F R E E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R , V o l . 1 2 I S S U E 6 , 3 0 . 1 1 . 2 0 1 0
FEES UP GRANT CUTS MILLION €51 noitcudortnI tnedutS fo noitcudortnI noitubirtnoC tnedutS fo noitcudortnI egrahC noitubirtnoC tnedutS fo noitcudortnI
CUTS GRANT MILLION
to
€51
Minimum wage cut by €1
VAT rises to 23%
Fees return as four year plan hits students to
€51 MILLION
Introduction Introduction of Student Introduction of Student Contribution Introduction of Student Contribution Charge
VAT rises to 23%
FEES UP By Grainne Coyne It has been announced that students will face an increase of €500 in fees in the newly titled ‘Student Contribution Charge’ which will see a rise in student fees from €1,500 to €2,000 as part of the National Recovery Plan, a.k.a. four year plan. The government also announced cuts in the student maintenance
grant to the tune of €51 million. There is a further cut of 5% in the non-pay grant to universities and institutes of technology and a new charge of €200 for Post Leaving Cert students. The 2011 Budget, which is advised by the IMF, will be announced by the Minister of Finance, Brian Lenihan on
Minimum wage cut by €1
€51 MILLION GRANT CUTS
GRANT CUTS
December 7th where it is expected that further cuts will take place, as well as a gradual increase in student fees over the next four years. Originally having discussed a doubling of fees to €3,000, it is possible that the government was influenced by the national and regional marches which took place in Dublin, Galway
and Cork. Peter Mannion, President of the Student Union told Sin: “There is no doubt that the increase in the Student Contribution Charge and reduction in the Student Maintenance Grant would put third-level education beyond the reach of many.” However, Tánaiste and Minister for Education, Mary Coughlan said the “Government had gone as
far as it could to protect frontline education services over the four years of the plan.” It has been predicted that the number of graduate students emigrating from Ireland will increase in the coming months due to lack of job prospects. President of the Union of Students in Ireland, (USI) Gary Redmond said "... continued on page 3
NEWS
page 2
Student Support Bill to shake up grants system By Richard Manton The Student Support Bill, which was first published in February 2008, is now making its way through the Oireachtas, reaching committee stage last week. The bill has gone through three Ministers for Education and if passed will result in the largest reform of the student grants system since the 1970s. The bill, if passed, will result in one single grants-awarding authority to replace the existing system of 66 authorities, each with their own system. Delays in applications and receipts of grants will be eliminated as extra staff can be drafted in to work over the summer months and payments will be made electronically each month. Emmet Connolly, SU Education Officer, told Sin: “The proposed bill, which is currently going through the committee stage of the Oireachtas, would represent the biggest shake-up of our grants system in thirty years and a major victory for the students of Ireland. It would streamline the process for the student, with the option of electronic applications, assurances that grant confirmations would arrive before college starts, and the monthly electronic payment of grants. He continued: “Importantly, it would also save the taxpayer a huge amount of money, as the authority would be able to process the grants quicker, cheaper and more efficiently than the current 60+ authorities. Overall, the Student
Support Bill as it stands is a very good deal for students and a testament to long campaign fought for these reforms by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).”
However, due to the instability of the current government, it is possible that the government will collapse before the bill is passed by the Dáil and the Seanad and signed into law by the President. Connolly commented: “With the recent announcement that the Green Party want a general election by late January, and the possibility that the government may collapse before that date over the Budget in December, it is clear that the passage of this Bill through the Oireachtas is far from certain. If the Dáil is dissolved for a general election, all the legislation going through the system is stopped, and all the Bills that were going through the Oireachtas are killed. This means the new government would have to start the legislative process to enact the Bill all over again, although we would still hope that the Bill would be enacted by mid-2011.” “It’s vital that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour and indeed all the political parties see the huge importance of this Bill for the 30%+ of students who are receiving a grant, so I hope they don’t use it as a political football. This Bill needs to be enacted as soon as possible and I hope it gains cross-party support.”
We are saddened to report Dr. Ros Dixon, formerly of the English Department, NUI Galway passed away on Sunday 14th November. Dr. Ros Dixon was a highly respected lecturer, both among her colleagues and students for all of her teaching life. She was a great supporter of Societies, in particularly the one act play series and drama in NUI Galway. She will be greatly missed by all friends and colleagues in NUI Galway.
Graffitied McNamara sign on campus. Construction has yet to resume following the appointment of a receiver to the company. Pic: Eanna McKeon.
University support staff to face further cuts By Richard Manton Support staff numbers are to be reduced by a further 3% according to a document released to the Students’ Union under the Freedom of Information Act. The document, an Employment Control Framework Update, analyses the development of the “management of our establishment”. The document states: “Our management of academic headcount figures has, for a number of years, been characterized by very tight controls and clearly defined planning processes. Such controls have not existed to the same extent on the support side. This has undermined our confidence in the robustness of our current headcount figures and in our headcount forecasts, particularly at the critical dates of December 2010 and December 2011.” Staff numbers were cut by 3% over the past year and will likely face another 3% cut next year. Next years 3% cut will be based on last year’s figures and
does not take into account the fact that cuts have been made this year. The document says: “We are now very confident that our December 2010 return will meet ECF [Employment Control Framework] requirements. We also have a good understanding of what we must do in order to meet the anticipated 2011 position, where our working assumption continues to be that there will be a requirement to reduce our headcount by a further 3%.” Before these cuts, university support services resources were already less than in other universities. NUIG currently has two full-time staff in the Careers Office, whereas UCC has four and TCD has five. Demand for support services has increased dramatically in the past few years due to financial and health difficulties. In one indication of this, psychiatric services will be doubled from 9 hours per week to 18 hours per week next September.
NEWS
page 3
Fees return as four year plan hits students continued from page 1 grant cuts and double whammy of fee will deny thousands of students the opportunity of a third level education and will serve as a mortal blow to not only the Irish education system but the Irish economy in general". The Taoiseach Brian Cowen, has announced that a general election will take place in the New Year after the Budget has been ratified and the USI insists that the General Election should be held on a Saturday. Gary Redmond has also called for a change in legislation, as many students who
are in colleges outside of their constituency will be unable to vote if it takes place during a weekday. In other measures, the minimum wage was cut by €1 to €7.65 and VAT was increased to 23%. This will affect many students who have part-time jobs, according to Peter Mannion: “Every day the Students' Union deals with many students who are struggling to survive financially. Many of these could simply not attend University if the proposed cuts are made.”
NUIG students to volunteer in Brazil By Will Brown A GROUP of 14 NUI Galway students are to take part in a volunteering project next summer in Brazil. The interdisciplinary group of students will spend five weeks in Parnaiba which is located in north eastern Brazil, the poorest region of the country. While in Parnaiba, the students will apply their own academic skills, support indigenous community initiatives and join forces with the local in a community construction project. Next summer’s project continues the strong tradition of volunteering which exists in NUI Galway. For the past three years NUI Galway students, under the guidance of Father Iomar Daniels, have spent part of their summer volunteering in Africa, Central America and Asia. With Fr. Iomar having been recalled to Pic: Leah Mollica his diocese, NUI Galway Chaplaincy in partnership with SERVE will facilitate the volunteering programme to Parnaiba. SERVE, an Irish development and volunteering organisation has placed over fifty NUI Galway students on its volunteer programmes across the majority world since its inception in 2003. SERVE aims to achieve empowerment and sustainable
communities through education and skills training. It is envisaged that NUI Galway students will volunteer with this community over the next three summers allowing for continuity and for strong links to develop. The group will be lead by Will Browne, who recently graduated from NUI Galway. It is also hoped that a number of students from the University of Limerick will also participate in this project in recognition of the new strategic alliance that has been created between NUI, Galway and its Munster partner. Commenting on this exciting new development, Diarmuid Hogan, NUI Galway Dean of Chaplaincy said: “The Chaplaincy in NUI, Galway has a long tradition of facilitating summer volunteering opportunities in developing countries. Such projects make a real and lasting impact on both the students who participate and on the communities they work with overseas. This year we are proud of our new association with SERVE and the Chaplains are also delighted to do their part in strengthening this University's links with our friends in the University of Limerick”.
Galway march attracts up to 2,000 By Méabh McDonnell
The first regional USI march of the current campaign was held in Galway on Thursday, 18th of November. Following the massive 40,000 crowd at the national march the previous week there was anticipation of a large attendence at what was reported as the
next stage of the USI ‘anti-fees’ campaign. Despite the sunshine, there was a seemingly small turnout with estimates ranging from 500 to 2,000. For a full account and photos of the march, see page 16.
FLAC announces NUIG Law Day By Estelle Sheanon The Free Legal Advice Clinic (FLAC) Society, co-founded by current auditor Roisin Fitzpatrick, is holding a 'Law Day' on 17th January to celebrate the society’s first anniversary. FLAC provides free, confidential legal advice by law students under the supervision of a solicitor or barrister each Tuesday evening, upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn. The clinics have proven a huge success amongst the student population, advising on legal matters such as public order offences, insurance claims, maintenance payments and
landlord and tenant agreements. The purpose of 'Law Day' is to promote equal access to justice. There will be an information area in Áras na Mac Léinn, while seminars will be held speaking on different issues highlighting the need for equal access to justice for all students. There will be a number of high profile speakers, including Noeline Blackwell, director general of the national FLAC organistion, and Larry Donnelly speaking on his new appointment of manager of PILA (Public Interest Law Alliance).
Fashion Show dubbed a success By Eoin Keane The Socs in the City charity fashion show proved to be a great success on Thursday, 18th November in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway. Close to 700 people attended the fashion show, which has become the premier event of the first semester in Galway. Fashions from 21 of Galway's premier clothing outlets were shown on the night, and interval acts included Shouting at Planes, Daithí O Drónaí and the everexcellent Gums and Trad Soc. The party continued long into the night
at CP's nightclub and the event was thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees. A huge amount of money was raised for the two formidable charities, Barretstown and Jigsaw. Rotaract Society would like to thank our amazing hosts, Sinéad Ní Loideán and Seán Bán Breatnach, our interval acts, all our beautiful models and crew and our incredible friends who joined us on the night, supported the charities, and ensured that the night will remain long in our memories.
NEWS
page 4
Cathal Keaney wins NUIG's Got Talent Final
By Mairéad Campbell, Meghan O’ Brien and Aimee Lyons
By Siobhán McCormack
Pic: Aisling Gaffney
On Tuesday 16th November, over 350 friends, family and supporters packed into the Bailey Allen Hall for the soldout grand final of Galway University Musical Society's annual competition NUIG's Got Talent. The audience was treated to a fantastic night's entertainment with seventeen acts, chosen from three heats, competing for a grand prize of €1000. With the acts ranging from singers and musicians to jugglers and dancers, there was something for absolutely everyone. MCs John Joyce and Sophie Connolly kept the crowd in good spirits as they introduced the acts and the three judges were on hand throughout with opinions, praise and criticism. Dinner and a bar were provided by the College Bar and other entertainment was provided by organisers Galway University Musical Society who provided an exciting sneak preview of their upcoming February production of 'The Wedding Singer'. Tuesday's final was the culmination of several weeks of heats and in total over 50 acts competed to try and gain
Students with Intellectual Disabilities coming to college
one of the coveted places in the final. All in attendance agreed that this year’s final had an exceptional and unprecedented level of talent. Any of the finalists would have been deserving winners and special acknowledgement must be given to the four runners up from the audience vote in particular; Gabriel Shirley, Orna NiíBhroin and Diarmuid Scahill, Michael Flanagan and Áine Glynn who wowed the crowd with their singing and dancing. Eventual winner for the night was Galway native and Irish dancer Cathal Keaney, who's high flying, fast tapping jigs and reels had the entire crowd on their feet. National and International champion Keaney was a clear favourite with the crowd who sent him through to the final five. Adjudicators Fergal Darcy from I102-104, Paula McGurrell of Performing Arts School Galway and Peter Mannion, NUIG's Student Union President were likewise impressed and Cathal was presented with a cheque for €1,000 by GUMS auditor John Joyce and Societies Officer, Ríona Hughes.
SU seeks semesterisation of registration fee payments The Students’ Union is seeking a change in the payment of the registration fee to semesterised or monthly payments. Currently, students must pay the full amount €2,000 next year – by September. In UCD, students are allowed to pay fees by semester in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses – by 12th September in semester one and by 31st January for semester two. Meanwhile in UCC, students have until 31st January to clear all fees. Students can pay all the fees upfront in September or make several payments.
NUI Galway has secured funding in 2010 to support the civic engagement of individuals who have an intellectual disability to experience inclusive third level education, by participating in the daily routines and habits of a university student. Through a university/community partnership, the ‘UNESCO Chair in Children, Youth and Civic Engagement’, the ‘Community Knowledge Initiative’ (CKI) and the ‘National Federation of Voluntary Bodies’ are leading this innovative project. This pilot project will support 6 students to achieve the full University experience for a two year period from September 2011. Breda Casey of the National Federation is working with CKI to coordinate the project. The ‘Going to College Pilot Project’ will officially launch here in NUI Galway on January 17th, 2011. Three Occupational Therapy students, Meghan O’ Brien, Máiréad Campbell and Amy Lyons are facilitating the development of the project, by establishing the main physical and psychological barriers affecting these students’ accessibility on the University grounds. On November 16th, 2010, up to 30 people who took part in focus groups earlier this year
visited NUIG. Mentors guided them around the campus, they had lunch in the college bar, as well as an opportunity to experience student life here in NUIG. The Occupational Therapy students together delivered an introductory speech to parents and students alike, on that of a typical day in NUIG. Additionally, each OT student engaged with the participants to establish any apprehensions or challenges they were facing with regard enrolling in the University. Furthermore, they spent the day shadowing each of the individuals, gaining an experiential perspective of the accessibility issues they were faced with when venturing from building to building, as well as possible recommendations, which will be reported to the President of the University, for further examination. A survey is due to be carried out on current University students from all five colleges. This hopes to gather the opinions and feelings of students from each faculty, in relation to people with intellectual disability, as well as their thoughts on the inclusion of these 6 students within their academic lectures, clubs and societies, and any other aspects of a typical University day.
COPE launch White Ribbon Campaign By Michelle McGrath As part of the 16 Days Campaign of Activism against Violence Against Women, COPE, a local NGO is launching a ‘White Ribbon Campaign’. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence and to raise much needed funds to help women who are the survivors of such violence. COPE’s mission statement is “to support and empower women and their children experiencing domestic violence and to work towards eliminating the structures in society which give rise to and tolerate such violence”. COPE provides women who have been
subjected to domestic violence with a range of services such as a refuge that provides temporary safe accommodation for women and children who experience abuse, and an outreach service which offers support and information to women throughout Galway city and county. Throughout the 16 Days students from the BA CONNECT in Global Women’s studies programme will be running ‘White Ribbon Stands’ and selling these white ribbons all over campus. The ribbons cost €2 each and all donations will go to COPE.
editorial/LETTERS SIN TEAM: Editor Richard Manton editor@sin.ie News Editors Méabh McDonnell Gráinne Coyne Reviews Editor Darragh O’Connor Literary Editor Johanna Stock Web Editor Chris Cosgrove Photography Leah Mollica Layout Tom Parandyk Contributors Siobhán McCormack Will Brown Eoin Keane Estelle Sheanon Michelle McGrath Mairéad Campbell Meghan O’Brien Aimee Lyons Laurie Greenfield Joanna Brophy William Boyce Fiona Ní Mháille Damien Kilgannon Peter Mannion Miceala O’Donovan Valerie Hartnett William O’Brien Samuel Ferry Michéal Ó Thailtigh Orla Sheehan Lisa Jackson Ciarán Kelly Damien McEvoy Mark Kelly Ian Cusack Sinéad Farrell
“The Government recognises the importance to society of widespread and equitable opportunities for access to higher education and provides very substantial resources to this purpose. As well as the wider benefits for society, higher education directly benefits its participants through better lifetime earnings opportunities. Over the period of the Plan, it is intended that a higher student contribution to the cost of higher education will be made.” “Replace Student Services Charge with a flat higher education student contribution of €2,000” - The National Recovery Plan 2011-14
There you have it – the formal return of third-level tuition fees. In reality, fees have existed in Ireland for many years. The era of ‘free third level education’ began with Niamh Breathnach in 1995, but the term quickly became
farcical. Originally standing at £150 (€190), the fee was intended to defray the costs of registration and student services. However, over the years, the registration fee was increased astronomically to €1,500. The justification for the years of increases was given as the cost of delivering ‘student services’. Universities and the HEA spun the lie that services such as libraries and computer services were not tuition related and that the charge could be increased to cover these costs. However, this ruse is over and, after fifteen years, we have returned to formal third-level fees. In a previous issue of Sin, former USI President Peter Mannion made the comparison with the fees situation in the UK. There, tuition fees were first introduced at a low level by the New Labour government and were followed by top-up fees. Now, the Browne report has recommended a further increase to £12,000 for some courses. Is this the path we want to
Last issue of the semester A massive thank you to all contributors to Sin – over 100 in 6 issues. Another thank you to all of our readers. We have distributed 36,000 copies since September. The first issue of the new year will be released on Tuesday, 25th January and the deadline is Thursday, 20th January. Happy Christmas and best of luck in the exams!
