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 9 , 0 1 . 0 3 . 2 0 1 1
SU comes under criticism for College Week acts By Grainne Coyne
Labour’s Ruairí Quinn signs the USI pledge not to re-introduce fees of any form
Anti-fees Labour poised to enter coalition with pro-fees FG By Richard Manton In the lead up to the
The headline acts for College
is a disappointment compared to
Week are David McSavage and
other years. I was hoping for
The Rubberbandits. The lack of
better music acts like Calvin
better quality acts has led to
Harris last year and more comedy
criticism of the Students’ Union
acts.”
by many students, claiming that higher profile acts were sourced
Another Final Year Arts student
in other universities this year and
said: “I heard that Jessie J is
in NUIG in previous years.
performing for Trinity and other colleges seem to have better acts
According to Melissa Mannion,
than we do here. There is nothing
consequences of reneging
Mannion continued: “Over
the SU Irish Language Officer,
to look forward to for College
general election, the
On Saturday Ruairí Quinn,
on clear promises made
the last 12 months the
“The acts question of College
Week.” However Melissa
Labour Party reaffirmed its
participating in RTÉ’s
about education.
strength of the student
Week is an interesting one
pointed out that “It's very
commitment to quality
Election Coverage, said
voice has been seen over
because the SU, as is the norm,
difficult to gauge what sort of
and publicly funded third
that the Labour Party had
Peter Mannion, President
and over. On November
are always interested in
acts people would like to see
level education. Ruairí
no “red line” issues, which
of the Students’ Union
3rd over 40,000 students
suggestions and ideas for the
when students don't provide
Quinn and Eamon
could not be negotiated on
said: “I am hugely
took to the streets of
week. Anything that will help us
input, which we receive much
GIlmore, on behalf of the
during talks with Fine Gael
concerned by Ruairi
Dublin to show their
raise more money for our
more of after the act has been
Labour Party, signed the
on forming a coalition. In
Quinn’s comments last
support for publicly
charities is obviously a good
announced.”
USI Election pledge and
response, the Students’
weekend. The pledge he
funded education. Since
thing.”
thereby promised not to
Union has reconfigured
signed, on behalf of the
then thousands of
re-introduce third level
the TellYourTD.com
Labour Party, is very clear
students registered to vote
The majority of students are
week there main act was also
fees in any form including
website to send an email
and guarantees Labour
on campuses all over the
comparing this year’s College
‘The Rubberbandits’ as well as
student loans, graduate
to all new Labour Party
Party support third level
country. The voice of
Week acts to last year’s ones,
many fundraising events such as
taxes and any further
TDs urging them all not to
education. I encourage all
students is clearly
where international DJ Calvin
bungee jumping and tomato
increase in the Student
forget the promises which
students to go on to
strengthening and I warn
Harris, The Coronas and Jason
fights. UL’s Charity Week, which
Contribution to Higher
were made during the
TellYourTD.com and send
all of the new Labour Party
Byrne performed and many
coincides with NUIG’s College
Education. The Labour
General Election
an email to the new
TDs that we will punish
students expected similar acts to
Week, is focusing on fundraising
Party also pledged to
Campaign. The email
Labour Party TDs
any political party who
perform this year. Geraldine,
events such as Wet T-shirt
protect the Higher
draws parallels with the
reminding them of their
thinks they can lie to us for
Final Year Arts students told Sin:
competitions and their main
Education Maintenance
plight of the Liberal
promises and the strength
their electoral gain.”
“I expected better acts for
headliner act is also The
Grant and to tackle the
Democrats in the UK who
of the student vote.”
College Week, this year’s line up
Rubberbandits. ...
graduate emigration crisis.
are suffering the
GMIT’s Rag Week was held last
NEWS
page 2
Solicitors’ open offer to Mature Students
contiuned from page 1
SU comes under criticism for College Week acts NUIG’s College Week has various fundraising events such 90’s nights Smash Hits, Take Me Out, Mini Triathlon, Rock
By Méabh McDonnell
the Boat World Record Attempt and
Harry Bell of Bell & Carroll Solicitors has recently made contact with the Student’s Union in regard to mature students looking for job-seekers allowance. They recently settled a case involving an MA student from NUI Galway, whose job-seeker allowance had been withdrawn without notification due to the fact she was now classed as being ‘in full time education’. The law states that students who are in full time education are not considered for jobseekers allowance. However in 2007 a qualification was made in the law, if a student was over 23 years of age, then he or she could still avail of job-seekers allowance if they could provide
‘The Key to Hell’ Written by Niamh Dennis and directed by Hannah O'Reilly Starring (left to right): Andrew Buckley, David Burke, Conor Burke, Paul Rodgers and Jenny O'Donnell
sufficient proof that he or she would be available to work up to three days between Mondays and Saturdays. The student of NUIG fit these criteria, and her case reached a settlement earlier on in the year. Bell and Carroll Solicitors have offered their legal assistance to students around the country and are currently dealing with similar cases involving students from LIT and GMIT. They have told the Student Unions in colleges around the country, including NUIG that, in reference to this issue of mature students being denied jobseekers allowance, “we confirm that this firm is willing and able to act on their behalf on a “no foal, no fee” basis.
This means that the student will not be responsible for paying this firms, or indeed Counsels, legal costs. At all times, such costs will only be recoverable as against the proposed Defendant to any such litigation.” According to Harry Bell, of Bell and Carroll, “We have two solicitors working on this issue and a barrister, our policy is that no student will be charged even for a consultation”. They also pointed out that, “We are happy to attend your campus with our legal professionals, by appointment, to make a presentation on the above services and to discuss any queries your students may have”.
Skydiving which according to Melissa “...was widely requested as event and now that’s been organised.” Student Union charities for College Week are the Alan Kerins Projects and Ability West, Geraldine argued: “Surely the more popular acts they have for College Week the more money they can raise for charity.” However according to Melissa, “I think a lot more students partake in the fundraising and volunteering aspect of College Week than people think. You are technically helping the fundraising by buying tickets to the events put on, regardless of whether you also help out with bucket collections or take part in the more obvious fundraising activities.”
Jerome Hynes One Act Play Series 2011 By Naomi Moran
Photo by Joe Hyland The One Act Play Series ran from Tuesday 22nd-Thursday 24th as part of Theatre Week. The six winning plays brought their audience from Hell to a Presidential Crisis, to the future and back to remembering younger days. The winning playwrights included David Kilgannon, Niamh Dennis, Sarah Griffin, Thomas Dooley, Michael Shiels and Maedhbh Haicead. The series this year had three alumni theatre practitioners help and guide the playwrights and directors in the process namely Eileen Gibbons, Mephisto Theatre and Fregoli Theatre. Thanks to all involved for their time and effort. If you didn’t get a chance to see the one act plays last week, there is a second chance to see them during the ISDA fringe festival running in Kelly’s Bar from the 4th -13th of March. Check out Dramsoc Facebook for more information
NEWS Student Nurses protest against slave labour By Richard Manton
page 3
Students to attempt ‘Rock the Boat’ world record By Richard Manton
On 16th February, NUIG Student Nurses joined forces with their counterparts from across the country to protest against government plans to reduce, and eventually eliminate, payments for student nurses on work placement. Thousands of student nurses took part in the protest march, which ended at the Department of Health & Children.
wage. Earlier this month, student nurses staged lunchtime stoppages in hospitals which resulted in the outgoing Minister for Health & Children, Mary Coughlan, committing to a review of the situation. However, the Minister has indicated that a cut in wages is still planned. Student nurses have warned the outgoing Minister that the planned cuts will be an election issue.
Student nurses and midwives work 36hour week as part of their final work placement. At present, the students who work full shift patterns including weekends and nights are paid 80% of a nurse’s salary. The students are an integral part of a hospital’s workforce providing essential, direct and immediate bedside care. However, the last Government proposed reducing the amount being paid to student nurses over the next four years and eliminating it completely in 2015. The cuts will mean that wages paid this year will be 76% of the newly reduced minimum
Peter Mannion, Students’ Union President, said: “Everybody is aware that our health system is completely inadequate and shambolic, but the notion of forcing student nurses to work 36 hour weeks for nothing is a step too far. Student Nurses aren’t looking for anything extra. They’re already underpaid for their work, but removing that payment simply isn’t fair. The protests over the past few weeks have involved thousands of people who will all cast a vote next week and candidates should remember that. ”
NUIG students will attempt to break a Guinness World Record by organising the largest “Rock the Boat” dance ever. “Rock the Boat” is a well known song by the Hues Corporation with a unique dance which involves everybody sitting on the floor in rows, swaying back and forth and side to side in time with the music. The current Guinness World Record stands at 820 people, which was set in Tipperary in 2009, but the
University Staff will also be involved in the fundraising through the annual Staff Auction. This year’s College Week Charities are Ability West and the Alan Kerins Project.
Students’ Union are confident that they will smash that record when they hold their attempt next Monday afternoon in the University’s Sports Centre.
students raise thousands of euro for charities and this world record attempt will serve as a reminder of their achievements.”
The world record attempt is part of the annual College Week organised by the SU which raises thousands of euro for local and national charities. Other fundraising events during the week will see students participate in a sponsored climb of Croagh Patrick, a sponsored Skydive and the Mini Triathlon.
MAnnion continued: “For the past number of months Galway students have been taking part in protests and demonstrations against a raft of cutbacks, so it’s fitting that they should hold a world record for rocking the boat!”
Students’ Union President, Peter Mannion said: “It’s great to see so many people get involved in a fun activity like Rock the Boat especially when it’s part of a charity fundraising drive. Every year
NEWS
page 4
Italian Society to hold Masquerade Ball
ISDA Theatre Festival launched in Galway Arts Centre
By Marion Carey By Méabh McDonnel The NUIG Italian Society is hosting its annual Carnevale Masquerade Ball on the 10th of March from 7.30 p.m. in the Harbour Hotel. Tickets to the event are available at the Socs Box and cost €45. This includes a Prosecco reception, a three course meal, and complimentary wine as well entertainment for the night. This year, proceeds from the Ball go the Jack and Jill Foundation, which provides care and support for children with severe neurological development issues, as well as offering some respite to the parents and families. Last year’s Ball raised over €2000 for the Galway charity Ability West.
Bake sale to fundraise for Aware By Natasha McGowan On the 8th March (Pancake Tuesday), the ROPES team will hold a charity bake sale in Áras na Mac Léinn, to raise money for Aware. ROPES is a literary journal edited, designed and published by the MA in Literature and Publishing. This year, the MA class has decided to donate all proceeds of the journal to Aware. The bake sale will run from from 12.30pm and there will be a range of goodies on sale - cheesecakes, blueberry muffins and pancakes are just a selection.
The 64th Irish Student Drama Association festival was launched on Thursday 24th February in the Galway Arts Centre. Neasa O’Callaghan, this year’s festival director launched the festival highlighting the 48 shows which will be taking place around the city as part of the festival from March 4th to March 12th encouraging people to enjoy the festival to the utmost extent. Dr Lionel Pilkington of NUIG’s English department spoke at the launch, wishing the committee luck and also congratulating them for taking on such a festival, he mentioned that in economic times such as these we need theatre and drama more than ever. The festival will not only include a showcase of student drama every day but also examples of new Irish writing as Kelly’s lunchtime theatre will be showing short original drama from students around the country. There will also be drama workshops taking place during the week. The festival will include awards at the closing ceremony, which will be judged by artist and stage designer Dolores Lyne, lighting designer Sinéad McKenna and leading Irish actress Derbhle Crotty. The judges will attend each performance and were thanked for taking time to participate in the festival. Further information is available at www.isdafestival.com
page 5
All changed, changed utterly, a terrible Beauty is born Marc Mc Menamin looks at the fallout of General Election 2011 and the potential danger of a Fianna Fáil wipeout. The 2011 General election has proven to be a defining moment in Irish history. Not since the watershed election of 1918 has the political landscape of Ireland been so dramatically altered. In that fateful election the rise of Sinn Féin began a process which would lead to the dissolution of the Irish Parliamentary Party the following year. The I.P.P. had until this point been the dominant party in Irish politics counting historical giants such as Parnell and Butt amongst its members. The old guard was discarded with and a new dispensation emerged which would chart the course of Irish history from that point forward. Undoubtedly there are many parallels between 1918 and 2011. Certainly the Sinn Féin party has succeeded in securing the antigovernment vote but they have also succeeded in capitalizing on the disillusioned republican vote, snaring many disaffected Fianna Fáil supporters. This is commendable but the party’s success will probably be short lived. It will be interesting to see if the party will maintain these numbers in five years time. The big story of the election is undoubtedly the meltdown of the Fianna Fáil vote. Remarkably, Brian Lenihan is the only surviving T.D. for the party in Dublin; an unthinkable fact in 2007 when the Ahern era was in full swing. The outgoing cabinet has been decimated, only four ministers have been returned; the most high profile casualty being in my own constituency. After twenty four years in politics the Coughlin dynasty came to an end at the count centre in Donegal town with Fianna Fáil losing both seats and for the first time in the history of the state Donegal South West is without a Fianna Fáil deputy. The United Left Alliance has made considerable gains with Joe Higgins being returned as well as People before Profit members Richard Boyd Barrett and Joan Collins. Independents have faired extremely well with Shane Ross and Mick Wallace topping the
poll in their respective constituencies. Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan has been returned in Roscommon South Leitrim and Maureen O’Sullivan in Dublin Central ensuring the Tony Gregory legacy lives on. Gombeen politics has also lived to fight another day with the elections of Michael Healy Rae and Michael Lowry who both achieved huge amounts of first preference votes in their respective constituencies. What is certain is that Fine Gael and Labour will be in a prime position to form a stable coalition. This is undoubtedly the most stable option available and ultimately the option that will most benefit the country. While detractors have criticized both parties for disagreements over the course of the campaign it is obvious that both parties have a lot more in common that many believe. They have on many occasions in the past been amicable coalition partners. Immediately the great partnership of Liam Cosgrave and Brendan Corish comes to mind; but also and perhaps more importantly the great social democratic tradition of Garret FitzGearald and Jim Dooge who met ideologically half way with the Labour party and who initiated a strong government as a result. The left wing policies of Labour will temper the extreme right of Fine Gael while the right wing element of Fine Gael will soften some of the unrealistic leftist views of Labour. Both sides in the coalition will have to give way to find a common middle ground given the extent of the crisis that the country now faces. The subsequent five years present a very important opportunity for Fianna Fáil. The party now has the chance to rebuild and reorganize itself. In order to survive it will need to move away from being the party of ‘golfers’ and ‘property developers’ and revert to De Valera's original vision as a party of the people. The excesses of the ‘Galway tent’ style of politics need to be banished
forever from the organization if it is ever to survive. There are good people in Fianna Fáil; however, this element has been overshadowed for decades ever since the Haughey era began. Ireland needs Fine Gael and Labour in government but it also needs Fianna Fáil in opposition; a slide to the left and to the extremist politics of Sinn Féin would only serve to destabilize and segregate our country. As I watched Fine Gael’s Dinny Mc Ginley being raised shoulder high in Donegal and the former Tánaiste leaving disappointed I
took note of the words uttered to the newly elected deputy by an elderly woman: “If today has proven anything, it’s this, when you get to Leinster House, remember who put you there.” Yeats spoke of a terrible beauty being born in the aftermath of 1916. Indeed a terrible beauty has been born once again; this being an awakening of the Irish people, not in opposition to oppression but to the imperialism of cronyism and clientelism and the political links to big business. The onus now is on Enda Kenny. He has the opportunity to be ranked
alongside Lemass and W.T. Cosgrave as one of Ireland’s greatest leaders. This will occur only if he dismantles the imperfections of the system and strives for people before party. If he aims to serve rather than rule and if he builds a future at home for the youth. If he succeeds then we as a nation will move forward and rebuild our institutions both political and economic. If he maintains the status quo then we will witness a further slide to the politics of extremism and in that potential future we will all lose out.
page 6
The best description of anorexia I’ve
this danger. Its chief executive, Susan
heard is -‘Most people comfort-eat.
