NUACHTÁN SAOR IN AISCE VOL.19 Issue 3. 10 OCT 2017
Student Independent News
Galway hurling heroes support Super Supper for Simon By Teodora Bandut There was great excitement in Áras na Mac Léinn last Wednesday 4 October as the Liam McCarthy Cup arrived on campus during NUI Galway MSc Marketing Practice students’ #SupperforSimon event. The students organised the “super supper” as part of the Simon Community’s latest fundraising campaign. Three of the county’s All-Ireland winners turned up to show their support for the event which raised a whopping €1511 in just two hours. Galway full-back and former NUI Galway student John Hanbury told SIN he was delighted to be on campus to draw attention to a very important cause.
“It’s been a crazy month but it’s great to be back here, I graduated two years ago and I have a lot of good memories.” Winning brothers Pádraic and Cathal Mannion also made an appearance, and said attending events such as the Supper for Simon as All-Ireland Champions made them “very proud”. “The win was just unbelievable. Going around to schools and events like this shows just how much it has meant to everyone, we’re very proud,” said Pádraic. He told SIN they were enjoying the well-deserved post-win celebrations for the moment. “Now’s a time to relax so we can come back next year and go at it again. There’ll be more to prove next time
Galway full-back John Hanbury with members of MSc Marketing Practice class. Photo: John Hanbury around!” said Pádraic. He explained that when it came to hurling, the brothers saw each other as teammates but said the win had meant a lot for their family.
John Hanbry lifts the Liam McMarthy Cup. Photo: John Hanbury
“After winning, it was pretty special for Mam and Dad and the whole family to have the two of us out on the field,” he said. It was a fun-filled two hours for the hundreds of students in attendance at the supper with entertainment from the NUI Galway DJ Society and the chance to win some exciting spot prizes including tickets to the Commerce Ball, a Carbon bar tab, and Boojum vouchers. PRO of the project Ciara Cronin was delighted with the turn out on the day and said she hoped it would inspire other students to host their own #SupperforSimon. “This Super Supper will hopefully demonstrate to students that it can be very accessible to contribute to the local community,” she said. She explained the initiative required a host to prepare a supper for a group of friends who will donate the amount they estimate they would have spent had they eaten the meal out. The money raised will then be given to the Galway Simon Community. “You can even have a potluck dinner in your student accommodation or a themed night and have a bit of fun with it,” Ciara suggested. Participants can then upload a picture of their dinner to their social media with the hashtag underneath. Continued on page 2
7up ‘tastes the feeling’ of rejection from campus By Amy McMahon There will no longer be the option of reaching for a bottle of 7Up in stores across campus, as NUI Galway have made a deal with Coca Cola to supply only their beverages to NUI Galway students for the next ten years. The university’s sixteen cafés and cafeterias will only supply beverages produced by the Coca Cola brand, including Fanta, Sprite and Oasis, while classics such as Club Orange have gotten the boot from the fridges around campus. The NUI Galway Commercial Manager Ann Duggan explained the agreement came about “following a competitive process evaluated by a team which included the former Students’ Union President, Coca Cola were identified as the successful bidder for Pouring Rights on campus”. She explained that the move was made with the university’s commitment to sourcing “local, seasonal produce” in mind. “Across the university, there is a very strong commitment to source local, seasonal produce and this is demonstrated on a daily basis through the food/beverage offer in the campus restaurants,” she said. The company employs a total of 1,900 people throughout their ten facilities in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Coca Cola bottling branch in Co Antrim employs 522 people and makes an annual turnover of €204.7 million. In 2011 a €200 million Coca Cola factory opened in Co Wexford creating 100 jobs. The company have already begun to publicise their presence on campus. On 13 September Coca Cola hosted free spin classes for NUI Galway students to celebrate the launch of the Coke Zero bike scheme. During the day students and employees of NUI Galway were offered free membership to the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Bike scheme as co-ordinated by the National Transport Authority. The event was held in Áras na Mac Léinn. Refreshments were provided by Coca Cola also.
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SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
NUI Galway Students’ Union welcome University Vintage Fairs to campus
Education is in the RED
By Connell McHugh University Vintage Fairs is bringing the student body of NUI Galway its dose of retro clothing today Tuesday 10 October. Arás na Mac Léinn will be kitted out with garments from the eighties and nineties from 11am-5pm. Originally set up in 2013, the fair brings with it clothes of all types which fall under the umbrella of ‘vintage’. Bomber jackets, dungarees, oversized jumpers, retro sportwear and USA vintage wear will all feature on the rails, as well as hats, handmade jewels and charms of all sorts. Popular brands such as Adidas and Nike will feature and are sure to be sought after. The travelling pop-up vintage clothing specialists claim to bring four tonnes of clothing to each venue it visits. It has been hosted at several UK universities, and went to University College Dublin on 3 October. It will be stopping off at the University of
See page 4 for more on the march to protect SUSI grants. Photo: Haley Myatt.
Limerick before it arrives to our very own Students’ Union today. The fair last set up shop in NUI Galway in February when students took advantage of the affordable prices on branded and on-trend styles. Attitudes towards ‘old clothes’ have shifted dramatically over the past few years for
them to now be considered ‘vintage fashion’, largely thanks to the resurgence in popularity of all things eighties and nineties. Students’ Union President Lorcán Ó Maoileannaigh said the fair was sure to have NUI Galway’s resident fashionistas very excited with its “great deals”. “It’s great to have the fair
in NUI Galway as it adds great atmosphere and buzz to the campus,” he said. “The fair has been coming for a number of years now and you can get some great deals!” University Vintage Fairs can be found on Facebook, on Twitter @UniVintageFair and Instagram @univintagefairs.
Galway hurling heroes support Super Supper for Simon Continued from front page The event garnered significant attention with promotional coverage from iRadio and Flirt FM. Considering the skyrocketing rates of homelessness all around the country, with an approximate 3,000 children on the streets, the Super Supper hosts hoped to show that local charities need all the help they can get.
The students took a fortnight to prepare for the big day and were provided with food from local businesses including Handsome Burger, Lana, Apache Pizza, An Tober Nua, Friar’s restaurant, and Mr Waffle. Though independently organised by the students, the arrangements were overseen by Marketing lecturer Ann Walsh. If you feel inspired to get
involved with the Simon Community, host your own Supper for Simon or just want to find out more information, visit www.galwaysimon.ie The Simon Community hope to expand the Supper for Simon initiative into the corporate sphere with several companies sharing charity lunches. The charity also held a sleep-out in Eyre Square on Friday.
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The generous spread at the Super Supper for Simon. Photo: John Hanbury
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NUACHT
October 10 2017 FEATURES EDITORIAL: CONNELL McHUGH This week’s features section is packed full of tips and tricks to improve your life. If anybody is job-hunting or looking for placement, we’ve got things to avoid on your CV by Tarryn McGuire and if your pocket is looking rather empty then Caroline Allen is giving you all the info you need to still enjoy yourself. Áine Kenny is looking at assignment tips because everybody knows week six brings with it presentations, assignments and essays. SIN also looked to the students of NUI Galway to answer the question “Should student nurses get paid for their placement?”, which received a range of interesting answers which can be found at the end of the News section. Be sure to read it all and pick up the next issue in two weeks!
OPINION EDITORIAL: TEODORA BANDUT This fortnight’s opinion section has everything from horoscopes to free speech. Amy McMahon takes a look at the astrological movements of the sky and decides that it’s other stars like the Kardashian’s that have us picking up magazines, opposed to the good old fortnightly check on your destiny. She looks at how horoscopes could make a comeback - by letting us know if that boy will ever text you back, for one! There is also in depth analysis of the situation with Trump and American sports stars, as well as the importance of conserving free speech on campus in NUI Galway.
already. Although I may be a little biased, this could be one of my favourite issues yet. In the Fashion & Lifestyle section there is so much great content, our writers are knocking it out of the park! The theme for this week is money saving. We’re students, we’re on a budget – it’s hard. Caroline Allen gives us her money saving tips that all students should read. David Raleigh tells us how to make a homemade spice bag, without the delivery costs. And, Orla Carty invites us to explore the best vintage shops Galway has to offer. Yet again we have the beauty-ful Kate O’Neill from Kake Me Up letting us in on her much sought-after magic makeup tips and tricks. In this issue, think pink as Kake gives us a step by step tutorial for a pretty pink eyeshadow look. Perfect for a Wednesday night out. If you’d like to get involved with SIN, feel free to email lifestyle.sined@gmail.com. If you’ve a passion for fashion, helpful tips for students or just love to write, we’d love to hear from you! So grab yourself a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy issue three!
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITORIAL: MICHAEL GLYNN What’s up happy readers? Hope you’re ready for another fantastic Arts and Entertainment section, this week the talent is really pouring in. First up we have a special article to mark the momentous occasion of the ten year anniversary of Keeping up with the Kardashians. As It is now the highest grossing horror film of all time we’ve put together a list of the top ten horror films you can watch on Netflix, if the cinema ticket is just too pricey or too bothersome. Keeping with the films we’ve got a review of Mother in store as well. And to cap it all off we have the beginnings of our very own little book corner with reviews of Girlboss and Marley’s Ghost. All in all we’ve got a great issue lined up for you all, anybody is welcome to submit articles as well and we’re constantly looking for submissions for our creative corner.
SPORTS EDITORIAL: GRAHAM GILLESPIE Hello everybody and welcome to issue three of SIN. We are now well into October and the days have started to get colder and darker, but fear not because this issue’s sport section has plenty that will hopefully brighten up your day. We’ve got some rather, um, interesting proposals on how Dublin’s stranglehold on Sam Maguire can be loosened, which no doubt will be debated at the next congress. Also in GAA, we have a critique of the super eights format change. There’s also a small bit of association football as the feasibility of desegregation in Irish and English stadiums is investigated. Finally, tribute is paid to the late Jimmy Magee who no doubt affected us all with his childlike enthusiasm for sport. Once again, if anybody reading this would like to contribute to SIN’s sport section, please don’t be afraid to get in touch and email sport. sined@gmail.com.
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INSIDE
Education is in the RED 4 VOX POP: Should third year nursing students get paid for their placement? 5 Bonjour, Hola, Dia Dhuit: leideanna chun do scileanna teanga a fheabhsú
6
10 things to do to destress
8
Societies Spotlight: St Vincent de Paul Society
9
Assignment tips and tricks to help you get that 1.1
10
Timeline: Catalonian independence referendum
12
Players’ protest may be distracting us from the real problems with the NFL
14
Free speech is dead
15
Vintage shopping in Galway
16
Kake Me Up for SIN: pink to make the boys wink!
17
Fakeaway: cooking up a spice bag at home
18
Top ten horror films you can watch on Netflix
20
SIN BOOK CLUB
21
Remembering the great Jimmy Magee (1935-2017) 24 Operation 33: how to stop the Dubs
27
FASHION & LIFESTYLE EDITORIAL: AMY McMAHON Did anyone else blink and miss September? This year is flying, issue three is here
NUI Galway Students' Union at the March for Choice in Dublin. Photo: Haley Myatt.
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Find us online: www.sin.ie
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SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
Students take to the streets of Dublin in bid to protect SUSI grant By Georgia Feeney Photography by Haley Myatt On October 4 it was estimated that up to 20,000 students from across Ireland rallied together to protest an increase in third-level fees and the scrapping of the SUSI grant system. Students took to the capital to march for their right to education under the tagline “Education is in the red - fund it”. This comes after last year’s Cassells report was released which suggested three means of funding higher level education. The three options included publicly funded education, keeping the current system in place with increased investment in higher level institutions, or introducing an income loan contingent scheme. The latter has proven to be the cause of great worry as many students already face difficulty paying for their current fees which stand at a €3000 registration cost. This proposed scheme, if voted in by the government and financial institution, would see fees rise to a minimum of €5000. The loan scheme could also see the end to the SUSI grant system which currently one in two NUI Galway students are dependent on to fund their education. Speaking on the day, President of the Union of Students Ireland (USI) Michael Kerrigan voiced the need for
change and the need for the government to give greater support to its higher education institutions. “We’ve seen a 375% increase in the student contribution, there is no other fee which has gone up as much and yet we have received nothing in return expect a fall in university rankings and 10 out of the 14 institutions are in financial difficulty,” he said. Kerrigan explained that there is already a great struggle for students to afford third level education and increased fees with a lack of grants would only add to this already difficult situation. The message pushed by Student Unions in support of further investment in institutions was that education is an investment for the future, one which will benefit society in the long run. Across social media the campaign grew with many students, academics and members of the general public using #EducationaIs to explain why they feel it’s important for the government to recognise the importance of their investment. The atmosphere of the march was electric with chants heard rising over the general street noise of Dublin. Chants such as “No ifs, no buts - no education cuts!”, “Education is a right - education is worth the fight”, and “Leo, Leo off the fence - students can’t afford their rent!” were called out as the march made its way to Kildare Street.
