I sounding exceptionally arrogant right now? You bet I am! And you need to be to, because that’s how you’re finally going to be able to keep a resolution, at the start of every year remind yourself just how great you are

and think about how everyone else should change instead of you, they’re the problem!

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way lets skip forward from the start of the year to around March/April. You, my friend, need to change, you’re great, don’t ever forget that but you could be better, and so could everyone else. We need to think of ways to better ourselves or else we would all become supremely bored. Also it’s still spring time, what else have you got to do?

So yeah, hop on the treadmill if that’s your jam, quit smoking if you’re finding it hard to run on a treadmill, get some of that nicotine gum if you’re finding it hard to quit smoking.

See? There’s a solution to everything and we won’t accept bullsh*t arguments, none of these things or any other resolutions are “too hard” you’re just too lazy, and that is an excuse I will accept, being too lazy to do something about yourself is perfectly acceptable, why? Because it’s you! Don’t let anyone tell you how to treat yourself, if you’re either too lazy or too stubborn to commit to any New Year’s Resolutions then we are kin my friend and I love you.

Alright let’s get real here for a sec, what you’ve just done to accomplish your resolution is stupid and you shouldn’t have done it. I’m presuming you made one of the stupid purchases to complete your resolution. This is a public service announcement right here and now: do not, I repeat, do not purchase any gym equipment for your house, it’s all really expensive, it makes you look stupid and you’re never going to use it - go to the damn gym!

Another one for the common resolution, smoking, put down the vaper. You look like Johnny Depp in The Tourist and it’s never not ok to look like Johnny Depp.

So in summation we’ve outlined the key steps to completing a New Year’s Resolution: 1. Be arrogant, you don’t need to change.

2. Realise that you do in fact, need to change.

3. Don’t be an idiot.

The author of this article would like to express that he himself is still stuck on step one with no effort towards step two being made whatsoever, this has been the case for the past 20 years.

14 FEATURES

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

Is the Irish language still important?

By Laura McGettigan The question of the importance of the Irish Language in Ireland has been a hot topic for the past few years, from the controversial proposal of Fine Gael to consider moving the Irish subject from compulsory to optional in second level schools and the decision of Enda Kenny to employ Joe McHugh, a non-Irish speaking TD as the minister for Gaeltacht affairs.

However despite the many problems the Irish language has faced, the language is still strong.

According to UNESCO, the United Nations Cultural, Scientific and Educational Organization, the Irish language, is in fact one of the 10% of the world languages which are deemed safe from immediate extinction.

Fine Gael’s proposal was declined and the TD for Gaeltacht Affairs Joe McHugh has now immersed himself in the language and would be considered fluent. However, although the Irish Language has a community of over 100,000 speakers in Ireland, with 44,000 Irish people

claiming to use the language daily, the number of children attending Gaelscoileanna has dropped in recent years.

The USI (Union of Students in Ireland) stressed the importance of bilingualism in children’s education in order to encourage parents to continue to send their children to Gaelscoilleanna to keep the native language alive as well as to thoroughly enhance the child’s cognitive abilities.

“The mental gymnastics needed to constantly manage two or more linguistic systems increases cognitive flexibility and makes learning easier,” said Dr. Dora Alexopoulou from the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics in the University of Cambridge.

“We believe that all children should have the opportunity to be educated bilingually as there are linguistic, educational, social, cultural and personal development benefits for children.”

Julian de Spáinn, spokesperson for Conradh na Gaeilge, said; “Gaelscoileanna offer this form of education and we believe that there should

The Arts aren’t special, but they are vital

By Dean Buckley I’m not going to do myself, the arts, or the humanities the disservice of publically, and proverbially, masturbating about how particularly incredible they are, as many are want to do.

Too many, in fact, and they hinder the defence of these vital areas of study and thought by making outlandish claims of their superiority to other forms of study, particularly as regards their development of critical and outside-the-box thinking in comparison to the sciences.

Some physicists have theorised that the weird physics observed at the sub-atomic level might be reality buffering because reality is just a simulation built by aliens to test hypothetical scenarios, just as we use computers to model high-speed impacts and such.

If that’s not sufficiently outside-the-box for you, I’m sorry, but Dadaism is a failed movement for a reason.

The arts and the humanities do need a defence in this age, but an argument from exceptionalism will never be persuasive, and hasn’t been.

Just two months ago, the British government announced their plans for a new school league table that excludes the arts and humanities, ostensibly because, as Education Secretary Nicky Morgan put it, such students “risk restricting their future career path”.

Making out that the arts and the humanities are magic wonderlands of enlightenment that churn out smarter people than any other field is clearly not convincing anyone.

We need to be honest and say that the arts and the humanities are vital for the future of humanity, just as vital as business, law and the sciences, but no more so.

First of all, let it be said that the idea that arts degrees are worth less than the paper they’re printed on is rubbish.

Eliminate specialist fields of science, and even English, that most derided of arts subjects,

regularly ranks in the top ten or twenty subjects for postgraduate employment in almost all modern developed economies.

The arts and the humanities don’t encourage better thinking than other fields, but they do encourage different kinds of thinking that are equally important.

Any field of study encourages critical thinking, but the humanities in particular concern themselves more with discursive thought, with thinking about symbols and meaning and the structures of feeling, things that science and the scientific method cannot fully contain, any more than the humanities can fully contain the search for the Higgs’ boson.

This is the kind of thought that takes the aggregate data of all existence up to this point and pushes back the clutter, raises up what matters and shapes it into a coherent narrative, which is just one way we might describe the study of history.

Philosophy might not always seem to touch our lives, but ethics in particular impacts us due to its practical applications within the professions, especially medicine, while the more esoteric branches of metaphysics and epistemology underpin a huge range of fields, including, of course, the sciences themselves.

The creative arts are so vital to human existence that it almost seems distasteful to stand in their defence.

We all love music or television or film or literature or dance but act as if needing to learn how to make beauty detracts from beauty somehow.

Defenders of the humanities often portray the sciences as cold and insular, but that’s true for the humanities too, albeit in different ways.

We need it all to survive and thrive and be the best versions of ourselves.

So don’t uncritically accept the baleful mouthings of whatever bucket of leeches in government is harping on about streamlining education for a smart economy.

You don’t make a smart economy by cutting out half of its brain.

be more Gaelscoileanna established to satisfy parent demand for this form of education as there is plenty of evidence that supply is in no way meeting the demand.”

Despite the strength of the language, the language has faced many difficulties and hurdles, with many voices across Ireland believing that the Irish language is dead, unnecessary and that much of the Governments funds are being wasted in trying to encourage and rejuvenate the language on programmes such as the ‘Stratéis Fiche Bliain’ and ‘Conradh na Gaeilge’.

This negative outlook on the language may have affected the decline in numbers of the Gaelscoils where according to the Department of Education 27.5 per cent of primary school children went to Gaelscoils in 2013/2014, compared to 26.8 per cent in 2014/2015.

However Gaelscoils do not solely benefit the strength of the national language, the many benefits of Gaelscoils lie mainly with the cognitive developments of the children.

“Apart from the fact that fluency in our national language is a vibrant expression of our national identity, and preserves the direct descendant of one of the most ancient languages in Europe, dual language immersion provides a unique and powerful opportunity to strengthen children’s highest cognitive brain potentials through deliberate literacy development in two languages and authentic exposure to rich linguistic experiences,”said USI President Kevin Donoghue.

“While the fall in primary school children attending Gaelscoils isn’t very dramatic, USI is encouraging parents across Ireland to consider sending their children to a Gaelscoil or a bilingual school because research shows that development of literacy in two languages has numerous positive effects for students including increased understanding of maths concepts and problem-solving; resistance to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia; and a greater cultural awareness.”

Although the Irish language has faced a large decline, it is important to also remember the strength of the Irish language in comparison to many native languages across the world. As many native languages are under threat from the main spoken languages such as English, Chinese, and French and Spanish, it is important to remember that Irish is one of the world’s oldest languages.

The earliest written literature in Europe was Classical Greek, i.e. Homer’s Iliad (8th Century BC). The second was in Latin, i.e. Virgil’s Aeneid (1st Century BC). The third oldest written literature in Western Europe was in the Irish language. Records of Irish lyric poetry date from 700 AD. For a language which has been so close to extinction following the death and migration of its many native speakers in the 19th and 20th century, its strength is little less than miraculous and the onus falls on us to maintain its strength and fight against further decline.

NEED A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION?

Get more involved this semester

By Isabella De Luca Whether you’re a first year who has gotten that little bit less shy, or a post grad looking for a change of scene from the library, this Semester is a definite chance to start getting more involved in all of the great things happening on campus.

Did you know that Dansoc run jazz, ballet, Zumba, Irish dancing and hip hop classes every week for all levels at only two euro a pop? Or that there are weekly poker tournaments on Mondays in Áras na MacLéinn?

NUI Galway is also home to at least seven different martial arts clubs, as well as lots of popular team sports like Gaelic football, hurling, soccer and rugby.

Don’t worry if you feel like you missed your chance back in September. A second Clubs Day will be taking place on Tuesday, January 14 over in the Kingfisher, with Socs Day 2 and the Volunteer Fair happening the following day, January 13 in the Bailey Allen Hall and Foyer. You can also join or renew your annual membership by logging onto yourspace.nuigalway.ie using your Student ID and password.

Clubs and societies are easily the best way to boost your confidence, make lasting friendships and enrich your overall college experience.

Whether you’re bonding over a passion or discovering a new one together, you’ll feel a fresh sense of belonging when you get involved with something outside the classroom. Not only

that, but volunteering is a sure way of gaining practical skills that will make your CV really stand out from the rest after college.

NUI Galway students who volunteer with a charity, club, society or NGO are eligible to apply for a President’s Award from the ALIVE Volunteer Programme, which is presented at a special ceremony at the end of the academic year. If you would love to volunteer but don’t know where to start, ALIVE can also help you find an organisation that interests you and is in need of help.

The Students’ Union are running a variety of different reduced price Life Skills courses this Semester, including Sign Language, Applied Suicide Intervention Training, Bar Skills and Occupational First Aid. This year the SU charity fundraisers are being held in aid of Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Irish Cancer Society. Get involved by volunteering for the Charity Collection Day on February 6th or climbing Croagh Patrick on February 27. Another date for your Diary is the SU Charity Aquathon on February 23. If you dig out your running shoes and goggles now, you’ll be totally prepared by then! And it’s also in aid of a worthy cause.

You can sign up or get more information on all SU events by calling into their office upstairs in Aras na MacLéinn. It’s open from 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

So go on... There are so many options for great things to do in NUI Galway this Semester. You just have to take your pick!

FEATURES 15

January 12 2016

Kevin Donoghue YEAR OF GRADUATION: 2013 COURSE AT NUI GALWAY: LBB BA,

What is your fondest memory of NUI Galway?

Legal Science & Philosophy CURRENT OCCUPATION: USI President

Going to the college bar after class rep council or hanging out in the Union.

Has NUI Galway changed since you were here?

What was the college newspaper like when you were in NUI Galway? Did you write for it?

I loved Sin when I was around; always read it and still do. I get one of the lads to bring a copy up to the office when they come to Dublin.

There are a few new buildings flying up but the atmosphere is the The people will How did your role in the Students’ Alumni_Dictionary_Page.pdf 1 same.

27/11/2015 10:05 a.m.

Union set you up for your career always be the craic in NUIG.

How did attending NUI Galway develop you as a person?

I learned a lot about myself as a person. You were given as many opportunities to challenge yourself as you were willing to take. It was incredible.

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

after you left college?

It gave me the opportunity to challenge myself both personally and professionally. I was able to develop skills that have transferred to my new work. It is important to take risks sometimes too and running for election certainly allows you to do that.

Do you think the SU is a good

Yes. I took part in a few societies and tried way for students to get to start my own club, which didn’t work out. involved in college life?

1 27/11/2015 a.m.

Most of my time was spentAlumni_Dictionary_Page.pdf with the SU there Absolutely; you 10:05 essentially have a blank though. canvas. It is a great way to meet people who want to change things for the better and work towards actual goals. It is also good to have your opinion challenged.

The people you disagree with in class rep council are at least as valuable as those ment. It is important that you agree with. students and young people are educated and informed surrounding the General Election so they can make a well and informed decision.