Dear Sir,
Dear Sir,
I wish to comment on the continual neglect of
I wish to take issue with the manner in which
the fact that Tottenham Hotspur are in the
some of our occasional students have been
Champions League. Firstly I'll admit there is a
behaving in the library of late.
conflict of interests here as I'm a Spurs fan but at the same time it's quite disgraceful that the
As a frequent user of the computer suites in
author purports to report on the prior week's
the library, I have notice a most annoying trend
football yet manages to gloss over Spurs'
in the way in which some International
frankly excellent showing, including in arguably
students talking out loud unashamedly. Maybe
the best two games of the competition thus far.
our friends from across the water are not
Again admittedly it could be argued that my
familiar with the concept of silence in libraries.
rosily tinted specs are having an adverse affect on my judgment but I think perhaps all but
Especially at this time of year, hearing the
Arsenal fans will agree that there was a great
sounds of students talking out loud about their
deal of excitement in all 4 group games so far,
‘papers’ is very annoying to say the least.
especially those against Inter Milan. The 'reporting' carries a hint of laziness, tinged with
In future can I ask that they please respect their
arrogance and maybe would be worth
fellow library users by taking their conversation
considering somebody with an appreciation of
outside. The library is not a place for talking at
all the games to continue the column.
bar-room levels.
Yours,
Yours etc.,
A disgruntled Spurs fan.
An annoyed library user
page 5
follow? Our €2,000 charge could quickly become €6,000 as the crisis deepens and the government seeks to burden students with the full cost of third-level education. In the quote above, the plan makes the point that graduates benefit from higher education with “better lifetime earning opportunities” and therefore students must contribute to the cost of their education. The plan ignores two crucial points – firstly, the massive benefit to society that graduates’ education brings (not just opportunities for access) and secondly, that it is because of graduate better earnings that graduates already pay for their education – through higher income tax. Aside from the reintroduction of fees, a spate of other attacks on students was included in the four year plan. The student maintenance grant is to be cut by an unspecified amount. In total, the cut to the grant will save €51 million next year, therefore it will
most likely be a cut of 5-10%. The grant was one of the least increased welfare payments throughout the Celtic Tiger and any cut will put severe financial strain on students and their families. The minimum wage will be cut by €1 to €7.65 and VAT will rise to 23%. These measures will also result in severe financial strain. Students who also work part-time throughout the year or during summer will be affected and dropout rates will almost certainly increase. In education, as a whole, there will be €312 million worth of cuts and a reduction in public sector numbers by 2,050. The plan, which didn’t include any cuts to TDs pay or pay cap for senior civil servants or taxes on the super-rich, represents an attempt to make ordinary people, such as students, pay for the economic crisis.
page 6
By Emmet Connolly, SU Education Officer
Some questions you may have about the exams . . . I need some help with studying. Are there any tutors on campus?! By Laurie Greenfield
Look after your Mind, Body and Soul Reading a book can help you improve your well-being. The use of books for therapeutic purposes, known as ‘bibliotherapy’, has been around for many years. Self-help books are being used as a way to provide therapy to people experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties. The aim is to support people who want to learn how to manage their own problems for themselves, as well as draw upon help from professionals. Book based therapy may not be suitable for everyone, but books highlight a problem-solving approach to recovery and emphasise the potential of self-management. The person becomes knowledgeable about their difficulty. The individual is actively involved and empowered in recovery, instead of or in conjunction with medication to deal with the problem. The Library has a collection of several hundred books covering many of the common psychological problems that people can experience, such as depression, eating disorders, addictions, grief, sexuality, sleep, stress and more. Called the Mind, Body and Soul Collection, the books are located in the Browsing Room on the ground floor of the Library. These are not academic textbooks, rather they offer sound, practical advice. Students and staff are welcome to borrow any of the books from the collection.
You can try finding a tutor on the Students’ Union online grinds register on www.su.nuigalway.ie under the ‘Services’ tab. Tutors are generally final year and postgraduate students and their hourly charges for helping you vary. If you have some personal issues such as problems in the family (e.g. bereavement) or issues with your physical or mental health, call up to Emma or Emmet in the Students’ Union and we’ll put you in touch with people who can help and maybe get you a deferred exam. The rough guide to hourly charges is €10-€30 for most subjects.
Are there buses to Salthill from the university? No. There are two bus companies running regular, reliable services to Salthill, covering the exam locations there. There are Bus Éireann and City Direct, which both operate from Eyre Square (Bus Éireann from outside AIB and City Direct from outside Bank of Ireland). Be sure to plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your exam is scheduled to begin as Galway traffic is unpredictable at times. Simply google ‘Bus Éireann Galway City’ or ‘City Direct Galway City’ and you’ll be directed to maps and schedules of the various routes covering Salthill.
What happens if I fail my exam? Can I appeal the mark? If you fail an exam you will have to re-sit it in the new year, unless you lodge a successful appeal or recheck that ups your mark to above the pass mark. Appeals can be on made on various grounds and cost €60 per appeal. They involve a full re-examination of your paper by various academics and consideration of any
extenuating circumstances there may have been (e.g. a recent bereavement or illness). Rechecks are a simpler process where essentially all the marks on the physical paper you submitted are totted up to ensure the correct figure was reached. Rechecks are €25 per paper. Both appeals and rechecks are run by the Examinations Office in Áras Úi Chathail. You can get all the information you need on www.nuigalway.ie/exams under the ‘Appeals and Rechecks’ tab. If you are considering lodging an appeal or recheck, call up to Emmet in the Students’ Union first.
Any other tips? Students can often overlook the simple things when overwhelmed by the prospect of important exams. Make sure to get enough sleep in the run up to the exams, eat proper breakfasts and plan to arrive at your examinations venue with 30 minutes spare before your exam. If you binge on junk food and stress out all day in the Reading Room, you might make yourself ill, so go easy on the takeaways. If stress is getting the better of you, call up to Emma who can advise you about destressing programmes available on campus. On the more academic side of things, many hands make light work, so why not get a group of two or three of you to divide up the chapters that need notes to be written up for etc. You can also book group study room from the front desk in the library if you need them. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to call up to me in the Students’ Union or give me an email on su.education@nuigalway.ie Also, if you have any problems with academic facilities on campus in the run-up to exams (e.g. books not available in the library, rooms too cold/hot) contact me and I’ll do my best to sort it out. Best of luck!
page 7
Procrastinator’s Guide to Exams By Christopher Cosgrove
The Web De-Stress Programme It’s that time of year again when we will be clogging up the library and spending many hours pulling our hair out and stressing until all hours of the morning to try and fit all the information we can in our heads just so we can pass another exam. Hard to believe that we may of thought that we could escape the dread of exams but as the most stressful part of the college year stands before us I have complied a list of websites where you can wind down and relax because a very important part of exams and studying is taking a break and relaxing. Facebook: Of course I probably don’t have to explain why this site is top of my list as most of you visit on a very regular basis. Facebook is a great way to unwind and sometimes have a laugh and it even has some pretty addictive games and applications to help pass the time and unwind also. However, it is also important not to spend more time on Facebook instead of studying as the site can also be too addictive so if you find that you can’t only go on for a wee while I advise you delete your Facebook account temporarily if it is going to hinder your study too much! www.facebook.com Albino Black Sheep: This is a website which can provide hours of endless entertainment and help you zone out and relax. The site has hundreds of wacky and wonderful flash games in which there is something for everyone. Once again it must be noted that you should always use these sites in moderation as a way to escape the horrors of studying just for a while even though I find myself glued to my screen for ages because of them too. www.albinoblacksheep .com Big Sites: A website which some may be quite familiar with, this site is a site full of links to various other fun sites and you can find links to sites where you can play games, read jokes, and even watch funny videos too. On big sites there are links to hundreds of sites and if you click the button at the bottom you can let Big Sites pick a random site for you to enjoy. www.bigsites.com With these sites as part of your de-stress and relaxation programme from the dreaded study time it can be easy to unwind and not want to go back to it but if used in moderation these sites and many others out there can be used as an outlet to help you get a break from the books.
It’s exam time again and of course I have spent all my precious hours trying to finish COD that I have completely forgot to study (that and the fact that studying is the last thing I would want to do with my time) However, now that I have gotten myself into this mess yet again I must look back on how I managed to get past another year of college. Tip #1 Cramming: When all else fails just get all the info you can on your subject and stay up until 4am before the exam cramming. Of course it probably isn’t good for the long term as you forget most of what you cram but sure why would I ever want to remember the themes and importance and context, blah, blah, blah of texts when cross fingers I will never have to look at the suckers again! Tip #2 SWOT: Find yourself a SWOT or for those that don’t know what this is think of a teacher’s pet and you’ve basically got it! If you can find the golden nugget and get yourself a mature student friend you are in the clear. SWOTs may annoy you in lectures but when it comes to exams they have all the notes and hints you need to pass and are usually nice enough so they’ll be glad to help you! Tip #3 Waffle: If all else fails and you haven’t a notion what they are on about use your brilliant waffling skills and buff up your answers full of silly sentences that sound all proper when you read over it and make the answer look that little bit more intelligent and long. I know this doesn’t probably apply when you have something like a maths test so that’s where the next one comes in handy.
By Christopher Cosgrove
Tip #4 Cheat: A drastic measure I know because if you get caught you are screwed but why not chance righting formulas or important words you need on your arms and then where like a long sleeved jumper into the exam and lift up your sleeves and eureka you have the magic formulas you need. I mean if it worked in secondary school why can it not work in college eh? Tip #5 Pull a Sickie: If all else fails and you still feel unprepared for the exams then why not defer them until you are ready or can get the notes you need for them later? Of course it can be hard to pull a sickie when it comes to exams as you need the doctor to give you a look over so it has to be convincing. I find that a great way to pull it off is to actually find a way to catch something or make you sick. I once had a friend who ate a bar of soap in order to make themselves look queasy and get sick so they could get out of an exam. I find that especially when it is Christmas exams it is really easy to find people that are sick or dosed so hang around with them and you are sorted. Alternatively, you can also make your cold into something like monkey flu and who knows you could help get a couple of your mates off with a pandemic! All in all exams are the worst time of my college year and with these tips in my procrastinator’s bible I am always covered and so I have no need to worry or queue for the library at 9am! (9am why the heck would you be up that early anyways college isn’t even open then!) So as I am sharing this wisdom with all of you I expect some help back so if any of ye have Statistics notes or hints from the Maths lectures pass them my way the email is areyouserious@gmail.com
Extra Exam Space Mon Nov 29th: AC203, AC213, IT202 Tues Nov 30th: AC203, IT125, IT125G Theatre Wed Dec 1st: AC213, AC214, AC215 & AC216 Thurs Dec 2nd: AC216, Larmor Theatre & IT250 Theatre Fri Dec 3rd: AC213, AC215, Larmor Theatre & Dillion Theatre
you'll be fine. It will be hard to not get the
Lymphatic Drainage massage to boost the
Dublin based four-piece will be playing
result you want in an exam if you have the
immune system, Indian head massage for
with their mix of stylistic folk infused
work done for it. Try to relax and your
gentle relaxation or Sports Injury
rock'n'roll, delivered with genuine raw
exam will run smoothly.
manipulation for stressed shoulders.
passion and boundless energy. On
30 Minute Sessions available Monday,
December 7th, Red Brick House will be
Don't spend from 8.30am until 10pm in the
Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 10am – 4pm.
gracing the SU Sessions stage with a
library - it's not going to be productive.
Price: €10 student/€20 staff.
playlist combining Indie Rock, Alt Pop,
Aim for an 8 or 9 hour day, with good breaks. It's quality, not quantity that works.
Blues, Noise and even Country. The SU
Reflexology with Jennifer Brown
Sessions are on each Tuesday evening from
Reflexology is based on the principal that
Sessions at
the whole body’s anatomy is reflected in
www.myspace.com/thesusessions
6pm in An Bialann and you can check out
AC204, AC213 & AC214
Grinds Register and Online Bookshop
Dec 4th – Dec 14th inclusive: Kirwan
Check out our website for a list of the
the soles of the feet. It offers a pleasant
Theatre
different grinds out available. You can also
form of deep relaxation, relief from fear,
Dec 11th – Dec 15th inclusive: AC201 &
apply to be a tutor; just follow the steps at
anxiety and frustration, improved quality
AC202
www.su.nuigalway.ie
of seep, pain relief, improved circulation,
From the Chaplaincy
prolonged concentration, rejuvenation that
An early morning Mass will be held in the
Writing and Maths Support
re-energises mind & body, and restored
Chapel at 8am each exam day followed by a
balance throughout the body.
take-away “Breakfast in a Bag”. Exam
30 Minute Sessions available on Thursdays
Support Personnel will be available at each
The free student writing support centre in
from 10am – 4pm and Friday 3rd & 10th
exam venue to offer help, support, advice
Sleep and eat well. Take a 10 minute break
the Library is available Monday,
December from 10am – 2pm.
and practical assistance to students before,
every 50 minutes when studying; it'll help
Wednesday and Friday mornings 11:00 –
Price: €10 students/€20 staff
during and after exams. They will be clearly
you refresh and concentrate.
13:00 in Group Study Room 3, 2nd floor
Get help if you need it. Talk to your
and Monday to Thursday evenings 19:00 –
lecturers coming up to exams. They may
21:00 in the Foyer Consultation Room (at
not give you direct hints, but they certainly
Dec 4th – Dec 12th inclusive: AC203,
Study Tips Study in a nice quiet space with plenty of light.
all the bands that have featured at the SU
identifiable and are trained to respond appropriately to the many issues that can
entrance). The Writing Centre will be open
Hypnotherapy with Michael Mullen
can help solve problems, and possibly show
until December 17th and allows you to
Are you worried about exams? Do you
you the best way of studying your subject.
work one-to-one with one of their tutors
suffer with anxiety problems or go weak
You can drop in to the Students' Union
and plan in advance to write well in exams.
with the thought of doing a presentation?