SIN spoke to NUI Galway Students’ Union VP Education Officer Andrew Forde for his thoughts on the campaign and how the day went: “We had eight buses, 6 megaphones, 400 t-shirts, dozens of placards, and hundreds of students from NUI Galway add their voices to a chorus of a twenty thousand strong march,” he said. He said the march enabled students to take an active part in protecting their own future. “The day was part of a concentrated campaign that has included lobbying TDs and Senators, presenting to the national media and engaging the student body to take a stance on our future. We have heard over tones from Minister Mary Mitchell O Connor that no option which burdens students with any further debt will be accepted,” he said. Andrew believed that if students continue their efforts after the march it would have made a difference. “I think if we continue to apply pressure, if we continue to register students to vote and if we put it to every individual student that this is a fight worth winning, then the March will have made the difference!” he said. News regarding the options for students and the future of the SUSI grant scheme will come next week when the government release their 2018 budget.
Education Officer Andrew Forde spurs on NUI Galway marchers.
NUACHT
October 10 2017
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VOX POP: Should third year nursing students get paid for their placement? By Connell McHugh
A recent online petition calling for student nurses to get paid for their third year placement has garnered 10,000 signatures. Currently, nursing students only get paid three-quarters wage for their placement in final year, and receive no wage at all for placement during first, second and third year of university, despite the expense of travel and the responsibilities placed upon them. There was mixed feelings on the matter when SIN hit campus to ask NUI Galway students if they thought the nation’s student nurses deserved to be paid.
“The amount of hours and hard work that we put in is enough of a reason.”
Sharon Kelly, Second Year Nursing
They should get paid because they work long hours, they work hard and they almost do the same work as qualified nurses. I’m in second year engineering and I have placement in third year. I’m pretty sure we get paid for that placement and if we get paid, or other disciplines get paid then they should too as it’s only fair. Maybe because they’re not fully qualified they shouldn’t get a full payment, but they should definitely get some sort of payment.
Taylor Murphy, First Year General Nursing
Ellen Martin, Third Year Speech and Language Therapy
I’m a speech and language therapy student and we wouldn’t get paid for any of our placement up to fourth year. If they’re going to get paid then I think all health sciences should get paid, which I don’t think is going to happen with the government and the funding that is available. We go on placement in second year, third year and fourth year and none of that is paid work. I know people who have gotten placement in Donegal. It can be really expensive, but it comes with the course and we need the clinical hours.
Rachel Moran, Second Year Nursing I do think that student nurses should get paid in third year. They have long hours and have a lot of work and the work that they do is almost as much as what a qualified nurse would do. They have a lot of responsibility in the hospital. I work in a nursing home at the weekends and I get paid to work as a carer whereas the work that I’ll do in the hospital as a third year nurse is way more advanced. To think I won’t be getting paid for that work is disheartening.
I do believe that student nurses should get paid for their third and fourth year placements. The amount of hours and hard work that we put in is enough of a reason. We’re starting off even in first year with an incredible amount of work. We’re expected to do more than, unfortunately, arts students and commerce students. From the get-go, we have eight weeks of theory and then we’re in the hospitals. So it’s needed. Right now we’re supernumerary and to be an actual paid staff member would be amazing. It’s kind of rewarding to put in the work and get something back.
Fionn O’Connor, First Year Biomedical Engineering
Darren Finneran, Second Year Mechanical Engineering
I absolutely believe that nursing students should get paid for their third year placement. We have a lot of responsibilities that qualified nurses have also. We work really long hours and still have to pay for our commuting costs. I was placed in Ballinasloe last year in Portiuncula Hospital while I was paying for accommodation in Galway. That was costly for me, without even considering getting up early in the morning and coming home late at night.
No, if anything they get paid in their experience, and student nurses should not get paid because they’re learning on the job. The experience is more valuable to them. They simply wouldn’t be able to do the job to a level to qualify paying them. That’s my opinion on the subject.
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SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
Erasmus Diary: Party on Spain By Brigid Fox In every student city, in any culture, the nightlife can be an essential part of the complete college experience. With that in mind I was intrigued to see what similarities the Spanish nightlife had with the Irish nightclub scene. To do this, I had to analyse what a standard nightlife consists of. Breaking down a typical night out was pretty simple. It generally has four key principles: style, alcohol consumption, behaviour and stamina. So, how do the Spanish night’s out compare?
STYLE: Coming from a predominantly feminine perspective, it’s often thought that a look could
make or break a good night out. Now I am generalising a bit here, but from years of observation, being fiercely glam goes hand in hand with an Irish night out. Heels at the ready, dress fitted, contour blended, hair straightened: Irish girls are ready to paint the town tanned. Although not always a participant in this fashion show, it has become what I’m used to. The look begets normality and being completely honest denotes some form of respect. In the below freezing temperatures of Galway at 3am, shuffling back and forth just to keep the blood flowing, these women are truly patriotic to the style tradition! With heels thrown across ones shoulders like a white flag and the loud cries of someone who just lost their best friend or dropped some chips, the glamour does get a bit lost as the night goes on. Spain is a whole different story. Visiting Madrid first for a couple of days, as an appreciator of good
fashion I was overcome with joy at the sight of so many gorgeous, summery outfits with genuine style. With that in mind I expected the night life fashion to be just as fabulous. I was wrong. Everyone was dressed down and so completely, unapologetically chilled out. Chatting a group of women I was openly surprised by their looks. The majority had no makeup on or possibly only a small lick of mascara. The clothing worn was comfortable, mostly jeans, runners and a plain tank top – pretty much everything a lot of dressed up Irish people wouldn’t dream of going to a nightclub in. Can you imagine? Having said this, it was a refreshing sight. Including the men too, everyone wore what they wanted and cared more about having fun and dancing than how perfect and precise their hair looked. At one point I’m pretty sure I saw a woman with a green Snuggie on and nobody cared. The atmosphere was unfamiliar yet comforting.
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streets, there were no slurred words, no puking in the alley way beside the chipper, no harassment from drunken strangers. It was comfortable, relaxed and real.
BEHAVIOUR: Sometimes it would seem that there are a few Irish who have a bit too much of a good time on a night out. Enjoying yourself and having a good time is important but when a few drinks leads to harassment, property damage or even violence, it’s really just not ok. Large consumptions of alcohol can allow people to let go of some of their inhibitions. People dance like no body’s watching (not the smartest decision when your friend has 4G), they talk like no one’s listening and a lot of the time they act nothing like themselves. In Spain because people are a lot more sober you can still feel the aura of self consciousness. It was something I felt comforted by. People danced like they were aware people were around them, they were polite when sharing conversations in the smoking area and calmly reasonable with bouncers, it felt more genuine and real. This was what these people were like, alcohol or no alcohol.
STAMINA: Something about nightlife in Spain that I’ve yet to completely grasp is the timing. In Ireland most nights out start around 9pm, the clubs close around 2:30am and people stagger home sometime after that. In Spain, the night barely even begins at 1am! The clubs stay open until 5:30am and past that people chill out in parks and watch the sun rise. Their willingness and ability to stay up till “all hours”, as my mother would say, is impressive but for someone who’s used to being in bed by 3am, it is something to get used to. Taking a further look into the contrasting cultures of both countries night life, there are certain components of each that I would enjoy more than others. Experiencing another nightclub scene was refreshing and thought me even more about the culture and lifestyle I’ve left behind (for now, anyways) than I would have thought. Next time I’m writing my diary will be my one month anniversary in Spain. Be sure to check in as I reflect on some of the best and hardest moments of my travels so far!
Bonjour, Hola, Dia Dhuit: leideanna chun do scileanna teanga a fheabhsú
cura cares
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ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: Ah alcohol. In Ireland most (if not all) of a night out revolves around drinking. We have pre-pre-drinks, pre-drinks, drinks in the pub, drinks in the nightclub, possibly some after-drinks. It’s truly madness. On a personal note, while it is something I’ve taken part in from time to time, as I get older it’s something I wish to distance myself from. It is more destructive than a lot of people care to believe. Spain’s drinking habits are a lot more mellow. Although you can buy a “cerveza”, or beer, in about every shop and restaurant (even McDonalds) it is rare to see people as intoxicated as you might do in Ireland. Of course, the Spanish drink. They drink at any hour, any time of the day - but the level of consumption couldn’t be more different. When they say one or two, they mean one or two. On nights out people would have a couple of beers over many hours and leave it at that. Something haunting about a night out in Ireland is falling into the trap that you need to be drunk to have a good time - a notion that simply doesn’t exist in Spain. Even attending a festival in Oviedo where drink flowed through the
An tseachtain seo, chuir mo léachtóirí dúshlán orm anailís a dhéanamh ar mo inniúlacht fhoriomlán sa Ghaeilge. Ar dtús, bhí drogall orm é a dhéanamh, ba mhaith liom chreidiúint go bhfuil mé go maith ag labhairt na Gaeilge, ach d’fhéadfadh mo chuid Gaeilge scríofa leas a bhaint as roinnt feabhsúcháin, go háirithe tar éis mo chuid ama thar lear. Ag cur mo neamhchinnteachta taobh thiar dom, leag mé amach anailís a dhéanamh ar mo leibhéal líofacht sa Ghaeilge. Ní raibh aon iontas orm faoi na torthaí a fuair mé, cé go bhfuil mo chuid Gaeilge labhartha an-mhaith ar fad, tá gá níos mó oibre a chuir isteach i mo chuid Gaeilge scríofa agus mo chuid gramadach. Mar gheall ar seo, chinn mé plean oibre a dhéanamh amach, a bheadh lan le leideanna agus cleasanna chun feabhas a chur ar mo chuid scileanna scríbhneoireachta idir seo agus deireadh an tseimeastair. An tseachtain seo, chinn mé na leideanna seo a roinnt leatsa, ár léitheoirí, chun cabhrú libh do chuid scileanna scríbhneoireachta
agus gramadaí a fheabhsú in aon teanga a d’fhéadfá sibh a bheith ag foghlaim. Cibé go bhfuil tú ag déanamh foghlaim ar An Fraincis, An Spáinnis nó An Gearmáinis, cabhróidh na cleasanna seo leat do líofacht a fheabhsú.
Scríobh do “foclóir beag” féin: Go minic i léachtaí, beidh focail nó frásaí nua ag teacht suas i mbun comhrá a bhfuil suim agat iontu, agus tá sé deacair cuimhneamh ar gach ceann acu. Mar sin, nuair a chloiseann mé focal nó frása nua i nGaeilge, scríobhaim síos é chomh maith leis an aistriúchán Bearla atá ar i mo leabhar beag nótaí. Ar an mbealach seo, is féidir liom tagairt a dhéanamh ar ais chuig mo “foclóir beag” aon uair an bhfuil cabhair ag teastáil uaim. Chomh maith leis sin má chuireann tú leideanna gramadaí isteach i do foclóir beag chomh maith, is féidir leis a bheith anchabhrach thart ar am staidéir.
Obair foirne is fearr: Is féidir le teanga a fhoghlaim agus do scileanna a fheabhsú a bheith an-bhambach ar fad. Tá sé thar a bheith deacair a bheith
ag déanamh staidéir ar an rud céanna arís agus arís eile agus ag súil le é a fháil i gceart. Sin an fáth gur aimsigh mé gur féidir le staidéir a dhéanamh le cara a bhfuil ag streachailt chomh maith, thar a bheith cabhrach. Tá láidreachtaí agus laigí difriúla ag gach duine agus is féidir leis a bheith éasca foghlaim óna chéile. Chomh maith leis sin, is féidir leis a bheith I bhfad níos spraíúil foghlaim a dhéanamh le cara, seachas tú féin a ghabháil sa leabharlann.
Tú féin a thum sa teanga: Ní gá teanga a fhoghlaim a bheith leadránach, nó go léir faoi fhoghlaim acadúil. Féach ar clár teilifíse agus éisteacht le clár raidió sa teanga a bhfuil tú ag foghlaim. Athraigh na suímh teanga ar do ghuthán, éist le ceol tóir sa teanga sin nó leabhair fhicsean nó irisí a léamh. Dean na rudaí a thaitníonn leat as Béarla, ach an teanga a athrú. Déanann sé staidéir níos spraíúil agus níos éasca. Tá súil agam go gcuideoidh na leideanna seo leat le do líofacht teanga a fheabhsú, agus é i bhfad níos éasca a bheith mar “boss” dátheangach i do shaol laethúil.
l: phost/Email:
MENTAL Health Week
Seachtain na Meabhairshláinte OÉ Gaillimh 2017
MONDAY 9TH OCTOBER DÉ LUAIN, AN 9 DEIREADH FÓMHAIR
11am-2pm SU Mental Health Stand at Smokey’s Café.
Tell us what Mental Health means to you, the good, bad and the in between. 8pm SU Comedy with Neil Delamere and Gearóid Farrelly in the O’Flaherty Theatre. Tickets €5.
TUESDAY 10TH OCTOBER DÉ MÁIRT, AN 10 DEIREADH FÓMHAIR
11am-5pm Vintage Clothes Fair in Áras na Mac Léinn.
5pm-7pm FREE STI Clinic in Student Health Unit by appointment. 6pm-8pm Jigsaw FREE Mental Health 5 A Day Talk followed by Q&A in AC204.
WEDNESDAY 11TH OCTOBER DÉ CÉADAOIN, AN 11 DEIREADH FÓMHAIR
1pm-2pm #loveyourmug ceramic take-away mug decorating workshop in the Art Room, Áras na Mac Léinn. FREE mugs for first 10 people/€5 reduced rate thereafter.
