Sin Volume 11 Issue 11

in this issue: Election Special: three pages of coverage inside plus photos. grade inflation. Hardy Bucks, the Breakfast Club, the Oscars, Berlin, kayaking, the J1 visa

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

NUIG win Fitzgibbon Cup after 30-year wait

By Padraig McMahon NUI Galway's hurlers have won the

impressive 1-11 in total. But the Galway

Fitzgibbon Cup for the first time in 30

side had it's own heroes, among them

years.

captain Finian Coone and

They beat Waterford IT at Pearse

goalscorer Caimin Morey on 43 minutes.

Stadium by a single point in a thrilling

NUIG took the lead for the first time in

match which finished NUIG 1:17 WIT

extra-time but WIT matched them score

1:16 after extra-time. The winning point

for score. The long wait for victory in the

was slotted over beautifully by forward

Fitzgibbon cup seemed lost when the

John Conlon after probably the best

visitors edged ahead with minutes to go,

move of a scrappy but highly entertaining

but buoyed by the exuberant home

match. For the second time in two days

support NUIG scored twice without

the Galway team pushed the game into

reply to secure the cup for only the tenth

extra time, having booked their place in

occasion in its history. Captain Finian

the final against the Waterford side by

Coone thanked the Waterford team for a

beating Limerick IT. NUIG, who

hard-fought match, adding, “Surely you

Polling for the full time Students’ Union

the incumbent Education Officer was

hosted this year's finals in the Fitzgibbon,

can't begrudge us this one”. He thanked

Executive positions took place on

getting the majority of the first preference

Ryan and Fergal Maher Cups, forced the

all the backroom staff at NUIG but

Thursday. Polling early in the day was very

votes.

game into 20 minutes of extra time with

special mention went to Tony 'Horse'

high and over 1,500 students had voted

Just after 12pm Dave Geary, who was

before mid afternoon. The final tally of

overseeing the election announced the

a stirring comeback which saw them level

Reagan, recently retired Head of Sport

voters after polls closed at 9pm came in

result. The valid poll was 2,877 making the

the match at 1:11 apiece after 60 minutes

and current Hurling Club Chairman at

at just over 2,900. Boxes containing the

quota 1,439 with 63 spoilt votes. The first

of normal time. Scored by Seamus

NUI Galway, who was honoured the

votes were stored overnight in a secure

count was as follows: Emmett Connolly

Hennessy who had pushed up from the

previous night at the annual Fitzgibbon

room with CCTV.

1,597, Brendan Gallagher 295, Nick

half back line deep into injury time

Cup dinner, and presented with a golfing

The sorting of votes began just after

Geoghegan 316, James Mc Glynn 242 and

after NUIG had trailed by a massive 1-6

trip to St Andrews in recognition of his

10am on Friday. When the voting slips

Heber Rowan 384, RON (re-open

at one stage in large part to the free-

tireless service over the past 40 years to

were sorted for the three positions the

nominations) 43. Emmet Connolly having

taking expertise of man of the match WIT

NUIG hurling and football.

counting of votes began with the position

exceeded the quota was deemed elected.

forward Timmy Hammersley scoring an

Peter Mannion (centre) is the new SU President. Emma Conway (left) and Emmet Connolly were both re-elected for a second term. Photo: Leah Mollica

Peter Mannion is elected SU President By Deirdre Judge

of Education Officer. Within an hour it became apparent that Emmet Connolly,

continued on the next page

Finally the long awaited week has arrived. It’s

The other matter I have to mention, to be

time to get into the party mood, have the craic

serious for a minute, is the issue of alcohol.

and let the hair down.You can see a full

Basically, the less drink you consume, the less

timetable of events printed on the Students’

messiness there is for you and everyone around

Union page in this issue. The highlights are of

you. The more you drink, the more likely you

course the big gigs: Calvin Harris, The Coronas

are to end up causing hassle and having a crap

and Jason Byrne. In addition to the three

night.

sin team

editorial

Hurray, it’s College Week!

Editor Mairéad Ní Chaoimh editor@sin.ie 087 6761067

Web Editor Vacant Business Manager Andrew Cosgrove

headline acts, one event to keep an eye out for is the Firewalk which was a huge success last

Go easy on the booze, be aware of the amounts

year. It is quite amazing to see people bravely

you are drinking, (especially at house parties)

walk across the wood embers which are

and look out for your friends. Drinkaware.ie has

burning at 1,236 degrees Fahrenheit and there is

plenty of handy tips and info on stuff like alcohol

sure to be a fantastic atmosphere at the event.

units, and they also have an interesting list of

Layout Tom Parandyk

‘The Top Ten Booze Myths Uncovered’.

Student favourites the Hardy Bucks will pay the College Bar a visit on Tuesday evening. To get

Bear in mind that the media are also keeping a

the lowdown, read Padraig McMahon’s

close eye on this year’s festivities. They would

interview with the Mayo lads in the ents section.

only be delighted to report on any student

Don’t forget the dunk tank, the bungee

shenanigans this week. What happened last year

trampoline bounce and on Thursday night, the

was appalling - there were around 40 students

Music Soc Witless final.

arrested, and as management famously

News Editor Deirdre Judge

Sub Editor Oisín Collins

described it “a series of unfortunate incidents” But I guess the best fun is often the unorganised

occurred. The national media highlighted how

stuff, so whatever that entails enjoy the week,

serious the misconduct actually was. Let’s not

together with your mates. Take a few tips from

go there again.

Features Editor Donna Miskell

our sex columnist Donna Miskell on how to and incident free. Because, if all goes well, not And remember what all this is about - raising

only will local charities be thankful for a few

money for four very worthy charities. Let’s try

grand but it will be the first step on the road to

and lift the roof on the figures, and make it the

cleaning up the tarnished image of the event,

best year ever. Last year €32,500 was raised for

and securing its future.

Literary Editor Shaun Leonard

Contributors Leah Mollica Richard Manton Grainne Coyne Aisling Walsh Maebh McDonnell Karrie Kehoe Padraig McMahon Liam Griffin James Mulhall Nathan Reynolds Katie Holmes Rachel Ní Fhionnáin Jamie McCauley

Ents Editor Sinéad Burke

The point is: let’s make this College Week fun,

score this week too!

Sports Editor Cian Murray

Photo Editor Nick Geoghegan

Distribution Nicholas Fitzgerald

charity. We have to beat this!

realised that Brian Grant who many saw

were John Bugler 125, Noel Colleran 104,

eleventh hour.

as a joke candidate and who had

Joseph Loughnane 493, Peter Mannion

Late on Friday night the Students Union

admitted at Hustings that he only

1,339, Eamon McGee 57, Paddy Melia

announced that the protest-regarding

decided to run after a Facebook group

610, Mike Spring 141 and RON 22. Over

management policy on student use of the

had been set up was in serious

the following five counts RON, McGee,

contention. Over the next four counts,

Colleran, Bugler, and Spring were

RON, O’Reilly Healy, Fitzgerald and

eliminated. The final count results were

McGeady were eliminated but neither of

Joseph Loughnane 608, Peter Mannion

Just after 12.30pm the counting began for

the two remaining candidates reached

1,472 and Paddy Melia 677. Peter

addressing fair access of Áras na Mac

the position of Welfare Officer. Within an

the quota. The final tally was Emma

Mannion having exceeded the quota was

Léinn,” she said.

hour it became obvious this was going to

Conway 1,317 and Brian Grant 1,168.

deemed elected.

The Students’ Union had rejected the

be a much more drawn out affair as

Emma Conway, the second incumbent

candidates seemed to getting a more

officer was deemed elected.

even split of the first preference vote.

Attention quickly shifted to the count for

The valid poll was 2,891 with 41 spoilt

the position of SU President. This soon

votes making the quota 1,446. The first

began to look like a three horse race

count was Emma Conway 920, Christine

with the first preferences being split

Fitzgerald 299, Brian Grant 895, John Mc

between Joseph Loughnane, Peter

Geady 456, David O’Reilly Healy 289 and

Mannion and Paddy Melia. The valid poll

RON 32.

was 2,891; 36 votes were spoilt leaving

Tension quickly rose as those present

the quota at 1,447. The first count results

continued from page 1

Peter Mannion is elected SU President

Bailey Allen Hall-was called off.

Donna Cummins, SU President said that she felt university managers were now taking the concerns of students seriously.

“Headway has been achieved in terms of

university’s first draft proposal on

Protest called off at the eleventh hour B y M a i r é a d Ní C h a o i m h The Gala Banquet protest scheduled for Saturday night was cancelled at the

guidelines for use of the hall, but a second draft was produced on Friday which led the SU to take the decision to call off the protest. She did not rule out however staging a protest at the upcoming Labour party conference.

The first draft proposed the following: that alcohol, except for wine, would generally not be permitted to be served in the Bailey Allen Hall unless a

substantial meal was provided.

Buildings Office when organising events,

Buildings office” and that the difficulties

a representative on the University

The Gala Banquet was held in the Bailey

especially regarding room bookings. He

only extend to “certain people”. A key

Society Co-ordination Group (USCG),

Allen Hall on Saturday night.

said in some cases societies haven’t

goal of the petition is to have a

Mr Gibney said that Buildings had an

For more updates check www.sin.ie

received replies to emails submitted in

representative from the Buildings office

arrangement with the VP for the Student

October and as a result “weren’t able to

sit on the USCG.

Experience that they do not attend every

organise events”.

John Gibney, NUIG Director of Physical

meeting of the USCG, but attend only

Also highlighted were the difficulties

Resources responded to the above

where there are issues being discussed

faced by students organising charity

complaints, commenting that he was

that require their input. In response to

events outside Aras na Mac Léinn, such as

unaware of any specific complaints about

the questions about fundraising, Mr

students raising money for Haiti. A

the room booking service, but

Gibney said that bucket collections were

bucket collection organised with a

apologising for any unnecessary delays.

“a tricky issue”. To prevent “non bona

number of societies was prevented from

He also pointed out that there was a

fide collections…all bucket collections

going ahead due to certain policies which,

feedback function on the Buildings Office

must be static…and information about

according to the Buildings Office, have

website.

the cause should be fixed on the display

always been in place.

Regarding the fireproofing of the Bailey

board.” he explained.

In addition to that, a number of technical

Allen Hall, he said that the wall panelling

issues have also arisen within Aras na

in the hall was fire proofed, but needed a

Mac Léinn such as lack of “sound

higher fire proof rating. “A new panel has

proofing and space in the acoustic

been sourced and is currently being

rooms” and the inability to record events

technically assessed.” Mr Gibney stated.

in the Bailey Allen Hall due to lack of

“Once this is completed and approved,

technical facilities. There have also been

the panels will be erected. It is correct to

concerns raised over the lack of fire

say the work should have been

extinguishers and fire proofing in the

completed by now, but it is incorrect to

Bailey Allen Hall. This building “was

say that this is a serious health and safety

supposed to be fire proofed around

risk,” said Mr Gibney. He added that fire

Christmas,” Padraic told SIN, “but hasn’t

extinguishers often disappear from

happened”.

various locations around campus but

Padraic emphasised that the petition is

they are replaced as soon as possible.

not directed towards “everyone at the

Regarding the request that Buildings have

Buildings come under fire from Societies B y G r ainne Coyne A petition has been circulated by the NUIG Societies Chairperson which outlines complaints about the lack of “transparency and information on certain policies issued by the Buildings Office”.

