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 7 , 2 5 . 0 1 . 2 0 1 1
Pic: Eibhlin Seoighthe
CUBA, 903, CELLAR AND HARVEST CLOSE AS RECESSION BITES
By Méabh McDonnell & Richard Manton On New Year’s Day, the Jona Group – which owns Cuba*, The Cellar Bar, Bar 903 and Harvest Off-Licences – went into liquidation, resulting in the immediate closure of all premises. The club, pubs and off-licences were extremely popular student venues and
their closure has been met by shock and disappointment from NUIG students. The matter is even worse for the establishments’ 85 workers, many of which were students, who lost their jobs without notice. The premises entered into voluntary liquidation with losses of over €4 million, which
have been been attributed to a combination of low sales and high rents. John Grealish, a director of the Jona Group, said: “Since the start of the recession in June 2008 the sales in these three businesses have fallen by between 20 per cent and 50 per cent. In the last two years we have tried to manage the effects of the downturn by reducing costs.” Mr. Grealish stated that
remaining businesses in the Jona Group which include, McCanns SuperValu Moycullen, McCanns Centra Moycullen and Centra Ballybrit have been unaffected. Coincidentally, cheaper drinks prices in supermarkets, such as these owned by the Jona Group, are being blamed for the many closures of nighttime venues across the country. Val Hanley, a
former president of the Vintners Federation of Ireland and a former mayor of Galway, said: “The pub business and independent off license business has taken an awful hammering in the last year. The big supermarkets have a monopoly on the price of alcohol and pubs cannot compete with it.” See pages 16 and 17 for comment.
NEWS Green Week
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Hunt report recommends student loan scheme this week By Grainne Coyne Minister for Education, Mary Coughlan, has announced that a student loan scheme for graduates could be introduced. The Hunt Report on Higher Education suggests that graduates would have to repay debts of at least €25,000 after completion of their degrees. There was also an insistence of rises on the Student Contribution Charge, a.k.a. the registration fee, which was announced in the Budget last December. It was also suggested by the Hunt Report that on the return of student fees, students would have to pay upfront for most third level courses. The proposed student loan schemes could take on average ten years for graduates to repay the minimum debt of the new scheme yet this figure could vary with interest rates. It has been recommended that the debt on graduates be broken down into annual fees of €5000 which could be repayable through a taxation system once students have reached a starter income after graduation.
By Richard Manton
The proposed new student loan scheme is similar to the former Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe’s “study now, pay later” plan. Two years ago O’Keeffe established a strategy group chaired by Dr. Colin Hunt who worked with Brian Cowen when he was Minister of Finance to perform a report on education, yet despite all this time spent on the Hunt report it has only been met with lukewarm reviews. SU President, Peter Mannion, said: “NUI Galway Students’ Union has examined the proposal of a student loan scheme in detail, and given the enormous difficulties which the Australian government has had with the scheme, including recently writing off billions of Australian dollars in student debt, we feel that this is a completely unworkable system for Ireland. “ He continued: “ the proposal for a student loan scheme will be a regressive step for this country and will only serve to encourage emigration among the best and brightest from NUI Galway”
The fourth annual NUI Galway Green Week will take place on campus from 24 to 27 January. As part of the annual event NUI Galway will hold a Green Fair on Tuesday, 25 January, in the Bailey Allen Hall. The Fair will feature activities and awareness stands organised by various NUI Galway societies and by the Buildings Office, NUI Galway, and will focus strongly on fashion and the environment. Students of the Galway Technical Institute (GTI) training in Business Fashion Retail are collaborating with NUI Galway students and staff to organise a bring-and-buy sale of preloved clothes. This re-use of clothes is a highly effective way for one person to clear out their wardrobe while someone else benefits from a new or ‘nearly-new’ piece. According to NUI Galway’s Environmental Manager, Dr. Aoife Collins: “All financial donations received from the clothes sale will be given to the St. Vincent de Paul, Galway. The GTI students will also give
demonstrations on how to turn jaded outfits into fashion gems which otherwise may be sent to landfill. They will also create an eye-catching shopwindow display of mannequins wearing recycled materials.” Anyone wishing to donate clothes, accessories or old mobile phones for the Green Fair can leave them into the Socs Box office in Áras na Mac Léinn up until Monday, 24 January. During Green Week the Galway Market Traders will be stationed outside Áras na Mac Léinn from 25 to 26 January. In addition, a major factbased panel discussion titled Averting a Future Irish Energy Crisis will take place at 7pm in the O'Flaherty Lecture Theatre, located on the main Concourse on Wednesday, 26 January. The discussion will bring together experts in the fields of energy technology, policy, innovation and business and is organised by the Chemistry, Energy and Physics Societies at NUI Galway.
Report into racism in the Galway taxi industry Last December, the Irish Centre for Human Rights released a report assessing allegations of racism within the Galway taxi industry (which can easily be accessed at the Centre’s website, www.nuigalway.ie/human_righ ts/ridingalongwithracism.html). Claims and counter-claims of racism in Galway and the larger Irish society have grown in number and prominence since the beginning of the “Celtic tiger” phenomenon, when immigration to the island accelerated. The issue has intensified recently with the straightened circumstances and inevitably increased competition and tensions brought on by the current financial recession.
The Centre’s report has made an important contribution to this very public debate, sparking much commentary in the local and national media. Yet the value of this contribution is in its evidence based methodology and sustained investigation within the focussed remit of alleged racism within the Galway taxi industry, not as a stick to aimlessly stir a wider debate on racism in Irish society. It provides a way forward, a human rights-based approach to our consumer choices, not just another spin of the wheel of generalised claim and counter-claim in an often emotional and ungrounded argument. Not surprisingly, the key is in
the content of the report, and the catch is in actually reading it. Also not surprising is that few who disparage the report seem to have got past the catch. As a stick to stir argument the report is just a cover with the words “Riding Along With Racism?” on it. But as a considered academic assessment providing a way forward it is a 60 page document refined from months of investigation and observation, collated, analysed, structured, sent out to all those referred to for comments then incorporated, edited and peer reviewed, and finally launched. This is a far cry from a 100 word letter from an individual posted in the Galway
Advertiser, or an opinion aired in a taxi cab. Among the 16 recommendations the report makes is that NUIG require an employment diversity plan for all contracts for procurement for the purchase of goods and services and that any evidence of racial discrimination disqualifies a bid. All readers
are urged to consider this and other recommendations with a view to their implementation by NUIG, the Galway City Council, the Galway Chamber of Commerce, the Commission on Taxi Regulation and the government of Ireland. By Josh Curtis
NEWS
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Múscailt festival launched in style By Richard Manton The annual Múscailt festival was launched last Wednesday in a kaleidoscope of colour. Attendees were treated to two songs from the musical ‘The Wedding Singer’, which will be performed throughout the week. The arts festival will
Energy Night on campus this week By Sinéad Burke Top experts from the fields of energy technology, policy, innovation and business will come together in NUI Galway on Wednesday, 26 January, 2011 to discuss the future of energy in Ireland. The Energy Night has been organised by the Chemistry, Energy and Physics Societies at NUI Galway. The NUI Galway Energy Night will open at 5:30pm in the Orbsen Building Foyer with a showcase of the rich and varied range of cutting-edge energy research currently underway at the University. With presenters working in areas from bio fuels to wave energy, and smart buildings to smart grids, the showcase will provide attendees and researchers alike with the opportunity to meet, learn and exchange ideas on the future of energy in Ireland. Following this, a major fact-based panel discussion entitled Averting a Future Pic: Leah Mollica Irish Energy Crisis will be held at 7pm in the O Flaherty Lecture Theatre, located on the main Concourse. RTE’s Environmental Editor Paul Cunningham will moderate the discussion. Panel participants include Professor J. Owen Lewis, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Paul Lynam, Chief Executive of Siemens Ireland, Emeritus Professor at
the Combustion Chemistry Centre NUI Galway and acclaimed fuels researcher John Simmie, Neil Walker, Head of the Energy and Environment Unit at the Irish Business Employers Confederation (IBEC), and Philip Walton, Emeritus Professor of Physics at NUI Galway and nationally-renowned nuclear energy expert. The hope is that the NUI Galway Energy Night will be a spark that ignites enhanced understanding, interaction and collaboration between energy stakeholders in the policy, business, technological and academic spheres as well as the public. The event is made possible by the generosity of sponsors Enerit Ltd., the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) and SEAI. The entire event is open to all members of the public. If you are interested in attending the panel discussion please email nuigenergy@gmail.com as space in the lecture theatre is limited. More information on NUI Galway Energy Night is available at https://sites.google.com/site/nuigener gynight2011/ and the facebook page NUIG Energy Night or by contacting Rory Monaghan at rory.monaghan@nuigalway.ie or 085 1509336.
begin on Monday, 7th February and runs until Saturday, 12th February. There will be a range of special guests, including the sculptor, Ana Pérez Pereda, and the artist, José Maria Mollina. Most events will take place on campus with other performances in the Black Box Theatre.
NUIG FEE protest Frank Fahey By Áine Mannion
On Monday 17th January, Fianna Fáil held a public meeting in the Clayton Hotel that ended in protest and walkouts. Both the speakers, Frank Fahey TD and Dr Alan Ahearne (NUIG), as well as the chair, Aer Arann’s Padraig O’Céidigh, seemed surprised at the level of anger at Fianna Fáil and the state of the nation which was present in the 200-strong crowd. Fahey accepted Fianna Fáil’s upcoming electoral defeat and spent most of his speech scaremongering against a Fine Gael/Labour coalition. Although he has spent the last two years on secondment to the Department of Finance, Dr Ahearne still insisted that he was an independent while spending an hour and a half explaining the need for cutbacks through Yogi bear, trains, and bazookas. The tension continued to rise throughout the Questions and Answers as those with questions about the real impact of the cuts were interrupted with shouts of “go on Frank, good man!” or found their questions unanswered by the panel. When NUIG student Senan Mac Aoidh asked ‘will you be suffering with all
your apartments and houses around the place?’ Fahey merely said that he would ‘make no apology to anybody for building up a property portfolio over the years.’ Another NUIG student, FEE member Joe Loughnane, asked how education cuts, registration fee increases, and huge emigration did not compel Mr Fahey to resign. The lack of any direct response led to a walkout by FEE. As Galway Unites Against Cuts and many others joined the walkout the meeting was called to an end. While FEE protested, Frank Fahey was taken away leaving Dr Ahearne to deal with the angry public who wanted to know how he could praise wage cuts for others while receiving €130,000 per year picnic-basket himself. The most unsettling part of the meeting was how out of touch Fianna Fáil appeared to be with the damage and pain they have inflicted on the nation through their cuts. Adding to this they expected that they could avoid dealing with the anger of the public, which understands the meaning of the cutbacks all too well.
NEWS
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1200 students pack into one nightclub for charity By Gabby Connolly Labelled ‘The NUIG back to college party’, a society event attracted over 1200 students to CP's nightclub on Monday January 10th. The event which was organised by Sean Burke and Elaine Whelan from the Accountancy and Finance society was set up to raise money for Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Dublin and is one of the biggest parties ever organised by NUIG students. Over the Christmas break, the organisers launched a mass advertising campaign that garnered immense exposure for the event which saw over 1000 flyers distributed and a smartly advertised facebook event page created which attracted over 1400 students as guests within just 8 days.
New Deadline for ROPES journal B y Va l e r i e Ha r t n e t t The deadline for NUI Galway’s literary journal ROPES (Review of Postgraduate English Studies) has been extended until January 31st .This is to facilitate students who wish to submit to the journal. All literary and/or artistic submissions are welcome. Literary submissions cannot exceed 5,000 words and artwork will be reproduced in black and white in the journal. Submissions are limited to three pieces per person, and must be submitted on or before 31st of January 2011. Send fiction, one-act plays and poetry etc. to ropesgalway@gmail.com Artists, submit to ropesdesign@gmail.com All proceeds will be donated to AWARE.
On the night students were queuing from 10.30pm to gain access to the event, with the line for the nightclub circling from the entrance of CP's around to the entrance of GPO within just an hour. Commenting on the event Sean said that it couldn't have went better and that his and Elaine’s experience from organising the 1000 student summer after exams party really helped when it came to devising the marketing campaign. Commenting Pic:that Aisling Gaffney on future parties he said the society is in talks to organise a 2000 student party in CP's, Halo and Karma to launch college week and raise further money for crumlins childrens hospital and also another 1000 student summer after exams party.
Student group launched to promote enterprise By Aengus Fitzgerald A new student group, SEEN - Student Enterprise Exchange Network has been launched as an initiative on campus in NUI Galway with the aim of actively supporting, promoting & developing a spirit and culture of enterprise among the student population at NUI Galway. The group was set up to support and encourage NUI Galway students to break the mould and make their own mark. SEEN is open to students of all faculties and will be holding a number of events during the year - guest speaker, fun and exciting competitions and social events like ‘Speed Networking’. The group is supported by The Research Office, NUI Galway, Careers Office, CELT, Graduate Studies, TTO, SIF ACE and hopes to provide members with an excellent opportunity to network, learn new skills and enhance your entrepreneurial capabilities. Contact: seen.nuigalway@gmail.com 091 493550 Facebook@Seen NuiGalway
Applications Now Open for the Washington Ireland Program By Eamonn Fitzgerald The Washington-Ireland Program (WIP) is an NUI Galway-sponsored sixmonth programme of personal and professional development that brings outstanding university students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to Washington DC for summer internships and leadership training. In Washington, participants gain firsthand experience of a mature political process and are exposed to a culture of diversity. Through an intense eightweek schedule, WIP interns are formed into a team and challenged to develop their vision for the future of post-conflict Ireland. Students gain invaluable practical experience by completing internships in US government, media, business and nonprofit organizations. To date more than 400 young adults
from Ireland have graduated from WIP, representing twenty-five different universities throughout the UK and Ireland. Many graduates are now emerging in important careers in politics, law, business, communications, education and community organizations. WIP are currently in the process of searching for the Class of 2011. The application process is now open, and is scheduled to close on the 7th of February. SU President, Peter Mannion, along with WIP Ireland Director Bryan Patten, will be hosting an information session in NUI Galway on the 27th of January in AC214 (on the Concourse) beginning at 6:00pm. For more information please visit www.wiprogram.org
Dramsoc pull off 24 hours of theatre By Méabh McDonnell DramSoc pulled off an unusual feat between Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th of January. A full theatre production was written, cast and performed all within 24 hours.
Allow me to be Frank and was a small single act production of a moving story. Those in attendance described it as “a really impressive achievement” and “brilliantly executed”.
