Sin Volume 11 Issue 3

in this issue: Are students out of control in Galway?, Galway Theatre Festival, pac-man,Talking Socs, the sexual desert, my swine flu hell, budget baking, skiing, Meserine,The Walworth Farce, fashion, George Lee

e e r f

F R E E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R , V O L . 1 0 I S S U E 3 , 1 2 . 1 0 . 2 0 0 9

Superintendent says students are the ‘worst ever’ By Deirdre Judge “The worst we have ever seen” is how

wagon” and all GMIT students were

Superintendent Tom Curley has

being portrayed in a negative light.

described the students of Galway. In a

Some residents say the situation is so

barrage of negative publicity angry

bad that they have been forced to move

residents, city officials and Gardaí

out of their homes. One resident in the

launched a scathing attack on the rise of

city centre has said she is selling her

the anti-social behaviour across the city.

house due to the “living hell” caused by

Supt Curley said that students were

the “shouting, roaring and partying next

going “on the rampage” through the city

door.” A meeting of the Joint Policing

several nights a week displaying a

Committee on October 5th had several

serious “lack of respect and levels of

city councilors state that they were

aggression”.

receiving increased numbers of

Supt Curley, quoted in an article in the

complaints regarding student behaviour

Connacht Sentinel, said that the

from residents. Cllr Brian Walsh who is

NUIG students and their parents are

abated for the moment.

situation was so bad that “another 50

a former GMIT student has called for

breathing a sigh of relief this week

The president of the Union of Students in

Gardaí on the streets “would not

‘swift action’ to be taken by college

following the news that fees will not be

Ireland Peter Mannion welcomed the

eradicate the attitude and

officials and changes be made to the

reintroduced.

development and warned: “We will hold

drunkenness.”

code of conduct. He said, “The ultimate

Over the weekend the Green Party

this government to account if they do not

Last week due to complaints from angry

punishment, namely expulsion should be

agreed with Fianna Fáil that the

deliver on their promise to us.”

residents 8 GMIT students were

imposed on those students causing the

government would not go ahead with

NUIG Students Union president Donna

brought before disciplinary hearings to

problems.”

bringing back fees.

Cummins commented: “ We are delighted.

answer claims of having brought the

Mary O’Riordan, NUIG Vice President

The guarantee is contained in a fresh

This is a remarkable victory for third level

college into disrepute. Patrick Bonner,

for the Student Experience said, “The

Programme for Government hammered

education. The arguments in favour of fees

GMIT SU President said, “The students

university unequivocally condemns any

out between the government partners at

were deeply flawed. We now have a future

were asked to explain their actions and

such behaviour and extends its

the Green Party conference in Dublin at

where your bank balance will not be the

the matter has been dealt with.” He

sympathy to the residents involved. The

the weekend.

determining factor in your ability to

confirmed that other houses were

University’s Code of Conduct has been

For many months now the threat of fees

access higher education.”

involved in the situation and that further

revised this year to make it clear how

returning or introduction of a graduate

It remains to be seen whether the

hearings would take place. Patrick

the disciplinary process operates when

student loan scheme has been looming

government will be able to fulfil this

stressed, “There is only a small minority

the Code is breached.

large.

pledge to third level students in the

However the prospect of graduates

current economic climate.

involved” and that unfortunately a lot of “neighbours are jumping on the band

continued on page 2

Nick Fitzgerald of BACon Soc

Phew! We don’t have to pay fees By Mairéad Ní Chaoimh

saddling enormous debts in the future has

continued from page 1

Superintend ent says students are the ‘worst ever’

issues and complaints may be processed

the Year after exposing a major tax

the moment I can’t find space to fit them

through one appointed person.

evasion and overcharging scandal at

in as we are booked out until Mid-

A city councillor has applauded the

National Irish Bank.

March,” said Joanna.

NUIG campaign but feels that having it

With his diverse background in politics,

The SU Sessions are a free event run by

operating in Cuirt na Coiribe, Gort na

media and economics, Mr Lee is widely

the SU in ECO Grounds, formerly known

Coiribe and Corrib Village, areas almost

regarded as having a unique insight into

as Java City in An Bialann every Tuesday

the current economic crisis and is seen

at 7pm.

exclusively populated by students means that it is not focused where the majority of problems are arising.

With proposals for ‘Rock Linn’ before University Management, the NUIG SU and students are waiting to see if the

as having a pivotal role to play for Fine Gael in the next general election.

Students will have the chance to put their questions to George Lee and he will be presented with the Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal, the

Last year a significant number of students

revamped answer to the much-maligned

society’s highest accolade, which has

were dealt with under the University’s

Rag Week will go ahead. Supt Curley has

been bestowed in the past upon the likes

Code of Conduct and already there are

said despite the fact that any such event

of Noam Chomsky, Archbishop Desmond

two cases this year relating to student

is months away plans are already being

Tutu, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern,

behaviour in residences.” She stressed in

formulated to ensure the chaos of last

Congressman Bruce Morrison and

order for the University to proceed in

year is not repeated.

journalist Fintan O’Toole among others.

such instances the students must be identified by the complainant. Students brought before a disciplinary hearing could face sanctions such as fines or in more serious instances suspension if it is found that the code has been breached.

Regarding the case where the woman is selling her home due to her student

George Lee comes to NUI Galway

Series of SU Sessions cancelled

Almost 5,000 students sign up for Societies Day Societies Day, which took place in the new Áras na Mac Léinn proved to be one of the most energetic and well attended Societies Day, following on from the success of the first year orientation.

Initial figures indicate over 20,000 new society members representing almost 5,000 individual students signed up on Societies Day but as students and staff can now join Societies on line at

By Mairéad Ní Chaoimh

www.yourspace.nuigalway.ie these figures will rise. As well as the 85 enthusiastic

neighbours,VP O’Riordan said, “To my knowledge this woman has never

A series of Students Union acoustic gigs

and diverse fully fledged societies a

approached the College.”

have been cancelled. Three bands who

number of new societies were eagerly

Donna Cummins, SU President has

were lined up to play the SU Sessions

signing up members. These include

expressed her dismay at the recent

slot over the past three weeks had to

English and Literature Society, the

media attention. “There are

cancel for a variety of reasons.

colourful BA Connect Society, the

approximately 20,000 students in Galway

During Freshers’ Fortnight Sara Lou was

Chinese Society, Sceptics Society and

and it’s disappointing that a small

scheduled to play on Tuesday September

Manga and Anime Society.

22nd but had to cancel as a member of

This is a particular exciting year for

her family died that week.

societies with the refurbishment of Áras

The following week Peakin Trippers had

na Mac Léinn which is the new home of

to cancel as the lead singer was

societies with numerous custom built

confirmed with having swine flu the day

rooms to facilitate their creativity. The

before the gig.

rooms are multi-functional and they can

And last week The Dead Flags had to

be adapted to the needs of everyone. The

cancel while they were en route to play

rooms all have new names to reflect their

at NUIG. The lead singer suffered an

function. The View, not only does this

allergic reaction resulting in temporary

room have the most amazing view on

blindness.

campus, but will also be a venue for film

Joanna Brophy, Students Union Assistant

screenings, workshops and some of the

Manager blamed “a series of unfortunate

larger society meetings. The Cube/Stage

events” for the cancellations.

is an all-new performance space with the

“Last year I managed to run 26 SU

option of being two separate spaces or a

Session gigs with only one cancellation

large one with a recessed stage,

where I didn’t have enough time to find a

backstage area, lighting and sound. The

replacement. This year the notice has

Space in the corner of the building above

been really too short to find

the Cube, with its lovely wrap around

replacements in the space of time. I have

window, is perfect for meetings, dance

been talking to next week’s band Ka Tet

and creativity. The Art Room and Dark

this week and everything seems fine with

Room have been specially commissioned

them so fingers crossed, the curse won’t

to facilitate the Art and Photographic

strike them. The bands that cancelled all

Societies. There are also two Acoustic

want to come back for other dates but at

rooms, two meeting rooms, two editing

minority are damaging the reputation of all students. We encourage the integration of students into communities and while many are guests of the city during term time they have a

By Oisín Collins

responsibility to behave appropriately.

This kind of thing is a gross

George Lee, one of the foremost

misrepresentation of NUIG students

economic and political commentators in

when a small minority is causing this much chaos and is totally unacceptable.”

Both GMIT and NUIG are working on campaigns to raise student awareness on codes of behaviour in residential areas.

On October 1st the ‘Sshhh Campaign’

the country and now an elected TD, is coming to NUI, Galway next week.

The Literary & Debating Society will be hosting “An Audience with George Lee” at 7.30pm on Monday October 19th in a venue yet to be confirmed.

Mr Lee, former RTÉ Economics editor

was launched by GMIT to make students

and NUIG lecturer, was elected a TD for

aware of the effects of anti social

Dublin South for Fine Gael on the first

behaviour. Students are being encouraged

count last June.

to be mindful of their neighbours while

His philosophy on economic advice has

keeping noise levels down. In NUIG they

been summed up in his own words as

are working on an initiative called

“concentrating on ordinary people and

‘Community Spirit’. This involves

the way they see the world.” For over 20

establishing a residential rep system in

years, George Lee has been predicting

areas where students are living so that

the economic highs and lows of this country. He was named Irish Journalist of

suites as well as a computer suite for

bicycles as an alternative means of

addition, she feels that the nature of Arts

clients is 70% to 30% in line with

societies and a new information desk.

transport and Hi-Vis jackets will soon be

courses can play a part in students

previous years, but 40% males to 60%

With a new Music week and Theatre

made available from the Students Union

needing to avail of the service. The leap

females present as ‘at risk’ (e.g. academic,

Week planned it will be a very busy year

Shop for students wishing to travel by

from the structured school environment

self harm, suicide). Ms Gavin says that this

for societies in NUI Galway.

bicycle. “Our priority would be student

to Arts where there is less structure and

is because “males often don’t present

and staff safety”, Donna explained to Sin,

students need to be more self-motivated

themselves until a crisis forces them to

going on to outline that future

can mean that it is “easier to fall behind

realise that there is a problem.”

possibilities include the organisation of a

without realising it.”

One aspect of the service under financial

walking bus system as the nights get

The other large group utilising the

threat is the Drugs & Alcohol Counsellor.

longer.

Counselling Service is Postgraduate

This programme, funded by the Western

In addition to these issues, many students

students, making up 24.5% of their total

Region Drugs Task Force and the

have found problems with the gravel car

client base. The postgraduate

university has now entered its final year

park near the Kingfisher Gym,

environment is “very competitive”

and while the Task Force, who provide

particularly the fact that there are no

according to Ms Gavin and students can

just under half of the funding, are willing

individually marked spaces. One such

find it hard to maintain momentum or

to continue the programme there is a

student who spoke to Sin explained that

may experience problems with

possibility the University may withdraw

his car had been clamped three times in

supervisors.

due to financial constraints. “This service

this car park, for not having his car within

Depression, mood disorders and anxiety,

is very important and is deeply

a proper parking space. Unfortunately, Sin

despite an overall fall in figures, remain

embedded and the work is getting

understands that there are no plans to

significantly the highest percentage of

stronger. Annual reports show the

resolve this specific issue until next year,

problems facing students in counselling.

numbers using this service are

when the car park will be re-paved and

There are a broad spectrum of other

increasing” according to Ms Gavin.

marked properly.

issues facing students such as abuse,

The Counselling Service is located at

eating disorders, sexual identity and

No.5 Distillery Road. Students can check

addiction. A worrying trend emerging is

out online services such as ‘Beating the

the increasing numbers attending due to

Blues’ and the CALM series through a

stress and anxiety brought about by

link on Blackboard.

College parking nightmare continues

By Méabh McDonnell Parking on campus is set to become even more difficult for students and staff, with

Student counselling service used most by arts students and females

the clamping authority in the college becoming more stringent about cars

By Deirdre Judge

parked in areas such as Corrib Village.

Many staff and students have been

The Student Counselling Service has

parking their cars in the village, due to a

published its annual report for

lack of any other spaces close to the

2008/09 which showed that the

college. The construction of the new

number of clients seen by the service

engineering building and the lack of a bus

increased to 710, an 8% increase on

service from the new ‘Park and Ride’

the previous year. Bea Gavin, Head of

facility have led to a significant lack of

Counselling, said that the increase is

available parking on the campus. As a

primarily due to a greater availability

result, students and staff have been

of resources in the service, the

forced to leave their cars in spots around

introduction of evening sessions

the campus which are considered unsafe

during term time and the ‘drop in’

and illegal, drawing the attention of the

facility which the service initiated last

university clamping authority.

year.

In a message to the Students Union, the

Arts students account for 54% of

clamping authority has stated that they

clients to their service, despite only

will begin clamping in Corrib Village to an

making up 40% of the overall student

even greater extent, in the interest of

population, a figure which “remains

public safety. SU President Donna

consistent” in relation to previous

Cummins informed Sin that she and the

years. In explaining these figures, Ms

committee are “working extremely hard

Gavin stated her belief that Arts

to organise a bus service for the Park

attracts “a particular kind of student”

and Ride in Dangan”. In the short term,

who can often “recognise when

the SU are encouraging the use of

things are not quite right.” In

deteriorating financial situations.