The petition arose from concerns raised at a meeting of the societies’ forum three weeks ago and to date has collected between 200 and 300 signatures.

Speaking to SIN, Societies Chairperson Padraic Harley outlined the issues with the Buildings Office which led to the creation of this petition. He explained difficulties that societies faced with the

‘Zero tolerance’ warning for College Week

By Deirdre Judge Both management and the SU are urging students to be mindful of the ‘zero tolerance’ policy being adopted by the

Gardaí during College Week. While

“There is a very high probability that a

Week is not Rag Week; it is a series of

O’Keeffe, follows the publication of a

GMIT’s Rag Week appears to have been

student who gets arrested will never get

SU events and the focus should not be

report which found evidence of grade

successful in avoiding any of last year’s

a visa to travel to places such as the

on alcohol.”

inflation in universities.

controversy a number of students were

United States, Australia or New Zealand.

Those holding house parties under the

The report carried out by the

arrested during the week, including “a

If you attend a job interview for positions

Code of Conduct could face disciplinary

Department of Education stated that the

such as teaching or the medical

proceedings if complaints are made.VP

percentage of first class awards in

profession there will be Garda checks.

O’Riordan said that in such instances

honours degrees awarded by Irish

This conviction will never be expunged;

excuses such as gate crashing or tenants

universities has increased from 8.3% in

you will never be shot of it.”

not being present will not be accepted.

1997 to 16.2% in 2008. It is expected that

Mary O’Riordan,VP for the Student

“There is no defence- it is your

this new qualifications and quality

Experience reiterated Donna’s

responsibility for what happens.”

assurance agency will be set up early

Mary O’Riordan: Every student that I have had before me for disciplinary proceedings the issue has always involved drink.

comments. Since the introduction of the

next year.

new Code of Conduct she has been

The university presidents have said that

directly involved in dealing with students who have breached the Code. “Every student that I have had before me for disciplinary proceedings the issue has always involved drink. These have been really good students just behaving irrationally because of having too much

small minority” of NUIG students,

the long-term implications of having a

Cummins. no longer issuing adult cautions but

She added, “While it is not in our interest to have students arrested, last

instead students face being arrested for any anti social behaviour. Donna said this

year reflected very poorly on the university and the President’s decision on Rag Week clearly indicated the university’s position. College Charity

this inflation can be explained by a number of factors, including more transparent assessment and wider access to learning materials.

NUIG President Jim Browne told Sin that there had been a reluctance in the past for examiners to give full grades, but now the university had changed its approach.

Legislation is now being drafted to set up a new national agency to monitor the

criminal record.”

Under the new guidelines the Gardaí are

students in the future.

B y M a i r é a d Ní C h a o i m h

to drink. They don’t seem to understand

according to SU President Donna

could have serious implications for

New agency to monitor degree quality

quality of higher education degrees in Ireland. A single body will now be tasked with the job of assuring the quality of degrees. It will merge existing agencies such as the IQUB and the NQAI. The move by Education Minister Batt

“Students have become more engaged and ambitious. Look at how full the library is, and the demand to have it open at the weekend,” he said.

He said that examiners are encouraged to award full marks when they are rightly deserved, and the university has compiled grade descriptors for examiners.

for more campus news go to www.sin.ie

Elections Special Who are you?

My name is Peter Mannion. I am 21 years old and I come from Tuam. I have a degree in Corporate Law and I am currently doing my LLM. Why did you decide to run for election?

I have been at NUIG for four years and have been very involved with societies. This has led me to spend a lot of time complaining about how things are done. I suppose I realised that I felt it was time to stop complaining and actually try and see if I could do something to change things. I feel I am ready to do the job and to do it well and I hope I achieve that.

The ever-increasing registration fee is a real source of discontent among students. What if anything, do you plan on doing about it?

I feel it is important that the SU campaign to ensure university accountability for the

Peter Mannion: A Biography Peter Mannion is 21 years old and comes from Tuam, Co Galway.

registration fee. We need to make certain that the fee is being used on Student Services and there is complete transparency so that they can’t cook the books in order to show the HEA that any further increase is needed.

He graduated in 2009 with a first class honours in Law and is now studying for his LLM. He is actively involved with societies, most notably the Law Society of which he was auditor in 2008/09. Among renowned guests he welcomed as auditor was Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Eli Wiesel.

He was an intern for the then Senator Obama for three months in the summer of 2008, an experience he self deprecatingly has described as getting very friendly with the coffee and copying machines, but he will get to invite Obama out for a pint ‘when’

Tension between the SU and university management is very high at the moment. How do you feel about this?

A certain amount of tension is inevitable between the two. I think if there is tension it means the SU are actually doing their job and fighting on the students’ behalf. It is important though to try and find some common ground to start discussions and I think there are plenty of areas for that. But it shouldn’t always be a cosy relationship.

he visits Ireland. Peter also met Senator Hilary Clinton and Senator Patrick Murphy during his sojourn in Washington.

He was on Ryan Tubridy’s radio show not once but twice and admitted on air to being an American politics anorak and a diehard West Wing fan. He is also socially conscious as he noticed there was a large number of homeless people in Washington which he learned were war veterans whom he said had been very badly treated by the past US Governments.

He has admitted to owning a large cardboard cutout of

In your manifesto you called for anonymous marking in exams. What do you mean?

NUIG is the only university that does not have this system. I feel that there is always the danger under the present system for all sorts of prejudice to seep in and I think it is important to get that changed and I know it is already being put on the table for discussion. There doesn’t seem to be a massive amount of opposition. I feel we will soon realise the benefits of introducing this system.

President Obama.

The SU have been accused of not communicating with students. What do you

Q&A

intend on doing about this?

It is very important that there is regular communication between the SU and the students.

A lot of the SU work goes unknown by students because of this. Unfortunately the SU is

Peter Mannion

not fully up to date with social media. I hope to run a weekly blog and will use Twitter and Facebook as a means of letting the students know what’s going on.

What is your opinion on the ongoing issues over the use of the Bailey Allen Hall by students?

by Deirdre Judge

It was always my understanding that the Hall was intended to be able to hold such big events. We need to insist that the students get to use it in the same way as the university does.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I am really looking forward to the coming year, especially to meeting as many students as I can and engaging with them.

Elections Special Emma Conway fights her way to another term as SU Welfare Officer

help students de-stress. She talks about wanting more

campuses. He views the alliance as something positive,

class reps for the coming year and praises a number of

and a realistic way in which UL & NUIG can compete

“excellent” first year class reps from last year who

for postgraduate research funding against the UCD &

“really proved their worth”. She also intends to

TCD alliance. When asked if he could see himself

implement a Residence Reps system for all the student

working with UL’s education officer in the future he

villages.

responded that he probably will but that as the UL

Overall Conway continues to fight for more working

SU are not in USI he has had not too much contact

CCTV and better lighting on campus to improve overall

with them before.

student safety.

Connolly disputes the argument that student apathy is rife on campus, despite an abysmal 2,877 votes cast

By Karrie Kehoe Emma Conway’s first reaction when she discovered she had been re-elected Welfare Officer was “Oh my God – in a good way”. The returning Welfare officer whose mother famously campaigned for her, beat her competing opponents in an extremely close race winning a total of 1,317 votes after transfers on the fifth count, leaving a slim margin of 149 votes between her and Brian Grant.

Emmet Connolly Education Officer to take on the grant system

By Karrie Kehoe

during the elections out of a student population of approximately 17,000. Connolly feels that ‘students don’t want to be involved in protesting unless they need to’. Complaints have been voiced previously over the low turnout of class reps at Council meetings. Connolly responded that in the past he had been “too soft with class reps” but that he will try motivate them more this year to fulfil their representative responsibilities and attend more council meetings. While last year the union managed

Emmet Connolly has been re-elected as VicePresident Education Officer in a landslide election.

Connolly beat his opponents with a massive 1,597 votes on the second count, leaving the unsuccessful candidates trailing behind with an enormous margin of over 1,200 votes. Connolly is quoted as stating he is “delighted” with the result. During the election campaign Connolly fell under criticism for his membership of Fianna Fáil, with some students going so far as to deface his election posters with ‘Voter Advisory: Fianna Fáil Candidate’ stickers.

Connolly has stated clearly in his campaign manifesto that grants are one of his main focuses this year. He wishes to establish the ‘Never Enough and Never On Time’ campaign, a national campaign focusing on student grants. While working with USI, Connolly plans to place more pressure on County Council authorities to pay out grants on time. He estimates that in the next two years we will see a 50 percent When approached on her aims for the coming academic year she stated that similar enough to her fellow SU officer Emmet Connolly, she plans to focus on the never ending fight against fees and a reform of the grant system. Continuing the financial theme, Conway intends to establish the MABS clinic on campus for students and staff alike who need extra help budgeting. She hopes this will alleviate some of the ‘financial pressure’ for everyone.

It is her aim for UL and NUIG SU welfare officers to work together more in the coming year; she also intends to interact more with USI this year commenting on how they “really upped their game last year”.

Conway, who talks about mental health issues and examination de-stress in her manifesto aims to focus on more “personal well being” this coming academic year and is planning on organising more random fun days to

increase in the amount of students dependent upon grants, as well as a third of NUIG students already receiving them. Connolly feels that there are disparities in how grants are administered. He calls for the standardisation of grant forms and procedures as well as the availability of an electronic grant form.

Connolly also strongly advocates a move towards a centralised grants authority.

When it comes to the all important topic of the NUIG- UL Alliance, Connolly similar enough to the NUIG establishment is rather vague on the topic. He states that as of yet no specifics have been hammered out regarding the implementation of the alliance but reiterates the old statement that there will be no forcing of students to travel between campuses and that a student fund will be established to financially assist students that do voluntarily travel between

to increase the number of class reps by a staggering 40 per cent he would prefer this year a smaller number of active class reps.

Connolly argues that one of his main efforts this year is to stop any more of the computer suites closing and is seeking assurances from the university that this will not happen without consultation. He intends to establish six ‘non academic’ PC’s in areas around the campus such as Smokey’s for student enjoyment.

Connolly also aims to oppose any increases in the €1,500 registration fee and publish a new ‘Funding Your Postgrad Guide” for graduates, detailing funding opportunities as well as scholarships that are available.

Overall he sums up this year as focusing on smaller things to increase the availability of what’s there.

Elections Special The race kicked off in the early hours of Monday

provided the public with thousands of his

morning. As per usual there was a gunshot start as

sumptuously decorated cupcakes on polling day,

the majority of candidates gave Speedy Gonzales a

although whether this swayed the general public to

run for his money as they ’andale-ed’ throughout

vote can’t really be said. The atmosphere on polling

campus affixing as many posters as possible to the

day was excited and somewhat terse for the

notice boards. The campaigns this year featured, all in

candidates. However by the end of the day there was

all, a remarkably ‘shiny’ turnout: lots of posters, fliers

so much enthusiasm that people were sprinting

and T-Shirts and the odd Batman suit, just to lift

towards the polling stations to get their votes in on

everyone’s mood. The posters provided colourful

time before the 9pm closing in Áras na Mac Léinn.

material whether it came in the form of trying to

The elections ended with an amalgamation of

secure the ‘everyman’ vote with pictures of Peter

excitement and exhaustion; the candidates had an

Griffin or having the insight to know that everyone

opportunity to get some sleep and be well rested for

loves puppies. There were also candidates who

the count the next day, whether any actually availed

showed how in touch they were with the arts by

of this opportunity was a different story.

featuring themselves in some of the biggest films of

The excitement continued into the count on Friday.

the last two decades; the same went for the

The day started off slowly. The count, being

candidates who featured acrostic poems to illustrate

scheduled to begin at 10am actually began at

the issues. But the posters were only the beginning.