2pm-4pm FREE Mind Hacks workshop on building resilience and managing stress in The Space, Áras na Mac Léinn. Limited spaces. Sign up in the SU Office.
5pm-7pm FREE STI Clinic in Student Health Unit by appointment.
THURSDAY 12TH OCTOBER DÉARDAOIN, AN 12 DEIREADH FÓMHAIR
7pm Be a Spark in the Dark: Join us on the President’s Lawn to bring some light into the darkness.
8pm-10pm “Inside Out” FREE Movie in the Thomas Dillon Theatre.
ALL WEEK
Positive pebbles around campus, handmade by the Welfare Crew, look out for them and if you find one, feel free to take it as a keepsake. “I am not defined by” campaign.
Look out for our “I am not defined by” video, as well as badges from our Welfare Crew.
More information from/Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ó su.welfare@nuigalway.ie
Welfare CREW
+353 (0)91 493 570 studentsunion@nuigalway.ie
www.su.nuigalway.ie
Áras na Mac Léinn, NUI Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland. Áras na Mac Léinn, OÉ Gaillimh, Bóthar na hOllscoile, Gaillimh, Éire.
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8 FE AT UR E S
SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
10 things to do to destress By Amy McMahon A student’s life can be stressful from time to time. It is important to realise there are ways to destress and calm yourself down when life gets hectic. Whether it’s a build-up of assignments or you’re the kind of person that says ‘yes’ to everything and now has too much on your plate, there is no need to panic. Luckily for you, there is a multitude of great activities and groups on campus readily available that can help students to relax. It’s also Positive Mental Health Week this week, so what better time to start putting a few of these into action?
1
Music has been proven to one of the best ways to unwind and destress. Pop in your earphones and play your favourite Spotify playlist. Or, get involved on campus! From singing to playing an instrument you can find the perfect society for you. If you mad about musicals, GUMS and DramSoc are for you. Great to meet like-minded people and to take time out to sing your heart out. Equally, you could join the Choral Soc and the Sing ‘n’ Tonics acapella group led by Peter Mannion. The group usually meets on Monday nights 6-8pm in the View, Áras na Mac Léinn. However, if you prefer to play an instrument you could join Music Soc. They have open mic nights in Sult, and teach beginners’ guitar lessons in the Small Acoustic Room every Tuesday at 6-7pm. To get involved email musicsoc@soc.nuigalway.ie.
2
Exercise is a great way to destress and feel better by giving your body a boast of endorphins, and improving your mood. There are 45 clubs active in NUI Galway so there is plenty of choice to find the perfect one for you. You name it, there’s a club for it. Kayaking, Volleyball, Basketball, Fencing – the list goes on and on.
3
Any Irish Mammy will advise a chat and cup of tea to be helpful when stressed. On the days were it all gets a bit too much, give your friends a text to meet you at Smokey’s for a hot cuppa and to vent. It really will help to take time out to chill and chat with your best buds. It might even take your mind off things for a bit.
4
There have been countless studies done on the positive link between art and reducing stress. In allocating time to draw, paint or whatever it may be, you are lowering your stress levels by decreasing the amount of the stress hormone, cortisol, being released. NUI Galway’s Art Soc gives student space to create masterpieces while destressing. Their members vary from beginners to advance and always welcome newcomers. Their motto is “if you can’t draw we can teach you how to draw!”, so fear not if you’re a bit rusty with a paint brush. Meetings are run weekly each Monday at 7pm in the Art Room, Áras na Mac Léinn.
5
As mentioned above exercise can help destress, but walking particularly is an excellent way to take it easy and help to focus on tasks afterwards. It would be a crime not to take advantage of Galway’s beautiful scenery. With Salthill basically at your doorstep, let go and listen to the sounds of the waves crashing. Giving yourself a chance to catch a breath will help to destress. There are many apps available to aid you in journey to serenity. The apps Runkeeper and Pacer map out your walks and runs while counting steps, distance and time taken, and are free to download.
6
It’s important to lighten up when under pressure and strain. Watching a rom-com or having a chill night with friends can help to do this. Alternatively, Comedy Soc on campus live to make people laugh. If you want to be front and centre on the stage or in the audience giggling away, then this is the society for you. The society is also linked to the annual Vodafone Comedy Carnival and the Róisín Dubh Comedy Clubh, which is bound to be great craic and full of good laughs. The group don’t have regular meetings but you can get in touch by emailing comedysoc@socs.nuigalway.ie.
7
Managing your time can help to destress. Planning out everything that has to be done and making lists can put things into perspective of what your main priorities are. Rather than filling your head with thoughts and worries, put them onto a page. A clearer mind will eliminate stress from your life.
8
Perfect for posture and controlled breathing, yoga is a key element of mindfulness. Do it yourself at home using YouTube tutorials or calm down and cool off on campus. There are regular yoga classes each week in the Kingfisher gym for just €5. The NUI Galway Surf Club include yoga in their training schedule as well. Their next meeting will be held Tuesday 10 October at 7:30 in room 216 in the Concourse. Join Lotus Soc, a society dedicated to chilling. Contact lotus@socs. nuigalway.ie to find out about weekly yoga classes, workshops and retreats.
9
Do something for yourself. It can be as small as picking up your favourite chocolate bar or watching your favourite movie, but make time for you. After you finish an assignment or a reading, treat yourself with something that will make you smile. It will motivate you to wiz through tasks. Then, you won’t feel as pressured and will be far more relaxed.
10
If you are struggling to destress there are facilities on campus to help. Feel free to talk to one of the on-campus counsellors, the chaplains and the Student Health Unit Staff. The Students’ Union (SU) Vice President and Welfare Officer Megan Reilly welcomes students in for a chat if stress is starting to overwhelm them. You can drop in while the SU is open from 10am to 5pm, or you can get in touch with Megan by calling (091) 492747.
GNÉ -ALTANNA
October 10 2017
9
SOCIETIES SPOTLIGHT 5 mid-semester
tips Small but mighty: money savingSU St Vincent de Paul Society By Aoife O Donoghue Among the plethora of societies on offer here at NUI Galway are plenty of opportunities to do some good for the local community. One such example is the St Vincent de Paul Society who strive to do great work on campus and in Galway City. This week SIN spoke to auditor of the society Méabh Rooney to get the inside track on all the action and events that take place. She explained the “small but mighty” St. Vincent de Paul society fights for social justice and tries to help out those in need
“We reach out to different community groups too to come and visit us in the college. For example, we’re planning on asking residents of a nursing home to come visit the college for a small concert around Christmas time,” she said. Inter-faith events are another important aspect of the society, whereby all the various faith-based societies on campus come together in order to build connections. Undertaking to run a society is by no means a one-woman job and Méabh acknowledges the hard work and contributions of her fellow committee members who she calls “glue ofSU theLOCKERS society”.
SU CLOAKROOM
By Caroline Allen
It’s the sixth week. You’re halfway through the first semester. If you’re in first year, you’re slowly starting to settle in to your new routine and knuckle down to your assignments. You’re getting your first grades of the year. But there is still one figure that is too terrifying to even contemplate. Yes. We went there. We are of course talking about… your bank balance. If you find that your purse strings are feeling a little tight then here are some tips to help your money go further.
COOK AT HOME: Yes, we know JustEat and Deliveroo are so tempting but the cost of curry chips and Chicken Chow Mein adds up over time. Learning to cook couldn’t be easier with the Student Unions’ new meal plans. They’re available online and with a new menu every week you’ll never get bored. BORROW YOUR BOOKS ONLINE: If there’s a book you need for college check if it’s available in SU LOCKERS the library. Think the library is too much hassle with its fines and so on? Join your local library: often they have an e-book service so you can have SU of your Kindle but are free and the convenience there’s no need to worry about returning them.
grinds REGISTER
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Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn • SignSaoil Language Second Hand BOOKSTORE • Occupational First Aid
in Galway city. They also work to raise both awareness and money for St. Vincent de Paul, the national charity that helps people of all backgrounds and ages. “As gushy as this sounds, we want to make the world a kinder and more just place,” she said. The society is certainly a busy one, with many fundraising events planned to take place throughout the year such as comedy shows, movie nights and bake sales. The society’s first event of the year was a Table Quiz held in Sult on 3 October which proved to be a fantastic success. “We were stunned by how many people showed up. We actually managed to raise €375, which was unbelievable,” said Méabh. The society also runs food appeals at Christmas and Easter, when they collect non-perishable goods to give to those in need. Méabh explained how they are also planning to have nursing home residents visit the college during the festive season for a concert.
“Emma is our very lovely and very bubbly vice-auditor. Her main role is keeping in touch with all of our amazing members by sending out emails and texts to let them know what we’re up to,” she said. “We have an incredible PR team made up of Peter and Kelsey. They’re the creative geniuses who run our Facebook page and create posters and videos to promote our different events.” New members are always welcome and students are encouraged to get involved. Weekly meetings are held every Monday at 6.15 pm in the college chapel. “At the meetings, we discuss any future events we’re hoping to organise and, because this is Ireland, there’s always lots of tea of biscuits available of course!” said Méabh. Students can also get in contact with the society via email at svp@socs.nuigalway. ie or through their “brand spanking new” Facebook page ‘St. Vincent de Paul Society NUIG’. Participants can also use their involvement as part of NUI Galway’s ALIVE programme.
LOOK FOR A JOB: This is the best time to start looking for part time work. Shops across Galway are hiring temporary staff for Christmas and this can be a great way to earn a bit of extra cash. Look on sites like Indeed.ie and Jobs.ie to see where the TA jobs are. If you need to brush up your CV and don’t AN know where to start, the Careers Development Centre will have at it for you and suggest where you need to make changes.
clár DIANCHEA
And there we have it. Five painless tips to help you stretch SEOMRAyour CÓTAÍbudget as much as possible. Go AN CHOMHALTAIS forth and conquer!
Clá
Saoil C
Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn
Enrol now for the following reduced price courses in the Students’ Union Office:
University Challenge: students have fun at the SVP quiz night in Sult
already then you’re missing out. With it you’ll get discounts on Bus Eireann and Irish Rail journeys but you’ll also be entitled to €3 burgers at Rockin Joes and 15% off everything when you shop online at Lifestylesports.com.
Clár Scileanna Saoil
SU Life Skills Life Skills
ENTS
AVAIL OF DISCOUNTS: If you don’t have an Isic card
AN CHOM
SU
Students’ Union
Life
CHECK OUT SOCIETY EVENTS: Going to the cinema is great but it can certainly leave your budget out of whack. The film society here on campus show a great selection of films that are entirely free to view. Pro tip: bring your own popcorn.
Cláraigh anois do na cúrsaí seo a leanas ar phraghas laghdaithe in Oifig an Chomhaltais:
Siamsaíocht • An Teanga Chomharthaíochta an Chomhaltais
• An Gharchabhair Oibre
• Cardiac First Responder
• Céad Fhreagróir Cairdiach
• Child Protection Training
• Oiliúint sa Chosaint Leanaí
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
• Oiliúint i Scileanna Feidhmeacha Idirghabhála i dtaca le Féinmharú
• Mixed Martial Arts for Self Defence • Anti-Racism
• Ealaíona Comhraic Measctha i gcomhair Féinchosanta
• Disclosure Training
• Frithchiníochas
• Irish
• An Ghaeilge
• Yoga
• An tIóga
More information at www.su.nuigalway.ie or email studentsunion@nuigalway.ie
Tuilleadh eolais le fáil ag www.su.nuigalway.ie nó seol ríomhphost chuig studentsunion@nuigalway.ie
www.su.nuigalway.ie
facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion
twitter.com/NUIGSU
www.su.nuigalway.ie
facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion
twitter.com/NUIGSU
SIOPA LE ATHLÁ
an Chom
10 F EAT U R E S
SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
Assignment tips and tricks What not to to help you get that 1.1 put on a CV By Áine Kenny
It is hard to believe that we are almost half way through the first semester of the academic year. The six-week mark brings about a certain feeling of panic and dread for most students, as this is when all the mid-term essays, assignments and small exams take place. Fear not - SIN has some helpful tips when it comes to keeping on top of your assignments. The first step in achieving good grades in college is actually attending your lectures. While this may sound completely obvious, so many students skip that 9am lecture just for an extra hour in bed. You would be surprised what lecturers give away in class - many will flag exam questions and topics for the midterm assignments, so pay close attention when they do. They often give out brilliant secondary sources to the students who
attend lectures, which can be vital in understanding the midterm assignments. Plus, if you are feeling overwhelmed or lost when it comes to a mid-term, they are far more likely to help a familiar face than someone who has never stepped foot on the Concourse before 1pm. So, set your alarm and start drinking coffee. Another important part of doing well in the mid-term essays is to read the weekly readings that are assigned to you. While it may seem like a chore to trawl through a ten-page article, trust me, you will reap the rewards. Keeping up with your readings will give you a wider knowledge on the subject you are studying, and usually you can use some of the readings as secondary sources in your essays. If you can, print out the weekly readings and highlight parts that are relevant to the mid-term topic. If you work mainly online, copy and paste relevant information and quotes from online
sources into a word document to have for future use. Don’t forget to favourite all the weblinks you use. This will save you a major amount of time in week six. There are lots of really helpful online services for students that we just don’t utilise. Learn how to use Blackboard if you don’t already know because some lecturers will give you every source you need in a folder under their module. Also learn how to use the library website properly. Ask the help desk to show you how to access online databases so you have numerous articles at your fingertips. A quick Google search for your course textbook can also bring up a PDF version so you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to access all the information you need. Time management is also another important part of doing well in college. As tempting as it may seem, do not leave your assignment until the night before
Caife
Wall THE
CAFE
Every cent spent in SU outlets stays on campus No other outlet on campus can say that!