Ringwood said ‘So for her to even
Anorexics comfort-don’t eat.’ Kate Moss
inadvertently legitimise something that
once said ‘no food tastes as good as
could be so potentially harmful is
skinny feels’ and was slammed by critics
regrettable’.
Dying to be
because the same motto was adopted by pro-anorexia websites. Was Kate Moss
With many designers banning size zero
promoting anorexia or was the wafer-
models on their runways, there has been
thin model trying to be sensational?
a change in the idea of typical beauty.
Moss has always been thin from the start
Louis Vuitton introduced plus size
of her career and because her weight
models for the first time in its fall and
never seems to fluctuate, the 5’7’’ model
winter collections. Prada used
is probably naturally thin. However, she
voluptuous models such as Rosie-
has fronted campaigns for Burberry, YSL,
Huntingdon-Whitley and Doutzen
Calvin Klein and most recently, Topshop.
Kroes. With the fifties influence to be
Her image is seen all over the world as
seen from many designers this season,
she is labelled as a fashion icon, so many
there is a re-introduction to the hour-
women try to look like her. Russell Brand
glass figure. The bust and the bum are
described her as looking like an ‘angel’
celebrated but this turn on the
and Kanye West mentions her in his
dangerously thin figures will not change
music. We all want a piece of Kate Moss.
anytime soon. It a wake-up call to the
But by placing such a spectacular looking
world of fashion. The runways of the
woman on a pedestal, are we also
fashion capitals-Milan, New York and
glorifying anorexia? Because the super
London, have been revolutionised.
model is a role model to so many people,
Anorexia is not glamorised anymore.
th n By Fiona Ní Mháille
many young women want to be like her. Therefore, this comment could be
Anorexia nervosa is first and foremost a
extremely dangerous to their health. The
psychological disease with physical side-
eating disorder charity ‘Beat’ recognises
effects. Anorexics are typically
calorie-obsessed people that engage in
our children will turn out alright? Strict
strenuous, frequent exercise and have
routines are the result of passion, of
warped perceptions. They perceive
wanting our children to be successful.
themselves to be overweight despite
Passion is a form of love. Where is the
being constantly told they are
line between a gentle push to success
Dee Newell
underweight. Pumping an anorexic with
and exercising too much control?
fatty foods would have no long-term
Obsession with control is ironically, a
can be seen
benefits because it is their own
primary symptom of anorexia. The
perceptions they need to change firstly.
‘denial’ Orbach speaks about is obviously
around campus with
Their weight is a result of their own
the denial of food. The ‘desire’ is a desire
restrictions and perceptions so a
to be thin. This desire is made stronger
temporary change of weight would
when images of skeletal figures fronting
achieve no good. The results of
beauty campaigns are splashed over
prolonged anorexia include tooth loss,
billboards and shop windows.
Profile with style...
her best friend, Lulu Guinness. Dee is famous for whiping
acne, osteoporosis and cardiac arrest. It is difficult to say what exactly triggers
Without a doubt, the size-zero craze did
anorexia because each case is individual.
nothing to favour those vulnerable to
forth and her
In her book about anorexia
anorexia nervosa. On the runway, a
wardrobe into shape.
:‘Hungerstrike’ Susie Orbach says ‘the
model must be tall to show clothes to
starvation amidst plenty, the denial set
best effect; and slim because the lighting
This lieutenant is
against desire, the striving for invisibility
and the camera adds pounds. A runway
versus the wish to be seen-these key
model should be at least 5’9’’ but with an
features of anorexia-are a metaphor of
American size zero being equal to a
our age.’ In her book, Orbach suggests
European size 4, many models of the
that anorexics can come from either
past were malnourished and
households that exercise a lot of control
underweight, often suffering from
and routine, or ones that exercise none
anaemia and osteoporosis. Now models
her hair back and
excused from wearing her manmagnet uniform on the college grounds
at all. They rebel against that which
are not forced to conform to unhealthy
because she is a
repulses them. This covers a lot of homes
sizes. Forever 21’s tagline sums up the
chemistry student
nationwide. What is the alternative?
modern world of fashion perfectly-
Walking on eggshells in the hope that
‘fashion is for everyone’.
Beauty? ?
? ? ?
By Saffron Ennis
This may sound like a feminist piece, but with the majority of boy-pleasing articles, I felt it time for a women's voice to be heard, and its subject is one that will capture nearly every woman's
brought higher and higher, putting more pressure on women to fulfill these ridiculous ideals. Would a man go to such lengths to find a partner? Questionable. I'm actually not sure if I
interest: Beauty.
qualify the “beautiful” criteria - how can anyone be sure
Why is there this huge
anymore? The term is too liberally distributed that it
pressure to be beautiful? This pressure has always been in existence, but only in the last century has it reached its peak. Women everywhere are in competition with each
has lost all meaning - all women are considered - or more appropriately expected to be beautiful. It
other, day in, day out,
seems that being beautiful is the only term that qualifies a
compelled to confine
women as accomplished.
themselves to societies dress code. It seems like a constant struggle, trying to keep up with the latest trends, spending an obscene amount of money and feeling both guilt and unsatisfied afterwards. Everywhere I look I see images of “ideal” women, women who are deemed attractive, setting up the type of woman men should have and the type of woman girls aspire to
Without beauty, our interest is immediately dampened. An impressive degree or not, this woman is not fitting our criteria without beauty. And the unfortunate thing is, most young women are completely unaware of the media's brainwashing; they gladly spend vast amounts on meaningless materials to keep their self-worth afloat. They
become.
have no interest in removing the expensive covering and
How can one define beauty?
seeing what is truly important. But why should
Beauty is constantly changing, yet we are so quick to make the judgement of whether a girl is “hot” or not, prevalently among young
they? Being that media is playing propaganda on both males and females, how can they expect to find a man
men. How can one expect to
without her “beauty mask”? Their mission would be even
acquire and develop genuine
more impossible.
relationships with anyone in this unending cycle? How can a person's entire identity be judged by their carefully applied MAC make-up, or the latest tigh-waisted River Island jeans? The media throw images at us every single day, and our perception of beauty is altered yet again, compelling young women to overspend their savings in order to feel attractive. Yet this is not only confined to young women, it seems to be contagious,
So, what are the options for young women? Remain a clone, fashion victim, devaluing yourself and placing yourself in continuous competition against our own sex, in the hope of catching the eye of a masochistic moron? Or choosing to be different, wearing comfortable clothes that suit your mood, entering down the road of selfdevelopment, with the hope of finding a like-minded
spreading onto the
partner who doesn't plave
older generation.
value on physical materials and building a happy
From these air-brushed,
relationship? Don't fret ladies, it's worth the risk -
unnaturally skinny models, men gain the knowledge of the type of women to be sought. Their standards bar is
there are good men out there. I've found one.
?
page 8
By Mark Kelly
Make
Leaving Cert Irish optional So election fever is finally over, we roughly
secret? Irish had the biggest fail rate of any
you can go from 6th class, where your
you may have to write about 4 poems in a
know the make-up of our government
subject in the 2010 Leaving Cert. So, had
saying “Siúl me go dtí an siopa” to
answer, but you only need three quarters
know, whoopee. It was an election that
any students planned to go to Uni, and
analysing poems and stories in junior Cert
of a page per poem. In Irish it’s a page and a
failed to catch the imagination of the
failed Irish, the dream went up in smoke
is beyond me, its incomprehensible. Also, in
half in higher level! Its lunacy! Now don’t
government, and wasn’t too controversial.
right there.
Junior Cert English, you are expected to
get me wrong, I think Irish should be
right three quarters of a page on a poem in
compulsory up until Junior Cert, but I also
Well, one thing was. No, not the teacherTD scandal, it’s the fact that Enda Kenny
think that it should be made more oral.
said that Irish may no longer be a
That’s the reason why people prefer French
compulsory Leaving Certificate subject if
and German over it. It’s because it’s mainly
he got elected.
through oral you learn the language, and develop the skills you need. I know a lot
The outrage was mind-blowing, and I mean
more German than Irish just due to the way
that in the worst possible sense. Up until
it was taught to me. I studied German for 5
now, the Irish people, and especially the
years, and Irish for 13.
students, have acted very sensibly, not over-reacting even to the planned increase
A recent survey of students showed those
in fees, instead using measured responses
studying higher level Irish studied three
and demonstrations. That was, until Kenny
times more for that subject than for higher
said what a lot of students have been
level maths! The amount of work involved
wanting for a long time. The fact that the
in higher level Irish in Leaving Cert is
main argument that came out of the USI
overwhelming even for the best of
was that it could “kill the language” is one
students, and it detracts from the other
of the most outrageous comments made by
subjects as well, which leads to lower
anyone this year. Yes, of course, just
results in the other subjects. So something
making the subject optional for Leaving
has to be done. Hopefully, the curriculum
Cert will make it die off, as no-one will be
will be fixed and Irish is changed to a more
speaking it anymore. I’m sorry, but I just
oral sense, in order to encourage more
couldn’t agree less with this sentiment
everyday speakers of the language.
from the union.
Universities should take the example of somewhere like Trinity where instead of
Firstly, here are some facts for you.
needing English, Irish and a third language,
Approximately 10% of Irish school children
you need English, and a second language,
are, or were, attending a gaelscoil. Students
including Irish. That way, we can get more
who have a very good level of Irish and
everyday speakers of Irish, as Fine Gael and
decide to take the exam through Irish get
Fianna Fáil target, and make Irish more
an extra 10% up to 75%, and then an extra
enjoyable and a much picked subject in
5% thereafter. So basically an extra grade,
Leaving cert. I truly believe that Irish
an extra five points above 75%. And one of
should be a non-compulsory subject, and
the biggest reasons why it’s proved so
Now, Mr. Kenny is not suggesting that we
higher level, the same amount is required
this comes from a student who got an A1
popular is that to go to all Universities
scrap Irish from the Leaving Cert system,
for Irish. The fact you have to write the
in pass Irish last year. So, ansin, dhéanfaidh
excluding Trinity and RCSI, you need a C3
no, it will become a choice subject, and he
same amount for your first language and
an abhair gaeilge ní éigeantach atá sa
in pass Irish. That is the really outrageous
also wants to set up a new subject -
essential a second language is beyond me!
Ardteist [sic].
thing here. Not because Irish isn’t
communications through Irish. That is very
important, because the curriculum from
much to be welcomed, but in my opinion
You must certainly learn to dissect and
*This article will be replied to in next
primary to secondary all the way up to
so is making the subject a choice subject,
understand poems and stories in English in
week’s issue
Leaving is terrible. Do you want to know a
and no longer compulsory. The fact that
primary school. Yes, in Leaving Cert English
page 9
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seachtain.
seo éagsúlacht agus, dar liom,
Go dtí seo i mbliana phlé muid
uair a chloig ar nós, Scléip ar an
Bunaíodh Club Raidió an
cuireann sé go mór leis na cláir a
galar an ghrá, na rudaí maithe a
Aer, Iris an Iarthair, An Solas Glas
Acadaimh an seimeastar seo agus
bíonn á gcraoladh againn.
tharla sa bhliain 2010, na geallúintí
Tá mic léinn Acadamh na
agus Cumasc.
anois tá muid ag craoladh beo ar
I measc na n-ábhar a bhí againn ar
a dhéanann muid ar fad don
hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge ag an
Bhí mise Colleen Ní Bhaistir mar
Flirt FM gach seachtain arís! Tá
na cláir roimh na Nollag bhí gach
bhliain nua agus na moltaí maithe
gCeathrú Rua ag craoladh beo ar
bhall den grúpa ‘An Solas Glas’
gach saghas duine sa chlub raidió
rud ó Oíche Shamhna, scannáin
a bhíonn againn chun ré a chur i
Flirt FM faoi láthair. Gach Dé
agus bhí an-chraic go deo againn
atá againn, ón gcéad bhliain go dtí
maithe, na J1’s, Féile na Nollag
bhfeidhm sa chineál saoil a
Luain as seo go dtí deireadh an
ag craoladh na gclár seo gach
an ceathrú bliain. Cruthaíonn sé
agus roinnt ábhair eile.
chaitheann muid, cúrsaí ceoil agus
Aibreáin beidh mic léinn ón
tuilleadh lena chois.
Acadamh le cloisteáil beo ar an aer
Ní cláir leadránacha a bhíonn á
idir 11.00 agus 13.00. Tá an
gcraoladh againn, geallaim daoibh!
craoladh seo ag teacht ón stiúideo
Bíonn guthanna éagsúla iontu,
atá againn anseo san ollscoil ar an
tuairimí ón bpobal agus ceol le
gCeathrún Rua.
cloisteáil ar na cláir a chraolann an
Is iad na spéirmhná ón gceathrú
tAcadamh ar Flirt FM.
bliain den B.A sa Chumarsáid,
Tabhair cluas dúinn gach Dé Luain
Katie Ní Chongaile, Lisa Madden
idir a 11 agus a 1 ar Flirt FM! Is
agus Barbara Uí Choistealbha a
féidir libh teachtaireacht a
chuirfidh tús leis an gcraoladh ón
sheoladh chugainn tríd an suíomh
ngrúpa faoin teideal Míreanna
www.flirt.ie nó seol téacs chugainn
Meara ‘For the Record’. Clár uair
ar 085 180 1013.Chomh maith leis
an chloig é seo. Tar éis an chláir sin
sin is féidir libh teachtaireacht a
craolfar ‘Scléip ar an Aer’ agus
fhágáil dúinn ar Facebook- An
‘Cúlchaint’ agus beidh glórtha
tAcadamh ar Flirt FM.