10.24am. Those conducting the count displayed their

This year seemed to be the year of the t- shirt, be

efficiency and dedication when the boxes were

they sunshine yellow or custom white, the ‘support

opened and they had to sort Everest like mounds of

my candidate’ t-Shirt was this week’s must-have-item.

paper into their respective categories. Education

The atmosphere among the student body however,

Officer was the first to be tackled and was tackled at

despite the sumptuous t-Shirts seemed to be a semi

extreme speed, Emmet Connolly being the only

interested apathy. Students in lecture halls listened

candidate throughout the entire count to receive a

(in relative quiet) to what the candidates had to say

second box for his first preference votes, let alone

and then went back to whatever issue they were

the fact that he won on the first count. There was

talking about. The candidates, for some, became

excitement abundant as the incumbent was

those to be avoided rather than engaged. The issues

announced to be returning to office. The tensions

and various manifestos at times seemed to matter

were relatively low leading up to Welfare Officer,

only to those directly involved in the campaigns.

however they were brought right up to the brim

Throughout the week the game was stepped up by

with the announcement on the first count that there

all of the candidates, whether they were giving out

were a mere 25 votes between incumbent Emma

sweets (Willy Wonka would’ve been proud) or giving

Conway and dark horse Brian Grant. It became a

out umbrellas. It could seem that certain candidates

tense race between both these candidates, in the end

were of the disposition that the only way to the

neither one reaching the quota, Emma winning by

hearts of the students of NUIG is to offer them

149 votes on the fifth count. They then moved on to

protection from the rain. Certain candidates

the Presidency count, the tension having dissipated

discussed the idea that there should be a spending

to a tense exhaustion. After the first count, it became

cap on each of the campaigns. However this would

obvious that it would be difficult to defeat Peter

be difficult to enforce, therefore it would seem that

Mannion; however the vote did proceed until the

we are stuck in the era of free radios, sweets and

sixth count. The day ended on a level of celebration

umbrellas to keep the students sweet. Of course a

tempered by a numb relief with the excitement at an

certain candidate proved that keeping people ‘sweet’

end and the winning candidates set out for a new

was one of the prime directives. Nick Geoghegan

year, new beginnings and new problems to encounter.

A week in student politics

The SU Elections by Méabh McDonnell

Méabh McDonnell reviews the week gone by in the SU elections.

Elections, L e a h

Mollica

NSS cardboard war, M a t t

Burke

Dear John,

both orally and in writing

I'm a final-year student of

- an interest in Irish public affairs and in

Philosophy, Sociology and Politics.

international relations

I've always been interested in a

- an ability to work independently and to

career that involved diplomacy or

deal effectively with people knowledge of

international relations, however I

foreign languages is an advantage.

have no idea how to go about

Your degree should give you a great

getting into this or even what

knowledge base. However, gather as much

qualifications are needed for these

concrete examples to show that you are

fields. What should my next steps be

resourceful, have organisational ability,

if I want to join the diplomatic

flexibility, can work in a team etc.

corps?

On www.publicjobs.ie, you can read more

Cheers,

about Civil Service roles, including those in

Shane Raymond

the Department of Foreign Affairs. The site also offers an email alert service which

Dear Shane,

notifies one automatically when jobs of

The ‘Third Secretary’ is the entry grade to

interest are advertised. At present,

a diplomatic career and you apply online

however, there is a moratorium on

through www.publicjobs.ie. I hope you like

recruitment into the Public Sector, so it is

to travel! Third Secretaries are initially

unlikely that positions will arise in the near

assigned for training in Dublin or Limerick

future. Don’t panic however – there are

for two to three years, and then can

employment opportunities with the EU

expect postings in up to six or seven

Institutions (European Personnel Selection

countries afterwards.

Office) or with the United Nations (United

The requirements of the job give a useful

Nations Human Resources Office). You

insight into your next steps. The Civil

could also consider the UK where there is

Service Commissioners are looking for

a ‘Civil Service Fast Stream’ for graduates.

graduates who have the skills to undertake

It would be a good idea to apply for an EU

the demanding responsibilities of the

internship – check the internship section

position and also demonstrate that they

on www.nuigalway.ie/careers or call into

have the potential to represent Ireland

the Careers Information Room. Lots of

abroad and to progress to the most senior

postgraduate courses can help such as the

positions of the diplomatic service. A good

LLB or LLM or a relevant research

third level degree (first or second class

masters. You could also build up your

honors or have qualified as a

administrative or business skills through

solicitor/barrister) is required and

the Higher Diploma in Business Studies in

candidates will also be expected to show

NUI Galway. There are also interesting

that they have:

postgrads in international relations/studies

- the ability to analyse complex situations

such as those in DCU, UL and UCD.

and to put forward practical

Worried about your career? Contact me,

recommendations for action

the Career Doctor, via editor@sin.ie for

- the capacity to make effective

great personalised advice.

presentations and to communicate well,

John

The best quotes from the Overheard in NUIG Facebook page as selected

by Grainne Coyne

Dean Boyce:

Christopher Cosgrove:

Girl in English lecture: How much

Standing in the queue to

is that book??

Smokey’s talking to a friend to

Some lad: about €7

try and convince them to skip

Girl: Well that’s another €30

their lecture and doss:

euro from mum!!

"Just take it off!" People behind puzzled and girl says: "Excuse

Rachel Cahill:

me!"

A while ago in the college bar, girl asks me whilst looking at the

Aisling Finn :

soccer match on screen, "Is that

Girl 1: You know they never

like Fifa or real life?"

check people’s ID’s for the library

Emma Farrell:

Girl 2: What are you on about?

In the girls' toilets in Aras na Mac

They always check. Otherwise

Léinn after a loud *plop*;

civilians would just walk in.

Girl 1: Oh no!

Girl 1: Civilians?

Girl 2: What?

Girl 2: Yeah, you know, non-

Girl 1: I just dropped my phone

people (Silence)....... I mean non-

in the toilet!!

students

Brian Murphy:

James Michael Greaney:

Overheard drunken knacks

In the library, at the main desk, a

walking through college two

girl in the queue gets a phone

weeks ago, when one of them

call...

yells out:

Girl: [whispering] "Hello?"

"Sure, how was I to know rag

Girl on the other end:

week was only on in GMIT."

[shouting] "OMG! MICHAEL BUBLÉ IS COMING!"

Karen Morris:

Librarian: You, go outside!

Three Arts students chatting about dissertation

Lorna Flynn:

Girl 1: I have 48 pages typed and

A girl in the computer suite

nearly 9,000 words; he has 40

turns and says to me

and just 6,000...How does that

Girl: You know a twin room?

make sense?

Me: Ya

Girl 2: you have smaller writing

Girl: Is that the one with the

though!!!!!

two beds?

Guy: It’s typed, you dope...

The NUIG-UL Strategic Alliance has reignited some

Each alliance has been penned as an attempt to drive

smouldering questions over the future of NUIG.

the smart economy in the respective regions.

Could the alliance be the first step in a move

However, the actual benefit to the ‘smart economy’

towards amalgamation of NUIG and UL? Is it

is questionable. What can these alliances do that co-

indicative of the regional character of Irish

ordination within NUI couldn’t?

universities? Or is it simply a knee-jerk reaction to

Numerous regional federations could now take the

the abolition of the NUI? The alliance has also come

place of NUI, which leads to questions over how the

at a time of alarming reports on grade inflation.

quality of formerly NUI degrees will now be analysed and maintained.

NUI Abolition The abolition of the National University of Ireland

Grade Inflation

(NUI) as a federation of NUIG, NUIM, UCC and

The quality of NUI degrees has already been called

UCD and other smaller colleges has come as a

into question. Last week, a study by Trinity College

shock. The McCarthy (An Bord Snip Nua) Report

revealed the extent of grade inflation in NUI degrees

claimed that the move would save €3 million, but this

over the past fifteen years. The numbers of first class

was rubbished by NUI Registrar, Dr Attracta Halpin,

honours degrees awarded by NUIG has increased by

who said: “The idea that €3 million could be saved is

115% since 1994. In NUIM the figure is 700%.

fanciful”. The majority of NUI expenditure will simply

This increase was attributed to examiners being “less

be passed on to the constituent institutions.

mean” by NUIG President, Jim Browne. Speaking to

The abolition has resulted in fears regarding the

Sin immediately after the figures were released,

status and recognition of NUI degrees. The NUI

Browne said that the increase is down to “a better

brand has been built over 100 years and has over

teaching system, more competitive students and the

250,000 graduates. NUI Chancellor, Dr Maurice

use of full grades by examiners”.

Manning, said: “NUI is the connective tissue that joins

Even if this is the case, how the figures are viewed by

the constituent universities together and gives

industry and the public, and not the degree value

meaning to the concept of the NUI degree.”

itself, may be the biggest worry.

UL Alliance

Regional Universities

Coming only one month apart, the issues of the NUI

The establishment of rival university federations

abolition and the UL alliance cannot be separated.

along the lines of University of the West and

Interestingly, the NUIG-UL ‘strategic alliance’ also

University of the East are unlikely, but cannot be

includes a partnership with the Georgia Institute of

ruled out. Regional alliances, federations or even

Technology in the US. This means that NUIG may

mergers could make practical sense to avoid

now have more of a connection with Georgia than

duplication of disciplines and facilitate the lack of

with Maynooth!

student mobility, but will entail problems with

Although the alliance appears to be thrown together

national coordination and analysis of degree

in response to the NUI abolition and short-reaching,

programmes.

does NUiG + UL = University of the West? by Richard Manton

In the context of the UL alliance, NUI abolition and grade inflation, Richard Manton looks at the future of NUIG and NUI degrees.

it comes as part of a trend of ‘regionalisation’ of universities. An alliance has also been created

For now, we are in limbo. NUI is gone, universities

between Trinity College and UCD. Irish universities

are in a nervous period of courting one another and

have always had a regional character with Irish

what it means to get a ‘first’ remains as abstract as

students among the least mobile in Europe.

‘the smart economy’.