Fanann gach uile cent a chaitear in asraonta CML ar an gcampas - Ní féidir le haon asraon eile atá ar an gcampas an méid sin a rá!
Do Chomhaltas, Do Sheirbhísí
as the quality of your work is really going to suffer. Give yourself at least two weeks to do an assignment. While this may seem a tad excessive, often the book that you need will be checked out of the library, with the borrower infuriatingly renewing the book every time it is due back in. Technology is prone to failure during crucial moments - Eduroam suddenly cuts out at three minutes to midnight on the day your assignment is due or your laptop decides to update itself for hours on end. Save yourself the hassle and plan your work well in advance, set aside time in the evenings to complete your assignments and go to the library for an hour in between lectures instead of going to Sult. Come week six you’ll be tucked up in bed watching Netflix while your friends are downing Red Bull at 1am in the reading room. Correct referencing is vital when it comes to doing well in the mid-term essays. If you haven’t already, go to your discipline’s website, which can easily be found by Googling it, and download your year’s student handbook, which should be a PDF file. This will be a lifesaver, and most people don’t seem to know it even exists. All of your deadlines, grading scales, and most importantly a referencing guide is contained in the handbook. It is essentially your academic bible. Pay close attention to your referencing guide as some online guides differ to the ones NUI Galway uses. Know which referencing system you are supposed to be using; is it Harvard, MLA or Escola? Never change referencing systems randomly halfway through the essay, be consistent. Referencing should not be overlooked- in some subjects, it carries 40% of the marks, so get it right. Finally, taking breaks is integral to getting good marks for all you hard work. Don’t slog for ten hours straight in the library because you will only end up writing complete gibberish. Take it one paragraph at a time and at the end of it all, close your laptop and take a break. The next day, check over your work for any spelling or grammar errors. Don’t sacrifice your social life for the sake of an assignment, with the correct planning, you should be able to keep up your hobbies and have a part-time job as well as completing college work. Once you have uploaded your work to Turnitin, relax with some friends or head out to blow off some steam. You’ve earned it.
By Tarryn McGuire A great CV might just be the difference between obtaining your dream job or losing it before you even get an interview. Obviously, you don’t want your CV to end up in the bin before your prospective employer even reaches the second page. Maybe you’re thinking you need to stand out, add a little sparkle to your CV, when in fact this may seem a little excessive to your potential employer. Here are the top six things that you do not want in your CV.
Personal/unnecessary information Photo ID, gender, date of birth, marital status, religious belief and sexual orientation, these do not need to be listed on your CV. Firstly this information is private and is simply not required on a CV. Secondly, nothing on your CV will evoke a quicker reaction than a picture. The employer will look and in one split second will decide if they like or dislike what they see!
Spelling errors, typos and bad grammar Sadly, it happens to the best of us, that unfortunate tap of the wrong key and a single word can change the entire sentence. Luckily for us, we have spell check now - so let’s use it! I cannot stress the importance of proof reading enough. Take a break from writing your CV and come back an hour or two later with a potential employer’s mindset. Read your CV slowly from top to bottom and ask a friend or family member to do the same. This will avoid the humiliation later when you spot a mistake after your CV has already been sent.
Irrelevant work experience Read the job description carefully before you even think about applying. Once you have done this, write out a list of keywords that you think should be included in your CV that relate to the job being advertised. Tweaking your CV for different job applications only takes a few minutes and is definitely not a waste of time. While you may have been a professional book stacker when you did fourth year work experience in the public library, unless you plan on using your book stacking skills again, it might be time to leave that skill out of your repertoire.
Misleading information/lying What might seem like a ‘little white lie’ or just ‘bending the truth’ can prove to do more harm than good. Nowadays, most employers will perform background checks on potential employees. Even if they don’t find anything suspicious through that, it is likely that you will be caught out if you do get the job. Just remember, if the position is right for you there should be no reason to lie. Rosemary Haefner, chief human-resources officer at CareerBuilder, says candidates should concentrate on the skills they can offer, rather than the skills they can’t offer.
Long, waffly sentences According to the world wide web, the average time that a recruiter spends looking at a CV is only about 5-7 seconds. This means you will want your CV to be short and to the point. Keep in mind your CV should be no longer than two pages max. Try to keep all your information in bullet points, with short, direct sentences and key points. This way the employer can skim through your CV without missing any of the important parts. Just remember, if it’s not relevant, it’s not going to help you get the job.
An unprofessional email address Yes, that means you ponylover123@gmail.com. You must use an appropriate email address on your CV. If you still use your email address that you created in primary school, it is time for a change. Creating a new email address only takes a few minutes and is totally free, as all students on their seventh free trial of Netflix will know.
12 F EAT U R E S
SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
Timeline: Catalonian independence referendum By Garbhan Moriarty Catalonia’s decision to have an independence referendum was blocked by a Spanish court on 8 September of this year. As expected the region’s semiautonomous government decided to go ahead with the vote on October 1 anyway. In the build-up to the vote, the Spanish government showed that they were not prepared to let the vote go ahead, despite the determination that it was irrelevant and illegal, by tightening their control on the north-eastern region. Spain’s paramilitary force, the Guardia Civil, massively increased their presence in Catalonia in the weeks before the vote. Three cruise ships docked in Barcelona and Tarragona held 6000 officers and the leader of Catalonia’s police force Mossos d’Esquadra, who was replaced with a high ranking Guardia Civil officer. Ten million ballots and financial assets were seized. The central government also took financial control of the region. Voting began early on 1 October. Polls opened at around 8am, shortly after which the Spanish Minister of the Interior tweeted a video of Police leaving a polling station carrying ballot boxes. He wrote that they were enforcing the law on an “illegal referendum”. Mossos, despite being ordered to enforce the Centralist government’s ruling, oversaw
voters casting their ballots and seemed happy to do so. A video posted on Twitter shows one Mossos officer eating a sandwich while talking to his colleague as across the street a polling station was operating freely. Throughout the early-morning there were further reports
a convoy of police vans drive toward a station flanked by heaving armoured officers, one of whom can be seen firing a seemingly indiscriminate rubber-bullet into a dispersing crowd. Many voters hold up their hands to proclaim their motives are not to create violence. Some
The Spanish flag (left) flying next to the Catalan flag in Catalonia. of Guardia Civil seizing ballot boxes, with some reports of excessive force. The Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau tweeted “A cowardly president has filled our city with police. Barcelona, city of peace, is not afraid”. A politician tweeted a photo of the Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, casting his vote in a small village in Girona at around 9am. Consistent reports then began to emerge of officers using substantial force to disperse voters. A video shows
attempted to block the convoy by throwing fences onto the road. Photos of an elderly woman being carried by her feet and arms by four officers and another elderly woman’s bloodied face gained massive attention on social media. The violent closure of polling stations continued, with the Guardia Civil official Twitter responding to the multiple videos of brutality by posting a video of Catalonians resisting officers attempting to enter a polling station
while being sworn at by a crowd outside with the caption stating that they were “resisting harassment and provocation” and operating “in defence of the law”. Violence escalated throughout the day, and Facebook videos showed Spanish police clashing with firemen attempting to defend crowds in polling stations, civilians who were holding their hands up being beaten with batons and Mossos and Spanish officers pushing each other. By 5pm reports from local and national authorities say 336 of over 2000 polling stations have been closed, 465 people have been injured, and multiple left-wing politicians have called for the resignation of Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish Prime Minister, including the current Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau. As this violence and unrest continued, Barcelona FC played Las Palmas, winning 3-0 in front of 99,354 empty seats after the club decided to play behind closed doors. In a statement, the Catalonian club said the actions taken by the police in the region were to “prevent its citizens exercising their right to free expression”. Las Palmas decided to have a Spanish flag sewn onto their kits to show their support for the unity of Spain. Catalonia existed independently for more than 250 years before Spain was created in the 16th century, and they have always had a strong sense of pride
for their distinct culture and language that set them apart from the rest of the country. During the centralist General Franco’s reign Catalonian culture was suppressed. Symbols of their identity, such as the famous tradition of human towers, were prohibited. Families were forced to give their children Spanish names, and their unique language was restricted until Franco’s death in 1975. They have always had a claim to independence, although the support within the region is not significant as it may seem. According to a recent poll conducted by El Periodico de Catalunya, a local newspaper, up to 85% are in favour of a referendum, although only 41% said they intend to vote ‘Yes’ when asked by the Centre for Opinion Studies in June of this year. If Brexit and Donald Trump have proved anything, however, it’s that polls can be very wrong. It’s unlikely that the referendum will show a true representation of the region’s opinion on the matter, although it is now hard to deny the lengths Catalonians are willing to go to in order to let their opinion be heard. International outcry will undoubtedly put pressure on the Spanish Government to answer for their heavy handed approach to the referendum and it must be asked if this government and Catalonia will ever be able to function effectively under the same nation again.
India’s Golden Triangle – 8 days
This compact Indian journey will introduce you to three very different northern cities and the colourful rural life of Rajasthan. From the hectic pace of Delhi with its bustling markets, magnificent monuments, and colonial past, travel by private transport to Agra and the mesmerizing beauty of the Taj Mahal – truly one of the wonders of the world. Discover why Jaipur is called the “Pink City” and get a taste of village life at Dhula village. Photographers and culture lovers won’t be disappointed on this classic adventure. Start/Finish: What’s Included:
Delhi to Delhi G Adventures for Good: Women on Wheels Transfer, Indira Gandhi International Airpor, G Adventures for Good: City Walk, Delhi. Old Delhi walk with stops at theJama Masjid, Gurduwara,Chandni Chowk, and Connaught Place. Agra Fort visit. Taj Mahal visit. I’timad-ud- daulah (Baby Taj) entrance. Fatephur Sikri visit. Village stay (Dhula). Jaipur City Palace entrance and guided tours. Amber Fort. Abhaneri stepwell visit. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Meals Included: Transport: Accommodation: Staff & experts:
No meals included. Allow USD195-255 for meals not included. Private vehicle, taxis, auto-rickshaw, cycle-rickshaw. Hotels (6 nights), comfortable tented camp (1 night). Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Prices from:
€599 per person (plus flights from €580 per person)
@
with
Fahy Travel Worldchoice 2 Bridge Street, Galway Email: michelle.lyons@fahytravel.ie Adventure Line: 091-94745 www.fahytravel.ie
NUI Galway Students’ Union
Seomra Cótaí SAOR IN AISCE Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn
SU CLOAKROOM
FREELife Skill OPEN
Thursday & Fridays
SU
09:00-18:00 Only
Ar Oscailt Déardaoin agus Aoine 09:00-18:00 Amháin
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14 OPI NI O N
SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
Do horoscopes have a future? By Amy McMahon
Astrology once had a major impact on how people viewed their lives and the world. However, in today’s society the Kardashian Jenner clan have somehow managed to put themselves into the centre of the universe along with the many, many bloggers and influencers. It seems we are looking to different stars to guide us. The days of reading your monthly horoscope are gone. No one is looking to see what good fortune Venus is bringing in on the second Sunday, we have other things to focus on, other more important things like wondering why a guy won’t text you back. Why don’t horoscopes ever tell you about that kind of thing? How great would it be if your horoscope could tell you when someone would text you back?
If you knew what that cryptic text really meant or how to avoid a whole load of drama. Horoscopes would be so much more useful if they just gave us a little warning in advance to tell us if that guy actually fancies you back or is just stringing you along. After all, Dua Lipa wouldn’t be very impressed with your carry on if she knew you were snapping boys left, right and centre not knowing where it was going. Horoscopes would be far better if they gave you an insight into how your nights out would go too. It wouldn’t hurt to know if you should bring an extra fiver along on the off chance your girls-night-out turns into a pity party for one in Supermac’s, when your so-called friends have scattered off with some buachaillí, and leave you to get a taxi on your own.
Imagine if you could find out which shot at the bar was one too many. Or if your horoscope would tell you “this month you should avoid snapchatting your entire night out”, saving you the shame of watching your 270 second homemade movie the next morning, hungover and with eyelash glue everywhere. Not a good look. It would be handy to find out what you should put as your Instagram caption. Even better, why don’t horoscopes let you know what time of night is best to change your Facebook profiler? That’s the kind of thing people want to know for the future. As trivial as it may seem, getting likes is important to people nowadays. If Kim K can find out the perfect time to post, why shouldn’t we? The fact is the popularity of reading horoscopes is decreasing and this could potentially be a
result of the absolute vague nonsense they tell us every month. As a Virgo, I’m told by Horoscope. com “with a dynamic aspect between expansive Jupiter and innovative Uranus across your financial access, be prepared for ideas or opportunities that take your earnings to the next level”. Believe it or not that’s spot on, but I didn’t need my horoscope to tell me I would have to be a bit more creative with my spending this week. I know I’ve a tenner in my account for the week. I’m a student, it’s always like that.