The event was a fundraiser for the Irish Student Drama Association Festival which NUIG’s DramSoc are hosting from 5th-12th March. The performance was simply titled
The performace played to a full house and recieved a standing ovation from the audience and participants said “It was amazing how everything came together and everyone’s ideas gelled.”
editorial/LETTERS SIN TEAM Editor Richard Manton
page 5
Welcome back to another semester at NUIG! I trust everyone’s Christmas was delightful. A big hello to all the new Americans!
sadden none more than the 85 workers (many, if not most of them, students) whose jobs have been lost as a result.
Unfortunately, not everyone had a happy new year as students returned to fundamentally changed social atmosphere around Galway City. On New Year’s Day, the Jona Group entered voluntary liquidation thereby closing Cuba*, The Cellar Bar, Bar 903 and the Harvest off-licence chain. This, I’m sure, will sadden many tile-hitting, tipple-drinking students, but it will
The owners blamed low sales (2050% drop) and high rent (unchanged in years) for the accumulation of losses. The closures come at a time when GPO is closed for renovations – narrowing options further.
editor@sin.ie News Editors Méabh McDonnell Gráinne Coyne Reviews Editor Darragh O’Connor Literary Editor Johanna Stock Sports Editor
Dear Sir,
Conor Lane Web Editor Chris Cosgrove Photography Leah Mollica Layout Tom Parandyk Contributors Josh Curtis Sinéad Burke Áine Mannion Gabby Connolly Valerie Hartnett Aengus Fitzgerald Eamonn Fitzgerald William Boyce John Cox Colleen Ní Bhaistir Síle Ní Dhóláin Brídín Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh Fiona Ní Mháille Anne-Marie Fitzgerald Kate Smyth Aisling Scally Aibhlín O’Leary Steven Conroy Miceala O’Donovan Ronan Cannon Lisa Jackson Shane Leonard Emer McHugh Damien McEvoy Ciarán Kelly Michael O’Connor Conrad Clancy Síle Johnson Fintan Keown
With our current government crumbling beneath the monumental weight of its own mediocrity and ineptitude, the spectacle would be comical were it not for the disastrous state of our economy. The whole thing has taken on the aura of a very badly directed Gilbert and Sullivan opera, with some cabinet members playing Gombeen versions of the Duke of Plaza-Toro and leading their fleeing regiments “at the fore-o”. Nor should we forget the role of the Green Party in propping up these comic actors, only to jump ship when it had almost hit the rocks. It is easy to understand why so many have become disillusioned with Irish politics. As a clergyman, a former secondary school teacher and a current student of NUIG, I like so many others was deeply saddened by the sporadic violence of a small minority at last year’s student protests. All people of good sense recognise that such behaviour is in no way illustrative of students in general. However, I would appeal to all students reading this to remember that the greatest weapon you will ever wield is the ballot paper. In this regard the pen is, indeed, mightier than the sword. Only by actually going out and voting can you have a
However, the most worrying part of all this is not the more difficult choice of night-life venue, but the
real say in your governed future. For years we have had a steady procession of mediocrities elected to Leinster House, a result perhaps influenced by the regular voting of a certain age bracket content to vote along party lines or “the way me father voted”. The consequence is an expensively dressed version of Ballymagash County Council. Your vote can make a real difference, but only if you vote for someone of vision and energy and someone with a new angle on our current problems. Fianna Fáil and the Greens have proved that they are unworthy of consideration. There is huge goodness, energy and decency in the young people of this country and without them Ireland is finished. Mobilise that energy and go out and vote on polling day. By doing so, you will create a real revolution in Irish politics. When Cowen et al are finally voted out of office, I would suggest that they go to their local town halls to audition for any forthcoming productions of ‘The Mikado’ or ‘The Gondoliers’. At least then we could all have a good laugh at their antics, without shuddering for the future. Yours, etc. Rev. Declan Kelly
possibilities of far more closures across the city and the monopolising of many services. These specific closures may have an impact on Galway’s clubculture, but it could get a lot worse.
locations were to remain empty for a substantial period.
All that said, the likelihood seems to be that most (if not all) of the venues will re-open under new management. Each premises has a prime location – Eyre Square, Eglinton Street, Wood Quay and across from the Spanish Arch. It would be hard to believe if these
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On a side note, I would like to encourage anyone who is considering getting involved in Sin to do so. We are always looking for new writers and no experience or commitment is required. Take a look at page 15 to find out about writing for Sin and other volunteering opportunities across campus.
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page 6
A statement from the Students’ Union Education Officer – Emmet Connolly The Students’ Union is pleased to have reached agreement with the library management that the key benefits of the former Desk Reserve system will be delivered in alternative ways. An effective alternative to desk reserve was a priority for me throughout semester one. I want students reading this to know that desk reserve was always a key issue for me with the library and university management. After a number of meetings from September through to December, we agreed that access to books in highest demand will be available through a new 3 Hour Loan Collection which is located at the Customer Services Desk in the Library. Students will be able to borrow these books for three hour periods right up until the end of this year’s Semester 2 exams. It will not be possible for students to re-issue books from the 3 Hour Loan Collection to themselves, which was a major flaw of the old desk reserve system. A range of other measures described by the Librarian in another article in this issue will improve access to course books. It should be pointed out that NUI Galway students have fared much better than students in other colleges such as Trinity and UCD. Over the past two years, our library opening hours have actually increased rather than decreased as they have in other colleges, and that the I and my colleagues in the Students’ Union have secured extensions in the opening hours of the Reading Room from closing at 11pm to 1.30am. As well as this, detailed discussions regarding the complete renovation of the Reading Room are well under way, and I hope that students will see major improvements in the facilities available there by September 2011.
Desk Reserve is dead. Long live, Desk Reserve. Desk Reserve of old is dead. It is no more. This it seems is something we now have to accept. There is however, a hope of sorts. A new and some might argue an improved version of Desk Reserve is being set up. The situation as it stands will see a system in place for all disciplines, where the most sought after books will be placed behind the reception at the library entrance, where they can be borrowed for 3 hours at a time before they must be returned. The major catch here being that for a book to 'qualify' for this special placement in the new Desk Reserve, it must already have been borrowed extensively. This, apparently, is to prevent lecturers from requesting large lists of books - taking up valuable space behind the reception desk – which have not, and seemingly therefore, will not be used. There is a kind of logic there. Sort of. There is a distinct lack of communication between academics – who plan students’ reading lists – and library management and unfortunately, there is the obvious problem where students will only try to check out books for an assignment once they have been given the said assignment. It is unlikely a precious book will be checked out before students are aware they need it. This could easily disrupt the 'must be checked out 3 times previously' system, which will naturally result in a lot of students vying for the same books at the same time. Although Desk Reserve as we knew it is gone, a compromise was secured. Class reps, such as Owen Harney – the rep for my class who took a personal interest in bringing this issue up in SU meetings - along with negotiators from the SU have been successful in bringing the not-as-good-as-before-but better-than-nothing version of Desk Reserve back for the students. Credit where credit is due. I understand in any negotiation no one side will get all they want and a compromise must be reached, and the result is just that. A compromise. The important thing now is to keep what little we have left. This new Desk Reserve has only been guaranteed until the end of the exams for Semester 2. This means that every academic year, or worst case, every semester, the terms will have to be renegotiated. The ultimate aims, as I understand them, is to eventually have all books digitized and downloadable and the hard copies will have RFID tags inserted to avoid them being successfully hidden. What a wonderful idea. Until then, we as students must ensure that the diminished Desk Reserve remains in place. After all, when a brand new bypass is replacing an old potholed road, the old road is not closed before the new one is opened. Basic common sense. So there we have it. A less than perfect outcome, but certainly much better than the threat imposed upon us of the complete removal of Desk Reserve. Come SU election time, make sure the relevant candidates know that they will only get a vote if Desk Reserve will be fought for and terms renegotiated each and every time it is necessary to do so, including ironing out any unforeseen problems with the new set up. Clearly management need to be reminded of what is important and the SU are willingly putting themselves in a position to fight for what the student deems important. As always has been the case, it is our responsibility to give them something to fight for. By William Boyce
page 7
Getting (Hold) of Course Books in the Library As noted in an article published in the
Library holds copies of all reading list
Students can help too. Call to the
last issue of Sin, and commented on by a
books”. These findings indicated a
Reading List Desk in the Library foyer
number of respondents in the recent
serious problem, a lot larger than just
and give us any reading lists you have so
LibQual survey, the Library discontinued
Desk Reserve. The Library is now re-
that we can copy them and follow up as
its Desk Reserve service last Summer.
directing staff effort from administering
necessary. The desk will operate until
This article explains why this decision
a system which was largely not working
28th January; please take your list to the
was taken and outlines a series of
as intended towards a more systematic
Customer Services Desk after that date.
measures, involving the deployment of
approach whose aim is to improve
Academic staff can email reading lists to
additional resources and new
access to course reading lists. A series of
readinglists@nuigalway.ie.
technologies, being taken to deliver a
measures is described in the rest of this
major improvement in course reading
article. Constructive engagement with
Online Access: The printed book is
list support. In a nutshell, the Desk
Students Union officers has been a big
limited as a way of satisfying high
Reserve system represented a sticking
help in planning for Semester 2.
demand. Online access enables many
plaster rather than a root-and-branch
people to use the same book at once.
solution to the whole issue of providing
Better Access to Course Books
The Library is pursuing two avenues
effective access to the full range of
3-Hour Loan Collection: About 10% of
towards increased online access to
course reading material and a variety of
the books in the previous Desk Reserve
course reading materials. Firstly, we are
alternative approaches is needed.
system circulated frequently. Until the
buying online versions of course books
end of May, there will be a 3-Hour Loan
where they exist. If only a part of a book
Desk Reserve
Collection for books in high demand
is needed for course purposes, we can
Under the Desk Reserve system some
available for use within the Library only.
usually scan the relevant material and
academic staff advised the Library of
These books will be kept behind the
make an electronic copy accessible via
books, they expected to be in high
Customer Services Desk, will need to be
Blackboard in accordance with the
demand and these books were relocated
issued by staff at that Desk and returned
licence negotiated by the Irish
to a separate security-controlled area
to the same location. Library staff will
Copyright Licensing Agency and
where they were made available for
monitor levels of demand and identify
purchased annually by the University.
borrowing on 3- or 24-hour loan. This
books for inclusion in this relatively
system had its flaws. Students issued the
small collection, enabling access to a 3-
Knowing the System: Throughout
same book to themselves repeatedly on
hour loan copy.
Semester 2 our Information Assistants
the self-issue machines or defeated the
will provide training in locating books in
security system, removing a book from
1-Day Loans: Many books had their loan
the Library or placing a hold when a
the Desk Reserve area without
status converted to 1-day loans in
copy is on loan. Training will be at 11.00
borrowing it and hiding it elsewhere in
Semester 1 and this process will
each weekday in the Library Training
the Library. Students reported that three
continue in Semester 2. It is possible to
Room on the Ground Floor; there is no
hours was too short a loan period.
reserve these books by placing a hold on
need to book and you can simply drop
Photocopying offered an option but at a
them, thus preventing anyone from re-
in. A few minutes’ training could save
financial cost to the student. Only about
issuing the book. The Library will be
you a lot of time.
10% of the books in Desk Reserve were
running a series of sessions on placing
borrowed more than 50 times per
holds, as described later.
semester in 2009/10. This indicated that
Combating Unacceptable Behaviours: Practices such as hiding books or cutting
the required levels of circulation for the
Multiple Copies: As part of the same
out sections of books represent a major
other 90% of Desk Reserve books could
process for monitoring levels of demand
obstacle to effective access to course
be met without taking them from their
for books, the Library will order extra
reading material. Strong disciplinary
normal location in the Library.
copies. This has already been happening
measures will be taken against any
Surprisingly, 50% of the books in Desk
throughout Semester 1 as it has become
offenders detected and measures such
Reserve last year had not circulated at
evident that, whatever the loan period
as CCTV, security patrols and RFID
all.
assigned, there may be too few copies to
technology will be stepped up
meet demand.
throughout the semester and beyond.
The decision to discontinue Desk
RFID will enable prompt detection of
Reserve was also informed by a Library
Reading Lists: A fundamental problem is
books hidden away from their normal
survey of undergraduates in Spring 2009.
that the Library only receives a very
location in the Library. If you witness
Only 43.8% of respondents agreed that
limited percentage of the actual number
unacceptable behaviours of this kind
“The Desk Reserve Collection meets my
of course reading lists and we are now
please let us know and help us to
needs for essential reading list
making a concerted effort to rectify this.
prevent them.
materials”. Of even more concern, only
Our subject librarians are contacting
36.5% of respondents agreed that “The
academic staff to get their reading lists.
By John Cox, University Librarian
su pages Budget 2011: Changes and Cuts to the Grant
living in towns like Tuam, Gort, Ardrahan
moment nurses and midwives are paid 80%
detailed discussions regarding the complete
and Headford would not be able to receive
of the minimum salary for the 36 weeks of
renovation of the Reading Room are well
the full non-adjacent grant of c.?3,000 and
the roistered placement. The Government
under way, and I hope that students will
would instead receive one of only c.?1,200.
intends to change this as follows:
see major improvements in the facilities available there by September 2011.'
This is a massive problem for some 25,000 students nationwide and we intend to lobby the new government and Minister for Education about reversing this measure
Budget 2011 has delivered two big blows
in time for September 2011. Whoever the
to students. Firstly, grants have been cut by
new minister is will have to formally sign
4%, which takes yet more money off those
off these changes in July, so we will have to
who are already struggling to stay in
wait and see what the composition of the
college. This comes on top of a 5%
new government will be, and then we and
reduction last year, despite the fact that
the USI will be lobbying hard on the issue.
· 2011 - 76% of the minimum point on the new lower scale · 2012 - 60% of the minimum point on the new lower scale · 2013 - 50% of the minimum point on the new lower scale · 2014 - 40% of the minimum point on the new lower scale · 2015 onwards - no payment
grants are being cut more proportionately than other state payments even though they increased by much less during the Celtic Tiger years. For the 40% of students relying on a grant, this cut is just another indication of how little the government values investing in the knowledge economy and will mean many students will drop out or not come to college in the first place. Secondly, the proposals to double the
The NUI Galway Students' Union is
Government plans to abolish pay for student nurses
qualification limit to get a non-adjacent student grant have been almost doubled
The Government intends to change the
from you needing to live 24km from the
payment arrangements for student nurses
college, to 45km. This means students
and midwives on clinical placement. At the
General Election for 11th March - make sure you're registered to vote!
determined oppose these exploitative cuts. Along with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation we held a meeting with all Nursing and Midwifery Students. The
Applications for the WashingtonIreland Program (WIP) for Service and Leadership
meeting was to discuss our plans to campaign to have these measures reversed.