LETTERS TO ThE EdiTOr Dear Madam,

marketing tactics like those teeny tiny

Dear Madam,

Dear Madam,

One week before the voting begins, the

I wish to respond to the student who

would-be elected begin to campaign.

wrote (SIN Issue 7/ January 18th 2010)

successful companies i.e. Starbucks and I recently read the article SIN published

Toyota?

on www.sin.ie on the full time SU Exec Hustings which took place

Here are a few 'free' ideas for those

Several people are running around like

regarding poor lecturing standards and

last Wednesday evening. I saw that there

hopefuls out there, hoping to get those

March hares on magic mushrooms

exhorted the university to consider this

was a brief report on each candidate’s

votes handed to them on a silver

handing out teeth destroying sweets to

issue. I would like to reassure this

performance on the night. The first thing

platter.

persuade the cornered victim to vote

student that the university takes the

for them.

matter of standards, in all areas of

Their manifestos lack anything we

performance, very seriously indeed. The

to strike me was the fact that the evaluation of my performance began

1.

with my name being misspelled. This, I

all 1st year IT students can develop at

haven’t heard before, and are well short

university is committed to providing a

thought, was just a minor and honest

least one webpage.

of any original thought. How is it

high quality learning experience for all

mistake. As I then read down through

Tell your constituents who you are (a

possible to find out about the different

students.

the article, I found that it was very

short Bio), where you are from,

candidates and what they stand for?

harsh and grossly unfair, as I feel I got

why you are running for election and

How is it possible, in this short time, to

The university has invested heavily in

some good points across to the crowd

what you can do for the student body

weigh up the pros and cons of these

the Centre for Excellence in Learning

and have since been praised for my

at NUIG.

participants and make an informed and

and Teaching which supports and

performance by people in attendance.

2.

carefully thought out decision on who

advises academic staff in providing

This year was the first time I ever ran

social networking site. All you need to

you would like to represent you in the

innovative pedagogical

for a position within the SU and I was

do is create a page, state your goals and

Students’ Union? Perhaps you do not

approaches. CELT in association with

completely new to a lot of the

ethos and get a few fans (another tip:

want a Students’ Union at all, and it

the Colleges and Schools has developed

processes of an election campaign. The

fan = Possible Vote if you can drag the

would appear that 80% of you don’t

a Teaching Learning and Assessment

harsh criticism I received in the article

Facebook user out of bed in time to

care for a Students’ Union. Supposedly

Strategy which is designed to achieve,

has left a bitter mark for me on what

cast their vote).

there are lots of rules about not being

on behalf of all students and staff, the

was otherwise a fun and interesting

3.

able to canvass throughout the year;

highest standard of educational

week and a new and great experience

day. Try it! Even if only one tenth of the

this I understand makes it hard for the

resources for access to knowledge,

for me personally.

student body open/read the email, you

candidates to get around to canvassing

development of critical thinking, and the

have exposure.Your name is out there,

all the students. How can you justify the

methods that assure a fair evaluation of

Regards,

and hopefully your message too! It

legitimacy of this union based on such a

success. Part of this strategy is the

John Bugler

would be advisable to include a link to

small turnout of voters? Could it

implementation of systematic evaluation

your website in this message.

possibly be the €22,000 that each

of all courses by students. The Deans of

4.

elected sabbatical position would be

Colleges and Heads of Schools are in

hundreds of wasted (extra)

paid? Is it a training ground for the up

the process of ensuring that a student

posters/flyers from last year’s SU

and coming Brian Cowens to cut their

feedback mechanism is in place in all

What a joy it was walking through the

election and, I dunno, print on the other

political teeth, whom are perhaps

courses. Students should routinely and

campus this morning to see hundreds of

side?

already supported by their preferred

frequently be asked for feedback.

campaign posters littered about the

5. Video Message - use one of the

party? You could see some candidates

In the event that this is not happening

campus grounds of NUIG. The Students’

hundreds of free video messaging

had a lot more money than others.

we would urge that the class

Union budget for printing and

services out there to self-promote

Could it possibly be an exercise for the

representative contact the appropriate

photocopying is, no doubt, a bottomless

(try www.tokbox.com). Then ask for

ego and a chance to wield power to

Head of School or raise it at a meeting

pit and every one of the candidates feel

some air time on all the Campus flat

feed this ego? My sincerest respect to

of the School or Discipline student

that the more paper they throw around

screens. Maybe someone will actually

those candidates who genuinely mean

liaison group.

with their name on it, the more votes

look at them, hear your message and

well, and to everyone else involved in

they will earn. Well, not my vote!

who knows – vote for you!

what I can only describe as a circus act.

Yours,

Stop talking through your farce and get

Professor Jim Ward

back to the real world.

Registrar & Deputy President

Dear Madam,

Develop a website. Rumour has it

Have you heard of Facebook? It is a

Email. We get ten to fifteen emails a

Recycle - take (for example) all the

Seeing as we are well into the throes of the 21st Century; one would think

Best of luck to all candidates,

that at least one of these candidates

Móna Wise

might come up with something a little

BA-Connect, Creative Writing

Alan Coss

greener to aid their campaigning?

Surely, at least one candidate cares about the enormous amount of paper wasted daily at NUIG? Why is it that not one candidate (currently in office or running for election) has attempted to steal a vote by trying successful internet

Got something to say? Need to air a grievance?

Send a letter to editor@sin.ie

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

College Week Timetable 2010 The bucket squad will be shaking their money makers across Campus all week

Wednesday 10th March

looking for your shiny coinage. Give generously when you see the yellow buckets

11am - 4pm Cadbury GAA Challenge - outside the Orbsen/IT Building. Score and

and you shall receive a pressie!

win!

Monday 8th March

12pm - 2pm International Sports Day - In association with HispanoSoc outside the

10am - 5pm ArtSoc Chalk Day - Get in touch with your creative side and decorate

Orbsen/IT Buildings. Sign up your international delegation of 6 in the SU/SocsBox

the ground outside the library raising money for the College Week charities in the

for €12. First prize €100.

process.

12pm - 3pm 5 A Side Knockout Blitz - Gather your crew of five and get down to 1pm Scavenger Hunt - Use your powers of persuasion to beg, borrow and gather

the Kingfisher Sports Hall to compete for the honour, the glory and the €500

the items on the list with a first prize of €300. Register your team of two in the

prize! Team registration in the SU €40 per team. Spaces limited.

SU now for €10.

8pm Calvin Harris & Support LRB - Black Box Theatre. Tickets €25 (€30 Non-NUI 8pm Comedian Jason Byrne - Jason Byrne with support Jarlath Regan will be

Galway Students) from the SU. Over 18's only event. SOLD OUT.

entertaining you in the O'Heocha Theatre. Tickets are only €8 from the SU now with added raffle!

9pm College Week Fire Walk - Call down to watch the brave souls risk it all as they walk unharmed across wood embers burning at 1236 degrees Fahrenheit

8pm The Coronas with support from The Chapters & Futures Apart - in the

behind the Orbsen/IT Buildings.

Radisson Live Lounge. Tickets €15 from the SU. Over 18's only event.

College Bar: 3pm DJ Ryan 6pm Buck Taylor 8pm Man Utd v AC Milan College Bar: 2pm DJ Byrno. 3pm Commerce student Waxing. 6pm The Neon Knights.

Thursday 11th March 12.30pm - 2pm Auction - The 3rd Annual College Week Auction for University staff

Tuesday 9th March

will be held in the Aula Maxima Lower. Tickets are €5 which includes lunch from

10am - 2pm Mini Triathlon - A 5km run, 10km cycle and 500m Swim - are you

the Gourmet Tart Company. Paddy Flynn of Galway Real Estate will be overseeing

tough enough? Raise €25 minimum to enter and sign up in the SU or the Sports

proceedings and there will be some serious recession busting bargains to be had!

Centre. Registration at the Kingfisher and all participants get a free t-shirt and

A full list of auction items is available from the Students' Union and there will be

lunch.

also be a raffle with some great prizes.

12pm - 4pm Dunk Tank - Your chance to give some familiar faces (including DJ

College Bar: 7pm Witless Final with MusicSoc

Byrno) a good soaking outside Áras na Mac Léinn. 3 balls for €5 or €20 to just push the button!

Remember all proceeds from the weeks events go to the

12pm - 4pm Bungee Trampoline Bounce - Bounce, flip and feel like Tigger! €2 a go

four College Week Charities: COPE Galway, the Alzheimer

outside Áras na Mac Léinn.

Society of Ireland (Western Region), Peter McVerry Trust

1pm - 4pm Poetry Wall - With WritersSoc in the foyer of Áras na Mac Léinn.

and Habitat for Humanity.

College Bar: 2pm DJ Paul Hannon. 6pm Hardy Bucks 7pm Knights of Leon

Part Time Officer Elections If you have election fever nominations for the Part-time Elections positions of Oifigeach na Gaeilge, Equality Officer, Student Development Officer, Clubs Captain, Societies Chairperson and Postgrad Officer all open this Wednesday 10th of March. Nomination forms and further information is available from the SU and the SU website.

Congratulations to our College Week band The Coronas who won Best Irish Album at The Meteor Awards 2010 with “Tony was an ex-con”, beating off competition from U2 and Snow Patrol.

Where is my money going?

What is the registration charge?

Are you getting value for

This is an annual charge that all undergraduate students (except those who qualify for maintenance grants) have to pay. It

money?

amounts to €1500.

In addition to the registration charge, NUI, Galway has a student levy which amount to €224.. Therefore the combined cost

No. All items listed as a

of registration is €1724.

“Student service” by this University are extremely important and for many, college

Student Levy Breakdown 2010

life would be very difficult Sport & Recreation Union

€ 19.28

without them. However, the

Students Services Socities

€ 19.28

rate of increase of the

Students Union

€ 25.14

Registration Charge has spiraled

Áras MacLéinn Teo levy

€17.23

out of control and in a “free

Health Unit levy

€18.46

fees” country, students should

Flirt FM Students project fund University Sports Centre

€4.92 €19.69

not be saddled with these charges.

€100.00 €224.00

We estimate that out of €1500, only €513 is being spent on services the Reg Fee was

Registration Fee Breakdown 2010

intended to support when it Examination Costs

€131.94

NUI Registration Estimate

€111.34

Registration, Fees, Admissions & Records

was introduced in 1996.

€33.18 What is the Projects Fund?

Student Societies

€4.50

Sports & Recreation

€5.35

Students' Union

€4.39

This is invested in capital

Student Welfare & Outreach

€7.90

projects that directly benefit the

Student Project Fund USI Fees Student Services

€28.06

student population. The

€2.27

committee who decide on the

€32.28

allocation of the fund is made

Accommodation Office

€4.83

up of an equal number of

Student Retention

€3.05

students and staff. Examples of

Student Progression

€2.44

projects include; The Chapel

€16.08

Garden, The Memorial Garden,

Mature Students Officer

€4.23

The SU Sessions the kit out of

Schools

€5.64

the refurbished Áras na

Schools Liaison Marketing

€8.98

Macléinn and the new Pitches at

Vice President for Student Experience

Marketing & Communication Overseas Student Officer

€24.16

Corrib Village.

€4.40

Disability Office

€16.59

Careers Office

€32.30

Sports & Recreation

€47.17

Heath Unit & Counselling

€79.76

Blackboard

Space Associated with Student Facilities

€103.63

Audio Visual

Library

€415.19

Language Labs

ISS

€278.15

ALIVE

What is CELT?

Presidents’ Awards CELT

€92.18

Postgrad courses

€1,500

Teaching & Learning

Galways Premier 5 star salon ZENITH HAIRDR ESSING and galway's trendies t clothes shop, BORN, in associa tion with SIN newspaper, an d NUI students un ion want to reinvent a 'New You' for the new year. ur revamp on yo g a complete rin fe of e ar pe e W and a su r e up by experts d hair and mak do is read an l you have to n io cool outfit! Al at all inform fully, provide r fo s fill forms care te y da e on necessar and be availabl s. ph ra og d phot make over an Submit your entry for m using the forms you can find aro und campus, or email entry,with pic ture and text attached to sinmakeo ver@gmail.com, or simply call in to the students' union and get the for m there also.