éagsúla ón Acadamh le cloisteáil ar
Beidh mise Colleen Ní Bhaistir ag
na gclár.
scríobh an cholúin seo “Scéalta ón
Conas a tharla sé sin, deireann sibh
Acadamh” sa pháipéar ‘Sin’ go
libh féin?
deireadh an tseimeastair agus beidh mé ag déanamh tráchta air
Bhuel bhí mic léinn sa dara bhliain
ábhair éagsúla in Ollscoile na
den B.A sa Chumarsáid ag craoladh
hÉireann Gaillimh. Má tá aon
beo trí Ghaeilge ar Flirt FM an
tuairimí agaibh seol chuig an
seimistear seo caite ar feadh aon
bpáipéar iad ag editor@sin.ie
seachtain dhéag mar chuid den
Slán agus Beannacht, Colleen Ní Bhaistir
obair a bhaineann leis an modúl i gcraoltóireacht raidió. Chraol na grúpaí éagsúla ón dara bhliain den
Imirce - Traidisiún na nGael? Tá Éireannaigh scapaithe ar fud an
chaithfidh dul ar imirce go dtí
2010 maidir le Príomh Oifig
cosúil linn féin iad, b’fhéidir go
isteach sa dtrioblóid muid, tá siad
domhain, cloistear go minic faoi na
Sasana, Meiriceá nó fiú amhráin
Staidrimh na hÉireann. I 2009
mbeidh orainn an rud céanna a
fós ag saothrú go leor airgid.
Gael-Mheiriceánaigh. Chuaigh ár
An Astráil le haghiadh fostaíocht.
d’imigh 18,400 duine amach as an
dhéanamh nuair a bhaineann muid
Ach le cúnamh Dé tiocfaidh muid
seantuismitheoirí ar imirce,
Tá fadhb oll-mhór sa tír seo le líon
tír seo agus i 2010 léim an figiúr sin
an chéim amach, ach níl muid ag
as.
chuaigh ár dtuismitheoirí ar feadh
na ndaoine go háirithe daoine óga
suas go dtí 27,700. Tá na figiúirí
iarraidh é sin. Caithfidh an rialtas
scatha agus anois beidh orainn dul
atá ag fágail an tír ag cuartú saol
seo uafásach agus ba cheart go
nua aird a thabhairt ar an bhfadhb
ag iarraidh fostaíocht thar lear; tá
nua í dtíotha nua. Tá ardú tagtha ar
mbeadh an fhadhb seo ar barr an
seo. Nach mór an trua é go
an traidisiún sin inár bhfuil. Tá
an líon daoine a chuaigh ar imirce
liosta don rialtas nua. Formhór na
gcaithfidh an óige imeacht ón tír
aithne againn uilig ar duine éigin a
ó Aibreán 2009 go dtí Aibreán
ndaoine atá ag imeacht is scolairí
agus go mbeidh na ndaoine a chuir
Eileanóir Ní Chatháin agus Antoine Ó Griallais
page 10
Return of
70s fashion By Natasha McGowan
striped jackets and
store. After finishing
season trends and vintage,
hot pants,
her degree in
“vintage has been ideal for
flamboyant corset
fashion she moved
fashion followers, as now its
dresses and singing
to London; here she
popular but also offers the buyer
about S&M. The 70s
worked for two
something original and unique.
era is more exciting
different designers
When you buy a floral blouse
and colourful-
before moving into
from a high street shop someone
perfectly suited for
styling. As a stylist
else will have it too-its mass
the parties, holidays
she worked on
produced, whereas if you buy a
and festivals that the
photo-shoots, look
vintage one-it’s unique and it’s
summer will bring.
books and then
usually half the price.” This, we
This season allows
more specifically
will all agree, is true.
you to mix and match
music videos. She
outrageous and
then continued on
“I get clothes whenever I travel,
Vintage, as a previous Sin article
subtle items to suit
to open a clothing
and I watch what is going on
lately noted, has burst into
your personal taste,
store of the coast of
around me- on television, in the
mainstream fashion. Last season it
or the occasion.
France before
media and on catwalks; with the
was 50s themed full skirts, muted
Another advantage
eventually returning
explosion of Mad Men I could see
tones and luxurious textures of
which is possibilly
to Galway to set up
the market opening for 50s
velvet, leather and chiffon. This
the most important
a vintage store.
clothing. Similarly, I now see a
season, we are set to step into a
for students, is that it
dreamy mix of 70s inspired
is affordable.
trends. The spring/summer lines
switch toward more of the 70s As you walk into the
era. On my last trip I stocked up
store, you are met
on lots of 50s and 70s clothes,
are heaving with understated and
As designers, and
by a massive,
and I plan to go on another trip in
over-stated pieces; from subtle
consequently the
antique chest
the next two weeks to stock up
sepia-coloured button-up blouses
high street, move
drawer bulging with
again.” “For those who are slightly
and extra-long skirts and trousers;
back into the iconic
multi-coloured
intimated by Vintage, I offer both
to tropical, floral explosions on
90s, 50s and now 70s-
headscarves. The
free style constellation and
short dresses and playsuits. The
fashion followers are
first floor is covered
alternations.” Before I left I asked
50s influence is still present,
able to find the
with racks of dresses
Sinead if she has any regrets in
trenches and ladylike formal wear
cheaper originals in
and coats and on the
her clothing choices this year, and
are still forerunners; but as we
vintage clothing
walls there are
if there’s anything she’ll be
move into the new seasons,
outlets. Galway has a
antique pictures, old
specifically looking for this time
fashion has progressed to
number of vintage
Top of the Pop
round. Sinead replied smiling “I
accommodate the fresh and fun
stores dotted around
posters and graphic
was not prepared for the all the
vibes that come with spring and
the city and I called
art work by a
girls looking for ball dresses, I
summer. Think Audrey Hepburn’s
in to talk to one store
Galway spray-paint
have some but I will be getting
in Breakfast at Tiffany’s mixed
owner about current
artist. The shop has
even more on this trip.”
with Kate Hudson’s in Almost
season trends and her
two floors bulging
Famous and you’ll get the idea of
vintage store; the
with multi-coloured
Vintage is prefect for students-
what I’m thinking.
store unfortunately,
individual pieces,
you can get casual, formal, on
cannot be mentioned.
enough to suit
trend, your own trend and
anyone’s taste.
affordable clothes. It has never
Head scarfs, long skirts, big hats, strips and floral makes an outift
Sinead had a well-
all girly and fun. Rihanna, with
established career in
“I get a variety of
pockets, as much as it does right
long red hair and a much less
fashion before
consumers”, Sinead
now. I myself left with two head
dominatrix style, becomes more
moving back to
explains, as I
scarfs, a pair of peg trousers and a
lady-like; but she is also wearing
Galway to open the
question her on new
hat…
suited fashion trends, or our
su pages Introduction Nominations for the Full time Students’
The issues that take up most of time for
Union Elections will close at 5pm on
the current President are:
Wednesday 2nd March. Elections for
- University lobbying: meeting with
President, Vice-President/Education
management and participating on
Officer and Vice-President/Welfare Officer
University committees
will then take place on Thursday March
- The management of the Students' Union
10th. All students will have a chance to
- Student Fees and national lobbying
hear candidates speak and ask questions
- Work as Chairperson of The College Bar,
during the SU Hustings on Tuesday 8th
Smokey's, the SU Shop or the Wall
Your guide to Students’ Union Elections
March at 8pm in the Kirwan Theatre. The role of the Students’ Union officers is
Vice President / Education Officer
sometimes hard to describe and its
The Education Officers role can be roughly
successes are often difficult to
divided into four main areas: casework,
communicate. There is a brief description
class reps, committees, and campaigns
of the role of President, Education Officer
(which would include other Union
and Welfare Officer below. What is
activities).
difficult to capture in the words below is the great potential of the student
Casework is simply the name given to the
movement and the Students’ Union. Each
incidences when students contact me
elected officer has the opportunity to
asking questions about academic issues,
carve out their own role and to have a
asking for advice, wanting to change
significant impact on the students they
course, have complaints about facilities on
represent. Though not all the successes of
campus and so on.
To find out more about the role of the President, contact the current officer –
Peter Mannion at su.president@nuigalway.ie or 086 3855502
officers make headlines or even attract the slightest bit of attention many of them
Part of the Education Officer’s job is to
have a huge bearing on the students. These
look after the class reps system. He/she
successes arise when dealing with the
attends approximately 15 meetings each
problems of individual students, bringing
semester, and works on the issues that
out change to some element of the
arise at each meeting. Promoting the
University or playing a part in lobbying
election of class reps early in September is
TDs on national issues.
a big task for the Education Officer.
On a personal level working as a SU
The Education Officer sits on around ten
Officer is a great privilege and challenge. I
university boards, including the Academic
encourage all students to seriously
Council, which is the main decision-making
consider running for a position on the
body on campus. He/she also sits on each
Students’ Union Executive. All of the
of the five College Boards, alongside the
officers are available to discuss the various
Dean and two student representatives. It
roles at any point.
is at these committees that a lot of the back-room work of the Union is done, and
President
where we stop potential problems with
The President is responsible for the
university decisions from coming into
management of the Students' Union
place.
To find out more about the role of the Education Officer, contact the current officer –
Emmet Connolly at su.education@nuigalway.ie or 086 38536598
including Union finances, campaigns and students' interests through meeting with
Vice President / Welfare Officer
management and participating on
The Vice President-Welfare Officer assists
University Committees (e.g. Finance
students in the areas of finance, study,
Committee, Academic Council and
accommodation, childcare, health and
Governing Authority). He/she is
social welfare. The Welfare Officer also co-
chairperson of Students' Union
ordinates specific campaigns in areas such
Commercial Services, the company which
as mental, physical and sexual health. The
runs the College Bar, Smokey's, the SU
Welfare Officer also organizes a Welfare
Shop and the Wall. He/she also serves on
Forum for students to air concerns or
the Board of Directors of: Seirbhisi
opinions on the most pressing welfare
Comhaltas na Mac Léinn, the Health Unit
issues for students. The Welfare Officer
and Flirt Fm. The President is the
also sits on university committees that deal
spokesperson for the Union and leads
specifically with welfare issues.
initiatives. The President represents
coordinates lobbying on a national level.
To find out more about the role of the Welfare Officer, contact the current officer –
Emma Conway at su.welfare@nuigalway.ie or 086 3853659
su pages
College Week 2011 Get Involved! College Week Timetable
Student Union Referendum On the same day as the Full Time Elections, you will be asked to vote Yes or No on a new Constitution. The Class Reps and Student Union Executive are asking you to vote yes for these reasons
Sunday 27th February
8pm Comedian David McSavage –
Thursday 3rd March
9.30am Sponsored Croagh Patrick Climb - The final year Science
The star of the Savage Eye, David
9am-9pm 12 Hour Comic Challenge – with ArtSoc in Áras na
students are organising a sponsored
will be entertaining you in the Kirwan
Mac Lénn.
Theatre. Tickets are only €5 from the
11.30am – 3pm 5 A Side Soccer
just pick up a sponsorship card from
SU.
Competition - Gather your crew of
the Students’ Union and raise a
College Bar: 3pm DJ Byrno. 7pm Band: UV5
five and get down to the Kingfisher
climb of Croagh Patrick. To take part
minimum of €50. Buses, walking sticks
McSavage, with support Fred Cooke
Sports Hall to compete for the honour,
1. A new part-time position of Mature Students Officer. 2. A new Students’ Union Council – open to all students – which will decide on issues and policies, and will replace the current Full Class Reps Council.
the glory and the €500 prize! Team
and a 90’s After Party included for all participants!
Tuesday 1st March
registration in the SU €40 per team.
9pm 90’s Night in the College Bar
10am – 2pm Mini Triathlon – A
Spaces limited!
- Tickets are only €2.99 with 90’s cover
5km run, 10km cycle and 500m Swim –
College Bar: 8pm Take Me Out
band extraordinaire Smash Hits, a DJ
are you tough enough? Raise €25
and a free refreshment for everyone
minimum to enter and sign up in the
Friday 4th March
along with prizes for the best/worst
SU or the Sports Centre. Registration
1pm-4pm Tag Rugby Competition:
90’s outfits. Over 18’s ID required.
at the Kingfisher and all participants
1st prize is €500 cash and the event
3. College Convenors to be elected from the Class Reps in each of the five Colleges of NUI Galway to represent the students in their College. 4. A Board of Trustees to hold commercial assets in trust for you, the students and a Finance Committee to oversee the SU finances.
get a free t-shirt and lunch plus a first
takes place in Dangan on Friday 4th
Monday 28th February
prize of €200!
March. Register your team of 10 in the
11am: PhD in a Box – Our Postgrad
12pm-4pm Face Painting and Caricatures – with ArtSoc in Áras na Mac Lénn. College Bar: 4pm DJ Vinny Shaughnessy. 8pm Witless Final .
Students’ Union for just €50 now.
Saturday 5th/Sunday 6th March
will allow all students to have a say in how the SU
Watch as we lock her in outside Áras
Wednesday 2nd March
people to play their part as SU officers.
na Mac Léinn and see if she lasts until
12.30pm – 2pm Auction - The 4th
Sponsored Skydive at Galway Airport: If you feel like jumping out
her coming out party on Thursday!
Annual College Week Auction for
of a perfectly good plane for two great
of the new Constitution, call by the SU office or
11am-5pm Chalk Drawings – with
University staff will be held in the Aula
causes this College Week then email
visit www.su.nuigalway.ie
Officer, Ciara, has agreed to live in a box for College Week to try and get her PhD written whilst raising money for charity and entertaining you. She is nuts but that is why we love her.
College Bar: 7pm Band: Apartment 44. 9pm DJ.
These changes are essential to ensure the SU is well -managed and accountable to you – the students – now and in the years to come. The new SU Council is run, while the extra positions will allow more If you have any questions or you would like a copy
ArtSoc (Location: TBC)
Maxima Lower. Tickets are €5 which
studentsunion@nuigalway.ie with the
12pm – 3pm World Record Attempt: Largest Rock The Boat – Yes
includes lunch sponsored by the
subject “Jump” your name and phone
Gourmet Tart Company. Paddy Flynn
number for an information pack.
it’s that time honoured dance of
of Galway Real Estate will be
weddings and debs up and down the
overseeing proceedings and there will
The bucket squad will be shaking their
country where everyone sits on the
be some serious recession busting
money makers across Campus all week
floor, ruining their suit/dress, with
bargains to be had! A full list of
looking for your shiny coinage so
This year the Students’ Union picked two
their legs akimbo, swaying back and
auction items is available from the
please give generously when you see
worthwhile causes: Ability West and the Alan
forth and side to side to the sounds of
Students’ Union and there will be also
the yellow buckets.
Kerins Projects.
that classic number “Rock the Boat”.
be a raffle with some great prizes.
The current world record stands at 820
3pm-5pm Origami Workshop –
participants and we are confident that
with ArtSoc in Áras na Mac Lénn.
the students of NUI Galway can easily
8pm The Rubberbandits – The
beat this record whilst raising money
horse will be outside the Black Box
for two very worthy causes at the
Theatre. Tickets €10 with your SU card
same time. I Radio will be on hand to
from the SU. Over 18’s only event.
keep the boat afloat too! Registration
College Bar: 7pm DJ Evan. 9pm Open Mic Special.
from 12pm for the record attempt at 1pm in the Sports Hall.