General Election 2016

By Feidhlim Seoighe

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In the coming weeks, Enda Kenny will drive to Áras an Uachtarán, and notify Michael D. Higgins of his will to dissolve the 31st Dáil. This will then begin an aggressive month, or so of canvassing, discussions, and predictions.

The future of the Higher Education (HE) landscape is uncertain; along with the report of the Cassells Working Group on the Funding of HE to Government over the coming years, it is imperative now that students fulfil the mark that was set during the Marriage Equality Referendum, and vote en masse.

The 32nd Dáil is likely to be the most difficult in Irish history for a Single Party to gain a majority and form a Government. A stretched middle class, along with a disfranchised left, will ensure that it also nearly impossible to predict the formation of its membership. As a result, the issues that will dominate the agenda in those weeks leading to polling day, will likely feature very heavily in the program for Government, no matter who makes up the new Dáil once it resumes.

The Union of Students in Ireland have published the National Student Manifesto recently, and the contents of which will be debated at three Regional Hustings; one in Galway, one in Cork, and the final hustings will take place in Dublin.

The Hustings in Galway will focus on Social Issues, and it will take place on the 26th of January, in the D’Arcy Thompson Theatre.

This event is an opportunity for students and stakeholders in Youth Affairs to discuss a range of social issues ahead of the General Election.

Issues to be covered will include Repealing the 8th Amendment, Mental Health Issues, Solving Drugs Crisis, Access and Supports to HE, and Traveller Rights.

This event coincides with our other Regional Hustings in Cork and Dublin, which will cover the topics of Education and Graduate employ-

Grandfather The Hustings in Galway led his wife to the altar when he

Do you ever miss NUI Galway?

All the time. I try to take any excuse I can to get back. I don’t think I’ll ever stop missing Galway.

Did you ever get in trouble while you were here?

Yes a few times… nothing too serious though, mainly because no one usually found out; like I was never up with the disciplinary committee or anything.

What advice would you give to current NUI Galway students?

Try everything. Volunteer with Flirt FM, work with the Union, run for election to a society, union position or even class rep. Going out and having the craic is great and everything, but there is a real sense of satisfaction in organising your own event.

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

Yes. I would have gotten involved earlier. I didn’t really do anything extra-curricular until second year. I probably would have been involved in a broader range of things as well. I always regretted not being involved with the debating society. You can always tell someone who was involved with debating; it really helps you once you are out of college.

happier man since he got married. Their was only 22 years old. situation is altogether different from ours. / adj not selfish. alter / / verb to become or make altruistic / will focus on Social Issues, Synonym unselfish .

Antonym something different. Synonym change Grandfather led his wife to the altar when he happier man since he got married. selfish Their was only 22 years old. situation is altogether different from and it will take(NOTE place onnot confuse with : Do altar.) aluminium / / ours. noun a sil/ adj not selfish. alter / / verb to become or make altruistic / extremely light alteration / (ə)n / noun act ver-coloured unselfishwhich . Antonymis selfish something different.anSynonym change Synonymmetal ( NOTE : Do not confuse with altar.) aluminium / noun a silthe 26th of January, in different or alteration (NOTE: The US spelling is/ aluminum.) of becoming of making some/ (ə)n / noun an act ver-coloured metal which is extremely light thing different. Synonymof becoming change, modifialumnus / isnoun US a male stualuminum.) different or of making some- (NOTE/: The US spelling thing different. Synonym change, modifi- alumnus / / nouna US a male stu- or colthe D’Arcy Thompson cation dent who used to attend university cation dent who used to attend a university or color high school. Synonym graduate high school.

Synonym graduate altercation / (ə)n / nounlege a verbal orlege altercation / (ə)n / noun a verbal (NOTE: The plural is alumni / /.) disagreement. Synonym argument Theatre. This event is an Synonym argument ( NOTE : The plural is alumni / disagreement. alternate adj / / every other one ALUMNI / əˈlʌmnʌɪ / noun US (plural). A /.) / / to keep changing from one former/ pupil verb or student of a particular alternate / every other one adj / ALUMNI əˈlʌmnʌɪ / noun USschool, (plural). A opportunity forverb students particular position or state to another college, or university: a NUI Galway alumnus. / / to keepalternately changing/ from one student of aofparticular / adv withformer one first pupil Welcomeor back to the alumni the Class of school, andtothen the other. Antonym consecutively particular position or state another 1995.

Origin: Mid 17th century: from Latin,alumnus. college, or university: a NUI Galway and stakeholders in Youth alternating current / alternately / / adv/ with one firstcurrentWelcome electric which ‘nursling, pupil’, from alere ‘nourish’. noun an back to the /alumni of the Class of changes direction all the time, as opposed to always / adv 1. every time and then the other. Antonym consecutively Affairs to discuss a range direct current which flows in one direction. She is always late for work. Why does it al1995. Origin: Mid 17th century: from Latin, Abbr AC. Compare direct current alternating current / ways rain when we want to go for a walk? 2. alternative / / adj 1.‘nursling, in place all the time It’s always hot ‘nourish’. in tropical pupil’, from alere / noun current of social issues ahead of an electric of something else which If the plane is full, we countries. 3. frequently, especially when will put you on an alternative flight.

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16 FEATURES

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

STUDENT EXPERIENCE: Exchange Program in Rennes, France

By Shaun Henson As a second year Commerce student here in NUI Galway, I was given a talk about the option of applying to spend a year doing a placement and studying in an international location as part of my course, before entering final year.

I was pretty sure that I was not going to take this opportunity as I felt it was time to keep the momentum going in order to finish my degree. However, the opportunity to study abroad for two weeks during the summer months of 2015 in the ESC School of Business, Rennes, France arose. This was something I definitely wanted to do.

As a final year student now applying for Graduate Programmes and Marketing roles, I am glad I did, as talking about it in an interview has led the interviewer to be very impressed. Unfortunately there was no financial support from the School of Business here in NUI Galway. I decided I would withdraw a loan and with some financial help from Pat Morgan, Head of Student Experience at NUI Galway, I started to plan my trip.

I spoke about Rennes to other people and they said it would be a fantastic experience and that this part of France is in the Britannia region so I should not gain a big culture shock. I booked the flights with Ryanair to

Paris Beauvais thinking I got a great bargain, but I was still three hours from my destination in France.

I decided that it should still be cheaper to get a train considering my €30 flights, but I was about to learn of the train costs the hard way in France. Let’s just say it wasn’t the student rate of €22 return from Dublin to Galway with Irish Rail!

I booked the accommodation through the Business school on their recommendation. The campus accommodation for the two weeks was out of my budget. I managed to get accommodation approximately 30 minutes from the University but luckily right beside the Metro Train station which was very convenient, for a reasonable price.

When I eventually arrived in Rennes on the Sunday I met my new roommate, Juan – a highly educated individual who was well-travelled and a gentleman. We got on extremely well and even cooked for each other during our short stay. Next we both met up with a Danish man, Nicolai along with more Columbians, Americans, a Canadian girl, Danae who was to be our translator and an Englishman, Danial who was to become a dear friend, at a nearby venue.

This venue gave us a meeting place for the next two weeks. “Sunset Café” will be ringing

ADULTS UNLIMITED TRAVEL ON ALL GALWAY CITY ROUTES ALL PASSENGERS ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY PHOTO I.D.

€69.50 ADULT WEEKLY €20.20 DAY SAVER €4.20 STUDENT WEEKLY €18.20 STUDENT MONTHLY €57.60 CHILD (U16) WEEKLY €8.30 CHILD (U16) MONTHLY €30.60 ADULT MONTHLY

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM Bus Eireann Travel Centre, Eyre Square, Galway. and Henchy’s Shop, Eyre Square, Galway.

Tel: 091 562000 Email: info@buseireann.ie

The picturesque Rennes in France. Image via Wikimedia. in all of our heads for the rest of our lives.

Don’t be fooled by the name, this was no café but a tiny local bar. So many countries were represented on the course including Thailand, Egypt, Mexico, Lithuania, China and India, and of course myself representing Ireland and NUI Galway.

I was amazed at the intelligence of these individuals, especially when we started classes. The classes consisted of many presentations and discussions mostly with the theme of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability and Energy Conservation. We would learn how to become Responsible Managers and hopefully bring this knowledge into our work lives after University.

The presentations were incredible. The difference that these students wanted to make was so obvious. We simply cannot continue to use our resources in an unsustainable manner as our grandchildren will not have a planet to live on. I became inspired by these students and literally hairs stood on the back of my neck when I saw the passion coming through on what they were saying. Being a member of Enactus gave me an insight into CSR and the work that is being done by many large companies and rightly so, as they obtain their massive profits. But these Sustainable Plans must be incorporated into the business plan, the vision and direction of the company and that is what we as the next generation of leaders aim to do.

The course was fast-paced and intense. We had six hours of class each day starting at 9am with an hour break in the middle. We went to visit local companies who gave us insights into the work they do in order to remain sustainable. At the weekends, we were taken on excursions organised by ESC Rennes and the coordinator, Elodie along with two students, Julliet and Gaelle who was so good to us all and made the experience even more enjoyable. A special mention to Don Minday who really put in so much effort to ensure our experience went smoothly and that we could learn effectively within the two weeks.

The final day of class came and everyone was so disappointed it was coming to an

end. Not even worrying about the two and a half hour exam we had looming on our heads. This would really test what we had learned and it was evident so many people had learned a lot. After the exam we were treated to food and drinks for our ‘last supper’ before everyone disembarked and went their separate ways.

It was emotional! Everyone had become so close in such a short period of time and I was disappointed for it to end. “We will all meet up next year,” was the chant coming from most people’s mouths. Oh the optimism!

Through a Facebook group, we all remain in contact and I am so happy we do. These amazing people will change the world for the better. If I am half as successful as these people I will be so pleased. Now I aim to work with Enactus in my final year at University and share my experience in order to really make a difference while gaining a real purpose for life and for my career into the future.

These two weeks really gave me scope to what can be achieved with or without resources. I think it is no longer acceptable for a company to donate a cheque to a charity but rather empower them so that they will remain sustainable and create further employment, services and products. Set up a local business in an area where economic activity is needed, recycle all materials instead of filling up landfills and definitely incorporate these aims into the business vision. It is possible to be profitable in a way which is good for the environment and good for others.

The two weeks were amazing and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity. So many people I would like to mention from the course but I am afraid I will leave out people so it is safer not to.

Thanks to the School of Business and Pat Morgan here in NUI Galway and thanks to the ESC School of Rennes and its professors and especially to everyone on the course for making it such an incredible experience for me.

627 What will you do 2016.pdf

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589 SU Life Skills.pdf

WHAT WILL YOU DO IN 2016?

# Learn Sign Language # Have the Best Summer Ever # Raise money for charity # Run for Election # Get Fit # Learn to save lives # Climb a Mountain # Shave Your Head/Dye Your Hair

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NUI Galway Students’ Union

Cúrsaí Scileanna Saoil

Enrol now for the following reduced price courses in the Students’ Union Office:

Cláraigh anois do na cúrsaí seo a leanas ar phraghas laghdaithe in Oifig an Chomhaltais:

Sign Language

An Teanga Chomharthaíochta

Occupational First Aid

An Gharchabhair Oibre

Life Skills 2015/16

Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn, 2015/16

Céad Fhreagróir Cairdiach

Cardiac First Responder

SU Life Skills 10 Week Course starts 19th January

SU Working & Travelling Abroad Fair 27th January

SU Charity Collection Day Saturday 6th February for Galway Rape Crisis Centre & Irish Cancer Society

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SU Election Nominations open Thursday 18th February

Oiliúint sa Chosaint Leanaí

Child Protection Training

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Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Oiliúint i Scileanna Feidhmeacha Idirghabhála i dtaca le Féinmharú

Self Defence

An Fhéinchosaint

Manual Handling

An Láimhsiú Sábháilte

Anti-Racism

Frithchiníochas

Barista/Bar Skills Training

Oiliúint i Scileanna Barista/Beáir An Ghaeilge

Irish

An tIóga

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Yoga

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Tuilleadh eolais le fáil ag www.su.nuigalway.ie nó seol ríomhphost chuig studentsunion@nuigalway.ie

More information at www.su.nuigalway.ie or email studentsunion@nuigalway.ie

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SU Charity Aquathon Tuesday 23rd February 750m swim/5km run

SU Life Skills Occupational First Aid Course/CFR Course/ASIST

SU Charity Croagh Patrick Climb 27th February

NUI Galway Shave or Dye 16th February

www.su.nuigalway.ie studentsunion@nuigalway.ie for more information

facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion

twitter.com/NUIGSU

www.su.nuigalway.ie 627 What will you do 2016.pdf

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WORKING & TRAVELLING

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THAR LEAR CHOMHALTAS

H OÉ GAILLIM na MAC LÉINN,

12pm-3pm Wednesday 27th January in Áras na Mac Léinn 12 i.n. – 3 i.n., Dé Céadaoin, an 27 Eanáir in Áras na Mac Léinn

Start planning your best summer EVER! Tosaigh ag pleanáil an tsamhraidh is fearr a bheidh agat GO DEO!