Sports and Recreation Unit
Education Officer for help on how to
Short of time? Come in and pick up some
Then maybe hypnosis can help you to feel
The Corrib cages right beside Corrib Village
prepare for exams or the best ways of
of their handouts on writing techniques,
more relaxed and in control. Feel more
are there waiting for you to play
studying.
and what to watch out for in punctuation
confident and allow the words to flow out
recreational soccer. A fabulous 3g surface
and grammar. Bíonn seirbhís Ghaeilge ar
as you write an essay or deliver
will ensure you are the next Rolando. From
Do ask questions in tutorials. They are
fáil maidin Dé Céadaoin agus maidin Dé
presentations. After your treatment you
the 24th of November 6pm-8pm we are
extremely helpful, and you may feel more
hAoine (11:00-13:00). If you need more
will get a CD that you can use at home, to
offering free access to the cages so you can
confident asking there than in a lecture
information then
enhance the effectiveness of the session.
de-stress after your exams. Our own FAI
hall.
contact writingcentre@nuigalway.ie
30 Minute Sessions available on Thursdays
facilitator will help to organize you contact
4pm – 6pm and Friday 3rd and 10th
David at david.hand@nuigalway.ie
Do understand the exam regulations and
Free Undergrad Maths Support is available
December from 2pm – 5pm.
paper format. Read through the regulations
at SUMS, a free drop in centre where you
Price: €10 students/€20 staff
about plagiarism, exam hall guidelines, and
can go for help with maths or stats
make sure you plan ahead to get to
problems. SUMS are located in Room C116
examination halls. Check what times the
in Áras de Brún and if you need any more
exam buses organised by the University are
information then contact
going at.
m.clancy@nuigalway.ie
Don't listen to rumours. If you think there
Exam De-Stress
may be a basis, go to the source - your
For more information or to book any of the
lecturer.
services e-mail with your mobile number and preferred appointment times:
Don't go overboard with the study. Staying
destressbooking@nuigalway.ie
up all night before exams will damage you more than help you. Pints of coffee and caffeine tablets are known to cause panic attacks.
Massage with Aisling Battersby
For regular bookings on the pitches contact Kingfisher club on 091 570800 or the
Restorative Yoga with Florence Abrams and Marese Cregg The antidote to stress is relaxation. Restorative Yoga focuses on relaxation, renewal, effortlessness and ease. This practice soothes your nervous system, helps you quiet your mind and invites you to release deeply held tension. This is a group sessions but numbers are very limited so book early!
Feeling tense? Massage therapy provides
1 hour session available on Tuesdays 1pm –
Don't talk to the guy who says he hasn't a
general relaxation within muscles, improves
2pm and Thursdays from 5pm – 6pm.
hope in the exam. We all know he is a
concentration and helps mental fatigue.
Price: €5 student/€10 staff.
sneaky swot and going to do well, and he'll
Aisling offers a choice of massage styles, tailored to suit your needs and desires.
SU Sessions
panic you! Don't panic! If you have the work done
arise on the day of an exam.
Choose between Deep Tissue Swedish
We have loads of great FREE gigs on for
massage to release deeply-held tension,
you during exam time. Bipolar Empire will be playing on November 30th This popular
Sports Unit on 091 493482. There will also be another Off the Couch Fun run on Thursday 2nd of December with a 5k and 10k option. Contact the Sports Unit for more information.
Drop in Counselling Service every day from 2.15pm to 4.15pm (last entry 3.45pm) at 5 Distillery Road. These services are provided by the Health Promotion Service, Chaplaincy, Counselling Service, Students’ Union and the Sports and Recreation Unit.
WWW.SU.NUIGALWAY.IE W WWW W WW W.SU U.NU UIG IGA IGA ALW AL LW LW WA A AY Y.IE The Students’ Union exists to make your time at NUI Galway as good as it can be. Here are just some of the things we have done so far this year: Overcrowding in lecture halls We have agreed that the Buildings Office will undertake a review of modules where overcrowding was a problem and ensure that the room allocated can cope with all students in that class. If all students can’t fit in the room the class will be thought twice.
Corrib Village A facility for swipe card access now exists and the budget has been allocated for an upgrade to the Wifi.
Feedback A new student feedback policy will mean student feedback on teaching will be taken in to account when a lecturer is going for promotion.
National Campaign in the lead up to Budget 2011 Over 1,000 students participated in the National Demonstration on November 3rd with hundreds more at the Spanish Arch for the march on November 18th. This represented the largest student participation from NUI Galway in living memory.
Tell Your TD Our website, tellyourtd.com, has generated over 50,000 letters to TDs calling on them to project education in Budget 2011.
Students’ Union Commercial Services Environmental Impact- We have undertaken an ambitious program to reduce our environmental impact. Targets for the coming year are: Energy reduction at 10%. Reduce our Carbon emissions by 50 tonne Reduce our Water Consumption by 25% Reduce the waste we send to land fill by100 tonne SU Card - Over the past 12 months we have rewarded students with over €10,000 worth of points and thousands of free teas, coffees and carvery dinners. We have also expanded the SU Card to allow students to load cash on to their card as well as bulk buy dinners and coffees online.
Welcome to Freshers This year saw over 3,000 students begin an undergraduate course here in NUI Galway, and the SU was at hand throughout the summer and into the academic year helping them settle into college life. We held many student send-offs for the soon-to-be NUI Galway students in towns up and down the country during August, where we distributed our ‘Welcome to College’ guidebooks. We ran the Freshers’ Fair in September with loads of free goodies for the frehsers including the SU diary and satchels. We also held many events during the Freshers’ Fortnight including bands like the Saw Doctors and Fight Like Apes, speed-dating, comedy gigs and the big event, the Freshers’ Party. Of course, first year isn’t all about partying so we made regular visits to the student residences to make sure everything was okay and to inform them about the SU.
Class Reps We have increased class rep numbers to just under 500, with attendance at meetings up considerably on last year. Introduced a new handbook, a webtext system and currently setting up a ‘NUI Galway Class Reps’ Facebook group in order to aid communication. Will be using College Convenors to ensure maximum number of classes are being represented.
Reforming the Union Twelve class reps from across the various colleges have been elected to a Constitutional Review Group, to meet in December and January to discuss changes to the Students’ Union’s constitution regarding commercial services, the class reps system and the executive officers.
Student Support Bill Along with the national Union of Students in Ireland (USI) we have secured every one of our key demands in the new Bill, which is currently in Committee stage in the Oireacthas. The Bill will be the biggest reform of the grants system for 30 years and includes a single grants authority, monthly electronic grant payments, and facilities that will ensure all grants will be processed on time during the summer months.
Mental Health Successful mental health campaign featuring information stands, lectures, art exhibitions, quizzes and renowned comedians like Neil Delamare and Danny Dowling.
Movember Raising awareness about men’s health by growing moustaches.
Life Skills First Aid skills, AED Life saving skills, sign language, ASIST suicide prevention courses
What next? - Everything we do is aimed at serving the students of NUI Galway. We can only do our job well if we know what students want to see changed. Please let us know your ideas, complaints, pet hates, suggestions etc. so we can represent you for the rest of the year. Just email studentsunion@nuigalway.ie or su.president@nuigalway.ie with anything that comes to mind!
Sin Style
page 10
Movember coming to an end We now have 71 members in the NUI Galway
BMI measured. Over 100 people got themselves
Students’ Union Movember Team (60 are registered
checked out on the day. We also held the “All About
online). http://ie.movember.com/mospace/559972/ is
Mo” Table Quiz with Sláinte Society on Monday 15th
our page where you can check the updated amount
MOvember where teams competed in a quiz that got
of money raised online by the team. It currently
progressively more baffling including a picture round
stands at €1,219 but that should have increased over
called “Name that Mo”. Our “End of the Mo” party
the next few days and does not include the money
will take place on Monday 29th of MOvember again
the Mo Bros have been collecting offline on their
in Mo’s Tavern where we will have MC Paul Hannon
sponsorship cards. This includes 1st year Medical
on hand to present the prizes for the Man of
student Pishoy Gouda who has also shaved his head
Movember and our other Movember awards. Local
to raise money for the cause.
bands Go Panda Go and Lost Chord will also provide
Our Clean Shave event in Mo’s Tavern (The College
entertainment on the night including a performance
Bar) on the 1st of MOvember was a great success
of their collaborative Movember fundraising single
with barbers from Fat Tony’s on hand to make sure
“I Wanna Be Tom Selleck” http://www.youtube.com/
that all the Mo Bros started with a level playing field.
watch?v=2RZc5wM886U
During our Healthy Living Week one of our
Support for the campaign has been great so far and
MOvember team members, Bryan Reidy, together
we would like to thank Fat Tony’s, everyone at Mo’s
with other medical student members of Sláinte
Tavern (The College Bar), Sláinte Society, Sin
Society made sure that everyone was on Campus was
newspaper, our intrepid one-woman MO Paparazza
fighting fit for their Movember journey. They ran a
Eibhlin, Bluestack Records, Lost Chord, Go Panda Go
50cent clinic where for a 50cent donation to
and all the Mo Bro’s and Sistas across Campus.
Movember you could get your blood pressure and
By Joanna Brophy
Sin Style
9:30am: So, there I was this morning in the library. I used the fantastic software provided to locate my desired publication. I thought to myself “NUIG really know what they're doing when it comes to book organisation. The cutting edge of library technology”. I noted the reference number and climbed the stairs relieved after finally locating a key text for my exam preparation. I arrived at the relevant section and began the straight forward task of finding the reference number. After a fruitless few minutes I began to doubt the number I had written down. I checked the section description and it seemed I was in the correct place. A member of staff came to my aid. “If you can't find the book you're looking for you could check the trolleys. Maybe it hasn't been re-shelved yet”. I methodically rummaged through all available trolleys. Nothing. How could this be? The yet-to-let-me-downcutting-edge-book-search-software had boldly stated that the book was available and re-shelved. I approached the last line of defence, the library query desk. I was duly informed the book I sought had in fact been returned two days previously. It was clear something was amiss. Then it happened. “Someone probably hid it.” My mind wandered to a conversation I had with a friend weeks ago. “Did you see they've done away with Desk Reserve?” he asked. “I noticed that. Some of the books are limited to similar time restrictions as Desk Reserve. It’ll be grand.” I reassured. “Not if students check books back in and sit with them for the rest of the day or hide them.” he countered. I've heard of uber competitive students hiding scarce books on each other before which is despicable behaviour. The thing is Desk Reserve addressed this issue. For anyone, unfamiliar with Desk Reserve, it worked as follows. If there was an important text that students needed to read as part of assignment or exam preparation, but there was only a few available, Desk Reserve was there to save the day. A lecturer contacted the relevant people and copies of the text were put in Desk Reserve. A student was restricted to using said text for anywhere between 3 and 24 hours. The text could ONLY be checked out of the Desk Reserve section and if it was not returned within the specified time a hefty minute-by-minute fine was
page 11
imposed. Students were also prohibited from checking the book out twice consecutively. The system worked perfectly. Everyone had fair and equal access to the same books. More importantly, nobody could take a book, check it back in and then sit somewhere in the library using it or indeed hide it. This was insured by exactly the same security sensors technology used at the entrance and exit to the library. Genius.
the time. Yes quiet, because everyone bitched and grumbled but ultimately did nothing. This additional funding to the library was to sustain their already sterling services. Removing Desk Reserve discredits this. In a conversation with a library staff member I learned the idea to remove Desk Reserve came from management. The library staff - you know the people who actually know how the library operates from first hand experience? were not consulted on the decision.
Bring back desk reserve! By William Boyce
This system has been removed to the detriment of students who cannot afford to buy every book accompanying their chosen course. I fall into this category. I am fortunate enough to have been awarded the Back To Education Allowance. I'd be lost without it. I have CU loans paying registration and tuition fees. At the end of the academic year I will be over €15,000 in debt. I was debt free before furthering my education. This was my choice and I’m not complaining about that. The thing that grates me is that if I'm not mistaken the rise in the registration fee in the last academic year was partly due to funding the library, which caused quiet uproar at
This may seem unbelievable. Sadly it’s not. I've worked for many a corporation. In my experience, there is always a few in management who, to put it bluntly, are bullshitters. This may seem harsh but it is far from it. Working with various management in corporations I witnessed some incredible displays of nonsense. Decisions were often made with the interest of career or profit margin and not the interest of the customer. I reminded myself this is 'big business' and they’re not known for their caring attitude towards people. It wasn't for me. I came to NUIG with an idealistic image of a fine academic institution where promising students were looked
after, encouraged and seen as the most important asset to the University. However, it seems that at NUIG students are not the priority but rather how much money can be taken from us is. I refer to the increase of registration and the supposed funding of the library and yet services being reduced. Management at NUIG decided it was a good idea to do away with Desk Reserve. Without consulting the staff on the ground they were, apparently, blissfully unaware of the possibility of services being abused. Perhaps the person responsible isn’t a bullshitter, honest mistakes happen (everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt) but this is unacceptable. How can justifications of increases in student registrations be made when a fundamental service is arbitrarily removed? The same member of staff pointed out to me that if a portion in the canteen was reduced back in the 1970's there was uproar granted an extreme analogy – and today’s students are passive and let the establishment (who, lets not forget, have no such concerns as not being able to afford a book) do as they please. I'd go further, we're apathetic and borderline pathetic. Where is the Student Union in all of this? Surely they must have the interests of the student at heart... I have a feeling that if something this essential is lost without so much as a whimper from the student body, then we can look forward to more services being eroded. There was talk of a petition getting started to return Desk Reserve. I have yet to see it. If there is one it should be demanded that Desk Reserve is reinstated and not pleaded for. The SU should throw their weight behind this, assuming they're not too busy with trips to Dublin. While it is important to protest raises in fees, the SU should maintain existing services here, because if they don't and fees are raised anyway we will be paying more and getting less.
Students - stand up for yourselves. Management - Give us back our Desk Reserve. We're paying for it after all.
page 12
Curl up and Dye! Fiona Ní Mháille
Congratulations! Congratulations to our makeover winners Coleen Baxter and Anne Marie Donelan. Zenntih transformed their hair in need of some nourishment. They re-shaped Coleen’s hair with a cut and a full fringe-taking away any split ends and adding shine. Hair should be trimmed every 6-8 weeks to maintain its health and shine. Zennith’s 10% student discount helps anyone with a shallow pocket. Anne Marie had her hair cut and coloured with subtle highlights. Matt O’Flaherty’s on William St. advised the girls on what make-up they should wear to achieve the perfect daytime look. The general rule of thumb is to apply foundation to the jaw-line. It should blend into the colour of your skin. If you’re wearing fake-tan, apply bronzer-don’t change your foundation. The clothes on Coleen hail from Miss Selfridge. We chose jewel tones for her pale skin and dark features. A long turquoise top and cardigan over leggings and a bang-on-trend leopard print clutch was beautiful on Coleen. The jewellery brought out the gold in the clutch and the discodiva shoes. Changing these heels to pumps would transform this look from night to daytime. The purple dress Coleen wears pulls in at all the right of places. The plunge neckline flatters her curvy figure. It is pulled in below the bust (the empire line)-a narrowest part of a woman’s frame. The long blingathong necklace finishes the outfit and brings ‘glam’ to a new level. The same jewellery, leggings and heels make this flower-print dress and tan slouch bag a sheer sexy look. Why walk your dog when you can wear it? Anne-Marie’s jacket is so-hot-now with faux fur from New Look. Teamed with a classic LBD-you can’t go wrong! This versatile jacket compliments the flower-power dress. This dress is pulled in below the bust-making the most of AnneMarie’s stunning voluptuous figure. A nautical jacket transforms this outfit to a whole New Look. Wear this outfit with pumps for an effortless-chic look.