College Week Charities
Ability West is a voluntary organisation which
Remember all proceeds from the weeks events go to the College Week Charities: Ability West and Alan Kerins Projects . If you have any event ideas, need more information or want to volunteer to help out please email studentsunion@nuigalway.ie
provides high quality, community based services to children and adults with an intellectual disability and their families throughout Galway City and County. The organisation is dedicated to enabling people with an intellectual disability to realise their dreams and ambitions. The Alan Kerins Projects is a charity supporting community and youth leadership development projects, mostly in Kaoma & Mongu in Zambia.
su pages
SU Elections 2011 The nominations for the Full Time positions are open and will close on Wednesday March 2nd at 5pm. Candidates who want to withdraw from the race have until 5pm on Friday March 4th Full Time Canvassing BEGINS on Monday 7th March. There will be a ‘Meet the Candidates’ event, hosted by PDS on Tuesday, March 8th at 8pm in the Kirwan Theatre. Voting will take place across campus on Thursday March 10th between 10am and 9pm Áras na Mac Léinn: 10:00 - 21:00 An Bialann: 10:00-20:00 Friars: 11:00-14:00 Ácadamh: 12:00-13:00 CSI: 12:00 - 14:00 The Count will start at 10am onwards on Friday 11th March 2011 in The Hub in Áras na Mac Léinn For those interested in one of the part-time officer positions; the nominations will open on Thursday March 10th and close on Wednesday March 16th. The Part Time election will take place on Thursday March 24th
The Spirit of Rag Week
B y Va l e r i e Hartnett
Traditionally, RAG Week is
At this stage, it seems that
As a postgrad student, I’ve
viewed by the student
even without University
got mixed feelings about
population as the perfect
support, RAG Week is an
this week. I love RAG
excuse to miss lectures,
out-of-control beast
Week; I love the buzz it
drink beer for breakfast,
destined to destroy all in
generates around campus, I
avail of as much free
its path during its fortnight
love the daytime
entertainment as possible,
of life. It’s hard to argue
entertainment (is anything
Before this year’s RAG
and generally have a fine
with accounts of personal
as good as a go on a
Week turns into that
old time of it, or at least
and property damage,
bouncy castle on a Monday
uncontrollable monster,
that was the case in my
arrests and anti-social
morning?), and going out
just try to remember
undergraduate days. Only
behaviour which tend to
for RAG Week can be
something: Don’t lose the
the extremely dedicated
increase exponentially at
brilliant craic. It’s a good
RAG.
seem capable of resisting
this time of year, so
feeling to know that all
the College Bar’s siren call,
perhaps the university is
that loose change that
Look out for your friends
and actually making it into
right to withdraw its
goes into the collection
this week – even if it is just
class during Rampant
affiliation with the Week.
buckets is doing some
the drunk leading the
Alcoholism Guaranteed
NUIG cannot condone
good in the world as well.
drunk – this week’s a
Week. Oh, sorry, Raise and
such behaviour and it
On the downside, all that
messy one and it can be a
Give Week.
cannot control its
booze means that people
rough one. Over-
students’ drinking
get messy and aggressive,
consumption of alcohol
The 2009 RAG week in
practices; it can’t stop us
and much earlier that
can turn perfectly nice
NUIG was deemed so out
from availing of the RAG
you’d think. This is
guys and girls into the
Last but not least, keep the
of control that the
Week special offer deals
unsurprising, when you
worst possible kind of
spirit of RAG Week in
university has withdrawn
on alcohol, even if the
consider that the standard
person, so look out for
mind. It’s a charity
its support, with a number
bouncer confiscates our
is apparently set at getting
each other. Remember, any
occasion, so don’t be afraid
of other universities also
Crouching Tiger (Hidden
completely banjaxed drunk
scenario starting with
to fling a bit of change into
citing vandalism, anti-
Naggin) at the door of the
by lunchtime – some
“Hold my pint” is bound to
a collection tin every now
social behaviour, increased
club.
neighbourhoods turn into
end in disaster, so watch
and again. Even a tiny
arrests and hospitalisations
a bit of a nightmare. If
out for that one. Also,
amount given is better
and general mayhem
Dante were alive today,
there’s no need to get
than nothing. It’s Raise and
wrought as the reason why
he’d probably have
blame-happy on RAG
Give Week, so charity
they can no longer support
incorporated a tenth circle
Week. Galway offers
donations are the name of
a week of charity events
into hell (Living Next Door
plenty of excuses to booze
the game. As students,
which appears to be losing
to House Parties). It’s
it up, and something like
need to try to keep our
its charity status. Details of
sometimes hard to see if
the Races is just as hectic
own good names, and that
debauchery, excessive
the good outweighs the
as RAG Week, but with
of our college, out of the
drinking, vandalism and
bad here, like if you want
hardly a student in sight.
gutter. Support SU-
assault have overshadowed
to sleep at some stage
I’m not saying you should
organised events to put
those of free gigs, on-
during the week or if
overlook behaviour that
the spotlight back on the
campus entertainment and
you’re not a student and
causes concern. Anti-social
true focus of the week:
money raised for charitable
the shower next door are
and criminal behaviour
raising money for charity.
institutions. RAG Week is
throwing a week-long
should of course be
Raise and Give. Don’t lose
no longer being seen as an
boozefest.
reported and dealt with.
the RAG this week.
incentive for students to
Just don’t blame students
get involved in helping
for what isn’t their fault.
those less fortunate –
The RAG Week frenzy isn’t
instead it is viewed as an
limited to just students
unwelcome disruption to
from the college itself.
peace and safety in
Plenty of non-students go
Galway.
just as crazy over RAG Week as the students do, and while students should accept the consequences of their RAG Week actions, they shouldn’t be used as a smokescreen for others to hide behind either.
Ah RAG week, where would we be without it? When else can you go to a nightclub during the day, have a can for breakfast or head out every night in the week without feeling guilty? Galway’s Rag Week
Rag Week:
By Aisling Scally
a rite of passage
is a rite of passage, an anticipated and celebrated event - we could probably
separate charities involved
high quality service and
way after a donation,
call it the Christmas of the
in College Week, but
support to over 480 adults
however small. For the
academic calendar.
unfortunately takings were
and children with
price of a pint you can help
significantly reduced in
intellectual disabilities.
another human being,
comparison with other
Both charities are
which seems like a pretty
Back in the day, RAG week
years. You can blame it on
extremely hard working
good deal. Enjoy the
was all about philanthropy
the Recession or the
and worthy causes and
nightlife, the day time
and got its name from their
Session, but either way
deserve the highest
entertainment in the bar
aim of Raising A Grand for
people were less
support from the students
and beyond, the parties
charity. Students did ‘off
magnanimous with their
of NUIG. They have
and the madness, but try
the wall’ things like
money than before.
various events organised
and remember what the
for the week, all of which
main aim of the week is -
launching crazy boats on the river and running
This year there are only
promise to be good fun
helping those less
around town shaking
two charities involved, so
and have been well
fortunate than us.
buckets at civilians instead
we really have no excuse
advertised around campus,
of having an all day session
but to give generously. The
so let’s remember the true
in Gippo. They were
Alan Kerins project came
spirit of RAG week and dig
making headlines for
about after a young
deep. Karma is not just the
raising money, not for
physiotherapist took a
name of a nightclub, and
drunken debauchery. In
three month leave of
there’ll be plenty of the
2009, Jim Browne was
absence from his job in
good stuff coming your
forced to withdraw the
Merlin Park hospital to
university’s support for the
volunteer in a town in
wild week after forty
Zambia, where poverty,
students were arrested for
AIDs and disease were rife.
various alcohol related
The things he witnessed
offences. RTÉ News
there inspired him to
journeyed west to capture
devote the rest of his life
the drunken antics
to giving a brighter future
resulting in an uncensored
to the people(and
exposé on the Six One
especially the children) of
bulletin, and I think we all
Zambia. Ability West is a
were gripped by the same
well established charity
fear that our granny could
here in Galway, providing
see us frolicking around Eyre Square brandishing a beverage. Unfortunately they made the event look like a free Tequila week in Tijuana, and gave the students of NUIG a bad name even though a mere 0.3% took it too far. The majority of students see RAG week, or College Week as it’s now called, as five nights of queues, crowds and craziness— the craic is mighty, but no-one ends up in jail, it’s all about having fun and making memories. However it’s also important to remember what it’s really all about - charity. Last year there were four
or
By Grainne Coyne
College Week Acts College Week or formerly
but instead GMIT and
there seems to be less
look forward to for
known as RAG (‘Raise and
NUIG separated their Rag
emphasis on performance
College Week.” GMIT’s
Give’ or ‘Raise a Grand’)
Weeks and NUIG renamed
acts than previous years.
Rag Week took place last
week, the most anticipated
the week, College Week,
Geraldine, a Final year Arts
week they also had more
event of the student
the former foam parties
student said “I expected
emphasis on fundraising
calendar, is finally here,
which took place in some
better acts for College
events with their main act
however some students are
Galway nightclubs during
Week, this year’s line up is
being Rubberbandits and
left disgruntled that this
the day stopped. College
a disappointment.” It was
likewise with UL’s Charity
year’s line up for college
Week 2010 was supposed
even part of Peter
Week which is happening
week is not as good as
to create a new image and
Mannion’s manifesto to
the same time as NUIG’s
previous years. The main
carnival atmosphere on
bring more international
College Week, having one
aim of College Week is to
campus however this
acts such as Calvin Harris
headliner act which is
raise money for charity yet
didn’t materialise as
but there has been less
Rubberbandits. So is it
in reality it is generally
majority of the main acts
emphasis on international
wrong to compare
known as an excuse for
weren’t allowed to
students to miss lectures,
perform in the new Bailey
get drunk and basically go
Allen Hall and were forced
crazy. Many argue what’s
to go to other locations
the harm, it’s only one
instead. The main headline
week a year, students
acts, Calvin Harris, the
deserve a chance to let
Coronas and Jason Byrne,
loose but the image of
were the biggest success
some students who take
for College Week, yes
the partying too far is the
there were some students
one that is constantly
drunk but anti-social
referred to and used to
behaviour wasn’t as bad as
show students in a
previous years. So was
negative light. RAG week
College Week 2010 a
2009 was the week that
success because of the
literally changed
€20,000 raised for charity,
everything, GMIT and
the international acts that
NUIG held their RAG
preformed or the fact
weeks together in the one
students anti-social
week which caused
behaviour managed to stay
madness around Galway.
out of the media spotlight?
The main acts who
The main acts for College
preformed for Rag Week
Week 2011 are David
2009 were Neil Delamere
McSavage and The
and The Saw Doctors, both
Rubberbandits who in my
were popular and sold out
opinion are hilarious but
quickly, raising a lot of
aren’t as impressive as acts
acts performing for
different colleges Rag
brilliant work we see most
money for charity.
of College Week 2010.
College Week 2011.
weeks or Charity weeks or
students doing throughout
According to Melissa
Melissa told Sin “It's very
Melissa told Sin as regards
complaining that aren’t
the week.” The fact that I
Mannion who is the Irish
difficult to gauge what
“the acts question of
enough big acts, as long
overheard two fellow
Language Officer for the
sort of acts people would
College Week is an
as money is raised for
students saying “I don’t get
Student Union, “It's only
like to see when student's
interesting one because
charity. The majority of
why they don’t cancel
ever a minority of students
don't provide input, which
the SU, as is the norm, are
students are more
lectures during Rag Week,
that grab the headlines for
we receive much more of
always interested in
concerned with whose
everyone is going to be too
disorderly behaviour and
after the act has been
suggestions and ideas for
performing and how drunk
drunk to go to lectures”,
it's a shame that people
announced.” There are
the week. Anything that
they can get, and according
shows that the stigma of
prefer to focus on that
various fundraising
will help us raise more
to Melissa “the stigma of
drunkenness and anti-
handful of people versus
activities such as skydiving,
money for our charities is
the week is increased and
social behaviour during
those that take part in the
mini triathlon, Croagh
obviously a good thing.”
encourage by focusing on
College Week doesn’t look
charity aspect.” There were
Patrick climb and the
One of my friends told me
the former events rather
to go away anytime soon.
rumours that RAG Week
world record attempt of
“Jessie J is performing in
than the latter, and I think
was going to be banned
rock the boat, however
Trinity, there is nothing to
that's a shame given the
Has NUIG lost the RAG?
By Lia Stokes
Rag Week, a week eagerly
removing some of the bad
Though a number of
anticipated by freshers and
feelings surrounding the
people are involved in the
remembered nostalgically
event, sadly that seemed to
organisation of such
by alumni, a
do little to curb the
events, it must be asked;
phantasmagorical frenzy of
enthusiasm of the students
do those taking part truly
fun and frolics for a full
or the rage of the people
appreciate it as a week to
week. The buzz of Rag
of Galway. In a last ditch
raise money, or do they
Week is well and truly in
attempt to salvage what
simply see it as a week
the air once more. Off-
was previously seen as a
dedicated to binge-
licences are selling out of
fun and admirable way for
drinking and raucous
naggins and no doubt the
young people to raise
behaviour?
College Bar has stocked up
money and do some good,
on kegs of Fosters.
the colleges decided to
After asking a number of
However, after the
once again host separate
students how they
negative backlash the
fundraising weeks.
perceived the yearly movement, the general
occasion has received over the past couple of years
For years the Rag Week
consensus seemed to be
there is a worry that
proceedings were focused
that although they are
‘College Week’ has lost its
on the charity element
supportive and aware of
ethos, threatening the
while the drinking and the
the week’s objective they
future of the age old
craic were a part of it.
do see it as a week of fun,
extravaganza which has
However, all of the bad
propelled for the most part
become something of a rite
press that the annual
by alcohol. Despite this,
of passage for students
fundraiser has received in
the alcohol based events
over the years.
recent years seems to have
are not the one’s attracting
overshadowed the main
all of the attention this
Since 2008 NUIG and
objective of the week
year. Instead, events such
GMIT have organised their
which is ‘Raising and
as the charity sky-dive,
respective Rag Weeks on
Giving’ money to worthy
comedy gigs and triathlon
the same week and as a
charities. Between 2008
are drumming up a lot of
result Galway residents
and 2010 NUIG Rag Week
interest. While previous
have experienced damage
has raised almost €70,000
Rag or College Weeks have
to property and
for various charitable
been dragged down by a
threatening behaviour
organisations. It is hoped
small minority of rogues,
while hundreds of drunken
that last year’s €20,000 will
there seems to be a more
students populated the
be exceeded to go towards
positive vibe surrounding
streets by day and night. It
this year’s charities of
this year’s operation.
is no surprise then that the
choice; The Alan Kerins
Thankfully Rag Week or
supposedly charitable
Projects and Ability West.
College Week is back on
week earned quite a bad
This kind of fundraising is
university territory and
name for its self not only
not to be frowned upon.
this year NUIG will only
locally but nationally with
have to take the slack of its
RTE news covering the
It is obvious that the
own rowdy students. And
‘mayhem’ of it all in 2009.
Student’s Union put in a
regardless of the negative
Although most of those
huge amount of work and
reputation proceedings
taking part in the
effort to make the week
have earned in the past, it
festivities do not cause
both fun and worthwhile,
seems NUIG has not lost
trouble, it seems that due
organising plenty of events
the RAG in fact the RAG is
to the sheer volume of
not all of which are
alive and well and truly
intoxicated students on
centred around drinking,
kicking.
the streets during the
from gigs and triathlons to
event, disruptive behaviour
art classes and rugby blitz’.
is somewhat inevitable.