WIP is a six-month program of personal
We will provide more details over the
and professional development that brings
coming weeks. If you would like to be
outstanding university students from
involved in the campaign please contact
Northern Ireland and the Republic of
su.president@nuigalway.ie.
Ireland to Washington, DC for summer internships and leadership training.In Washington participants gain first-hand
SU secures new 3-Hour Loan Collection in Library
experience of a mature political process and are exposed to a culture of diversity. Through an intense eight-week schedule, WIP interns are formed into a team and challenged to develop their vision for the future of post-conflict Ireland. Students gain invaluable practical experience by completing internships in US government, media, business and non-profit organizations.
The Taoiseach has announced that the country will go to the polls on Friday 11th
The Students' Union Education Officer,
March for a general election. We in the SU want our students to know that we
Emmet Connolly, is pleased to announce
have already met local candidates from Fine Gael and Labour and have arranged
that the SU reached agreement with the
meetings with more candidates from several other parties in the constituencies
library management that the key benefits
around Galway. Working alongside our SU counterparts across the country, and
of the former Desk Reserve system will be
the national Union of Students in Ireland (USI), we hope to lobby as many
delivered in alternative ways:
More than 400 young adults from Ireland have graduated from WIP, representing twenty-five different universities throughout the UK and Ireland. Many graduates are now emerging in important careers in politics, law, business,
candidates as we can over the next 50 days until polling day. ‘Students will be able to borrow these Don't forget to register to vote! Applications to be included on the Supplement
books for three hour periods right up until
to the Register of Electors have now been opened. In order to be eligible to vote
the end of this year's Semester 2 exams. It
you must be over 18 on February 15th, not the date of the election. A lot of
will not be possible for students to re-issue
students will already be registered at home even if they are not aware of it. In
books from the 3 Hour Loan Collection to
September/October the local registration authorities go around homes around
themselves, which was a major flaw of the
the country registering those eligible to vote. It may be beneficial before they
old desk reserve system. It should be
attempt to register again to visit www.checktheregister.ie to make sure.
pointed out that NUI Galway students have fared much better than students in
communications, education and community organizations. The WIP application process is now open, and closes on February 7th. You can find more information about the Washington Ireland Program at www.wiprogram.org . WIP will be holding a talk in NUI Galway on Thursday 27th January at 6pm in AC214.
SU Elections 2011
If you are not registered but wish to be included, please download the form from
other colleges such as Trinity and UCD.
the Students' Union website. This form needs to be signed by a member of an
Over the past two years, our library
Gardai and sent to your Local Authority as soon as possible. To be certain that
opening hours have actually increased
your application is processed, aim to have your form in by the 18th of February.
rather than decreased as they have in other
Forms are available in the SU office.
colleges, and that the Students' Union here
The Students' Union Elections to elect
has secured extensions in the opening
your representatives for 2011/12 are fast
The Students' Union will be organising a voter registration drive in the coming
hours of the Reading Room from closing at
approaching. If you are thinking of running
weeks. If you would like to get involved in the campaign email
11pm to 1.30am, which will be again
for any of the nine positions on the SU
su.president@nuigawlay.ie.
extended in coming weeks. As well as this,
Executive we will be hosting a "Look
su pages
Before You Leap" Election Information night for potential candidates on Tuesday 1st of February at 6pm in the Siobhan McKenna Theatre (Arts Millennium Building). This event will provide information on what the nine Executive Committee positions actually entail and all the other information you need if you are thinking about running for office. Other election dates to keep in mind are:
Green Week 24th - 27th January Next week is Green Week on Campus with a Green Fair on Tuesday in the Bailey Allen Hall. The Fair will feature activities and awareness stands organised by various NUI
Galway societies and by the Buildings
For further information please contact Dr
Office and will focus strongly on fashion
Aoife Collins, Environmental Manager, NUI
and the environment. Students of the
Galway at 091 495944 or
Galway Technical Institute (GTI) training in
aoife.collins@nuigalway.ie or visit
Business Fashion Retail are collaborating
www.socs.nuigalway.ie
with NUI Galway students and staff to organise a bring-and-buy sale of pre-loved clothes. This re-use of clothes is a highly effective way for one person to clear out their wardrobe while someone else benefits from a new or ‘nearly-new' piece. Anyone wishing to donate clothes,
SU Full Time Election Nominations Open: Thursday 24th February SU Full Time Election Nominations Close: 5pm Wednesday 2nd March Full Time Canvassing BEGINS: Monday 7th March SU Full Time Election: Thursday 10th March SU Part Time Election Nominations Open: Thursday 10th March SU Part Time Election Nominations Close: 5pm Wednesday 16th March Part Time Canvassing BEGINS: Monday 21st March SU Part Time Election: Thursday 24th March
accessories or old mobile phones for the Green Fair can leave them into the Socs
College Week 2011 - The Rubberbandits Confirmed
Box office in Áras na Mac Léinn up until Monday, 24 January.
Ladies and Gentlemen it's official: we will
The Galway Market Traders will be
have a horse outside for College Week! The
stationed outside Áras na Mac Léinn on
Rubberbandits will be playing this year's
Tuesday and Wednesday with Sushi,
College Week on Wednesday 2nd of
Crepes and Crafts. In addition, a major fact-
March. Tickets will be on sale from the
based panel discussion titled Averting a
Students' Union soon for €10. Remember
Future Irish Energy Crisis will take place at
this College Week we will be raising money
7pm in the O'Flaherty Lecture Theatre, on
for Ability West and the Alan Kerins
Wednesday, 26th January. The discussion
Projects and we need your help. If you have
will bring together experts in the fields of
any event ideas or want to volunteer to
energy technology, policy, innovation and
help out please email
business and is organised by the Chemistry,
studentsunion@nuigalway.ie
Energy and Physics Societies at NUI Galway.
Leathanach Gaeilge
page 10
Glór Ghaeltachta
Síle agus Brídín
Is mise Colleen Ní Bhaistir
an áit an-bheag agus gur
agus táim chun sibh a chur ar
dóigh nach mbíonn aon
an eolas faoi na cúrsaí
chraic againn, ach bíonn a
Gaeilge atá ar fáil in Ollscoil
dhóthain craic againn. Gach
Ainm: Síle ‘Gaeluvvin’ Ní Dhóláin Aois: 19 Tá seans mhaith agat bualadh lei: i CPs, ar pháirc spóirt nó sa Chollege Bar. Suimeanna: Ag amhránaíocht (scamhlaigh mar chat), ag aisteoireacht, ag damhsa i CPs (ar an sean nós gan dabht),
na hÉireann, Gaillimh.
seachtain bíonn ar a laghad
ag labhairt gaeilge (fiú le daoine nach bhfuil gaeilge acu), agus ag dul chuig na leachtaí (lol!).
Chomh maith leis sin beidh
rud amháin eagraithe againn,
Da mbeifeá ar oilean tréigthe, cén trí rud a thógtha leat?
muid ag caint faoi imeachtaí
uaireanta is bus atá ag dul
Mála tae, na dírtheoirí gruaige (b’fhéidir go dtiocfadh buachaill deas le mé a shabháil!) agus stocaí tirim.
Gaeilge, cosúil le Seachtain
isteach chuig an cathair nó
Dean cur síos ar do bhuachaill fórfach:
na Gaeilge agus conas do
amanna eile bíonn tráth na
Bheadh sé abalta eitilt (is mé a shabhail ón t-oileán), bheadh gaeilge dén chéad scóth aige agus bheadh sé in ann mé a
chuid Gaeilge a úsáid go
gceisteanna againn sa halla.
chur ag gáirí i gcónaí!
rialta.
An rud is fearr faoin
An tseachtain seo beidh
Acadamh ná mar gheall go
mé ag plé Acadamh na
bhfuil muid ‘chomh beag sin’
hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, áit
tá muid cosúil le clann agus
ina bhfuil mic léinn ag
bíonn aithne agat ar gach
staidéar trí mhéan na Gaeilge.
duine, ní dóigh gur féidir le
An tAcadamh
Ainm: Brídín ‘Ultra Gaeilgeóir’ Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh Aois: 18 Tá seans mhaith agat bualadh lei: i gKarma ag caitheamh na moves, amuigh sa Spidéal i Ros Na Rún, ag siúl thart
aon duine ar an bpríomh
ar an choláiste le Starbucks ina lámh agus ‘barry an bear’ ar a ceann.
champas é sin a rá!
Suimeanna: Ag aisteoireacht (a.k.a. ag inse bréaga) ag canadh (ach ní ar an seannós - níl airgead ar bith sa tsean
Mar sin, gach duine, is páirt
nós), ag caint le achan duine a chasan uirthi agus ag sabháil a cuid airgid go ciallmhar is ní i RiverIsland ag na
An tAcadamh, cén áit ina
d’Ollscoil na hÉireann
deireadh seacthaine (lol).
bhfuil sé sin? Sin an chéad
Gaillimhe muid agus tá muid
Da mbeifeá ar oilean tréigthe, cén trí rud a thógtha leat?
rud a bíonn le cloisteáil agam
chomh maith le haon duine
Mo chaired go léir, DJ, agus bád le imeacht nuair a bheadh an partyál réidh!
gach am a luaim le duine
ar an príomh champas! Agus
Dean cur síos ar do bhuachaill fórfach:
éigin an áit ina bhfuil mé ag
más rud é go bhfuil lá saor
Strapaire breá d’fhear áta dathúil gan dabht, fear a chaitheamh an oíche ag canadh dom (níl mé fussy, Paolo Nutini
staidéar faoi láthair agus
agat, tar ar cuairt agus beidh
nó Matt Cardle), duine a dhéanthas béile breá blasta dom achan oíche, agus a churthas sna tríotha ag gaire mé. (Tá
cuireann sé isteach orm!
deoch nó dhó againn!
millionaires agus damhsóirí sean nós ina bonus)
Is brainse d’Ollscoil na
Beidh an colún seo i ngach
hÉireann, Gaillimh é
eagrán den pháipéar ‘Sin’ go
Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta
deireadh an tseimeastair agus
Gaeilge. Ní dóigh liom go
beidh muid ag plé taobh na
raibh sé sin ar eolas agat! Tá
Gaeilge d’Ollscoil na
ceithre ionad ag an Acadamh
hÉireann Gaillimhe arís. Más
Brídín: A Shíle a chroí, droch scéal atá mé ag tabhairt chugat.
timpeall na tíre – Carna,
rud é go bhfuil aon tuairimí
Mí seo chuagainn ní bheith muid ag partyál i CPs níos mó,
Gaoth Dobhair agus an
agaibh seol isteach chuig an
tAcadamh ar an gCeathrú
bpáipéar iad.
Rua, an áit na bhfuil mé féin
Comhrá!
{
tá mé ag bogadh go Vegas le mo bhuachaill nua agus ag starrál leis i mBroadway seo.
lonnaithe. Tá cúrsaí sa siúl sa
Foclóir:
Spidéal freisin leis ag an
Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta
Acadamh – cúrsa ceoil i
Gaeilge: The Academy for
gcomhar le Stiúideo Cuan.
University Education
Chomh maith leis sin tá
through Irish
lárionad Acadamh na
An tAcadamh: The Academy
hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in
Ag plé: Discussing
Áras na Gaeilge ar champas
Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh:
Ollscoil na hÉireann,
NUIG
Gaillimh.
Brainse: Branch
Sin ráite, céard é an
Lonnaithe: Situated
tAcadamh? Bhuel, mar a dúirt
Lárionad: Central Place
mé cheana féin, is brainse é
Príomh champas: Main
d’Ollscoil na hÉireann
campus
Gaillimh. Déanaimid ár gcuid
Cúrsaí lánaimseartha: Full-
staidéir ar fad trí mheán na
time courses
Brídín: A Shíle a stoirín, nach cinnte go mbeidh mé arais.
Gaeilge. Anseo san Acadamh
Tráth na gceisteanna: Table
Ní thiocfadh liom tú a fhágáil leat féin ar an lash!
tá seacht gcúrsa
quiz
Goidfidh mé cupla milliún ó mo bhuachaill nua,
páirt aimseartha ann. Bíonn duine ag rá go bhfuil
Bhí mé ag súil le bheith ag ól leat roimh na scrúduithe, faraor! A Bhrídín, ná bí amaideach, tá géarchéim sa tír. Tá an t-ádh ort go bhfuil oideachas anseo go saor.
Brídín: Ach a Shíle a thaiscí, tá na pleananna deanta amach! Tá an iompar socraithe, ní ormsa atá an locht! Ach smaoinaigh ar na héadaí deasa a churthas mé chugat, gheobhaidh tú fear ar bith i CPs gan feidhm duit fiú bogadh!
Síle: Ach, a Bhrídín, ní fiú dom dul amach gan tusa, mo stór. Níl ‘moves’ na gcailíní eile maith go leor. Níl mise mé féin in ann na fir a choineál sásta. Nuair atá do Bhroadway sheó thart, tar ar ais go gasta!
Is beidh mé féin ‘s tú féin ag siopadóireacht i nGaillimh go luath.
lánaimseartha ar bun agus chomh maith le sin tá cúrsaí
Síle: Ó, a Bhrídín, ná habair é! Ná habair go bhfuil sé fíor!
Le Colleen Ní Bhaistir
page 11
Dear Agony Aunt, I’m completely broke after Christmas! I have so many expenses that I can’t keep up with them all, and I don’t know what to do. It’s really stressing me out. Any tips? Financially Embarrassed, 21 Dear Financially Embarrassed, Don’t despair. Panicking about your situation isn’t going to solve anything. Take a realistic look at your finances, and try to decide if your problem is temporary or not. The second term of college is just as expensive as the first, so you’re not alone in being strapped for cash after the holidays. If it helps, write a list of all of your expenses so that you can see exactly where the money needs to go, and compare that to your sources of income. The Students’ Union will be able to give you information on the Assistance Funds, available to students who are facing financial difficulties. They’ll also have information on budgeting, and applying for bank loans and the like. Keep an eye out for any weekend or part time jobs in your area, you never know what’s out there until you start looking, and any extra cash you can make is a definite plus! One piece of advice though, if you’re borrowing money from family or friends, just make sure you pay them back when you say you will. They’ll be more likely to do you a favour again if you keep your word. They’re probably having a poor January too. Wishing both you and your bank account a speedy recovery, Agony Aunt.
by Grainne Coyne
Overheard in NUIG Matthew Cosgrave: Girl in the concourse: “So turns out I wasn't pregnant I just drank too much orange juice.”
he won the tour de France 7 times Guy2: Sorry I am not familiar with French Athletes Girl: Your stupidity amazes me
Christina Walshe: *Girls looking at facebook photos* Girl 1: People say my sister looks nothing like me Girl 2: That one she does Girl 1: .... That’s me
Clodagh Mc Loughlin: Walking by Kingfisher: "...I tried to get swine flu; seriously I was like give it to me GIVE IT TO ME!"