The overall ratio of females to male

Mental Health Week kicks off this week

By Deirdre Judge Reducing stress and having a laugh are an integral part of Mental Health Week that starts this week October 12th. SU Vice President and Welfare Officer Emma Conway hopes that the large number of societies involved this year will make the week more open for everyone. She hopes the increase in numbers will lead to greater distribution of information being handed out to students. This will include the ‘usual stuff’ from the Student

Soc the SU have organised a ‘Tea &

Kathleen Rogers compiled the booklet

home. She criticised the fact that asylum

Sympathy’ session in Aras na Mac Leinn

and carried out a series of interviews

seekers are not allowed to work, even on

on Tuesday. In an effort to get in touch

with experts on asylum issues and with

a voluntary basis, and are able to access

with ones inner child you are invited to

asylum seekers. “I am glad I have come to

only the most basic of education.

come along and have a chat, a laugh and

Ireland,” says Somalian asylum seeker Ali

Lorraine McIlrath of the CKI pointed

unwind while decorating a cup cake.

Kassim Ibrahim whose story is featured

out that potential third level students

Afterwards as a reward for your efforts

in the booklet. “I want to say thank you

from the asylum seeker community are

the fruits of your labour can be

to Irish people. The place I have come

deterred from entering third level by the

consumed with a cup of tea.

from is very dangerous. There is no

fact that they are entitled to free

fighting or violence here. I have not heard

education up to the age of 18 but are

a gunshot since I have come here, or

then expected to pay international

seen a body in the street.”

student fees of at least €12,500 in order

Speaking at the launch Triona Nic Giolla

to gain access to third level. She hopes

Choille of the Galway Refugee Support

that ‘Asylum Seekers: A Reality Check’

Group said that asylum seekers are

will shed a light on the issue of asylum

people with a wide range of experience

seekers access to third level education

and qualifications who could make a

and more generally on the issues that

valuable contribution to Irish society if

face the asylum seeker community. “The

permitted. She criticised the asylum

Eglinton Centre in Galway is a 65-bed

seeker system of direct provision,

unit but there are over 200 people living

whereby asylum seekers are housed in

there and probably 90-95 of those living

centralised locations for periods of up to

there are under the age of 15,” said

eight years while their applications are

McIlrath. “There’s no playground, people

being considered, as being “inflexible,

can’t cook their own food when they’re

Direct provision system for refugees inhumane, say GRSG

Counselling Service and HSE as well as goodies from ‘Please Talk’, an organisation

By Lorraine O’Hanlon

that deals with suicide and Body Whys which focuses on eating disorders.

A booklet on asylum seeker rights

inhumane and heartless.”

in direct provision so the catering is all

Laughs will be provided by a ‘Tedathon’ in

entitled ‘Asylum Seekers: A Reality Check

Iraqi law graduate Shahlaa Nassralla

provided for them at specific hours of

the big acoustic room in Aras na Mac

for Ireland’ has been launched at

spoke of her time as an asylum seeker

the day so children never get to see their

Léinn being run by Comedy Soc between

NUI,Galway by Irish Times migration

sharing a hostel room with her two-year-

mothers or fathers cooking, they don’t

2 and 6pm on Wednesday the 14th. If you

correspondent Ruadhán Mac Cormaic.

old son and a mentally ill stranger. She

learn their own indigenous cooking. As

feel in need of more laughs, comedian

With the support of the NUIG

said that it is difficult for asylum seekers

well you could have two or three families

David O’Doherty is set to perform later

Community Knowledge Initiative, Masters

to live on a basic allowance of just

living in the same room. It has been

on the same night at 8pm in the

in Philosophy students Sam Donegan,

€19.10 per week, with some even

known for at least five or six people to

O’Flaherty Theatre-tickets for the gig are

Anna Sofie Rump, John McInnes and

struggling to purchase phone credit in

share one bedroom with young children.

order to contact their families back

There’s really a very depressing

€8.

disengagement from society within the

The SU Sessions on Tuesday night in An

direct provision system.”

Bialann will sound to the strains of

‘Asylum Seekers: A Reality Check for

alternative rockers Ka tet at 7pm. For

Ireland’ is available from the CKI Office

those who would like to combine making

in the Arts Millennium Building or by

noise with reducing stress, drumming

contacting Mary Bernard at the CKI on

workshops will be running in the big

091 493823 or

acoustic room in Aras na Mac Léinn on

mary.bernard@nuigalway.ie.

Monday from 1-3pm. However, with limited equipment available, students are

Intercultural Health Fair at NUI Galway

being asked to sign up for a session in the SU. A competition will be run entitled a ‘5 Minute Fix’ and students are invited to submit their top tips on how to de-stress in five minutes. A trip to the Donegal Adventure Centre is up for grabs for the

Galway Refugee Support Group together

winner.

with NUI Galway are organising a 2nd

In an effort to encompass as much of the

Intercultural Health Fair, the goal of

university as possible into this week,

which is to promote healthy living and

Emma will embark on a ‘couch tour’

equal access to health services among

around campus. Smokies and Aras

staff, students and all cultural

Moyola are two of the many stops on the tour. ‘Basically wherever there is a comfortable seat I am hoping people will come along for a chat or even a moan while they have nice things.’

In conjunction with the Food & Drink

Happy NUI, Galway Mobility Week 2009 bike winners Jennifer O'Grady (left), Eimear Tuohy and Brendan Dineen (right) with competition sponsor Keith Warnock, NUIG (middle) and Indiana Olbert of Galway Cycling Campaign. A competition was organised by the Galway Cycling Campaign and held at NUIG to mark Mobility Week 2009. Hundreds of entrants answered questions on cycling safety and cycling promotion to get entered into a draw for two bikes and bicycle accessories sponsored by the University.

communities living in Galway. The Fair will be held in Áras na Mac Léinn (Bailey Allen Hall) at NUI Galway, from 12am to 3pm, on Wednesday, 4 November. Some 50 different health-related organisations

will attend to provide information on

story featured on the Hardiblog in

services available to people living in

August.You will find it in the blog’s

Galway City and county.

archive.

Groups in attendance will include Rape Crisis Network, COPE, Mental Health Ireland, Cancer Care West, Bodywhys, Diaspora Women’s Initiative and Peer Health Workers for Asylum Seekers.

Information on a range of topics will be available including mental health, sexual health and complementary health, as well as fitness, health checks and health screening.

Cindy Dring, Health Promotion Officer, Student Services, NUIG explained, “This is a great opportunity to visit a ‘one-stop

Pure magic: NUIG’s student teachers get creative with digital media

shop’ for health information and to find

NUIG education students took part in

out about the kinds of services and

the Western launch of a new website

supports available on your doorstep.”

aimed at creating and sharing digital

For further information contact

media. Eurocreator.com enables students

lorraine.tansey@nuigalway.ie or Helen

and teachers from 27 European countries

Bartlett at healthfair@grsg.ie

to share and download educational media

NUIG STUDENT COLLEGE NEWSPAPER Sin Meeting - Get Involved Wednesday September 30th Room AM 215 Arts Millennium Building 6pm Sin Party For all contributors and fans Massimo Monday September 28th @ 9pm

and digital learning resources. This

New online music resource available in library

innovative new initiative is being

The Library’s Hardiblog is a really good

students, teachers and schools will

way to keep up with the latest news

receive a certificate from Ján Figel', the

about developments in the James

EU Commissioner for Education.

Hardiman Library. For instance, you will

The project will help to promote

get to hear about all kinds of training

collaboration and creativity in Irish and

events that the Library runs throughout

European education. Recognition by the

the year. Currently, there is information

European Commissioner for Education is

about two sessions on researching into

an added incentive to pupils, teachers and

human rights. Both sessions will take

schools to utilise this new educational

place in October.

resource. EuroCreator also is very much

You will also discover important new

a multilingual project, with the imminent

information resources. There is news just

roll-out of the Irish language version of

in about the Garland Encyclopaedia of

EuroCreator announced at the NUI

World Music Online. Access to the

Galway event.

encyclopaedia is via e-Knowledge. It is

Students from NUIG’s postgraduate and

the first comprehensive online resource

undergraduate teacher education

devoted to music research of all the

programmes participated in the launch,

world's peoples. More than 9,000 pages

including the Postgraduate Diploma in

of material, combined with entries by

Education (PGDE), Dioplóma Iarchéime

more than 700 expert contributors from

san Oideachas (DIO), and B.A.

all over the world, make this the most

Mathematics and Education degree. While

complete body of work focused on

focused mainly on teachers and schools,

world music. This release includes 1,209

the website can be utilised by anyone

essays and images from 10 sources and

interested in creativity in educational

hundreds of audio examples.

multimedia. For further information

Check out the story about the skeleton

about EuroCreator, email

that was found during excavations for the

tony.hall@nuigalway.ie.

new Nursing and Midwifery Library. That

supported by the European Commission as part of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.

The projects that students and teachers upload to EuroCreator are assessed by educationists across Europe, including Brendan Smith from the Digital Enterprise Research Institute at NUI

NUIG STUDENT COLLEGE NEWSPAPER

Galway; and for the media they upload,

Sin Opportunities Applications Now Open for the following positions: • News Editor • Sports Editor • Entertainment Editor • Chief Sub-Editor Deadline for submission of applications: Friday October 2 Submit your application to editor@sin.ie

Journalism conference asks: is the newspaper dying? by Méabh McDonnell

The greatest victim of the Internet is the newspaper, said media entrepreneur Denis O’Brien at the NUIG Journalism conference

pointed out that the newspaper media has a difficult task to survive. However he Denis O’ Brien, prominent entrepreneur and member of the Independent New

did not see it as completely hopeless, “Young people today want to be connected

Media board of directors was keynote speaker for a journalism conference held

to their favourite writers.”

at NUIG. The Connacht Tribune Centenary Conference entitled Journalism in the

This, along with the issue of the Internet as a threat to print journalism, was a

Future: Its changes and challenges was held in the Martin Ryan Institute Annex.

subject that the entire conference focussed upon and the interest of young

The conference dealt with the future of journalism, the media industry and the

people in newspapers. Speaking to Sin, Dave O’ Connell, Group editor of the

future of newsprint. The focus of his speech was upon the changing face of the

Connacht Tribune stated that in relation to the Tribune grasping the interest of

media today, with specific attention to the newsprint media. He discussed the

the youth in Galway is a “great dilemma”. He described the Connacht Tribune

repercussions of the recession on the newspaper business and the effects of

demographic as a doughnut: the children have an interest if their picture is in the

change across the newspaper business, both with the relatively new idea of

paper, the adults for the local news, however the young people, “you come to

newspapers available online and the implications of this on the media world. He

realise that you won’t get them until they’re thirty.”

congratulated all involved in the Connacht Tribune and acknowledged NUI Galway

Professor Roy Greenslade of the Guardian newspaper commented to Sin on this

as a “very important learning institute”.

issue also stating that it was “a terrific problem” facing the newspaper industry

He spoke about the way the internet had affected the media industry in general,

today. He further commented, “To encourage people to read papers while they

his own expertise being in digital media and radio. However he did state, “The

are screen based is a real difficulty”.

greatest victim of the Internet is the newspaper”, in relation to sales and the

It would seem if the issues discussed in this conference come to pass we are

availability of information online. He went on to illustrate his point that we are

living through a turning point for the media as a whole, a turning point that may

living in a changing world where things are becoming smaller and faster and

even eclipse the impact of issues as big as the introduction of radio and television

where there are new ideals to live up to. In reference to the youth of today he

and that it is possible we are witnessing the decline of the newspaper altogether.

Michael D to officially open Flirt FM by Michelle Whyte

Flirt FM DJ Louise Clarke

the Flirt team, as favourites such as ‘Flirt over Coffee’, ‘Happy Hour’ and the After months of hard work and patience, the staff and volunteers of Flirt FM are

eclectic theme nights once again dominate the daily programming. With

finally set up in their new and improved home in Áras na Mac Léinn. It is unusual

professional engineers from Ireland’s top radio stations, TodayFM and Lyric FM,

to start live broadcasting so far into the college year, but building works and

working on the studio’s sound this week, the finished product is set to be top

improvement to the new studios mean that Flirt has yet to open its doors to its

quality. With renovations expected to be fully completed by16 October, Michael

new volunteers. With the station hosting this year’s ‘campus connections’ radio

D Higgins has been invited to cut the ribbon at the new studios on the 19th

intervarsity on the 17th of this month, it’s full steam ahead tying up loose ends

October. Michael D, the ‘real champion in community radio’, officiated at the

and preparing the new studio for what is set to be a very eventful year.

original opening ceremony of the station in 1995. Therefore, it is especially

With three full time interns this year, thanks to Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta

poignant that he considers it an honour to be asked back to welcome Flirt into

Gaeilge, there is no end of help in working on documentaries and training-in new

its new home. For anyone who’s wondering where this much-talked about new

volunteers. Station Manager, Paula Healy, was delighted to announce that the radio

studio is situated, the signs will be hung up as soon as the place is no longer a

will soon be premiering a sound and vision documentary by producer Cormac

health and safety hazard! Until then, Paula and all at Flirt say a big thanks to

Staunton. Himself a veteran volunteer at Flirt, Cormac’s documentary focuses on

‘everyone who has been so patient!’ In the next week they are hoping to say

the theme of punk music in Ireland during the troubles. Webmaster Rory

goodbye to the builders, and hello to a brand new year of 4pm to 4am

Donoghue is also working on expanding the dedicated website, promising us new

broadcasting from Galway’s favourite alternative radio station, Flirt FM 101.3.

and archived podcasts. Schedule-wise it’s a case of ‘stick with what’s working’ for

Seven fold increase in registration fee in 13 years

registration fee hike as a lesser evil.