Not to mention those
Last year NUIG changed
which do include alcohol
the name to ‘College
such as the infamous Beer
Week’ in the hopes of
Olympics and 90’s Night.
page 18
A Sinful Prayer
By Saffron Brady By Mark Kelly
10/01/11 - the day mass jokes
with the priests using the mass
encounter. This may have gone a
got out of control, where every
leaflets”, “where they demand
bit too far where condoms are
Irish person developed an
Diagio for strings by tiesto”,
found in the holy water, where
obsession with joining mass
“Crowd surfing at mass, queuing
an unreal night was had, one’s
groups where they stay up half
a few times up the aisle to get a
Sunday best is seen as a pulling
the night on Facebook joining
seventh helping of communion”
technique where wearing your
them.
best rosary beads to mass so you The Facebook groups represent
will get the ride. And if a girl
When the priest pulls up
sensitive subjects, referencing to
shakes hands with you she
outside the chapel and the
priests and alter boys, “the
definitely wants the ride. At
crowd goes wild. The opening
awkwardness when the priest
least they promote safe sex the
ceremony starts off with the
asks the alter boys to kneel”
pope recently said: “condoms
priest shouting Barbra Streisand
along with the priests having a
were okay in the prevention of
and the whole church erupts,
celebrity presence as if they
death”
Wooowoowooowooowooo.
were leading a concert. Where
The church can’t even handle us
people boast about having an
The priest is a local celeb where
right now.
eventful mass, shouting one
David Guetta attends. People
more tune at the end of mass
cry out for his autograph, the
Is our perception of mass
and not forgetting one more
priest not David Guetta! They
changed forever? We Irish are
prayer also. They bring mass
rush home to add the priest and
known not to be able to keep a
into the 21st century where
perhaps receive a notification;
straight face in mass as it is but
they demand Wifi at mass and
you and three other friends have
has Facebook managed to
they rush home to add the
been tagged in father Maguire’s
escalate this? How will one keep
people on Facebook who they
photos.
a straight face in mass anymore?
made peace with… perhaps they
Making peace be you and
will add them there and then,
Then waking up the next
opening ones mouth for
and the priest, where one copies
morning in a confession box and
communion, thinking that any
the priests “style”.
“doing the walk of shame home
second now the priest will lean
after an all-nighter in mass” and
in to shift you “The awkward
The chalice and the communion
“Piecing together the events
moment when the priest shifts
bread are the main focus point
from the night before at mass
you when you stick your tong
of these groups. Where the
with your friends”. “I wasn’t
out for communion”
communion bread is associated
that drunk was I? Yes we found
with drug use, “dealing bags of
you in the confession box. You
Events have been set up such as
communion outside the church”
were nearly on a plane to
“a hardcore rave in Galway
“Dealing drugs in mass when
Lourdes for Gods sake.
cathedral” sure why would you
shaking hands”,” over dosing on
pay 250 euro to go to oxygen
communion” “snorting
And finally every mass groupie
for four days when you can go
communion up your nose”
reveals that they have a
free to the novena for nine.
“putting nuttella in your
conscious love about their
Similar to the Irish clubbing
communion” “saving the
religion where there is a sense
scene; Drug dealing, underage
communion to bring home to
of guilt and shame toward their
youngsters hopping church
make toast”.
group joining antics.
walls to join in on the fun
The awkward moment when we
because they have no ID,
The chalice the other significant
all go to hell for liking these
students taking advantage of
object acts like a beer keg, an
mass pages” which will be in
their students cards as a way to
endless supply of wine, “spiking
2012 when sadly there will be
avoid paying money in the
the chalice because your a mad
no more mass to attend
collection box, whilst sneaking
bastard”. Another object that is
anymore never mind a drink or
in a sly naggin. Where queuing
used is the confession box
two from the chalice ;)
for communion is synonyms
where one wakes up in the
with queuing for a large curry
confession box after a long
Everyone to the confession
cheese chips in Supermacs,
session in mass; “Dude you were
box…. Forgive me father for I
where the banter had while
that drunk we found you in the
have sinned, I fell asleep in the
pushing your way through the
confession box”.
confession box, I spiked the
aisle is unreal. Or synonyms
chalice, I abused the communion
with Raves; “the clubbers guide
Mass is seen as an eventful
bread, I sold counterfeit
to mass”, Singing lets go fucking
experience, where there is a
communion bread to foreigners,
mental in the queue for
perception that one will get
I shifted you to get more
communion”, “Rolling joints
drunk and have a sexual
communion…
Ah, college - where coming home to a roast dinner after a
Millennium. For those of us with more time on our hands, a
Come Dine With Me
hard day is about as likely as Enda Kenny winning the Rose
bowl of porridge is the ideal way to start the day. “Eh sorry,
Gone are the days when dinner meant killing the fattened
of Tralee. Most of us are rather familiar with this idea; after
is that not reserved for the old and infirm to slurp in a
calf, preparing a banquet and rofling over a goblet or two
a three hour lab and a walk home in the rain the last thing
toothless fashion?” , I hear you cry. No, it’s not. Nowadays
of mead. For most of us, what we eat depends on how long
you want to do is roll up your sleeves and start peeling a
you can even get quick microwavable stuff that’s ready in
it takes to prepare, making us turn to microwaves rather
few spuds. For all students, convenience is key, and more
two minutes which leaves you enough time to find a pen
than macrobiotics. There’s a common misconception that
often than not we find ourselves reaching for the pasta or
and maybe even a cure for cancer. If you’re still not
fast food means “fat food”, chips and their tasty friends
other perishable products and wolfing it down before we
convinced any type of cereal will do.
often take longer to cook than most healthier options. If you’ve never made a stir fry, take the wok of shame. They
actually know what’s happening. Then comes that sad dissatisfied feeling of wanting something else but not
Gimme a Break
are possibly the handiest, most nutritious and fastest of all
knowing what, so you end up just eating a handful of
By lunch time you’re allowed to be ravenous. You know it’s
meals. Lash in a few of your fave veggies (the more
biscuits and downing tea like a pensioner’s book club.
time to hit the Bialann when every first year on concourse
colourful the better), a handful of noodles and an extra
Before you know it you’ve consumed enough
looks like a walking sandwich. But what’s the healthiest
somethin-somethin for flavour and you’ll have a healthy
carbohydrates to sustain the camogie team for a month
option? It’s incredibly simple to hastily load up a plate of
meal in minutes. For the more carnivorous among us just
and little else nutrition-wise... and that’s just for dinner.
wedges or chips and wolf them down with a bottle of
add a few more minutes for preparation time. Salad is also
Sadly, a lot of students fall into this trap from a mixture of
Coke, but come three o’clock that slump will hit you
a great quick fix, and can be combined with pasta if it’s all
laziness (yes) or lack of know-how. While a diet of hot
harder than Chris Brown smacked Rihanna. Brown rolls
too Peter Rabbit for you. The average bolognese, lasagne,
chicken rolls and rashers may be the ultimate in easiness
with your choice of filling plus loads of salady stuff are an
pasta dish or even curry can be made infinitely healthier by
it’s not necessarily good for our health, or indeed our
excellent alternative and will keep you going for way
adding some well-chopped veg to help you well on your
waist-lines. If you skipped breakfast this morning and
longer (the Duracell bunny SWEARS by them). Wash it all
way to five a day.
Dominos is your last dialled number, read on.
down with copious amounts of water, which not only hydrates but maintains concentration levels and flushes
So there you have it, healthier meals don’t have to mean
Rise and Shine
toxins out of the body. It’s easy to get addicted to the Red
taking the more expensive or time consuming route.
How many times have you heard it before- breakfast is the
Bull rush or the Lucozade lols, but no-one likes doing a
Everyone ends up shovelling down a few curry chips
most important meal of the day. Many people cite an extra
group project with someone whose twitching and frothing
outside the charcoal once in a while, but on a day to day
couple of minutes in bed as preferable to breaking the
at the mouth all afternoon. Also, if you’re on your fourth
basis you’re much better off sticking to foods of an unfried
nightly fast, but this is really just plain silly!! Breakfast
coffee by 1pm, it’s highly likely you just pulled an all-
variety. It makes a world of difference to your skin,
doesn’t have to be a full a la carte continental affair, a
nighter or you have a problem. The evils of too much
waistline and cholesterol levels, not to mention your
quick banana and a slice of toast is preferable to spending
caffeine are widely known, plus you’re going to spend your
finances. So say a painful goodbye to pizza and hello to
your 10am lecture fantasizing about Pringles or feeling
life dashing to the bathroom. The same goes for tea,
peppers for a healthier new you this semester.
woozy and weak walking up the stairs in the Arts
moderation is key.
The Wok Of Shame Getting Fresh with Food
By Aisling Scally
page 20
EMOTIONAL PORNOGRAPHY – THE TRUE DANGER TO SOCIETY Does Hollywood’s portrayal of idealised romance set us up to fail? Visual pornography has been the
much of the dazzling plot, Maggie
subject of controversy between
changes Jamie’s entire life and
men and women since the 1800s.
outlook in just 112 minutes.
Censorship and societal values
Amazing!
have outlawed or condemned it in an effort to protect the vulnerable
Things aren’t plain sailing for the
and promote good old-fashioned
young couple in love you
family values.
understand; Jamie and Maggie have troubles and difficulties.
But who is protecting us from
They even break up. But, true to
another dangerous form of
romcom form, Jamie realises he
pornography – one that comes
simply can’t live without Maggie
into our homes every day through
and chases her across America to
one of the most insidious means
win her back.
possible and particularly targets the female species – the romcom.
After seeing dozens of movies just
Concerning Terms of Endearment and their Sarcastic Applications
like this one you can imagine my shock and surprise when I hear
It’s a sad fact that those who refer to each
to invite you into their home/life so they
entertainment may in fact be
the story of a friend who breaks
other as ‘friend’ are rarely actually friends.
can show you off to their social circle as a
more destructive to relationships
up with her boyfriend and he
If a term of endearment is true, it’s not
status symbol. Take note, this option is
than even the most explicit visual
doesn’t stand up at the lecturer’s
necessary to use it, because it’s known
significantly less likely.
pornography. Although it is only
podium in front of her entire class
already. It’s like going up to someone and
make-believe, some part of my
to proclaim his regret at his
telling them their own name. If you don’t
endearment, ‘my friend’, ‘my love’ and the
sentimental female brain
actions and beg for her
know someone well, giving them an
like pose significant hazards to the
forgiveness. Quel rat!
affectionate title may come across as
unwary, many of them difficult to realise
comedy and whispers to me that,
condescending or sarcastic. So if you
at first sight. ‘My fellow students’ or ‘my
even though it isn’t real life, it’s
The romcom almost conditions its
decide to approach a deli counter with
comrades’ should also be avoided, as this
pretty damn cute.
female audience to think
‘hey friend’, a frosty reaction may ensue.
may raise suspicions that you are about to
subconsciously that, even if true
Whoever you speak to may feel that
organise a bloody revolution to cast down
love hits a speed bump, their
whatever was said was presumptuous and
the status quo in the name of freedom,
light-hearted, contain a fluffy plot
relationship will glide out the
uncalled for. In fact, an attempt to use an
and sound condescending besides.
and revolve around the notion
other side and float on its merry
affectionate title in an inappropriate
Hidden caveats abound in the use of
that true love will conquer all.
way. Sure, we’re relatively smart
conversation may result in you gaining an
affectionate titles where they are not
But, be warned, repeated viewing
and can tell the difference
arch-nemesis. This will doubtless be
clearly applicable.
can cause unintended
between real life and a film but
entertaining for neutral parties should
This may be why they are rarely used in
consequences. Suddenly, men are
you can’t help but think – it could
your new rivalry result in a succession of
everyday speech, except when used for
happen to you.
epic battles to settle the issue, but it
mockery and/or sarcasm, or to stress a
protagonist in our favourite
might be wise to consider the
point. Unearned titles can seriously
romantic comedy – be sweet,
So what should we do to stem the
consequences before a throwaway
unsettle if there is no immediately
hopelessly in love with us and,
flow of this destructive influence?
comment results in destruction for us all.
apparent reason for their use. One of the
although he may be allowed to
Grab our copies of The Notebook,
Spoken to a certain kind of person, an
most effective ways to dismiss someone’s
have a short crisis of conscience
Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman
undue assertion of a close relationship
efforts or suggestions is by using an
mid-way through our relationship,
and stage a burning in the Quad?
may induce paranoia in the target, and
affectionate title. ‘Darling, I love you, but
he must realise the error of this
Write to Jennifer Anniston, Anne
possibly ultimately destroy their peace of
there’s no denying that you’re a total
ways just in time for the happy
Hathaway and Katherine Heigl
mind as they desperately strive to
idiot.’ This is especially useful after the
ending.
and inform them they are ruining
remember who you are and where they’ve
other party has made some form of threat,
our relationship expectations?
met you before. How could it be that you
as the instant response makes it clear that
Lobby for a private members bill
can believe yourself so familiar with
it is not being entertained. While I
Other Drugs staring the too-good-
to outlaw this scourge of society?
them? What shadowy figures from their
wouldn’t recommend this for dialogue
to-be-true Jake Gyllenhaal. And
I guess not. Maybe it should be
mysterious past have they forgotten?
with your landlady or in hostage
that’s the very point of the
appreciated for what it is -
They may fear that you are a secret stalker
negotiations, it’s one of the more
romcom – it is too good to be
unadulterated emotional
and take appropriate action, which results
interesting uses of language, used
true. Jake plays Jamie, a slick
pornography – and we should give
in two possibilities. First, calling the
judiciously. That said, you should always
ladies-man who falls for the off-
our poor bewildered men a break.
police and/or vigilante justice, which
take care.
This seemingly innocuous form of
remembers my favourite romantic
Romcoms are by their very nature
expected to behave like the
Last week I went to see Love and
results in real danger for the unwary
beat Maggie, played by Anne Hathaway. Without revealing too
Thus, using terms of
By Lisa Jackson
speaker, or second, be impressed enough
By Liam King
page 21
By Darragh O’Connor
MAX BROOKS AND THE ZOMBIE PHENOMENON Love them or hate them, there is no denying that zombies
to be a resounding success and I was lucky enough to meet
“There’s alot of young men out there who would love for a
are the big horror fascination of recent times, and if
up with him earlier that day and have a chat with every
zombie plague to happen, ‘cause then they could be the
current trends continue they look set to get even bigger,
zombies’ biggest fan.
hero and live out their post-apocalyptic fantasy as
(as if anybody is going to take vampires seriously again
“Well I’m not a zombie fan,” he begins, “I’m an anti-zombie
opposed to having to work at McDonalds.”
after the embarrassment that was the Twilight series).
fan. I’m terrified of ‘em cause I don’t wanna get eaten! I
Any advice to give to someone who finds a zombie
There is now an infinite amount of movies, comic books,
think number one of the fear factor is being eaten, and
crashing through their front window? “Go the other way, I
TV shows, video games and literature flooding the market
number two is that zombies don’t obey the golden law of
think that’s probably a good start”.
in an attempt to cash in on this undead craze. It’s become
monsters”.