So yes, I will come up with a few innovative ideas to last the week, probably by having pot noodles for dinner daily. If horoscopes gave financial advice, like “do the lotto this week, you could win!”, or “don’t forget to tell Carbon it’s your birthday to get in for free” more people would follow them again for sure. According to Cosmopolitan, as a Virgo I should watch out and “strap [myself] in for drama, drama, drama” this month. That’s it. That was the great insight into my future.
The stars, moons and planets are warning me about something I could read on a mug from Penneys. No one wants to hear that. Where’s the excitement? Where’s the adventure? Where’s the prospect of finding the one? That information hasn’t altered anyone’s view of the world at all. We need more than just vague statements. With more and more people wanting to know every single little detail about absolutely everything, horoscopes need to catch up or they’ll be left in the past.
Players’ protest may be distracting us from the real problems with the NFL By Graham Gillespie It’s been a rather tumultuous time recently for American sports most popular league, the NFL. American football’s wellpublicised CTE issue becomes all the more distressing with each new study and report that enters the public domain. And that’s not the NFL’s only problem with recent lawsuits filed against the league, as reported by CNN back in March, describing “a team culture that disregards both
player safety and federal guidance on handling narcotics and painkillers”. Add on top of that the numerous serious player misconduct incidents, such as Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott’s domestic violence charges for assaulting his girlfriend, along with the fact that many of the league’s actual games have been dismal to watch so far this season, and the prognosis does not look good for America’s game. So, when NFL commissioner
Roger Goodell sat down to watch the round of games on Sunday 24 September, and saw the mass player protest taking place throughout several NFL stadiums, perhaps what he was thinking was; “thank god for Donald Trump”. All publicity is good publicity is the old saying, but in reality this often isn’t true, especially, when in Goodell’s case, the publicity in question involves your employees getting permanent brain damage from their work.
Members of the iai Dolphins seen kneeling during the US National Anthem
The recent player protest, which was initially sparked off by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick deciding to kneel during the US national anthem to protest social inequality last season, escalated when Donald Trump called Kaepernick and fellow NFL players who had joined the protest, such as Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennet, “sons of bitches” at a rally. Trump, who may have been provoking the ire of the league’s players intentionally to distract from the failings of his proposed medical bill, faced a massive backlash with players, coaches and indeed owners joining in unison to stand (or rather kneel) united. This is in spite of the fact that many NFL owners, most notably the Dallas Cowboy’s Jerry Jones, contributed financially to Trump’s campaign. The public response to the protest has been divided, as shown by Baltimore Ravens fans booing their own players for kneeling before their match with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday 1 October. However, for the league itself the protests may be a positive as they are distracting from all the other
serious problems in the league, some of which were alluded to at the start of this article. All publicity may not be good as the aforementioned maxim suggested, but some types of publicity is better than others, and for the NFL right now news about the players’ political protest, no matter how controversial, is certainly more palatable than stories that could endanger the very future of the sport. There has also been the argument put forward that the recent protests have obscured the original intentions of Kaepernick’s protest which was about social injustice. Former Denver Bronco’s player Shannon Sharpe notably questioned why it took Trump calling the player’s “son of bitches” for them to start protesting; “so what were you (the players) kneeling for? You kneeled, you showed solidarity because of what President Trump said? And when Colin Kaepernick is trying to draw attention to the injustices going on, you deem that inappropriate?” questioned Sharpe appearing on the Fox Sports show The Undisputed. Trump’s words and the player’s response no doubt drew eyes on to that Sunday’s sched-
ule of fixtures, and remarkably after an awful first couple rounds of games, the players on the gridiron reminded everyone watching how much drama American football can provide. Anyone who had NFL Redzone on for the hour between 9pm and 10pm between would have witnessed five matches simultaneously go down to the wire, which together had everything including last moment touchdowns, disallowed touchdowns, crucial interceptions and a last second 61 yard winning field goal from a rookie. It was an hour of sport at its pulsating best, just when the NFL needed it most. It would be a tragedy if we lost the sport of American football, but it would be an even greater tragedy if the public and the NFL were to ignore the dangers the sport poses to players’ health. Trump calling for a boycott of the NFL may be what is in the news now, but contrary to what the president might think, the league will survive his verbal attacks. However, if the NFL doesn’t start to tackle its concussion problem more seriously there could be fatal consequences.
TUAIRIM
October 10 2017
15
Freedom of speech is dead... By Josiah Burke At the Literary and Debating Society debate on Thursday 14 September, an announcement was made from the podium. The audience was informed that, during the course of the debate, to attack others, or say anything that might be construed as offensive to someone within the chamber or without, was not permitted. Below are my own thoughts on this development in NUI Galway’s oldest society. Each human being is a singular individual. We have different tastes, different beliefs, different world views. What is beautiful to one may be insignificant to another. What is acceptable to one, another will hold as intolerable. When I open my mouth to express my genuine opinion, that opinion is bound to offend some others by virtue of the inherent differences that make each one of us unique. This is natural, and normal. It is part of living, and has been since the dawn of time. The democracy in which we live is founded on the basic principle that the individual has a right to express those opinions which they hold freely, be they offensive or otherwise, without restraint or fear of suppression.
This right is extended to all citizens, and is protected in our Constitution, Article 40 6 1: ‘The state guarantees liberty for the exercise of…the right of the citizens to express freely their convictions and opinions’ We call this free speech. Its definition is simple: ‘The right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint’ (Oxford). The great debating chambers of the democratic world have long been known for their firm commitment to freedom of speech. In 1689 England’s Bill of Rights legally established the constitutional right of ‘freedom of speech in Parliament’ which is in effect to this day. Indeed, the British Parliament has been the setting for some of the most iconic and far-reaching debates in the last 500 years; William Wilberforce issuing the rallying cry against the evils of the slave trade, or Winston Churchill galvanizing the spirit of the British people in their lonely struggle against what he coined ‘the monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark catalogue of human crime’, referring of course to Nazi Germany. But it would be remiss of anyone to omit the fact that, throughout the history of the British Parliament, the notion that
one member should not verbally offend or attack another member was simply nonexistent. Members of Parliament were ‘offended’ daily, and still are; some of the most acerbic insults in political history can be attributed to British parliamentary sessions, where elected representatives did indeed attack those with whom they vehemently disagreed; a cursory review of British political history will reveal this. But each member accepted it as an integral part of parliamentary debate, of any debate, and moved on. The idea that any member who made a statement that could be construed as offensive to another member should be disciplined was anathema, and rightly so; for not only would such a move stifle debate and discussion in the House of Commons, but it would completely undermine the inalienable and democratic right of every human being freely to express their opinion. There are those who will argue that we can prevent people from being ‘offended’, whilst still retaining free speech in society, or in the debating chamber. This is fanciful, illogical, and dangerous, for the following reasons: Firstly, ‘offence’ is an entirely subjective term, and to base a code of speech on
BURGERNIGHT T A S T Y
&
F R E S H
its elimination is intellectual suicide and the antithesis of democratic thought. If the truth be told, such a code of speech is nothing but a tool to shut down speech and expression which conflicts with your own way of life, or way of thinking. The limiting of free speech based on ‘offence’ caused to others has absolutely no precedent in the history of democratic societies. It is a dangerous concept which by its nature requires some governing authority to decide what individuals may or may not say, the act of which is a feature of totalitarianism, not democracy. I need not elaborate on where the erosion of free speech has taken place, or its fearful consequences. Secondly, once we censor free speech in any way no matter how small, it ceases to be free speech. We may introduce legislation or rules to prevent certain people or groups from being ‘offended’, but by doing so we immediately annul the right of the individual to freedom of expression. The two are incompatible. No longer can an individual ‘express his opinion without censorship or restraint’ – he must first ‘check’ if what he will say complies with the regulations laid down by the relevant
authorities. If he is restrained in any way, then his right to freedom of speech is no longer protected. He must refer to and comply with the code of acceptable speech before opening his mouth. Therefore, it is with profound sadness that I view the recent development in the Literary and Debating Society of NUI Galway. Only one conclusion can be drawn: free speech is dead. After 170 years of free debate, the last bastion for the cause of unfettered expression in NUI Galway has fallen. On its society profile, it claims that ‘core to the principles of Lit & Deb is the principle of freedom of speech’ – it appears that the core is well and truly rotten. The Literary and Debating Society has betrayed its mission. I have attended and spoken at the Literary and Debating Society on several occasions. For those who value the right to free speech without restraint, however, it is no longer a welcoming place. Many gave their lives for the freedom we had as students to freely express our opinions without censorship in the Kirwan on Thursday nights. History will judge those who hand it away without a second thought.
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16 FA SHI O N & L I F E ST Y L E
SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
VINTAGE SHOPPING IN GALWAY: one man’s trash, that’s another man’s come up By Orla Carty I am a big advocate for thrift shopping. Finding a purple jumpsuit from the seventies for a fiver gives a thrill like no other. What I’m always surprised at is how few people know about the best second-hand shops in Galway. Sure, there’s some very talked about ones, but let’s have a look at the smaller, more hidden gems. One of the best spots I’ve found vintage clothes in is Galway’s Oxfam shop. The clothes are great value for anyone on a budget, and they have a bit of everything. Sure, it can be hit and miss on different days, but I have found so many pieces there that I absolutely love. Of course, it’s also for a really good cause, which makes every euro spent more worthwhile. While I haven’t rocked into other charity shops,
A place I’ve found that has clothes that are nice is House of Portobello. Lots of you have probably seen or heard of it, but most people don’t tend to actually venture in. Let me tell you, it’s well worth it.
like St. Vincent de Paul, as much, I can assume that they have great options too. Places like Nine Crows and Public Romance seem to get the majority of attention nowadays and admittedly, their clothes are gorgeous, so the attention is well-deserved. Public Romance has really nice “going-out” pieces with velvet bralets, co-ord sets and during the summer their festival gear was unreal. Nine Crows have the best patterned shirts, jackets and the popular “Loveen” jumpers. The only problem with both is that they’re so expensive. On a student budget, I could afford maybe one of the cheapest things there and that would be it. A place I’ve found that has clothes that are just as nice is House of Portobello. Lots of you have probably seen or heard of it,
but most people don’t tend to actually venture in. Let me tell you, it’s well worth it. You can both buy and sell designer clothes there. I nabbed a gorgeous sixties swinger dress for €30 last summer, and a completely lace embroidered white one the Christmas before for the same price. The place has a vintage TK Maxx vibe. The last thing I would recommend for vintage shopping is the Vintage Kilo Sale that comes to Galway. Usually it’s in the Radisson Hotel and, while it does have a €2 entry fee, it has mountains of clothes. You do have to remember that you’re paying by weight, and there’s also not really facilities for trying things on before you buy them, but you can be really lucky with what you find. Why not give vintage shopping a go? Do it for your soul.
HOW TO STYLE: the classic denim skirt By Amy McMahon
Who knows what treasures lie in wait on racks like these?
FROM THE CONCOURSE TO CARBON: jeans and a nice top By Orla Carty We all have busy days. Unfortunately, in college, our timetables all seem to stack up on the best mid-week nights out, so that we end up rushing from our lectures straight out to meet our pals. If you’re a last-minute planner, you probably tend to realise, only as you’re snuggling up into bed on a Tuesday night, that your woolly jumper and dungarees are not going to fare you through the Wednesday evening seven o’clock transition. Thankfully, as a final year, I have now faced this traumatising moment enough times to have some go-to options to share with you. The fail-safe “jeans and a nice top”: as long as you can actually find that nice top, it’s easy. Wear a crop top underneath a jumper, so that you don’t get chilly in lectures, but still feel dressy in the club. Pop your heels in a bag if you want that extra touch. Of course, for the most classic of looks, go for an allblack version of this ensemble and team it with a red lip. It always feels demure.
If the “nice top” option has become a little boring to you, try something different. Wear a bralette under a cool shirt and when you go out open a few buttons so you can see it. This is a fancy, cool and very hipster look. If you aren’t feeling jeans, then try some tights and a skirt, or a dress. You don’t even necessarily have to keep the tights on once you’re out of college and the cold. Whip them off and you’re ready to bop with your pins out, raving to your heart’s content. Shoes-wise, it’s always an option to wear heeled boots into college. They’re not normally high enough to be inconvenient, but again are dressy enough for town later. If heels aren’t your thing, wear some flat boots, vans, or converse. There’s an option for everything, you just have to make sure you plan it out the day before.
To successfully pull off the student chic look one must always economise and get the most out of their outfits. This can be achieved by mixing and matching pieces to create an easy-going day time look that can be
swapped and styled differently for a night on the town. In this issue, we are tackling the denim skirt, one of the biggest trends of the moment. This one is from ASOS costing just €33.78, an absolute steal!