Exhibitors include J1 Visa Companies, travel companies, volunteering/adventure companies and internship/training companies.

NUI Galway does not endorse or affiliate any externa companies exhibiting at the Fair.

More information: www.su.nuigalway.ie or email studentsunion@nuigalway.ie Tuilleadh eolais: www.su.nuigalway.ie nó cuir ríomhphost chuig studentsunion@nuigalway.ie

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CÉARD A DHÉANFAIDH TÚ IN 2016?

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# # # # # # # #

An Teanga Chomharthaíochta a Fhoghlaim Clár Scileanna Saoil an Chomhaltais, Cúrsa 10 Seachtaine, le tosú an 19 Eanáir

An Samhradh Is Fearr a Bheith agat Aonach an Chomhaltais um Obair agus Thaisteal Thar Lear, an 27 Eanáir

Airgead a Thiomsú ar Mhaithe le Carthanachtaí Lá Tiomsaithe Airgid an Chomhaltais, Dé Sathairn, an 6 Feabhra ar mhaithe le Galway Rape Crisis Centre & Irish Cancer Society

Seasamh i dToghchán

Osclófar an próiseas ainmniúcháin le haghaidh Thoghcháin an Chomhaltais, Déardaoin, an 18 Feabhra

Coimeád Aclaí

Uisce-Atlan an Chomhaltais ar Mhaithe le Carthanachtaí, Dé Máirt, an 23 Feabhra, snámh 750m/rith 5km

Cén Chaoi Daoine a Thabhairt Saor ón MBás Clár Scileanna Saoil an Chomhaltais, Cúrsa sa Gharchabhair Oibre/Cúrsa sa Chéad Fhreagairt ar Stad Cairdiach/ Oiliúint i Scileanna Feidhmeacha Idirghabhála i dtaca le Féinmharú

Sliabh a Dhreapadh

Dreapadh Chruach Phádraig ar mhaithe le Carthanachtaí, an 27 Feabhra

Do Chuid Gruaige a Bhearradh/a Ruaimniú Shave or Dye OÉ Gaillimh, an 16 Feabhra

www.su.nuigalway.ie studentsunion@nuigalway.ie for more information

facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion

twitter.com/NUIGSU

20 LIFESTYLE

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

What to do with your Top Instagram accounts unwanted Christmas gifts to follow in 2016

By Saoirse Rafferty The festive season has come and gone as if it were never here at all. Some of us got the first preference iPhone that was on the top of our list, others got the ‘playing it safe’ Christmas socks. If you are like me and received a present where you had to fake a smile because the wrapping paper was the only thing you really liked about it, worry no more!

I have conducted a list with great ideas for the unwanted Christmas present.

CHARITIES: Christmas is a time for giving and

although you might think you might like the present eventually in a year or two, someone else will definitely love and appreciate that present more. Some people get nothing for Christmas and have little compared to others so a really great thing to do is give that unwanted present to a charity. With loads of different charity shops in Galway including Enable Ireland and St Vincent De Paul, there are no excuses. It’s a great feeling knowing you’re making somebody else’s Christmas with a present you don’t even like.

GIVE A PRESENT AS A PRESENT: Irish Mammies

have taken complete advantage of that 100th Quality Street box of chocolates received and given them as a Christmas present to another – the cycle

By Jessica Hannon

goes around and around. Make a friend's day with a late Christmas prezzie or just give them a present for being them. You can always save the present for next year if it’s Christmas-themed or just explain to your friend that they are receiving your leftovers.

Whatever you do, don’t accidentally give it to the person who originally gave you the present – having an offended, upset friend is not a good way to start the New Year.

GET ON THE INTERNET AND MAKE SOME MONEY: ebay and DoneDeal are guaranteed to

be blowing up full of pictures with thousands of ‘adored’ Christmas presents that are now being shipped away as far as possible. Setting up your ebay account is easy-peasy. With a few simple clicks, an over-exaggerated, appealing description and a really attractive picture, you can make some money off that present you keep reassuring others you like but actually secretly hate. The money you make can then be used to buy that present you were really hinting towards.

Lastly, if the present is from your parents, your significant other, or someone you are very close to, GAIN THE COURAGE TO ASK FOR THE RECEIPT. They’ll appreciate your brutal honesty and know not to get another unworn ugly Christmas jumper next year!

WEATHER: Tips on staying dry in the Galway weather

By Jessica Hannon As the torrential rain looks set to continue well into January, we’ve put together a guide for you as a student in NUI Galway for staying dry and keeping healthy in the Galway wind and rain. So, what to do when staying indoors is not an option? It’s lashing rain outside and you have to walk to lectures.

THE COAT: Firstly wear a warm but waterproof

will allow, it may be wise to invest in a pair of hiking boots. Possibly excessive for walking about college, but they will probably fit you for years to come and will come in handy on other endeavours.

Now that we’ve officially entered 2016 as mature, clever and sophisticated college students (most of the time), it’s time for each of us to up our game for semester two, be that to improve our makeup skills, get some fashion inspiration or even just get some inspiration for our daily lives.

A new year and a new semester offer each of us a chance to make those improvements we’ve been thinking about. A way to do this? Instagram, of course. Here are my top accounts to follow whether you’re looking for style and life inspiration, makeup tutorials, top bloggers or just that bit of humour.

Aaron Paul @glassofwhiskey and Lauren Paul @laurenpaul8

Aaron Paul, the famous Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad and his gorgeous wife Lauren are definitely two people you need to follow on Instagram. Aaron’s references to Lauren as ‘pretty bird’ make us realise that PDAs might not be all bad and as a married couple they make us swooooon. Also Lauren is co-founder of the ‘Kind Campaign’. Couple goals? See for yourself!

Suzanne Jackson @sosueme_ie

No inclusive account of inspirational Instagram pages to follow would be complete without the inclusion of Suzanne Jackson and her So Sue Me Blog. A 31-year-old from Dublin, Sue documents her daily life from her makeup and clothes she wears to her pet dogs Coco and Harper and events she attends. If you haven’t already, you should follow to see what all the hype is about. @life_insp0

This chic account does what is says and provides inspiration for daily life. The account consists of un- captioned pictures ranging from travel and models to fashion and relationships. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for when you’re feeling at a loss with the day.

Amy Huberman @amy_huberman

Amy, an actress and writer provides us with the light-hearted humour that we all really need in our daily lives (also she provides pictures of Brian). Amy’s ability to see the funny side in almost every situation or object means she’s definitely one account that I enjoy. Don’t just take my word for it, check her out!

Alexis Ren @alexisren

This one is for the body and possibly boyfriend goals. Although most of us have serious envy at Alexis’s bikini body in our post-Christmas fat suits, it’s still good for our gym membership to follow her account. If you want to see more you can also follow her boyfriend @jayalvarrez.

THE HAT: Your head is the part of your body that

loses the most heat so invest in a hat. A hat can also double up as a hood if you don’t have one to keep the rain off your head. A scarf and gloves are a must when it’s cold but remember if you start wearing a scarf you shouldn’t take it off as you risk catching a cold.

overcoat; Superdry, The North Face, Musto and Helly Hanson are usually the best waterproofs as they are usually made for sailing or other water sports.

If you’re on a budget, Regatta stock waterproofs at more reasonable prices. Otherwise just pick up a coat that will keep the majority of rain off your skin and clothes. In addition try not buy a coat that’s too big and bulky as it won’t be great if you’re walking a distance. Most college days you’ll be carrying a bag full of books and you don’t want your coat getting in the way.

THE UMBRELLA: Having an umbrella handy is a wise idea. Large umbrellas can be bought cheaply in Penneys starting at about four euro. Umbrellas are great when it’s raining but not so much when it it’s gusting outside. You need to be careful that you don’t take someone’s eye out. In addition make sure you don’t kill someone when the wind catches your beloved winter friend.

THE SHOES: Most shoes and boots you can buy

LAYERS: Double up - I know it sounds silly - but

cheaply usually don’t last very long meaning that they will let in the rain. It’s an idea to invest in a good pair of winter boots to wear when it’s stormy so that you don’t have to wear wellies. Also remember that expensive boots may not always be the best. Stylish boots that cost a small fortune have worn down far faster than branded boots in my experience, and nobody likes wet socks and cold feet. If your budget

wearing two pairs of socks is a good idea when it’s very cold outside. You’ll probably feel the cold first in your fingers and toes. Save yourself numb toes by layering up. Buying thermal wear is also a good idea as it saves looking bulky with lots of layers but means that you stay warm. However, if you’re walking a distance don’t wear too many layers or you’ll find yourself in a sweat when you get to your destination.

@rideofthewe7k

Another account that does what it says on the tin. This ultimately hilarious account consists of many, many pictures of lovely men for when you need a pick-me-up or you’re just looking for your MCM (Man Crush Monday). If you’re looking for laugh out loud humour just follow this account for the priceless captions on amazing photos. In case that’s not enough, Fridays are also Fassbender Friday! Enjoy! @betches

I think every Instagram user (but perhaps women in particular) needs this account in their life. The page provides humorous advice on every situation from boys to drunk texting at 3am. Not much can really be said for this account apart from what are you doing if you’re not following it? @historyphotographed

If you’re a history buff like myself, perhaps you’ll find interest in looking at the photos that accompany the post as well as the information. This particular history account (there are many) comprises of old pictures of famous people, monuments and periods in history. Go follow, young historians. @NYC

Love the city, love the account. As it says the account consists of many pictures of New York City from different angles and perspectives. See for yourself. And of course, speaking of New York it’s an absolute must to follow @humansofny. I’m shocked if you’re not already!

ENTERTAINMENT 21

January 12 2016

New Orleans-inspired street funk to come to Monroe’s Live with Stomptown Brass

By Jessica Thompson Urban street-funk outfit, Stomptown Brass, are all set to bring their potent blend of raw energy and complex musical arrangements to Monroe’s Live later this month and it’s bound to be a show not to be missed.

Stomptown Brass are a Dublinbased band with a unique selling point, namely their music style.

The intention to break down the formal barrier between audience and performer means this unique group use a split kit (separate snare and bass drummers) so they can bring music right to the streets, not limited by the need to plug in, or even stay in one place. This has led to numerous impromptu street parties since the band started up.

In fact, they started out busking on Grafton Street, so they’re certainly no strangers to street crowds; “Street playing is absolutely our thing and we have a marching drum so we can walk around while playing,” said James O’Leary.

All eight members of the band grew up with an involvement in music and everyone in the band had classical training, he explained.

“I composed music from a young age, but got really stuck into writing for horns when I arranged music back in college for the Trinity Orchestra. I quickly realised what I’d always been missing and took up the trombone – undoubtedly one of the most fun instruments to play!

“I guess the idea for the band gradually took root from there and luckily, I knew a good few of the lads from arranging the music for them in college.”

With such a large number of band members, it’s not surprising that there’s a great mix of talent and interest in the group; “The horn players have all known each other for years, playing in various orchestras. You might recognise Rob and Liam from playing gigs with The Riptide Movement,” said James.

And, naturally, there’s a good bit of craic to be had when performing.

“There’s a solid commitment to jokes and having a laugh that is pretty visible on stage. We probably know each other a bit too well at this stage!”

With such a unique group of musicians and a very different style of music to the regular bands that grace Galway’s venues, it’s not

surprising that Stomptown Brass receive an incredible reception whenever they play a gig.

“It always amazes me how quickly people warm to the music. I think it’s something Irish people in particular enjoy – party music with parts where you can sing along and lots of grooves to dance to. It also seems to be pretty universal – we’ve played to all sorts over the last year. Because of the audience participation we have in the set, it gets people very involved in the music in a way they wouldn’t be for a regular band.”

