Dub8 Issue 17 December 2021

CONTENTS 2

News of D8

D8 with Insight

4 Famous Irish Gaol Braces For Another Winter of Uncertainty by Kenneth Long

10 An Empty Factory, and Unhappy Locals

by Kenneth Long

5 Dublin City Confirms Plans to Prosecute Portobello Mural Artist by Brendan Morris

12 Absence of College Student Affects Local Businesses

by Brendan Morris

6 Education Bursaries Opens to Residents Near New Children Hospital by Estephania Bedoya

14 Students Are Priced Out of Purpose Built Accommodation by Dieu-Hang Tran

7 Construction of Thomas St Student Accommodation Proves Successful by Sinead Agbons

16 Students Struggle to Find Accommodation in Dublin

by Sinead Agbons

8 Screen8 Opens Their Film-Making Introduction Programme for Seniors By Orla O’Connor

18 Cafes Survive COVID-19

by Estephania Bedoya

9 New Pub on Thomas Street Named After Dublin’s Street Icon ‘Bang Bang’ by Dieu-Hang Tran

22 Na Gael Aeracha, Is Ireland Ready to Accept First Explicitly Queer-Inclusive GAA Team by Connor Biggins

Characters of D8

Explore D8

24 It’s Funked Up! by Orla O’Connor

42 Testosterone Dublin 8: Exciting, Thoughtful, and Worth The Read by Ethan Webber

26 Local Author Writes Men’s Health Crime Thriller by Ethan Weber

43 One of The Best Indian Restaurants in Dublin 8: Konkan Restaurant by Alice Tauleigne

28 King in His Castle by Tobe Ezegbu 44 Graffiti and Street Art in Dublin 8 by Heléna Filip 31 Honouring Her Roots by Naomi Mudiay 48 Discovering the Dublin 8 Mosque by Thomas Prior 34 The Fight Against Witch Hunting in India

by Hiya Saikia

50 Why You Should Experience Dublinia

by Elisa Dauphin

37 The Man Who Spreads Joy by Jessica Krieg 39 “We Learn As Much From Each Other As From Our Lecturers and Tutors” by Liza Danstig

This magazine was produced by journalism students in Griffith College Dublin. The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors named, and are not necessarily those of the editorial team or the management of Griffith College or any of its employees.

54 A Match That Won’t disappoint: Culture Date With Dublin 8 by Ana Monteiro

This magazine cannot be completed without a collective effort of many people.

We proudly present you Dub8 magazine 2021 on behalf of:

CREDITS

Editors Dieu-Hang Tran Heléna Filip Sub-editors Connor Biggins Estephania Bedoya Ethan Webber Sophie Ryan Tobe Ezegbu Photo editors Alice Tauleigne Liza Dantsig Designers Ana Beatriz Monteiro Brendan Morris Dunsin Kalogbola Katharina Zweck Laura Kluge Sinead Agbons Tobe Ezegbu Social & Promotional team Anne Woetzel Ines Mura Advertisement & Distribution team Naomi Mudiay Orla Jane O’Connor Thomas Prior

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Historic Gaol Braces For Another Winter of Uncertainty Kenneth Long

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s the prospect of another winter in lockdown seems to loom large in Ireland, one of Dublin 8’s finest historical landmarks braces for new restrictions and lockdowns.

Kilmainham Gaol is one of the most significant historical sites in Ireland. Its walking tours are hugely popular amongst Irish people and tourists alike. The dedicated work done by the Office of Public Works (OPW) staff there has seen it survive the pandemic thus far, but with Taoiseach Martin’s comments today, clearly Kilmainham Gaol is not out of the woods yet.

the past year we could not, so we’re trying to get schools booking in. We are hoping that we will be able to,” explains David Robson, who has worked at the Gaol for the OPW since 2016.