DAY LOOK
NIGHT LOOK
Cable knit jumper, Topshop €46 Hoop earrings, River Island €10 Tights, Penneys €4 Chelsea boots, New Look €39.99
Sequin crop top, Pretty Little Thing €24.30 Hoop earrings, River Island €10 Pleather jacket, Penneys €25 Peep toe boots, New Look €51
FAIS EAN
October 10 2017
7
NÓS MAIRE ACHTÁLA
17
KAKE ME UP FOR SIN: pink to make the boys wink! 1
When starting any look, you want to prime the lid to ensure a smooth, even canvas. I like to use my concealer to do this and set it with a translucent powder to help the shadows blend.
2
6
towards my brow bone, also bringing it under the eye with the same brush.
Next for my lid colour, I used this gorgeous baby pink shimmery shade, Inglot 29 shadow. I focused this mostly on the inner lid and gradually patted it out towards the purple on the outer corner. This ensures a nice fade into the matte shadows. I also popped this on the inner corner and brow bone for a highlight.
3
Now for the star of the showInglot’s Freedom blush in 63. I’m obsessed with this colour! Even though it’s technically a blush you
5 For my transition shade, I went for a soft peach which I thought would work really well with the bright pinks. I used Inglot’s
can still use it on the eyes and it blends beautifully. I took this on my 6ss again and blended into my crease and onto my lid, slightly lower than the peach as to not cover it up completely. I also brought it under the eye to balance out the look.
To deepen the look I would usually take a dark brown or even black, but for this look I decided to do something a bit more colourful! I took a fab deep plum shade, Inglot 308 shadow, and popped it on the outer corner of my eye. I thought this really suited the pink and peach shades we used so far! I also took a small bit underneath again to create some smokiness.
4 shadow in 314 with my Inglot 6ss brushthe best blending brush ever! I blended this shade throughout my crease and
7
To create that extra pop, I took 111 pigment from Inglot (can you tell I love Inglot?) and added it to the inner corner. Adding pigments to the inner corner is my favourite way to glam up a simple look!
To really intensify the pink, I took a smaller fluffy brush and dipped into the 63 blush again. I focused it mainly on the outer third of my lid and then blended it into my crease and below the eye. You can repeat this step a few times to really build up the shade and make it pop!
xoxo Kake
Second Year
Medicine, Third Year
INSPIRATION: My mam, I am
INSPIRATION: Bloggers
NAME: Aoife Dalty COURSE & YEAR: Arts, Second Year INSPIRATION: Gigi Hadid FAVOURITE SHOPS: Denim
wearing her scarf now! FAVOURITE SHOPS: Topshop, Zara
and Instagram
jackets and trainers
FAVOURITE SHOPS: ASOS FAVOURITE TREND OF THE MOMENT: Fur
FAVOURITE TREND OF THE MOMENT: Adidas clothes being
FAVOURITE TREND OF THE MOMENT: Denim Jacket
NAME: Isabelle Ford COURSE & YEAR:
I hope you enjoyed this week’s tutorial as much as I loved creating it! I know colours can be scary for some people but I’d encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and give them a go! Pinks are very in right now and suit all eye colours and skin tones. If you decide to recreate my look I would love to see it! Follow me on instagram (kakemeup) and snapchat (kakemeup8) for more tutorials and general makeup chit chat. Till next time!
STYLE SPOT NAME: Amy Hennessy COURSE & YEAR: Medicine,
8
Finally, I created my wing using Inglot’s 77 gel liner and added So Su lashes in Dubai.
incorporated into everyday style
By Amy McMahon
NAME: Sarah McAllister COURSE & YEAR: Speech and Language Therapy, Fourth Year INSPIRATION: Lucy Hale FAVOURITE SHOPS: Penneys
FAVOURITE TREND OF THE MOMENT: Cosy jumpers
NAME: Julie McDonald COURSE & YEAR: Medicine INSPIRATION: Olivia Palermo
FAVOURITE SHOPS: Zara, H&M, Topshop
FAVOURITE TREND OF THE MOMENT: Cute boots and hoops
18 FA SH I ON & L I F E ST Y L E
SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
FAKEAWAY: How to not feel the divide in a cooking up a spice bag at home long distance relationship By David Raleigh
By Cathy Lee
The spice bag has become an Irish culinary favourite over the past few years. This takeaway sensation has saved many a hangover. The only downside is that inevitable tinge of guilt after you’ve eaten it, as it is sure to bump up the calorie count. Now fitness expert Kevin Walsh has created an easy to follow “healthy spice bag” recipe. With fewer than 400 calories those guilt edged postspice bag days are now in the past.
What you need: • One red pepper • One green pepper • One onion • 175g of chicken fillets • 200g of potatoes, cut into chips • Seasoning: Chilli flakes, Chinese five spice, paprika and salt
Recipe: 1. Place chicken fillets in mixing bowl and mix in seasoning (chilli flakes, Chinese five spice, paprika and salt).
2. Chop onion, red and green peppers and place into mixing bowl with seasoned chicken. 3. Season potato chips with paprika and Chinese 5 spice. Add to mixing bowl with seasoned chicken and vegetables. Mix contents together. 4. Place contents of mixing bowl onto oven tray and place in preheated oven at 200 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Make sure chicken is cooked through. Enjoy!
It’s true to say that in college, we’ve generally a lot going on. Staying on top of everything is probably what we find hardest in college. If you’re doing a long distance relationship during college, this can bring about a good few challenges, I will admit that is that bit harder and maybe not for everyone. But I think distance is an important step of acceptance in a relationship. It pushes us to value the other person, truly appreciate the time you both hold dear to each other, no matter is going on in your lives. Doing long distance can help us go the distance – I really hope I don’t sound like a cliché or a fridge magnet right now. But listen up; what are the most important aspects of a relationship? Probably trust, loyalty, respect and commitment. Long distance relationships put these things to the test. I think if your
relationship is a strong one, and these factors come naturally to both partners – long distance can and will be done. As your significant other isn’t around college attending lectures with you, I think I’d be right in
Trust, loyalty, respect and commitment... Long distance relationships put these to the test. saying that you’ve different schedules. The fact that both people in the relationship have to go out of the way to see each other, it holds something more sacred than ever before. You value the time together, similar to before but now even more so. Your part-
ner is an outlet, away from the crazy hectic college life. Someone in whose company you can put your stresses aside to truly enjoy each other’s company. You can even go out of your way and plan your meetings around special events and go back to valuing various date days or nights. I think for the most part long distance can make a relationship stronger as it makes you appreciate how much easier things were when the distance wasn’t there. You should feel a little more secure knowing that your partner is willing to go the distance. I mean it’s a given you’ll have to travel to see each other. Aren’t a lot of romance films based upon that? Well, there you go. Now I emphasise that if you find that the distance is driving a wedge between you and your partner, it’s important to talk. Getting that out in the open is so important, to see if it’s fixable or something small could
be changed. With all our online communication networks, it’s really never been easier as long as both sides are willing. Pick up the phone, talk about nothing in particular. It’s a simple gesture but so huge in a relationship. I never thought when I started college that I’d be in a long distance relationship in final year but unpredictable things happen in life. The most important thing in a relationship is to feel secure in your trust of your significant other. If you don’t have that, it doesn’t matter about the distance. So whether he’s on Erasmus, she’s in another college in another county or they’re simply working away from home, know that there’ll be plenty of time in the future to be together face to face long term. The long distance won’t last forever and for now, it’s simply a test to see if your relationship is worthwhile. So just like a test: no cheating and good luck!
Are your favourite youtubers just making adverts? By Caroline Allen
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Maybe you saw it at the bottom of the description box or else it’s the very last hashtag of the Instagram post: “#sponsored” or “#ad”. If you enjoy watching YouTubers of any description chances are you’ll have started to notice this more and more. Or else you’re in Boots or Penneys and while scanning the shelves you spot a lipstick designed by Tanya Burr or false eyelashes by FleurdeForce. Even with Irish bloggers and vloggers, it seems that no matter who you watch online, nobody wants to create content for free anymore. And maybe the question we need to ask is whether it is still worth creating a blog or a YouTube channel for the love of it? After all, if you’re taking the time to film or write, edit and promote a video or blog entry, don’t you deserve to be compensated? Or does that mean that whatever you make is going to be tainted by the mark of commerce? The line between objective content and advertorial coverage is becoming more and more blurry. Like loads of you out there, I enjoy watching Youtubers. There’s something so easy about watching somebody tell you what they’ve bought, how to do a smokey eye or bake a cake. No, it’s not intel-
lectually taxing, but it’s not meant to be. It’s the online equivalent of sifting through your older sister’s wardrobe or getting your best friend to show you what she’s just bought. There’s a reason why these people are called influenc-
Tube has become a business and a pretty girl with an appetite for spending has become its bestselling product. I don’t know if there’s any point in trying to fight it. Just be savvy and know that, online, not everything is as it seems.
Zoella, one of YouTube's most famous stars. ers. They influence me for sure: I often keep an eye out for pieces I’ve seen Melanie Murphy mention on her channel. The YouTube stars are the new mega-celebrities for today’s teens and tweens, with Zoella as their reigning queen. Brands know this. That’s why we see her (ghost written) books on the bestseller list for weeks on end, why her advent calendars and Christmas crackers sell out in September. It’s obvious: You-
But for every Zoella there are thousands of bloggers and vloggers documenting their lives, writing their hearts out, knowing they’ll never get paid for it. And why not? Sometimes simply knowing that somebody read your work and enjoyed it is enough. If you want to write a blog or start a channel, go for it. If you create real, authentic and well-made content that will make somebody happy then that is the greatest satisfaction of all.
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20 A RT S & E N T E RTAIN M EN T
SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
TOP TEN horror films you can watch on Netflix By Tarryn McGuire It’s October and what else could you possibly need but a list of every horror movie you should watch this month. From haunted houses, terrifying creatures and bloody, gory images, these top ten horror films on Netflix are bound to give you the heebie jeebies.
1
Insidious is frightening in a completely different way than most other horror movies. It’s not out to terrify viewers as much as it is to creep them out. A determined couple fight off supernatural forces when their son enters a comatose state, finding himself becoming the host for ghosts from an astral dimension. Although the energy and unsettling feeling radiating from this film are both welcome and cherished, maybe its best if you don’t watch this one alone.
2
The Babadook is a must see if you have a Netflix account. A widowed mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son’s fear of a monster lurking in the dark, but
soon discovers that he may not just be imagining things. This film maintained a creepy and eerie atmosphere throughout and will definitely have you checking under your bed before you sleep.
3
Gerald’s Game is a new release on Netflix based on the novel by Stephen King. The film is a deadly escape room movie where every tool at Jessie’s disposal must be used wisely to ensure her survival, and not necessarily for the purpose that you would think. This suspense thriller is a perfect addition to Netflix this spooky season.
4
Silent Hill, a survival horror that features mutilated flesh and gory visuals, is bound to get your blood racing. Although it is not classified as a horror, this film is a well written drama/ mystery that happens to be very disturbing in its visual and story. So, get the popcorn ready and prepare yourself for a bloody and genuinely creepy ride.
5
The Woman in Black sees a widowed solicitor, Arthur Kipps (played by Harry Potter… alright, Daniel Radcliffe) travel to a small
rural town to sort out a dead client’s affairs. The appearance of a ghostly woman dressed in black results in the unpreventable death of a certain young child, leaving you gripping the edge of your seat as Radcliffe wanders the large haunted house. Let’s hope you aren’t spooked by children’s laughter, strange noises and, well, dead women.
6
It follows is one of the most unique horror movies on Netflix at the moment, filled with tension and suspense, this film will have you looking over your shoulder for at least a week. Like all good horrors, this film leaves you thinking about it for days after you’ve finished watching it. The impressive storytelling gives it a creepy and otherworldly feeling.
7
Jessabelle comes across as a horror version of ‘Who do you think you are?’. After losing everything in a terrible accident, Jessabelle returns home to live with her father. Unable to walk, Jessabelle must come face to face with a long-lost spirit that has been seeking her return.
8
The Amityville Horror on Netflix right now is the 2005 retelling of the 1979 original film. This is a killer remake that tells the (almost) true story of a demon-riddled house with a murderous and gut-wrenching history. If you’re dying to see Ryan Renolds descend into darkness then this is the horror you have been waiting for.
9
Hush is a classic horror film: a creepy masked man breaking into a young woman’s house and trying to kill her. This extremely tense, nail biting film is full of scares and breathholding moments, and is certainly one that you do not want to watch if you are home alone.
10
Creep might just give you the creeps. If you ever see a Craigslist ad for a one-day job in a remote mountain town… don’t do it. While videoing the last message of a dying man, the hired videographer’s job starts to take a strange turn. Unable to leave under orders from his employer, the videographer continues to see the job through. Let’s just say, this was not a wise decision. This film basically has “cult classic” stamped all over it.