Peter Flynn: Passing a group of female American students: Girl 1: So she went to Cole's - it's like, a clothing store - and she came home with a dog! Girl 2: Oh my god! Jennifer Mccormack: Guy to other guys: "She only got with him because he won the game of chess..." Stephen James Hanrahan: Overheard in a lecture: Guy1: I think Lance Armstrong is an amazing example of human determination Guy2: Who’s Lance Armstrong? Guy1: Possibly the greatest cyclist ever
Jeffrey Farrell: In Dunnes Stores, two girls ahead look confused. “Where is all the Tesco stuff?” Bríd Ní Chonchuir: In Maths exam: Girl: "How do you multiply matrices again? Across by down or down by across??" Boy: "...What are matrices?!" Lorna Holohan: First year bio exam: Girl one: Ewww what’s that smell? Girl two:*looks around*...Fear Jeanne Spillane: Girl on concourse: “It be weird to see a lad cry on a night out, I wouldn't know what to do. Actually I'd probably just shift him to shut him up”
Postgraduate Open Day, NUI Galway Wednesday 2 February 2011 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm Bailey Allen Hall, Áras na Mac Léinn (Student Centre)
• Develop expertise in your chosen subject • Boost your employability and earning power • Work with leading academics in your field Visit the Open Day to find out about our programmes, talk to lecturers and students. To book your place at the fair visit: www.nuigalway.ie/postgraduate-open-day Or just turn up and register on the day. For enquiries about the Open Day email: postgrad@nuigalway.ie
page 12
By Anne-Marie Fitzgerald
The Inevitable
As we venture into the tens/tweens/tweenies (or whatever you like to call it, I’m still not sure) the opportunity for trend-setting, decadedefining fashions presents itself once again. I like this prospect. Many a memorable fashion trend has become eternalised in its respective era, be it for its merits or its cringe-worthy faults. And soon, the clothing from the decade in which I spent my lovely childhood will gain the eternally too cool for school status of vintage. The term vintage fashion refers to clothing made in from 1920s right up to the 80s.
Anything that came before the 20s is considered to be antique. A number of trends stand out in each decade. You have the Chicago-style clothing of the 1920s and 30s. Think flapper dresses and cloche hats. There’s the pin- up look of the 40s and 50s, Grease-style, below the knee dresses with full skirts. The 60s brought us hippy bohemian clothing and groovy mini dresses. Disco epitomised 70s inspired fashion, flares and platforms and the likes. The 80s, the newest addition to the vintage family, is perhaps best explained by leg warmers, stone washed jeans and everything neon and everything Madonna. What I like about vintage clothes is that when they become vintage it makes them more than acceptable to wear, even 80 years later! The thing is that now, and I’m not sure if
this is worrying or not, the time for the 90s is coming! And there are so many different possibilities to consider! In the early 90s everything toned itself downhair flattened and make-up dulled. It was as if people were trying to make amends for their over-indulgence on neon in the previous decade. The 1980s wasn’t completely lost however- tie-dye t-shirts and Beverley Hills 90210 style plain tees tucked into blue stonewash jeans paid testament to this. The early 90s grunge look of over-sized plaid shirts, rock concert tshirts, Levis or Wrangler jeans and Doc Martins of every colour were donned by Nirvana-loving grunge-heads. The movie Clueless did a lot for girls’ style in the form of cute miniskirts, knee high socks and preppy plaid. It was somewhat of a defining movie in the 90s in terms of fashion. Sports clothing was big throughout the 90s. Shell tracksuits and post-80s high top sneakers were made cool by one Fresh Prince of Bell Air. There were parachute pants with bits hanging out of them for no reason. Rip-off tracksuits were a personal favourite of mine and bicycle
shorts were a staple for kids back then. Their full-length counter-part, leggings always looked stunning with bright white poodle socks. The Spice Girls, who would have been the most influential style icons (cringe) amongst my friends, saw 60s style mini dresses, platform heels and leopard print come back to the forefront of our fashion in the second half of the 1990s. I was only six at the time so I was limited to my luminous yellow SPICE belly top and bicycle shorts with watermelons on them. Thanks for that, Spice Girls. Another of the late 90s trends was the military movement. Combats and camouflaged t-shirts and jackets unfortunately found their way into many a wardrobe. In 2010, combat boots walked their way back into fashion; a 90s trend already creeping back into more than acceptable attire! In terms of shoes, as well as Docs, Nike Air Jordans cropped up in the early 90s. Hooker boots, those knee-high shiny leather things were as cool for my big sister as jelly sandals, big old rubber soled shoes and LA Gear light-up shoes were for me. Accessory-
page 13
Comeback of 90s Fashion, Yay!
wise, massive denim hats with flowers on them, scrunchies and hair bands, of the thick and thin variety, were worn with two drapey bits of curtain hair hanging over one’s face. Oh, how could I forget bandanas! My brother, God love him, donned a rat’s tail for much of the 90s like many others of his age. Thankfully my uncle sneakily hacked off the useless excuse of a hair style with a pair of hedge shearers. So soon the time will come when 90s fashion will be cool again. Which of the many trends will reappear in the
form of vintage clothing, I’m not sure. Unlike the previous decades, where an association can be made with a definite trend, the 90s brought us a hugely diverse mixed bag of fashions. It will most definitely be interesting to see which of my childhood trends it will be socially acceptable to once again rock. A number of them have already resurfaced on the high street, the likes of patterned leggings, and the good old denim jacket. With shell tracksuits on the up and up, maybe, just maybe (fingers crossed) my blue and orange rip-off Adidas tracksuit will see the light of day again.
page 14
BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE! A white sun bursting through the
winter has seen the best of coats,
hole in it. The poncho has taken a
tights and a skirt or shorts, so try
ten years. It will not tear easily
grey clouds does not mean
with styles to suit every figure.
modern twist with an adaption of
to ditch the jeans. If it’s too cold
and the more distressed it
sleeves. Just steer clear of multi-
for pumps, try to show the full
becomes, the more character it
summer is here. It doesn’t even mean spring is here. It’s Ireland.
The duffle coat is a classic coat
coloured 90s style ponchos with
leg, so don’t wear high boots.
develops. Like Ben Afflick,
Schizophrenic winter
that suits everyone. It has been
frills on them. This screams circus
Opt instead for brogues or ankle
leather jackets only get better
temperatures are at large until
supported by celebrities such as
tent and it’s been a while since
boots.
with age. River Island and
April at least. It’s hard to know
Alex Kapranos from Franz
anyone’s run off to the circus. Be
how to dress when it’s sunny but
Ferdinand and Paddington bear. It
a caped crusader! Capes are like
Trench coats suit everyone. They
leather jackets to boast, with
cold outside. There’s a chance
has three or four wooden
ponchos but more fitted and
have been seen on the biggest
prices starting around the
that the weather could improve
buttons attached by leather or
often have hoods. If you’re going
fashion icons of all time, such as
100euro mark.
but there’s also a chance that it’ll
rope loops stretching across the
to buy a cape, see the French
Jackie Kennedy and Humphrey
be freezing in half an hour. You
split in the middle of the coat. It
connection line at TK Maxx. It
Bogart in Casablanca. They are
Coats are one of the most
don’t want to have icicles
is made from duffel, a thick,
has great bargains for every taste.
typically waterproof, knee-length
important pieces of your
hanging out of your nostrils
course, woollen material and is
Just don’t buy a cape longer than
and pulled in at the waist with a
wardrobe. You wear them every
without your coat or the loss of
lined with a woolly tartan
knee-length unless you want to
belt. Coats below the knee
day and they are the first thing
sensation in your toes. If you
pattern. Although the duffel isn’t
re-enact Gandalf the Grey
should only be worn by tall
you see when you meet someone.
really hate the weather in Ireland,
waterproof because it is made of
shouting ‘you shall not pass!’
people. If you see someone who
It is important to invest in a good
relax, it’ll probably change in five
wool, its thick material ensures
looks like they’re a member of
coat you feel great in, because a
minutes. The best way to dress
that only the heaviest rainfall
The dress coat is a beautiful coat
the seven dwarfs, a long coat will
good coat will last for a long
for this weather is to wear a top
soaks through.
that suits slender ladies. It is
make them look shorter and
time.
clenched in at the waist and
stocky. A leather jacket is a great
with a cardigan or hoodie over it
Topshop have a great range of
teamed with a cosy coat. It’s all
The poncho no longer looks like
poofs out at the knee. Make the
investment piece. Its strength and
about layering. This extended
an oversized handkerchief with a
best of this look with heavy
polish makes it last for at least
By Fiona Ní Mháille
Jill Hurley, left, wears a loose elegant ballerina bun and shows off the luxurious collar of her coat from Zara. The subtle mocha colours in her coat complement her skin tone and go perfectly with any dark shades. Barely-there makeup is so hot right now. Lucky for Jill, her clear skin doesn’t need the assistance of mac, bobbi brown or chanel. Her skinny jeans and ankle boots add understated glamour to her ensemble. Rebecca Tomkins, middle, brings an air of Parisian chic to the campus in NUIG. Her beautiful hair stands out from her black coat. A classic plain black coat, such as this, is timeless and will never date. Rebecca wears wool mittens to tackle the frosty weather in the west, which comes in handy as this Galway Girl can be seen extending the hand of friendship to people all around the world! Fellow red-head, Aisling Molloy, right, wears THE colour of the season, camel, with another bang-on-trend: a fur collar, to match. This Sligo lass is seen here wearing casual skinny jeans and a girl’s best friend for comfort-uggs! The chestnut shade of her uggs go perfectly with the camel colour of her beautiful duffel coat. Girls, we salute you!
talk to people
page 15
talk to people talk talk to to people people talk to people
Volunteering Page 2011 has been designated as the European Year for Volunteering. Over the next issues of Sin we will be bringing you information on events, opportunities to volunteer and the volunteering stories of NUI Galway W
student volunteers. ALIVE is the student volunteering programme in NUIG, check out www.nuigalway.ie/alive to get involved.
W W W
W
My volunteering story – Hot Spot Cafe In secondary school I had the opportunity to be involved in setting up a Youth Cafe. The “Hot Spot Cafe” was established with the involvement of Foróige and a €37,000 grant from the National Premises Fund. The hardest step was to find a local building which was structurally sound, large enough and easily accessible. Most communities have at least one building which is not in use and St. Vincent De Paul generously agreed to lease a building f previously used as a respite for people in need to Foróige.
A Youth cafe is a safe place for young people to be themselves. Meet friends and relax, get involved in good activities, deal with concerns they may have and access appropriate information, support and f services to enable them overcome adversity and lead happy, healthy and connected lives.
has gone on to be awarded grants for music, drama and dance studios.
ff of the Hot Spot Cafe is to The aim
In each issue this semester we will bring you the story of a different volunteer
become self sufficient. It raises necessary funds to remain open through community fundraising, donations, competitions and
By Tara Gibbons
If you think your community is in need of such a facility then get in touch with Foróige through their website at www.Foroige.ie.
Located in the newly revamped Hub, ALIVE, NUI Galway’s volunteer programme welcomes drop in visitors to chat about volunteering in the community, opportunities and experiences available and how to apply for the Presidential Award for Volunteering, the ALIVE Certificate.
Volunteer to write for Sin!
Looks good on a CV • Builds up portfolio material • Chance to win a Smedia award • Eligible for an ALIVE cert • Meet other writers • No experience necessary • Email editor@sin.ie
page 16
B U CL
S O CL
S E R U
Other clubs to benefit from Cuba closure
By Aibhlín O’Leary
New Year’s Day for most NUIG
cheerfully poured our pints,
to over 4 million euro. However,
choice seems much more
venturing as far down-town as
students was a gruelling
stamped our wrists, and even
the liquidator, Brian McEnery
limited without it.”
the Roisín Dubh. At present
marathon of family-populated
on occasion mopped up after
(also a non-executive director
events, faking smiles and
we had had one too many. This
of NAMA), seems optimistic
Hope remains for Cuba
must be busily thinking of new
fighting the urge to run to the
wave of closures is just the
about the prospects of selling
stalwarts though. There is
ways to attract customers, so
toilet, or (in worst case
latest to hit the part-time
the businesses. Though some
speculation that GPO might
that they themselves may avoid
scenarios) curl up in a ball and
student labour force, which is
students may not regret Cuba’s
reopen with the staff of the
Cuba’s fate. For now Cuba
die. However, some students
keenly feeling the bitter effects
passing, for many it was seen as
Jona Group businesses,
mourners will have to content
were faced with an even worse
of the recession.
a vital alternative to the more
although one can only hope
themselves in anticipation of
evil. On the 1st of January 2011
Galway’s remaining nightclubs
mainstream nightclubs of the
that the rumoured name -
Cuba’s Goodbye Day - to be
Cuba, Bar 903, the Cellar, and
Despite appearances of success,
city, particularly with its indie-
“sugar and spice” is simply that.
held on the 12th of February.