Winter Plans So what plans are afoot heading into Kilmainham Gaol’s second Covid winter? “Some of the guys inside were actually working on a virtual online tour there during the last lockdown” Mr

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When Kilmainham was restored in the 1960’s one of the main aims of it was to educate future generations on their heritage and their history

So far, the pandemic has caused Kilmainham Gaol to close its doors for 15 months, which is 15 months more than the impassioned staff would rather. When asked what it is like to work in the Gaol, Mr. Robson explained “it is great to kind of feel like almost a guardian of that stories as such you know, it’s a corny thing to say but you know it is something you feel like you know.”

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The Gaol didn’t return to full functionality after coming out of the last lockdown:“We are always very passionate about bringing school tours into the Gaol, and of course during lockdown for

Robson describes these tours as “a tour aimed for school kids because, probably the biggest loss while we were shut down was actually the kids, we were always taking school tours.”

But even in a cloud so dark a silver lining lingers, Kilmainham Gaol is a two-hundred-year-old building that constantly requires maintenance. Throughout its lifetime as a Gaol it saw a total of 150,000 prisoners but as a museum it was seeing over 400,000 visitors a year, “our priority in Kilmainham is to protect the national monument and preserve it for future generations so it’s no harm the Gaol itself got bit of a breather.”

Kilmainham might be missed for now by those who visit and work there, but it will surely be there for longer now that it has had such a breather. Whatever happens next with the pandemic, Ireland’s most historic Gaol will keep.

Staff at Kilmainham Gaol outside the old courthouse entrance.

Photo by Kenneth Long 4

Dublin City Council Confirms Plans to Prosecute Portobello Mural Artist The removal of the beloved public art piece has elicited a negative reaction from the D8 community.

Brendan Morris

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ublin City Council (DCC) confirmed a decision made in 2019 to pursue legal action against street-artist collective Subset, with the trial scheduled to take place in March 2022.

The charges brought against Subset accuse the group of making the mural without adequate planning permission from the City Council. In addition to the charges, the Council has issued a removal of the mural.

The mural in question depicts Sir David Attenborough, unveiled on the famous documentarians 93rd birthday in May 2019 to celebrate his lifelong dedication to the battle surrounding climate change, and can be found on the north end of Longwood Avenue. Subset justified the preservation of the piece by claiming the local community of South Circular Road supported the mural and were against its removal. Steven Byrne, who owns the garage adjacent to the mural, confirmed the local community’s support:

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Subset are facing similar charges for a famous mural of their titled “Horseboy” in Smithfield, similarly claiming approval from local residents. The Council have been making attempts to remove the piece in 2019, before which the tenant of the building it was painted on submitted an application to DCC that it should be allowed to remain, however, the owner of the property requested to have it taken down on multiple occasions. A petition to keep Horseboy in place has gathered 6000 signatures from the community of D7. Similarly, in 2017, the Council made motions to remove the groups mural of the artist Stormzy, which prompted Subset to launch a visual protest against the Councils decisions.

This is not the first instance of the Attenborough mural attracting controversy. On Christmas Eve 2019, the residents of Longwood Avenue awoke to find the mural defaced in anti-environmentalist graffiti. Scribbled on the wall was “climate hoax”, slandering Attenborough’s devotion to climate change activism.

Dublin City Council has not made any statements related to the case.

We think it’s great, it’s fantastic. Tourists come up all the time and take pictures of it.

We’re happy with it

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In September 2019, Dublin City Council made their initial motions to take the piece down, claiming it was “unauthorised development” according to the Planning and Development Acts. The trial has been repeatedly delayed due to COVID restrictions, and now is scheduled for March 3rd. The Councils position on this has sparked unanimous controversy across the city, as nearly 1000 local residents have signed a petition on Change.org to keep the artwork in place.

Mural of David Attenborough on Longwood Avenue, Dublin 8. Photo by Alice Tauleigne 5

Education Bursaries Open to Local Residents

By Estephania Bedoya

New Children’s Hospital’s Development Board and BAM fund and encourage education and training in healthcare and construction.