BEFORE

ZENITH HAIRDRESSING MAKE OVER WINNER .... in association with Born and Sin newspapers NUI Galway student Nessa enjoyed a rare treat this week as the second person to win a fabulous makeover from Zenith Hairdressing and Born Clothing Store, in association with Sin newspapers. On arrival at Zenith on Eyre St, Nessa had her style, colour and per-

sonal likes and dislikes carefully considered by salon owner Paul. Using Paul's many years of experience as a top stylist and platform artist, a soft shiny colour was decided on, in keeping with this season’s trends. After carefully stripping away layers of home colour from Nessa's hair, a beautiful glossy chocolate semi permanent colour was applied to condition and enhance, and compliment Nessa's skin tone

AFTER

and eyes. After completing reshaping Nessa's hair, but maintaining significant length for versatility our lovely model for the day was given skin and make-up tips ( throw away those make-up wipes girls, full of nasty alcohol) by the talented Audrey from the international school of make up.

Onward to Born, in Newtownsmith, where a funky leather jacket/ankle boot combo, incorporating skinny jeans and this sea-

son’s must have nautical theme top where chosen for Nessa. The lovely Leah photographed our becoming fashionista for the day and before you know it Nessa was on her way. With her ultra modern hairstyle, make-up, trendy clothes and her obligatory goodie bag from Zenith Hairdressing.

Zenith Hairdressing is available for appointments on 091 533 680.

YES to

NO to

Legalise Euthanasia

Legalise Euthanasia

by Saoirse Healy

by Nollaig O’Scannlain

If the debate on abortion has

possesses it deems it to be. The

Thinking of euthanasia as ‘the

to make patients as comfortable

been put on the backburner, the

unfortunate reality is that a life

humane thing’ or a just means to

and pain free as possible having

debate on euthanasia has yet to

as described above is, for some

end someone’s suffering is frankly a

become so effective and wide

be properly started. There is

people, a fate worse than death.

gross simplification. On the most

ranging, there is no longer any

outrage from pro-life lobbyists

When there is no potential for

basic level, euthanasia means

reason for an individual to be in

that it should even be discussed.

quality of life to be restored to

allowing a person to end, or making

pain for prolonged periods of time.

The true manifestation of this

an acceptable level, why should

the decision, to end someone’s life.

The proposal to legalise euthanasia

became apparent last summer

someone’s individual decision

This is the fundamental problem

does not traditionally come from

when an angry mob of pro life

on this matter be taken away

with euthanasia; it is a decision that

doctors, rather it is families and

activists with angry calls of ‘Nazi

from them? Euthanasia is not be

once taken can never be reversed.

patients themselves who seek this

style eugenics’ forced a lecture

an option many terminally ill

For a similar reason, we in the

change. It is a clear fact that the

organised by CUH Ethics forum

patients would wish to avail of

civilised world no longer allow

vast majority of medical

on the subject of Euthanasia to

but for those that do, why do

capital punishment for crimes

practitioners do not support

be called off. With euthanasia

those of us who have never

because the chance of making an

euthanasia and would never

legal in many other European

experienced such anguish get to

error or of overlooking something

propose it to their patients. At the

countries including Switzerland,

cast judgement on them and

is so great and the consequences

most basic level, euthanasia is

Belgium and the Netherlands, it

deny them their last wish? As it

for the individual involved so

completely at odds with the

is only a matter of time before

stands now, if a spouse, loved

fundamental that we simply cannot

fundamental principles of practicing

the voices of those begging for

one or physician helps a

take the chance.

medicine and the Hippocratic Oath

mercy at the end of their painful

terminally ill patient to hasten

Whatever doctors may say, modern

to “Do No Harm”. How could a

lives force us to consider if

their own death, they are guilty

medicine and medical opinion

medical professional reconcile their

there is in fact limitations to

of a crime. This extends to even

remain fallible and may always

decision to end a patient’s life

when life should continue.

if someone travels with the

remain so. It is not unknown for

when they have sworn to do all

There is an inherent moral

patient to a country where

those in a coma or suffering from a

they can to help care for and assist

compass within all of us as well

euthanasia is legal. Our short-

terminal illness to make full

their patients in living on?

as decades of moral teaching on

sighted laws just cause suffering,

recoveries against all odds and

There is another name for

the subject that leads us to

not just to the patients but to

massively exceeded the timeframe

euthanasia and that is assisted

believe life is always worth

their loved ones who are

and standard of life that their

suicide. Unfortunately when we

preserving. We now need to

paralysed by the law and can’t

doctors claimed. If we allow

propose euthanasia we are often

examine this closer because in a

help their spouse, sibling or

doctors, relatives or patients to

proposing allowing individuals to

few specialised instances, not

child in their greatest hour of

make decisions as to the life of

decide when they die. This is

preserving life, even actively

need.

individuals we may be doing so

fundamentally opposed to the

terminating life could be the

There are three cornerstones

without knowing all the facts or all

principles of society where we do

more humane option. For those

of medical ethics: to do good,

the possibilities for recovery. In

not allow people to make the

unfortunate patients with a

do no harm and patient

euthanasia it can literally be a case

decision to end their own lives. We

debilitating condition that

autonomy. If this is the decision

of doctors differing and patients

would never allow someone

causes them incessant pain,

that patient wishes to make and

dying.

standing on the edge of a cliff to

strips them of their physical

the physician is alleviating

It is worth remembering that in

jump just because we thought they

capacities and mental faculties

suffering, then surely the ‘doing

cases where euthanasia is chosen it

had nothing to live for, and we

and has no hope at the end of

good’ and patient autonomy has

is often justified as being performed

would most certainly not give them

the tunnel, euthanasia could be

been upheld and outweighs any

to reduce the patient’s suffering.

a push – which is exactly what

an attractive option. Life is only

irrelevant notion of physical

However, with the advances in

euthanasia seeks to do.

as valuable as the person who

harm.

painkillers and medicines designed

The debate continues in the Kirwan Theatre at 7pm on March 25th with the motion “This House Would Legalise Euthanasia” being debated by guest speakers and students.

Come along and have your say!

Head 2 Head - presenting two sides of the story

Saoirse Healy explains why the decision to end a person’s life should always be in their hands and why euthanasia must be legalised for this to happen. On the other side, Nollaig O’Scannlain argues that human life is too precious to ever be harmed in this way and euthanasia is something we cannot allow in our society.

At last College Week is upon us and for the

don’t drink, but if you are hoping to seduce

students of NUIG this can only mean one

someone then falling around the place while

thing...party time! Of course there will be

babbling incoherently is hardly going to

some altruistic fundraising too, but we’ll

impress. If you think about it sensibly I’m

make damn sure we have fun while we’re at

sure most of you ladies of NUIG would like

it. It’s the Irish answer to Spring Break, a

to keep your dignity intact and remember

week when students let loose and truly

any rendezvous that might occur. Lads, if

enjoy being young and carefree.

you want to know why you shouldn’t hit the

For any single students out there hoping to

bottle too hard I’ve got two words – Brewers Droop. Having said this alcohol is a

Sex & the Single Student

wonderful social lubricant so it’s no harm to use it to your advantage. A good rule of thumb is to have enough so you feel comfortable giving it your all on the dancefloor but not so much that you end up that pathetic drunk person asleep outside Supermac’s. The only souvenir you want from College Week is a head full of memories, not a nasty rash in your nether regions. It should go without saying that you should always use protection; being drunk is

College

no excuse not to be safe. Carry a condom with you, so should an opportunity present itself you are prepared.

Week

Above any other year in the academic calendar College Week is a time when random hook-ups are plentiful, normal rules don’t apply and you should make the most

by Donna Miskell

of it. Fancy someone in your class but never had the courage to talk to them? Then seize the day – or should I seize the week – and go for it now. If it all goes pear shaped

Donna Miskell tells us why there is no better time for hooking up than College Week

get a bit of action there is no better time

you’ve only got a couple of weeks of

than College Week. The relaxed party

awkward lectures left anyway. Always

atmosphere that hovers around campus

wanted to call in to your hot neighbour’s

makes people more open and approachable

house? Now’s your chance, provided they’re

as they slip into personas normally reserved

students too, of course! A College Week

for boozy holidays on the Costa Del Sol. The

without sex (or at least a little drunken

many gigs on campus are going to be

rummage) is like a scone without raisins.

packed with potential partners and the fact

Sure, it still tastes pretty sweet but you

that you’re at the same gig shows you’ve

can’t help getting the feeling something is

already got something in common. As well

missing. This College Week I urge you all to

as this all the clubs in town are going to be

make sure your scone has plenty of raisins.

packed so there really is no excuse not to score.

While it should be easy to get lucky during College Week if you want to maximize your chances of success try not to overdo it on the alcohol. Don’t panic, I’m not saying

For the average student money is an alien luxury.

of departure, but the top prices payable should not

Everything undertaken in not only their academic

exceed €350. While the flight prices can be daunting,

lives, but also in their personal lives boils down to

the sun can be equally enticing! The most important

money, or lack of it. This, of course, causes problems

thing to remember when going abroad is that while

because, well, what can you do with no money? So,

it can cost to get there; the sun resorts are generally

with this in mind, I decided to research the best ways

very cheap to live in for the time you are there.

for students to enjoy the upcoming summer, both at

Can’t afford festival or foreign holiday prices? Fear

home and abroad.

not! Why not try the newly popular staycation?

First, let’s get the obvious choice out of the way:

There are several areas of interest in Ireland, and

festival season. Not only are music festivals great fun,

believe it or not, several sun resorts! Tramore,

but they are an inexpensive way to have a break in

Bundoran and Dungarvan are among the most

the summer. The most obvious choice is Oxegen: the

popular, with our very own Salthill also a great spot.

biggest and best in Ireland. This year’s festival kicks

These can look so tourist friendly, you sometimes

off on July 9th, with the 8th being the extra day for

think you’re abroad. I would recommend Bundoran

those who opt for a four day ticket. Prices range

or Salthill, with Donegal town and Galway City

from €99.50 to €244.50, so this is a festival catering

nearby for your active holiday nightlife. While Irish

for many budgets. Another wise choice would be

beaches may not be as pristine as their

Electric Picnic, which has a growing fan base. This

Mediterranean counterparts, there is always

year’s EP is from September 3rd to 5th; nearer to

something comforting about holidaying in your home

your return to college but a nice way to end the

country.

summer on a high. Tickets are priced at around €199,

Volunteering is an alternative way to go. Usually free,

making it slightly cheaper than Oxegen, for camping

or very cheap, this experience is not only fun but

anyway. Electric Picnic offers more than music; with

also rewarding. If you volunteer this summer with

comedians, artists and other entertainment acts

NUI Galway’s very own ALIVE initiative, you can earn

performing. There are also other festivals in Britain

yourself some formal accreditation in the form of an

and mainland Europe which could double as a

ALIVE Certificate from the university, which always

holiday; unfortunately several have sold out in the

looks great on a CV, so you’re securing your future,

pre-booking stages.

having fun and helping out all in the one go!