If it happened that you were bitten yourself and became
so prevalent in popular culture that we’re at the stage
Which is...? “Most monsters you have to go find. In every
infected, what would you do? (he laughs) “If I were bitten?
where a sub-genre has been spawned exclusively to poke
other horror film or novel we have to leave our safe home
I’d have a one-way ticket to Mel Gibson’s house and I
fun at it, (seriously I walked past a novel the other day
and go to the swamp or the desert or to Transylvania to
would give him all the lovely payback for ruining my
titled “Pride and Prejudice... And Zombies”).
find a monster, (and if you do then I have no sympathy for
childhood hero”.
But the current resurgence can almost be pinpointed to
you!). But zombies come to us, and they come to us in the
You’ve openly expressed in the past your distaste of the
the moment when Max Brooks (son of Mel), went all out
hundreds and thousands, so I think that’s pretty darn
current generation of vampires in pop culture, care to
in 2006 and released “World War Z”, a tale of when
scary! I think it’s all based on genuine fear."
comment on that? “I think Twilight is good because it
zombies spread across the globe and the fight for
Do you ever wonder if this is something that could
gives art to a niche that’s never had it before. Young virgin
mankind’s survival that ensued. The book was a massive
actually happen? “Hey I lived through 8 years of George
girls who are afraid of penises, FINALLY there’s a vampire
success (it’s currently being made into a film starring Brad
Bush so I think that anything is possible at this point!”.
story for them”.
Pitt) and was the follow up to his “Zombie Survival
And how do you reckon the Irish people would fare under
When asked what his future plans were Max stated that
Guide”, itself a New York Times Bestseller. Both have been
such a scenario? “Your grandparents would be fine. They
he was going to stay here and start another political party,
credited with re-inventing the genre and their sales are
know how to fight, suffer, save and endure hardships. Your
“cause I don’t think you guys have enough for these
now in the millions.
generation? Gone. You Celtic Cubs , your grandparents
elections, so I’m starting one called Fianna Brooks”. Max
Recently, Max came to Galway to speak at an event held
have a history of being rebellious, you kids have a history
Brooks for Taoiseach? Considering he’s an expert on
by the Literary and Debating society in NUIG, coming all
on spending your parents money.” Fair point.
disasters and post-apocalyptic scenarios, he’d probably be
the way from California to do so. It was considered by all
So why do you think the genre has become such a big hit?
perfect for the job.
page 22
Socs Page
Six ways of Winning €1000!
Film Soc Present:
UCG Spirit of Socs Bursary
NUI Galway Film Festival
‘78/’80
Monday, 28th Feb – Friday, 4th March Monday 28th
Hurt Locker
The Town
Black Cat, White Cat
19:30 Aras Ui Chatail
19:30 Aras Ui Chathail
(Screening by Huston
Anime Shorts
Soc)
(Screening By Anime
Last Tango in Paris
9:30 pm Large Acoustic
and Manga Soc)
21:00 Bailey Allen Hall
Room.
20:00 Cairnes Lecture Theatre
Tuesday 1st
Thursday 3rd March
Wednesday 2nd
The Social Network
Vertigo Shutter Island
13:00 Bailey Allen Hall
13:00 Bailey Allen Hall
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
One, Two, Three
Napolean Dynamite
14:00 Large Acoustic
15:00 The Space
15:30 Bailey Allen Hall
Room
The Elephant Man
Splendor in the Grass
18:00 Bailey Allen Hall
16:00 Bailey Allen Hall
Room
A Collection of Polish animated short films for children (screening
Comedy Shorts
The Notebook
16:00 Large Acoustic
19:30 Aras Ui Chathail
by Polish Soc)
21:00 The View
19:00 Large Acoustic
Somebody Up There Likes Me
Room.
18:30 Bailey Allen Hall
Friday 4th March
12:00 The Space
Awarding Winning Shorts 16:00 Large Acoustic
Room
Old Boy
Persepolis The NUI Galway
regarded by many as a
Final are €15, €10
(Screening by Comic
Societies Office in
golden era in societies
student concession and
Soc)
conjunction with the
and as we are currently
include dinner. The
18:00 Large Acoustic
Graduates of 1978 – 1980
experiencing a new
Bursary Coordination
Room
are launching a Societies
golden era with the
Team. Brendan (Speedie)
Bursary for exceptional
opening of Aras na Mac
Smith - graduates/
Ghost World
students in the following
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sponsors coordinator
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For more information on
Soc)
field of interest.
students from the
the graduates of 1978 –
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graduating classes of
1980 visit
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prizes are provided by
1978 – 1980 for their
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NUI Galway Alumni from
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9ers.blogspot.com
the class of 1978 – 1980
Tickets for the Grand
page 23
Short Story:
The DNA test By Ndrek Gjini Alex Muddy is a taxi man. He is living alone now. The marriage break up was such a disaster for him. “A happy father of three children”, he thought he was, for more than fifteen years. He was a hardworking man trying to keep everything in order and everyone happy. “A taxi man, yes I still am a taxi man, but not a father of three lovely children as I thought”, he concluded. Last year on 27th September, around 2:30 am, a lady in her thirties raised her thumb asking him for a lift to the maternity hospital. “As soon as you can please, please”, the lady said eloquently. In her further emotional talk, she told him to which hospital she wanted to go to. Alex maintained silent. “A lovely baby is on the way”, he thought and speeded up towards the maternity hospital. When they arrived there, the lady asked him if he could give her his phone number and address. “Just in case”, she added with her soft voice. “Maybe I will need your help again when going home... with my baby”, she said while closing the taxi door after she paid the fare. “Ok” he replied and gave her a small printed card with all his details on it, without thinking that this card was going to bring a horrible disaster to his life. Three days later, his home phone rang. “Hello, is that Alex Muddy?”, the voice from the other side of the phone asked. Without waiting for any answers, the voice continued to explain that he was to go to the maternity hospital to take home his wife and their lovely baby girl. Alex was asleep. It was his wife who answered the phone. She rushed into his bedroom. “Get up you bastard!”, she shouted to him. While waking up in hurry he was very confused. What on earth did he do wrong? Days and weeks passed. His wife kept screaming and blaming him saying that he was not faithful to her. His life became miserable. Alex wondered what he should do to solve this horrifying blow, which had happened to his life. For a long while, he found himself in a big dilemma about where to start. “I sold some land and my parents’ house”, Alex moaned. He said he needed money as he had decided to do the DNA test for himself, for the little girl who was born that night whose mother claimed that he was the father of, for his three sons, and for his wife. “The DNA test proved that…”, Alex whimpered in tears, ‘the little girl was not mine, the DNA test also proved that, none of my three sons were mine either”.
page 24
Are We Safe On The Net? The danger of the hacker On the 26th January, Mark Zuckerberg’s fan page was
of us? Coincidently enough Facebook also launched the
My advice is to always be cautious of what you say and
supposedly hacked and the hacker posted the following
all new security features of the site a day after this so-
do on the web because a simple thing like all your
message: “Let the hacking begin: If Facebook needs
called hacking so many are led to believe that it was all
personal details may be all a hacker needs to either get
money, instead of going to the banks, why doesn’t
just a clever part on PR to raise the issue of the security
in to your computer or even commit identity fraud. So
Facebook let its users invest in Facebook in a social
of the site. Whether or not the hack was in fact a real
always maintain high levels of security and a good anti-
way? Why not transform Facebook into a ‘social
hack, it does effectively show the huge audience of
virus program to keep all that nasty spyware and such
business’ the way Nobel Prize winner Muhammad
Facebook and internet users that we have got to be
from threatening your computer. The main point which
Yunus described it? What do you think?
safer on the web. Facebook has now even introduced
this hacking has raised is that no one is truly safe on the
#hackercup2011”
the more secure HTTPS connection which offers a
web so always stay one step ahead and never reveal too
better sense of security and there are also new
much personal information.
The statement was then quickly taken off the page but
authorisation features being implemented too.
it did not go unnoticed and received thousands of
If you want more info on how to stay safe on the web
‘likes’ and comments. There has not been much word
However, most users are unaware just how dangerous
you can email the SIN Tech Guy at sintechguy@live.ie
from Facebook on the hacking incident but it does raise
it can be to surf the web without proper knowledge of
for tips or websites with good information on how to
the important issue of safety on the internet as many
how to stay secure on the internet and protect your PC
keep safe on the web.
have stated that if the creator of Facebook’s account
from various hackers and viruses that lurk on every
can be hacked, then what does that mean for the rest
corner of the World Wide Web.
By Chris Cosgrove
Dark Tower books to hit the big screen With the announcement made, a film adaptation of
talk of a video game tie in for smaller areas of the plot.
Steven King’s epic book series The Dark Tower is
qualified to take on this project. But several fans would have preferred Guillermo Del Toro and
officially in the pipeline. Exciting news for anyone
The story so far is that Ron Howard is the man tasked
Christopher Nolan, (even Terry Gilliam and David
who is a fan of the fantasy and western books, (part
with bringing the books to the big screen. Not
Lynch were mentioned as more appropriate choices).
Lord of The Rings and part spaghetti western).
everyone’s favourite choice although he has tackled
Del Toro or Nolan would have been the better for my
fantasy before with Cocoon and Willow and
money; but with Nolan set for The Dark Knight Rises
The novels are a massive commitment spread over
converted books to film with The Da Vinci Code and
and Del Toro linked to do Frankenstein this year it is
seven books and took over twenty years for King
Angels and Demons. So you might think he is well
unlikely they would be able to commit to a project
himself to write. Bringing these
this size.
books onto screen would be a daunting task for any director,
Leading the race to star as Roland
given its highly complex plot
(the main character in the books),
and sheer volume. There is
are Christian Bale (The Dark
however a feeling that justice
Knight), Javier Bardem (No
could never be done on film,
Country for Old Men), and Viggo
even King has been very
Mortensen (The Lord of The
cautious about giving the rights
Rings). Mortensen would be my
over to adapt it onto screen and
personal favourite to see take the
he’s a man famous for having
role, but time will tell. Whatever
his works converted to film.
you feel, Dark Tower will be a highly anticipated film and I can’t
Early plans seem to be for three
wait as I am a big fan of the story.
films, accompanied by a
It won’t be released until 2013
television series. The TV series
which gives you plenty of time to
would be a link between films
read the books. Get cracking.
to fill in the gaps and get as much of the original material onto the screen. There is even
By Paul Varley
page 25
Hereafter Clint Eastwood seems like the type of guy who’d spit in
third is of a French reporter whose near-death
Instead there’s a feeling of quiet intimacy whenever the
the dirt with disgust at the idea of making a movie
experience has left her with frightening visions. Each of
dead are called upon. As a result these moments turn
about something as fanciful as communication with the
the three main characters feels like a real, relatable
out to be the most moving scenes in the film.
dead. His recent films are all firmly grounded in harsh
person. They not only have to deal with death but
reality, with no room for fantasy-style nonsense. But his
other ugly mundane problems like job loss, failing
Naturally, all three stories mesh towards the end, and
tendency for realism is exactly what makes his take on
marriage and drug-addicted parents. In this context, the
the film’s message turns out to be a positive one of
the paranormal so interesting in Hereafter.
idea that someone could communicate with your
taking comfort from those still living who can relate to
deceased loved ones somehow stops seeming so
your problems. If you’re looking for the next 6th Sense,
ridiculous.
then you’ve come to the wrong place; this turns out to
The film tells three death-related stories. One is of a former psychic trying to suppress his paranormal
be quite a heart-warming story.
powers and live a normal life. Another is of a young boy
It’s not dealt with in the way you’d expect; convulsions
trying to cope with the death of his twin brother. The
and eyes rolling back in people’s heads are left out.
By Evin Keane
Boardwalk Empire HBO, the home of legendary shows including
producing the most expensive pilot episode in
gains Nucky’s admiration throughout the series in
Entourage, The Sopranos and The Wire has done it
television history. Rumours generally settle at the $50
more ways than one. Schroeder is played by
again. Its new series, Boardwalk Empire, is unique, epic
million mark. By comparison, it was speculated that its
Glaswegian Kelly Macdonald, previously of No
and downright brilliant.
nearest rival, Lost, spent around $10 million on its 2-
Country for Old Men. Her accent is a little grating in
hour pilot.
parts, especially when she frets about her “chill-der-
Set in Atlantic City during prohibition, the drama focuses on the life of Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson (Steve
en”. There are three other central characters in Boardwalk
Buscemi), the treasurer of the beachfront town. He
The final character is Agent Nelson Van Alden, the
appears to be part-politician and a greater part
straight-laced Federal Prohibition agent, played by
gangster. Women want him and men want to be him.
Michael Shannon. He quickly marks Nucky out as a
Despite being described in one of his previous movies
central character in the Atlantic City alcohol
(Fargo) as "kinda funny-lookin', Buscemi is made for
smuggling ring. Without giving away too much, watch
the role.
out for episode six when Van Alden admires a picture of Schroder. What happens next is not what I was
For those of you not in the know, prohibition entails
expecting at all.
the banning of the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol. It was enforced in America in
There are lots of other characters to watch out for.
the 1920’s. With college week underway, that notion
Some guy called Al Capone seems to feature in it a bit.
might not fit very comfortably with some of you. But,
Also, Chalky White played by Michael Kenneth
don’t worry, with prohibition came a huge black
Williams, stands out as Nucky’s liaison to the black
market trade in alcohol. It was freely available to
community in Atlantic City. You might remember him
those in high places. Nucky acts as the ringleader for
from such TV shows as The Wire.
this trade making him the emperor of his South New Jersey town.
This is a great series for Irish viewers in particular. Many of the characters are from Irish backgrounds.
The series has been likened to what would emerge if
Episode five is dedicated to the shenanigans
the Sopranos and Mad Men produced a child. While
Empire. The first is James 'Jimmy' Darmody (Michael
surrounding St. Patrick’s Day but without most of the
that’s somewhat true, the comparison seems to sell
Pitt) who starts out as Nucky’s henchman before
paddywhackery we’ve come to expect from American
the series short. It really stands alone as a show that
branching out on his own. Pitt once played Henry
dramas portraying Irish characters.
boasts a compelling story, punchy script, varied cast
Parker in Dawson’s Creek. It’s nice to see him move up
and unrivalled set.
in the world!