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esidents of Dublin 8 and 12 can expect to benefit from Community Benefit Education Bursaries given by BAM, the largest multinational construction business operating in Ireland, who’s in charge of the construction of the New Children’s Hospital (NCH).

This BAM Fund will open applications for Education Bursaries for the academic year 2022/2023 this spring for residents of Dublin 8 and Dublin 12 as part of their Community Benefit Programme, established in 2015 by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB).

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The 2021 Education Bursary recipients, who applied earlier this year, It is about how we can give will be enrolling in undergraduate and post-leaving certificates (PLC) healthback to the community, and find our contribution care courses; the announcement will come later this year. The bursaries will unique support €2000 for each year of their course. So far, between the winners of 2020 and 2021, eight students have benefitted from the initiative.

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The Community Benefit Programme was established so the community could benefit from the hospital construction and operation through maximising employment and training opportunities, raising educational aspirations and supporting businesses Paris Cheeba, winner of the BAM Community Benefit Bursary in 2020 said “it would have been extremely difficult” to attend university had she not received the BAM Education Bursary; she found out about it at school through her teacher. “I still would have (gone to university) because that’s important in my family… I’m really grateful the bursary allowed me to stay in college and just work the minimum amount of hours.”

The project plan for the construction of the NCH in St. James was approved in 2015. BAM was awarded its construction. Their aim with this fund is to ensure skills required for construction and operation of the hospital are encouraged in the local communities, which surround the hospital’s site. Besides providing paediatric healthcare, the new hospital will be a “primary centre for paediat-

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ric education, training, and research in Ireland,” according to its Development Board, creating a supportive environment for the community.

“The idea of the bursaries was to encourage people,” said programme manager, Ingrid McElroy. “It is about how we can give back to the community, and find our contribution unique.

And I suppose our speciality is health, so we want to support health education and health literacy in the community.”

Other activities include a mentoring programme for the recipients, career days for local schools and hands-on experiences in healthcare and construction for primary schools, where children would receive talks from experts in these areas.

According to the NPHDB, they have pioneered “the most community engaged construction contract in Ireland” for the construction of the NCH which includes a social clause focused on ‘Targeted recruitment and training’. The clause works toward maximising employment through training and apprenticeship programmes targeted towards groups which include: long term unemployed, early school leavers, distant from the labour market or people new to the construction industry.

Aerial view of the New Children’s Hospital at night time.

Photo courtesy of National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.

Construction of New Thomas Student Accommodation Proves Successful

by Sinead Agbons

750 purpose-built student accommodation spaces are under construction in the highlight Thomas Street, Dublin 8

Construction site of the new student accommodation in Dublin 8. Photo by Dieu-Hang Tran

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he sector over the past six months has come through a difficult time as regards some features and amenities that needed to be put in place for the wellbeing of the students. Low occupancy was reported by most operators as the accommodation was closed for six months and the majority of learners found it difficult to get new accommodation that was suitable for them and close enough to college.

In Dublin, for example, only 750 bed spaces are being built this year across three buildings. As of the end of June 2020, there were around 4,300 beds under development across fourteen initiatives. Most students lodged in this accommodation are Trinity College and University City Dublin (UCD) learners. “As a thought, close to 250 on-campus bed spaces are under development at Trinity college Dublin’s Osin House in Dublin 2,” said Kris, a learner in Trinity College. With the remaining beds under construction at Ardee Point and Mill Street in Dublin 8, in two privately owned projects runs by ‘Nido’ student and ‘Uninest.’

Nonetheless, while on-line campus learning has recovered to a substantial extent, it will make it faster to get work done. The building at 32 Thomas Street in Dublin 8 is a reconstruction of the historic Frawley’s Store, which closed after more than a century in 2007. The development will provide 750 much-needed student bed spaces as well as new retail premises, with thoughtful rehabilitation and conversion of buildings fronting Thomas Street and a new state of the art purpose-built student accommodation complex behind the conserved buildings.