The best accessory anyone can wear is a good hair style. Chic hair will never go out of fashion. Thinking about ditching your highlights and going back to your roots? Highlights brighten the face but also damage the hair by drying it. Your hair is at its healthiest with its natural colour. Any drastic colour changes should be carried out by a professional, especially if you want to avoid your hair turning green, white or falling out. If you don’t want to live a Nightmare before Christmas when changing hair colour, go to a qualified hair dresser. Zenith hairdressers offer a 10% student discount. 20% off vouchers are available on their website. Their team are friendly, professional and are happy to advise you on what will suit your face. Appointments can be made by calling 091533680. A fringe frames the face so it’s important to get the right type. Long foreheads can wear full fringes. Side fringes suit most people and are less drastic than a full fringe. If hair in your face annoys you, go for a long sidefringe. If you have course hair, a short side-fringe will rebel and stick up. Looking like you got electrocuted may be shocking, but is not hot. Turning the hairdryer onto ‘cool’ for the last minute of blow-drying locks in shine and seals the hair. If you have a short neck, don’t let your hair grow long. It will make your neck seem shorter and your frame chunkier. Bobs can be chic but unless you have fine hair, they can be high maintenance. J-Lo and Taylor Swift are huge fans of the faux-bob. A faux-bob is a quick way to give yourself a make-over. It has all the styling of a real bob, but even betteryou wake up the next morning with all of your hair still there! Curl your hair with a curling tongs and tuck it underneath itself. Secure with hair pains. If you have layers, all the better! Let the shorter layers sit on top of your bob to add extra volume and va-vavoom. Not bothered to straighten your hair every day? Give the straightener a rest and do an up-style. The French twist is a simple upstyle that suits most faces. Pull all of your hair clean off the face and, from the nape of the neck, twist it upwards. Holding it at its peak, twist it downwards. Tuck the
downward twist in behind the upward twist and slide hair pins around the side of the bun. Secure the style by putting the hair pins into the hair in an ‘x’ shape, crossing each other. Top off the look by putting a hair band or hair accessories onto the finished look. A range of different hair accessories are available at Dunnes or Penneys. Tame any fly-away hair with a blast of hairspray. This look is instant glam in less than 2 minutes! The next look has been sported by Florence Welch and Sarah Jessica Parker. It works perfectly with thick hair. Scrape all of your hair back from your face and pile it on top of your head. Wrap it around your downward-facing hand, then slip your hand out and pin it down. Finish with a hair band and a blast of hairspray. This look really is the definition of throwing your hair up but looks like it took a lot of work. It has been said that lots of volume and shine attracts men because it is a sign of youth and fertility. Be carefuk toughh, big hair may mean you’re closer to heaven but backcombing results in split ends and the hair knotting. Bump it up! Bump-Its are available at Dunnes, Claire’s Accessories and the Hair Shop in Eyre Square shopping centre. They give an instant beehive and extra glam to any hairstyle. For GHD curls, divide the hair into sections and clip away any parts you’re not using. Start off by using heat protection spray. Rotate the straightener 180 degrees away from the face and gently slide it down the hair until you reach the end. Release the curl, catch it and wrap it around your finger. For softer curls, don’t rotate the styler until you’re halfway down the hair. The slower you use the straightener, the firmer and tighter the curl will be. Lock in sine and gloss with shine serum available at Matt O’ Flahertys chemist and Dunnes. To banish weak, limp, lifeless hair, look no further than the Kerastase range. They are available at most salons and, although expensive at €30 for a box of treatments, they are well worth it. The results are amazing. They restore the hair to its full health, adding shine and gloss to it. The L’Oréal Elvive range is a cheaper alternative with great results.
page 13 by Grainne Coyne
Dear Agony Aunt, I’m dreading the Christmas holidays. My family and I do not get on well at all, and I know there are going to be a lot of arguments. I’d love to not go home, but I know that will only make things worse. Any survival tips? Grinch, 22 Dear Grinch, Christmas can be tough on families. Everyone is gathered together under one roof for perhaps the onlt time of the year. Repressed childhood memories surface, everybody’s got a surfeit of sugar and alcohol in their systems and fights break out over the remote control...It can be tough to get through it all unscathed. Be aware that the holidays can cause people to react differently than they would at other times of the year. Excess sugar and alcohol affects people badly, and that things said in the heat of the moment may not necessarily be meant. Be prepared to let a couple of catty comments slide for the sake of a quiet life. Chances are, if your family members don’t get the response they’re looking for, they’ll drop the argument quite quickly. Also, don’t feel the need to voice every little grievance that comes into your own mind. Most of your problems will probably keep for another few days, until everyone’s in a better frame of mind. Lastly, try not to spend too much time cooped up in the house! A lack of outside stimuli may be another reason to pick petty fights with one another. Visit your friends and neighbours, or clear off out of the house and take a walk. As well as getting rid of those unwanted Christmas pounds, you’ll ditch the cabin fever too.
Merry Christmas, Agony Aunt.
Overheard in NUIG Elizabeth Concannon: Overheard in
uneducated...perhaps even engineering
the canteen, two girls getting tea,
students could understand it..."
Girl 1: You just touched my ass!
Niall O' Flaherty: Two Lads talking
Girl 2: I didn't, it was the cup
while using AutoCAD in a PC Suite:
Girl 1: Stop cupping my ass! Girl 2: I
"You need to make your shaft smaller
will not.
sure it'll never fit in the hole like that"
Jason Brown: In Smokey’s, Man: "I
Meaghan Carmody: Corrib village, Girl
think Fianna Fail have a big plan."
1: what's that holy place in Ireland
Woman: "Yeah, I hope it's a suicide
called?
pact."
Girl 2: Lourdes. Isn't that where Mary
Sinéad Cummins: On concourse.... guy
appeared?
to his friend 'I had a shower after...that
Jeni Bakura Kearney: Two girls
didn't wash the shame away though'
walking together on concourse, one
Brian Halpin: Girl at ATM on
saying to the other:
concourse: I've only got potatoes and
“No, I don’t think you look like Shrek,
vodka to last me the month!
you look quite nice actually. It’s just
Random woman behind her: Sure isn't
your face...”
that all you need!
Niall Donnellan :Two lads walking
Hayley Gill: Hubert McDermott on
towards the Bialann.
Hamlet:
Guy 1: "Yah, I rode her last night.
"On one level Hamlet is a play for
Guy 2: Fair enough, suppose you
intellectuals...however on the other
should add her as a facebook friend
hand it is also a play for the completely
so."
SEX! Romance?! Enough already As a regular reader and contributor to SIN, I have found that the last few issues
romance. I just hope that people understand that although these aspects of life
of the paper have been either very sexually charged or quite romantically
may be important that they should not take over life itself! I find it hard to
depressive. I feel the need to point
imagine that every guy out there spends
this out because I have found that
all their time thinking about their next
there appears to be a divide
sexual conquest. Similarly, it’s difficult
between the sexes in relation to
to picture armies of women sitting
this issue of sex and romance. We
around moping about not having a
have seen opinions from both sides
date! If this is all people have to live
(some deemed misogynistic) in the
for then they are missing out on being
case of men on women but we
themselves and having fun with their
have also delved into the female
mates. Whether you agree or disagree
psyche and learned what they
with these articles it proves that if we
think of their male counterparts .
continue to constantly portray
No matter which side we look at
ourselves in this manner then we are
this obsession with sex and romance seems to be the hot topic at the moment. It appears to be the
We leave the above dot as a subject for your imagination, whichever side you are on...
only feeding the stereotypes of men as sexual predators and women as love sick puppies. In our society today
only thing people are concerned
there are far more pressing issues than
about. If it is not men speaking
this. I believe we can all learn from
‘derogatorily’ of women, then it is
these examples and discover that it is
women lamenting the ‘loss of
important not to let sex or romance
romance’. I do not think that this is what these writers intended to portray.
rule our lives. No matter what side of the fence you are on, in regards to these
However, I believe that their articles have highlighted an issue in society and
articles I think we can still agree that when it comes to talking about sex and
from them we can hopefully learn that there is more to life than just sex and
romance we have had enough! By Christopher Cosgrove
page 14
Choosing a Postgrad
With more and more students opting to go down the route of further education and postponing entry into the highly competitive jobs market we ask what king of a postgrad course can you do and explore how some of the Class of 2011 are getting on in their chosen postgrad course. Almost one in four NUI Galway students are currently pursuing postgraduate study. At postgraduate level there are different types of degrees: Postgraduate Diploma or a Higher Diploma, and Master level taught programmes. Research-based programmes normally involving two years on campus for Master Degrees and four years for Doctoral Degrees. Further information can be got online or at the Postgraduate Open Day 2011 which will take place in the Bailey Allen Hall, NUI Galway on Wednesday 2 February 2011.
Student Profile Name: Andrea Leyden Course: MSc (Marketing) Where are you originally from?
In the meantime here is what some of our current students think.
Keadue, Co. Roscommon.
Where did you do your undergraduate degree? NUI Galway
About your studies
have attained a lot of new knowledge so far this year but a major skill we have all
Why did you undertake a postgraduate course?
learned is the ability to research topics.
Student Profile
I wanted to further develop my knowledge
Name: Sinead Mahon Course: LLM Law, Technology and
my employability in the long run and
How is the course/research programme is structured, e.g. what contact you have with lecturers/supervisors?
Where are you originally from? Naas,
What new skills do you think you have learnt through your postgraduate study?
provide myself with a greater chance to
Most days we have a two-hour lecture at 9
Co. Kildare.
I have definitely had to get more organised
succeed. I also felt that I was too young to
in the morning and usually the class will
this year and work on time management
enter the working world full-time at the
spend the day working on assignments or
Where did you do your undergraduate degree? NUI Galway
age of 20.
study.
of the marketing field as I am highly interested in the topic. I wanted to improve
interesting. We also get to attend a conference in the Czech Republic!
Governance.
skills. A postgraduate course also develops research, presentation and writing skills.
About your studies Why did you choose your course and why did you choose to study at NUI Galway?
What is the biggest difference between your undergrad and postgrad courses?
Why did you undertake a postgraduate course? I'm Galway’s Van
How the course/research programme is structured, what contact you have with lecturers/supervisors?
I chose to study marketing because I have
The class interaction with each other and
Wilder, the eternal student!
There a lot subjects to choose from. This
been highly interested in it since
lecturer both in and out of lectures is a
year there is a lot of interaction with the
completing a basic course in first year
totally different experience to being an
commerce. I have been in Galway the past
undergrad. The lecturer knows everyone’s
three years so I have friends here as well as
names and asks each student to contribute
Why did you choose your course and why did you choose to study at NUI Galway?
knowledge of the city. This relieves some
to the class.
The course is a unique and innovative
lecturers, they are always available to help
university in Ireland. It offers me a chance
What is the biggest difference between your undergrad and postgrad courses?
to focus on different areas of law, science,
We have fewer lectures this year but there
technology and how they are governed.
is a whole lot of work to be done in
programme that is not offered in any other
stress.
with any questions we have.
What do you enjoy about your course/research?
What are your future plans and how do you think your postgraduate study will help you achieve them?
The interaction and closeness of the
At the moment, my plans are uncertain but
students in this course is totally different
I am sure that I will stay within the
to the commerce degree. We share a
marketing discipline for my career. I hope
What do you enjoy about your course/research?
computer area so spend a lot of time
to work in areas such as marketing research
The best thing about the course is that all
together and help each other out if needed.
and brand management. I would love to
the classes are very small so you really get
What are your future plans and how do you think your postgraduate study will help you achieve them?
What new skills do you think you have
work as a marketing professional in the
to know my classmates and lecturers. The
I hope to continue on in this field and do a
learnt through your postgraduate study? I
entertainment industry.
courses offered are really unique and
PhD or an internship.
preparation for lectures.
page 15
The Kingfisher By Damien Kilgannon
On the 1st of December 2008, NUIG opened our new sports centre, a €22 million project consisting of 6,500 square meters of sport and leisure facilities. It was designed by worldrenowned architects Faulkner Browns, and then built by Glenman Corporation and to be run by The Kingfisher group. It was the beginning of NUIG’s ambitious plans for a “campus of the future”. Upon opening it reached all expectations and surpassed some. It was then a new and very distinctive landmark on the campus and home for many of the university’s sports clubs.
In UCC, the students there avail of on academic membership to the expansive Mardyke Arena for just €150 which is paid for by students through their registration fee. In TCD, theirs is a similar scheme where all students receive free membership to the University’s sports centre, which is
funded by their registration fee. Many may not know that every year €100 of your registration fee goes towards The Kingfisher. That means that any students who take out a membership for the year are paying €350 for it and all other students,
However since we are all in college here in Galway, a leisure centre in Limerick or Cork is not much use to us and we do have other options here closer to campus. So all those intent on getting their regular punishment in the gym can try out these two other gyms that are within a reasonable distance from the University. Galway City Gym, located in the Town Park Centre, Tuam Rd is an excellent option for anyone who wants some motivation to get in shape, as this gym is a regular haunt of many of the West’s top bodybuilders. The gym itself has a well-equipped cardio section with all the usual suspects and it has all anyone could wish for in the weights area. They offer students a six months membership for €200, three months for €150, two months for €100 and €50 for one month.
Now two years on this fantastic building has really grown into the campus. It was a facility that was needed in the university, as the previous gym and sports halls at Áras na Mac Léinn were unable to cater for the growing college community. But now we find that while we have these great facilities, they are not readily accessible to students, due solely to the membership costs.
Another option is Peak Physique Health and Fitness Club, located in Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Rd. beside Leisure World. It is somewhat less equipped than Galway City Gym, but comes at a very reasonable price. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how fancy the weights you use are it’s how you use them. Peak Physique offer students a full year’s membership for just €149.
Most students are on campus from September to November and from January till May, an eight-month term. Yet despite this obvious fact, the only membership available to NUIG students is a twelve month membership at €250. This is poor form on behalf of The Kingfisher management, where they are clearly taking students for granted. There should be a membership package available to students for the term of their academic year. In our sister university, UL in Limerick, their sports centre offers students an academic year membership for €180 and also has unrestricted open hours for students and the public, who wish to pay-as-you-go. This is unlike the very restricted ‘casual usage’ hours in The Kingfisher. It may be argued that the sports arena in UL is a much older facility, but the fact that both Irish rugby and soccer teams use it regularly proves it is just as good if not better then The Kingfisher.
unlike our fellows in UCC or TCD, are paying €100 towards The Kingfisher and getting nothing for it.
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Neither of these gyms offer anything close to the facilities of The Kingfisher, but with the membership price fixed and the poor value for money students are receiving, we need to look elsewhere. The “campus of the future” should be a campus that is within the accessibility of all people in the University and should strive to integrate all students in all areas offering every incentive possible and not putting the needs of the University ahead of the needs of the students.
page 16
GALWAY MARCH ACCOUNT Around 250 people gathered outside Áras na Mac Léinn on 18th November for the first of USI’s regional marches against fees. A general air of confusion surrounded as some people waited inside the building, others outside with placards, no-one really seeming to know what they were supposed to do. Colourful placards were brandished by most of the students marching, with phrases such as, “€3,000 won’t buy you love” and “All I want for Christmas is an education”. Peter Mannion, Student Union president, addressed the crowd and began to lead them in the chant, “No ifs! No buts! No education cuts!” With this the march began to gain a more cohesive attitude. The NUIG Student’s Union banner led the way as the march began it’s journey from Áras na Mac Léinn to the Spanish Arch, with more chanting from the crowd, “They say cutback, we say fight back!” and “No cutbacks! No fees! No Fianna Fáil TDs!” The general air of excitement was helped by the Samba Society who provided drum beats all the way. There was a significant Garda presence, though much was to help direct the traffic to maintain the safety of the event. There were a great deal of spectators present as the march made its way up Shop Street, many who seemed in favour of the march. One onlooker stated, “I fully support the student march, I think it’s awful what they [the government] are trying to do” another onlooker said “Fair play to them, keep going”. The marchers were met by a round of applause as they reached Quay Street and the sunshine paved the rest of their way to the Spanish Arch. Gary Redmond, USI president, and other members of the USI Executive committee were present at the Spanish Arch. The NUIG contingent seemed to have grown to about 350 since the march had left the college campus. They were soon joined by about the same number from GMIT. This began the speeches from the stage, with phrases such as “Student’s of Galway let me hear you roar!” Peter Mannion, began his speech to the crowd with the romantic, if archaic phrase, “For too long people from the west of Ireland have been denied opportunity”. He went on to encouraged the students present, “Tell your TD or your elected
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE BAILOUT?
representative that you will not stand for this”. There was a strong media presence at the march, obviously anticipating some similar occurrences as the national march. However Debenhams seemed to view it as a prime marketing opportunity, as one of their sales representatives went among the crowd trying to hand out balloons advertising 25% off their current clothing lines. This did not seem to be received well by students who avoided the Debenhams workers. Speaking to some of these students the reaction to the march was similar, most stated that if the €3,000 registration fee was introduced, they would have to drop out of college. One such girl stated that, “My parents wouldn’t be able to support me if the registration fee went up, I have four siblings that need to be taken care of too and I can’t expect my parents to fund my education”. Another such student stated that “I wouldn’t be in college if fees were introduced, the government are taking away a massive opportunity from me if they re-introduce them”. Following the march the students dispersed quickly and quietly, back to where they came from. Despite all of the rousing talk and the feeling of purpose and adrenaline, there was a feeling of the inevitable around, as if the students present, knew the trouble that was coming Ireland’s way.