Boardwalk Empire is currently showing on Sky Atlantic. If you have any posh friends with Sky, it’s
The 12-episode series immediately shot to prominence
Margaret Schroeder is the Oirish wife of a drunken,
advisable not to fall out with them until you see the
due to the involvement of Martin Scorsese, who
violent layabout. She is a devout member of the
whole series.
directed the first episode and is one of the show’s
Temperance League, a women’s organisation at the
executive producers. It was also credited with
forefront of prohibition lobbying in the US. Schroeder
By Lisa Jackson
page 26
Love & Other Drugs
The Fighter There are only so many plots
tad more toxic with the
away from the ‘Rocky’-
that make for a good
influence of chain-smoking
like comparisons with a shift
movie. So here we have ‘The
mother come manager,
of the lens in the direction
Fighter’ and it comes as no
(Melissa Leo) pushing and
of Micky’s seedier brother
surprise.
pulling his boxing career to a
Dickie (Christian
bruising extent. There is of
Bale). Dickie shakily represen
Oh yes, there we
course the good woman, as
ts the burden to carry. The
have the sensation of being
per all praiseworthy biopics,
energetic Bale
hit with a fuzzy déjà vu. The
to be found in Charlene
depicts the actions of the
sense of a small town, the
(Amy Adams). Adams’
older sibling in a wide-eyed,
If it’s a typical, no-nonsense romantic comedy
rags to riches, it sounds
fantastic range as an actress
floor hopping,
you’re looking for, then the trailer for Love &
just like the usual fight.
shines in this
bridge sprinting, shirt
Other Drugs might suggest that you’ve found
Director David O. Russell,
less than angelic role in that
sweating, crack addicted
what you were after. But strangely, you’d be
who is often praised within
it allows her to throw ample
manner. The urge to shake
effective at either. But the sudden change of
a bubble of loose
rough guts right back in the
off this character fades with
pace throws everything off balance, and in a
and sometimes
direction of the mother
our acknowledgment that
way squeezing such a serious topic as
comedic movies, pricked not
(and her supporting chorus
the boxing come back
Parkinson’s into this sort of film feels sort of
only that bubble but also the
of sneering daughters) with a
documentary Dickie has us
wrong. That said, the movie’s highlight is the
ears of many critics with
few snide comments and
buying into in the opening
scene where Maggie stumbles across a
what sounded, somewhat
nose punches. The
scene, portrays more of a
convention for sufferers of Parkinson’s, and
disappointingly like a cliché.
movement from the ‘safe
disillusioned drug addicts
mistaken. While the film’s first half follows in the footsteps of many a Jennifer Aniston film, midway through everything gets surprisingly dark. Jake Gyllenhaal plays an unemployed chauvinist crying out for a female protagonist to come along so he can redeem himself. Having just been fired from his crappy job as a hi-fi salesman for getting frisky in the backroom with a co-worker, his entirely successful family persuade him to take a job as a salesman for a pharmaceutical company. This is how he meets Maggie, the lonesome sexcrazed photographer played by Anne Hathaway. Naturally, they’re perfect for each other and comedy, sex and gratuitous nudity ensue. But all goes wrong when Maggie’s Parkinson’s disease gets serious and gets in the way of their carefree fun. Had the film decided what it wanted to be from the start (hilarious sex caper or heavy health drama?) it might have been more
real-life sufferers of the disease entertain one
bet’ cliché comes with the
story than that of the
another by recounting all the awkward
The familiar theme and an
realisation that Ward very
‘hero’ the respecting Micky
situations that their disease led them to: their
equally
much represents the bad bet.
sees him as. As their stories
shaking arms accidentally firing small children
conventional cast surprisingl
One boxer not to put your
play out, both in and outside
into trees, that sort of thing. Overall, then, it’s a
y provide for more than just
money on.
the ropes, we are audience
step above the average rom-com and can be
a boxing movie. Mark
pretty funny; just don’t expect a laugh a
Wahlberg, steps out of the
The reason the cliché works
Their struggles, their dreams,
minute.
limelight in a more reserved
is because Russell doesn’t try
their tight family ties and the
role in representing Micky
to oversell the material
slow unravelling of them, in
Ward. His family saga is
before him. He uses it
the name of a winners title.
not of the typical
tactically and brings it to us
dysfunctional variety but a
in a fresh arena. We step
By Evin Keane
to their individual fights.
By Hannah Cahill
page 27 By Ciaran Kelly
West Ham United:
from tradition to turmoil “Fortune’s always hiding, I’ve
elegance, ball-playing ability and
internationals and the likes of
distance between the seats and
and tradition of the club. The
looked everywhere” is the
leadership since this period. Hurst
Paolo Di Canio and Carlos Tevez,
the pitch will range from 45
main problem under previous
triumphant chorus of West Ham
finished as England’s top scorer at
financial instability in the past
metres to 205 metres.
ownerships was poor relations
United’s anthem, ‘I’m Forever
the finals with four goals and
decade has meant West Ham have
Blowing Bubbles’. This chorus
Peters also played a crucial role as
struggled to hold onto many of
Juventus’ Stadio delle Alpi has
personal disagreements with
sums up both the working-class
he scored a goal in the 4-2 win
their key players. They have
served as a warning as it had a
Harry Redknapp get in the way of
nature of West Ham’s loyal fans
over Germany in the final.
struggled to rise above the status
running track up to when
football matters and sacked him
of a feeder club, that is, a club
redevelopment began in 2009 and
in 2001. Magnusson’s board sold
but also how in their 116 year
with the manager. Brown let
history, the club with its tradition
The production of England
that does not have the finances to
was synonymous for its poor
defenders Anton Ferdinand and
of producing England
internationals continued in the
be able to hang on to their prized
atmosphere and fans’ restricted
George McCartney above Alan
internationals and playing good
1970s with club icons Trevor
assets. While it was fantastic to
view of the pitch. West Ham
Curbishley’s head in 2008 which
football, have never tasted the
Brooking and Frank Lampard Sr.
produce Ferdinand, Lampard,
midfielder Scott Parker has talked
led to Curbishley’s resignation.
glory and the financial muscle of
and into the 1980s with Alan
Cole and Defoe, West Ham fans
up the uniqueness of the new
its more illustrious London
Devonshire, Alvin Martin, Tony
never got to witness these talents
stadium but has inadvertently
Sadly, Gold and Sullivan have
neighbours. However, in their
Cottee and Paul Ince. However,
at the height of their ability.
summed up its faults with “we'll
proved even more controversial.
seven-year plan to turn the
the most successful period of
be playing there every week and
They constantly undermined last
Hammers into a top four club,
development came in the 1990s as
away teams won't, so they'll be
season’s manager Gianfranco
However, the club badly needs a
owners David Gold and David
Zola. Zola gave West Ham’s
Sullivan are in danger of losing
image a boost with his dignity and
touch with West Ham’s humble
attractive football after the
origins which could result in
murkiness of the Carlos Tevez
financial ruin.
affair where West Ham broke Premier League rules in signing
While Manchester United’s youth
him (as he was partly owned by a
teams of the 1960s and the 1990s
third party). However, Gold and
have been lauded, West Ham‘s
Sullivan never publicly backed
production line has often been
him and in January 2010, they
overlooked. The club have never
announced the entire squad, apart
won a top-level title yet as the
from talisman Parker, was up for
‘Academy of Football’, they have
sale. They also bid for West Brom
produced some of the modern
midfielder Graham Dorrans
greats. From the 1960s right up
without Zola’s knowledge. The
to the present day, the Hammers
owners replaced Zola with Avram
have developed the heartbeat of
the future core of the English
balance between selling their best
coming to something that is new
Grant in the summer of 2010 but
the English national team. This
national team rose through the
players and Gold and Sullivan’s
to them in terms of a running
he too is heading for the same
was a policy advocated by
ranks. Rio Ferdinand, Frank
lofty ambitions to turn West Ham
track". For a club who have
fate. Grant has not been fully
legendary manager Ron
Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael
into London’s top team as the
developed a boisterous and
supported by Gold and Sullivan
Greenwood in the 1960s which
Carrick have gone on to win a
owners are in danger of
intimate atmosphere at Upton
despite reaching the League Cup
has shaped the club’s traditions
combined 207 caps for England
overstretching the club with an
Park, the exposed Olympic
semi-final and the job was offered
for forty years. Local talents have
and generated £50 million in
alarming level of debt. This is a
Stadium will be dramatically
to Martin O’Neill while Grant
gone on to establish a great
transfer fees for West Ham.
matter of ego for Gold and
different and a huge risk. Added
was preparing for a league match
rapport with the fans and
Jermain Defoe and Glen Johnson
Sullivan who as two East London
to this is the £100 million
against Arsenal. The impatience
symbolise the club’s working-class
soon followed from the Academy
natives want to leave a legacy and
redevelopment cost which would
and ruthlessness of the owners is
image.
and the likes of James Tomkins,
to be seen as the saviours of a
dramatically add to their already
in danger of further destabilising an already unstable club.
Jordan Spence, Mark Noble and
club who were £110 million in
perilous debt.
The club chant of ‘we won the
Junior Stanislas could have the
debt when they took over. They
Obviously, this debt will take
World Cup’ in relation to
potential to be future England
see their legacy immortalised in
time to be written off but the
West Ham United are at a
England’s 1966 World Cup win is
prospects.
moving into the Olympic Stadium
owners have not helped matters
crossroads. Relegation would
not as absurd as it may seem.
at Stratford. With the aid of
on the pitch with their decision
mean financial meltdown but
West Ham’s Bobby Moore,
For a club of its size, West Ham's
Newham Council, who will
making. After the unpopular
survival will lead to Gold and
Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst
tradition of developing top-class
provide a £40 million loan, the
ownerships of Terrance Brown
Sullivan taking the credit and
were just as pivotal to England’s
international players is surely
owners will move the Hammers
(1989-2006) and Eggert
continuing to taint the club’s
victory as illustrious names like
unrivalled in world football.
into the stadium after
Magnusson (2006-2008), West
proud tradition and image.
Gordon Banks, Nobby Stiles and
However, although the Hammers
redevelopment in 2014. However,
Ham fans believed Gold and
Regardless of this, the West Ham
Bobby Charlton. Few central
fans have cherished memories of
in leaving the running track
Sullivan, as lifelong West Ham
faithful will forever be blowing
defenders have matched Moore’s
witnessing these England
between the pitch and stands, the
fans, would understand the pride
bubbles.
sport
page 28
By Conor Lane
An uncompromising voice What makes a winner? A simple question with, quite frankly, a simple answer. An answer so obvious that many people know it, even though they may not realise it. Football managers in the Premier League don’t have a very long shelf-life, so when you see a man who has been in charge for over, let’s say five years, you begin to think about how he could have achieved such a feat. Then you try to comprehend twenty-three years as a manager at the same club. Is it down to talent or dumb luck? Disregarding the technical skill involved, you could say that Rooney scoring one of the league’s greatest goals against his team’s biggest rivals in probably the worst season of his career could be construed as an act of fate or the result of being under a manager who has had both tremendous luck
The nature/nurture argument
the All Blacks with the
(Barcelona ’99) and an incredible
cannot solve the complexities of
cohesiveness of South Africa
drive and work ethic.
a winner. While there is
resting on his and his
obviously an inherently
teammates’ shoulders? You can
Sir Alex Ferguson has been at
competitive trait in champions,
be strong, fast, tough and fit but
the helm of Manchester United
there’s also something more
if you can’t take that first step
for longer than most college
important and it cannot be
because you’re afraid to, then
students today have been alive.
inherited or taught easily. It’s
you won’t go any further in life
The old war-horse has seen
actually something that winners
or do anything which hasn’t
eleven league titles, five FA Cups
lack, the thing they need to lack
already been done.
and two European Cups come
to be successful: fear, a mixed
under his possession, he has
feeling of anxiety and
These men had voices that could
personally overseen the winning
apprehension, the emotion that
not be silenced. Alex and Ian are
of at least thirty-five trophies
holds most people back in life. It
in jobs where they need to make
throughout his United career and has truly established himself
fathom, yet he did it.
as one of the all-time greats.
is an emotion that can grip you
their voices heard whereas
brought them to uncharted
and force you to stop believing
Phelps and Bolt only needed
territory with the power of his
in yourself.
that unmovable influence inside
How has he done it? For twenty-
Ian Holloway didn’t need to be
voice. Belief is a difficult
three years he has worked
reminded of the fact that he was
concept. It’s hard to grasp and it
But do you think Michael Phelps
without fear of failure. There is
continually, year after year of
in charge of one of the poorest
can come and go depending on
had any fear when everybody
no difference between the two
the same-old, same-old: pre-
teams in the English game but
the mood but Holloway has
told him that winning eight gold
methods. Once you lose that
season, full season (training most
the charisma and enthusiasm
shown that faith in playing the
medals at the Olympics was
fear, discipline becomes second
days) and finally, end of season
that exuded from his voice
game as it should be played has
impossible? Did Usain Bolt have
nature; how else could Phelps
anxiety as the league ends with
brought the best out of the
its rewards and his footballing
any fear when he was told that it
train for over ten years of high-
hopefully a few trophies in the
group of players that he had. To
intelligence is evident every time
is not feasible to be the best at
intensity swimming, including
bag and then it starts all over
him, he had a team made up of
he speaks.
both the 100m and 200m
five years without taking a day
again. It’s the type of
eleven men out on a pitch with
events? Did Francois Pienaar
off? The only thing we should all
methodology that can make you
each having a head and a pair of
How have these men been able
have any fear when he led his
be afraid of is the possibility that
tired just thinking about it. The
arms and legs, just like any other
to attain so many great
Springbocks out in the Rugby
we don’t maximize our potential.
discipline required is hard to
team in the world, and he
successes? Is it genetic make-up?
World Cup final of ‘95 against
their own heads, a belief
sport
page 29
Chelsea’s cursed trophy: the Uefa Champions League Roman Abramovich fell in love with football and
second round first leg where Chelsea lost 2-1 to
Terry, a warrior who has suffered broken bones,
indeed the Champions League after seeing the 3-2
Barcelona and had Didier Drogba sent off after 56
concussions and battle scars over the years, was
quarter-final epic between Real Madrid and
minutes.
reduced to a weeping man who knew he may have
Manchester United in 2003 and eight years on,
cost Chelsea an unprecedented Champions League
Chelsea are still searching for their Holy Grail.
Mourinho claimed he saw Barcelona manager, Frank
title. After Anderson and Saloman Kalou exchanged
Although the Abramovich era has brought undoubted
Rijkaard, enter the referee Anders Frisk’s dressing
successful penalties, Ryan Giggs converted and
domestic success to the Blues, the pressure to win the
room at half-time. Frisk received numerous death
Nicolas Anelka missed to send Peter Kenyon and a
Champions League has dogged them. Former Chief
threats from Chelsea fans, was replaced for the
rain-soaked Grant up to collect a runners-up plaque
Executive Peter Kenyon summed up Abramovich’s
second-leg by Pierluigi Collina and then retired from
while Sir Bobby Charlton led Manchester United in
obsession for world domination in 2007, stating that
the game after the match. Mourinho’s claims were
their celebrations.
“over a ten-year period, you need two European Cups
never proven and a Uefa venue director, Pascal
to be a world club”. Unnecessary substitutions,
Fratellia, claimed he saw Frisk tell Rijkaard he could
Grant was harshly removed as manager and his
controversy, bad luck and poor refereeing have
not enter the dressing room. Controversy again
replacement, World Cup winner Luiz Felipe Scolari,
prevented Chelsea from fulfilling this ambition.
surrounded Chelsea when they took on Liverpool in
only lasted six months. Guus Hiddink, a one time
the semi-final. After a 0-0 draw in the first-leg at
winner of the Champions League, was parachuted into
Under Abramovich, Chelsea’s first season in the
Stamford Bridge, Luis Garcia poked home a ‘goal’ at
the hot seat until the end of the 2009 season. Yet
Champions League came in the 2003/2004 season.