Coming off the back of a summer packed with festivals and a schedule that’s gotten steadily busier, the band are working on their debut EP, Locomotive, which will be available on 12 February. The EP itself is made up of four tracks – three originals and one very creative arrangement of the Brendan Behan Classic, ‘The Auld Triangle’.

“As we started to perform regularly, we began focussing a bit on the party tunes although, as we’ve gone through the recording process for this EP it’s let us focus more on the more musically complex areas of the set. There’s more of this to

come and we have a few interesting tunes in the pipeline from the last few months that we’ll soon be taking on the road,” said James, and the EP release isn’t the only thing to look forward to in 2016.

“After our tour and EP launch we’ll begin to look forward to the festival season. It should be a pretty fun summer this year – it’s really ideal festival music. After this we might be looking at recording an album before the end of the year.”

But something for us to look forward to is the upcoming Monroe’s

gig, which will have you dancing and singing along in no time.

“A good few of the lads have gigged with other bands in Galway.

It’ll be my first time and I can’t wait.

I’ve heard for years how much craic it is but haven’t had a chance to visit for ages,” said James.

“It’ll be our first gig in a few weeks so we’ll all be rearing to go.

Monroe’s is the perfect place to kick off a tour – it’ll be a hell of a party!”

Stomptown Brass will gig in Monroe’s Live on 23 January. For more information, see www.monroes.ie.

We Banjo 3 to bring ‘Celtgrass’ to Monroe’s

By Jessica Thompson If there’s one thing Galway musicians have proven over and over again, it’s that traditional music will never die – especially when you do something cool and new with it like We Banjo 3 have. With an incredible blend of traditional Irish and American Bluegrass, this band of brothers will have you tapping your toe to the beat as you revel in the energy and virtuosity of their performances.

“We’ve been hailed/accused/ credited with championing a new genre of music called ‘Celtgrass’ – a blend of Irish and Bluegrass music.

We like to describe our music as Irish and American Roots music. It’s about fun, energy and high intensity live performances,” said Enda Scahill, one of the banjo-players.

Enda began playing the banjo at the age of eight in a school in Corofin, Co. Galway and always loved the traditional sound of the banjo; “there was a wild,

organic, rebel spirit to the instrument that suited me perfectly!”

The band itself is made up of two sets of brothers; Enda and Fergal Scahill, and Martin and David Howley from Ardrahan – the latter of whom learned their instruments from the Scahill brothers.

“I taught Martin the banjo when he was younger, and Fergal taught Dave the bodhrán. We knew they were really good guys, great musicians, plus we knew their mother and where they lived,” said Enda.

Fe atu r i ng b a n j o, f i d d l e, mandolin, guitar, vocals and percussion, We Banjo 3 make a bold and extraordinary musical statement. Creativity, sensitivity and passion are present in full measure when it comes to the band’s performances, and Irish music is at the heart of what they play.

“We started with a bang.

Our very first show was a sold out concert at the Roisin Dubh for the Galway Arts Festival. From there we won the Music Network Young Musicwide Award, a three yyear bursary scheme for tal-

ented young musicians,” said Enda.

And the success certainly didn’t stop there.

“After selling out two Irish tours we played our first ever gig in America at Milwuakee Irish Festival in August. Milwuakee is the biggest Irish music festival in the world; over 140,000 over three days. We were the runaway hit of the festival and that opened up a huge career in the US for us.

“Since then we’ve played in about 20 countries, released 3 albums and just returned from a Japanese tour where we broke all CD sales records for the company across all musical genres over 20 years!”

Big influences for We Banjo 3 include Paul Brady, Gerry O’Connor, Four Men and a Dog and De Danann. More recently, they’ve been really inspired by bluegrass musicians such as Bela Fleck, Punch Brothers, Sarah Jarosz and others. They’ve also had the great fortune to perform with great musicians such as Ricky Skaggs and Mumford and Sons.

“It’s a brilliant lifestyle. When we’re on tour we’re living the

dream; the best job in the world, sharing our music with tons of people across the world, meeting brilliant musicians. Then when we’re home (and we value and prioritise our down time) we’re off fully. It’s great to complete a really successful, fun tour and come home to a six week break,” said Enda.

2016 will be the band’s biggest and busiest year yet; “We will record out fourth album, do three American tours, a couple of Irish tours, a German tour and a UK tour. Also in the mix are dates in Austria, Switzerland, France and Norway.”

But home is where the heart is and you can guarantee you’ll see We Banjo 3 in Galway. In fact, they’ll be gigging in Monroe’s Live on 14 January.

“Galway has always been a brilliant city for music. There’s a thriving music scene across many genres, and a very appreciative and musically savvy audience,” Enda concluded.

We Banjo 3 will perform at Monroe’s Live on 14 January, with support act 4 Men and a Dog. Doors open at 8pm and tickets cost €25 or €22.50 online.

22 ENTERTAINMENT

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

Notable album releases in 2016 A guide to the albums to look out for and listen to throughout the coming year…

By Dean Buckley There’s a lot of music we could end up being excited about in 2016, but little that we’re sure of at this point, Bon Iver being just one of the many artists repeatedly plac-

ing on lists of the most anticipated albums despite having announced exactly zero albums for the coming year.

So what albums can we look forward to with some certainty as to their existence?

Blackstar is the next great adventure of everyone’s beloved but slightly pretentious uncle, David Bowie.

He returned to recording new material after a 10-year hiatus with 2013’s The Next Day, which was a fine album, but left little lasting impression.

The Next Day was classic Bowie – but that was the problem: Bowie has been so influential since his heyday that new material mined from the same vein just seems banal and ordinary.

However, if its bizarre, 10-minute-long title track and debut single is anything to go by, Blackstar won’t suffer from that problem.

By the time you read this, Blackstar will be on the shelves; so, if it flops, feel free to read this either as the optimistic ramblings of a foolish dreamer, or a snippy “I told you so” – the jury is still out.

The as-yet-untitled album that Lady Gaga has announced for release this year may yet save Mother Monster from her own excess.

Whatever diehard fans say, both Born This Way and ARTPOP were dreadful dives into Lady Gaga at her most cheesy and pretentious,

lacking both the cohesiveness and coherence of her brilliant work on The Fame and The Fame Monster.

But after a year spent hanging out with Tony Bennett, Gaga has announced that this new album will be her return to the darkness – in which she has written her most engaging work, particularly on The Fame Monster.

I understand your urge to be sceptical; but resist it, because I think we’re in for a winner.

Mitski Miyawaki has also announced an as-yet-untitled album for release this year as part of her new record deal with Dead Oceans, one that will be an absolute banger if it’s even a shadow of 2014’s Bury Me at Makeout Creek.

The indie rock star has risen slowly but deservedly over the past few years, and whatever she puts her hand to next can only secure her place as one of the most consistently brilliant lyricists of her generation.

This Is Acting is the follow-up to Sia’s 2014 breakout 1000 Forms of Fear, and promises to be more fun than its predecessor, but no less excellent.

Composed entirely of songs written for other artists that never made it to release, we can expect an eclectic mix of aesthetics, tones and faces.

1000 Forms of Fear was an album of the year for 2014, despite its inauspicious beginnings as a contractual obligation, and fused perfectly her previous intimate solo work with her skill as a popsongwriter.

If This Is Acting is half as good as 1000 Forms of Fear, it’ll be better than most 2016 albums by a mile.

And finally, SWISH is an album we have known by many names over the past couple of years, but all that matters it that Kanye West is finally dropping his next release in 2016.

Some might worry that all the delays and changes of title signal that Kanye is struggling to put the album together, and that we should prepare for a flop.

But Kanye doesn’t flop, he delivers, and if he’s taking this long, it probably has something to do with his well-known obsessive perfectionism.

SWISH is the album to look for this year, and it’s going to be great.

Badlands was not an easy choice for this list – but only because it was an amazing year for pop – with established artists like Carly Rae Jepsen, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato releasing the best albums of their career.

Even Westlife’s Markus Feehily got in on the act, though his underappreciated solo debut Fire flew

under the radar in a crowded field.

By contrast, this debut, from newcomer Halsey, managed to outshine every other gem in a year of diamonds.

‘New Americana’ and ‘Strange Love’ are the battle cries of a stunning new voice in pop, and she’s sure to go from strength to strength into the future.

The best albums of 2015

By Dean Buckley 2015 was a year with few revelations in the music world, but many, many resurgences.

Carrie & Lowell is the most personal and affecting work that Sufjan Stevens has ever done, and that’s really saying something given his expansive and genius back catalogue.

But what really makes Carrie & Lowell work is just how strippeddow n, straightfor ward and accessible it is, its universal themes grounded in the beauty of its autobiographical lyrics.

Inspired largely by the death of Stevens’ estranged mother, Carrie, though it also deals with, among other things, his experience of intimate partner violence, it’s a more rugged portrait of interior feeling than we might usually expect.

‘Fourth of July’ might just have been the best song of last year, and even if it wasn’t, it should still be considered as the centrepiece of an immortal and impressive album.

Before The World Was Big was sure to be lost in the shuffle of a year with

so many critical darlings releasing new material, and so many pop stars really hitting their stride.

But the debut album from Girlpool followed through on the promise of their self-titled EP, their unique combination of drum-less guitar and shrill harmonies hacking a sharp but moving portrait of youthful nostalgia from the sludge of adulthood.

The title track alone is enough to put this album on any end-of-year list, but when it’s backed up by songs as strong as ‘Cherry Picking’, ‘Ideal World’ and ‘Crowded Stranger’, its absence would be a crime against judgement and good taste.

Hamilton was that rare but recurring phenomenon, the musical that goes viral and becomes a pop culture phenomenon, like Les Misérables, Rent or Wicked.

Much like its spiritual predecessor, Evita, this musical (about the rise of an ambitious but underappreciated political figure from poverty to power) is as good an album as it is a stage production.

If the idea of a hip-hop musical about the Founding Fathers with

an almost entirely black and Latino cast never crossed your mind, welcome to the club where we play nothing but the Hamilton OBC on a loop for eternity.

Beat the Champ was 2015’s soundtrack to survival, and doubtlessly the best album released by the Mountain Goats since 2004’s The Sunset Tree.

John Darnielle returns just once to the well of his abusive childhood, for a single verse of lead single ‘The Ballad of Chavo Guerrero’, but Beat the Champ is, in many ways, a continuation and expansion of themes from The Sunset Tree.

Anyone else might have mishandled the wrestling metaphors and written an album too dense to do anyone any good, but Darnielle pulls it off time and again, particularly with standout tracks ‘Heel Turn 2’ and ‘Werewolf Gimmick’.

Closing with the sparse and ambiguous ‘Hair Match’, Beat the Champ charts the struggle to be heroic, the fall under the weight of the world and the rise into the liveable life that survival is all about.

ENTERTAINMENT 23

January 12 2016

TV to watch in 2016

By Dean Buckley

In this brave new world of ever-more television, how are we to know where to direct our limited attention as new show after new show debuts?

We could rely on the critics, but they’re just as swamped; and, honestly, they’ve been goofing up a lot lately, missing era-defining hits like BoJack Horseman.

This year, the smartest thing you can do is look to what’s worked already and, accordingly, these five shows ought to be the most anticipated shows of 2016.

Vinyl (HBO) – HBO’s newest period drama, Vinyl will portray one man’s quest to revive his flagging record company in the cocaine-speckled wonderland of the 1970s.

The weirdest thing about it might be Ray Romano taking one of the lead roles, but the most exciting is that Martin Scorsese is directing every episode of the first season.

From the creator of Boardwalk Empire, I can’t imagine a more sure-fire hit, especially since he and Scorsese already made a hit together, the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street.

Stranger Things (Netflix) – There aren’t enough 1980s period dramas, but Halt and Catch Fire has sold the idea well enough for this supernatural thriller from Netflix, starring Winona Ryder, with David Harbour of The Newsroom and Manhattan.

Details are relatively scarce at this point, but we know the plot will concern the mysterious disappearance of the child of Ryder’s character, and seems to take some inspiration from horror classic The Midwich Cuckoos, with its large cast of child actors.

It sounds spooky. And Winona Ryder is still an absolute star.

Legends of Tomorrow (The CW) – No one is more shocked than I that The CW, of all networks,

A guide on what to expect from the best that 2016 TV has to offer

has become one of the most consistent producers of new, high-quality television.

But it’s shock, not incredulity: The CW are one of TV’s creative powerhouses now, and this third addition to their shared universe of superhero shows promises to kick the asses of Arrow and The Flash when it comes to fun and spectacle.