Should a festival not appeal to you, there is always

So, students, get your thinking caps on! Set a budget

the option of heading abroad for some fun in the

and stick to it. No matter what your budget is, there

sun! Most sun resorts are priced in the same region;

is always something fun to do with your summer.

with Spain and its islands, Portugal and Bulgaria being

Whether you jet off to sunnier climates, stay in

among the cheapest options. Student hostels are

Ireland or do your own thing, make sure to have a

often reasonable, though harder to find in the

great summer and return to Galway refreshed and

popular areas. Some can be as cheap as €26 per

ready to hit the student lifestyle once more!

Guide to a fun

low-budget summer by James Mulhall

James Mulhall offers tips on how to have a great time this summer without breaking the bank.

night. Flights can vary depending on the planned time

With second semester well underway and exam time

idea if you can, and the Craigslist website gives plenty

looming, what better way to distract the college

of accommodation listings for all cities over the US. The next thing that should be done as soon as

student from the stresses of lectures, assignments,

how to survive the

and study than the planning of their J1 summer. The

possible is getting your Social Security Number. This

J1 Exchange Visitor Visa allows third level students to

can take up to five weeks to process and is a feature

travel to the US and work legally there for up to

on most job application forms and essential to most

four months. The ‘working holiday’ is a chance for

employers. A useful tip if you are travelling to San

the full-time (and perhaps model) college student to

Francisco, the Social Security Office in Chinatown

take a summer-long stab at real life. This entails

can be very obliging in providing your number earlier

sorting out rented accommodation, finding yourself a

than this if you plead your desperate financial

job and the acceptance that the parental safety net is

situation. When job-hunting, take yourself and your

at least a five hour plane journey away. For the

résumé (not your CV) to the tourist spots. Pier 39 in

J1 America experience

Biking the Bridge

Satellite and night time shot of San Francisco

typical student, however, the J1 provides an escape

San Francisco is the principal tourist area where I

from the responsibilities that we students have to

and all of my friends found work in various

deal with throughout the year: a ceaseless flow of

restaurants and as ticket sellers for tourist

assignments, readings, and tests, and not to mention a

attractions. Also don’t be embarrassed to be cheesy

hectic and extremely wearing social life. With the

and extra friendly when looking for a job; it’s a

seemingly endless formalities of form filling and

quality that I found American employers endear to,

embassy meetings hopefully out of the way at this

shocking I know! House parties were the main

stage, all that remains now is the blissful anticipation

source of our messy fun-filled times and were a great

best tips on how to live it up

of what for me and my friends was the summer of a

way of meeting other J1’ers who ventured into

lifetime! With three months experience of life as a

parties like a moth to a flame. Partying with the

stateside.

resident of Berkeley, California behind me, I hope to

fraternity brothers in our house was always fun, and

provide those of you headed for the Land of

getting to know people in work and those that you

Opportunity with a rough and mildly helpful guide on

live with can mean Facebook friends for life! If you

how to survive the J1 experience.

play football or hurling, get in contact with a club in

by Anne-Marie Fitzgerald

Heading to America this summer? Read below for the

If you have yet to get around to organising a

your city. It provides possibly the only exercise you’ll

roof over your head for the summer, or indeed you

get all summer and gives you the opportunity to

don’t plan to until after your arrival, don’t fear. My

socialise with the settled Irish community in your

friends and I exchanged emails with a fraternity

city.

brother in Berkeley who assured us that we could

Tempting as it is to spend the majority of your

rent a room in his fraternity house for the summer.

hard-earned wages on the honest to God serious

Upon our arrival at Kappa Delta Rho we were

drinking habit that you develop in America, try to

greeted with a room full of vodka bottles, a snake pit,

save some money for travel (and food). There are

a serious lack of beds, and the distinct smell of wee.

some amazing places to see in America. I was lucky

Luckily for us we had landed in a college town full of

enough to visit San Diego, Las Vegas, the Grand

low-priced accommodation and had no problems in

Canyon, and Orange County. So go J1’ers, live it up

finding a more suitable, and as it turned out, more

for the summer, party hard and see and do as much

partying-inclined house. If you are seeking cheap and

as you can for it may be the most irresponsible you

cheerful accommodation, college lodgings are ideal.

will ever allow yourself to be.

Getting contacts from former J1’ers is also a good

La Taquita Dispatches from an Irish Student in Mexico

by Aisling Walsh

Zapatourism in the Heart of Chiapas On the 1st of January 1994, an unknown masked army stormed the city of San Cristobal

and I was required to state my occupation and the purpose ofMichael my visitCera before being

de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico and declared war on the Mexican state. The EZLN (Ejército

escorted to the ‘Committee of Explanations’ followed by a brief meeting with the JBG. I

Zapatista de Liberación Nacional) or Zapatistas, an army of indigenous and mestizo

was met by three masked representatives and given a formal welcome to the caracol and

peasants, called for freedom, dignity, land, education, health, food and human and cultural

an explanation of its purpose. I was permitted to walk around freely and take photos of

rights, demands which had been ignored during 500 years of indigenous struggle against

the murals that decorate almost every building. I visited the huge school complex, some of

colonisation and later an oppressive Mexican state.

the weaving and artisan cooperatives and ate quesadillas in the small cafe.

16 years have passed since the Zapatista uprising and San Cristobal de Las Casas has been

Oventik is the most accessible and tourist friendly caracol. Some lie so deep in the jungle

transformed from a regional back-water to a hub for backpackers, activists and the

that Westerners are a rare and exotic presence and visiting requires prior permission and

Mexican military. Left leaning bookshops, gourmet restaurants and cafes with names like

security checks. Nevertheless idealistic Westerners visit these communities every year as

Revolution have sprung up to cater for the hoards of westerners that visit San Cristobal

human rights observers. Despite the cessation of open armed conflict, the Mexican

every year to partake in the ‘revolution’. In an attempt to find out how the Zapatistas are

government continues to fight a dirty war against Zapatista communities giving them

progressing I visited Oventik, Caracol II. A caracol (literally meaning snail shell) is a

constant abuse, taking prisoners and even perpetrating massacres of innocent men, women

Zapatista community and organisational centre. There are six in total dotted around

and children.

Chiapas' jungles and mountains, each one led by a Junta de Buen Gobierno (JBG), which

When I asked the JBG how Westerners can best show solidarity with the Zapatista

means ‘The Committee of Good Government’. The JBG looks after the affairs of the

struggle they responded by saying: “We are still here. Ours is not just an armed struggle

carcol and the Zapatista villages they represent while also providing clinics, pharmacies,

but a struggle for social justice. You can bring this message to your country.”

dental surgeries and primary and secondary educational services.

www.elkilombo.org/info-hub/zapatismo/

Arriving just before noon, I was the first visitor of the day. My passport was scrutinized

http://enlacezapatista.ezln.org.mx/

Next Sin deadline Tuesday March 16th 5pm Web Editor wanted for www.sin.ie

Remote control robots to battle it out in Bailey Allen by Finn Krewer

Botwars

Compsoc is organising a two day robotics themed event, Botwars in Aras Na

starter kit of code is also supplied. Entries are still open via email:

Mac Léinn on March 12th and 13th. There are two competitions on the two days

botwars@compsoc.ie.

open to Irish universities to participate and it is open to students to see on the

There will also be an all console and projector games room, an all day movie

day. Botwars is an event where remote controlled student-built robots battle to

room with your favourite robot movies and the Compsoc debate of the year; PC

the death and will be held in the Bailey Allen Hall on March 12th. The Design

v MAC v LINUX. On top of that, there is a two-day LAN party on the 12th and

Build Code Challenge is a one day challenge on the 13th where teams of up to

13th – sign up is open at www.compsoc.ie/lan.

three students must design, build and programme a robot to complete a certain

Of course there will be a night out afterwards with all the colleges that are

task. Robot kits are supplied to contestants in the form of Lego NXT kits and a

coming down to Galway for this event. Tickets are on sale now in the SocsBox.

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

The Alf experience

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okoUxDGPWzE

A poorly dubbed Alf from Home and Away finds his world crumbling around him as a pair of his pants is stolen, his sideburns are abused, his toaster disappears and no-one seems to give a flamin’ hoot. The investigation starts out poorly as even the local police dive out of the surf club early to avoid Alf's melancholic mutterings before he latches on to an unsuspecting pool player. Things don't look helpful as the pool player repeatedly tries to back away, search around for assistance and genuinely seems disturbed at Alf's cross examination of who really in fact stole his toaster. Unfortunately things don't improve for Alf as in the following scene his dinner partners refuse to believe his claims that he invented lettuce as well as "inventing things" and "prawns" despite Alf's devoted selfassurance that he did. The experience does end on a redemptive note however as Alf removes himself from the table greeting a new guest on the way upstairs as a result of him soiling himself. Really Alf...

By Nathan Reynolds

Best Bits: 1:07 - Did you steal my toaster?

1:44 - What about that time you said you invented "inventing things"?

Well...that’s 'cause I did mate.

0:22 - F**king hell Alf, what do you want, ya crazy old bastard?

Small minded small timers know the difference between business and family Old money new money cash money family money money Nary has a soliloquy ever sounded so much like press packet lies

There’s something about a dirty old man

San der s

High C over E (over O

Mr

My Lord in unleavened bread

By

Like so many unfinished similes End of days, end parentheses

That brings out the inner child in me.

Blinking blankly at the polar bear that Groomed his way into our home to stay

Up

White, cute and cuddly from far away

ngs

Like a drop of slaughter in the ocean

Licking blood from his lips and chin His tongue a leech, silent and deadly

Bri

Of citric litigation that invites and inspires sacrilicious dividends

Michael Cera

Tal ki

ng

Gethsemane blows the whistle and our means just defy the ends

“Hey buddy looks like they’re gonna need a new Orleans

Wh at

Enron Enron La ma Sabachthani

By Shaun Le onard

Divine requisition forms stacked up on St. Pete’s table

Semi-colon upper case d

Breath foul to the taste Stale voice, mouldy face His prey in a cloud of

How about you grab a six-pack and I’ll see you down there

Steamed lust, wet want,

Crying like a financial portfolio in the dark

He had to stifle sounds

Everyone unabashedly and unknowingly taking parts

With his guttural growls

In LARP larks

As he funnel-fed me.

End of quotation marks

My head is sore from Banging it against notches On my butchered bedpost.

There is something about Talking to you that brings Out the dirty old man in me.

There is no such thing as Cuddly polar bears anymore They die all the time these days

Lit er ary

Ed ito r,

Swans stopped by to make sure I was ok

Sh a

un

Le

Sitting still, till all of the story was out

on

ard , s. leo

Nodding mutely before flying away

na

rd 9@ nu ig

alw ay. ie

You heard their song as they flew Over The Claddagh and Galway Bay.