By Méabh McDonnell
Ceara Bergin, 2nd Psychology: “Well I honestly believe that if it wasn’t for the incredible greed, stupidity and blatant disregard shown by those in power in both public and private domains, then there would be no need for the IMF or a bailout. No need for the panic that has descended on the Irish public. It’s those in higher authority that have caused this crisis and now they are looking to those above, the IMF and below them, the tax payers to fix this sorry affair. The IMF should not be the ones under the spotlight; it should be the government and bankers who wasted our money.”
Roisin McNally, 3rd Accountancy and Finance:
just trying desperately to become captain again.”
“I think it’s silly and will put the country in more debt.”
Elizabeth Concannon, 1st Commerce:
Eoin O’ Sullivan, 4th Science:
“I think the IMF bailout is a good thing for the Irish economy as we would have no money without it.”
“The IMF bailout was just confirming my worst fears and I’ve made up my mind to emigrate from Ireland after I have completed my degree.”
Jason Browne, 1st Arts with Theatre and Performance: “I think Ireland is like a lost boat out in sea, and the IMF has rescued it and has become captain of Ireland. Ireland is
Geraldine Holland, 3rd Arts: “Even though it’s necessary to help Ireland’s current economic situation, I feel that its implementation will have negative effect on potential graduates future careers”
By Grainne Coyne
page 17
STUDENT FEES - WHERE TO NEXT? After this weeks publication of the
the €500 increase in the
job awaiting those who have
making that decision as it has
but I would imagine this would be
national four year plan to correct
registration fee announced this
struggled through college and
allowed them access to university.
an issue where the two coalition
the public finances, students got
week will more than likely be met
those that will be fortunate
the news of a 33% increase in their
with a €500 decrease in the
enough to get work will pay a
Fine Gael policy on the student
registration fees. The Registration
contribution the State makes per
huge amount of tax, for which we
fees has changed somewhat
fee will now break though the
student to the University.
will see little value as it will serve
recently. While the policies
It is crucial that, as a student
the national debt, for our lifetimes.
included in their ‘The Third Way’
movement, the best possible
A bad deal really for students.
document indicated that graduates
leadership is assembled for the
€2,000 barrier for the first time.
parties would clash when making a programme for government.
Students in NUIG will also pay the
But we are where we are now, in a
student levy on top of this, so
country facing political as well as
would pay a form of a graduate tax
upcoming changes in Government
students in NUIG will pay around
financial meltdown, students will
But what does the future hold?
to repay a proportion of the costs
and possible changes in funding
€2,300 to ‘register’ next year.
be making a large contribution to
We know there will be a change in
associated with the college course,
for third level education. Students
the national recovery. Not only
Government in the New Year, but
the registration fee was supposed
will have to continue their
The registration fee is a tuition fee.
will students take a pay cut as
will this make any difference? It is
to be abolished. Recently, the Fine
protests in the streets and
In 2002, after the first Fianna Fáil
many are on the minimum wage,
likely that the makeup of the next
Gael Education spokesperson
elsewhere to make sure that they
attempt to re-introduce fees, a set-
they will pay more taxes during
Government will be a coalition of
indicated that due to the current
get their right to have their say on
up was organised that any increase
their college life, increases in VAT
Fine Gael and Labour. It was this
financial situation, the registration
their education and their future.
in the registration fees would be in
will also push up the cost of
coalition that introduced the Free
fee would have to remain even
The fight for free education is still
lieu of tuition fees. That basically
educational essential and there
Fees scheme in the mid nineties.
after Fine Gael came to power to
alive, but it will be up to students
means that increases in the
will be increased registration fees
The States only Labour Education
insure some class of an income
to carry and promote this over the
registration fee in the past decade
and cuts to the maintenance grant
Minister, Niamh Breathnach, faced
stream to the third level sector.
next number of years.
or so have occurred with the
but the burden will not stop there.
much criticism for this decision – but the reality is many who read
The current Labour situation is not
By Peter Mannion
this article can thank her for
as clear as the Fine Gael position,
Government taking the same amount out of college budgets. So
Upon graduating there will be no
page 18
Wake Up In the Morning Feeling Like P Diddy...
no... No I couldn’t! That would be unforgivable.” As everyone is aware, alcohol has been an integral part of student
This view seems unhealthy, but
life here at NUIG for many
also kind of understandable. This
desire to never drink again, just
generations. The ritual of bottles,
is Ireland, there are no social
the happiness that I will never be
cans and sneaky naggins is a well
events unassociated with alcohol.
able to see myself while I’m
respected tradition that we all
Every meaningful milestone in an
Sober In Supermacs At 3 AM...
drunk. Yet it’s said that the most
take great pride in honouring. Or
Irish person’s life, their
either be fascinated by these
how could I possibly want to
obvious symptom of insanity is
at least, almost all of us do.
christening, communion,
peoples individuality, or view
rejoin the HD army after that?!
doing the same thing over and
wedding and wake are viewed as
them with a mixture of pity and
In college, your attitude to
an excuse for a giant piss up. But
deep mistrust.
alcohol dictates your whole
amazingly, Irish non-drinkers do
social experience. Generally we
exist, and I’m not just talking
all fall somewhere in a large
about reformed alcoholics. Some
range between two extremes. There are “Heavy Drinkers”, a
over again and expecting Because, let me tell you, it is not
different results. We spend our
a pretty sight. All the guys who
precious food money, greatly
My own attitude to alcohol is a
looked fresh to death and
embarrass ourselves, usually lose
little unusual. If I belong in a
smelled like Joop! at ten o’clock
some of our belongings, shift
people simply don’t start
category, I suppose it would be
now wander in with bloodshot
people we shouldn’t, experience
drinking at fifteen like the rest of
called “People-Who-Do-Drink-
eyes and stained t-shirts stinking
every Friday morning in a state of
group that includes girls who
us, and then never do. These rare,
But-Also-Go-Out-Sober-Sometim
of beer. Some of them get far too
incredible pain and then repeat
regularly down their shoulder’s
elusive creatures are surrounded
es (very catchy). I’m fond of JD
“handsy” for everyone’s liking,
the process again the next week.
of Huzzar, fail to get into CP’s
with an aura of mystery and
and Coke, and many of my peers
others get an urge to fight each
So are we all insane? I’m not sure,
and spend the rest of the evening
generate huge confusion. They
reading this will attest to having
other over packets of ketchup
but one thing I have noticed on
on the floor of Coyotes after
are deeply resented by their HD
seen me drunkenly stumbling
and have to be removed from the
my sober adventures is that
losing their battle with gravity.
friends who bring them out
around various locations in
building. The girls who began the
nobody I know, without one
Some of the male members of
knowing that they will hear
Galway, or the shameful
evening looking like the cast of
exception, has a personality that
this group believe that their
about the embarrassing details of
Facebook photos from messy
The Hills now resemble that of
improves with the addition of
ability to drink is in direct
the night in unforgiving,
nights out before I got a chance
Jersey Shore. Those who can
alcohol. They all seem to become
proportion to their masculinity
accurate, sober detail. They often
to untag. So, I drink, but
walk probably carry with them
an exaggerated version of their
and therefore try hard to
demand to know “WHY? Why
sometimes for whatever reason I
the shame of having sent their
worst selves when they’re pissed,
consume very large quantities of
don’t you drink?”
just feel like going out sober and
ex-boyfriends many, many
and I hate to think about what
I nearly always have just as much
illegible text messages
I’m like. Like a bad boyfriend
fun (minus the hangover).
throughout the evening. The girls
who you just can’t bear to break
“man drinks” like whiskey and Guinness without vomiting
Because, given our booze sodden
afterwards. Heavy Drinkers think
culture, these people’s behaviour
who can’t are propped up by
up with, I hope I will give booze
that venturing out to a pub,
is pretty extraordinary. One Non-
Hardcore drinkers cannot get
annoyed looking friends, like
the boot eventually. But until I’m
nightclub or indeed any social
Drinker who I asked to explain
their head around this concept at
mascara-smeared ragdolls.
mature enough to do that, for
event without becoming
their decision gave the unhelpful
all. I have already experienced all
Everyone, male and female, eats
now my relationship with Jack
absolutely ballbagged would be
replied, “I dunno. I just never felt
the joys of losing myself in boozy
an unholy amount of chips in a
Daniels is far from over.
positively indecent. When I
the urge to try it. I can’t miss
oblivion, and then think being
very unflattering manner.
asked one NUIG “HD” whether
something I’ve never had.” We
sober is “fun”? The Non-Drinkers
he would consider going out in
will probably never fully
don’t get it either. I’ve had the
I stare around at this carnage,
Galway sober his reply was “Oh
understand, and continue to
horrific experience of Being
and it doesn’t fill me with the
By Miceala O’Donnovan
page 19
Christmas on a Shoestring By Valerie Hartnett
“Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat”.... Ok, maybe not so much in recent
yourself a right bargain! Similarly
years since our Celtic Tiger has
Dunne’s, Tesco, Penney’s, or
been reduced to more of a
discount stores do large rolls of
scrawny alley-cat, but Christmas
gift wrap for €1 or €2. Sure,
is still a time for spending our
where would you go wrong?
hard-earned cash in abundance
If you haven’t started shopping
to show the ones we care about
for gifts yet – why not? There’s
just how much they mean to us.
less than a month to go to the
The general consensus seems to
big day. Make a list of all the
be that the more cash someone
people you intend to buy for. Be
has spent, the higher their
realistic with this list. Are you
estimation. But can we afford it?
seriously going to buy for all of
As students, the answer is by and
your 27 cousins, your group of
large “no”. It’s time to be
14 friends and all of your work
“Let’s not go crazy with gifts this
scrupulous about our spending
colleagues? No. You’re not. Last
year” make sure you both know
rather than ransacking our ever-
year at work we did a Secret
you mean it! The same goes for
depleting coffers and racking up
Santa, and put a price limit of
family. I’ve given up on trying to
exorbitant debts just to get
€30 on the gift. As I had 25
surprise my parents. I’ve
day and his bedroom is 2 flights
through the festive season. Be
colleagues, it removed the
searched high and low; spent
of stairs up from the kitchen.
such a bad thing. Getting
realistic about how much you
awkwardness of choosing who to
money like it’s going out of
The verdict? “Best Christmas
through the holidays with your
can afford to spend. If necessary,
buy for and who to exclude, and
fashion and generally run amok
present ever!” My friend Stephen
dignity intact is priceless.
make a budget of how much you
saved everyone a lot of hassle. If
throughout November in my
is getting a scarf this year. I’m
I said “ Brrr! It’s cold in here!”
intend to spend on gifts, food,
you have a big family, friend
attempts to seek out the perfect
sure my classmates have all seen
Lastly, a word to the wise. The
socialising, etc. If you make a
group, or close-knit circle of co-
gift. It was always a futile
me trailing my knitting through
concept of Christmas clothes is
budget, for the love of God, stick
workers then Secret Santa is the
exercise. Now I’m like “What do
campus. (It’s ok – he lives in
as old as the hills, and who am I
to it! The January rent and bills
way to go! It’s great fun and
you want for Christmas?” And
Cork. It won’t ruin the surprise).
to fly in the face of tradition?
will still have to be paid after all,
reduces the cost of gift-giving
they tell me and I get it. End of.
Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum
But seriously, rock the practi-
and forgetting about it and
hugely.
My sisters and I don’t even
Christmas parties are a never-
fashion look and invest in some
hoping for the best will lead to a
Now, move on to the people you
exchange gifts at Christmas. It
ending social whirlwind
warm winter woollies. (If you
bleak New Year’s bank balance
have to buy for mum, dad,
surprises a lot of people, but hey,
beginning in November and
haven’t already done so, why
faster than you can say
brother, sister, boyfriend,
we’re students, and by definition
continuing until New Year’s Eve.
not? It’s Galway, people!) Keep
“Ebenezer Scrooge”.
girlfriend, best friend etc. Talk to
perpetually broke. Why not
It’s easy to bankrupt yourself in
cosy this winter in a good coat, a
Organised people e.g. parents
these people about setting limits
lighten our financial burden?
the pubs and clubs in the name
pair of boots or – my new
probably started all this months
on gifts. Exchanging gifts of
Another handy tip is to be
of doing your civic and social
fashion favourite - a snood
ago, but not to worry. Christmas
equal value is not the name of
creative with your gift giving.
duty. Pick and choose your
(that’s a hooded scarf for those
needn’t cost the earth and the
the game, I know, but if there are
Things don’t have to be hugely
sessions carefully. Class party –
of you who don’t already know).
basics will hardly set you back at
huge inequalities regarding the
expensive to be thoughtful, and
CHECK! Work party – CHECK!
Living by the blustery banks of
all. If you’re sending cards this
value of gifts given it can lead to
sometimes they can be free. My
Family shindig – CHECK!
the Corrib will mean these
year, head to Aldi. You can get a
awkwardness. Imagine how
friend Heather one impoverished
December 26th – CHECK! etc.
staples will be worn well into
40 pack of Christmas Cards for
you’d feel unwrapping an iPad
Christmas gave her housemate a
Other social gatherings may have
March, so any outlay of moolah
€4, with money donated to
from your boyfriend Christmas
voucher for a week’s supply of
to make do with your late arrival,
is definitely worth it.
charity too. Split it with a
morning if all you’d got him was
unlimited cups of tea. The guy in
early departure or (gasp) you
housemate and you’ve got
a jumper? If you’re both saying
question drinks about 10 cups a
being sober. But that may not be
Happy Holidays!
page 20
David Norris – the only gay in the village? Recently I was drawn to the story of a student leader in
problem with the fact that Chris is a homosexual. I have
the University of Michigan who was elected as
a problem with the fact that he's advancing a radical
president for the student body. Chris Armstrong was
homosexual agenda."
elected as the first, openly gay president of the student body for the University of Michigan. Big deal, I hear you
I wondered too who was promoting this radical
say. Well it was a big deal for some, including an
homosexual agenda in Ireland? Clearly just being gay in
assistant attorney general in Michigan called Andrew
a high profile position means for many the advancing of
Shirvell.
a radical homosexual agenda. If you look at our own Oireachtas, who finally ‘legalised’ homosexuality in the
Shirvell obviously took great exception to an openly
1990’s, only two members are openly gay.
gay president of a student body in his alma mater and
currently seeking a nomination for the Presidency.
created a blog called “Chris Armstrong Watch”. It was
That is two members out of a total two hundred and
on this website that the elected student body leader
twenty six. That means that in the highest echelons of
In the past Norris has had to deal with blatant
was labeled a Nazi, a racist, an elitist liar and a
Irish political life, less than one percent of the elected
homophobia. Even now as he seeks the Presidency, a
privileged pervert, all because of his sexuality. But it
body that is the Oireachtas is homosexual. And the two
group called “Campaign for conscience” has sought to
didn’t stop there. Andrew Shirvell harassed Armstrong
that are gay are senators. There are no openly gay T.D.’s
draw focus to his sexuality with alleged corresponding
and his friends, even went as far as to call the office of
in the Dáil and with some commentators deriding the
scripture texts, which state that being homosexual is a
former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, where
amount of women in the Dáil, by suggesting some form
sin.