A team of heroes and villains brought together by a time-traveller to thwart the schemes of an immortal psychopath at every point in history…

You don’t even have to like superheroes to want to watch that.

American Crime Story (FX) – The true crime spin-off of American Horror Story will portray the trial of OJ Simpson in its first season, which is bound to go super-well.

Its cast, including Friends’ David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian and Cuba Gooding Jr as OJ Simpson, is certainly one that I look at and think “Yes, this all seems to make sense”.

Honestly, critics I respect, who’ve seen

advanced screeners, have given American Crime Story a thumbs-up so far.

But, at the end of the day, it’s a Ryan Murphy show, so it’s worth watching, even if it’s more for the spectacle of a disaster than actual enjoyment.

Angie Tribeca (TBS) – If Angie Tribeca is a flop, it’s going to be one of those flops that destroys acting careers.

A satire of police procedurals in the vein of The Naked Gun, the show stars Parks and Recreation’s Rashida Jones in the titular role, with Nancy and Steve Carrell at its creative helm – so you can bet on funny.

Notably, TBS will air the first 10 episodes of its first season back-to-back, on a loop, for 25 hours beginning on 17 January, then air the following 10 episodes weekly thereafter.

I say “first season” here specifically because TBS have already renewed Angie Tribeca for a second season, which is a lot of faith to have in a show that hasn’t even aired yet.

Returning TV show highlights of 2015

The best TV show newcomers in 2015

By Dean Buckley

By Dean Buckley

2015 was a great year for many good shows waxing into acclaimed second seasons; but it was also a year for goodbyes, including that of Mad Men, which I never watched, and therefore does not make this list.

Halt and Catch Fire (AMC) does, however; and it was created to be the Mad Men of the 1980s, so that’s something I guess.

Except that Halt came into its own last year by excising the elements borrowed from Mad Men that held back its first season.

Side-lining Joe and Gordon allowed those imperfectly-conceived characters to shine through tighter writing.

Meanwhile, focusing on its true heroes Cameron and Donna, delivered on everything the show promised to say about the birth of the computer age.

Despite dropping in its already dismal ratings, season two was so acclaimed that Halt has been renewed on the strength of its already massive importance to AMC’s brand.

Getting On (HBO) is the most woman-heavy show in modern television history, a sitcom where all three leads were women.

Getting On was also its most humanist, exploring dying and death on a geriatrics ward in more depth than any show since Six Feet Under, using its bleak environment as the perfect canvas to paint its complex, flawed leading ladies.

Dawn, Jenna, and DiDi were not always easy to like; but they were effortless to love, and their stellar final season, depicting the fight to save the ward from closure, was a stark reminder of how much darker our screens will be without them.

BoJack Horseman (Netflix) is perhaps best summed up by a popular tumblr post responding to the closing lines of its second season: “Why am I so inspired by a show about an alcoholic celebrity horse?”

And yet, inspired we were by the cleverest comedy on air, and one of TV’s best portrayals of depression.

In addition to continuing its great fight to preserve the timeless value of the funny background sign gag, season two of BoJack took the incredibly brave route of letting our hero fail to overcome his depression.

On top of that, it delivered gripping and rewarding arcs for the rest of our main characters, especially Princess Carolyn, and introduced the late reclusive author JD Salinger as a recurring character; seriously, that actually happened.

Unfortunately, Hannibal (NBC) was the most hurtful casualty, and the biggest industry blunder of the year just gone, but only because it was the year before that NBC cancelled and sold an alreadycomplete Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt to Netflix.

But, if it had to end, this was as good a season as any for it to do so; the most daring and experimental yet, it focused predominantly on its core characters, including a well-earned and timely renewal for its most underserved character, Alana.

And its ending, for anyone worried about whether or not it’s worth their while to catch up, should be the new industry standard for a season finale that can also function as a series finale if need be – a near-perfect close to a nearperfect show.

Detectorists (BBC) is a weird and wonderful show about amateur hobbyists of the metal detecting variety.

Grounded by the core friendship of Lance and Andy, as portrayed by Toby Jones and series creator, writer, and director Mackenzie Crook, Detectorists is a perfect exploration of the comic potential of the everyday.

This season raised the stakes with lifechanging dilemmas for both protagonists, and raised its comedic game with more of its token low-key surrealism.

All in all, season two improved in every way on what was already one of TV’s most wellexecuted surprise greats, an astounding feat.

In 2015, the peak year of TV, winning the attention of enough people to build the critical mass of acclaim necessary to make an end-of-year list was not an easy task.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix) was arguably the most remarkable of all of these shows – for being a show that is very, very explicitly about recovery from trauma, but also one of the happiest, most upbeat comedies ever, while never lacking nuance.

Grounded by Ellie Kemper’s incomparable turn in the title role, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was also another site of renewal for incredibly-underrated acting legend Carol Kane, and a perfect launch-pad for the show’s breakout star, Titus Burgess.

Surreal and funny as hell, this story of a kidnap and abuse survivor making a new life for herself in New York City kicked off a year of TV dominated by women. iZombie (The CW) was such an unlikely show in terms of its plot that critics spent the 2015 comparing it to the creators’ previous hit, Veronica Mars, as well as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, presumably because it would be too much work to take it on its own terms.

Liv Moore is a medical examiner, and a zombie, who can access the skills and memories of the dead by eating their brains, at the cost of taking on their personality traits.

Something about iZombie that has confounded a lot of critics is its perfect balance of serial storytelling and the procedural case-of-theweek structure that became a dirty word during the crime show boom of the early 2000s.

But it’s exactly this ability to deliver brilliant self-contained episodes without sacrificing its longer arcs so consistently that makes iZombie this year’s killer app.

UnREAL (Lifetime) was the surprise hit of 2015, especially given it’s from Lifetime, a network mostly known for cheesy true life movies and ill-advised reality shows.

The show is set backstage on a fictionalised version of The Bachelor, and depicts the struggle of producer Rachael to keep her soul as she’s forced to return to the job where she had a mental breakdown just a year before.

All this is painted with terrifying accuracy due to co-creator Sarah Shapiro’s time as a producer on The Bachelor, and her own breakdown.

UnREAL is heir to Breaking Bad’s crown as the best drama about an abusive mentorstudent relationship, but with the winning twists of focusing on Rachel, the show’s Jesse Pinkman, instead of her boss, Quinn, the show’s Walter White.

Jessica Jones (Netflix) was 2015’s latest addition, and I’m still stewing in it; but in an age of amazing superhero television, Jessica Jones stands a league apart.

Probably the best show about rape culture ever written, it includes zero scenes of sexual violence, and the most terrifying villain on television, bar none.

But the most remarkable thing might be its large, well-developed cast, filled mostly with lesser-known comic characters, as well as many originals.

Actually, that’s a lie; the most remarkable thing is Krysten Ritter’s perfectly-pitched performance.

Better Call Saul (AMC) might just be the last true humanist drama in this transitional era between the domination of the crime drama and the rise of the insurgent genre show.

Though it has telegraphed the expansion of its crime elements in the second season, the first season focused mostly on Saul’s relationships with his brother, ex-girlfriend, and former employer.

Saul’s relationship with his mentally-ill brother, in particular, lead to some of the heaviest TV moments of the year, and Mel Rodriguez’s turn as his best friend, Marco, was one of his star-making roles this year.

A show worthy of Breaking Bad’s legacy, and more.

24 ENTERTAINMENT

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

FILM REVIEW — Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens Director JJ Abrams succeeds in marrying the old with the new to reinvigorate the franchise

By Dean Buckley Easily the most anticipated film of the year, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is perhaps the most anticipated of the decade, possibly of any decade.

Sometimes, hype alone is enough to kill even a good film, simply because it leads the audience to expect more than any film could deliver.

In that respect, the best creative decision that JJ Abrams made as director of The Force Awakens might be his decision for the whole enterprise to remain relatively tight-lipped and hushhush on its major details.

Especially when The Force Awakens didn’t just have to live up to its own hype, but make up for the most crushing canyon between expectation and reality in cinematic history, namely the prequel trilogy directed by George Lucas.

Thankfully, it did all that, and more.

This is a spoiler-free review, so I won’t be talking about this and that big moment, but The Force Awakens is everything a Star Wars movie should be without being a boring re-tread of the original trilogy.

First of all, it’s a space fantasy movie, not a sci-fi movie, so there’s no baloney about midichlorians. Things are allowed to be mystical and mysterious.

That extends to the world-building and place-setting, where worlds are allowed to reveal themselves visually and narratively, as in the original trilogy, instead of being explained by clunky exposition.

No one says that Jakku, the home planet of protagonist Rey, is an interstellar graveyard of ships where most people make a living by harvesting parts and scrap from scuttled shuttles, it’s just allowed to become clear of its

own accord.

In fact, that might be the best thing about The Force Awakens: its commitment to letting the audience soak up and splash around in the new.

The entire first act of the film goes by before a single character from any of the previous films even appears, giving us plenty of time to familiarise ourselves with the new blood.

And just how good are this new generation of heroes and villains? Honestly, they’re bloody amazing.

Finn is the heart and soul of the film; a survivor of the most brutal crimes of our new villains, the First Order, who learns to be brave in the eyes of the friends who are the first to see him as a human being.

Rey is a hero for these times; growing up in the long shadow of the nigh-legendary events of the original trilogy, she’s only waiting for the chance to fight the good fight, and when it’s handed to her, she seizes it with infectious enthusiasm.

Poe is, unfortunately, not in focus that much for this film, but every moment he’s on-screen is a delight, a smorgasbord of charm, optimism, and roguish good looks.

Collectively, this is one hell of a trio to take over from the franchise’s original icons, and all three actors, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Oscar Isaac, are absolute gold.

Meanwhile, the villains are a damned treasure trove, with particular props to Domhnall Gleeson’s captivating portrayal of General Hux, and Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren, who is the actual worst, yes, but who is also gripping and sympathetic and terrifying and evil in all the ways that Anakin Skywalker was supposed to be in Lucas’

prequel trilogy.

When they finally do start to roll out characters from the original trilogy, it’s a wonderful reminder of just why Harrison Ford was the breakout star, and exactly how much Carrie Fisher should have been, too, by any fair measure.

Naturally, The Force Awakens mirrors the original trilogy in a lot of places, but anyone who tells you this film is just aping A New Hope is a lying sack of worms.

The emotions are richer, the stakes are higher, and the world is painted in more vibrant colours, literally and figuratively.

JJ Abrams justifies his director’s seat by paying appropriate homage to the aesthetics of the original trilogy without abandoning his own vision, weaving the film into the grander tapestry so that it fits perfectly, but stands clearly as a new artist’s work.

An early scene featuring Stormtroopers in a tightly-packed shuttle, with a kind of jittery jumping camera work familiar to recent horror movies, is a reassuring indicator that, whatever else this film is, it’s modern cinema, not a 1980s throwback.

Similarly, John Williams’ score is amazing, even better in places than his work on the original trilogy, with the piano-heavy music track for the long, slow establishing scene of Rey on Jakku as a particular highlight.

But, perhaps most importantly of all, there’s only one lightsaber duel in the whole film; and it’s the best lightsaber duel in the entire franchise by a considerable distance.

JJ Abrams understands that less is more when it comes to Star Wars, and that, more than anything else, is what makes this film work.

Likely Oscar nominations and award winners in 2016

By Dean Buckley There’s no other way to say it: this year’s Oscars race is a mess.

The nominations for 2016 will be announced on 14 January, and there’s no winner-takes-all frontrunner, which means, of course, that people are looking for one.

Best Picture nominees will likely include The Hateful Eight, Bridge of Spies, and The Revenant as a matter of course, with The Big Short building slowly into a sure thing over the past couple of months.

We should expect at least one of the year’s big genre films, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Martian, or Star Wars VII to make the final list, plus one or two of the year’s woman-led dramas, Brooklyn, Room, or Carol.

But there’s only one ensemble with a real chance of claiming the award, and that’s Spotlight, which is quickly building steam as the consensus candidate.

Best Director looks to be crowded this year, with Steven Spielberg, Tom McCarthy, Ridley Scott, Adam McKay, George Miller, and Alejandro Gonzales Iñárritu all vying for the prize.

If one of those has to miss out on a nomination, I have to assume the genre vote will be a relatively even split costing either Scott or Miller the nomination, but the overall winner is much less certain.