Harvest Off-licences closed
John Grealish (owner of Cuba
style top-floor. Emilie Molloy
There has also been talk of CPs
Get there early with dancing
their doors, resulting in 85 job
and co.) went into voluntary
and Orla Martyn, 2nd year
opening Bar 1 with an
shoes and tissues in hand!
losses. Many of these jobs were
liquidation at the start of this
commerce students, said: “Cuba
alternative style dj, in order to
filled by students, who
month, with losses amounting
was our favourite club . . . our
prevent Cuba residents from
page 17
Tribute to Cuba
By Steven Conroy
We’re moving into a new year, a
Many a great night was had in
from your eye and just choose
and shouted, “Ah no lad you‘re
now is to remember, if you can,
time for settling back into
that club and I’m sure most of
another club to go to. I know I’ll
not serious! Now where will I
some of the great nights out
college life and having the craic.
you would say the same. A spot
miss it for the amount of time
go to get the shift?!” I Couldn’t
that ended up there. It’s
So lets get the year off to a
for doing shots, falling over and
that I spent there on nights out
have put it better myself. That’s
definitely worth giving a good
good start! But hold on, do you
then dancing the night away,
with friends over the last few
the question though, where to
send off. So, the next time
get the feeling that something
usually in that order! It was one
years. We never even
next? Sure, there’s lots more
you’re at a house party or
is not quite right, that
of the best clubs in Galway and
considered any other club in
clubs around the city, but in
drinking with friends, raise a
something is missing? Cuba is
so close to Charcoal Grill as
first year because we knew that
fairness though, I don’t think
glass to Cuba. An unreal spot
closed! Yes that’s right, poor old
well. Also, well-known for
we’d always have a great time in
they will ever really compare to
for havin’ the craic and going
Cuba is gone! If this is news to
having a line outside that would
Cuba.
the fun that you’d have in Cuba.
mad with friends. Cuba, we
you then take a moment to
test the patience of any
But, now that’s all changed and
salute you!
yourself, relax it‘s not the end
student. If Cuba has been your
One 2nd year engineering
of the world, or is it?
haunt for the last few months,
student was crushed upon
then you may wipe that tear
hearing that the club was closed
we have move to on. I suppose the only thing to do
page 18
THE END OF DAYS OR SIMPLY THE CONTINUATION OF PARANOIA? By Kate Smyth
What A Load Of Balls By Aisling Scally It’s that time of year again that whips
Coast, Karen Millen and the old reliable
every faculty into a frenzy- ball season is
Lipsy do some great shorter numbers that
well and truly upon us! Judging by the
can definitely be worn again, and I don’t
speedy ticket sell-outs most of you are
just mean the next day in the college bar.
attending at least one soirée this semester,
Don’t sweat the small stuff like finding
if not them all (if you can afford it
the perfect bag or shoes- gold, silver and
financially, physically and academically
even nude are the perfect colour palette
why not?). College balls are some of the
for both arm candy and footwear as they
best nights out in Galway and are well
go with everything.
worth the painfully long ticket queues. I attended my first ball in first year and
“The awkward moment when some other
have been hooked ever since. Sometimes,
girl has the same dress as you” is one of
however, the night itself can be
the most common pre-ball fears. Oh the
overshadowed by overly meticulous
humanity. Frankly, we all live in Galway,
preparation and minor panic attacks about
there are only a certain number of shops
accessories. If you’re a first time baller
and websites that cater for evening wear,
here’s a few tips to make the event less
chances are someone might have the same
daunting.
dress as you. It’s not the end of the world, and certainly no excuse to spend your
Everyone wants to look their best on ball
night locked in the bathroom wailing as I
night, it’s a great chance to get the glad-
witnessed one girl doing a couple of years
rags on and go all out with hair and
back. If this minor inconvenience arises,
make-up. However there’s no point
it’s an occasion to LOL at both of your
freaking like the Sugababes in the pursuit
fantastic tastes, and dance off in the other
of your dream dress. After all, it’s really
direction. And truth be told it probably looks better on you.
On New Year’s Eve 2010, 3,000 blackbirds
Experts have explained that the reason
just one night in the greater scheme of
began dropping dead in the town of
behind the first incident in Beebe was the
things. Some girls seem to think it’s
Beebe, Arkansas. Since then, the media
New Year’s Eve celebrations. Professional
almost like another debs; I hate to shatter
For the lads it’s fairly basic...if you don’t
have been reporting ‘mysterious’ animal
fireworks startled birds as they were
the illusion, but it’s really not. I’ve heard
own a suit, rent or borrow one ASAP. Take
deaths across the globe – bird deaths in
settling down to roost. They took flight,
of people spending upwards of €300 on a
a shower. And that’s about it. It’s amazing
America and Sweden, 40,000 crab deaths
crashing into buildings and each other.
dress, plus hair, make-up, jewellery,
how well most guys scrub up, even the
in England, 700 turtle dove deaths in Italy
Explanations for the other deaths are also
whatever else you’re having yourself. This,
most unlikely characters often look rather
and millions of dead fish washing up on
being given. The crabs in England died due
my friends, is madness. Within an hour
ravishing in a shirt and tie, so it’s well
shores in Brazil, New Zealand and
to unusually cold temperatures. The birds
you’ll be in the midst of your classmates
worth making the effort.
Vietnam. According to Don Hendershot of
in Sweden died after a lorry collided with
bouncing around to whatever band is on
the Smokey Mountain News, ‘if there was
the flock. The turtle doves in Italy died as
offer, your shoes
any lingering doubt that the apocalypse
a result of indigestion after eating too
discarded and hair
was, indeed, scheduled for 2012, it has
many sunflower seeds from a local factory.
unruly...and
been erased’. The animal deaths have so
Reasons for fish-deaths include disease,
no-one will
far been attributed to a lesson from God
pollution and freezing weather.
care. If I
(Frank Thomas Croisdale of the Niagra
And finally, try not to arrive in an overly inebriated state. We’ve all heard
had
Falls Reporter says it’s ‘a clear sign that the
Yet people still suspect the worst,
good Lord has had enough of man’s
questioning why fireworks and cold
cavalier attitude’ to nature) and to
weather have not provoked this reaction
terrorism (Doug Hagmann of the Canada
before. Some prefer to suggest the
Free Press states that ‘our enemy has
HAARP project (High Frequency Active
made clear their intent to use biological
Aural Research Program) in Alaska, which
and chemical weapons’).
works with radio waves in order to
one
stories about
improve surveillance technology. Ian
piece
These theories are possible, but no one
Brockwell from UFODigest.com suggests
of
has any evidence. The human imagination
that HAARP ‘could’ be harmful to birds
advice
is a fantastic thing, especially when it
and fish and ‘probably’ humans, given the
to offer, it
unearths a good story. According to James
‘right amount’ of power.
would be to
Gorman of The New York Times, humans
the
avoid full-length
people forgetting their tickets or losing them en route, disasters
are inclined to suspect that something
The sudden media interest in the subject,
like the H1N1 virus.
ominous is afoot because ‘our minds have
is presenting an incomplete picture of
There’s only so many times you can hear
Most importantly, enjoy! It’s a great night
evolved to look for patterns and causative
common environmental realities.
“Oh sorry I stood on the bottom of your
out with your classmates and a welcome
agents … when we can’t find a natural
Biologists say these events happen all the
lovely dress in the middle of my dance-off
break from the usual night out... although
cause for an apparent pattern or event, we
time and are usually unrelated (and do not
and ripped it” before you lash out
I guarantee you’ll still end up in The
posit a supernatural one’.
result in Judgement Day).
irrationally at the offender in question.
Charcoal or Supermacs!
of the highest order.
page 20
The WikiLeaks rundown for students What is WikiLeaks?
first class who was stationed in Iraq. He
government is supposed to have an
WikiLeaks is a non-profit
used his high-level access to download
unauthorised email account.
organisation run with the sole
260,000 diplomatic cables (confidential
WikiLeaks came into possession of the
purpose of taking classified
message sent between embassies and
collected secret bibles of Scientology,
information and making it readily
the like) to a computer that contained
which explained the hierarchy, within it.
available for all to see, with the belief
highly sensitive information. These
The secret hierarchy that is.
that these actions will help bring
included 11,000 documents, which were
down corrupt governments and
regarded as classified and deemed by
businesses. It is a website that serves
the United States as “potentially
What effect has Wikileaks had on the world?
as a place where anyone with
dangerous” if released. Over the course
Julian Assange’s mission with WikiLeaks
classified or significant information
of six months between November 2009
has been to bring more transparency to
can simply upload it and have it read
and April 2010 he continued to
the world. He sees that the government
by anyone in the world. WikiLeaks
download the documents to a CD-RW,
keeping secrets as an “affront to the
currently employs 5 full-time staff,
which was titled “Lady Gaga”. After
governed” and that it goes entirely
40 volunteers and around 800
sending them to WikiLeaks, Manning
against the way institutions should be
occasional helpers. It is estimated
told his hacker friend in May about
run. It does ask the questions though.
that WikiLeaks had 1.2 million
what he had done. The friend
At which point does it become madness
documents after its first year alone. It
immediately reported Manning to the
to release information that could
averages 10,000 new documents a
authorities but it was too late by then.
potentially harm the innocent and
day. The information it has disclosed
The cables were now in the possession
should this much influence be
over the last number of years has led
of Assange.
concentrated on a man who has not been elected to do so and is very radical
to it being described by one U.S.
What secrets has WikiLeaks released?
in the way he thinks the world should
There are too many (several million)
which could potentially see him end up
Who is Julian Assange?
revelations to be covered in one
in jail as the laws on this type of public
Julian Assange is an Australian-born
paragraph. Below are some of the more
expression are not clearly defined. But
computer programmer,
momentous announcements:
you get the feeling that a few of them
mathematician and hacker, for all
In April 2007 a video was released of an
could be altered and a few judges put
intents and purposes, who set up
American-controlled drone killing two
under extreme pressure to put Assange
WikiLeaks in the winter of 2006. He
civilians who were thought to have
behind bars if even for a short period of
is a political activist who was
been terrorists.
time. The U.S. has learned a valuable
inspired to help rid the world of
A Chinese official stated that North
lesson in the way it transfers and
dishonest and fraudulent
Korea was behaving like a “spoiled
collects its information, and the number
organisations. He studied at the
child”. China has been a long time
of people who have access to classified
University of Melbourne before
protector of North Korea and this led
documents (over 600,000) must be
dropping out, as he was not
to speculation that they would like to
regulated.
comfortable with the idea of taking
see North and South Korea unified
part in advanced research with his
under democratic rule.
What is the legacy of WikiLeaks?
peers for the Pentagon. On founding
The king of Saudi Arabia would like to
WikiLeaks has been revolutionary in the
WikiLeaks he stated, “To radically
see the U.S. attack Iran’s nuclear
sense that it has released more
shift regime behaviour we must think
programme. Despite the King trying to
information than the rest of the world
clearly and boldly for if we have
make up with Ahmadinejad, who
media combined. It shows how
learned anything, it is that regimes
claimed that Washington released these
powerful the web can be and that the
do not want to be changed”. We
cables on purpose. Then again, the
more classified a government makes a
must think beyond those who have
leader of Iran also insinuated that
document, the less secret it really is. So
gone before us and discover
September 11th was devised by the U.S.
while Assange and his peers may be
technological changes that embolden
government.
under surveillance for the rest of their
us with ways to act in which our
In September 2009, just before the
lives, and in the future WikiLeaks may
forebears could not". He is currently
financial crisis in Iceland, documents
be shut down, no one knows for certain.
wanted by Swedish authorities due
were released that showed large sums
What we do know is that the damage is
to allegations of rape and sexual
of money being loaned to various
done. Whether WikiLeaks goes or stays,
molestation. Assange believes the
owners of the Kaupthing bank (one of
like weeds, more websites will take its
allegations are “politically
Iceland’s main banks) and large debts
place e.g. OpenLeaks and TradeLeaks.
motivated”.
were written off.
congressman as a “terrorist organisation”.
By Conor Lane
operate? Yes, he is doing a service, one,
Sarah Palin’s private Yahoo email
(Facts sourced from Time, Techradar
How did WikiLeaks obtain its recent documents?
account was hacked in 2008. This was a
and BBC News)
Bradley Manning, 22, was a private
for official business. No member of U.S.
secret email account that she was using
page 21
Diary of a Singleton 2:
A Few Good Men
By Eileen Dover
The fuss is all over. The roses tin and the mulled wine are
and lingering under the mistletoe, with a cosmopolitan in
realise how behind in study I am; how much my hair needs
finished. It’s time to join the gym and get your hair cut with
hand. I realised this Christmas how much I missed the
to be washed; and how much the dog needs to be walked.
empty purses after Christmas. Christmas in my house
typical Irish lad. Last year, I did the Erasmus year in France
When the time comes to meet the folks, I break out in a
wouldn’t have been the same without the eldest member of
studying French, English and Irish (yes, they taught Irish in
sweat, I change my outfit at least five times, and I hear
the family, my Great Auntie Sue, indulging us all in personal
France). People often ask me what it was like listening to a
myself laughing hysterically at everything they say. They
and inappropriate comments –‘Ara Eileen, you’re after
French person trying to speak Irish. I tell them it’s like
probably think they’re comedians. Suddenly ‘how are you?’
putting on a sight of weight, it pains my eyes to be looking
listening to an Offaly person trying to speak English. In
seems like the world’s best comical triumph. I am quite the
at ya!’ Her command of the English language is second to
France, I expected a race of muscular, romantic, deep men.
catch. Who wouldn’t want to bring home the hyena lady to
none.
They didn’t disappoint me on this, but my mother always
their parents?
said ‘never date a guy who’s prettier than you’. That was the I kicked off 2011 with New Year Resolutions I don’t intend
perfect word for these men-pretty. They were chic. Their
So while reigning in the New Year, I had made a pact with
to keep-‘I will immediately lose 8 pounds, I will learn to
skinny jeans were tighter than mine. Some of them even
my friends to put the ’session’ back into the recession and
tolerate Auntie Sue and I will stop buying things I don’t
wore more makeup than me and that’s a challenge. I found
headed to the Townhouse pub. Five minutes in, an
need’. So far, I’ve put on half a stone and bought yet
myself longing for a typical Irish lad. How I missed the
animated young gent approached me with a broad smile
another little black dress. Every New Years, my mother
jerseys, the bobbled hats and even the fat man pants. The
spread across his face. ‘Nice legs, what time do they open?’
insists on taking out old childhood photos, welling up and
French men were so intense.
Who says romance is dead? When he saw my raised
declaring “you were cute!” (What, in the name of god,
eyebrow, he pulled out his wallet and asked could he buy
happened?) I often wonder if all mothers have the ability to
My French boyfriend wanted me to go to Lyon to meet his
me a drink, as I walked away, I wondered if this tactic
look at their children with unconditional love. I was far
parents after a week of dating. I didn’t know if I was to take
worked before. Did he really think he could lob the gob
from cute as a child. Unfortunate looking is an
this as a giant compliment or issue a restraining order. I’ve
after that? Was I the only woman immune to his roguish
understatement.
seen ‘Meet the Parents’ too many times. I dread the idea of
charm? Either way, I think I’m worth more than a crumpled
My New Years was reeled in with fireworks, over-eating
meeting a boyfriend’s parents. The very mention of it, I
up fiver.
page 22
The Porn Ultimatum By Miceala O’Donovan
Pornography today has never been as accessible,
Most porn is made to appeal to one target audience;
being. It’s similar to when you are offered drugs. At the
explicit or socially acceptable. Twenty years ago you
men. In a way, the people who make porn dictate what
back of your mind you may wonder about its origin, and
had to go through the awkwardness of facing your
“should” turn men on and usually, the fantasy they create
what kind of business based on human misery you are
local newsagent to pay for a copy of Playboy, but
includes a young, big-boobed, sexually insatiable woman
contributing to, but the reality of that is not directly in
now the internet means that porn is everywhere and
or two. These fantasy women are extremely easy to
front of you. Porn can seem even more innocent because
we can view it anonymously, for free in sparkling
please. They react to everything the guy does with
it’s legal and only a few clicks away.
high definition anytime we like. But what is the cost
exaggerated moaning and screaming. But there’s a reason
of it on our relationships, our happiness and our
it’s called acting lads. Porn rarely depicts men focusing
The drug analogy is actually pretty accurate because new
society?
on how to actually turn a woman on. In real life, most
studies have shown that internet porn is addictive, and
women aren’t going to experience explosive orgasms
more and more people are seeking help with dependency.