Gig Preview

Mary McPartlan

MA’s bring stars of Irish trad to NUIG by Katie Holmes I am one of the 13 MA Arts Policy and Practice students based in the Huston School of

fiddle player Frankie Gavin, accordion player Máirtín O’Connor, Steve Cooney the ‘musical

Film and Digital Media, and lately we have all been preparing hectically for the Traditional

polymath’, Róisín Elsafty sean-nós singer from Connemara, Lillis O’Laoire traditional singer

Arts Concert we’re producing on Thursday March 25th in the Bailey Allen.

from Donegal, Louis de Paor Irish language poet, Ronan Browne Uileann piper, amongst

It is the final, flagship event of the Arts in Action Programme, and as exciting as running

many others including Mary McPartlan, the sean-nós dancer Seosamh Ó Neachtain, Garry

around like a headless chicken is, we are all the more determined to bring you the best

O’Briain, amongst many others performing traditional and contemporary works in music

night because the performers are the best, traditional Irish artists from the Galway and

and song.

Gaeltacht regions of Ireland, drafted in for the students and staff of NUIG for one gig only.

As far as we, the MA Arts Policy and Practice students, are concerned, this gig is

Did you get to see Benjamin De Burca’s stencil graffiti art around campus last month? Did

something very close to our hearts. All 13 of us have taken various and multiple tasks

you enjoy Mari and Hakon Samuelson, a classical double act from Norway, relish the Italian

from design to tech, stage management to hospitality, marketing to production. It is all part

jazz ensemble Gatto Marte, who performed the music of the 1925 classic, Chaplin film,

of the music practice-based module this semester, and is essential to the course for giving

After the Goldrush?

us hands-on experience and responsibility for a concert that is produced by students for

If not, let me introduce you to the Arts in Action programme. The programme has been

students. In the coming weeks you’ll see us round campus alongside the Trad Soc, (who

described as ‘a far-reaching and original concept’, its aim being to give you, the students of

will also be performing on the night), attempting to remind you of the power and

NUIG, access to all art forms at an international level of excellence.

brilliance of our own traditional music and song, and the chance this gig offers to celebrate

During the year the programme brought NUIG a bit of everything from jazz to theatre,

and discover them.

and finally on Thursday March 25th in the Bailey Allen Hall, you are welcome to a gathering and celebration of Irish traditional music, song, dance and poetry.

Tickets are €10/€5 student concession, and are available on the door on the night, or

The night will be the perfect introduction to indigenous Irish traditional arts. We’ve got

from the Society Box Office (Socs Box 091-492852).

Léirmheas drámaíochta Moladh d’Óige Dhramatúil na hOllscoile

Cúigear Cáiliúl The Breakfast Club.

Photo: Matt Burke

by Rachel Ní Fhionnáin ‘Who are you?’, is ea an cheist mhór a chuirimíd orainn go léir agus sin an chéad cheist a

Every family is dysfunctional, otherwise we would all stay at home forever and live with

cuireadh sa dráma ‘The Breakfast Club’ a bhí ar siúl le linn seachtain na drámaíochta sa

our parents!

choláiste in Áras na Mac léinn. Bunaíodh an dráma faoi dhéagóirí a bhí faoi choinneáil sa

Tugaim ardmholadh don stiúrthóir Podge Daly mar thug sé treoracha iontacha do na

scoil, iad gan tacaíocht ar bith ón mbaile ná ón scoil .

haisteoirí uile agus d’úsáid siad an seomra uile mar stáitse. Bhí smaointe greannmhara aige

Ag tosach an dráma tháinig an príomhoide ar stáitse ag tabhairt amach don lucht

faoi na ‘props’ a úsáid go háirithe na hirisleabhair agus na cealtáin.

féachanna (a bhí suite ag boird scoile ar nós go raibh muid i seomra ranga), ag rá nach

Bhí na ‘props’ an-oiriúnach do na carachtair, ag am loin sa dráma, d’ól an Nerd Capri Sun,

raibh fóinphóca in úsáid i 1985 agus nach raibh cead againn iad a úsáid!

le ceapaire bán gan ‘crust’ air, ní raibh tada ag Rocker ach ‘weed’ le buidéal 2 lítear Fanta

Chonaiceamar cúigear mac léinn suite i seomra, gan chaint seachas ón bpríomhoide a

ag Stud.

tháinig isteach ag béiceadh ag tabhairt aiste dóibh leis an gceist thuas. Nuair nach raibh sé

Theastaigh ón stiúrthóir a léiriú an leadrán a bhí sa seomra ag an tosach agus d’úsáid siad

istigh leo, bhíodh sé ina oifig ag féachaint ar ghrianghraf álainn dó féin.

na soilse i slí fíor éifeachtach i dteannta torann an chloig, ag cur don ghreann a bhí le linn

Fuaireamar amach diaidh ar ndiadh ‘cérbh iad’ na daoine seo: ‘Jock’, ‘Princess Claire’,

an drama agus cinnte bhí ceol na n-ochtóidí fíor éifeachtach.

‘Brain’, ‘Criminal’ agus ‘Basketcase’, pearsantachtaí a tháinig ó chúlra difriúla ach fós go

Cé go raibh sé deacair ‘Princess’ a chlos uaireanta mar bhí guth ciúin aici, bhí sí níos fearr

raibh fadhbanna pearsanta acu uile.

ag deireadh an dráma. Bhí ... ...

An chéad rud a sheas amach láithreach ná an seit agus an ealaín iontach a bhí sa chúlra. Bhí

Tugaim ardmholadh don stiúrthóir Podge Daly agus sheas Rocker, Nerd agus an

an script an-ghreannmhar le ráitis ar nós:

Príomhoide amach ach bhí obair fhoirne maith idir iad uile.

Things have changed by Sinéad Burke The five nominations for Best Original Song were not performed at this year’s Oscars. Sin’s Sinéad Burke examines the history of song in film and questions why now has the Academy decided to abandon the tradition.

Introduced in 1934, the Oscar category for Best Original Song has a long history

‘Almost There’ and ‘Down in New Orleans’, both by Randy Newman from the

in Hollywood.

animated film The Princess and The Frog, ‘Loin de Paname’ by Reinhart Wagner

This year’s Oscars will mark ten years since

and Frank Thomas from the French film Paris 36,

Bob Dylan won Best Original song for ‘Things

‘Take It All’ by Maury Yeston from the musical film

Have Changed’, his song from the film Wonder

Nine and ‘The Weary Kind’ by Ryan Bingham and

Boys. Once again, it seems like Dylan’s lyrics

T Bone Burnett taken from the film Crazy Heart.

were prolific and reign truer today than when

Certainly the Academy acknowledges the

he wrote them a decade ago. Regarding the

importance of song in film; why else have the

importance of song in film, it seems that the

category? Songs can, and those nominated do,

Academy, to quote Dylan, “used to care, but

drive home the true message of the story being

things have changed”.

portrayed in the film on screen. The cancellation of

Earlier in the year, the Academy announced that

the live performances are reportedly due to the

this year’s five nominations in the category for

fact that the song category never delivered ratings

Best Original Song would not be performed

and that the removal of performances will free up

live at the ceremony in Los Angeles which took

more time, allowing the show to run more

place on Sunday. Instead, the songs were

smoothly without any big production

showcased with clips from the films that they

Ryan Bingham

featured in. This year’s five nominees were:

performances holding up the stage.

Gig Preview Lowerstate presents WBEEZA at Deeper in The Cellar by Sinéad Burke Lowerstate is a local electronic club night in Galway.

production can be jacking, swinging,

It started out as a simple idea between two friends - to bring quality electronic

jazzy, soulful, tough, deep and raw. He

music to Western Ireland. At Lowerstate club nights a balanced musical line

takes in the history of house, with an

between well-known classics and back-of-the-crate platters is kept, yet the

ear for Detroit, and gives it a true

sounds are always moving forward joining the dots between the deepest house

London stamp. With international

and techno. Originally based in the old-school Spanish wine cellar De Burgo's, the

support across the board in the Techno

night has now found a new home at the appropriately named Deeper - another

world from the likes of Laurent Garnier,

cellar perfect for their trademark up-close-and-personal parties. Kitted with a

to Sebo K (Mobilee), and through the

highly powered Funktion 1 system and customised lighting, the night makes it

House spectrum from Trus'me (Prime

easy for you to tune into that lower state of consciousness. After two years, and

Numbers) to Jus' Ed (Underground

more than 20 international guests the club has grown into one of Galway's most

Quality), to name a few and to even

established nights. On St Patrick’s day Lowerstate presents WBEEZA who will

being listed third in the Little White

play at Deeper in The Cellar.

Earbuds Top 5 Breakout Acts of 2009,

Signed to the very highly regarded Third Ear Recordings, WBEEZA is sitting

among the likes of Mount Kimbie and

comfortably amongst names like Brendon Moeller, Fabrice Lig and Theo Parrish,

Black Jazz Consortium. Tickets cost

bringing some well needed freshness to London’s dance music scene. WBEEZA’s

€10 and doors open from 11pm.

Berlin tops for techno grooves

When I was watching Up in the Air recently all the

techno. For some visiting Berlin is like a pilgrimage to

horrors of air travel were brought back to me- the

Mecca, for others it is a short holiday to sample the

overcrowded airports, the torturous security checks,

most unique nightclubs in the world.

the never-ending queues. Seeing George Clooney

“Berlin is the best place in the world for techno

navigate his way through baggage areas and flight

music.” Kingsley, a Galway student enthuses. “I visited

gates made me wonder why bother ever journeying

Berlin in August 2008. I was inter-railing and we

further than you have to? But I do and recently my

decided to start with Berlin because most of us were

reasons for travelling have been musical. In the past

really into techno. Berlin is amazing. It’s like a melting

year I’ve attended two foreign music festivals with

pot- there’s so much going on there. So many people

another one coming up in a few months and judging

go and the stories they come back with are insane.

by the amount of Irish people I’ve encountered, I’m

So you got to see if they’re true. We had four days

not alone. Flying around the world is no longer a

booked in Berlin and we went to four clubs. The

luxury for sophisticated jetsetters but for anyone

clubs in Berlin don’t close. It‘s a very different

with a credit card and the patience to put up with

experience when you don’t have to leave a club until

airport hassles.

you want to.” I’m curious to know why Berlin holds

The city which has perhaps the most experience

such allure. “You start listening to techno, and you

with this form of tourism is Berlin. Every month

realise that virtually everyone you’re listening to is Matthias Tanzmann and Len Faki

DJ Richie Hawtin

by Liam Griffin

Berlin, arguably one of the hippest cities in the world, is a Mecca for party animals, techno lovers and clubbers that never sleep.

thousands of people, dubbed the “easyjetset” arrive

living in Berlin”.

into Schonefeld Airport attracted by its infamous

I suspect the internet also plays a part in propagating

nightclubs, its talented DJ's and the stories of its

the myths which turn a lot of peoples’ sights to this

decadent parties going on all night and all day.

historical city. On internet forums and message

Berlin’s history as a party capital goes back to

boards tales of fantastic parties circulate the same

shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall when a small

way stories of schoolmates getting into a club using

event called the Love Parade was organised to

his brother’s driving licence would in secondary

promote freedom and music. Since German culture

school. When the world famous DJ Richie Hawtin

is synonymous with techno from its forefathers

was kicked out of Berghain, the most admired club in

Kraftwerk to its modern practitioners it was no

Berlin a few months ago the online chatter was

surprise that the Love Parade featured

deafening. Don’t expect to see any pictures of what

predominantly electronic music in the form of

Mr Hawtin was doing as photography (including

Techno, Trance and House. The Love Parade grew

mobile phones) is forbidden inside Berghain, which

from a few hundred dancers to a fun crowd of

adds to the mystique of the venue. The events of

40,000 partygoers in its mid nineties heyday only to

Berlin are discussed and analysed online and

fall apart into a mess of beer bottles and rubbish

momentum for the next weekend builds; people

when 1.5 million people participated in its later days.