Best Actor is a shockingly uncompetitive field this year, in no small part because this is basically guaranteed to be Leonardo DiCaprio’s long-overdue win.

Take away the politics, however, and it turns out that Leo has what, any other year, would be quite stiff competition from Michael Fassbender in Steve Jobs and Bryan Cranston in Trumbo.

Many are still expecting Eddie Redmayne to receive a nomination for The Danish Girl, but I suspect this isn’t the year for it, and that we’ll see a surprise surge from at least one of Michael B Jordan (for Creed), Steve Carrell (for The Big Short) or Michael Caine (for Youth).

Round it out with Matt Damon in The Martian, and we’ve got what ought to be a tight field, if only good old-fashioned awards show politics weren’t handing it to Leo. Best Actress is the more interesting field this year, particularly due to a very strong showing from seasoned actresses in their later years.

There’s a temptation to assume this might divide the vote, and keep them all out of the race, but Charlotte Rampling seems like a pretty safe bet for 45 Years.

Jennifer Lawrence will get nominated for Joy just because, even though she and David O Russell are just getting worse and worse for each other with every passing film, and Saoirse Ronan is a safe bet for Brooklyn.

But the real race is between the two stars of Carol, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, and Brie Larson for Room: it looks like the vote will split for Blanchett and Mara, especially since the vote for Blanchett is likely to also split a little with Blanchett’s other role in Truth.

Just five years after Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Brie Larson is walking home with an Oscar on her arm.

Best Adapted Screenplay is the toughest field of the year, with Aaron Sorkin for Steve Jobs, Adam McKay and Charles Randolph for The Big Short, Phyllis Nagy for Carol, and Emma O’Donoghue for Room all strong contenders to take the award.

But there has to be a fifth competitor to fill the room, and it’s likely to be Drew Goddard for The Martian; he’s pretty much out of the conversation as regards winning.

The heart wants what the heart wants, and after Gillian Flynn didn’t even get a nomination for adapting her own book (Gone Girl) into the film of the year, Gone Girl, you’d hope that Ireland’s own Emma O’Donoghue will follow through on a nomination with a win.

But, as I say, this is the toughest field of the year, and the only win we should be surprised by is Drew Goddard.

Best Original Screenplay is a tighter race, between Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer for Spotlight and Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley for Inside Out. The other three nomination spots have been in massive flux, with Joy touted as an early guarantee – and now as a definite failure – after flopping out of every other category but Best Actress.

Meanwhile, Quentin Tarantino released a film this year, so expect a nomination for The Hateful Eight, but the remaining two spots are wide open.

My surprise last-minute call-ups go to Straight Outta Compton and Ex Machina, two films that are making critical end-of-year lists but landing little awards buzz, if only because both choices will salve the consciences of Academy voters.

Finally, Best Film Editing is not a category that I usually care much about, but if Margaret Sixel doesn’t win this year for Mad Max: Fury Road, the entire film industry is a hollow sham.

ENTERTAINMENT 25

January 12 2016

The most anticipated movies of 2016 Can any film trump the hype of Star Wars?

By Niamh Cullen Is it safe to say we’re all worn out by the excessive repeats of film classics played laboriously over the Christmas holidays?

Assuming your answer was a resounding “Yes!”, we can now move on with our lives to consider the much anticipated movies of 2016.

This year is set to be the best yet in the world of film, with movie critics already gripping their pens eagerly; and whittling down the hundreds of films due for release to discuss merely five is a very tough affair!

But, in no specific order, here they are:

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is a title that needs no ­explanation.

Two of the greatest superheroes to grace Earth will hit our screens on 25 March (*cough, two days after News Editor Niamh’s birthday, COUGH!*).

Spare a thought for Wonder Woman, who didn’t quite make it into the movie’s title, but who kicks just as much ass as her male counterparts in this superhero showdown.

Ben Affleck takes on the gritty Bruce Wayne (Batman), Henry Cavill the astounding Clark Kent (Superman), and Gal Gadot the defiant Diana Prince (Wonder Woman).

While the eponymous pair may not see eye to eye to begin with, eventually

they cast aside their differences to reach the “dawn” they both seek to meet.

Though it was released to Irish cinemas on New Year’s Day, The Danish Girl is too fascinating a story to ignore.

Eddie Redmayne seems to exceed himself with each new role, with every leap of faith into incredibly difficult character portrayals; this movie is no exception.

Alicia Vikander depicts Danish artist Gerda Wegner, who exhibits portraits of Lili, a “character” created by her husband Einar (Redmayne).

Einar discovers his true self in the female he poses as for his wife, realising his male physique does not

represent the reality of his feelings.

This movie is director Tom Hooper’s testament to the life of transgender artist Lili Elbe, one of the first people to undergo gender reassignment surgery.

It’s an absolute must-watch – no doubt it will scoop awards a plenty in the months to come.

hub of witches and wizards, 70 years before Harry Potter reads Fantastic Beasts… at Hogwarts.

With a cast including Eddie Redmayne (it’s shaping up to be a very good year for him already!), Colin Farrell, and Ezra Miller, expect its release around the same date as most of the Potter movies emerged, 18 November.

How to Talk to Girls at Parties is a mix of bafflement, romance, and giggles, with a touch of sci-fi; so, if that’s what you look for in a film, then you will have a ball with this one!

An adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s short story of the same title (go read it if you haven’t already!), its cast boasts a range of impressive names, from the up-and-coming Elle Fanning and Alex Sharp, to seasoned stars Nicole Kidman and Matt Lucas.

Director John Cameron Mitchell and screenplay writer Phillipa Goslett combine to tell the story of two teenage boys living in the London suburb of Croydon, who find themselves chatting up “exchange student” girls from a far, far away galaxy…

How to Talk… is set to be out of this world!

Lastly, the release of Captain America: Civil War suggests that 2016 will be another blockbuster year for Marvel; this sequel introduces Spider-Man to the long-running multiple-character movies we’re all familiar with, and is predicted to be the highest grossing superhero movie the world has ever seen.

This film, which begins Marvel’s series of “Phase Three” films spanning the next five years, is intended to feature various comic book characters, everyone from Ant-Man and the Wasp, to Thor, Black Panther, and the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Returning to Captain America…, this film looks to provide us with a delicious taster of a series of movies yet to hit our screens.

For now, we may revel in what it has to offer: a feud between Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), the introduction of our webbed friend, and (*cough, potential spoiler, COUGH!*) a few tearjerking moments some comic book fans may already be acquainted with.

Keep your eyes peeled for its release come mid-May!

Does anyone remember that pocketbook featuring all of the creatures found in the magical world of the Harry Potter?

Well, for those of you who do, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is the 2016 movie for you.

Its storyline follows writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret

Notable film releases in 2015

By Dean Buckley The 1980s are coming home to roost in the world of cinema, with new films from iconic franchises of the era like Star Wars – which I’m leaving out of this list due to the extensive review published elsewhere in this issue.

Mad Max: Fury Road is definitely the biggest winner from the 1980s resurgence, a two-hour car chase with a realistic swing at an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

As with Star Wars, part of its success lies in its side-lining of the franchise’s star and using him to support the development of a new hero, Charlize Theron’s Furiosa.

But even though the film’s hero is a woman, it’s not Furiosa, but editor Margaret Sixel, who cut her director husband’s 480 hours of footage into a lean but powerful 120 minutes.

Thanks to Sixel, Fury Road doesn’t look like any other action film out there; and that’s what makes it one of the best of all time.

Inside Out is a strong contender for the best animated film of all time, and ends decisively a period where Pixar had grown lax within its own maxim of putting the story first.

Though Amy Poehler is receiving all of its award nominations, the real stars of this film are The Office’s Phyllis Smith as Sadness and character actor Richard King as imaginary friend Bing-Bong.

Affecting, nuanced, funny yet heart-breaking in equal measure, Inside Out is a perfect exploration of emotional development and mental health, one accessible for kids and insightful for adults.

Creed is another revival of the past, but co-star Sylvester Stallone has been very clear: Creed is not the latest Rocky movie, but the first Creed movie.

Intensity is an overused word, but there’s no better characterisation of Michael B Jordan’s performance as Donnie, the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed, Rocky’s rival and friend from the original series.

Both the writing and direction of Ryan Coogler are brave enough to show, not tell, affording the film an organic minimalism too long absent from the franchise.

Together, Jordan, Coogler and a shockingly-good Stallone honour an iconic film franchise with artful expansion and development instead of mindless pandering.

Love & Mercy is probably the best musical biopic ever made, proving once again that biopics are at their best when they focus on discrete periods of time.

This film depicts pop icon Brian Wilson during the recording of Pet Sounds in the 1960s and his romance with future wife, Melinda Ledbetter, in the19 80s, as she fights to free him from his abusive psychiatrist, Eugene Landy.

The cast is outstanding, with John Cusack and Paul Dano pulling double-duty as Wilson, Elizabeth Banks as Ledbetter, and Paul Giamatti as Landy.

But its most clever innovation is making Ledbetter the protagonist of the 1980s storyline, a conceit that delivers the urgency that so many biopics lack as they meander listlessly through an entire lifetime.

Jupiter Ascending is the obvious dark horse on the list; but it’s a film I’ll stand by until the end of time.

Cheesy and bombastic, Jupiter Ascending is a fabulist space opera that filters the tropes of young adult fantasy and sci-fi through a fan fictionist’s lens to produce an

impressionistic ballet of feminine wish-fulfilment.

Mila Kunis’ Jupiter Jones is a love letter to the self-insert fanfic protagonists who were the only protagonists many young female genre fans ever had growing up, and Channing Tatum is a hunky flying wolf-man. Because he just is.

Jupiter Ascending is trash by the rules of conventional filmmaking, but the Wachowskis have never been limited by that playbook.

Taken on its own merits, Jupiter Ascending is perfect.

26 ENTERTAINMENT

Resonate Edited by Neil Slevin Resonate is Sin's culture section seeking NUI Galway-based students' creative work to showcase and share with our readers in each edition.

We welcome submissions in all genres of writing and/or visual art, and select the work that we think will reach out to and ‘resonate’ most with our student readership.

This edition’s featured student is artist and writer Julianne Eleanor: Julianne Eleanor is a 22-year-old artist and writer from Connecticut, USA. Largely a self-taught artist, she obtained a BA in International Relations from the University of Connecticut.

Currently, Julianne is working towards an MA in Writing at NUI Galway through the Mitchell Scholarship, which is a programme that funds a select number of students from the United States to complete graduate courses in Ireland.

Julianne’s work focuses on feminism and femininity in contemporary Judaism, with special attention to how events of the Holocaust impact the second and third generation. She additionally references links between the odd and the beautiful in her illustrative work.

Accordingly, she is working on a graphic novel while in Ireland.

If you are interested in having your work ­featured in issues of ‘Resonate’ – or if you have requests for further work by any of our contributors – please c­ ontact Neil at A ­ rtsEntertainment.

SinEd@gmail.com We look forward to working with you.

The Ultimate Destination for Occasion Wear Rentals & New Purchases For Debs, Weddings & Special Events facebook.com/F.A.B U Liz Call Liz on 091 456 218 41 Newcastle Road, Galway Opening Hours Monday–Saturday 9am to 5pm

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

ENTERTAINMENT 27

January 12 2016

Smother

Birkhat Hamazon

I remember the time we decided to turn into grizzly bears for the winter.

We danced, ate sweets around the fire as shadows echoed off fierce cavern walls and I was proud of plump berries, stuffed in my mouth, crammed with honeyed late-season salmon.

In an Orthodox service, I sit on the women-shelf, overlooking the men, woolen tallit shelter hunched shoulders, prayer natters, rises, crescendos into beams peppered with the chaos of stained-glass-refracted light.

You didn’t treat the furs properly – those fierce bears of yesteryear, with their gaping mouths and the struggles you muted – so my hands came away streaked red.

When I screamed you popped raspberries into my open mouth, lending rimmed lipstick that you said brought out the blue in my eyes.

On Yom Kippur, this day of repentance, we fast.

But as women, we have never prayed out loud, lest, lest we distract the men.

I clench my legs together and will grumbling stomach to silence.

Our shelf is the belly of the whale.

The whale, my sanctuary.

You wanted to smother the fire, to kill its crackling fury, but to save ourselves from what I knew was next I begged for more time, but in the end it burnt out on its own and I, out of sticks, turned to race outside for more but was stopped by a wall, a sheet of ice that blanketed the entrance and left me without exit.