One disadvantage is that with such an abundance of
from anal sex or say “oh, yummy” when someone
Sexual arousal produces endorphins and adrenalin, the
graphic material at our fingertips, many young people
ejaculates all over her face. So if you’re interested in how
same chemicals associated with drugs like heroin. Plus
try to use porn to learn about sex, not realising that
to make women happy in bed, youjizz.com probably isn’t
there is a certain amount of shame surrounding the use
there is a huge distinction between the two concepts.
the answer.
of porn that is not found in a healthy sexual relationship.
It’s not hard to understand why this happens. A
After sex with someone you like, you feel good and have
hurried explanation of the bird’s and the bees from a
The image of women created by porn is not just
a nice cuddle, but after porn you feel “cheap and deflated
red faced parent and a contradictory mass of
unrealistic, it’s derogatory. Hateful language is often
with a pool of rapidly cooling spunk on your stomach” as
misinformation from peers would leave anyone
used, and names like “slut” or “bitch” are used pretty
Nathan from Misfits puts it. This leads some people to
pretty confused. The terror of making some
frequently. A lot of porn footage has a thread of
repeat the process to feel good again, and gradually even
unforgivable mistake mid-act leads them to porn to
domination, misogyny and humiliation running through
build up a tolerance, as mad as it sounds. I’m not saying
see some “professionals” in action and make sure
it. It’s not difficult to imagine why the makers of porn
porn is as bad for you as heroin, there definitely aren’t as
they know how to “do it properly”. And ok, the naked
have chosen this as a theme. The world wide porn
many health risks attached to the odd “allied Irish” as
woman is probably a draw for many of them too.
industry makes 72 billion euro annually. It is a business
there are dirty needles. But there is a very real possibility
based on the exploitation of performers of both genders
of developing a physical and psychological addiction to
But unfortunately, this means that young people
but women in particular. Of course there are people
porn, and I doubt explaining that one to your granny
mistake what they see porn stars doing for sex, when
working in the sex industry who claim to enjoy what
would be any less painful than admitting that you’re a
what they are actually watching is pure fiction. There
they do and there is an opportunity to make a lot of
heroin addict.
are no awkward moments in porn, those have been
money. But this is a small minority.
edited out. Nobody wears a condom or worries about
So remember, do everything in moderation. Don’t feel
contraception at all. Every guy has a huge boner, is
Like prostitutes, many actors and actresses in porn have
you need to look, perform or talk like a porn star
ready to do it every time, and has a discouragingly
a history of sexual abuse, drug addiction or poverty and
(especially talk, please!). What you see on Redtube might
massive amount of stamina. Nobody laughs in porn,
feel that entering the porn industry was not a choice but
be some stranger’s idea of what good sex looks like, but
probably because the people in it are working, not
a last resort. With the exception of a few of my male
trying to emulate it probably won’t feel that great for
having fun. Porn extracts all the reality and intimacy
friends, nobody really grows up aspiring to be a porn
who you’re doing it with and probably not for you
from sex, adds some silicone, viagra and flattering
star. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that the
either. And don’t take it too seriously. You might begin to
lighting, and gives millions of people inferiority
performers are real people, with families, and that their
share my opinion that the whole thing is actually kind of
complexes or warped attitudes towards sexuality as a
involvement in porn is likely to have negative, life-long
laughable, more than a bit ridiculous and the opposite of
result.
consequences on their physical health and mental well-
what is sexy.
page 23
The Bicycle Thief By Ronan Cannon
He loved his bike. It was a
Heart broken and hysterical, he
raggedy rusty tragedy of a
marched the streets of Dublin.
thing, an abomination, even, to
He reported his darling stolen.
some ignorant types. But a
He plunged his very soul into
blessing to anyone who
endless hours in endless lost
understands the magical ability
and unfound. A week passed, a
of Dublinese bikes to;
month passed, six months
‘disappear’. It looked so awful
passed. And only with a full
that even the most base of
year near approaching did he
criminals would rather (heaven
find the strength to, at the very
forbid) do an honest days work,
least, try and love again.
than be seen cutting her chain. She was young, pretty and with Or, as one poet among them
twelve gears. To ride her was a
observed; “to appear reduced to
revelation, not least because
a level of desperation beyond
the brakes worked and the seat
redemption”. Of course, his
had padding-precious padding.
version contained a few more
But even with all that, alone at
expletives and, despite being
night, he felt there was
recounted verbally, the odd
something missing.
misspelling. The anniversary came. Though One day he rode his bike into
he knew it was wrong to dwell
town with the intention of
on the past, he still missed her.
riding in a very different
And the wine came out.
context. He locked his true love
A glass, two glasses, a
up outside the fancy once-
descending haze...
every-six-months-on-these-wag es restaurant and entered.
This had to stop. Taking his
Things going well he decided to
heart firmly in hand, closure
dazzle the girl with the delights
was needed. He decided to
of his local, where everyone
show his new darling the
knew his name and tourists
streets that had made him a
would routinely pose aside a
widower, and to say goodbye.
rusty bike.
And so he rode past the fancy restaurant that he had not seen
With a wink, nod and
for a year and a day, and saw
weakened knees they got a taxi
the love he had not seen for a
back to hers; a cavern of lust,
year and a day.
sweat, sin and shame. The details of which, though many
She was still there, locked
and racy, I shan’t bore you
faithfully to the guardrails.
with here.
Caught offside. The shame was intolerable. He started
For the tourists had nothing to pose beside in the morning.
peddling faster.
page 24
January Blues It’s safe to say January is the Katie Waissel of the
without hearing the words “I’m stone broke” at least
large numbers sweating it out in the Kingfisher, many
calendar. Almost everyone hates it with a fiery wrath
twice, and we blame it all on January.
of us are trying to lose that annoying holiday weight,
and can’t wait to frolic into February. Initially, the New
Unless you’re a freak of nature you’ve probably piled on
vowing to eat more healthily and cut out the booze, if
Year is full of promise, a chance to make changes and
a few pounds over Christmas. All that delicious
only for a while. Gym membership always multiplies in
set goals. The novelty soon wears off however, and
Christmassy food everywhere just begging to be eaten
January with many people’s New Year’s resolution
suddenly we’re all a little too familiar with the January
and those bountiful beverages pleading to be
being to shed a few pounds, tone up the tummy or get
blues. After a few wild weeks over Christmas we’re all
consumed excessively are bound to take their toll.
fiercely fit. It takes a lot of will power and copious
feeling a little worse for wear and are often hit by a
When else can you stuff two Roses in your mouth at
amounts of determination and fair play to all who are
large dose the post-festive fear. For some people it
the same time because you can’t decide which flavour
trying. My resolve usually dissolves when I see a Wispa
starts with seeing their bank statement after the
you’d prefer? When else is it acceptable to stuff
looking all delicious and chocolatey when queuing to
Christmas period. I’m sure many of us stood derailed by
Quality Street wrappers down the back of the couch so
pay for a pen or post-its in the college shop... I generally
disgust after noting multiple transactions in our
you can’t be blamed for eating all the toffee pennies in
end up caving, stuffing it in my mouth and then shaking
favourite night-time haunts and thinking of the
an extra large tin when there was no-one else in the
my fist to the heavens cursing January and its empty
millionaires we’d be had we not engaged in such
house? When else can you have “one last one for the
promises. But that’s just me.
wanton consumption. A number of us winced after
road” five times in a row? Most of us use Christmas as a
Thankfully this month is almost over, and we can soon
seeing the financial fiasco caused by the purchase of a
chance to over-indulge, and sadly pay for it when
flee into fabulous February, the month of my birth.
particularly gorgeous gift or a bodacious bargain during
January rolls around. I pulled on a pair of skinny jeans I
Before we know it there’ll be a grand stretch in the
the yuletide shopping extravaganza. I was personally
hadn’t worn in a while but used to fit perfectly
evenings, we’ll be financially afloat and on top of our
almost in negotiations with the IMF last week. You’re
yesterday and had to do that sexy jumping around
work-load. Until then, the few extra pounds can
not a proper student unless you’ve witnessed the
dance to get them over my newly padded posterior. I
provide insulation against the cold January air, and we
words “insufficient funds” flashing before your eyes in
blame it on the two chocolate Santas I discovered
can blame any misfortune on the most hated month of
that rude manner at least once in your academic career,
hidden in a cupboard the weekend before coming back
the year.
and legged it from the ATM in an advanced state of
to college which my mom later told me she had hidden
mortification. You can’t walk down concourse lately
for my own good. How embarrassing. Judging by the
By Aisling Scally
Procrastinator’s Guide to New Year: New Beginnings It’s New Year and time for resolutions. Every year I say
or maybe finish off COD it’s always good to make
believe that you are busy when in fact you are not
to myself, ‘this semester things will be different’, but
time for nothing.
busy at all.
behind. If you too often make empty promises to
My advice to any young procrastinator is to just
So, as they say in Latin, ‘Carpe Diem’ (seize the day)
better yourself, then you will know exactly how I feel.
accept that this is the way you are, you can say you’re
but always remember that the first rule of
going to change, you can buy books in advance but we
procrastination is what we can do today we can more
I find that the best thing to do is relax, take some time
all know they will more than likely either remain in
than likely do tomorrow as well. So go now my fellow
off maybe watch some telly, treat yourself to a night
their packaging or on the shelf in your room. So
procrastinators and heed my advice to be who you are
out – you know the usual. The best way to trudge
instead of trying to be what you are not, embrace
and not what you should or would like to be. Embrace
through another semester is not think about it too
your inner procrastinator. So I say leave the books to
the laziness and at least then you can have an
much, try and allocate your time so that you have
one side and take the time to do, well anything except
enjoyable life. Good luck to you all out there and
won’t get too bogged down, that way you can have a
what you should be doing. The whole illusion behind
Happy Procrastinating.
blast and be too busy to realise what’s going on
it all is that you are tricking yourself into believing
around you. So whether it’s taking a day to do nothing
you are doing something so you allow yourself to
even just one week back and I am somehow already
By Christopher Cosgrove
film reviews
page 25
The King's Speech Black Swan By Lisa Jackson
By Lisa Jackson
Tom Hooper's adaptation of the
upper lip. Rush is at his best and his
How do you take a film about girls
The other main personalities in the movie
fascinating story of King George VI has
interpretation of Lionel reminds me of his
dancing in frilly dresses and make it into a
are Sayers’ “frenemy” and fellow ballerina
been tipped for Oscar success - especially
playful performance as the controversial
genuinely disturbing thriller? Ask Darren
Lily (Mila Kunis) and her artistic director
for Colin Firth's brilliant portrayal of the
Marquis de Sade in Quills. I would have
Aronofsky to direct it, that’s how. The
Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel). Both
protagonist. Once you see this film you'll
liked to have seen more of Bonham Carter
Requiem for a Dream director takes the
characters are dark, sexy and
know why.
but she plays the part of the adoring regal
story of Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) - a
unpredictable - a sharp contrast to the
wife to perfection. One thing that's pretty
fragile, doe-eyed ballerina - and turns it
seemingly timid Sayers.
Set in the 1930s, the film follows the life
obvious is that the casting director, Nina
into a snapshot of the human mind as it
The visual portrayal of Sayers as she
of reluctant leader Albert Frederick Arthur
Gold, must have watched a lot of Harry
appears to disintegrate.
begins to lose her nerve is fantastic. Three
George Windsor (or 'Bertie' to his friends)
Potter - Gambon and Bonham Carter are
as he battles with a life spent half in the
both regular Harry Potter cast members. In
We learn early on that Sayers is cast in the
special effects are interlaced sparingly
shadow of his older brother (Guy Pearce)
addition, the actor that plays Churchill
lead role in her New York City ballet
throughout the film to add depth and
who is first-in-line for the throne, and the
(Timothy Spall) might be more
company’s production of Swan Lake. This
enhance our understanding of Sayers as
other half in the limelight as son of the
recognisable as Wormtail from the
role involves playing the dual characters
she unravels. Secondly, the dramatic use
King George V (Michael Gambon). To
wizarding franchise.
of the good swan (white) and the evil
of mirrors is clever and allows us to
swan (black). The film then opens up as
glimpse parallel worlds and personalities.
make matters worse, Bertie suffers from a
particular aspects stood out. Firstly, subtle
terrible stammer that has hampered his
The film is quite sentimental but despite
we see new sides to Sayers’ personality as
Lastly, simply shot scenes like the close-
life since childhood.
this does not come across as cheesy -
she embraces the temperament of the
ups of Sayers breaking in her new ballet
which is quite a feat! The scenes featuring
black swan. Up to this point she’s shown
pumps by hand really convey the sense of
Bertie's wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham
Firth and Rush are pure gold and the
as a little girl who is tucked into her single
destruction that occurs throughout the
Carter) struggles to find a suitable speech
whole cinema was in fits laughing. The
bed at night by her “mommy”. As she
story.
therapist to cure her beloved husband's
pair really worked well together and their
transforms, the people in her life also
condition before it crushes his confidence
chemistry is obvious. The cinematography
begin to reveal new facets to their
Oh and did I neglect to mention that
beyond repair. Finally she stumbles upon
is also worth the watch. There's a
characters.
Kunis and Portman get it on in a pretty
the unorthodox teachings of Aussie,
beautiful scene where Lionel and Bertie go
Don’t be fooled by the film’s pretty
graphic fashion in the middle of the
Lionel Logue, played by the fantastic
for a stroll in the park. We see a long shot
packaging. The opening scene of Sayers
movie? With an age classification of ‘16’,
Geoffrey Rush. The story follows the
up the avenue at one point that's magical.
dancing suggests that a beautiful film
this film is bound to make many the
about ballet awaits you. It barely hints at
teenage boy extremely pleased. And many
budding friendship of the unlikely pair against the backdrop of WWII, King
One last piece of trivia: Lionel's wife
the drama to follow. But it does follow.
the adult male too I suspect.