By Deirdre Judge

This year’s increase went to cover the

public finances are such that salary cuts in the public sector are inevitable but

mounting deficits of Irish universities, the

With record numbers of students

any cuts must be properly structured

worst of which is UCD with a deficit of

applying for local authority grants the

and fairly implemented.” Individual

€15 million last year. NUIG expects a

thorny subject of salaries in third level

presidents are not commenting on the

growing budget deficit due to the cost

institutions is proving prickly. Figures

request for a voluntary pay cut. Instead

of the new Engineering building. The

published have shown the top 50

a spokesperson from the Irish

registration fee now brings in roughly

earners in Irish universities earn a

Universities Association has said a

€15 million for NUIG – a substantial

combined €10 million, with €1.6 million

report on public service salaries,

amount of the university’s income. If a

of this going to the seven university

including university presidents is

To register at NUIG now costs a

student was to pay the €1,724 amount

heads. This prompted Minister for

imminent. According to sources it is

staggering €1,724. This fee is made up of

by working during the summer, he or

Education Batt O’Keeffe to call for the

believed recommendations will include

a €1,500 ‘non-tuition charge’ for the

she would have to save €130 per week.

presidents to ‘show the way’ and

cuts for senior public servants but it is

university and €224 of ‘student levies’

For many this isn’t an option and the fee

voluntarily take a pay cut. Last month

unclear whether this will apply to the

for the Students Union. The €1,500

is paid by parents or by borrowing. An

the minister publicly expressed his

presidents. USI president Peter Mannion

charge, commonly called the

increase in the registration fee has been

disappointment that they ignored his

said universities claiming they are in debt

‘registration fee’, was increased by €600

described by the Union of Students in

request saying ‘one would have

while their presidents are earning

last year. Originally, the registration fee

Ireland as “fees through the back

expected that people in such senior

salaries of over €200,000 was

was introduced to cover administrative

door”. The increase is put into

positions would show the way.’

“grotesque” and went on to point out

and exam costs, following the abolition

perspective by looking at the salaries of

NUIG President Prof Jim Browne

that the presidents while lobbying for

of third level fees. In 1996, the

the university presidents. Between the

published an article in the Irish

the return to fees also successfully

registration fee was the equivalent of

seven presidents, they earn €1.6 million

Independent in which he claims

lobbied for a pay rise. He said it must be

€190 – the charge has increased seven-

– enough to pay the €600 for 2,500

implementing the recommendations of

noted that the presidents’ salaries are

fold in the last thirteen years.

students. Recently, all seven presidents

the McCarthy report would lead to a

now equivalent to 170 registration fees

The fee increased as it became a partial

have refused to take a voluntary pay cut.

‘generational unfairness’, as decreasing

or 40 students paying full fees. Mr

staff would in effect be ‘reducing the

Mannion went on to say that he had

opportunities for young people

made good on his promise to accept a

emerging from our Universities and

pay cut when he was on the campaign

Institutes of Technology.’ The proposed

trail. “I realise that the money that pays

cuts, he says will also lead to a reduction

for my position comes from the

in public services at a time when there is

students and it’s important to realise the

an increased need for these services.

times we are in. It’s a pity the presidents

Prof Browne told Sin ,“The state of

don’t do the same,” he said.

By Richard Manton

substitute for state funding for universities. Interestingly, the charge increased significantly twice: in 2002, 66% hike from €396 to €670, and this year’s 66% hike. It comes as no surprise that these were the two occasions when the reintroduction of fees was proposed and the government sneaked in a

USI condemn NUIG President’s salary

NSS stage human pacman on the lawn

blasting forth from the Boombox. Seven or eight people start body-popping and mechanically moving to the beat of the music, the flash-group are at full throttle, dancing like crazed lunatics; morally

In true NSS fashion, the members of the nothing

ambiguous and yet I couldn’t help thinking how

specific society took to the green pastures of the

beautiful it was. Whoops and cheers spilled

president’s lawn on a surprisingly dry Thursday

from the crowd. For three long, glorious,

afternoon. The goal was simple: to create a human

suddenly uncomfortable minutes the BACon Soc

version of the classic arcade game Pac-man.

bounced, jumped, gyrated, popped and pranced

If you build it... they will come. If you build a maze of

across, over and around the Fish Bowl. Applause and

bamboo and fill it with ghosts and retro sound effects....

shouts exploded from the awe-struck crowd as the

they will play human pac-man. Members were treated to

music came to an end. The triumphant team

a game of skill, athleticism and silliness as nearly 30 different pac men and women tried to top our leaderboard and win one of our many fabulous prizes!

In the end it was down to sheer will and determination as shocked onlookers and well-wishers witnessed diving shoulder blocks, gravitydefying spin move type manoeuvres and maze busting tackles set to a familiar wakawakawaka background noise. In true NSS fashion a special commemorative NSS duck was given to the individual with the most dramatic death. This jarring moment came when after dozens of cries of FATHER!, swoons and faints were topped by a plucky man who managed to cough up an uneaten biscuit before being bested by no less than 4 colour coded ghouls.So all in all a big thanks to the many people who showed up and helped the NSS

T A L K I N G

mounted the picnic tables and received their praise with aplomb.

The moment was over. It had come to an end. The BACon Society’s inaugural event was a success! An announcement was made, informing the baffled crowd of who they were, their mission statement and what more would come. Another round of applause.

And that was it. They marched out and that was it. A chill fell that very moment. September was over, only the cool, irrepressibly unfriendly close of autumn, the month of October, was to come, the herald of the sharp and freezing death of winter. Only the hope that

S O C S

BACon Soc has the warmth to keep things alive!

The birth of a sceptic conception, B y N i c k F i t z g e r a l d

continue it's mission of non-specificness for another academic year!

Photos of the event can be found on our whimsical facebook page....

The Sceptic Society was conceived in a way that you might not have thought. In Human pac man in action

the waning days of summer on the back of a bus from Dublin, two college lads got talking. They managed to bypass the oft-sensitive topic of religious affiliation, aided by a modest serving of social lubricant and ended up somehow talking about Richard Dawkins’ controversial book; “The God Delusion”. The two believed this treatise on religious delusion was preaching to the choir. This led to a blossoming conversation between them all the way back to Galway. The seemingly innocuous mention of this far from innocuous book led to a sprawling dialogue about all the fallacies they perceived in life, both within religious and secular institutions. A penny dropped in the back of their minds. While there has always been a voice or forum for young adults who feel emotionally disaffected or maligned by society, and these two noticed that there wasn’t a place, at least in the college, for those who felt intellectually hard done by or lied to. Combined with a tiredness of religious dogma and a cynicism towards the government, it

BACon Soc flash mob the fish bowl

was this shared feeling of deceit in modern society that led to the birth of

Fish Bowl. An Bialann. 3pm. Wednesday 30th September, Robot-Dance Flash-Mob.

inform. They wasted no time at all in voicing their chagrin at the problems they

The word was out; the air was charged. Shaun and Nick, the kinetically charged,

perceived in society such as the Ryan report, or the Defamation Act. Simply, logic

defiantly enthusiastic and elastic (bordering on space/time perversion), Co-

and truth are the most prized values in the Sceptic Society, and where there isn’t

Auditors of BACon Soc had established that their following of acolytes was large

any being presented to us, be it by the media or whatever dogma there is to be

enough to create a substantial flash-mob to flood the smoking area of An Bialann.

followed, these guys have information. “It’s more, look at the evidence and look

All was serene, peaceful and untouched in the Fish Bowl, the oasis of comfort

at the conclusions.” commented Shane. From religion to politics, right through to

walled within the usual, chaotic madness of lunchtime Bialann. I sat, at the ready,

alternative medicine, no stone is left unturned in the Sceptic Society’s quest to

camera in hand, awaiting the specified time. Ash built in mounds upon the plastic

provide the truth. It seems they have found a real untapped feeling amongst

cup-tops; the day-time shadows spread and cast themselves farther across the

students as well, as Charles commented about sign-up day; “I was blown away by

cloister; time ticked by. 2.59pm.

the number of people who signed up.” For a new society, their prospects are

3pm.

good, and they show promise to be very informative and enlightening throughout

Right on cue, they arrive. A mute wearing a motorcycle helmet appears through

the year. They all seem enthusiastic and hopeful too, which is just a little bit

the courtyard doors. A face-painted trio follow close behind. More acolytes tread

ironic.

through. The tranquillity is suddenly smashed by Daft Punk’s “Robot Rock”

Sceptic Soc. When asked, the guys speak with passion and conviction, eager to

now, our life at college is somewhat wasted.

students that one of the city’s top Gardaí

College is about getting the degree, but also

has called us the worst batch of students in

meeting people and having fun. But we need

years.

to use our cop-on too- to have a good time

Our instinctive reflex is to sit up and

without going off the rails, and we need to

immediately refute such a strong statement.

contemplate our neighbours in the late

How dare he! This guy has to be

hours of the night who could be elderly or

exaggerating, we tell ourselves. He could be

have young children, or who could simply be

just taking another cheap shot at the

other students trying to get a decent night’s

students. He could have neglected the fact

sleep.

that a minority of students are causing the

But it’s not just our fault. The Gardaí- instead

trouble and blackening the names of

of just giving out- should exercise their

students for the rest of us.

powers and go out and arrest the trouble

However the truth is-there are serious anti-

makers and take action. The trouble is they

social problems out there in the student

are suffering from a lack of resources in the

housing estates of Galway. If you read one of

city. If the bad eggs in the student population

the below letters to the editor written by a

could be rooted out and punished, life would

German visiting student you are given a

be better for the rest of us.

highly unattractive picture of what is

And the college has a duty too to face up to

happening out there. Sarah Schepers

this problem which is not going to go away

describes how bad things are in one

any time soon. They have a code of conduct

particular residential area. She paints a crude

in place; they have powers to deal with

picture of the consequences of out of

troublesome students; they need to clamp

control parties: she writes about the vomit

down, be more stringent, and use the

and the urine she has to look at the morning

controls they have.

after and the disruption that noisy parties

The fear is that if a minority of students

bring. This has now resulted in over-the-top

continue to carry on as they are doing now

security measures brought in at short notice.

so early in the year, the Gardaí and the

Yes, we are students; we only get one shot at

college authorities will have plenty of

college before the scary real world of

ammunition to at least limit activities for

responsibility rears its head. We are

College Week (formerly Rag Week). And this

supposed to party- we have to-if we don’t

is what we don’t want.

sin team

editorial

It’s a pretty damning indictment of us as

Editor Mairéad Ní Chaoimh editor@sin.ie 087 6761067 Business Manager Andrew Cosgrove Layout Tom Parankyk News Editor Deirdre Judge Sub Editor Oisín Collins News Team Richard Manton Méabh McDonnell Michelle Whyte Enter tainment Team Sinéad Burke Liam Griffin Colm Byrne Contributors Nick Fitzgerald Shaun Leonard David O’Doher ty Michael O’Connor Donna Miskell Nathan Reynolds Gabrielle Campion Aisling Walsh Lorraine O’Hanlon Mar y McDonnell Damien McEvoy Caoilin Ní Raifear taigh Photography Nick Geoghegan Admin Owen Sheppard Distribution Nick Fitzgerald

letters to the editor Recession hits students seeking parttime work

were able to get part-time jobs with

a month, even if they are receiving a

home are numerous; free food, free

relative ease; now however there are

government grant. I know of one

laundry, no rent, familiar surroundings.

none. Either places aren't hiring or

person, who wishes to remain

But is it just me or does it take away

they are looking for “full-time,

anonymous, who was kicked out of

from a true college experience? The

experienced staff”. It is impossible for

their house before they even moved

point of university is to broaden your

any student to juggle working full time

in! The person in question was told

horizons, to give you the chance to do

and college work, as well as trying to

that unless the first 3 months rent

new things, meet new people and

have some fun and get the most out

would be paid up front, they could not

generally find out who you are and

Dear Madam,

of their college life.

have the house. I am not sure if the

what you want to do with your life;

The current economic climate has

The majority of the first year students

landlord was within his rights to do

it's a little more difficult to do so

affected the youth of Ireland in more

in this college are from outside of the

this, but it was out of order. It's not a

when you know you have to return

ways than people give us credit for. All

city and therefore have no option but

student’s fault if they have nothing to

home in a semi-respectable state!

first year students in particular have

to attempt to find accommodation

start out with.