The men sway back and forth.

The women watch.

The men prostrate on the ground.

The girl in front of me is still, silent.

Her nape fringed by a riot of red frizz, vertebrae blushed as they slide down white collar.

There was a pickaxe I could have used – I hefted it in my hands and swung it wide, an icy arc, but I stopped, dropped, left it on the ground.

The men march the Torah round the room.

The girl tilts her head and I am suffused with smells of strawberry, sliced, open, red and raw, sweet, soft white cream.

You told me it was just a hibernation a quiet time, a considered contemplation, but as you slept you breathed sucked away the air and I suffocated beneath those bloody furs.

Late the treasure of you is in the way your black, black hands painted eggshell white are held together by strained pale skin desperate veins seem to lose energy, sad, the struggle ended a long time ago but you kept going, up until two am every night on some project you won’t tell me about and if it were anyone else I’d say, Why, you’re not doing anything at all and then you’re late the next day with all my tears on the inside because I’m old now, because I’m used to waiting. the treasure of you is how when you’re not here I clasp your eggshell hands in my skeletal grip and you can’t stop me because you’re nowhere near. (yet you’re here)

When I eat strawberries I pick the seeds out one by one, separated for their own good, laid in a line for close inspection, for morality’s sake, skin peeled back carefully, seeds eaten collectively, fruit red, raw, sweet – only joy.

But the best method is to eat nothing, because nothing tastes like control.

Lately joy has been kissing me with her shirt off, our bodies a table piled so high with food that it bends at the seams and bows under the strain of too much all at once.

Yesterday I noticed nearly everyone’s knees were bowed, bending, girls hurrying by with ungainly legs and taking bites straight out of strawberries until they are long gone, still hungry, and I, judging my seeds.

As she reaches a hand back to take my own, to lead me away, pulses outweigh prayers.

“Next year in Jerusalem,” the men intone.

“Never,” I decide.

Yet I bring my lips to her rose-flushed ears close my eyes to her saccharine scent, cross my feet, turn away, and with high breath I whisper, “Fast.”

28 ENTERTAINMENT

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

A new year and a new semester means an array of things going on in Galway…

A guide to what’s happening and where this January

By Frank Roddy As most of you will probably be down a few euro after the festive season, the first events to take note of are Clubs Day on the 12 January and Societies Day on 13 January in the Bailey Allen Hall.

Many of NUI Galway’s clubs and societies will stage free or at budget-friendly events throughout this semester; so, if funds are tight, these are your best bets for some money-saving social entertainment – weekly movie screenings staged by the Film Soc are certainly cheaper than going to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the IMAX for the eighth time.

For those of you who held onto some money for 2016, the Róisín Dubh has a selection of gigs this month, one highlight being Lindi Ortega.

The musical scene of Toronto that inspired Scott Pilgrim has adopted the country singer-songwriter, affectionately calling her “Indie Lindi”. Her music may be departure from Sex Bobomb but, for just €12 a ticket, it’s definitely worth checking out her first gig of the year on 14 January.

If you prefer your music to be from this island rather than from across the ocean, Duke Special will take to the stage of the Róisín Dubh on 15 January. Special, who is taking a break from playing with orchestras and working on musicals to play a string of concerts, will be supported Laura Kidd’s solo project She Makes

War; it looks likely to be a packed night for €16.

Duke Special’s romantic voice may be a little early for Valentine’s Day, but it is one that may help you to secure a date for that fateful night in just under a month’s time.

Should classical music be more up your street, the Town Hall Theatre hosts Music for Galway’s Midwinter Festival from 22 January to 24 January.

Featuring classical music (including open rehearsals), films and talks, the festival is described as “an exploration of captivity through the lens of music, film, literature and human rights”; please see musicforgalway.ie for a full programme of the festival’s events.

If human rights and captivity sounds a bit heavy for your weekend’s entertainment, the Town Hall Theatre is also providing some levity in the form of Ctrl+Alt+Delamere.

Known for his appearances on RTÉ’s The Panel and The Blame Game on BBC NI, as well as his weekend show on Today FM, Neil Delamere returns to stand-up comedy with a new show at €23 a ticket, a night that could be the perfect late Christmas present for that person you completely forgot about while you were back home.

Dealing with relationships and all the mindgames and miscommunication that they entail, The Open Couple returns to the Town Hall Theatre on the 15 January and 16 January.

At €10 entry, it’s a great show, and an even better opportunity to let everyone at home think you’re super-cultured when you check in at a play on Facebook.

For an entirely different kind of culture, try Akumakon. This anime, manga, and Japanese culture event will take place on the NUI Galway campus and play host to special guests ranging from cosplayers to voice actors.

Akumakon runs from 22 January to 24 January and will hold cosplaying, videogame tournaments, and a pub quiz, along with some as yet to-be-announced events; please see the Socs Box for ticket details.

If you have your heart set on music, but the Róisín Dubh and/or the Town Hall Theatre’s

offerings don’t appeal to you, perhaps you’re looking for something a bit more old-school…

Luckily, Monroe’s has two great tribute bands to check out in January: No Stairway will be cracking out some Led Zeppelin on 15 January for just €10.

If you don’t feel like headbanging, and would rather flail around to something more psychedelic, Na Doirse will be covering the music of The Doors on 22 January, also for €10.

And finally, Bagatelle will be playing Monroe’s on 16 January.

Formed in 1978 in Bray, this band were once the envy of U2, Larry Mullen once dreaming of being as successful as them.

Tickets to see Bagatelle are €20 each – a whole lot cheaper than any U2 gig.

Cúirt International Festival of Literature launches writing competition

By Laura McGettigan As part of the Cúirt International Festival of Literature, Cúirt launches its new annual writing prize for 2016. The competition, which is in memory of Lena Maguire, is now open for submissions.

The festival which takes place in April launches the competition to welcome aspiring writers, and the categories include both poetry and fiction.

To the winner of each category a €500 reward is offered as well as the opportunity to read the winning piece at the Over the Edge Showcase at the Cúirt Festival of Literature this year.

As well as the Adult Competition, there is also a competition open to the youth strand from ages between 12 and 17. The ‘Young Cúirt’ competition winner will be awarded a €100 cash prize and will also receive the opportunity to read at the Cúirt Labs in April.

The closing date for submissions is Thursday 28 January, and this year’s judges include poet Elaine Feeney and the Stinging Fly’s Declan Meade.

Entries in both English and Irish are welcome for both categories. Guidelines for both ‘Young Cúirt’ and Adult entries are the same.

For entry of the fiction category word count must not exceed 2000 words, for entry of the Poetry category entries must consist of three poems which do not exceed 50 lines per poem.

Writers submitting work should not have had a collection published in the category which they enter. The entry fee for both categories is €10 per entry and this can be paid via Paypal on the Cúirt website www.cuirt.ie.

Entries should be sent via email to info@cuirt. ie along with unique transaction ID as proof of purchase and the account owner’s name.

In addition to the work Cúirt also asks to include name, email address and phone number and entrants may also include a short biography if they wish. For more info see www.cuirt.ie The prestigious Cúirt International Festival of Literature comes to Galway City this year between 19 and 25 April.

FilmSoc Recommends…

By Michelle Carey, Auditor It’s Awards Season! And along with that comes the influx of potential Oscar and Golden Globe-winning films into the cinema. If you’re finding it hard to choose which films are worth spending your money on, here are some recommendations from your friends at FilmSoc. Room Release date: 15/01/16 Director: Lenny Abrahamson From the director of Frank (2014), What Richard Did (2012), and many more fantastic films, Room is an adaptation of a dramatic novel by Emma Donoghue. Room has received a nomination for the Best Picture (Drama) Golden Globe, while Brie Larson’s performance in this film has also gained her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress (Drama). It has been described as “suspenseful and heartrending” and is sure to get the nod for some Academy Awards. When everyone’s talking about this film, make sure you’re able to join in the conversation.

The Hateful Eight Release date: 08/01/16 Director: Quentin Tarantino Tarantino’s latest film has gained a lot of attention since its genesis, with rumours about the filming not going ahead after the script was leaked. However, it’s finally here. Tarantino’s new film centers on eight characters who are forced to take shelter together in a cabin while a blizzard rages outside.

The Hateful Eight reminds us of classic Tarantino because of its intimate setting and character-driven plot. Think Reservoir Dogs (1992). It’s also nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay, so we’re sure to be hearing plenty more about this film.

Finally, FilmSoc will be screening films on campus every week for free! Sign up to our society to receive more details on when and where our screenings will take place. Also, keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter for updates. This semester we’ll be showing films that you’re not likely to see anywhere else. All are welcome!

For more information on FilmSoc and other campus societies, visit socs.nuigalway.ie.

Futsal Blitz!!

Futsal Blitz Monday 18th January 8-10pm

Futsal Blitz

In the Sports Hall, Kingfisher Monday 18th Jan 8-10pm

League starts January 25th!!

50 EURO per squad of 10

ALL LEVELS OF ABILITY GREAT PRIZES FOR PARTICIPATION AND COMPETITION Just turn up for the Blitz Further information contact:

In the Kingfisher See you there!!

kevin.cassidy@nuigalway.ie

Tel: 086 1772589

JOIN A CLUB!

Dangan Pavilion Bus Services

This bus service will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from Monday 11th January 2016

Leaves Orbsen

5.45pm

Bus Returns from Dangan at 6.15pm, 7.15pm, 8.30pm & 9.30pm*

Monday Hockey (6.30-8pm)

Tuesday Hockey (6.30-7.30pm)

7.45pm

Any Time!

We will see you on Thursday

Clubs Day Thursday 14th January 2016 10am—5pm

14th January 2016 for Clubs Day in the

Kingfisher from

10am—5pm

Thursday

Hockey (6.30-8pm) Boxing (6-8pm)

Boxing ( 6-8pm)

6.45pm

Wednesday

Any Day!

Athletics Distance (6pm)

Athletics Sprint (6.30pm)

Athletics Sprint (6.30pm)

M.Rugby Weights (6.30-8pm)

M.Rugby Weights (6-8.30pm)

Ladies Football (6.30 - 8pm)

Athletics Circuits (7-8.15pm)

Rugby - Ladies (7.30-9pm)

Athletics Circuits (7-8.15pm)

Fresher Football (7pm - 8.15pm)

Rugby - Mens (7pm)

Fresher Football (7pm - 8.15pm)

Rugby - Mens (7pm)

Rugby - Ladies (7.30-9pm)

Athletics Distance (7pm)

M. Rugby Weights (8-9.30pm)

Mens Soccer (7pm)

Hockey Weights (8-9.30pm)

Best of all it’s

Download our EVENTR APP or come in to the SPORTS UNIT in the Kingfisher Building to find out more!

For Club news and calendar go to

Www.clubs.nuigalway.ie We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back & we wish you a very Happy New Year!

From All the staff in the Sports Unit!

Bus Returns from Dangan at 6.15pm, 7.15pm, 8.30pm & 9.30pm* Last bus on Thursday departs Dangan Pavilion at 8.30pm.

www.clubs.nuigalway.ie for full club training & events calendar or download the Clubs Eventr App

FREE!!!!

nuigalwaysport

30 SPORT

Sin Vol. 17 Issue 07

NUI Galway Rugby start the New Year right

Gaelic as Gaeilge

By Steve Collins

By Ciarán Ó Meachair

NUIG 24 – 13 CREGGS

After three festive weeks of yoga, spinachand protein-laden diets, NUIG RFC needed to honour the collective New Year’s resolution of winning rugby matches. It was an impressive bonus-point victory over the incumbent league leaders, characterised by incredibly forward-led work rate and clinical finishing out-wide. It puts them in a good position going into the back-end of the season, with Coach McClearns’ organisation and tactics starting to bed in to the team.

However, despite the eventual win, NUIG were slow to start. The Creggs ten spotted a gap early and ran in under the posts within the first ten minutes, followed by a penalty for ruck-time infringements.

John Kennedy initiated a superb try for the students in reply, claiming an immaculately-pitched kick from Mark Dolan, making use of his lengthy frame to pluck the ball out of the air in spectacular fashion. Another penalty from Creggs left the half-time scores at 13-5, with NUIG dominant in possession but unable to capitalise on the wealth of front-foot ball available.

Nothing good ever came easy!