George V’s demise and Bertie's imminent
Myrtle is played by Jennifer Ehle who was
The movie packs one hell of a punch and
A word of caution: As you might have
rise to the throne following his brother's
the original Elizabeth Bennett in the BBC
the beauty of the performances is
gathered, this film is disturbing and not
illicit affair with an American harlot.
version of Pride and Prejudice in 1995.
balanced by the harshness of the world
for the squeamish. If you are a fan of
This featured none other than Colin Firth
Sayers finds herself in. There is one
movies like The Shining or What Lies
The casting is brilliant. Firth is simply
as the delectable Mr Darcy. Although they
particular scene about two-thirds of the
Beneath then this one is for you. On the
amazing. He resisted the urge to overplay
don't feature in many scenes together in
way in where Sayers visits ageing ballerina
other hand, if you are expecting a Dirty
his character's stammer and is brilliant at
The King's Speech, it's the first movie
Beth Macintyre (Winona Ryder) in the
Dancing style romance then maybe check
depicting the quintessential British stiff
they've appeared in together since then!
hospital that’s seriously shocking.
out Love and Other Drugs instead.
tech reviews
page 26
Game Review:
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood By Christopher Cosgrove
2011: A Year for Music By Shane Leonard
The Assassin’s Creed franchise goes back to when the first Playstation 3
The quick pace of the game allows
came out and ever since then
the storyline to remain interesting
UbiSoft have been able to capture
and keeps the gamer engrossed. The
and keep hold the attention of the
gameplay varies from the other
PS3 gamer. The franchise itself is rich
Assassin’s games as it gives the user
in story, technique and visual wonder
control over the Brotherhood and
and always manages to keep the
there are many new aspects to the
gamer wanting more. The great
game explored through the use of
conspiracy story which features in
having this Brotherhood at your
2011 is already looking like a big year for
band sound excited over a new found
the Assassin’s Creed games is not too
disposal. With cool new ways to
music. It seems that not only will it be a key
democracy and love for the band. ‘Angles’ will
farfetched and the characters of the
take out enemies with your
year for the world of pop, but also rock and
be released 22nd of March 2011 and look out
games are very easy to grow
comrades and even special missions
other genres. With established and influential
for lead single ‘Undercover of Darkness’.
accustom to.
to which you can send your fellow
artists releasing material this year along with
Arctic Monkeys are also releasing an album
some new fresh acts breaking the scene, this
this year. Their production team includes
The characters and story of the
gives the game a whole new level of
year could be an exciting blend of sounds.
James Ford and Josh Homme of Queens of the
Assassin’s Creed franchise has
gaming within the game itself. It is
Stone Age and they’re hoping for a summer
allowed it to expand even into the
also the first of the Assassin’s games
The album that looks set to dominate pop
release. If you prefer more downbeat rock acts
literary market also. With the
to feature online multiplayer
charts this year is ‘Born This Way’ (23rd of
you’ll be glad to know Elbow and Coldplay are
success of Assassin’s Creed 2,
capabilities in which users can fight
May 2011), Lady Gaga’s follow up to the
releasing records this year.
UbiSoft launched Assassin’s Creed
against each other online and build
Brotherhood as an interval game to
their own Brotherhood and compete for popularity and control.
groundbreaking ‘The Fame’. Debut single is
assassins on to receive experience,
released 13th of February 2011 and the date
Two of the world’s best hip hop artists have
keep Assassin’s Creed addicts
coincides with the 53rd Grammy Awards
united. Jay Z and Kanye West are releasing
satisfied until the release of the next
where the singer is bound to give the song an
‘Watch the Throne’ the album should be a
title. Brotherhood continues straight
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood retains
outstanding live debut. Another album that
powerful piece and is set for release in March.
from the story arc of Assassin’s
the good one player style gaming
may cause ripples in the pop scene is La
If new bands are going to cause a stir it will be
Creed 2 and the player is set up with
from its predecessors which made
Roux’s follow up to her 2009 debut. She’s
the likes of The Vaccines, with a fresh take on
the task of further examining the
the franchise so popular, and with
determined to live up to the success of her
a kind of punk-indie hybrid. Or lad rockers
memories of the main protagonist
this idea as a starting point, UbiSoft
debut album and has begun collaborating with
Brother who claim they will steal the world’s
Desmond Mile’s ancestors. The
have enhanced the capabilities of the
White Lies. If everything goes well the album
attention by bringing a new buzz to Britpop.
ancestor in question is the same as
franchise with the introduction of
should be out for summer festivities.
Mona on the other hand has a kind of harsh
that from Assassin’s Creed 2: Ezio
the Brotherhood itself within the
and vintage guitar sound that could attract a
Auditore da Firenze. While
game. All in all, Assassin’s Creed
It’s certainly a special year for indie and rock
big following. Whatever your musical tastes,
controlling Ezio the main plot to the
Brotherhood stands as a sturdy and
fans as 2011 see’s the rebirth of The Strokes.
2011 should be a huge year for music fans and
game is to restore the Brotherhood
enjoyable addition to the Assassin’s
After a long five years it’s good to know that
the summer festivals look like they have
of Assassins to its former glory and
Creed franchise and a definite must
in a recent article with Rolling Stone all the
plenty of potential.
rid Rome of Borgia control.
buy for any Assassin’s fan.
reviews
page 27
Book Review:
Drama Review:
The Finkler Question
Phaedra’s Love By Emer McHugh
by Howard Jacobson
Several weeks ago during the Galway
pathways and steps, and the majority
Theatre Festival, the late Sarah
of the cast are clad in that same
Kane’s first play Blasted was staged
colour also – yet this is to
in Druid Lane by Banjaxed Theatre
great effect. Whereas it is clear to
Company, themselves alumni of the
the audience that the violence in the
Libor Sevcik, are
university. It in itself was the first
play creates bloodless wounds to its
Jews. They have
staging of any of Kane’s works in
cast - which, considering Kane’s
everything that
Galway. Dramsoc follow hot on its
reputation as an advocate for “the
Treslove desires:
heels with their production of Kane’s
theatre of extremes,” is somewhat
success, fame, love
second play, and whereas the former
out of place - otherwise there is
and bereavement:
may raise questions amongst its
great attention paid to the smallest
‘Treslove’s clocks
audience about whether its
details. Strophe’s bright red lipstick
were all wrong. He
depictions of violence may indeed
is a case in point, and Cahalan's
no sooner saw the
have some meaning or merit, the
performance hints at the precarious
woman than he
latter successfully adapts Seneca’s
balance between girlhood and
saw the aftermath
myth with an effective application of
maturity. Theseus’ discovery of
of her – his
black humour and uniformly strong
Phaedra’s death is one particular
marriage proposal
performances.
highlight, even more so because of
By Kate Smyth
and her acceptance,
its lack of dialogue. Robbins here
the home they
Samuel Ferry’s production opens
displays Theseus’ anguish effectively
would set up
with Jarlath Tivnan’s Hippolytus
– to the point where his shirt
together …’ This
sprawled across the floor,
becomes ripped and his face
woman would then
surrounded by boys’ toys and junk
becomes bloodied. Although I doubt
die ‘in a perfected
food, right in the middle of the stage
that the blood was intentional, it
dream of tragic
– a very apt place for him to be. The
certainly adds to a convincing
love –
play may be called Phaedra’s Love,
performance.
consumptive, wet-
but it is Hippolytus who calls the
eyelashed, and as
shots. Tivnan portrays him as
The creative team successfully mines
often as not singing
conniving, slovenly and manipulative,
the black humour pervading the
her goodbyes to
yet we also find him somewhat
proceedings, leading to some
him in phrases
riveting – and we are not the only
deliciously hilarious moments.
borrowed from
ones who think so, judging by the
Phaedra performs fellatio on
popular Italian
amount of people Hippolytus
Hippolytus, to which only the
opera’.
manages to twist around his finger.
latter’s remote controlled race car is
These include Karen Connell’s
privy, spinning around repeatedly
He craves and
doomed queen Phaedra, herself
towards the front of the stage. All
idolises tragedy
channelling Norma Desmond and
the while, Ave Maria acts as a
and, after being
the quintessential desperate
soundtrack over the
Winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2010, The
mysteriously assaulted on a well-lit London
housewife, Áine Cahalan’s stroppy
proceedings. What we have in the
Finkler Question focuses on the obsessive
street, he decides to become what he has always
teenager Strophe and Paul Rogers’
end is a pill that is easier to swallow
ruminations of Julian Treslove, a man who sets
admired and looked up to: a Jew. For Treslove,
performance demonstrates that not
than Kane’s previous play. The fact
himself up for failure in every aspect of his life.
being Jewish means being a success, and his
even the clergy are safe either.
that it is a student drama production
Jacobson describes Treslove’s existence as a sort
relentless pondering of the subject remains
Hippolytus’ affair with Phaedra
certainly does impact on how the
of farce. He was once a producer on a late night
humorous and pathetic throughout the novel.
serves as a fatal catalyst for the
more violent and audacious scenes
devastating turn of events towards
are portrayed, yet it is to Ferry’s
radio program for the BBC, where no one listened to him, and his co-workers told him to
Finkler – pompous, arrogant and self-serving – is
the play’s conclusion, and which lead
credit that they are handled
‘cheer up’. Now, he works as a celebrity
less deferential towards Jews, even though he is
Oisín Robbins’ king Theseus to make
effectively and economically. With
lookalike, having brief and ridiculous
one. Through him, Jacobson explores Zionism,
some very ill-advised decisions.
this production and also that of
relationships with women (and two indolent
Israel and Palestine, and the complex and elusive
sons) and waiting, always waiting, for something
idea of anti-Semitism. The history and emotion
Ferry’s production is simplistic – we
productions of Kane’s works in the
to happen that will change his life.
behind this book is subtly mingled with humour.
are initially greeted with a set
West may follow.
However, no resolution is given, and the reader
constructed with black blocks,
Treslove’s two oldest friends, Sam Finkler and
is left questioning.
Banjaxed, perhaps now even more
sport
page 28
Champions League Round-up: Week 6: All English teams through
Manchester United 1-1 Valencia FC Twente 3-3 Tottenham Hotspur Arsenal 3-1 Partizan Belgrade Marseille 1-0 Chelsea
The final week of the Champions
finished top of their group above Inter
away side equalised and it took until
League saw Manchester United play
Milan and like Blackpool in the
the 73rd minute before the Gunners
Valencia at Old Trafford with both
Premier League, were a breath of fresh
were in front again with Walcott and
teams having already qualified. Who
air in their debut season. The match
then Nasri scoring soon after to assure
would top the group? Being the only
finished 3 - 3 with Defoe scoring a
victory. You have to feel sorry for
question yet to be answered. United
couple but the talk will not of been
Wenger’s side being drawn against the
were unable to make history as they
about the game but more about its
Catalans two years in a row and while
conceded their first goal of the group
consequences. Tottenham finished top
Arsenal are a better, more experienced
stages to a Valencia strike that was
and so avoided most of the big guns in
side this time round, it’s going to take
down mostly to poor ball retention on
European football even though aging
something extraordinarily special if the
behalf of the Reds. Blushes were
AC Milan could prove trickier than
Gunners are to progress past the might
spared as Anderson brought the game
expected and with Inter Milan
of Barcelona and Messi.
level with a reactive finish in the
finishing second, it was just another
second half. The result meant that
reason why Rafael Benitez lost his job
Chelsea’s abysmal run of form
United finished as group leaders but
as technical director. Harry ‘Houdini’
continued as they lost their last group
they’re going to have to start playing in
Redknapp has done it again but you
game therefore losing their 100%
a higher gear if they want to progress
wonder if both his and Tottenham’s
record with Drogba returning to his
farther in the competition. You would
lack of experience of playing at this
old side Marseille, who he left for £24
still expect them to progress past
level could negatively affect their
million in 2004. It was a forgettable
Marseille in the next round especially
league form in the long run.
night for Chelsea as they failed to get
with the second leg being played at Old Trafford.
going in any shape or form but they Arsenal’s shaky European run saw
could be forgiven considering the
them nervously beat Partizan Belgrade
game was of no significance to their
Kudos to Tottenham Hotspur, who
at the Emirates as they booked their
campaign. A Marseille goal with less
have been this years’ surprise package
place in the last 16. But they paid the
than ten minutes to go resulted in
and have lit up the competition thanks
biggest price possible for not topping
victory for the French side.
to some fantastic displays from Gareth
their group by being drawn against
Copenhagen should be easily disposed
Bale and all round attacking football.
favourites Barcelona, who are
of by Chelsea in the next round.
Spurs found themselves up against FC
beginning to be thought of by many as
Twente in what would be a famous
the greatest team of all time. Van
night for the Londoners as they
Persie scored a penalty before the
By Conor Lane
The Magic of the cup It’s January and for any football fan it
signalled the end of the FA cup as we
Manchester City and Arsenal were
means the so called big boys enter the
knew it. Gone are the days of the top
held to draws by Championship clubs.
FA cup. However, the FA Cup no
teams contesting the latter stages of
The romance of the cup is all but
longer holds the authority or respect
the competition, over the last decade,
dead. It’s more important to stay in
that it once did. The big clubs no
Millwall, Southampton, Cardiff City
the Premier League, get promoted, or
longer care about the competition
and Portsmouth have all been
qualify for Europe than to focus on
purely because clubs feel that these
involved in the Wembley showpiece
the cup these days. The FA cup is fast
days they play too much football over
final in May, a sure sign that the
turning into the Carling Cup, where
a short space of time.
competition is going nowhere fast.
the bigger clubs see it as a reserve fixture. Unless the FA bring in a
Manchester United caused major
Last weekend, the big teams rested
Winter break or come up with a new
controversy back in the 1999/2000
their better players which gave their
way forward for the cup, the FA cup
season when they pulled out of the
younger players a chance to play,
will soon fade out, which would be a
competition so they could take part
citing the heavy schedule as leaving
shame given its history.
in the World Club Championship in
them with no other option.