So as I finish I ask; is it fair that many

many new challenges to face. The pre-

near college. Student housing is all

The number of students who were

students will not get the experience

recession first years had to deal with

well and good, but let's face it, there is

unable to attend their first choice of

of third-level that they would like,

getting accommodation, getting food

better accommodation to be gotten in

university this year, because of financial

simply because the government has

and getting books. Not only do

the city, with not all that much

difficulties, has risen drastically. I have

royally screwed up?

current first years have to deal with all

difference in the price. The only flaw is

spoken to approximately 30 students,

The answer? No.

this, they also have to deal with the

that, for whatever reason, many of the

male and female alike, who had no

Yours,

fact that there are absolutely no jobs

landlords and landladies don't realise

option but to remain as close to

Nicole Coyne

to be found anywhere in the city to

that undergraduates simply do not

home as possible, just to avoid having

pay for all of it. Prior to 2009, students

have the money to afford €300 - €400

to pay rent. The benefits of living at

Living in Cúirt Na Coiribe like a prison

have to feel like entering a prison - a

suggest that its association with the

occurred in the current tax year. This

prison we paid €3,000 for to be in –

University bestows some advantage

can place huge pressure on some

just because some people feel the

on students who need to use this

students who don’t qualify for a grant

need to act like dorcs? We all felt like

service but nothing could be further

but whose parental circumstances

going home. Therefore we decided to

from the truth! The fees are very

have changed considerably since that

finally go talk to the people at the

much in line with local standards and

evaluation. In the area of fees surely a

Dear Madam,

reception office the next day.

there is no flexibility regarding

system of monthly direct debits

I have been living in Cúirt Na Coiribe

After we were done complaining the

students’ requirements-all this from a

should be introduced to help students

for five weeks now and so far a lot

receptionist apologised to us and said

crèche that gets to use the

pay what in the case of postgrads are

has happened. It all started with

that she is not interested in running a

University’s good name for its own

extremely high amounts which can be

excessive parties. My friends were

prison and they didn’t mean to punish

benefit. This is baffling considering

well in excess of €5,000.

kept awake all night long, there was

us. She explained that some

they and the University must be aware

beer all over the hallways and the

apartments really got completely

of the difficulties that face students

Education is something that is rightly

staircase and drunk people rang our

trashed, fire alarms were set off

with children, particularly those who

valued in society but issues such as

doorbell in the middle of the night

several times and when they

are at risk of failing to complete their

the above mean that some students

trying to get in. One morning we also

confronted people with that they

education through their circumstances.

might not be able to finish something

discovered a hole in the wall of the

blamed it on their friends. Therefore

hallway and “leftovers” from a party in

they needed to find a way that people

the courtyard. Only a few days after

were no longer able to blame it on

that there suddenly was a sign in the

their friends. She assured us that it

courtyard saying something like “Dear

would not stay like this. They just

residents, vomit and urine are not

wanted things to calm down and find

cool things to look at in the

the responsible ones. She even offered

courtyard…”. A few days later,

to deal with us having guests soon. So

however, the consequences to all the

when we left the office we felt better.

noise and damage followed. Each

Still, we didn’t know for how long the

apartment got a letter from the

checking at the gates would continue.

reception office saying that from now

A few days ago another letter arrived

on all guests had to be registered. No

saying that we are finally allowed to

big deal so far. The next day another

have guests again. However, we are

letter arrived saying that from now on

only allowed to have two guests per

we were not allowed to have guests

apartment at a time, we have to

after 10pm and that we could only get

register them and we’ll still get

in by showing our keys at the gate. At

checked at the gate. Also the no

that point we already started to get

guests-rule will be reinforced if the

pissed. People are keeping us awake at

anti-social behaviour starts again.

night and now we’re all being

Let’s just say it like this: There was a

punished for that? Some of our friends

party last night that was that loud

already booked flights to come visit us

even I could hear it and when we

…We hoped it was just a threat. It

went down the stairs today around

wasn’t, but we found a way to deal

noon we ran into a guy leaning on

with that. However, a few nights after

the wall vomiting on the floor...

that without further notice it got worse. When we came home suddenly

Yours,

it wasn’t enough to just show our

Sarah Schepers

keys. The security guy asked for our

Visiting student

names and apartment numbers, started going through a list and finally compared our faces to pictures they had of us. It took about 15 minutes to get five of us checked in and at that point it finally felt like entering a

University crèche inflexible

prison. They claim to have sound monitors to prevent excessive noise,

Dear Madam,

so why is it so hard to make out the

The name ‘University Creche’ might

responsible ones? Why do all of us

that they themselves valued enough to Another issue is a matter that faces a

start.

variety of students especially in the current climate. The nature of parental

Yours,

support can change quickly and the

Brendan Connolly

HEA grant system doesn’t take into account income changes that have

Swine Flu Nothing to ‘Oink’ About by Deirdre Judge Deirdre Judge describes her hellish few days of battling the dreaded swine flu

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An innocuous cough was how it started. An

flailed around desperately trying to pull air into my

annoying tickle that over the space of a couple of

clogged lungs.

days turned into a rasping bark leaving my throat

My wonderful plan to ensure I was alone and

feeling like I was constantly swallowing broken glass.

therefore could not infect anyone meant that I now

I didn’t feel sick, so I continued about my daily

was in real trouble if this escalated any further and I

business, studiously ignoring the death glares, as I

became really concerned at the conundrum facing

wheezed my way around campus. The lack of sleep

me. Should I sent out a distress call and risk

is what eventually drove me to the doctor who with

someone else getting sick or should I just hope for

lighting speed checked me over, said I had a fever

the best? Lucky for me the decision was taken out

and a chest infection, gave me a prescription and

of my hands as my other half chose to ignore my

told me to go home.

pleas to stay away and returned early from a

I followed his sage advice for all of two hours. I was

business trip to look after me. So while we

tired but still felt fine and so the daily routine

maintained a safe distance from each other for the

continued. That the vast majority of people were

next few days, they were on hand if needed.

wandering around in heavy clothing to my skimpy t-

My epiphany hit me on my fifth night of being

shirt was a moot point as I held meetings and joked

propped up on the couch due to my inability to

about spitting on friends and giving them the

breathe lying down and I realised how inordinately

dreaded ‘piggy flu’. The height of my shame lies in

stupid I had been and how my idiocy could now be

the fact that I spent 40 minutes on Societies Day

affecting others. I am a fairly healthy individual, I run

wandering spluttering and spitting around the Bailey-

a lot, watch what I eat and don’t and never have

Allen Hall while it was thronged with students, still

smoked, and yet I ended up feeling like an eighty

operating under the illusion that everything was fine.

year old with emphysema. A week and a half later

An hour or so later I realised all was definitely not

and I am still feeling the after effects. If I had had any

well when it suddenly became increasingly difficult

underlying respiratory condition such as asthma or

to draw air into my lungs. Said t-shirt melted against

cystic fibrosis, forget it, hand on heart I can honestly

my skin with sweat and my entire body felt like a

say I would not have lived to tell this tale, which is

heavyweight boxer had just pummelled it. After a

why I am pleading with anyone who is reading this

brief phone call with the Health Unit, it became very

to learn from my mistake. Getting this virus is not

clear that yes there was a 99% probability I was in

just about you. In fact for the vast majority who do

the throes of the dreaded H1N1 virus and now

get it, it will feel not that unlike a normal flu, nothing

finally I listened when I was given instruction on the

a few days in bed won’t fix, but for some it has and

do’s and don’ts. On informing my nearest and

will prove much more serious and it is those people

dearest they were banned from the house for a few

we all need to be thinking about. If there is even the

days. I battened down the hatches, preparing for the

remotest possibility you have it, let someone know

siege.

you are sick so they can check on you regularly, but

What followed were 48 hours of sheer hell that I

isolate yourself as soon as possible. Spare yourself

would not wish on my worst enemy. My

the self-recriminations and sickening feeling I keep

temperature shot through the roof, I was hot and

getting whenever I hear it mentioned now. In this

cold at the same time, the physical pain meant I

last week I have learned how lucky I am as this ‘flu’

could not get comfortable and at one stage I came

has claimed two more victims. While there is a

to, face down on my living room floor not knowing

sense of inevitability that more will follow before

how I got there. Fits of coughing led to persistent

this virus disappears we need to be hyper

vomiting as I struggled to keep medication down

responsible in ensuring we impede its impact and

long enough for it to have any effect. My biggest

devastation to our utmost ability. Ignorance in this

problem was my ongoing inability to breathe

instance is not bliss, it’s potentially deadly.

properly. I felt like I was drowning internally and I

Sex & the Single Student The Barren Sexual Desert by Donna Miskell Sin’s very own answer to Carrie Bradshaw shares a few tips on how to deal with the times when we ain’t getting any

What to do with your condoms if you’re not getting any: 1.

A shower hat – best for small heads.

(No pun intended!)

2.

Store your money in one – ain’t nobody stealing that.

3.

Blow up two and challenge a friend to a duel.

4.

Use as make-shift water balloons or party decorations. (For the extra creative blow up one condom, fill with loads more unopened condoms and you’ve got a piñata!)

5.

Use one to make a cheap aquarium.

Just don’t get too attached to your fish.

As a student you will fall victim to a

this anxiety breeds a pressure to get

number of stereotypes. These include:

in on the act for fear we’d be labelled

you drink far more than you should;

frigid or of ending up like a forty year

you scrounge as much as you possibly

old virgin. However a study carried

can from your parents/ the

out by the Department of Health in

government/ society in general and

October 2006 found that 80% of

you engage in wild, promiscuous

women and 60% of men between the

sexual acts ALL the time. Given the

ages of 18-24 had 4 or less sexual

topic of this article let’s just leave

partners over their life so far. About

aside the first two and look at this last

1% of those surveyed accounted for

stereotype. Where does it come

over 30% of the total number of

from? Does it have basis in reality?

sexual partners. There’s the proof in

And what should you do if you’re one

black and white that while there are a

of the single student population who

few putting it about like it’s going out

just ain’t getting any?

of fashion, the majority of us aren’t.

Students are young, at the peak of

We’ve established that while in some

their physical performance

ways students do deserve their

(supposedly) and full of raging

reputation for being horny little

hormones. College presents you with

buggers, they’re not at it as much as

a pool of equally youthful, fit and

people imagine. Now just what

hormone filled targets. It is the

exactly are you supposed to do with

optimum time for experimentation as

all that sexual energy you’ve got?

for many going to college means their

Guys-I’m going to make a sweeping

first taste of freedom and

generalisation here and presume that

independence. Without the fear of

none of you are shy about going the

Mammy or Daddy greeting anyone

self-service route, but girls have needs

you bring home with questions that

too! Double clicking the mouse as one

make the Spanish Inquisition sound

of my friends in the IT department

appealing, romance becomes

likes to call it isn’t just something you

somewhat easier to indulge in. As well

read about in the pages of Cosmo.

as this, recent studies have proven

Why should guys be the only ones

that as a generation we are a lot

having private pants parties? I’m not

more sexually active than our

going to go into details here –this is a

grandparents were. Hardly shocking-

classy publication after all- but let’s

seen as the thought of pre-marital sex

just say time spent getting to know

would have had most of them running

yourself is time well spent.

for the confession box. Add to this all the ads for safe sex spattered about the place and free condoms being handed out left, right and centre.

You’d forgive anyone for believing we’re all at it like rabbits!

Only what if you’re not doing all that much? With the assumption that all our friends are having sex comes anxiety if you’re not doing it too. And

Paid for by the SU and printed in Sin. Contact us! Our offices are located upstairs in Áras na Macléinn, www.su.nuigalway.ie

A message from the Welfare Officer

Drumming Workshop A Drumming Workshop with Anet

get to take out your frustrations on a

Moore will be held in the large acoustic

drum. Drumming creates a musical

room downstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn

experience that is accessible to

from 1pm to 3pm on Monday 12th of

everyone. Places on the workshop are

October. This workshop will let you

strictly limited and will be available on a

explore the wilder sides of human

first come, first served basis so sign up

nature and also connect to the deeper

NOW in the Students’ Union.

more spiritual side of our lives. Plus you

David O’Doherty As part of the Students’ Union Mental

has toured around Ireland with Tommy

Health Week campaign we are delighted

Tiernan, around Britain with Rich Hall

to welcome back comedian David

and recently around America with

O’Doherty. David will be performing on

Demetri Martin.

Wednesday 14th of October at 8pm

Hi everybody,

in the O’Flaherty Theatre. Tickets are

In 2006 he recorded his first CD

only €5 and will be available from the

“Giggle Me Timbers (or ‘Jokes Ahoy!’)”

Students’ Union.

at home in his flat in front of 35 people.

His first television series ‘The Modest

So I guess it’s my turn to wax lyrical about what it is I actually do as your Welfare Officer. Well first and foremost I help students in any way I can and we are very lucky to have so many support services for students on campus. If anyone ever needs any help, don’t hesitate to give me a shout.

One of the other things I do is coordinate campaigns relevant to the overall student body; that being said let me give you a taste of what is to come this week.

This week is Mental Health Week and we have lots of nice things in store for you. Now, more then ever it is vitally important to look after your mental health and well being. If you are stressed, worried or you just need help then talk about it. Talk to a friend or call up to me. Keeping things to yourself never solves anything. So for anyone who has ever felt so stressed they needed to bang on something, now is your chance because we have a Drumming Workshop on Monday, October 12th. We also have the SU Sessions in An Bialann on Tuesday and (drum roll please…) David O’Doherty will be performing in the O’Flaherty Theatre on Wednesday, October 14th. Sticking with comedy, there will be a ‘Tedathon’ in Áras na MacLeinn on Wednesday afternoon. There will be free cupcakes and tea on Tuesday and Thursday, so as you wait for your cuppa, you can decorate your cupcake. There will be relaxing music, art and films on throughout the week. We will be giving away t-shirts and sweets and we’ll also information stands all over campus relating to your Mental Health.

On Wednesday evening, we’ll have a member of the Student Counselling Service up in the Union office for anyone who just wants to get something off their chest.

If you have any other queries about Mental Health Week or any other thing that I do, don’t hesitate to give me a shout at su.welfare@nuigalway.ie

Having scaled the heights of

Adventures of David O’Doherty’

telemarketing and temping, David

was shown on RTE in Ireland in

O’Doherty first stepped on stage at

2007.He has written widely for

Dublin’s Comedy Cellar in 1998. His

newspapers and magazines, published a

first full show was performed at The

book for children, written a play and a

Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2000 and he

radio series about bee detectives. He is

has returned to the festival six more

currently writing a book about

times since. He has performed around

pandas…so he is definitely worth

the world at festivals in Melbourne,

checking out.