Anfield to send Liverpool to Istanbul. To this day,
again, Chelsea defeated Liverpool along the way and
They were managed by the much-loved Claudio
Mourinho maintains that it was a ‘ghost goal’ and
set up a glamour tie against Barcelona in the semi-
Ranieri and faced a semi-final against AS Monaco.
replays have never been able to conclude whether the
final. The pre-match tension that had been instigated
Ranieri had developed a reputation as ‘the Tinkerman’
ball crossed the line or not.
by Rijkaard and Mourinho in previous battles was
as he constantly rotated his squad and made rash
non-existent. The pupil, Barca coach Pep Guardiola,
substitutions. In the semi-final first leg against
In 2007, Chelsea again met bitter rivals Liverpool in
was in awe of the master, Hiddink. After securing an
Monaco at the Stade Louis II, Ranieri’s reckless
the semi-final. The tradition of tactical bouts between
admirable 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp, Chelsea went
substitutions caught up with him. Admirably, Chelsea
Mourinho and Rafa Benitez continued and Real
into the second leg as slight favourites. When Michael
went into half-time with the score at 1-1-with a
Madrid legend Jorge Valdano compared the teams
Essien put Chelsea 1-0 up with a wonder strike in the
crucial away goal as well as dominating the game.
playing-styles to "a s*** hanging from a stick". Joe Cole
9th minute, it seemed the Blues were going to hold
However, Ranieri inexplicably substituted Jesper
edged Chelsea in front in the first-leg at Stamford
out as they went on to limit Barca to just one shot on
Gronkjaer for the unfit Juan Sebastian Veron at half-
Bridge and then Daniel Agger equalised the tie at
target.
time which left them narrow and their centre of
Anfield. It went to penalties with Arjen Robben and
midfield overcrowded. After Monaco midfielder
Geremi missing theirs and Liverpool winning the
However, four penalty appeals (Florent Malouda
Andres Zikos was sent off in the 53rd minute, Ranieri
shootout. A whirlwind and unforeseen twelve months
being hauled down by Dani Alves, Drogba being
sent on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for Mario Melchiot
followed where Abramovich cooled his spending,
tugged back by Eric Abidal, Gerard Pique and Samuel
and Robert Huth for Scott Parker. The team was left
dispensed with Mourinho and appointed the
Eto’o handballing) and a verbal rant from Drogba
incredibly unbalanced and even narrower with a
mysterious figure of Avram Grant as manager in
overshadowed an incredible Andres Iniesta equaliser
midfield made up of Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard
October 2007. Grant did what Mourinho could not do
in the 94th minute–which won the Catalans the tie.
and Veron and three central strikers consisting of
in the Champions League- defeat Liverpool. The teams
Although Eric Abidal had been unfairly sent off for an
Eidur Gudjohnsen, Hernan Crespo and Hasselbaink.
met again in the 2008 semi-final which was a much
innocuous tackle on Anelka in the 65th minute, there
Fernando Morientes and Shabani Nonda turned the
more open affair with Grant leading the Blues to a 4-3
was a feeling of injustice on Chelsea’s part and
game in the 78th and 83rd minutes respectively and
aggregate victory and their first ever Champions
Drogba, complete with flip-flops, marched onto the
ultimately, Chelsea lost the tie.
League final.
pitch (after being substituted due to an injury at the end of the match). Although his rant towards referee
Unsurprisingly, Ranieri was replaced just weeks after
It seemed it was Abramovich’s destiny to capture the
Tom Ovrebo was unprofessional, there was a feeling
the tie with Jose Mourinho who had just won the
title in his home nation of Russia where the final took
that yet again, Chelsea had been unlucky in defeat.
Champions League with Porto. He oozed the vibrancy,
place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. However,
brashness and arrogance that dominated Chelsea’s
yet again a penalty shootout prevented continental
The 2011 Champions League final is to be held in
image after the years of the humble Ranieri. ‘The
glory for Chelsea after an exhilarating 1-1 match
Wembley Stadium- a stadium where the Blues have
Special One’ used brilliant mind-games (named
against Manchester United. Without the services of
had good fortune and a great record. Will it provide
Barcelona’s starting XI in the pre-match press
Didier Drogba (who was sent off for a slap on
the inspiration for Chelsea to finally end their
conference) but at times deplorable tactics to lead the
Nemanja Vidic), John Terry stepped up to take the
Champions League curse?
Blues to the semi-final. This revolting side of
decisive penalty to fulfil Abramovich’s destiny after
Mourinho was evident after the final whistle of the
Cristiano Ronaldo had missed. However, Terry slipped.
By Ciarán Kelly
sport
page 30
Champions League’s last 16
By Conor Lane
Tottenham pulled off one of their most
trying to carry on his argument with
formation to 4-4-2 and it worked for
before the half-hour mark and Arsenal
famous victories by beating AC Milan at
Spurs’ coach Joe Jordan. Gattuso received
them. Ancelotti left Drogba on the bench
were only kept in it because Messi failed
the San Siro in the opening match of the
a four-match ban for head-butting the
and it payed off as Anelka scored twice
to capitalise on his chances. Arsenal rode
Champions League’s last 16 round. Harry
old-school coach who barely flinched
against a rather poor team compared to
their luck but they also produced some
Redknaap was a visibly proud man as he
when it happened. It was refreshing to
Chelsea to all but guarantee passage
attractive moments themselves. Wilshere
lead his men into an arena where they
see. The game became quite feisty after
through to the next round. Torres looked
has been a revelation, the young man
had had the good fortune of playing in
Mathieu Flamini was let off the hook
as if he had concrete in his boots as he
came up against some of world football’s
during the group stages. That experience
when he wasn’t sent off for an obviously
wasn’t allowed yet again to complete his
best players and he fitted right in. Arsenal
served to help them. Tottenham made AC
gained momentum in the second-half and
AC Milan 0-1 Tottenham
Milan look exactly what they were, not quite a spent force but very nearly there.
FC Copenhagen 0-2 Chelsea
Milan still have quality and it’s not that long ago when they were once considered
Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona
to be the best team in the world, but thanks to Silvio Berlusconi running the
in the space of five minutes they went from being behind to being in the lead. Van Persie and Arshavin scored so the Gunners left the game with an advantage. The Nou Camp will test Arsenal’s metal.
Marseille 0-0 Manchester United
club just about as well as he runs Italy,
Manchester United went to Marseille on
they are not what they once were and are
dangerous, two-footed challenge that left
first full match for the Blues. He has too
the back of a drab performance which
in dire need of investment. They may be
Corluka injured. Aaron Lennon’s
much quality to stay in such bad form but
saw them beat an unlucky Crawly Town.
top of the Seria A for now but when you
explosive pace cut the Milan team open
he’ll have to start playing better soon if
Marseille were hosting the Red Devils in a
consider how weak the league has gotten,
and with less than fifteen minutes to go
Chelsea are to improve.
drab game where real chances were few
it’s no great achievement. Gennaro
he slid the ball into Peter Crouch’s path
Gattuso has long been be one of the best
who slotted it home for the win, a simple
Arsenal sent a shockwave through
the advantage since the return leg is at
midfielders in the game but his aging
finish for a hard earned win.
football as they beat Barcelona 2-1 at the
Old Trafford, which is a daunting place
Emirates. Barcelona are considered to be a
for any away team to play. You do worry
and far between. Ferguson’s side will have
body simply wasn’t allowing him to run the show like he used to, leaving him
Chelsea’s dreadful season took an upturn
superior version of Arsenal and for most
that United’s failure to score an away goal
visibly frustrated. If he wasn’t pounding
as they recorded an away win against FC
of the match that was noticeably true.
could come back to haunt them.
his fists in rage at the ground, he was
Copenhagen. They changed their
Villa gave the Spanish champions the lead
By Sinéad Farrell
Diarmaid Nash Sport: Handball Course: 3rd Commerce Sportsfile:
alleyway, which can
competition”.
sponsorship but it is
vary in dimensions.
One of the most notable
progressing.”
Diarmaid specialises
benefits of engaging in a sport
Playing Handball while the
in “40x20 metre”
like handball is that it does not
Hurling season hibernates for
complexes. Games
lead to financial drainage. Apart
the winter is a prevalent part of
can be played in
from the ball, goggles and
Diarmaid’s athletic agenda. In
singles or doubles
gloves, there isn’t a lot of
fact, his association with
and protective
specific equipment needed to
Handball was prompted by his
clothing such as
play it. It enhances hand to eye
interest in Hurling. He has
goggles and gloves
co-ordination, reinforces your
played in the County jersey and
“All you need is a ball and a
2006 not to mention that he’s
are mandatory for participants.
reaction strength and generates
is a current member of the U-21
wall”. For anyone who is
rubbing shoulders with the top
A small rubber-based ball is
a greater command of your
squad as a corner back. Diarmaid
unaware of what the sport,
20 handball performers in the
volleyed against a high rising
concentration. According to
is happy to retain both
“Handball” entails, it’s pretty
ranking polls. To complete that
wall by the opposing players.
Diarmaid, “Onewall”, which is a
disciplines but predicts a
straight forward as Clare native
already remarkable profile,
There is a box outlined on the
variation of Handball, is
dilemma of choosing one as a
Diarmaid Nash conceded to me.
Diarmaid defeated Tralee I.T
wall to indicate boundaries and
gradually progressing into the
preference in the future, “I’m
If you’re not convinced of his
student Fergal Collins in the
the aim is to keep your shots
spectrum of professional sports
happy playing both and I haven’t
reliability in judgment, his list of
recent Intervarsity’s final, “Yeah
within those limits and force
and it is hoped that it will
had many major clashes with
credentials will soon ease your
it was great to win it. The final
your opponent to fail in
eventually be recognised as an
them so I hope I won’t have to
mind.
was two hours long but I love
returning a hit. Diarmaid’s
Olympic discipline. “It’s an
pick one because I love playing
playing. I started when I was 10
victory ended a long drought of
existing sport in over 16
them both” he insists. He’s
Fresh off the courts of the
and it just grew from there.
success in NUIG, “its 25 years
countries including Canada and
optimistic about impending
Intervarsity’s Handball
NUIG gave me a scholarship
since the college won it so that
Mexico and it’s developing all
tournaments such as the
competition, the final year
with it so it’s given me so much.”
was great. I had a great
the time. If they can get that
Munster Senior and
Commerce student revealed an
management staff working with
number up to 25, it will be
Intermediate competitions and
impressive but modest account
Handball is a distant relation of
me in Ryan O’Rourke, Ozer
promoted to a professional level.
encourages anyone to join the
of his career to date which
hurling and a cousin to squash.
McMahon and Robbie McCarthy
At the moment only 5
college club for training on
includes an U15 World title in
The game is played in an
so I was well prepared for the
professional players are receiving
Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
SPORT NEWS Ladies Hockey: NUIG 1-5 Portadown By Sile Johnson Spectators in Dangan were recently treated to a
again through goal hungry Sam Hill who once
spectacle of hockey as NUI Galway met
again found herself in possession behind
Portadown HC in the 2nd Round of the Irish
College’s defence.
Trophy. The 5-1 score line, in favour of the
page 31
Ladies footballers advance in O’Connor Cup By Nigel Concannon The NUI Galway Senior Ladies Football
sides. However NUI Galway took control
team progressed to the next round of the O’
from then on with points from Ward, Edel
Connor Cup with a comprehensive win over
Concannon and McHugh before goals from substitutes Sinead Burke and Ursula
visiting girls in blue, does little to reflect the
It would have been so easy, and somewhat
quality of play and the competitive nature of this
acceptable, for the college side to drop their
encounter.
heads at this stage, but this was not the case.
a gallant UCC side in Mardyke Park last
Lesley O Flynn stepped up from sweeper in a bid
week. NUI Galway made a blistering start
Leonard gave Galway students a
College stormed down the throats of Portadown
to set up a goal for her side. Jane O’Higgins and
with goals coming from Marissa O’
commanding lead. In the last minute, a point
from the tip-off, launching an attack on the
Orla Callanan continuously pushed onto the
Callaghan and a well-taken penalty by Eilish
from Ciara Hegarty ended a great NUI
visitors’ circle. The college side were immediately
Portadown circle, desperately seeking a goal.
Ward. The visitors continued to build on
Galway team performance. Player of the
in the front foot and rolled with their
Unfortunately their efforts were in vain, as the
their great start with points from Ward and
match was goalkeeper Caoimhe Egan who
momentum, and continued to press on the Blue’s
game finished 5-1 to Portadown.
Natalie McHugh before the home side
was consistent throughout. Final score NUI
settled into the contest. Half-time score was
Galway 4-10 UCC 0-7. Up next for NUI Galway is a home tie with
defence unit. The visitors were not without their attacks, but it was NUI Galway who opened the
Pic: Aisling Gaffney The intensely contested match was characterised
stronger. The college side soon pushed ahead,
by the ferocity of Ulster hockey. This kind of
UCC 0-4 NUIG 2-4.
after a superb reverse tackle by Niamh O
competitiveness is something which the
The home side battled hard at the beginning
holders DCU on Thursday 24th February in
Halloran was played into the circle for Síle
Connaught side are unaccustomed to on a
of the second half, and by the 40th minute
Dangan at 2pm.
Johnson to finish.
regular basis, yet adjusted to straight off the
there was only four points between the
mark. The game was a display of fabulous The visitors were shaken but not defeated and
hockey, and afterwards both teams appreciated
they soon settled into the game and began to
the passion and talent of the other. Portadown
push forward, and now put the college side
now face in to the quarter final of the Irish
under a great deal of pressure. Only minutes
Trophy, a position they know well having
after NUI Galway went 1-0 up, the visitors had
reached the semi-final last year.
pulled one back through Sam Hill. They doubled their tally before the break after captain, Esther Dickson, won the scramble at the goal mouth to slot home for her side. The intensity was raised again in the second half. The college side needed to get a goal back early to restore confidence, while Portadown needed to seal the deal with a 3rd goal. Portadown employed the tactic of playing one forward extremely high, and played direct balls to her. It was Sam Hill who was filled this role and she did so sublimely. She received a ball inside the 22 from her backline and when she turned, had only the goalie to beat, and so she did in style. Her next contribution was to assist Ali Reid to score to push their side 4-1 ahead. Although the visitors were putting scores away, they had little possession other than when they scored. The college side enjoyed more possession but were just unable to convert their chances. The umpires strictly enforced the law, and a green card to both Louise Riordan and Lisa Geraghty was followed by Amy Rossitor getting sin binned for the same offence, not being 5 metres from the free taker. With College down to 10 players, they had to play a defensive game, depriving them of many opportunities to launch forward to get a goal which they so desperately needed. They rode the storm, and succeeded in not conceding during their period of numerical disadvantage. Despite being back to the full 11, they conceded
NUIG win Ashbourne Shield, beating CIT by 4-18 to 0-03
For all your student banking needs Dr Drop op into the Kevin and Kevin Advice Centr Centre e in our NUIG branch Email: Kevin_A.Burke@boimail.com Kevin.Br Kevin.Broderick@boimail.com oderick@boimail.com Call:
(091) 524555