Armstrong worked, "in an attempt to slander
of quota system, to increase female members of the
Armstrong" and get him fired.
houses. They may also consider including a quota for
It is a true shame that so many homosexual men and
LGBT members.
women are put off politics due to the homophobic
After his blog garnered national media attention
‘conscience’ of people. Perhaps the next barrier for the
Shirvell continued to blog about Armstrong and was
This is hardly capable of advancing a radical
LGBT community is to get a voice in the Oireachtas, a
unapologetic on national news programmes. Shirvell
homosexual agenda, but for the two openly gay
voice not only for LGBT issues but any issue that
defended his postings on Anderson Coopers News
members their sexuality has always been up for public
affects any citizen, conscience or not. Homosexual
programme on CNN, acknowledging that he protested
debate. Despite the same not happening for straight
people are citizens and have a right to the same rights
outside Armstrong's house and called him "Satan's
Oireachtas members.
and protections as any other citizen.
The most well known ‘Gay in the Oireachtas’ is Senator
P.S. – Andrew Shirvell was fired.
representative on the student assembly." "I'm a Christian citizen exercising my First Amendment
David Norris. Norris has been an avid promoter of
rights," Shirvell told Anderson Cooper. "I have no
LGBT rights in the past number of decades and is
By Peter Mannion
Diary of a Singleton: Never Been Kissed? A huge percentage of the modern man has been
When you stumble across the fine pedigree that is a
of my life. Our teeth knocked, he bit my tongue and by
replaced by squirrels, washing machines and vacuum
good kisser, I’d say hang onto them! Be a green freak-
the end of it, my cheek was raw. I don’t know what was
cleaners. We have all kissed our fare share of frogs, but
reduce, reuse, recycle. Some guys can be such good
more painful to lose: my dignity or the sensation in my
there is nothing more disappointing than fancying the
kissers, you can associate them with every other good
right cheek.
pants off someone for an age, then kissing them only to
kisser that comes after him. Just don’t blurt out a past
discover that they kiss like an over-excited labrador. You
fling’s name in the middle of a kissing session. If this
Is it possible to look past the slobbering if you really like
can classify a bad kisser if they follow any of the
happens, say you have tourettes and hope for the best.
someone? Is it possible to train them in? Or do you just
following patterns: they leave extra saliva on your
tell them? With this extra wisdom, brought only by
cheeks; they like to nibble at your lips like a squirrel!
Many of my friends had their first kiss as early as 11
vodka, I told my last boyfriend “I really admired Coco
This is one step away from being Hanibal, (boys that aim
years old. I had my first kiss when I was 16. Having said
Chanel: Less is more!” Suprisingly, it didn’t last long after
for passionate kissing but just end up plain aggressive).
that, nobody wanted to kiss me until I was 16. I had
that. All in all, it won’t really matter if your
They end up exfoliating the top three layers of your
braces for 5 years and B.B.(before braces) my teeth were
boyfriend/girlfriend is a bad kisser if you really like
skin, making mince meat of a girl’s face is not hot. And
so crooked that I used to whistle through my two front
them. A gentle hint and leading the way, might even do
last, but not least, we have the vacuum cleaner-the
teeth when I laughed. As well as having braces, my hair
the trick. In the wise words of Tesco “Every little helps”.
dreaded suction kiss. When a guy ends up wearing a
was so frizzy that I should have been on an ESB add
girl’s make-up after a snogathon, something’s not right.
titled “why you should never mess with electricity”.
No need for Listerine mouth wash when this breed of
Quite the visual treat. I cannot describe my first kiss in
man cleans out the inside of your mouth.
other than to say it was the most traumatic experience
By Eileen Dover
page 21
Drugs at university Head shops offered a really good alternative to this crime
drug use, legal or illegal that the confirmed mantra was
It is “high” time, that we took a long hard look at ourselves
and punishment ridden underworld. For a couple of years
“drugs are bad M’KAY!!” This lead to a number of months of
and asked whether drug prohibition, has done society any
they flourished discretely, offering a variety of alternative
social tension. between the people who supported head
good over the past 70 years. Have there been any
drugs, which were designed to mimic the action of illegal
shops and the people who were against. Those who were
improvements in the social situation? I think not, in fact I
drugs which carry heavy penalties if caught in possession.
against, saw that it was a necessity to picket these shops
think quite the opposite.
The very presence and unprecedented profits made by
and observe the dozens of customers walk in and out of
these head shops, not to mention the rapid rate at which
them all day.
they sprung up all over the country, is surely indicative
It is quite clear to me that prohibition of drugs usually causes alienation from society, to the ever increasing
proof that the products they sold were wanted by a large
I distinctly remember standing outside the Hemporium in
number of people who choose to use drugs, to the vast
section of society. A group who report being very pleased
Waterford city. talking to a group of aging men who were
majority, who do so with whats detrimental to society
that they no longer had to resort to dodgy deals in council
protesting against “this poison being sold to our children”. I
whatsoever. I am firmly of the belief that drug laws ruin
estates and car parks with chavs, travellers and other shady
pointed out that these “children” are people, and are able to
lives and cause far more social and health problems than
characters, where they were afraid of being either stabbed
make up their own minds and don’t need the opinions of
they even attempt to prevent. It is for these reasons that I
or ripped off. It seemed to be a great system. Punters could
those, who know nothing on a subject to tell them what to
am setting up a chapter of the SSDP, Students for Sensible
score drugs of known, standard quality and quantity, uncut
do.
Drug Policy EIRE.
market such as drain cleaner, dog shit, car tyres, spray on
The blind must not lead the blind. After engaging with this
SSDP is an international organisation specifically for
Xmas snow, ground up glass and plastic bags and above all,
well meaning chap for a half hour, he eventually turned to
students who want to see drug laws reviewed in scientific
safely marketed, distributed and sold responsible to strictly
his fellow picketers and announced that “that’s enough for
manner with a view to maximise harm reduction. This is not
over 18s. They could also seek advice on the use of these
the day, let’s go for a drink down the pub”. This was enough
a crusade, this is not asking anything unreasonable other
drugs openly and without fear of persecution.
for me, it said it all the irony was certainly not lost. Ireland
than to discuss this important issue rationally and create
clearly has an extensive alcohol problem. Literally every
laws backed by peer reviewed science instead of political
And what happened next? Some news papers and radio
sporting event that occurs here has an alcohol producer’s
pandering and scaremongering that has formed out drug
shows found out about this and made it their mission to
sponsorship; the entire GAA is sponsored by Guinness.
laws for decades. The madness must end.
continue to print and announce all sorts of inaccurate
Excessive alcoholism is celebrated and rewarded in our
information to demonise these shops. In an attempt to
society, to the deaths and detriment to tens of thousands
convince a section of society, who know nothing about
every year.
with all the insane filling agents reported in the black
By William O’Brien
Christmas Socs!
page 22
OM Soc Harry Potter Party Where: Back of the College Bar When: 1st of December Time: 20:00 – 23:00 Nom soc and Art soc will be providing delicious food and decor for a fun filled party! The Sorting Hat will place you in the right House, and you'll have to work with your House to earn important House points! The House with the most points will win the Hogwarts House Cup (aka an awesome prize!) You can now sign up in the SocsBox! It costs €3 per person. Places are limited, so sign up asap! If you're going in a group, let the SocsBox know :)
When: Time:
3rd of December 17:30 – 23:00
Pizza and Refreshments for €10 in College Bar every Friday! Live music, games and other activities taking place. If you are a Post Grad, why not come along and enjoy the fun.
Polish Society Christmas cut-outs with Polish Soc Where: Áras na Mac Léinn - meeting room 2 (upstairs) When: 6th December Time: 18:00 – 20:00 Christmas decorations making inspired by Polish folk crafts
Tickets only €5.50 from the Socs Box! Our very own Ryan Pancoast will be doing an open spot tonight too, so come along and support yet another NUIG Comedy Soc-er as he braves the Róisín Dubh stage!
Dramsoc Phaedra's Love Where: Bank of Ireland Theatre When: 1st – 4th December Time: 20:00 – 21:30 'When was the last time you had a fuck?' '...That's not the sort of question you should ask your stepmother.' 'Phaedra's Love' explores the brutal nature of love, social relations, nihilism and belief through the example of an affair between a queen and her stepson. Kane described Phaedra's Love as 'My comedy'. Be advised, contains graphic depictions of sex and violence, may not be suitable for all audiences.
Postgrad Soc Pizza and Refreshments Where: College Bar
N.U.I.G. Choral Society
Describe your society: We’re N.U.I.G.’s resident student choir, including members from across male and female vocal parts, and the best thing is we’re not auditioned.
One interesting fact that people may not know about your society: Last year, during Muscailt week, we had a few impromptu performances on campus, including in the library foyer and by the yellow thing. It was an interesting experiment to bring the music out of its usual confines and into a new environment. Next time we’ll rope passersby into joining in and see what happens...
What are looking forward to most this year? We’re hoping to pack as much into the year as possible, including trips away, on-campus performances, Christmas and end of year concerts and, of course, great nights out in Galway.
Weekly meeting: Tuesdays, 6-8p.m. in the College Chapel Email: nuigchoralsociety@gmail.com
Comedy Soc Róisín Conaty, Tom Deacon, Keith Farnan & Ryan Pancoast (Comedy Soc) Where: Róisín Dubh When: 2010-12-01 Time: 20:30 – 23:30
Name of Society:
Microsoc Coffee and Mince Pies Charity Fundraiser Where: Microbiology Common Room When: 8th of December Time: 10:30 – 12:00
Name of Society: Marine Society
Describe your society:
Join us for tea, coffee, cakes and mince pies. All in aid of a good cause!
We are the folk you can find on the beach marvelling at rock pools or devoting our afternoons to David Attenborough’s ‘The Blue Planet’ series. MarSoc encompass people who share an interest in marine life, water sports like scuba-diving as well as raise awareness of overfishing, marine pollution and other problems plaguing today’s seas.
Mature Students
One interesting fact that people may not know about your society:
Children’s Christmas Party Where: The Cube, Áras Na Mac Léinn When: 11th of December Time: 13:00 – 17:00
Just like a pod of dolphins we are all about socialising and working side by side for a united cause - every year MarSoc raises charity for the Irish Seal Sanctuary.
Childrens Christmas Party for children/grandchildren of students currently studying at NUIG, it takes place on Saturday 11th of December from 1pm - 5pm the cube, Aras Na Mac Leinn. Lots of fun activites and treats for the kiddies, Santa will be there with a gift for every child. There will also be tea/coffee and cake/biscuits for adults. (This is a free event).
What are looking forward to most this year? To better appreciate the marine fauna we will be going whale watching in 2nd semester. As well as organise the annual society’s trip abroad to chart the unknown waters. :) Email - marine@socs.nuigalway.ie
Name of Society: Labour Youth
Describe your society: We're the youth wing of the Irish Labour Party.
One interesting fact that people may not know about your society: Dramsoc, Bacon Soc and Comedy Soc Christmas Bonanza! Where: College Bar When: 17th of December Time: 20:00 – 23:59
It was Labour that abolished tuition fees, while Niamh Bhreathnach was Education minister.
What are looking forward to most this year? There is likely to be an election very soon and with Labour polling at its highest in years, we'll need all hands on deck. Weekly meeting: 6pm every Thursdays in the Hub Email: labouryouth@socs.nuigalway.ie
drama reviews
page 23
The Dumb Waiter Two hit-men, Gus and Ben, fight boredom as they await
The chemistry between the two men and believability
Director, Emily Murray, made excellent use of her set
new instructions in a Birmingham basement. As they
of their relationship was undoubtedly the foundation
and actors and littered the production with a series of
wait, the old dumb waiter (a pulley for sending dishes
of the play.
powerful images, that communicated and enhanced
up from a kitchen) groans into life, delivering an order
Pinter’s narrative on a visual level. The strength of the
for steak and chips. As the play progresses and more
Lack of clarity was an issue at times. Though the play
characters’ relationship is also a testament to her
strange orders arrive, the two men’s panic increases as
revels in its deliberate withholding of information and
direction. Unfortunately, the play’s climax failed to
they frantically try to appease the stranger at the other
lack of context, characters’ behaviour was sometimes
realise its potential. Indeed, it seemed less that the play
end.
baffling. Gus’s burst of aggression towards the end of
ended, so much as it just stopped. The Dumb Waiter
the play, for example, seemed sudden and unfounded
was otherwise excellent throughout, proving one of the
Both actors gave effortlessly, natural performances.
considering his mere annoyance earlier. Then again, we
strongest Dramsoc productions this semester.
Conor Hooper’s superb comic timing as Gus, was
are never certain why the men should fear the dumb
apparent from the opening minutes and proved the
waiter in the first place; it may be wiser to accept this
perfect foil for Gar Dempsey’s gruff yet tormented Ben.
as part of the absurdist nature of Pinter’s play.
By Samuel Ferry
The Lonesome West The ‘Lonesome West’ focuses on two brothers Coleman
figure, who acts as light relief from the tar-black,
were primed to burst in the necks of its lead actors.
(Jarlath Tivnan) and Val (Oisin Robbins), who live out a
whirlwind of humour that centres on the two brothers
However, it’s testament to their seamless comic timing
tight-fisted, vengeful, sexually-frustrated existence in
and what a whirlwind it is.
and natural chemistry, that the audience are never left
their cottage in the West of Ireland. Acting as an
behind, but merely swept up in the mania.
incompetent referee is the alcoholic parish priest Father
Jarlath Tivnan plays Coleman like a demented and
Walsh (Rory Kitt). In the midst of all this is Girleen
violently mixed concoction of the Joker, Jack Nicholson
It’s a masterful production that effectively combines the
(Chloe Stafford), who supplies the brothers with much
from ‘The Shining’ and Tommy Cooper. Coleman revels
energy of the actors, amazing set, and skilful approach
needed poitin and sporadic tempting of her ‘wares’.
in the destruction and anguish he causes, Mr Tivnan is
of directors Kate Murray and Teresa Brennan. It will
The actors are absolutely on the money, and cast very
magnificent, playing a character that one will feel he
become clear that you are watching a very high-quality
effectively. Rory Kitt brings a comical, almost Chaplin-
was born to play. If Coleman is the Joker, then Oisin
production, one that spares nothing, and one I cannot
esque sadness to the part of Father Walsh, who endures
Robbins is (very obviously) his Batman, lacing Val with
rate highly enough.
so much misfortune and torment that you cannot help
dismay and constant torment, and recalls the thunder of
but laugh. Chloe Stafford plays Girleen as an innocent
a young Marlon Brando. The action is developed at a
(well, maybe not so innocent) and happy-go-lucky
thunderous pace, and one could quite clearly that veins
By Michéal Ó Thailtigh
The Morning After Optimism The Morning After Optimism, directed by Darren
The dialogue is written in a bizarre way, very
given to Quinlan, perfectly casts as the stereotypical
Coppinger and Neasa O' Callaghan. It was originally
convoluted, brisk and sharp. Coupled with extremely
fairytale prince (hair and all), and O’Brien who also
written by Irish dramatist Tom Murphy in 1971 and
exaggerated and energetic performances by the cast,
gives the naive, sensitive performance the role calls
ran in the Bank of Ireland Theatre last month.
the play has a very quirky feel. Although it seems as if
for. A mention also has to be given to the set design,
the language used is intentional, it does add to the
whole eerie trees added extremely well to the
Described as a Quentin Tarantino-esque fairytale, the
overall experience of the performance which is often
atmosphere.
play focuses on two main characters; an eccentric
hard to follow, at times.
pimp James (Jarlath Tivan) and his companion (or
Overall the play definitely leaves an impact on the
whore) Rosie (Kate Murray). Both deeply flawed
Tivan plays the off-the-wall jokes and overall
audience. The sinister, vaudeville actions of the
characters, who are both on the run for supposedly, a
eccentricities of his character, while also getting
characters mixes refreshingly well with the fairytale,
series of reasons. They take refuge in a bizarre forest
across the underlying self-doubt and internal struggle
surreal setting. Morning after Optimism is heart
where they meet a quintessential fairytale couple;
that plagues him. The same goes for Murray, who’s
breaking slightly insane and refreshing.