Montreal, New York and Wellington. He

The SU Sessions – Ka tet

Postgrad Officer By-Election

The SU Sessions present Ka tet this

more. They've also been featured in

Postgrad Officer By-Election – Polling will take place between 10am and

Tuesday the 13th of October at 7pm as

L.E.G magazine in Limerick, Drop-d.ie

9pm on Thursday 15th of October near Smokies on the Concourse.

part of this years Mental Health Week

and Balcony TV. Ka tet released their self

Please note that only Postgrads can vote in this election and you need

campaign.

titled demo to coincide with the

your student ID with you to vote.

beginning of their tour in January 2009.

Ka tet are a three piece alternative rock

The CD is currently only available at

band from Mayo/Roscommon. The band

gigs, and half of all proceeds go to

consists of front man Tommy, bassist

Charity.

Residence Reps Guys, thanks for all your emails regarding the Residence Reps system but I

Kyle and drummer Ro. The bands primary style is Rock but a lot of the

The SU Sessions are a free weekly event

still need more Reps. I cannot get started unless I have more reps from

songs have an acoustic and sometimes

open to the public and hosted by NUI,

Corrib Village, Cúirt na Coiribe and Gort na Coiribe. So if you want to be

psychedelic twist. They've been touring

Galway Students’ Union in ECO

a rep, please email su.welfare@nuigalway.ie

Ireland since January 2009 and have left

Grounds (An Bialann) every Tuesday at

lasting impressions on audiences in

7pm. www.myspace.com/thesusessions

Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Kildare, Athlone, Castlebar, Dundalk and many

Welcome the new guy: Congratulations to our newly elected Clubs’ Captain Shane Hayes.

Class Reps By now, most classes will have a Class Rep. If you haven’t chosen one then do so as soon as you can. For classes with more then 50 students, it is recommended that you have more then one Class Rep. If Class Reps haven’t received their handbooks then call up to the Students’ Union office in Áras na MacLeinn and don’t forget if you have any education related problems then contact Emmet at su.education@nuigalway.ie

Upcoming Class Reps Meetings: Mon 12th Oct 09

Mon 19th Oct 09

6pm – 7pm

6pm – 7pm

AC204

AC204

Arts Concourse

Arts Concourse

Arts FCRC

Science FCRC

Weds 14th Oct 09

Tues 20th Oct 09

6pm – 7pm

6pm – 7pm

AC204

Students’ Union Exec Office

Arts Concourse

Áras na Mac Léinn

Engineering FCRC

Health Sciences

Thurs 15th Oct 09

Thurs 22nd Oct 09

12pm – 1pm

12pm – 1pm

Students’ Union Exec Office

SC200A

Áras na Mac Léinn

Science Concourse

Law FCRC

Commerce FCRC

Are students really the carefree, inconsiderate vandals that they are made out to be? Can this year’s batch of students really be the worst ever? Eimear Spain explains why the papers are right, and why we should lock away our valuables and head for the hills.

Head 2 Head - presenting two sides of the story

YES Students are troublemakers by Eimear Spain In the heyday of the Civil Rights

€30,000 was raised for charity, the

no one to answer to. Back in the good

movement in America, students were

cost of damage to Galway city has

old days, students commuted to

unfairly charged with the title of

been estimated to be approximately

college or attended the nearest

troublemakers due to their

€60,000, double that amount. When

university but still had to answer to

determination to be heard and to

the actions of students become a drain

Mammy and Daddy at the end of the

make the world a better place. Only

on society and a nuisance to the public

day. Staggering in the door at 3am

forty years on –and a lot has changed.

a line has undeniably been crossed.

stinking of Bavaria or Absinthe would

The majority of the student population

simply not have been tolerated. More

of Ireland are apathetic to social issues

There are those who would defend

students than ever are now living away

and only seem concerned with

the student body, saying that it is only

from home with no authority figure

partying. The proud tradition of

a small minority of students who go

around to keep order. This lack of

students tirelessly campaigning for the

out and create this mayhem. This is

accountability has given students a free

betterment of society has nearly been

well and good, but the fact is that

reign to cause havoc. The increased

wiped from people’s memories by the

most students are enablers of this kind

access to disposable cash is also to

drunken antics of today’s college

of appalling behaviour. After all, they

blame. Even though we are now in a

goers. The passion for inciting social

celebrate and cheer on their friend’s

recession, we have just experienced a

change which used to be the hallmark

boozy behaviour. They see no problem

period of unprecedented economic

of their predecessors is all but gone. It

with wrecking public property. They all

growth, where almost every second

seems today’s students have this time

take joy from a drunken mate’s anti-

student had a well paying part-time job

truly earned their title of

social and destructive conduct.

that funded their alcohol fuelled antics.

troublemakers.

Going out and getting drunk went However the most damage that

from being a luxury, saved for

In the past month in which I have been

students cause – is to themselves.

birthdays or special occasions, to being

back in college, the sheer volume of

Their activities only detract from any

a daily occurrence.

criminal damage caused has been

sort of positive movement which

astounding. Fire extinguishers have

students may be a part of. The idealists

been thrown through windows, people

and visionaries of the student

changed, the music, the fashion, the

have broken down doors and in my

population of Ireland automatically get

skyline and the people. Students were

own student accommodation a wall

tarred with the same brush their

once the revolutionaries of society,

was nearly demolished by an

drunken counterparts have earned.

unfairly regarded as the troublemakers.

inebriated student. I have been kept

Third level education is a privilege, not

Now they have deteriorated into

awake by countless parties and

a right, and until students treat it as

nothing more than common thugs.

drunken louts shouting and the

something more than a demolition

One can only wonder what the future

security services are powerless to

derby with no consequences, their

will be like when the drunken masses

silence them. Recently one student

cries for sympathy and compassion will

that make up today’s student

accommodation put in place a blanket

fall on deaf ears.

population are unleashed onto society

ban on guests being on the premises

In the last forty years a lot has

to run our top jobs.

after 10pm. Why was this done? The

Student behaviour is worse now than

reason they offer is the spiralling

it’s ever been. As students move

criminal damage. Even after our own

farther and farther away from home to

2009 RAG week, where roughly

attend college, they feel like they have

Has the media circus descended like vultures on the easy target of students? Jen Bain explains that it’s not all that bad, and the newspaper reports should be taken with a grain of salt.

NO Students are not troublemakers by Jen Bain In an uncertain economic climate, the

by the student body in recent years,

may just be that – an increase in the

torch of blame is being passed from

but there are those who would pick

claims, and not in the damage itself.

one vulnerable social group to another.

out the small amount of misbehavers

Lately, it seems that it is the turn of

at these events and tar all students

One need only turn to RAG week to

students to bear the burden of

with the one brush. Student activism is

see that the student body’s good work

society’s anger. In a time when we as

no longer something which is

is overshadowed by the minority’s

students should be acquiring our

respected, but is seen as something

slights. Yes, there were arrests and

independence, we find ourselves being

bad, something to be slandered. At a

damage caused during the event, but a

constantly watched, like toddlers who

recent anti-fees protest on the NUIG

massive €30,000 was raised during the

would steal from your cookie jar. But

campus, it was the jostling of Bertie

charity fundraising week. As for those

does the label of miscreants really fit?

Ahern that made all the headlines, not

arrests, little clarification was ever

Are the accusations made against

the reasons behind the protest itself.

offered as to how many of those were

students fair?

When you try to look for the good

actually Galway students. I agree that

work done by students, it is nowhere

these individuals should be punished,

In student accommodation, long gone

to be found. The media just doesn’t

but to punish the rest of the student

are the days where you could invite a

want to print the story of the good,

population on the basis that they may

guest back to your apartment, your

hard-working student anymore!

behave in the same way is simply

only living space. You are obliged to

Society viewed students as having the

ridiculous.

turn them away at twelve o’clock.

right to protest for what they believed

Where these guidelines were rarely

they were entitled to before. Perhaps

When we accept that people are

enforced in the past, there are now

it is our perception of the student

legally adults, old enough to drink, to

regular spot-checks to ensure no

body and not those individuals

smoke, to attend third level education,

‘troublemakers’ slip through the

themselves which has changed?

we must also accept that they should

cracks. Corrib Village is a prime

be treated as adults. This year’s

example of student policing gone too

Recently, the media has reported an

students are not ‘the worst ever’ but

far. Potential damages have been

increase in damages and more

they are being treated as such. Mother

prioritised over basic safety

complaints of general misdemeanour

society will have to loosen her grip if

precautions. Students are now

against students, claiming this as proof

she wants to maintain her moral high

dropped outside the gates of the

that the academic body are worse

ground, her fair approach. Are we

complex, with taxis not permitted to

than ever before. Breaking news- we

trying to keep students from harm and

bring them to their doors. The

are in a recession. People are going to

bad influence or simply placing them

complex, with its barbed wire

be tighter with money, and claim for

into detention centres in disguise?

surroundings, now resembles a prison

whatever they can. There has been a

Targeting this minority and putting the

camp from a Holocaust film more than

reported 20% rise in reports of

potentially unruly elements of our

the holiday village with ‘picturesque

landlords attempting to claim more

society in barbed wire playpens does

surroundings’ that it markets itself at.

than they are entitled to and this

nothing to protect them! We have

Students are treated like outlaws –

figure is set to increase. Survival

been placed in the naughty corner,

undomesticated and untrustworthy,

instinct has kicked in. It is every man

without logical explanation or

but can those claims be backed up?

for himself and we are living in a

reasoning. Must we wait patiently until

compensation economy. If there is a

society regains its poise before we can

significant increase in damage claims, it

play again?

NUI Galway has seen many protests

Faith and culture are often sensitive subjects which

the past, and it could be that this is so. Are we in the

can cause tension and even violence. This is

West too accommodating or are those in the East

particularly the case where cultures are diametrically

too strict? Can a balance be struck that will please

opposed on certain issues, as with Islam and the

all sides?

secular culture of the Western World. Nowhere is

If we in the West consider the Islamic faith to be

this tension clearer than in Europe, the modern

inherently barbaric, is that any more or less

home of multiculturalism. In recent years, we have

legitimate than the Eastern view of the West as a

seen attacks on embassies over cartoons of the

hotbed of sin on the road to self destruction? It

prophet Mohammed and riots in France over the ban

seems that if these two cultures cannot find a way to

on wearing the hijab to name but a few flashpoints.

co-exist then the conflict will escalate, until one

As borders become more porous and people

culture proves itself to be “more right”.

become more mobile, it seems inevitable that there

Tariq Ramadan

How the tensions of Islam can be resolved by Oisín Collins

will be further clashes as these two cultures attempt

This Thursday October 15th in the Kirwan Theatre,

to strike a balance.

Lit & Deb brings together a panel of experts on the

Contrary to the West’s continued adjustment and

subject of Islam in the modern world to discuss how

harmonisation with their Muslim citizens, the rules in

these tensions can be resolved. Speaking will be Mr.

Islamic countries are as strict as ever. In Sudan, a

Tariq Ramadan, a Swiss Muslim scholar who has been

British schoolteacher was jailed for allowing her

referred to as the Muslim Martin Luther and is

pupils to name a teddy bear after the prophet

regarded as one of the world’s top intellectuals;

Mohammed. This seemingly harmless act was seen as

Rajnaara Akhtar, a stalwart campaigner against the

‘inciting religious hatred’ and the teacher narrowly

ban on the hijab and Dr. Kathleen Cavanagh,

escaped a sentence of 40 lashes with a whip for her

chairperson of the Amnesty International Ireland

transgression. Often, no leniency at all is offered to

Executive Committee. Representatives from the

foreigners who can face dire consequences should

Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland and MPACIE, an

they breach these rules.

Irish Muslim lobby group, will also be speaking. The

When reports of this type of punishment filter back

moderator for the event is Denis Halliday, former

to the West, it is difficult not to see such acts as

Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations

barbaric and inhumane. Members of the Muslim

and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq from

community have referred to such a view as

September 1st 1997 until 1998.

“arrogant”, “culturally ignorant” and “imperialist” in

It’s Snow Time baby by Caoilin Ni Raifeartaigh

Thinking of taking some time out when you finish college? Well if so, have you considered working a snow season in the European Alps?

Working in the Alps is a great way to learn a new language, meet lots of new nationalities and of course enjoy some of the best skiing or snowboarding in the world.

Finding a job is easy, but only if you get there early.

the hospitality sector and the like, speaking the

The best time to head out is in mid to late

native tongue is generally a requirement. However,

November. After not such a record-breaking amount

having English as your native language also proves an

of snow falling over the Alps in recent years, winter

advantage for the thousands of tourists that decent

2008/2009 proved global warming had not killed the

there every year.

snow just yet. The snow came as early as mid

One disadvantage to living in the Alps is the cost of

October to eventually become the best snow the

maintaining your alpine lifestyle. Be aware that the

French Alps had seen in fifty years.

price of your season pass to the slopes can cost

A good idea when you arrive is to stay in a hostel so

anywhere between €400 and €800 depending on the

you can meet other seasonalworkers just like you.

type of access pass you require. However if you buy

From there you can start the accommodation and

early or have proof that you are a seasonaire worker,

job hunt. Aer Lingus do direct flights to Geneva from

then this sum can be greatly reduced. Other major

Dublin five days a week in winter.

costs are the price of buying skis or snowboards.