Indeed this was a mantra Shane Faulkner and John Molony took to heart, as they took it upon themselves to smash the Creggs defence into oblivion through a series of massive hits and tackles. The increased intensity yielded a try through the former.

Faulkner used extreme subterfuge to insert himself into the middle of maul formed near the Creggs line, before diving over the line. Senior pinged the conversion.

Playing with an intensity that showed no signs of the festive season, the backroom of Matt Davey, James Donoghue and Adam Doyle tackled and carried themselves to a standstill. After a period of prolonged pressure in the Creggs 22, Damo McNeillis took one for the team by getting hammered with an off the ball tackle. Off the resulting scrum, Mark Dolan ran a fantastic dummyswitch with RKC, putting away the prolific Mick Brady in the corner for his third try in two games.

NUIG lowered the blade in the last five minutes and in stark contrast to the opening half, they were clinical when they got their chances. Rory Keogh Clarrke scythed his way through the defence for a welltaken score, after strong build-up play

by Adam Brady and Conor Hennessy. A deserved victory, overcoming early and backline injuries to Mel Corbett and Mark Comerford, to get the bonus point win.

The win puts promotion hopes back

in the students’ hands, sitting third with a game in hand over Creggs and Tuam.

A tough January schedule will need to be negotiated if back-to-back promotion is to be achieved. Watch this space!

MVP: John Molony; threw Phil Taylor-esque darts in the line-out, and took every opportunity to hit any Creggs player in his vicinity, with ball or not.

ON THE PHYSIO TABLE: Mark Comerford (shoulder), Mel Corbett (Calf), Adam Doyle (Black Eye) TEAM: John Kennedy, Mick Brady, Steve Collins, Mel Corbett, James Kennedy, Mark Comerford, Mark Dolan, Adam Doyle, Matt Davey, Jimmy Donaghue, Connor Mc Donagh, Padraig Maher, Shane Faulkner, John Moloney, Conor Hennessy, Damien Mc Neilis, Adam Brady, Josh Dunne, Ruairi Keogh Clarke, Steve Butler.

CLUB UPDATES Archery: In November 2015, Lauren Gaynor, NUIG sports scholarship student (Archery) came first in the Junior Irish Open in DKIT and also won stage 1 of the Indoor World Cup in Morocco. (Laura deferred this year 2015-16).

Frisbee: NUIG Frisbee took part in the intervarsities in November 2015.

A new GAA club from Galway City will begin to play in men’s and women’s gaelic football competitions this year. Gaeil na Gaillimhe will operate entirely through the Irish language, and aims to recruit Irish speakers that have moved to the city for work or study in addition to those ‘as Cathair na dTreabh’.

The club will host a meeting for all prospective players on 20 January at 7.30pm in Áras na nGael on Dominick Street. In addition to support from Conradh na Gaeilge, the club have secured sponsorship from Áras na nGael.

While Galway GAA has offered Pearse Stadium in Salthill as a venue for their home matches. Both men’s and women’s sides would also have the opportunity to compete in the national ‘Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta’, held on an annual basis between Irish-speaking clubs with the finals broadcast live on TG4.

2011 census figures indicate that four percent of the city speaks Irish on a daily basis outside the education system, while another four percent of the population uses the language on a weekly basis. The creation of the club could be a boost for the active use of Gaeilge in the city.

“It’s very exciting that gaeilgeoirí will now have the opportunity to socialise and practise their cúpla focal through sport. It’s great to be bringing both the Irish language and GAA together, two things which so strongly represent Irish culture and heritage,” said Shannon Grimes of Gaeil na Gaillimhe.

Gaeil na Gaillimhe is set to become the second GAA club outside the Gaeltacht to operate ‘trí mheán na Gaeilge’ after the Dublin-based Na Gaeil Óga CLG, who have been playing in the capital since 2010.

The Dublin club has grown since its foundation with just one men’s football team to currently fielding two men’s football teams along with one team each for ladies football, hurling and camogie. As a critical step to ensuring their long-term existence along with creating a sense of community, they have begun to build an underage team system.

SPORT 31

January 12 2016

Sporting Events to Look Forward to in 2016

By Pádraic Ward We’ve gorged ourselves on the veritable selection boxes that are sports reviews of the year and reminisced fondly as we look back on 2015 through the prism of sports personality of the year awards.

2015 was a vintage year for sport even without the absence of a football World Cup or an Olympics. The All Blacks reinforced their dominance on the world of rugby union, while Chile’s football team gained the bragging rights in South America.

Australia became kings of the cricket world on their own patch and Kilkenny did what they do best to win title number 36.

Not to be outdone, 2016 promises to be another symphony of sporting splendour with the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the European Football Championship taking place in France. Below we take a closer look at what the sporting year of 2016 has to offer.

OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES Without doubt the biggest sporting event of 2016 are the Olympic and Paralympic Games from Rio de Janerio, Brazil. The Olympics begin on 5 August. Can Katie Taylor cement her dominance of her sport and defend her Olympic boxing title? Will Paddy Barnes finally win gold and will Michael Conlon add an Olympic title to the World title he won last year?

SPORT

Football

A YEAR IN SPORT 2016

Olympics

Analyise Murphy will seek redemption for a heart-breaking 4th place in London on the waves of Guanabara Bay while golf takes its place at the Olympic table for the first time since 1904. Can Rory McIlroy strike gold for Ireland and who will he team up – Padraig Harrington or Shane Lowry?

FOOTBALL All roads will lead to France for a fiesta of football in June and July. The Republic of Ireland make their third appearance at the European Championships where they will be joined by Northern Ireland who are making an appearance at their first major tournament since 1986.

Both teams (both seeded fourth in their groups) have been handed tough draws while England and Wales meet in Group B. Martin O’Neill and his team will count themselves unlucky to have drawn Belgium and Italy in their group but make their way to France on an upward curve following qualification on the back of a home victory over the world champions Germany.

GOLF Will 2016 be the year that Rory McIllroy finally gets to wear a green jacket? One would expect that a victory at the Masters is McIllroy’s number one aim for 2016.Despite an up and down 2015 Rory rallied late in the season to remain Europe’s number one golfer and will be hopeful of a successful 2016.

EVENT

LOCATION

DATE

European Football Championships Copa America Centenario Premier League Champions League Final FA Cup Final Olympics Paralympics

France United States England Milan London Rio de Janerio Rio de Janerio

10 June – 10 July 3 – 26 June Jan – May 28 May 21 May 5 – 21 Aug 7 – 18 Sept

Hazeltine, Minnesota Augusta, Georgia Royal Troon Oakmount Pennsylvania

30 Sept – 2 Oct 7 – 10 Apr 14 – 17 July 16 – 19 June

Ryder Cup The Masters Golf The Open The US Open The USPGA The Australian Open The French Open Tennis Wimbledon The US Open World Track Championships Tour de France Cycling Veulta Espana Giro d’Italia UCI World Road Championships Cheltenham Grand National (UK) Grand National (Ireland) Horse Racing The Derby The Kentucky Derby The Melbourne Cup Cricket ICC World T20 Championships Basketball NBA Season and Finals Ice Hockey Stanley Cup Finals Rowing World Rowing Championships Baseball Season and World Series Swimming World (Shortcourse) Championships National League Finals GAA All-Ireland Championships Australian Rules Grand Final Formula 1 World Championship American Football Superbowl

Melbourne Paris London New York London France Spain Italy Doha, Qatar Cheltenham UK Aintree Fairyhouse Epsom Downs Kentucky Melbourne India

18 – 31 Jan 22 May – 5 June 27 June – 10 July 29 Aug – 11 Sept 2 – 6 Mar 2 – 24 July Aug – Sept 6 – 29 May 9 – 16 Oct 15 – 18 Mar 9 Apr 28 Mar 4 June 7 May 1 Nov 11 Mar – 3 Apr Oct – June TBC June Rotterdam, Netherlands 21 – 28 Aug Apr – Nov Windsor, Canada 7 – 11 Dec Feb – May May – Dec Melbourne 1 Oct Mar – Nov Santa Clara, California 7 Feb

The year 2015 was a breakthrough year for Shane Lowry and the Offaly man will be determined to build on that success in 2016. What odds on a major victory or an Olympic medal for the popular Irishman? The Ryder Cup takes place in the United States in late September. Can Europe continue their dominance of the event or can the US team stop the rot? One thing is for sure; once again the golf will be fiercely competitive.

TENNIS Can Serena finally deliver the “Serena Slam”? Will Djokavic continue his dominance of the men’s game? Following his success in guiding Serbia to the Davis Cup title in 2010 Djokavic became the number one tennis player in the world and since then has cemented his place as one of the greats of the game.

2015 saw him win three of the four Grand Slams but he will face fierce competition in 2016 from a rejuvenated Andy Murray following Britain’s win in the Davis Cup. Of course, the ageless Roger Federer and his compatriot Stan Wawrinka will be eager to add to their Grand Slam hauls.

CYCLING Cycling’s three Grand Tours take place from early summer. Irish fans will be hopeful both Nicolas Roche and Dan Martin can have their most successful year yet. It promises to be a busy year for cycling with the Olympics the World Track Cham-

pionships and the UCI Road Race Championships.

Both Roche and Martin together with Sam Bennett will be hoping for the most successful year for Irish cycling since the halcyon days of the late ‘80s.

HORSE RACING How will the world of horse racing cope without the irreplaceable Tony McCoy? Who will take on his mantle as champion jockey? Will Aidan O’ Brien continue his dominance on the flat? And of course, we will have the annual Cheltenham festival to look forward to as well as the Aintree Grand National over the sport’s most famous fences.

GAA The new GAA season is just around the corner with the National Football and Hurling Leagues kicking off in February. Will Kilkenny and Dublin retain their AllIreland titles and how will the hurlers of Galway and the footballers of Mayo fare under new management?

OTHER NOTABLE MENTIONS A number of world championship events take place in 2016. The World T20 competition takes place in India in March while the rowing World Championships take place in August. The swimming short course World Championship also take place in Canada at the end of the year. We will also have the annual razzmatazz of the Superbowl as well as the Australian Rules Grand Final in October.

Coiste Gnó

Executive Committee

Vice President/Education Officer Leas Uachtarán/Oifigeach Oideachais

President : Uachtarán

su.education@nuigalway.ie

su.president@nuigalway.ie

2015 - 2016

Vice President/Welfare Officer Leas Uachtarán/Oifigeach Leasa

Rebecca Melvin Phelim Kelly Jimmy McGovern 086 3853658

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

086 3855502

Equality Officer Oifigeach Comhionnais

Oifigeach na Gaeilge

Laoighseach NI Choistealbha su.gaeilge@nuigalway.ie

Catherine Ryan

su.equality@nuigalway.ie

086 8631986

087 2644522

CMY

su.welfare@nuigalway.ie

086 3853659

Mature Students’ Officer Oifigeach Mic Léinn Lánfhásta

Postgraduate Officer An tOifigeach Iarchéime

su.Mature@nuigalway.ie

su.postgrad@nuigalway.ie

Robert Forde Cian Moran 087 2922599

085 1622560

K

Societies Chairperson Cathaoirleach na gCumann

Patrick O' Flaherty su.socs@nuigalway.ie

086 8523417

Convenor of the College of Science Tionólaí Choláiste na hEolaíochta

Tara Ward

su.science@nuigalway.ie

087 9612286

Clubs’ Captain Captaen na gClubanna

Students’ Union Council Chairperson Cathaoirleach na Comhairle do Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn

Eoin Mangan

Cathal Sherlock

086 2101293

087 0665807

su.clubs@nuigalway.ie

Convenor of the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences Tionólaí Choláiste an Leighis, an Altranais & na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte

Aoife Bell

su.medicine@nuigalway.ie

087 2980917

www.su.nuigalway.ie

su.council@nuigalway.ie

Convenor of the College of Business, Public Policy & Law Tionólaí Choláiste an Ghnó, an Bhearais Phoiblí agus an Dlí

Convenor of the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies Tionólaí Choláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta & an Léinn Cheiltigh

Jasmine Shaw su.arts@nuigalway.ie

089 4892969

Convenor of the College of Engineering & Informatics Tionólaí Choláiste na hInnealtóireachta agus na Faisnéisíochta

Niall Gaffney David Newell su.business@nuigalway.ie

085 2078685

facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion

su.engineering@nuigalway.ie

087 6130009

twitter.com/NUIGSU