Edmund (Conor Quinlan) and Anastasia (Niamh
portrayal of Rosie’s sadness of living in a faded,
O’Brien) who seemly represent everything they wish
loveless relationship with her subsequent obsession
that they could have and/or be.
with Edmund, is heartbreaking. Kudos should also be
By Orla Sheehan
tech reviews
page 24
Technical Jargon Explained All the tech terms for those who don’t speak computer Don’t know the difference between RAM and what the heck an OS is? Then check out my list for the most common computer terms explained in a more easier to understand language:
OS: Operating System, this refers to the system which
PDF: The common file extension associated with
your PC runs on. Windows XP, Windows 7, Ubuntu are
Adobe. To be able to open a pdf document you must
all examples of Operating Systems for computers.
ensure that you have Adobe Reader installed on your computer and this reader can be downloaded for free
.DOCX/.DOC: The two different file extensions for
from the Adobe website: www.adobe.com , this is
Software: This refers to the non-physical parts of
Microsoft Word. The main difference between these
especially useful as some lecturers put up pdf files of
your computer and is commonly associated with the
two is that .doc files are supported in previous versions
hand-outs, etc. so you can download and read them on
various programs on your PC. Examples of software are
of Word prior to 2007 and it is very important for
your PC.
such programs like Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop,
college purposes to ensure that you save your files in
iTunes, etc.
.doc format so that your assignments can be recognised
Drivers: These are important as they allow your PC to recognise the different
Hardware: This refers to the
components attached to it and
physical parts of your computer
allow them to function properly.
which you can actually touch
Such accessories like cameras and
such as your Hard Drive (HDD for
printers all need the right driver for
short)
you to be able to work them from your PC and if your PC cannot find
KB/MB/GB: These are the
correct drivers for your device then
various units in which files are
it may not function properly. Most
measured in. Files are measured in
drivers for any device will either
Bytes and 1Kilobyte (1KB) = 1,024
come with a CD to install on your
Bytes; 1Megabyte (1MB) = 1,024
PC or alternatively they can be
Kilobytes; 1Gigabyte (1GB) =
found quite easily on the internet
1,024 Megabytes. This can be
too.
especially useful as some websites, etc. have restrictions on sizes of files you can upload to
and corrected via TurnItIn. To save your documents in
them so keep an eye on the size of your files.
.doc instead of .docx click Save As when you are in Word and from here you should see a little box under
RAM: Random Access Memory, which refers to the
your document name and if you click the down arrow
memory in your PC. This can be measured in MB or GB
you can click to save your file in .doc format making
and the more memory you have the faster and more
sure you won’t have any nasty compatibility issues
efficient your system can run.
when it comes to uploading your essays.
What is the Anti-Virus for me? Dear Tech Guy,
If you still find that there is more technical jargon out there that you don’t understand feel free to email me using the details below and I will try my best to help you understand the lingo associated with computers. By Christopher Cosgrove
By Chris Cosgrove
help protect your computer from the various threats
computer. Of course, even with the best anti-virus
which lurk, around every corner. My own personal
suite no one can be 100% secure, so my last bit of
I’m a student and therefore quite low on funds and
favourite and recommendation for free anti-virus
advice for you would be to be very careful of the sites
my anti-virus that I got with my PC is running out
would be Microsoft’s Security Essentials. Microsoft’s
you visit and programs you use which open you up to
soon what do you recommend I do? Should I keep
new anti-virus proves to be one of the best in the
threats from the internet. Only go to sites and open
paying my hefty subscription or will a free anti-virus
market for free anti-viruses and it compliments other
files from people that you trust and if you are not sure
do the job???
programs which protect your PC and especially works
you can always scan or ask someone who might know
well with your Windows Firewall too. Microsoft
if what you are doing is safe. So which ever option
Security Essentials is available for all versions of
you decide to go with just remember to always be
Windows from XP to 7 and can be downloaded from
cautious on the internet and with this combined you
the Microsoft site:
can effectively protect your PC and ensure you are
Sharon,
www.microsoft.com/securityessentials . However,
kept virus clean!
I would advise that if you can afford to keep your
even with this anti-virus suite I would advise to
anti-virus subscription then that would be best as the
double up on your protection by installing one of the
most effective anti-virus suites are those that you
many free spyware/malware protection suites
have to pay a subscription fee for such as McAfee.
available out there at the moment. Programs like
However, if you find that there may be more
Spybot – Search and Destroy or AdAware can be quite
important things you need your money for, then I can
handy and effective in protecting your PC from
advise you on some good free programs which can
various spyware and threats that wish to invade your
– Sharon.
All the best, Sin Tech Guy If you have any tech questions or issues you can email Sin tech help at sintechguy@live.ie and I will be able to address any of your problems and questions in the next issue of Sin!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
page 25
Part 1 Unless you've been living under a Whomping Willow you'll know that this movie is the seventh in eight films to be produced from the phenomenally successful Harry Potter seven-book series by JK Rowling. The last book has been split in two and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 will be followed by the second part next July. Lisa Jackson and Conor Lane discuss part one.
The Plot The story picks up exactly where the last one left off with Harry and his friends Hermione and Ron running for their lives and racing against the clock. They must find and destroy the Horcruxes which house pieces of Lord Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) soul before he takes over the wizarding world and life as they know it ceases to exist. At every turn they are set upon by snatchers and death eaters. They lose many friends along the way but pick up vital clues to find the Horcruxes. In the process they stumble upon something that can aid them in their quest - the Deathly Hallows. We discover, along with Harry and his side-kicks, that the Deathly Hallows are three objects that will allow their possessor to control death.
Lisa
The Cast Emma Watson gives arguably the best performance as the intelligent, talented and somewhat frustrated Hermione Granger, who the boys would be nowhere without, while Rupert Grint (Ron) has a mixture of amusing one-liners and increasingly pessimistic feelings about the task at hand, which is searching for Horcruxes (pieces of Voldemort’s soul). Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) has the tough job of portraying a character, who is feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders and yet, is in no real control of what’s happening to him, but he carries the movie along nicely.
Conor
The Good David Yates is one of only two directors to direct more than one Harry Potter film having previously worked on the Order of the Phoenix and the Half-Blood Prince. The practice is certainly paying off and this movie is beautifully filmed with amazing action sequences, perfect CGI and fantastic performances from both the young and old cast. The opening sequence is wonderful. We see Voldemort's lair and his death eaters plotting to kill Harry alongside members of the Order of the Phoenix attempting to move Harry from his home on Privet Drive to a safe-house. The special effects are spot on and the movie continues as it begins. There is a calm segment in the middle where Harry, Hermione and Ron hide out in the forest but this only adds to the tension of the film and provides us with a view of some spectacular scenery. There's also a beautiful animated sequence in the middle of the movie to illustrate the story of the Deathly Hallows as told by Hermione. It was really unusual and really added depth to the film.
Lisa
The budding relationship between Ron and Hermione is starting to take centre stage and by now I’m sure any Potter fan will be glad to see the days of awkward teenage glances and blushing gone (sort of) and ready for at least a little kissing action between the pair, but that can wait, as a certain kissing scene between Harry and Hermione is made much more of than what’s in the book. Let’s just say there’s a lot less clothing and a lot more lip-locking, even if it is a figment of Ron’s imagination, thanks to the devilish ways of a Horcrux.
The Bad Anyone who may have missed this movie’s predecessor, a.k.a. Half-Blood Prince, may struggle to keep up with certain aspects of this film’s plot. Going into the theatre, you need to understand that Harry, Hermione and Ron are on the verge of heading out on the run, as the ministry has fallen and is now controlled by death eaters. Voldemort is in the ascendancy and that spells trouble for the wizarding world. Hogwarts is no longer safe and once thought of stalwarts are dropping like flies (maybe not so much in this part) but you immediately get the sense that tensions are running high. Typically of every Potter to date, “This one is darker!” Also beware that a peculiar mirror, which is not explained previously, is in Harry’s possession and it will play an important role in explaining things to come; that little bit of plot slipped through the net. Something that is severely lacking is enough screen time for actors such as Brendan Gleeson (Mad-Eye), Alan Rickman, who has a cameo at the start, and the always-delightful Bill Nighy, playing the new, not long for this world minister of magic.
Conor
I had only two issues with the movie. One is that there is no explanation or even discussion by the characters as to how a vital artefact that Harry is searching for ends up at the bottom of a pond near where he is camping. Avid fans of the book will remember the answer but it's not explained for everyone else. The other is that the ending is a bit of an anti-climax. Usually, when a movie is split into two parts you would expect a cliff-hanger but there's just a gentle slope at the end of The Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Lisa Conor
Conclusion While some of the action scenes are quite beautifully shot, a word of warning: blink and you might miss them. Yates’s style has always been to make a scene look great but he never dwells too long in its mystique and the film’s pace tends to be too sporadic. An overly quick and fast-paced beginning followed with a slightly dull middle and an ending that lacks any sort of awe-inspiring climax keeps this movie from being excellent while staying constantly good. It’s still a treat for any Potter fans out there who may enjoy a break from the constant setting of Hogwarts (which makes no appearance) and really is missed in ways. The stunning British landscape is used to its full potential and is a new character in itself, this being more of a road movie and all. Enjoy every second you can as the series comes to a close.
sport
page 26
Andy Carroll A worthy successor to Alan Shearer “It's every young Geordie lads' dream to be a Newcastle
which was reminiscent of two former Newcastle
United number nine and I'm so lucky to be given that
strikers. He had the battering ability of Duncan
chance. It's an opportunity I relish and intend doing my
Ferguson and the goal-scoring prowess of Alan Shearer.
utmost to do the shirt proud”. As Andy Carroll issued this statement at the start of this season, it is obvious
The real test for Carroll would come in facing Premier
what Newcastle had been lacking in their big-wage,
League standard defences. In fourteen games for
non-local policy of the past. The likes of Albert Luque,
Newcastle this season, he has netted eight times. He
Mark Viduka and Michael Owen never had the passion
has dominated physical centre backs like Richard
to follow in the footsteps of the greats like Jackie
Dunne, Christophe Samba and Titus Bramble and
Millburn, Malcolm MacDonald and Alan Shearer. It is
scored some pivotal goals, not least the one against
obvious that Carroll, who is a local lad from Gateshead
Arsenal on 7 November. This fine form led to a call-up
and has been at Newcastle United all his life, is thriving
into the England squad for the friendly against France
under the pressure of playing in the Premier League and
on 17 November. Carroll did not look out of depth
Carroll, at twenty-one, has just signed a new five year
wearing that special number nine shirt.
against a defensive master like Philippe Mexes. His
deal at Newcastle which will prepare him for his peak
hold-up play, defensive tracking back and technique
years. If he were to move to the likes of Manchester
With their relegation in 2009, Newcastle rebuilt
were all evident despite lousy service in the seventy
City, Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United, there is no
themselves as a club, not least in their striking
minutes he was on the pitch. He gives England perhaps
guarantee of a starting place and this would hinder his
department. With the departures of Viduka, Owen and
an unprecedented option of a strong target man with
development. Carroll possesses the loyalty and pride in
Obafemi Martins, Chris Hughton put his faith in the
skill.
the club shirt that is quite rare in the era of mercenary
then twenty-year-old Carroll to fire Newcastle back
footballers today. While he has had some off-field
into the Premier League. It was a risky move as Carroll
With the form he is in, Carroll could easily fall victim to
problems, these have not affected his brilliant club
had been a peripheral figure under the regimes of Kevin
the hype. This hype of an English striker has not been
form at all and it is obvious Chris Hughton is able to
Keegan, Joe Kinnear and Alan Shearer, starting only six
seen to this level since Wayne Rooney in 2003 but the
harness him and get the best out of his ability.
games. However, as the main man for Hughton in the
crucial difference between the two is that Carroll is
Championship, he netted an impressive nineteen goals
patient and biding his time. Rooney, an Evertonian, only
Andy Carroll could well go on to even eclipse Alan
in thirty-five games along with eight assists. He bulked
stayed at Everton one full season before moving to
Shearer’s exploits for Newcastle and England.
up his once-gangly frame and developed a potent mix,
Manchester United as a nineteen-year-old in 2004.
By Ciarán Kelly
Champions League week 5: Rooney’s return, Arsenal’s nightmare and Chelsea’s blushes spared by Malouda
Rangers 0 - 1 Manchester United Braga 2 - 0 Arsenal Chelsea 2 - 1 Zilina
The penultimate week of the Champions League
little to cheer for when Rooney coolly slotted home a
with 7 minutes to go and another in injury time to end
group stage saw Rangers face Manchester United in
penalty in the 87th minute to win the game. Fabio had
what was a nightmare of a night for the Londoner’s.
what was described as, “The battle of Britain” The Red
made a great run and as he headed the ball, a
Arsenal’s inconstancies are starting to come to the
Devils came into the game knowing a point would be
dangerously high boot from Naismith took the
fore and they are coming at a cost. Arsene Wenger’s
enough to secure a place in the last 16 while the Gers
Brazilian out in the box. The assistant behind the goal
side has it all to do in their final group game.
knew that anything less than a win would see them
had no option but to award the penalty. No team has
drop into the Europa League. While it was far from a
ever gone through the group stages without
Stamford Bridge witnessed Zilina take a shock lead in
battle, the match did see Rangers threaten United’s
conceding; only 90 minutes to go for United to
the 19th minute to further damage Chelsea’s weak
goal on several occasions in a game that was
possibly set another record.
morale as they tried to correct what has been there
ultimately dominated by the North Englanders.
worst run of defeats since Abramovich took over. It
United left Vidic and Ferdinand at home, instead
Arsenal endured a torrid time in Portugal against a
took until the second half for Chelsea to get going
opting for the pairing of Evans and Smalling, who
side they had beaten 6-0 in the reverse fixture only a
and hope came in the form of Daniel Sturridge when
managed well, but let Kenny Miller in on a few
few weeks ago. Braga played hosts to the Gunners
in the 51st minute he managed to draw the teams
occasions, who couldn’t make anything of his
who were all too happy to comply in playing out a
level as he side footed the ball home from a Kalou
opportunities. The focus was on Rooney’s first start in
boring first half. Carlos Vela had a good shout for a
cross. The Blues then went on to dominate the game
months and he looked like his former self, if not
penalty but the referee booked him for diving instead.
and it looked like their poor run of results was going
nearly as confident and detrimental to the opposition
Cesc Fabregas had to leave the game in the 70th
to continue, but Malouda turned out to be their savior
but certainly the fittest he’s been in a long time. The
minute with what was a continuation of his hamstring
when he fired the ball into the goal from close range
Ibrox was packed to the rafters, as is usually the case
injury, which will keep him out for three weeks. A big
with only minutes to go to keep Chelsea’s 100%
for most teams when United’s in town, but they had
loss for Arsenal. Braga snatched a goal on the break
record in the competition alive. By Conor Lane
sport
page 27
JOHN GILES: A FOOTBALL MAN Celebrating his 70th birthday this year, John Giles, one
Giles talks of heading over to Manchester on his own
day Clough
of Irelands greatest ever soccer players and well known
as a young fourteen year old for a two week trial, and
took over at
TV pundit has finally released his autobiography: John
meeting the great Matt Busby, his mother Kate
Leeds United,
Giles, A Football Man.
dreading the thoughts of him leaving home and being
Giles talks
angry at Billy Behan, the scout who noticed Giles
about what
From his upbringing at number 7A Ormond Square,
talents as the man who disturbed the peace at number
was actually
Dublin to mighty heights of Old Trafford and Elland
7A.
said when the
Road, this books tells a remarkable story of a young boy
players met
born with a natural gift and the dream of playing for his
From joining United in 1956, making his debut in 1959,
Clough for
childhood hero’s, Manchester United. Giles talks about
winning the FA Cup, and the famous move to Leeds
the first time,
cutting out pictures of united players in newspapers
United for £33,000 in 1963 as well as his Career with
an event which contributed to Clough’s short stay at
and putting them in a scrapbook, one day hoping to be
the Republic of Ireland, both as player and manager,
Elland Road.
among those great players.