Another tip is to buy all your all ski clothes before

Sometimes it’s not a bad idea to look into buying a

you get to the resorts. The price of ski kit in some of

second hand pair before you go.

these small villages is astronomical. Local business

Having said all the positives and negatives, a ski

owners charge top notch during peak season. Some

season is definitely worth it. There is nothing more

of the best places to buy affordable warm snow

rewarding than stretching your neck up everyday to

clothing is in TK Maxx. Lidl usually also sell cheap ski

admire the breathtaking view of the white covered

stock in mid November but this supply can be sold

mountains. It is an action packed fun adventure. You

out within days due to popular demand.

can eat as much as you want, drink as much as you

If languages are not your forté, the best kind of job

want and ski it all away the next day. It’s a guilt free

you can get is with travel companies working as reps

pleasure that will also put your legs in the best

or with airport transfer companies that require

possible shape known to mankind.

drivers. Jobs like chalet hosting and chalet cleaning provide a decent wage but you may find yourself with little or less time to hit the slopes. Ideally for

break to increase their working day. Armed with only

How to convert computer games to real life

a pen, a clipboard and an application form, the plucky applicant has to negotiate a series of rabid state employees and endure a climatic means tested showdown with the office manager to claim his prize.

Prize to arrive eight to ten weeks later.

Pong A man breaks wind in a packed lift. Bedlam ensues.

Street Fighter Two stag parties from rival counties, complete with novelty costumes, clash on Shop Street on a Friday

by David O’ Doherty After watching the Nothing Specific Society’s version of Human Pacman David O’Doherty wonders how other classic computer games could be converted to real life.

night. The hand-to-hand combat system is sluggish due Super Mario Brothers

to a prodigious consumption of alcohol. However

Two failed Italian plumbers open a pizzeria in Salthill.

combatants can use a wide array of exciting taunts

Their business fails due to the pair’s tendency to jump

including “Hey you!” and “What are you looking at?”

on the heads of their customers. In desperation the

to ramp up the excitement level. Extra bonus features

brothers take to dashing up and down the promenade

include the clobbering of innocent bystanders and

head butting boxes in an attempt to extract gold

projectile vomiting.

coins. Concussion and a hospital stay ensue.

Guitar Hero

Metal Gear Solid

Misunderstood genius Ronan Keating attempts to

Solid Snake (played by Brian Cowen) infiltrates the

revive his moribund solo career by standing alone

homes of innocent Galway families and attempts to

onstage at the Roisin Dubh with a plastic guitar and a

introduce stealth taxes without being detected. If

TV with the volume cranked to eleven. The audience

caught Snake has several weapons at his disposal

is unmoved by his renditions of Livin’ On A Prayer and

including obfuscation, an unjustified sense of self

La Bamba. Keating returns to Boyzone in disgrace.

importance, impenetrable business jargon and coma

Street Fighter II

inducing policy speeches. One to watch going

Sequel to the ever popular Street Fighter. Set on

forward.

Saturday night on Shop Street.

Resident Evil

Space Invaders

A scared social welfare applicant becomes trapped in

Waves of homicidal aliens descend on Galway,

the Department of Social Welfare. He gets locked in

attacking with lasers and bombs. Galwegians respond

just after a meeting in which staff are informed that

by cowering under the nearest building until it erodes.

five minutes is being shaved off their second lunch

Aliens win.

YOUTUBE? ME TUBE TOO! Venturing into Youtube hell so you don't have to.

Legendary annoyance Tom Green decides to once again test the patience of mankind by arriving at Fox Studios to apparently do the weather but instead poses as a bunny rabbit (ears included) scampering into the studio live http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgVowfaVzQI on air much to the staff's discomfort.

Tom initially seems innocent as he enters the studio seeming compliant and responsible but things soon turn sour as he dons furry fabricated ears, hops into the camera frame and starts professing his status as a 'bunny'. The news-anchors and crew appear dumbstruck as he continues to hop around offering them carrots and adamantly asking offstage technicians to display a school bus on the weather forecast screen. When this is complied with Tom's overly enthusiastic and deranged reaction triggers the newscasters to appear uncomfortable and Tom is quickly ushered off-screen by a producer with his microphone confiscated. He then sneaks back hopping up and down in the background of the studio behind the newscaster’s desk only to be kicked out again soon after. The video ends with Tom Green walking down the corridor leaving as he is asked by one of his cronies how he thought it went by simply responding, "I think this is just another great opportunity I've completely blown". The entertainment industry can be cruel.

Best Bits: 1:15 - 'Can we see the school bus?'

By Nathan Reynolds

1:38 - Absolutely baffled reaction from the staff.

2:15 - A remorseful Tom looks back solemnly at the mess he's made.

Scared  By Nicole Coyne Why am I scared? I have everything I could possibly want; I have a man who loves me, friends who support me, the life I want to live.

Yet I'm terrified.

I'm terrified that I am going to lose everything, terrified that my world is going to come crashing down.

Again.

My heart is satisfied yet it fears rejection, the pain I have suffered has left me scarred, bruised and permanently broken.

No matter how hard I try all the pieces will never be put back into place, they are too fragmented to be repaired.

In learning to deal with the pain I have learned to guard myself, against harm, against fear, against the bringer of these things; love.

Letting someone new into my heart is a long process, it takes dedication, hard work and patience, attributes that I possess in only the smallest quantities.

Letting someone in means subjecting myself to more pain, more heartache and more loss, it cannot be avoided.

So I struggle to accept that, once more, my heart could be torn to shreds; how many times can one heart be broken before it cannot be fixed?

But in the midst of all this, I realise something; I am happier now then I have been in a long time.

Frightened as I am of losing everything, I am content in what I have gained.

My heart whispers warnings of loss, betrayal, pain, loneliness, and devastation, but does not conceal the joy, comfort, contentment, harmony and love that courses through my veins.

The cracks are slowly beginning to repair themselves but it is taking time.

I do not think that another heartbreak would be beneficial to my well-being, but I cannot predict what might happen.

So for now I continue on this treacherous path, hoping against hope that I do not mis-step and that there are only a few bumps in the road.

Each pot-hole causes a crack to widen, each stretch of good road aids it to heal.

This road is no longer a single path, for the foreseeable future there are two paths intertwined, his and mine.

The bumps are symmetrical; where I falter so does he, where I run free he holds my hand, when I sit down and rest he waits patiently.

Although I am scared I am also elated, though terrified joyous, though frightened comforted.

The endless circle of emotions that cause my stomach to flutter just thinking his name are the same emotions that drive me forward along this road.

Along the road to meet whatever lies ahead.

For although I fear for my safety I realise that the only way to get through it, is to meet it head on.

To walk tall, proud, confident and unafraid,, let the world see what you do not feel, but feel it deeply.

Feel whatever pain threatens to destroy your life, accept it, embrace it, and let it go.

Enjoy the roller-coaster ride.

And if you have company on the ride hold on tight and do not let go without a fight.

In the morning we walked the planks: all of them A good three inches thick; thrown up the night before On decommissioned milk crates.

We started, rowdily, into a stately ceiling Of lath and plaster. And all came down.

Mummified chunks of it plummeting past our heads To be stretchered along over rubble and out into the light.

As the dust rose my father spat his mouthfeel into it, And that one wink in triumph said it all:

The Finale By Courtney Stanley

‘Needless to say, that was there a long time.’

Later I slit stealthily some of the bellies Of a battalion of bags slouched against a wall, Scooped crumbling pyramids Of gypsum from bag to bucket of fresh water.

Beholding chalky little eruptions Of a comely pinkish hue, I could only toy at the surface With the gunmetal plunger, until he said: ‘No, like this!’

I watched then.

His knees bent, and this thrust of shirtsleeves rolled back, Pistonning down fathoms deep Like a publican cleaning his lines, Or my mother bathing dishes at the sink – A bastion of patience.

Make these last words count;

And then I saw it all: him spreading it out masterfully

Stand up, take a bow.

Over tidy and tightly-fitted slabbing.

Courtesy for the audience.

The ringing out of the steel trowel as it flicked,

Smile big; show them how.

As if out of one imaginary furrow – Wet stockbrushed clean – Before an about-turn, and then him ploughing into another.

Such command of a tool on a flush and Nubless surface. Mirror-like in its hardness.

And all his ungovernable life smoothened out before him.

A New Ceiling By Adam White

I slopped the hot mixture out onto a spot board

It's very easy to pretend, When you have no emotions to show.

Put everyone's worries to rest, It can't hurt if they don't know.

Care, but never over-do it.

Be the epitome of perfect grace.

Don't let them get a glimpse inside, Keep the agony from your face.

Balance on nails or glass, Like some sort of circus act.

Everyone will watch and clap with approval, As you endure pain, smile still intact.

Life is one big stage to me, It gets easier every day.

I hide away my suffering, And choose my character to play.

Make these last words count; They'll be the ones that are remembered.

Balance on that bed of nails, And never, ever, surrender.

For the finale - I'll stop my heart, Who needs one anyway?

Recessionista chic: keep looking glam despite the gloom by Donna Miskell Donna Miskell has all the lowdown on how to look great but still not break the bank

Tip 1: Look for hidden treasure.

No, this doesn’t mean you’ve got to set out

cheap and chic, plus there is the added feel good factor of knowing your money is going to a good

with your shovel in search of the mythical ‘X’ that

cause. And when someone asks where your new

marks the spot. Most women have issues with

buy is from you’ll be able to say, “It’s vintage

throwing away clothes. The proof of this can be seen

dahling.” Plus 100 fashionista points.

in countless bedrooms around the country at

Tip 3: D.I.Y (Design It Yourself)

approximately 9pm every Saturday night when a girl

Even if you haven’t picked up a needle and

stands in front of her overflowing wardrobe and

thread since your days of Junior Cert Home Ec

declares, “I have nothing to wear!” This sartorial

there’s never been a better time to get stitching. I’m

hoarding can be used to your advantage by raiding

not suggesting you tear down the curtains to make

the wardrobe of your Mam or the attic of your

your own clothes a la Maria in The Sound of Music

Granny. Basically rummage through the forgotten

but a few strategically applied studs can instantly

clothes of anyone who’ll let you. The 80’s are back

give new life to an old handbag, while a hole in the

in fashion so you’re bound to find some floral

sleeve of your cardigan can become a quirky design

monstrosity/masterpiece floating around. Your Mam

feature with the addition of an old school patch. If

may even have been a bit of a rocker back in the day

you’ve been in Topshop lately you’ll have seen a

with a leather jacket and studded boots hiding in

fairly simple round neck grey jumper with a lace bit

some old suitcase waiting to relive their former

on the front. Don’t tell me you couldn’t make

glory. Grannies are great for keeping lacy little

something pretty similar at home for a fraction of

boleros and beautiful antique brooches which are

the cost. Even if your forays into fashion design are

guaranteed to add a touch of romance and elegance

more Ugly Betty than Project Catwalk at the very

to any ensemble. By looking for hidden treasure

least it’ll pass a bit of time for you since no-one can

you’ll get your mitts on some fab free stuff that no-

afford to go out anyway.

one else on campus is going to have. On top of this

Tip 4: No more impulse buying

the search will undoubtedly stir up memories of

Sounds a bit more boring compared to the

when the clothes were new and the owner was

other tips but it is equally important to the true

young, allowing you and your Mam or Granny to

Recessionista. Don’t blow €30 on another pair of

engage in a bit of girly bonding. Awwwww.

skinny jeans if the three pairs you have at home are

Tip 2: Charity shops are your friend.

still doing their job. Think twice before buying the

Thrifting (searching through the rails of second

yellow skirt that looks amazing on the mannequin in

hand shops in case you’re wondering) has been

River Island but doesn’t go with anything you own.

popular among the ultra fashionable types for, like,

You might realise you’d get far more value for

ever! Yet the thought of shopping in a charity shop

money out of the same skirt in a more muted

still has some people turning up their nose. I will

colour. Accessories and costume jewelry can easily

admit that I was one of those people until I spotted

turn simple timeless clothes into bang on trendy

a gorgeous black blazer hanging outside my local

outfits so try to choose wisely. Also keep your eyes

charity shop. At €5 it would have been a crime to

peeled for upcoming sales; the earlier you get in

leave it there and when I ventured inside to pay I

there the more likely you are to find something but

spotted an adorable little leather shoulder bag with

never buy anything just because it’s on sale. If you

an oh-so-handy hidden mirror, a snip at €2! Having

wouldn’t dream of paying the full whack for it then

received many compliments on both purchases this

chances are it’ll still be lurking in the back of your

Recessionista is officially a charity shop convert. If

wardrobe, tags on, this time next year.

the thought of wearing a stranger’s old clothes still

And there you have it ladies - staying stylish in these

gives you the creeps then stick to accessories like

trying times is as easy as 1, 2, 3……..4.

scarves and handbags. Whatever you buy will be

BUDGET BAKING Costs: Approximately

€3.50 Serves 4 This is a very straightforward soup to make, and it is very tasty indeed. It’s liquidised dinner!

Something Substantial…

Leek & Potato Soup Ingredients: 50g/2oz butter 1 onion 2 leeks 200g/8oz potato 1.5 pints boiling water 2 vegetable stock cubes Method: Slice the leeks, chop the onion, and cut the potatoes into cubes.

Melt the butter in a deep saucepan, and add the vegetables.

Fry the vegetables on a medium heat for about five minutes.

Add the two stock cubes to the 1.5 pints of boiling water, and add this to the vegetables.

Cover the saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Use a hand blender to make the soup smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Bring back to the boil, and enjoy!

It’s very hard to find time to make nutritious homemade food, but if you do get a couple of hours, this recipe is simple and fun to make, especially if you have some help. Abbreviations: Oz (nothing to do with a yellow brick road)= ounces g = grammes N.B: Although it is possible to mix and mash by hand, an electric hand mixer and a hand blender will become good friends of yours if you decide you like this cooking thing.