MOVIE REVIEW: Mother By Grace O’Doherty
WEDNESDAY NIGHT • 11th OCTOBER 2017
Mother, the latest film from Darren Aronofsky, director of Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream, isn’t particularly enjoyable to watch and it’s not because of all the gore. It’s all over the place; visually stunning but completely over-wrought. The basic plot of a couple in a remote house are visited by unwelcome guests with all sorts of consequences will always be an interesting premise and there are many things to appreciate about this ambitious and experimental film. As a whole, however, there’s just something undeniably silly about it. From the very opening scene the director plays with an element of fantasy, and it’s unclear just how much of what follows is real, or whether it’s all intended as some kind of elaborate allegory. A reclusive poet suffering from a bout of writer’s block (Javier Bardem) and his young wife (Jennifer Lawrence) have moved to his old family home, a circular, gothic mansion in the middle of a cornfield somewhere. She has single-handedly restored it to a rustic heaven straight from a Pinterest page. In the meantime he writes - or tries to – and he seems to disappear for large portions of time. Scenes of supposed domestic tranquillity are offset, from the outset, by strange, hallucinatory episodes. Lawrence’s character stares at the samples of expensive, home-mixed paint she has just slathered onto the wall of the nursery. A shape seems to bulge out of it and she responds by rushing to the bathroom to take a yellow powder dissolved in water, her go-to remedy for the rest
of the film. Once the strange couple (played by Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer) arrive, this already uneasy picture of domestic bliss is shattered, and after the bizarre arrival of their sons, played by the Gleeson brothers, it just gets messy. The seemingly unending succession of one horribly awful thing after the other in the second half of the film is less nightmarish than just ridiculously, hysterically funny. Maybe that’s the intention? After Bardem’s poet improvises a eulogy for the murdered son of his guests, reigniting cult-like fascination with him, he draws what seems like the whole world to his doorstep, riot police, terrorists, feminists, publishers and all. As a criticism of our complete desensitisation to violence in the media and its infiltration of the home, Aronofsky does create an interesting effect: the scenes of horror, or more accurately the ‘horrific’ scenes are so overexaggerated and stacked on top of one another in such a breathless, claustrophobic way that they have absolutely no effect on the viewer at all. The only thing is that it’s so gratuitous and showoffy that it just feels patronizing. It lacks the well-constructed moments of horror, the patient twisting of the audience’s nerves that made Black Swan a genuinely disturbing portrait of psychological breakdown. The problem with this is lack of focus. There’s loads going on here - the nature of art and its interpretation, the myth of the creator and the muse, the violation of the domestic space, the trauma of motherhood and more - but the plot itself is just too silly to raise any truly interesting questions and the ambiguous ending seems affected.
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October 10 2017
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10 years of Keeping up with the Kardashians
REVIEW: Marly’s Ghost by David Levithan By Orla Carty Marly’s Ghost is certainly not a novel for everyone. It’s a re-working of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol featuring a sixteen-year-old boy who is visited by his recently deceased girlfriend’s ghost on Valentine’s Day. I started this book with the heavy, cottonfilled, pounding head of a hangover. The big print and natural wording were friendly little waves, as my brain recognised the shapes and managed to produce Levithan’s vision in my mind (albeit a bit fuzzy and lopsided – but that’s what beer does to one). Maybe it was because of this that I started off with serious love for the book. Excited to find out what was happening in Ben s clichéd life, I thumbed through the pages. Unfortunately, the simplistic style that grabbed me appeared to have only been appropriate for that diminished version of myself, which I realised once I picked it up again the next day. Before I go into detail I would like to point out – I liked this book, I did. It was an easy, care-free, enjoyable read that I’m glad I took a couple of hours to sit down with. It just did not match its potential. The concept of the book is an interesting one, but Levithan seems to have taken the most comfortable approach, without prodding too deeply. He describes in his author’s note how
he went through Dickens’s original line by line when he made his first draft. Unfortunately, I think that shows. The novel is less of a re-imagining and more of a replica with foreign concepts tossed in. Even the fact that it’s a modern interpretation ends up jarring, because bits of old language dot the pages. I found it distracting, and sometimes cheesy. Another thing that I feel let this book down is its lack of character development. Ben himself is bland, with his relationship with Marly being the only thing we get to see from his life. Marly herself features in a couple of scenes and isn’t memorable in any way. The fact that they’re constantly described as two halves – that were lost until they found each other – annoyed me, because it just made them watery. Neither had personality so they latched onto each other. I doubt that that’s what Levithan meant to convey, but the idea wasn’t explored enough for it to become anything more. A few of the references to the original also felt a tad unnatural. I didn’t even notice that two other characters who are in a relationship – ‘Tiny’ and ‘Tim’ – are a clear nod. I didn’t make the comparison until about an hour after I’d finished. In my mind they had no connection whatsoever, and appeared to be named that way just for the sake of it. I feel like if you’re re-writing a classic, the deepest roots need to be shared, and the connections
shouldn’t be tossed around lightly. This was the same annoyance I had when realising that Ben’s name was actually Ebenezer Scrooge. In my opinion, the simple ‘Ben’ would have been a better option, honouring the original, but without the tackiness. The reveal itself was particularly gimmicky, when Ben is brought to see his future gravestone. On it is “his own name, EBENEZER SCROOGE”. Now, I get that this is a line from the original – but in this case it’s very Boo! or Aha! rather than a twist. I actually had to read back over the sentence a couple of times to see if it was legit. Overall, I gather that this is not David Levithan’s best work. This was my second taste of his work (the first was ‘Will Grayson, Will Grayson’, which – fun fact – features Tiny in it too) and I was quite disappointed, because he’s got a great reputation. I’ve bought a few more of his novels, so I’m hoping they’ll have a bit more substance than this one did. It was pleasant, but very unmemorable, playing out exactly as you would expect. I would only give it two and a half stars out of five.
REVIEW: Girlboss by Sophia Amuruso By Roisin McManus After reading Girlboss one feels a range of emotions: inspired, motivated, openminded. However, the main thing I gained from reading this book was learning that failure does not define you. Founder of online clothes shop giant Nasty Gal Sophia Amuroso wrote this book about her life and how she set up her successful company. In my opinion, she wrote it in such a way that most people who read it would learn an interesting thing or two about failure. In an effort to not give it all away to those of you who have not yet read this book, all I’ll say is that Sophia rose among the ashes in a bid to build her dream job herself and this book is essentially a how-to for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to do the same. In a truly inspiring tale, Sophia talks about how she began her online platform selling vintage clothes on eBay. Among the first people to do such a thing, she shows us how you don’t need to be a master at what
you do to succeed and that you can learn as you go. The way in which she sold her clothes was groundbreaking at the time, even if today it is the norm. Therefore, it is thanks to the likes of Nasty Gal and Asos, that clothes have become more accessible to all, and online buying and selling has become a phenomenon. Sophia takes us on a journey through her youth and her days of ‘dumpster diving’ as she was broke and stole anything she needed to live to where she is now in life. She went from job to job and found that nothing was motivating her to work hard and she had no interest in any of her jobs. However, when she began selling clothes on eBay while working a different job, it became an addiction for her. It was then that she knew this was what she wanted, this was her passion. Girlboss is a book that I would personally recommend to younger people. Her open and fearless attitude could inspire younger people who may be afraid to start pursuing
their dreams to just go for it. I admire her honest account of her life and the raw telling of her experiences. She holds nothing back and isn’t afraid to admit how she felt like she never fitted in. She didn’t fit the mould, so she eventually gave up trying and created her own rules. Ultimately, this book is a true story of how one girl overcame her situation to make her dream a reality. It is for that reason I learned that failure isn’t something you should let dictate your decisions. If one thing doesn’t work out, try another. Even though Sophia is young, her book is full of important lessons, with chapters on being savvy with your money, what to do with the awkward situation that is firing employees, and plainly taking care of your business. On the cover of the book you’ll find a quote from Lena Dunham “#girlboss is more than a book, it’s a movement”, summing up how many women see this book. Not just a successful entrepreneur, Sophia is a woman. Her story is remarkable in itself and her book has become an important symbol of the feminist movement. The book serves as motivation to young women worldwide to follow their dream no matter what their current situation is.
By Olivia Hanna This fortnight marked ten years of the world Keeping Up with the Kardashians. For ten years now the KardashianJenner family have dominated our screens, magazines, and social media feeds. People either love them, or hate them, but the bottom line is that there is no escaping the power house that is the Kardashian family. It’s no secret that the Kardashian ‘Klan’ rose to fame on the back of middle sister Kim. After growing up as a daughter of prominent defense lawyer Robert
Kardashian in Calabasas, California, Kim craved the limelight. She got her start organizing celebrity closets and fraternizing with celebrities such as Paris Hilton, and dating musician Ray-J. In May 2007 Kardashian was thrust into spotlight after the widespread leak of her sex-tape with ex-boyfriend Ray-J. It’s been disputed as to whether or not the Kardashian family were involved in the leak, but they maintain they were opposed to its release. For most women, being the star of an incredibly public sex tape would be a career-ender, and in Kim’s case, prevent the start of a career in the first place. Instead of hiding from the scandal, Kim, and her “momager”, Kris Jenner, took an arguably feminist stance and used the tape as the catalyst for Kim’s career. Teaming up with ‘E! News’ and executive producer Ryan Seacrest, Keeping Up with the Kardashians was born. 10 years later, nearly every member of the brood has built their own personal brand and career. But why exactly is the world so ensconced in the lives of the Kardashian-Jenner family, and how has their show become one of the longest running reality shows of all time? Keeping Up with the Kardashians balances a variety of elements that are extremely attractive to viewers. Normal people get to tune into the opulence and wealth that are a part of the Kardashian’s everyday lives, but the relatability of the family is likely to be what has kept the masses tuning in. All ten series of the show encapsulate the magnetism of wealth and fame and endless drama, but at the end of the day the family are very tight knit and always have each other’s best interests in mind, which is something people can relate to. Despite their success, the Kardashians have been the subjects of endless criticism. They’ve come under fire for cultural appropriation, copying clothing designers, receiving plastic surgery, and much, much more. Some people criticize them purely for the extent to which they are featured in the media. But for the Kardashians, any publicity is good publicity. Even when the talk is negative the world is abuzz with their drama, like Kim’s third child via surrogate, and Kylie and Khloe’s alleged pregnancies. Even the haters have to give some kredit to the Kardashians for their success. Their success didn’t happen overnight, but required that they work for it over the past ten years. Only time will tell if they’ll maintain their empire, but we can certainly say that for now it’s the Kardashian’s world, and we’re all just living in it.
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24 SPORT
SIN Vol. 19 Issue 3
Remembering the great Jimmy Magee (1935-2017) By Mark Lynch
Jimmy Magee came from humble beginnings, growing up on the Cooley peninsula in Co Louth. He noted that in his early years he would imitate commentating on sports events while imagining them taking place in his garden in front of him. These early behaviours were part of a dream that he held in common with so many around the country, yet he lived them out to an extent he probably never thought he would. Commentating at 11 Olympic Games, 12 World Cups, and a host of national highs that he had the privilege of watching from the pantry, we simultaneously had the privilege of listening to him describe these events in his unique, composed and witty style. Nicknamed “The Memory Man” due to his incredible encyclopaedic knowledge of all things sport across eight decades, he was a sports broadcaster whose qualities and versatility were revolutionary when he joined RTÉ in 1956. Previ-
ous to this, he had worked as both a broadcaster and a clerical worker. He also spent time presenting music programmes before his persistence with the national broadcaster led to him joining the merry-go-round of RTÉ’s sports department. From there, he never looked back. Within 12 years, he was interviewing the
Magee was enthusiastic about reporting and commentating on whatever was asked of him, but he had a particular penchant for boxing, especially Irish boxing. Throughout his career he witnessed all the major moments in the sport, with many an Irish success story unfolding before his
Jimmy Magee presenting 'Know Your Sport' in 1991. Image: RTÉ Stills Library best soccer player in the world at the time George Best about his winning goal in the European Cup Final.
eyes. He was there in Loftus Road in June 1985 when Barry McGuigan won the WBA and Lineal titles
against Eusebio Pedroza. He was there in Barcelona in 1992 when Michael Carruth secured a gold medal at the Olympic Games. He was there 20 years later in London once again when Katie Taylor secured another gold medal for the Emerald Isle at the 2012 Olympics. Where there was boxing with an Irish interest, there was Jimmy. Ever present, ever proud. However, it wasn’t just ringside that he observed extraordinary sporting highlights. Many across the island will remember with a gleam in their eyes the wondrous wizard that was Diego Maradona at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. They also probably remember Magee’s famous soundbites as a soundtrack to the memories, most notably during the quarter-final between Argentina and England, in which the awe-inspiring and enigmatic Maradona glided from the halfway line past defender after defender to put the ball past English captain Peter Shilton.
“Different class,” Magee noted as Maradona began to evoke panic in the English defence. “Ah, different class,” he exclaimed, as the Argentine No 10 completed his mesmerising run. What more was there to say when watching something so superhuman? Jimmy commentated on John Treacy’s silver medal win at the 1984 Los Angeles marathon. His monologue as Treacy strode to the finish line is one that would give anyone with Irish roots goosebumps: “John Treacy has 100m to go. In the past, Ireland have won bronze medals, John Caldwell, Freddie Gilroy, ‘Socks’ Byrne, Jim McCourt and Hugh Russell. They’ve won golds Pat O’ Callaghan twice, Bob Tisdall, Ronnie Delaney. They’ve won silvers with John McNally, Fred Tiedt, Wilkins and Wilkinson and for the 13th time, an Irish medal goes to John Treacy. The crowd stands to the Irishman from Villierstown in Co. Waterford. The little man with a great heart!”