Giles rise to the top is remarkable. This book mainly deals with Giles career as a footballer
With the Second World War taking place, Giles
From the highs and lows at Manchester United, Leeds
and merely touches on his career as a football pundit
thoughts still remained fully focused on football. He
United, West Brom, Shamrock Rovers and the Republic
with RTE. Perhaps there is another book in the
wasn’t concerned with the events gripping the world;
of Ireland, Giles talks of great players he got to play
making. Until then we have to do with this excellent
everything in his life was pure football. His father
with and against, Pele, Beckenbauer, Jackie and Bobby
book from a true footballing man. The perfect
Dickie and his grandfather ‘Darkie’ were the main
Charlton, Norman Hunter and Peter Lorimer just some
Christmas gift for anybody with an interest in football
influences in his career as a young aspiring footballer.
of the many players he talks glowingly of, and of course
and anybody with the same dream Giles had back in
He still recalls the day he got his first pair of football
being John Giles, he has few choice words about other
Ireland in the 1940’s, a dream he knew he would make a
boots, bought for him by his father, as one of the
players and managers he came up against, the great
reality.
happiest days of his life.
Brian Clough being one of them. Talking of the famous
By Damien McEvoy
Manchester United: the richest debtor in the world These are worrying times for Manchester United fans
club, the people who we will say, “Remember when
though David Gill (chairman) is adamant that they can
across the world. It seems hard to believe, when you
they were there”. Alex Ferguson has been in charge
buy anyone they want, which is probably true, the
consider they are one of the most successful clubs in
for a time longer than most of today’s college
facts are that they bought three young inexperienced
the history of the game, considerably more so in the
students have been alive and who in their right mind
players during the summer for a cost of £25 million in
last twenty years, but with debts rising above £500
would want to follow that act? The name Jose
a time where they desperately need to find
million, their long-term future is far from stable.
Mourinho is bandied about when it comes to his
replacements for Ronaldo, Tevez and eventually Giggs
successor but even though he’s a man of great success,
and Scholes.
So who is to blame for this problem? Well, if you look
he doesn’t bring long-term stability to a club, as he
at the manner in which the Glazer family bought the
likes to move on to other challenges, usually within
As Wayne Rooney’s personal life comes under
club back in 2005, it being a heavily debt-ridden
four years of joining a team.
increasingly disrupting scrutiny over his alleged
purchase, this meant that they only used around £275
Then there’s Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary
affairs, possible questions are now being answered as
million of their own money in a deal worth £790
Neville. Speaking as a huge fan of the club, I do not
to why he had he had such a poor World Cup but it’s
million. They bought something they couldn’t afford
see any players of their talent coming up through the
a big bonus that he’s back and looking fittest he’s
and now the team is paying the price. Can you blame
ranks, which is worrying when the club does not dip
been in a while although can expect a great deal of
them? Not really, since it became anyone’s right to
into the transfer market the way it used to. I believe
abuse from away fans for the remainder of this
buy the club after it became a publicly traded
they have adequate replacements for Gary Neville, as
season. It seems the world just crashed down on him
company. Do not fear for the club’s longevity though,
his position is easier to fill, but how do you replace
the day he sprained his ankle in Munich, but he’s back
as they bought one of the most profitable sports
the other two, when they have been two of the most
and looks ready to make up for lost time. For the club
franchises in the world, so the chances of Man United
talented players of their generation? Giggs and
to succeed, he is most definitely needed in good form.
ever going under are next to impossible odds.
Scholes at the tender ages of 37 and 35 respectively
It is fantastic that Nemanja Vidic, who is now the club
are still influencing proceedings at the highest level,
captain, will be staying on after speculation that his
So in what ways is the team suffering? The general
Giggs being the club’s most decorated player and
family was unhappy in Manchester. He is the rock of
infrastructure of the club is exemplary with a stadium,
Scholes one of the best box to box, pass-mastering
the defence and the most consistent centre-back they
training facilities and fan base envied the world over.
midfielders of all time. So how do you replace them if
have. It is my opinion that the club will always be
The more immediate concerns will be who can come
not through the academies? You go out and buy,
great but uncertainty lies in just how great they will
in to replace the soon to be retiring legends of the
which is a problem for the club these days. Even
be in the coming years. By Conor Lane
sport
page 28
2010 - A Sporting Year,
By Mark Kelly
What a year it has been in the sporting world. Old favourites claimed titles and accolades, but newcomers and rank outsiders also showed that you can never predict what is going to happen next in the world of sport. Let’s start with football, which had a great year on the pitch but a bad year off. In the Premier League, Chelsea piped Manchester United to the post in a rollercoaster of a year, with United fighting back to regain the lead only to see Chelsea beat them controversially at Old Trafford and keeping the lead and taking the title to North London. In South Africa, France’s capitulation gave the Irish reason to believe there is such thing as karma, while Spain’s extravagant brand of football overcame the Dutch hack ‘em mentality, giving football a much needed boost. Off the pitch, greed has consumed the gamer, with 2 Fifa officials banned for vote-fixing in return for money, Liverpool owners Hicks and Gillett trying to get as much money as they could from Liverpool at the expense of the club, and Birmingham showing a bitter side by banning former chairman and West Ham co-owner James Gold. Rugby had a bad year in Ireland. After the joys of a Grand Slam and unbeaten 2009, Ireland failed to hit even an average of their last year as they fell to defeat against France and Scotland to lose the Triple Crown, and this was compounded by defeats to South Africa and Australia through the year. However, it finished on a high note with Ireland playing valiantly against New Zealand, still losing but looking like next year may be a good one. Ospreys pipped Leinster to the Magners League, while Toulouse took the pinnacle of club rugby in the Stade de France. GAA saw the dominance of the main teams finally broken. In football, Leinster and Connacht championships both went to outsiders, albeit the fairytale of Louth should have materialised as they were cheated out of Leinster glory by Meath, while Roscommon showed they are no longer the forgotten team of Connaught. Dublin, who have always been underperformers at the All-Ireland stage, showed what their youngsters could do, as Cork just pipped them in what will be considered a great year for them. However, the year belonged to Cork, who lifted a deserved Sam Maguire. However, in hurling, it looked like Kilkenny’s dominance would not be broken- right to the final, where Tipperary, who were massive underdogs, put on a stellar display to beat the Cats and take the title back to the Premier. And, it cannot be forgotten that NUIG also had hurling success this year. After a 30 year wait, the hurling team final managed to overcome the challenge and in front of their fellow students, lifted the Fitzgibbon cup after a narrow one-point extra time victory over WIT in an entertaining match. One of the most exciting sports this year was Formula 1. Michael Schumacher, considered by many to be the greatest driver of all time, made his return to the sport, but it was a disappointing one, with the young charges showing him up. However, the tail-end of the season saw him approaching his former best, and testing for next season has him at the top again. However, it was the title race that rightly took the headlines. For long periods of the season, it looked like the Red Bull car was the one to beat. However, Alonso of Ferrari very nearly one, and when a coded team message told Massa “Alonso is faster than you” all signs pointed to Alonso being Ferrari’s favourite child. And with one race to go, it looked like those seven extra points would win him the title. However, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won the title on the last race to put a thrilling end to a thrilling season. Well, another sporting year has gone by, one full of controversy, thrills, spills and entertainment. And next year is shaping up to be exactly the same...
sport
page 29
Rugby: If it’s not broken... A little question I’d like to pose to the IRB, “What the f**k are you doing to this sport of ours?” Anybody watching the autumn internationals cannot have missed the utter confusion arising at the tackle area and in the scrum. By constantly tweaking and updating the laws, the IRB are placing players, referees, coaches and fans in an awkward position with different interpretations commonplace and frustration mounting. Let’s not forget the patronising rationale behind these laws (which clouds the reality that Australia were the nation forcing changes into the sport) that spectators could not possibly understand the breakdown and its many rules so to cut down on penalties we’ll swing the contest totally in favour of the attacking side and in the process guarantee more tries. The result however has been countless reset scrums, more penalties than ever at the tackle area, and a sport that, as a spectacle, is a shadow of its former self. So the initial ridiculous draft of ELVs have come and gone with a few of the less drastic ones managing to stick. However in 2010 we still encounter unwelcome changes which serve only to confuse all involved. The latest interpretation of the tackle area, Law 15.6(c), is not merely a change to the game, it’s a contradiction of how the tackle has for years been taught. For a defender to take down the opposition and rise to his feet to challenge for the ball before
supporting attackers create the ruck, considering the pace the sport is played at, is a remarkable skill. It’s the very reason Brian O’ Driscoll is widely considered the best backline defender in the game. Against the Springboks two weeks ago, however, BOD was penalised for this skill. To say the alternative suggested by the IRB is idealistic is an understatement. How a tackler is going to have time to release the player, get to his feet, and enter a ruck from behind is beyond my explanation. Not only that, but there has been a notable increase in the amount of attackers who are deemed ‘not held’ and allowed to advance after a legitimate tackle. Defenders are left with three choices: a) make the tackle and consider that job done; b) tackle and try to release the player before challenging, running the risk that he’ll get up; or c) opt for the old skill and hope the referee recognises the folly of the new rule. The greatest travesty comes at scrum time. Even under the old laws the scrum was a lottery at the best of times. I concede that it is a difficult aspect for referees to marshal; is one prop collapsing or is one not taking legitimate pressure? Is one team boring in or has the scrum legally gone 90 degrees? Etc. But the level of
Sportsfile: Eddie Mullarkey This week I took a short intermission from my regular evaluation of the sporting life in NUIG and attended the sports scholarship awards evening on Tuesday 23rd November. This spectacle is an annual event, which commemorates outstanding athleticism in the college. In the depths of the Governmental schemes which plan to slash grant funding and increase the registration fee to €2000, it’s relieving to know that our sporting exploits will not be included in this financial transition. Students from across the nation were awarded their sporting achievements with these highly commendable grants on Tuesday night and none were more appreciative of the offering than 1ST year Arts, Theatre and Performance student and member of the eight man Rowing team, Eddie Mullarkey. “I was delighted to be awarded the grant, I have been rowing for seven years now and I’m thrilled
to be offered this for doing something I love. Ruain, the sports administrator suggested that I apply for the grant but I never thought that I would get it”. Eddie first became involved in the rowing team last year and despite grappling with the intensive study schedule of a Leaving Cert student, he maintained his training commitments and has since encountered no problems coupling both. “I found the training to be a huge benefit to my studies and had very little difficulty keeping a balance. Training is physically demanding but so long as your energy levels are well managed, it’s controllable”. Eddie applies himself to a grueling training regime, which incorporates an 11 session timetable and requires a large quantity of food to fuel his performance. An unknown fact about the sport is that while there is a necessity to be physically strong and muscular, there is a greater demand to be fit. “You can’t have one without the other but fitness is more important. My training is particularly hard at the weekends, I
inconsistency and guesswork in this area is unacceptable. The brainwave to insert a minutes silence between “pause” and “engage” has also backfired to the extent that the command may as well be “crouch, collapse, reset.” Am I alone in thinking the sport was fine as it was? Think of the 1997 and 2001 Lions tours, the 2003 World Cup, countless Heineken Cup seasons, all gripping contests and fitting advertisements for the sport with the tried and tested rules. I worry for the future of Rugby Union, especially considering the farcical ELVs which involved the abolition of the beautiful rolling maul and the conversion of penalties to free kicks implemented in the southern hemisphere. The IRB don’t own the sport, it’s not theirs to destroy. By Ian Cusack
Sport: Rowing, Age: 18 Course: 1st Arts row for 24km and then in the evenings I do a weights session. There’s an alternate pattern of intense and light sessions that go by a weekly basis”. The grant will assist greatly in such a task through an increased accessibility to the gym, for fitness and weights work, increased funding, more nutritional and health provisions and general improvement of his training preparations. “I dislocated my shoulder about two weeks ago so I’m really lucky that the grant can be used to pay for physio treatment so that I can get back to training as soon as possible”. The Galwegian informs me that our college is the current winners of the ‘Cork Regatta’ competition and National Championships, which the squad wishes to build on for this year by winning Henley. He also mentions that his inspiration in the sport is Cormack Follan who is the 7th in the eight-man team. By Sinéad Farrell
clubs page
page 30
NUI Galway’s Sports Unit would like to wish you the best of luck in your exams, a very merry Christmas and a safe New Year.
Date for your Diary …… Don’t forget second semester’s Clubs Day will place Congrats to NUI Galway’s Dart Club who recently claimed its' first U.D.A.I. All-Ireland University Darts Championship, pictured with Kathy Hynes Development Officer for Clubs & Participation.
on January 13th in the University Sports Complex. With over 45 Clubs, join a club in January and play your part!
NUI Galway’s Inline Hockey Captain Barry Flannery presenting Emer Caplice with her Failte Festival Prize, new Inline skates.
Sports Leadership Alumni Programme NUI Galway Judo Club were awarded best single day event at
Kathy's Corner
the CUSAI Inter Collegiate Event of the Year in October, for
Kathy Hynes Development Officer for Clubs & Participation
acknowledged for their efforts in organising and hosting the
the manner in which they hosted the annual Judo Championships in Galway in February 2010. The club was event in which colleges from around the country took part. The club is delighted to have won this award as they finished
Don’t forget the Scanning Kiosk is now up and running in the University Sports Complex, all indoor clubs should be using it!
runners up in 2005-2006 in the same category. Credit is given to the Judo trainer Colm O’Riordan, the captain for the year 2009-2010, Alan Mordaunt and all of the committee members
Congrats to Cian McFadden and Grant Sexton who passed their Club diver** exam with GSAC this week. Thank you to all Clubs for all their hard work in Semester 1. Have a lovely Christmas break and come back in the New Year ready for a great sporting 2011!
that were involved in the organisation. Pictured representing NUIG’s Judo Club (from left to right) Andrew Mulligan, Alumni, Siobhan Harkin, 3rd year science, Sarah Dillion, 3rd year science, Joe Geoghan, 3rd year science.
Sports Unit Christmas Party
page 31
Happy Christmas and best of luck in the exams! Nollaig Shona agus ádh mór sna scrúdaithe!