Fairy godmother

Katie’s housemate, who for the purpose of this case

My advice to Katie, was, firstly, to stop washing up

study will be called Anne, likes to wallow in her own

after Anne and cleaning up her mess. If the mess

mess. Katie lives with two boys and Anne, but she

builds up enough she may eventually clean. Secondly,

knows that Anne is the major culprit of the eternal

if this fails, making a rota is the next step. The rota

mess. Last Sunday, Katie arrived back to her house to

should include: bringing out the bins; making sure the

find the dishes that had been left there since

dishes are washed before bed; sweeping the floor

by

Thursday from Anne’s dinner party still in the sink;

etc. Rotas are a great way of acknowledging a

Gabrielle Campion

two bottles of beer spilled all over the floor with a

problem without actually cornering someone and

nice fluffy pink tea towel fermenting on the side;

accusing them of being ‘the messy one’. If, on their

approximately 8 cups half filled with tea on the

day, ‘the messy one’, in this case Anne, doesn’t do her

kitchen table; and seven, yes, seven, Charcoal Grill

jobs, you can say it to them. This is because it is on

pain-full of trials and tribulations. Your

trays piled up on the coffee table. It may not sound

the wall for everyone to see that Anne was to wash

too bad in theory, but she described the stink of her

up and didn’t. You don’t have to be mean about it,

Mammy isn’t with you anymore, but

house as that similar to the inside of a Wheelie Bin

but this is a problem that must be addressed early.

on a Sunday night before it’s been collected. “I don’t

People fall out over messes, laugh all you want, but I

think I’m a neat freak”, Katie told me, “but I like my

do not lie!

house not to smell like ass”. I called over for tea on

Good luck darlings with your rotas, and do keep in

Thursday only to be greeted by a disgusting smell

touch and let me know how you are getting on.

Living away from home can be a

your Fairy Godmother is, and with the wave of a magic wand can sort out any of your domestic problems.

that can only be described as feet, and Anne saying “I

This week she offers advice on how

my socks on the radiators, is that ok?”. Katie looked

ran out of washing powder so I’m going to just air like she was about to implode. I needed a solution

to deal with living with a slob.

and fast.

Call for Facebook ban on campus by Mairéad Ní Chaoimh

Advertisment

An NUIG mature student has launched a campaign

that SNS sites are a haven for mailicious worms and

to ban Facebook in all PC suites. Colm Byrne, an MA

viruses and are a direct threat to the security of the

student set up an online petition over the weekend

college network.

calling for the college authorities to immediately ban

He recommends that the college may at its

Facebook and all social networking websites

discretion allow students to access SNS and other

(SNW’s) in all PC suites.

non-contributory sites from their own portable

Colm says that the college should not allow

network devices, based on a paid access model.

“resource-hogging, non-educational and wasteful

He says that a ban on Bebo was instituted and

activities by students”.

therefore a ban on Facebook should follow suit.

“Students with legitimate educational activities are

The petition is hosted online at

forced to wait in line for PC suite access while a

http://bit.ly/BanFbook

third or more of PCs are occupied by SNS users,”

So far though, not one person has signed the

he says.

petitition, although it is early days yet. It does look

And he estimates that a Facebook ban could save the

like Colm will be hard-pressed to get support for his

college 33% or more on PC resources.

campaign from the Facebook loving student

Colm, who also writes theatre articles for Sin, says

population.

Special deal for NUIG Societies and Clubs for the upcoming academic year for any bulk purchases of wine for functions and events:

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Aisling Walsh, Sin’s Mexico correspondent

El Pico de Orizaba, Mexico's highest mountain

La Taquita: Dispatches from an Irish Student in Mexico by Aisling Walsh Read the third installment from our correspondent in Mexico.

One of the first things I was told when I arrived in

house there are several fish shops overflowing with

Mexico was that I would have great success with the

prawns and crabs from the previous night's catch. I

men here; I have the 'extranjero' factor. That still

have yet to buy a single prawn but everyday as I

remains to be seen, but what is certainly true is that

walk past on my way to college I hear 'hey guerra

as a young woman with fair skin, freckles and auburn

what'll it be today?' One guy in particular is always

hair I get a lot of attention on the street, in college,

sitting out on a stool cajooling passers by to buy

in taxis, in shops, on buses, basically everywhere

some of his produce. He's seen me pass so many

except my own home. I could be wearing a brown

times that he now greets me with a wide grin and

paper bag and wellies and men would still stare.

has stopped asking me if I want any prawns. We have graduated to saying 'Hi, how are you?' to each other;

Mexico is infamous for its macho culture: a culture

at some stage we might even learn each others'

in which it is perfectly acceptable for any man to

names so I won't have to keep referring to him as

shout at, whistle at or sometimes even grope

'fish shop guy.' I have another amigo, a middle aged

(Mexico City metro is infamous for this) women.

man who sells newspapers, who never fails to grin

Mexican women have to put up with it too but they

and wish me good morning as I'm dodging traffic

hardly even notice; it's just the way men behave in

while crossing the road to college.

this country! It is not only men who stare but women and children stare too; some out of

I could choose to be offended by all the attention

curiosity and some out of hostility. Guerro or

but I would spend most of my time getting angry

guerra, depending on whether you are male or

with almost every man I see. There are those who

female is how most foreigners are referred to by

step over the line in which case it is more than

Mexicans; guerrita is the preferred term for young

acceptable to sling the most offensive swear words I

women. Gringo is a mild slur reserved for people

can conjure up at them and then spend an hour

from the USA only.

complaining about them to my girlfriends over coffee. Mostly I just look straight ahead and pretend

The machismo is hard to escape. There are men

not to notice but sometimes I smile or say hello

who whisper guerra or linda as they walk past me

depending on what mood I'm in or how cute the

on the street or who know English and think it is

guy is. Sometimes a little bit of attention can be

hilarious to say things like 'hi, how are you?'

nice!!

Usually as soon as I get in a taxi and tell the driver where I'm headed he will realise that I'm a foreigner.

Sometimes it can just be plain absurd. While walking

Even as he is pulling away from the kerb the

to the supermarket in the company of my Mexican

questions start flying: Where are you from? Why are

friend, Monse, a very confused, unshaven and

you here? How long are you staying? Do you have a

possibly homeless old man turned to Monse and

boyfriend? If he's in Ireland than it doesn’t really

asked her: '¿Me regalas la guerra?' (Will you give me

count, does it? Are you looking for a husband? What

the white girl?) We looked at each other

kind of men do you like? How many children do you

incredulously, burst out laughing and kept walking. I

want? OK, well, I've never been asked about having

could have been offended by the mindset of an old

children but it's early days and I wouldn't put it past

man who thought I was a commodity that could be

them.

traded away by one of my friends or I could have

Not all Mexican men are like this though; I have

yelled cabrón at him and stormed off. But life is too

made some amigos too. Around the corner from my

short, all I could do was laugh.

Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One

Film Review

a drug, you don't steal for love of cash; you steal for the thrill of risk.” He’s ingenious in his methods of escape, using all means to evade imprisonment. This is highlighted when he escapes from a courtroom in mid-trial, using a judge as a hostage as he makes his getaway.

Mesrine was also known as “the man of a hundred faces,” a reference to his clever use of disguise.

He was also skilful in his manipulation of the media, admitting to over 40 murders in his autobiography L’Instinct de Mort, “The Death Instinct.” His thirst for fame knew no limits, where he attempted to use the media for his own ends. His

by Vicki McKenna

desire for glory and fame is highlighted when he becomes enraged on hearing that Pinochet’s coup has pushed his deeds from the front pages of the newspaper. In an effort to protect his public image, he brutally attacked French journalist Jacques Tillier after Tiller wrote articles accusing Mesrine of being a

Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One is part two of a biopic about Jaques Mesrine,

‘dishonourable crook.’

directed by Jean-Francois Richet and starring Vincent Cassel. The pace is quite

This film concludes with a dramatic climax, the bloody killing of Mesrine, a man

fast, as bloody shoot-outs and ingenious escapes are the key aspects of this film, a

who has plagued the French police for years, a man who has made a mockery of

film which depicts the life of France’s public enemy No. 1 during the 1970s. The

the judicial system by escaping so many times. His killing however elevated him

French actor, Vincent Cassel is mesmerising in the title role.

to a legend in many eyes, as his fans saw him as a man battling against the political

A man who lives life to the full, he’s fearless and ruthless in his dealings with the

establishment.

police. These words indicate his desire to live life on the edge. “Stealing becomes

The Invention of Lying

Film Review

people to hear. Scriptwriter Mark (Gervais) is subject to more hurtful comments than most, seeing as he’s “a bit fat with a funny little snub nose,” as his date Anna (Jennifer Garner) helpfully points out. Facing eviction after being fired from his job, Mark’s luck in life changes when he discovers that he has the ability to lie.

The film is based on a strange but amusing idea but once Mark accidentally

by Lorraine O'Hanlon

invents religion (while comforting his dying mother with tales of an afterlife where everyone gets a mansion in the sky) it goes down a slightly preachy path. There are some funny moments particularly early on, and there’s a strong supporting cast of comedy stars like Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Jason Bateman, Christopher Guest

There’s no doubt that Ricky Gervais is a massively talented TV

and more oddly Philip Seymour Hoffman, Edward Norton and our own Fionnula

writer/director/actor, but his film cameos in Night at the Museum (I and II) and

Flanagan (speaking like Eliza Doolittle pre-transformation). For Extras fans, there

Stardust were tinged with an unintentional hint of desperation. His first starring

are also cameos from Stephen Merchant and Shaun Williamson (‘Barry from

film role in Ghost Town was fine but forgettable and sadly his big screen

Eastenders’). Overall, The Invention of Lying is mildly entertaining but probably

writing/directing/acting debut is just as unremarkable. The Invention of Lying is

best watched at home on a boring Sunday rather than at the cinema, because

set in a world in which lying has not been invented, where everyone simply blurts

Gervais is yet to find the right film formula to suit his slightly skewed vision of the

out whatever they’re thinking, irrespective of how hurtful it may be for other

world.

Druid Theatre’s The Walworth Farce

Theatre Review

Commissioned by Druid in 2003 and written by Enda Walsh (Disco Pigs), The Walworth Farce centres on Irish emigrant Dinny (Michael Glenn Murphy) and his sons Sean (Tadhg Murphy) and Blake (Raymond Scannell), who live in isolation in a London tower block. The carefully ordered lives of the dysfunctional trio are ripped apart when Sean befriends supermarket worker Hayley (Mercy Ojelade).

Directed by Sligo-born Mikel Murfi, the play is filled with the kind of frenetic language, cross-dressing and role-playing that Freud would have had a field day with. The set design and lighting are particularly effective in the final, heartrending scenes and make the audience feel that a wall has literally been ripped out of the

by Lorraine O'Hanlon

tower block for us to watch the lives of these men unravel.

The physical nature of the performances is to be commended and Michael Glenn Murphy and Tadhg Murphy are especially excellent as the terrifying patriarch who obsessively re-enacts a version of his past and the son who struggles to challenge

The darkly funny and very physical play The Walworth Farce has just completed

him. The Walworth Farce is about to embark upon a tour that will take in the US,

its latest run in the intimate surrounds of the Druid Theatre, where audiences are

Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The final show of this electrifying drama will

so close to the action that those in the front row were likely to get spattered in

be performed in Sydney in April 2010, following 209 performances in 22 different

blood or hit by flying bits of plywood during performances of the play.

cities across six countries.

Mr Flash and the Waxolutionists to play Cuba by Liam Griffin

Liam Griffin previews Cuba's

The Waxolutionists are an Austrian hip-hop

creation were the legendary Adam F and the

collective from Vienna. The trio specialise in

renowned DJ Fresh. Following a succession of sold-

turntablism and their early work consists of songs

out London shows and a memorable performance

made entirely with turntables. Heavy beats, intricate

on Later with Jools Holland, Pendulum’s momentum

drum programming, cleverly disguised sample

continued with their biggest UK headlining tour to

layering, minimal set up scratches, lots of vintage

date before an audience in excess of 50,000 people.

sound and unusual guests at the microphone

Mr Flash

characterise the Waxolutionist’s sound. The three

French producer Mr Flash aka Gordon Bousquet

very different characters have an unpredictable

combines the catchy electro house sound of Daft

sound which leads some people to describe it as

Punk with hip hop. Often compared to DJ Shadow

turntable jazz, best experienced with their energetic

and Madlib for his use of obscure samples from

live show. This year the collective released their fifth

archaic records he has quietly been producing some

album We Paint Colours. It features collaborations

of the best music coming out of France and has

from American MC’s and is their most accessible

previously worked with Mos Def and French hip hop

effort to date. Their sound will appeal to fans of DJ

group TTC. In 2003, the former Daft Punk manager

Shadow and Jurassic Five.

signed Mr Flash to the infamous Edbanger Records,

Pendulum is an Australian-British live drum n bass

home to Justice and Mr Oizo and his songs have

act originally from Perth, Australia. Formed during

featured on all of their compilations. Mr Flash is no

2002 by three musicians from Western Australia with

stranger to Galway, having played here less than a

similar vision and musical backgrounds. The initial

year ago. His DJ’ing style ranges from heavy electro

result of the collaboration was the seminal 'Vault',

to hip hop.