In the 90s, he achieved a life-long dream of commentating on All-Ireland Final day in 1995 as he oversaw Dublin’s victory over Tyrone. He was extremely vocal in his support for Michelle Smith in the 90s after she was found to have tampered with a drug sample during that decade. Jimmy also co-presented a sports quiz show Qu’elle Surprise. He remained an integral part of the sports team right through the last two decades as well, the highlight being the aforementioned victory of Katie Taylor just five years ago. He’s been the voice associated with so many international and national occasions, right from the 1950s, through the many international glories of the 80s and 90s and up until his passing earlier this month. It’s possible we’ll only truly realise how monumental a loss it is when it takes so long for someone like him to come along again. He was truly a great in the world of sports media.
Segregation means Will the GAA’s ‘super eights’ safety at sporting events experiment be a success? By Joseph McBrien The safety of crowds at sporting events has been a prominent issue since the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster. Since then, the banning of terraces in English football, electronic ticketing and the increased amount of stewards and police has made attending sporting events a much safer practice. Recently, UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings for both Arsenal and Koln after the crowd trouble overshadowed the Europa League match which took place on Thursday 14 September at the Emirates Stadium in London. More than 20,000 Koln fans travelled and disguised themselves as Arsenal fans so that they could sneak into the home section of the stadium. The Group H tie, in which Arsenal eventually ran out as 3-1 winners, was delayed by an hour as ticketless Cologne fans looked to gain entry to the ground. Arsenal responded to the crowd trouble by releasing a statement, saying; ‘’Many tickets were sold through touts and this is very disappointing and something we continue to work hard to address.’’ This ultimately brings up the question of whether there should be desegregation in English and
Irish football crowds as there is in some German stadiums and the GAA, or is it just looking for more crowd trouble? English football stadiums are usually divided into home and away sections to prevent violence and angry interactions between the two sets of fans. In other continental leagues such as Germany, fans are usually desegregated and terracing is allowed. There is no doubt that German matches have a much better atmosphere, and German fans are generally the happier customers, especially due to the massively subsidised ticket prices. Germany are proving that terracing and desegregation in football can work, however English football is a very different matter. Many English rivalries are too deep and fierce for stewards to be able to allow the two sets of fans to sit next to each other. For example, allowing a Rangers fan sitting in the home section of Celtic Park would be a brave, yet stupid decision. One exception to this is the Merseyside derby. Liverpool and Everton fans are desegregated, as the rivalry between the two clubs is considered as ‘friendly’. The derby between the two Liverpool clubs is something that all clubs and fans should aim towards, how-
ever expecting all fans to behave themselves and act harmoniously with other fans at sporting events is unrealistic, especially at derby matches. Like in German football, fans in the GAA have more respect for other groups of fans. Although there are fierce rivalries, a couple of Mayo fans would not feel threatened by sitting in a group of Dublin fans at an event such as the All-Ireland final. They would rather enjoy the game; it is all about the love of the sport. Introducing segregated crowds and taking away the terraces would not only anger fans, but take away from the atmosphere of stadiums such as Croke Park. In an ideal world, fans of all sports and of any team should be able to sit beside a supporter of an opposing team without feeling threatened or uncomfortable, although this is not the case. Working as a steward at Northern Ireland’s biggest rivalry, Glentoran and Linfield, has taught me that some fans attend sporting events looking for trouble. Desegregating English fans would put innocent people at risk of being hurt, and the benefits that this move would have on the atmosphere and spectacle of sporting events are not worth the risk.
By Paul Shaughnessy In a year where the unstoppable Dubs claimed their third consecutive All Ireland Football title, we have had many shocks in the championship with Mayo going through the qualifier route and playing ten games to reach the All Ireland final, and Roscommon stunning Galway in the Connacht final. However, there is still a big gulf in class between the top four and the chasing pack. For next year’s championship the GAA have introduced the ‘super eights’ system, replacing the quarter final stage in the Senior All Ireland football championship with two groups comprising of four teams. The groups will be as follows: Group one: Munster champions, Connacht champions, Ulster runner up (or qualifier team that beats them in round four), Leinster runner up (or qualifier team that beats them in round four. Group two: Ulster champions, Leinster champions, Munster runner up (or qualifier team that beats them in round four), Connacht runner up (or team that defeats them in round four). For the group games each team will have one game at home, one game away and one game in Croke
Park, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the All-Ireland semi-final. The super eights will generate three extra games for a county to claim an All-Ireland title in a shorter space of time. The extra games will mean the GAA will have more income from gate receipts. This year’s final was the last final played on the third Sunday of September with the final changing into August. This will be a big change for the counties and supporters to adapt to, with the finals in September were a big date in Irish culture. This change will mean most club players will have all the month of the September to play their club championship. However, the Club Players Association was particularly annoyed about the super eights because it hasn’t helped club players still waiting around all summer for their county teams to be knocked out. There were numerous questions asked about the proposal of the super eights regarding the standard of the stronger counties and the weaker counties. Many pundits have suggested that the GAA should run a two tier championship system with the amount of one sided games in the provincial championship.
Players are mainly angry at the fact that the GAA have failed to help the weaker counties. This will be a big advantage for the stronger counties if they are vulnerable going into the super eights because they will get more competitive games under their belt. In my opinion I think the super eights will work well compared to the quarter finals due to less comfortable quarter-finals and more high quality competitive games. However, it will possibly increase player burnout with players having to play eight or nine games to win an All-Ireland, and then players having to return to their clubs. Every GAA fan in the country would like to see their county having a chance of winning in the GAA headquarters and claim a trophy and perhaps the best way to do this would be a two tier championship. Another big question that all fans are asking is whether Dublin should split into two teams, as having a third of the country’s population attributed to their recent dominance? An alternate argument that should be put forward is that in Inter-county football is that the GAA should introduce Senior, Intermediate and Junior level, and in doing so replicate the club scene and LGFA set up.
OPERATION 33:
how to stop the Dubs By Mark Lynch As we’re all aware, Dublin have become All-Ireland Senior champions in both men’s and ladies’ football for what seems to be the 97th year running. The game has never been in such a state of dominance by one team and it’s about time the rest of the country banded together and figured out a way to put a stop to this evil display of athleticism and skill. For the love of all things green and gold - and the poor old green and red - the madness must stop. “We’ve only won one All-Ireland this decade, how in the name of God is that fair?” one Kerryman remarked. Meanwhile, a Mayo supporter was heard mumbling some vile words that cannot be published at the mere sight of a Dublin jersey in the window of Lifestyle Sports. These sentiments are echoed throughout the island of Ireland, as well as in London and New York. This is now an international mission. 33 teams against one, here’s a guide on how good shall prevail.
Option One: Split the county in two, or three, or maybe even ten Dublin is a thriving capital city with advanced technological industry. The population of the county is now roughly at 171 million, making the rest of the country seem like a Siberian compound with just one family of inhabitants who have their own primal form of communication. Of that 171 million, 169 million of them are now senior inter-county footballers, comprising the most unstoppable group of players since at least 2007. Since the time of Cromwell, when serial All-Ireland winners were banished to the jinxed hills of Mayo and they forgot how to kick a ball, up until the present day, the county with the biggest population has won the competition. It’s not until now that the other 33 teams have become fed up with it for no reason whatsoever, so don’t go looking into that. The solution is evident, they must be divided before they can be conquered. Colm O’ Rourke calls for them to be split in two but why stop there? Make it three, fifty, five hundred. The ideal scenario would be to leave Dubliners to face entire counties as individuals, but the inevitable bureaucracy would be a nightmare.
Option Two: Switching from the figurative to the literal Jim McGuinness revolutionised Gaelic Football when he first introduced his method of defending, the blanket
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October 10 2017
defence. It was a new-and-improved version of the so-called “puke football” brought about by Mickey Harte’s Tyrone side of the early 2000s. Donegal had fleeting success under McGuinness, while Harte’s men had relatively more prolonged fruition. It’s unquestionable that both sides needed to take their tactics to the next level, but what more could they do? Well, how about building on what they had, by changing the blanket defence into literally defending using large, soft blankets. Imagine Jack McCaffrey or James McCarthy attempt one of their marauding runs down the field wrapped up all cosy in a warm quilt. If you’ve ever been so hungover as to try move to the kitchen in your blanket, you’ll realise how difficult this will be for them. The second aspect of this also has roots in hangovers and would involve making Pat Spillane’s worst nightmare a reality, by inviting a sizeable group who have a vomiting bug to make their way on to the field at Croke Park and simply defend through puking. The aforementioned McCaffrey is actually a medicine student, so he might not be too fazed by vomit, and for best results we must combine this with the blankets for maximum efficiency.
CTE: the dangerous consequence of contact sports By Amy McMahon Following the death of NFL player Aaron Hernandez, it was found by autopsy that the former New England Patriots star had severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) due to multiple concussions during his career. According to ESPN, a lawsuit was filed against the NFL and the team, “accusing them of hiding the true dangers of the sport”. A recent study published by the New York Times found that 99pc of NFL players suffered from CTE. The study was carried out by neuropathologist Dr. Anne McKee in which 202 brains were studied for signs of the degenerative disease, ranging in age from 23 to 89. Of those studied, 111 were the brains of deceased NFL players. It was discovered that a staggering 110 out of 111 brains showed signs of CTE, signifying a clear link between the sport, the disease and the dangers involved. The symptoms of this disease include memory loss, depression, confusion and dementia. CTE has
a huge effect on the lives of players, but as the disease can only be diagnosed in autopsy this brings its own set of problems. Some key figures in the sporting community fail to see the damaging effect of concussions and CTE. For example, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones has “rejected the belief that there is a link between [American] football and CTE”, as reported by nytimes.com. Concussion rates were highest in American football, rugby and hockey in 2015. And although the American football world has yet to admit to the issues and dangers that are arising, the players and managing teams in rugby are taking responsibility and trying to eliminate this problem. Rugby has rigid guidelines regarding the severity of the issue. As stated by irishrugby. ie, players “must be removed immediately from training/play and not return with suspected concussion”. They continue by saying “ignoring the signs and symptoms of concussion may
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Option Three: Armageddon If Jim Gavin’s wizardry somehow overpowers these first two options, there’s always the backup, although it’s a bit of a last resort. In fact, it would be the last possible resort, because it involves rendering the human race extinct. Despite the possibly excessive ramifications of doing so, in practice it would actually probably be the easiest. Firstly, one must make a simple prank call to the office of President of the United States, although given recent events an email might make it there quicker. Use a fake name, something wacky like Kim Jong-Un and pretend you have nuclear warheads and can definitely reach the US from there. It’ll either lead to imminent nuclear war, or the US will invade because they’ve just found oil off the coast off Inis Mór. Either way, it’s probably better than seeing the unfaltering, record-breaking veteran Stephen Cluxton walk up the steps of the Hogan Stand to make another acceptance speech devoid of any human emotion. Just about anything is more inspiring. *Disclaimer: Should another county win Sam next year, simply replace relevant counties and players’ names and re-publish*
result in death, a more serious brain injury or a prolonged recovery period”. The site explains how having multiple concussions “could shorten a player’s career and may have some potential to result in permanent neurological impairment”. Protective headgear can only do so much. More action must be taken to prevent the effects of concussions. Many experts argue a limit on full contact football should be enforced. However, this interferes with the game itself and its basic rules. Others believe neck strengthening would lessen the risk of major damage. Overall, monitoring seems to be the key solution. Improvements must be seen regarding the attitudes of the coaching and managerial team surrounding this problem. If they understood the dangers and risk involved for their players and ensured to take responsibility for these dangers, the problem would decrease across the board. Knowledge is power.
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SU Council Chairperson / Cathaoirleach na Comhairle do Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn
Convenor of the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies / Tionólaí Choláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta & an Léinn Cheiltigh
su.socs@nuigalway.ie 087 670 8339
su.clubs@nuigalway.ie 091 524 810
su.council@nuigalway.ie 085 765 1824
su.arts@nuigalway.ie 085 176 2031
Convenor of the College of Science Tionólaí Choláiste na hEolaíochta
Convenor of the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences / Tionólaí Choláiste an Leighis, an Altranais & na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte
Convenor of the College of Business, Public Policy & Law / Tionólaí Choláiste an Ghnó, an Bhearais Phoiblí agus an Dlí
Convenor of the College of Engineering & Informatics / Tionólaí Choláiste na hInnealtóireachtaagus na Faisnéisíochta
su.science@nuigalway.ie 085 756 8143
su.medicine@nuigalway.ie 087 246 3624
su.business@nuigalway.ie 085 703 6220
su.engineering@nuigalway.ie 085 763 8918
Cónall Ó Corra
Ruth Sweeney
Seán Guinan
Clare Austick
Conor Ó Beoláin
Sarah Murphy
www.su.nuigalway.ie
Eugene O’Flaherty
Emily McNamara
Fiachra Mac Suibhne
facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion
Colm Duffy
Sabrina Vaughan
Christopher D’Arcy
twitter.com/NUIGSU