outside Germany get wind of interesting parties and

Before it became a disaster, the parade brought in

a few more book their flights. With the arrival of

huge amounts of much needed revenue to a region

budget airlines a return flight might cost as little as a

which was suffering financially. The parade has not

meal out. The possibility of participating in this

been resurrected since its final swan song in 2003

increasingly global phenomenon is only a few clicks

but it is now spoken about with the same reverence

away.

usually associated with Woodstock Festival. In

When Irish music magazine Slick DJ asked Berghain

subsequent years Berlin has maintained its esteemed

resident DJ Len Faki why he thought the club and

reputation as a paradise for weekend ravers and full

the city attracted so many people he said, “Berlin is

time clubbers. Its gigantic clubs such as Berghian and

changing all the time, that’s surely one thing that

Watergate situated on the banks of the river Spree

attracts all sorts of artists and visitors. I mean,

bring together the best of 20 years of house and

sometimes it feels like everyone from the scene has

moved here. There’s so much going on all the time

exceptionally less than most cities- including the

named Airbound, an Irish promoting group have

everywhere. You can have a really good party every

one you live in. The major reason for this is Berlin’s

organised two annual festivals on the Adriatic Sea in

day of the week. That’s pretty rare I think. And of

expectations for an economic overhaul following

Croatia. Situated in a remote fishing village called

course because of the town’s history there is a

reunification never materialised and now Berlin

Peticane the organisers brought over Djs from

special vibe. It’s not a beautiful shiny city per se, it’s

finds itself in a unique situation. The cost of land

England, Ireland, Germany and America for a highly

edgy, direct, but very open minded and relaxed. And

hasn’t increased the way it has throughout the rest

successful festival. The group are now organising

Berghian symbolises that perfectly and combines

of Europe and it has actually experienced a

other events in Barcelona and Berlin, with their

the east and west factor literally- in the way you

population decrease. But what is bad for Berlin has

next party on a boat in London at the beginning of

can do anything you want as long as you don’t

benefited the underground music community and

April. I remember being at a gig in Galway last

bother anyone else.”

tourists. Many artists have also relocated here giving

summer where a reasonably well-known DJ was

The hip website Hub Culture recently released

the city a liberal and bohemian feel. Because land is

performing but hardly anybody had shown up.

their 2010 Zeitgeist City Ranking and awarded

not in demand promoters have been given

When I asked one of the only people where

Berlin the number two position behind Sao Paulo.

opportunities to open and maintain clubs easier

everyone was he said “Croatia” and then groaned

The judges described Berlin as “cheap, but

than would be expected in other cities and club

about how he wished he was there with all his

fantastically cultured, somehow holding onto its

owners have creatively renovated disused factories

friends. It really brought home to me how easy an

personality despite all the changes”. Berlin is seen

or warehouses into cavernous clubs. Berghian itself

alternative it is to spend your weekend at a sunny

to many as the alternative to the overpriced and

is a former power station which many believe gives

fishing village than at home.

overcrowded cities elsewhere in Europe. Public

it its unique personality.

The sun is indeed a nice and forgotten side effect of

transport is cheap and easy to use and there is little

Kingsley agrees Berlin offers great value for money.

travel. Kingsley, who has also been to Sonar, a music

or no language barrier. “I don’t speak any German

“Door prices would be about €5 in and drinks are

festival in Barcelona agrees. “It’s great to be at a

which only pissed off one doorman.” Kingsley tells

pretty cheap. The door policy can be exclusive but

festival outside at night and be boiling hot. You go to

me. “In general Germans have very good English,

not expensive. What was strange was that you

Electric Picnic at the start of September and you

but they don’t like it if you assume they do. You

might pay more at a bar for a drink than you would

expect to have good weather but then it starts

have to be respectful.”

in a club. People are in clubs for so long that they

raining. I like that I got sunburnt [at sonar] when

The affordability is another important factor. The

don’t need to jack up the prices to make money. 24

the sun was coming up and Carl Craig still hadn’t

reality is that it can be cheaper for an Irish resident

hour clubs just rewrite the rules on how to run a

stopped playing even though he was supposed to

to fly to Berlin and stay in a four star hotel than to

business.” Berlin is not the only place where people

stop at 5.”

get a train to Dublin or Galway and stay in a bed

are prepared to fly to. Even promoters are finding it

Now, where did I leave my passport…? Suddenly

and breakfast. You can fly, sleep, dine and dance for

more desirable to organise events abroad. The aptly

the airport doesn’t sound that bad.

Matthias Tanzmann and Len Faki

Over the last few years the output of original

it." The Viper is a constant source of irritation to the

RTÉ programming has withered away as a plethora of

Hardy Bucks and is played by the uncredited Chris.

reality shows seemed to sprout like weeds in TV

"He's caricature-ish, kind of an absurd character. It's

listings, and entertaining comedy especially became

like he's got a bit of small man syndrome, a bit of a

very thin on the ground. But someone in Montrose

tool. He's the fly in the ointment and that's why he

got the idea to cultivate the burgeoning talent

gets a reaction."

of filmmakers, and the Storyland competition was

Even though none of the cast had acted before, the

born. Step forward the Hardy Bucks, winners of the

show is only loosely scripted by Chris and Martin

inaugural competition with their take on small town

(Maloney) with lines ad-libbed by the cast. "It helps

life in the West of Ireland and the funniest Irish

that we're a group of friends willing to act like idiots

comedy series for years. SIN spoke to co-creator

in front of each other", explains Chris. “Myself and

and director Chris Tordoff ahead of their live

Martin chisel out a story, set up the scene and direct.

appearance at NUI Galway's College Week to get the

The rest of the comedy comes from the actors and

lowdown on the 'skyboys'.

whatever they come up with on the day. We all

For those who don't know, Hardy Bucks follows the

appreciate each others comedic readings". The same

fortunes of four 'shturdy, reliable fellas' from a Mayo

approach is likely to be used as the teamwork on

town known as 'Castletown' with little to do apart

scripts for three new half-hour episodes they intend

from 'drinkin, fighting and shmokin'. Their exploits are

to film in the summertime for TV, with hopes of

shown in a mockumentary over nine episodes (plus a

being commissioned for further series. "The only

Christmas special) that quickly gathered a large

thing that worries me is having less control, with

Hardy Bucks

hardy Bucks play College Week by Pádraig McMahon

Hardy Bucks finally make it to Galway. Pádraig McMahon traces their journey.

following as Eddie, Buzz, Toastin and Boo struggle

YouTube we made it from scratch and I'd want to

through the recession, doing whatever they can to

direct it myself. It'd feel weird handing it over to

have a good time and maybe even escape to Galway.

someone else; there are so many people involved in

Throw in a supporting cast of 'characters' alarmingly

TV production. Hopefully it'll transfer to TV without

familiar to most people and a nemesis known as The

alienating the original fans of the show". In the

Viper, and it's no wonder the show has had over half

meantime the Hardy Bucks have been appearing all

a million hits on Youtube alone.

over the country in live shows, and come to NUIG

So has success changed Chris's expectations at all?

College Bar on the back of shows in the Roisin

"Our hopes have gotten higher for doing something

Dubh and Cyprus Avenue among others. So what can

with the show," he says." In the beginning we didn't

people expect from their appearance at College

anticipate doing something that would get so many

Week? "What we usually do to keep the authenticity

views. At first it was just a hobby but it's taken on a

of the characters is to have an interview format set

life of it's own". The same can be said of the

up, individually and then as a group," explains Chris.

characters, who are a 50/50 mix in terms of how

"They talk about their lives and their views. Most

'true to life' they are. According to Chris, "We've all

people who come along have seen the show and

got the town (Swinford) in us, but we're aware of it

enjoy it because they know the characters. We were

and how close we are to them. Otherwise you

at Cork Rag Week recently and it went really well,

couldn't make a comedy out of it. The others are

there were around 500 people at it. It's great fun".

being recognised the whole time,'Hey, you're Buzz,

Hardy Bucks play the College Bar at 6pm Tuesday

Hiya Eddie'. I can get away from it. I'm safe as long as

9th for College Week. Admission is free.

I'm not wearing shades and a T-shirt with a snake on

All 10 episodes are available on Youtube.

Galway becomes

Kayakers set off on the Long Distance race. Photo: Kelsie Sherman

the kayaking capital by Jamie McCauley Valentine's weekend was a busy one for the NUIG kayak club, who were proud to host

freestyle circuit. With the ULKC team comprising exclusively of former Irish

the 2010 National kayaking Intervarsties. The event is the second largest annual fixture in

internationals, they were the favourites for the event and they did not disappoint. The

the Irish kayaking scene topped only by the Liffey descent. This year 13 college clubs from

NUIG team consisting of Michelle Kearns, Ethan McMeekin, Darragh Craughwell and Barry

across Ireland descended on Galway city for the weekend. The weekend comprised of four

Loughnane put in a strong display to place a comfortable second ahead of GMIT-Castlebar

events; Kayak Polo, Long Distance, Freestyle and White water along with two parties.

who rounded out the top three.

The polo competition took place in the city on two pitches at the Claddagh basin, the

The most anticipated event was the white water race. This year NUIG took the event and

location of the 2009 Galway polo competition and the 2009 Irish canoe polo open. The

evolved it from a short race on a grade two section of river to a 2.5km race on a grade

city centre location attracted spectators from both colleges and the public, creating a buzz

three river, the Boluisce. This was no small feat with 32 safety boaters, all of whom

of energy around the matches. The competition concluded with the final between a

students or alumni of NUIG strategically positioned along the course to oversee the

fiercely competitive University of Limerick Kayak Club (ULKC) team and the annual

safety of all the competitors. The four teams who advanced to the boater cross finals were

favourites Maynooth University Canoe Club (MUCK). The match went right to the wire

GMIT-Castlebar, UCD, Trinity and NUIG. The finals were hotly contested with GMIT-

with MUCK taking the victory.

Castlebar taking first place and collecting the Deirdre Conroy Cup. This was GMIT-

The Long Distance event took place early Saturday morning in Galway's traditional home

Castlebar’s first event victory and a great moment for their growing club.

of long distance racing, the river Corrib. With a 5km circuit, starting at the NUIG sports

The overall winners of the 2010 Kayaking intervarsity were ULKC. NUIG came a very

grounds in Dangan, competitors raced in eight different classes over distances of five and

close second with GMIT-Castlebar in third.

ten kilometres. With a total field of over 220 boats on the water, it was a truly wonderful sight on a frosty Galway morning. NUIG fought hard to take the overall event ahead of

The Niamh Tomkins Memorial Trophy was presented to Irene O’Brien of University

ULKC in close second.

College Cork. On behalf of NUIG kayak club we would like to thank everyone who

The freestyle event was held at the Clifden play feature, a popular location on the Irish

helped run the event and all the competing teams who travelled to Galway.