released on the highly respected 31 Records. 'Vault'

upcoming October Bank Holiday Weekender

went on to become the biggest drum n bass anthem

Sin has 2 weekend passes to give away to Cuba’s

of 2003. This was confirmed when the track received

October Bank Holiday Weekender. To be in with a

the much sought after Knowledge Magazine award

chance to win simply answer this question. How

for 'Best Single of 2003'. Two heavyweight DJs that

many members are there in Pendulum? Email your

have supported the Pendulum sound ever since its

answer to editor@sin.ie

Maeve Higgins

Dough Stanhope

Comedy Review

Galway Comedy Festival this bank holiday weekend

by Shaun Leonard

preview 21-25.10.2009

Coming to the end of his European tour comedian Doug Stanhope put all his

Never in living memory has the populace been in such need of a good laugh and

joker cards on the table and admitted to his delighted audience in Galway’s

over the October Bank Holiday, Galway Comedy Festival brings you the most

Radisson Hotel that as it was his last gig, “You guys don’t matter’. The caustic

robust antidote imaginable to these depressing recessionary times.

tone for the show was set and what followed proved to be a droll walk through

With over 50 world class acts from across the globe, performing in the funkiest

the mind of a man currently being compared to the late, great Bill Hicks. While

carefully chosen venues plus ticket prices at pre Celtic Tiger levels, Galway

the similarities were many and obvious (views on society and human

Comedy Festival promises to be the destination festival of the year! Nowhere

incompetence in general) Stanhope admitted that having been providing witty, if

else in the country can you see five top comedy acts for only €30!

not entirely pragmatic, solutions to everyday global crises for the past 20 years

A festival first includes a sensational night of comedy hosted by Irish comedy

with little or no success he had given up on trying to change people’s minds

legend Frank Kelly in his world famous character Fr. Jack from cult TV series

about gay marriage, language and Egypt’s significant lack of architectural progress

Father Ted. Jack’s Back – and he’s hosting an evening of stand up from fellow Fr.

post pyramids. Whether complaining about the Greeks resting on their Olympic

Ted stars Joe Rooney (Fr. Damo), Patrick McDonnell (Eoin McLove) and Michael

laurels or fantasising about killing people in gloriously gory and humorously

Redmond (Fr. Stone). Catch this very special show at The Town Hall Theatre on

harebrained ways Stanhope was a fetid delight. Seven thumbs up if only for the bit

Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd at 8pm.

he did about redressing his (female?) friend’s mastectomy wound and then

Also part of the line up is Reginald D.Hunter, Holly Walsh, Maureen Langan, Nina

blowing a load. In it. And yes I got to touch his hand on the way out.

Conti, Sarah Kendall More unmissable headliners this year include comedy heavyweights: Jason Byrne, Des Bishop, PJ Gallagher, Neil Delamere, Colin Murphy, Andrew Maxwell, Maeve Higgins, Jim Jeffries, Kevin Bridges, Al Pitcher, Carey Marx, Karl Spain, Dead Cat Bounce, Andrew Stanley, Damian Clark, Eric Lalor, Fred Cooke and Paddy Courtney and more!

This is the 4th Annual Galway Comedy Festival promising belly laughs across the city from the Town Hall Theatre, to The Roisin Dubh, across to Kelly’s, out to the Black Box and all the way down to The Radisson Blu. Full programme is available at www.galwaycomedyfestival.com

Album Previews & Reviews by Sinead Burke

Preview: Bob Dylan – Christmas in the Heart Here Comes Santa Claus...or is that Mr Bob Dylan? Yep-Bob Dylan the folk/rock musician and poet laureate is doing the unthinkable and releasing a Christmas album. The fifteen track album will be released this week and all proceeds will go to charity. In the US the royalties (now and forever) will be donated to Feeding America. Elsewhere the proceeds will be donated to hunger relief organisations across the world. The track listing includes such classics as Here Comes Santa Claus, Do You Hear What I Hear?, Winter Wonderland, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Little Drummer Boy, The Christmas Blues, O’ Come All Ye Faithful, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Must Be Santa, Silver Bells, The First Noel, Christmas, The Christmas Song and the album closer is O’ Little Town of Bethlehem.

more like a classic supergroup, and less like their supergroup contemporaries who are looking to make a quick buck, the record exudes knowingness and an air of deliberate meditation. The first few bars of album opener Dear God (Sincerely M.O. F.) is an adventurous and soulful number. Next up is Say Please which is much lighter, but does not falter in the least for this. Whole Lotta Losin’ is fun and not dissimilar to a jokey toned down Eagles of Death Metal boogie number.

Temazcal is lovelorn and weary with echoes, written by Oberst and it arguably could be one of his best tracks yet. Up next is The Right Place which has lyrics by Jim James shining through. Baby Boomer begins as a happy shakedown but gets gritty when the subject matter of the lyrics mentions “We don’t agree about September, could we agree on Vietnam?” The cowboy tale of Man Named Truth is excellently told with jarring lyrics “I met a black skinned man with an ice cream grin and a blonde afghan with the heroin.” The track Goodway throws poignant lyrics at the listener “You thought me everything I know about taking other people for a ride.” With soaring pedal steel drums Slow Down Jo is other

Preview: Contra – Vampire Weekend The long awaited sophomore album from Vampire Weekend will be released in early January 2010. The ten track record sparked an online frenzy when the artwork was released last week. The cover simply shows a blonde beauty in a lemon Ralph Lauren polo shirt. Online debates as to who the girl is and when exactly (in what era- the 80’s? 90’s or last week?) the photograph was taken, rage on. The title of the album is also sparking discussions as fans wonder what exactly Erza and gang mean by the word Contra. Is it a reference to the late 80’s Nintendo video game? Or is it related to the term associated with Nicaraguan rebels? Track titles include Horchata, White Sky, Holiday, Californian English, Taxi Cab, Run, Cousins, Giving Up The Gun and Diplomat’s Son. The last track is the interestingly titled I Think Ur A Contra, so I guess we’ll just have to wait a little while longer for Erza to let us in on the secret.

Monsters of Folk

Review: Monsters of Folk – Monsters of Folk Monsters of Folk are M.Ward, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis (both members of Bright Eyes). The four friends began experimenting together back in 2004. The folky quartet has more than surpassed expectations on this record. As we all know side projects can more often than not only be so so; however the mix is and I say this without any hyperbole, just perfect. Sounding

worldly. His Master’s Voice is the album closer and bows out with Jim James’s uplifting falsetto. Monsters of Folk may be a punchline band name, but the quality and talent of the music these four guys make is no joke.

Galway Theatre Festival by Colm Byrne

Meet Donna Patrice of Danu Theatre Company who has

and places that are hidden. It uniquely encompasses

been cooped up with fellow actor Sarah Fahy, rehearsing

the human experience with the incredible power of

their play Dolores for its UK and Eire première. The play

nature. Sin: Is that difficult to stage?

centres around two sisters and the gulf between them.

Ionia: Our process is perfect for stories with this

Donna, aged 26, who trained at the Lee Strassberg

kind of appeal. It gets us away from literal

institute in NYC, has very particular views about the

interpretations and allows us to explore real themes

future of Galway theatre.

that result in powerful, truthful theatre that the

Sin: Donna, what is it like to see Dolores?

audience can connect to.

Donna: The experience is like a film mixed with

Sin: Way to go. Break a leg, Ionia.

eavesdropping. It's like a little story and you're

There's a certain vibe around Galway right now; you've probably felt that zing in your bung, right? It's not just the change in season, it's energy pulsing out of rehearsal spaces around the city in preparation for the Galway Theatre Festival, which runs from October 20th-25th.

There are new plays, free

listening in. Then it gets you. It's unexpected.

The Secret Garden plays on Saturday 24th at

SIN: What's it about?

4pm at Nun's Island Theatre.

Donna: Dolores is on the run from her bruiser husband. She goes to the sanctuary of her sister -

How do you take street theatre and make it work on a

and she's not welcome. It takes off from there.

stage? Easy.You just go crazy-ass all over it. The

SIN: Why would someone go see it?

Gombeens are a pair of piss-taking wagwits who don't

Donna: It's riveting and intense. It's 45 minutes in

give a donkey's hee about haw. Completely irreverent,

and out and gets you thinking. And it's about realistic

damn funny and full of surprises. I asked them about

topics.

their show Donkey Feathers.

Sin: Why did you adapt this specific play?

Sin: Where's that accent from?

Donna: I need to see plays that are fresh, new and

Mickee: Majorca. Aren't you supposed to be asking

interesting but get back to the basics of telling a

me about my show?

good story. To do that, I had to put one on myself. I

Sin: What brings you to Gaillimh?

hate to see old plays rehashed again and again.

Mickee: A woman.

There's new stuff out there and Galway people want

Sin: 'nuff said. OK, What's Donkey Feathers about?

to see that. Really.

Mickee: Imagine a world where mallets can talk

Sin: We agree. Break a leg Donna.

Sin: What? What did you just say?

showings,world premières, late-night gigs and new theatre companies

Mickee: ...where mallets can talk as well as drive Dolores plays on Thursday 22nd at 6:30pm

pegs into the ground.

and Friday the 23rd at 1pm at the Town Hall

Sin: I'm, uh, imagining.

Studio.

Mickee: Stop imagining that! Come see us.

kicking up the dust. Now in its second year, it's all grown up - well, sort of. Colm Byrne meets the performers.

Sin: Coool! Break a leg, Mickee.

Moonfish’s production has no director and Ionia Ní Chróinín is quite happy about that. Her company have

Donkey Feathers plays Thursday 22nd at

adapted Hodgson Burnet's book, The Secret Garden for

10:30pm and Saturday 24th at 1pm at Nun's

the stage using the European model of ensemble.

Island Theatre.

They've taken the text into their group and in a completely organic manner created an original piece of

See www.GalwayTheatreFestival.com for

theatre from the ground up.

more info. Tickets are €12/10 except the free

Sin: What's the Secret Garden about?

New Play Readings.

Ionia: It's a fascinating story about the awakening of a little girl in a world dominated by adults, who has

Reserve at the Town Hall box office,

been deadened by lack of love.

(091) 569 777 or go to www.tht.ie.

Sin: What's compelling about the story?

Ionia: It's different. It explores the magic in secrets

Sports News Camogie Club elect officers

Foundation level coaching course for all students

Ireland’s side should we fly to South

have nowhere near the quality that

Africa next summer without probably

Ireland has in abundance but they have

our most gifted player. And indeed if he

something he will never have, the

were on that plane, does he deserve to

passion, desire and determination to

be?

wear that green jersey and follow the

Whatever the reason that he refuses to

likes or McGrath, Keane, Quinn and the

play for his country preferring to spend

many more that did us proud in

his free time in the gym, the Stephen

previous World Cups.

Ireland saga should once and for all be

As far as Irish football is concerned the

put to bed and Trappatoni should look

name Stephen Ireland should be

Check the noticeboards in Dangan and

Gaelic games officer in the college

to the players that have turned up

forgotten now and we should put our

the Kingfisher sports complex for times.

Michael O’Connor has announced that

during all the qualifying games, the likes

energy behind the team that have got us

First up is the All Ireland third level 7 a

before the middle of November a

of Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan,

on the brink of qualification. Ireland

side competition. It is a one day event

foundation level coaching course will be

Darren Gibson and the forgotten man

however will go down with the likes of

taking place in late October/November

held in the college for all students who

Andy Reid, who has proven his desire to

Ryan Giggs and George Best as great

and is a brilliant way to introduce girls

wish to avail of it. The benefits of a

get into the Irish side by losing over 3

players who never graced a World Cup

to third level camogie. It is hoped that

foundation level are many. The

stone in weight putting himself through

stage. However I feel in many years to

NUIG will enter two teams this season

certificate at foundation level will allow

a tough training regime during the

come when he looks back on his career

but it will only occur if all freshers who

those qualified to coach at underage

summer when most footballers were

in football, it will be something he will

are willing to play turn up. There is

level at club level. It will also set in train

sunning themselves on a beach in

live to regret.

potentially a very strong fresher and

the possibility to move up to level one

Barbados or somewhere. These players

Ashbourne panel in the college this year.

coaching course and adult coaching

Anyone who wishes to play camogie for

courses. From a student’s perspective

first time or has played before in other

there is one vital benefit to having the

By Michael O’Connor Camogie training continues every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

colleges and wishes to get involved

cert.

contact Chairperson Niamh Kilkenny

The benefit is that they need this cert if

(087) 1241507 or Michael O’Connor

they are to attain employment or at

(087) 9840184 for details.

least an interview for the county board

The camogie senior league fixtures

summer camps that occur in every

were unveiled recently and NUIG have

parish in the country.

four games in the league against UUJ, QUB, UCD and AIT. The AGM of the camogie club took place recently and the following officers for the season ahead were elected amidst a strong attendance; Chairperson: Niamh Kilkenny, Secretary: Sinead Boyle, Treasurer: Natalie McCabe. Committee:

Here come the good times...

NUI Galway B vs Mannions AFC NUI Galway B won 2-1. The game was played at Dangan.

By Damien McEvoy

Michela Morkan, Andria Marnell, Roise McCorry, Anne Marie McMahon Sarah McInerney, and Orla Aherne. Ashbourne cup this season is being hosted by CIT. The fresher football panel is one of the strongest in years and the management are fielding two teams in this year’s competition once again. Any player who has not yet played or trained with the fresher football sides in the college are asked to be in Dangan at 5.30pm this Monday night. The leagues are starting Tuesday and places are up for grabs on both sides. Contact Brian Grant (087) 7684533 for details.

As the well known song goes “Here come the good times, for a change” it looks like the good times are back for Irish soccer, with Giovanni Trappatoni’s side well on course to qualify for South Africa 2010, or at the very least a playoff position.

But should Ireland qualify, the tournament will once again be overshadowed by a Cork man refusing to play for his country. I know the situations may be different and that some people will always back the legend that is Roy Keane, but I find it hard to believe that many will be on Stephen

NUIG/GMIT SubAqua Club Members going for a snorkel in Salthill