Brazil. I doubt, should that decision
Newcastle, Sunderland,
be made today that there would be an
Middlesbrough and West Brom all
outcry of that level. That in effect
lost to inferior opposition, while
By Damien McEvoy
sport
page 29
Ronaldinho’s premature homecoming 21st of November, 2005. Ronaldinho has just inspired Barcelona to a 3-0 humbling of Real Madrid with two goals at the Santiago Bernabau. For his efforts, Ronaldinho is given an unprecedented standing ovation from the Madristas. This one performance summed up Ronaldinho at his peak as he brought delight and astonishment even to fans of Barcelona’s bitterest rivals. With many modern footballers becoming mercenaries rather than football lovers, Ronaldinho’s infectious smile on the pitch was admired. However, his love of the good life and partying has ultimately led to his own downfall. Ronaldinho’s career began effectively where it will end, in Brazil. Rising up through the youth ranks from the age of seven, his debut came in 1998 as an eighteen year old. Over the next three seasons, he went on to score an incredible twenty-one goals in forty-four games for Gremio. His skill, vision and set-piece prowess were clearly visible even from a young age. As a gangly teenager, Ronaldinho came up against tough-tackling and experienced opponents (such as 1994 World Cup Brazillian captain Dunga) but this prepared him in the long-term for European football. His form with Gremio led to international recognition too as he impressed for Brazil in their 1999 Copa America victory. His rising reputation inevitably led to a move to Europe and Paris Saint-Germain signed Ronaldinho on a Bosman free in 2001. The manager of PSG at the time was the nononsense Luis Fernandez and there was a clash of personalities between the pair. Ronaldinho’s partying habits and extended holidays in Brazil were beginning to affect his form yet he still managed to perform at a decent level with seventeen goals in fifty-five games. Possibly feeling inhibited on the smaller stage of French football, the World Cup gave Ronaldinho the platform to showcase his talent with a Brazil team that were not expected to win. In Luis Felipe Scolari’s balanced line-up that fused the industry of Edmilson and Emerson with the potency of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, Brazil excelled. In the quarter-final against England, his lobbing of David Seaman from a
freekick, forty yards from goal, was the moment of the tournament. Although he did go on to get sent off in the match, Ronaldinho played a huge part in their eventual tournament victory with two goals and three assists. He was now the most in demand player in world football. Twelve months on and a revolution was occurring at Barcelona in 2003. The Catalan giants had gone three years without a Primera Division title and a new president arrived in the form of Joan Laporta who replaced the thenmanager and old-school Dutch master Louis Van Gaal with the modern Frank Rijkaard. Laporta wanted to see Barcelona return to their
footballing roots with ‘Total Football’ and saw Ronaldinhoa (albeit a Plan B after he failed to sign David Beckham) as central to this. Ronaldinho, with his €32,250,000 price-tag, did not disappoint. His ambition and self-motivation to prove himself at the highest club level was obvious. Europe was giving him the platform but he was also giving Europe a footballing lesson with his unprecedented Samba style that was so effective that it was rare that Ronaldinho, at his peak, was ever marked or bullied out of a match. Ronaldinho’s moments of brilliance were constant in the Champions League such as his jaw-dropping goal from the edge of the area against Chelsea in the quarter-final in 2005 which left everyone flat-footed. His incredible strength and acceleration were evident a year
later, again against Chelsea as he cruised past four Chelsea players leaving the then formidable John Terry on his backside before smashing the ball into the net. In 2006, he again showcased his genius against Werder Bremen when he struck a freekick under a jumping wall. By the end of 2005, Ronaldinho had won the World Player of the Year award for the second year running. He was now recognised as the world’s greatest footballer with team honours following suit as seen with Barcelona’s back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006 and their Champions League triumph in 2006. He had won it all. The ambition and drive coupled with amazing ability that had made Ronaldinho the world’s best was beginning to wane. After a dismal World Cup in 2006 and a season disrupted by injuries, poor form and the emergence of Lionel Messi in 2007 and 2008, Ronaldinho was sold by Barcelona’s new manager Pep Guardiola to AC Milan in July 2008. There were flashes of brilliance and an admirable return of twenty goals in sixty-five matches. However, that trademark ‘flick of a switch’ ability Ronaldinho had to turn his marker and which made him unplayable was gone. He still had the amazing flicks and skill, but without his once unrivalled acceleration, these skills rarely resulted in anything more than showboating. After being ousted by Dunga from the national team in 2007, his desire to get back to his absolute best also seemed to have deserted him. Old habits continued too which ultimately ended his time in Milan. Manager Massimiliano Allegri began leaving him out of the team in the 2010/2011 season due to Ronaldinho’s partying. As a thirty year old, Ronaldinho heads back home to Brazil with Flamengo on a permanent deal. While he has numerous personal and team achievements to his name and his best years are behind him, there is still a feeling that this is a very premature homecoming for the greatest player of his generation. By Ciarán Kelly
clubs page
page 30
Welcome back to all NUI Galway Sports Clubs New Clubs website coming soon …… Check out www.clubs.nuigalway.ie for more information!
NUI Galway Badminton Club. Enschede Trip 2010/2011 By Fintan Keown (Badminton Club Captain) Members of the NUI Galway badminton club recently participated in an International Student Badminton Tournament (ISBT) in Enschede, Holland. Among these members were, Fintan Keown (club captain), Simon Casey (PRO), Eamonn Flynn (Treasurer) and Joseph Kiely (Vice Captain). The tournament took place
Tag Rugby coming soon ……
between the 28th of December and the 1st of January. There were 4 divisions of players from grade A
Keep an eye on
(advanced international competitors) to grade D (beginners). Fintan competed in A and Simon, Joseph and Eamonn competed in the C grade. All four players put in some great performances and achieved some admirable results. Play began each morning at 9am and finished around 5pm. The standard of badminton was very high as there were participants from Scotland, Germany, France, Norway, England, Holland and Ireland competing. A meal was organised every evening in the city of Enschede. There was great entertainment provided every
www.otc.nuigalway.ie or email info@otc.nuigalway.ie for more information
night by the organising committee. This is where we got to meet and greet our fellow competitors and badminton enthusiasts. There was a quiz organised for one of the evenings and there was a New Year’s fancy dress party on the last night. A great week was had by all and we hope to attend this event again next year.
Intervarsities January 14th-16th
Indoor Cricket Intervarsities
NUI Galway
29th
Taekwondo Intervarsities
UCC
NUIG 24 Hour Run and Naked Mile On Monday 7th of February, NUI Galway athletics club will
February 4th-6th
HESPC Pool Intervarsities
HESPC
host a 24 hour fundraiser, incorporating the first ever Naked
5th
Archery Intervarsities Round 4
NUI Galway
Mile. From 1pm, groups of NUIG students and staff will take
10th- 13th
IUFU Harding Cup
Maynooth
turns to run a 1mile circuit around campus beginning and
11th - 12th
Swimming Intervarsities
TBC
ending outside Aras Na Mac Leinn. As if that wasn’t enough,
12th
IUSWA Lifesaving Intervarsities
TBC
12th
Squash Intervarsities
Queen's
18th
Canoe Intervarsities
UCC
19th
Judo Intervarsities
DCU
almost! At 12.45pm on Tuesday, students will complete the
21st-24th
IUFU Collingwood Cup
Dublin
24hour event by running the final mile in nothing more than
TBC
Fencing
NUI Galway
running shoes and specially designed underwear!
the final mile will become a lot more interesting when all participants will gather and run the final mile naked. Well
NUIG Athletics Club has gone from strength to
March
strength in recent years. It now offers coached training 3rd-5th
Sigerson Cup
UCD
4th & 5th
Waterpolo
Dublin
10th-12th
Womens Soccer
Cork IT
12th
IUAA Cross County
DIT
athlete. They also offer coached circuit training sessions, all
19th - 20th
Archery Intervarsities Round 5
GMIT
free of charge. The club are working hard to promote health
24th-27th
Crowley Cup
TBC
and fitness on campus and plan to build on the success of
30th-31st
Women's Rugby
TBC
recent years.
Mid March
Tennis Intervarsities
TCD
sessions for both sprinters and distance runners, group runs and accommodates from the recreational jogger to the elite
If you are interested in taking part in the fundraiser or any other NUIG athletics activity please contact the club at
April
athletics@clubs.nuigalway.ie. If it doesn’t sound like your cup
2nd & 3rd
Ultimate Frisbee
DCU
7th-10th
BICC Basketball Intervarsities
UCD
of tea, please come along and support what promises to be the
9th
Archery Intervarsities Round 6
UL
most unique event of the year. Not to be missed!
SPORT NEWS NUIG Hockey starts new year with a win
page 31
FBD League, Round 2:
NUI Galway
2-08
Galway
1-08
By Conrad Clancy
By Sile Johnson NUI Galway 1sts started the 2011 hockey
Sligo side to breach NUI Galway’s defence
This all Galway FBD league game, took place
and another point from Deasmhumhaigh
year with a 2-1 victory over a Yeats-Sligo
and attack the circle a number of times.
in Tuam Stadium on Sunday 16th January.
saw the students lead 1-07 to 1-03 at half
side eager to amend their defeat to the
Their hard work finally paid dividends in
The game was slow to begin in earnest with
time. The second half begun with far more
college team last October.
the closing quarter, when Rachel Bourne
both sides missing a number of early scoring
intensity and Galway registered two quick
The game began in exciting fashion, with a
picked up a rebound from a short corner,
chances but by midway through the first
scores, a long range effort from Fiachra
goal for NUI Galway within the first five
and finished for the Sligo team.
half, NUIG held a 0-4 to nil lead, the
Breathneach and a Johnathan Ryan free,
minutes. An excellent interception by Jane
Although not quite at their best, NUI
highlight of these scores coming from Jason
before a Doherty free for NUIG. When
O Higgins set up the college sides’ first
Galway still secured the win 2-1, with
Doherty, with a well struck sideline kick. It
substitute Aidan Mullan finished well to the
scoring opportunity of the day. Sile
notable performances from goalkeeper
was 18 minutes before Galway finally
net on 41 minutes, sending NUIG six points
Johnson readily accepted it, after a skilful
Moya Carpenter and newcomer Molly
converted and went on to score 1-3 in the
clear, the game was all but over, owing to
assist from former Yeats player, Beth
Braun.
next seven minutes, Matthew Clancy
the combination of good defence by the
Armstrong, whose reverse pass eliminated
The 2nds team did not fare as well in their
finishing the goal following a sequence of
college and poor finishing from the
the goalkeeper and granted Johnson an
Aisling Gaffney Irish Challenge match at Pic: home against
rebounded attempts. It was in the minutes
Tribesmen. A comeback never looked like
open goal.
Kilkenny Hockey Club. They suffered their
leading to the interval where NUIG
materialising. The last quarter saw Galway
Not long after, Armstrong herself was on
first defeat of the season against the
effectively won the game, points from
get three points, Sean Armstrong scoring
the score sheet, when she finished a shot
visitors, with an 8-1 loss. The only goal for
Peadar Gardiner and Fiachra
two, to close the margin to a goal that never
from across the circle, delivered to the left
the college side came from captain, Jenn
Deasmhumhaigh, before a good move
really threatened to arrive.
post by captain, Aoife Smyth.
Oakland, midway through the first half to
resulted in a well taken goal by Neil Douglas
The second half proved a different affair,
bring the score to 4-1. Unfortunately the
with some lively Yeats’ passages of play.
college side was unable to capitalize on this
Skilful runs by Sarah McDaid enabled the
momentum, and Kilkenny pulled away.
Camoige scholarships for NUIG’s Clare duo By Michael O Connor NUI Galway camogie received a timely
Both players have for many years lined out
boost as they prepare to compete as well as
with their club and county with distinction.
host the 2011 Ashbourne cup as two of
Anne Marie McMahon is a second year
their star players were awarded Camogie
student in NUI Galway and after a bright
association scholarships recently. Two
fresher year, in which she made the
Clare players: Sixmilebridge’s Chloe Morey
Ashbourne side with a number of sterling
and Crusheen’s Anne Marie
performances is this year’s side vice-
McMahon were the players in question.
captain. It is a rare honour for NUI Galway
Both camogie players come from well-
to have to two camogie scholarships, but it
known hurling clans in their native
is not a surprise considering the abilities
Sixmilebridge and Crusheen respectively.
and dedication of both players in question.
UCC await for Ladies footballers Reigning O’Connor shield champions NUI
and DCU. In the Lynch Cup, the second
Galway will face UCC (away) in the
string of the college face a trip to CIT with
opening round of the 2011 O’Connor Cup
the winners meeting UL(2) or UJJ (2). The
ladies football championship, for the elite
Donaghy Cup competition is to be played
teams in third level. Should NUI Galway
in four regional blitzes with the winners
win this tie, they will face the winners of
meeting for a second blitz on the 16th
QUB and DCU with a place in the semi-
March. NUI Galway has agreed to host the
finals for the winner. Should they lose
Connacht blitz and will take on Castlebar
against UCC, they play the losers of QUB
IT, IT Sligo (2) and GMIT.
Morey and Kelly lead NUI Galway to Walsh Cup win
NUI Galway
0-22
Offaly
1-10
By Michael O Connor A powerful scoring display by Caimin Morey,
that the reigning Fitzgibbon champions
allied to a solid display at full-back by the
would offer a stern test to the home side in
team captain, were the main reasons which
the second period. Clare duo John Conlon
propelled NUI Galway to a nine point win
and effective target man Caimin Morey got
over an experimental Offaly side in Banagher
the college side off to the perfect start with
recently. Conditions in the Offaly venue
early points and within ten minutes, the
were wet and windy with the elements
sides were separated by the minimum (1-9)
favouring the home side in the first half.
to (0-11). Offaly managed only one score in
Despite this, NUI Galway kept in contact
the remaining twenty minutes as NUI
with Offaly for the first twenty minutes and
Galway went on a scoring spree adding 11
indeed should have been ahead, if only for
points to just one effort from the Faithful
better finishing. Offaly led (0-5) to (0-4)
county men. Kilkenny now await NUI
when a long range free from Michael Cordial
Galway next weekend in the Walsh Cup
got a deflection that ended up in the NUI
quarter-final with their best performers on
Galway net. Caimin Morey, Niall Burke, Sean
this occasion including Pat Kelly, Diarmuid
Glynn and Domhnall O Donovan had early
Nash, Seamus Hennessy, Joseph Cooney,
NUI Galway scores. By the interval Offaly
Domhnall O Donovan, John Conlon, Caimin
led (1-8) to (0-6) but it was abundantly clear
Morey and Barry Daly when introduced.
Party time for Gaelic games followers Karma next Monday and Thursday night is
on Monday night, 31st January. Tickets are
the venue for party goers and GAA
5-euro entry to karma with offers inside.
followers. Mix with the hurlers, footballers,
On Thursday night, 3rd February, the
camogie gals and ladies’ Gaelic players as
hurlers and camogie players are also having
they prepare for their upcoming
their college party with tickets also a cool
championship outing with a training
fiver. Tickets will be on sale in the Canteen
session on the dance floor of Karma. NUI
during the week. Please purchase from the
Galway men’s and ladies’ Gaelic football
Gaelic players you meet to support Gaelic
clubs are hosting a college party in Karma
games and have a great night out.