As they start their new project, it will be a great connection to the universities for new shops from which the freshers can get more amenity. “Two years from now the Highlight Thomas Street student accommodation will be the biggest in Dublin,” said Kris.

REGIONS Looking at the development, learners currently residing in other counties, where Trinity College and UCD are thinking of relocating to so students can be close to their families and friends.

The bed scheme should be able to take new incoming residents according to Paul Bran, the manager of the Highlight Thomas student accommodation.

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Screen8 Opens Their Film-making Introduction Programme to seniors

by Orla O’Connor

The Digital Hub and the Dublin Film Festival announce the fifth edition of Screen8, a film production programme intent on introducing the Dublin 8 community seniors to the film industry and encouraging them to get creative.

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creen8, a film-making programme hosted by The Digital Hub, has been announced for the fifth edition in 2022, but for the first time this programme is open to older people in the Dublin 8 community. Paul Farren, award winning producer, director, writer and editor who has been in the industry for 20 years, will head this year’s group and help navigate them through the world of film making and even assists the students in producing their very own short film in six months.

The Digital Hub and the Dublin Film Festival first partnered up in 2018. This programme began as an “out of school” programme for 14-16 year olds, offering young students an eye-opening experience to the film industry whilst also giving them a chance to be creative and gain experience in all different aspects of film-making: scriptwriting, shooting, directing producing and movie editing and more.

“We’ve really enjoyed working with our partner, the Dublin International Film Festival, in running the Screen8 for young people in Dublin 8 for the last four years,“ said Fiach Mac Conghail, CEO of The Digital Hub. ”We know the programme has inspired local young people to be creative and confident and inspire them to consider the Irish film industry as a career path.

This year we decided to offer older people in our community a chance to experience a taste of film making.”

The Digital Hub is a campus, located in The Liberties of Dublin 8, made up of restored townhouses and former Guinness brewery buildings, that hosts and becomes a home for new and leading technology and digital media companies to grow and build. The building is designed to encourage collaboration between the varying technology companies and create a sense of community, “Our unique buildings are designed to encourage a collaborative community, and sharing a physical space with other technology companies means help and inspiration is never far away,” said Fialch Mac Conghail.

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A film in production. Photo provided by Pixabay

The Digital Hub not only creates community but is intent on playing a greater role in the Dublin 8 community that surrounds it.

It offers a platform to initiatives and projects that use digital and technological advances to help improve the lives of local people. The programmes range from digital art, digital learning, healthcare innovation, community development and many more.

Fiach Mac Conghail said he is “delighted to see the response from the local community; working with award winning producer, director, writer and editor, Paul Farren to create their own short film. It’s early days in the programme, but I’m excited to see what they will gain from this experience and to create something they are proud of.”

New Pub On Thomas Street Is Named After Dublin 8’s Street Icon

by Dieu-Hang Tran

On the corner of Thomas Street and Meath Street, a pub called Dudley’s has opened its doors to customers. Classy, but the range of craft beer can be totally bold - just as the person it is named after.

Jamie Kennedy at the Dudley’s bar. Photo by: Dieu-Hang Tran

“I think it [was] only a year ago when the place [became] available on the market,” said Jamie Kennedy, assistant manager of Dudley’s. “It keeps that aesthetic so it looks like an old pub, but the beer is pretty new.”

According to Jamie, the lockdown encouraged people to try ‘funky’ new beers from different off-licenses. Dudley’s offers a variety of local Irish brews such as Hopefully, Whiplash and The White Hag, including different beers from around the world.

The idea is to introduce different craft beers occasionally, while keeping the classic Guinness taps.

“Many people fancy themselves as beer connoisseurs,” said Jamie, “so I think it is nice to have every angle of them.”

The pub is named after Dudley ‘Bang Bang’, a street icon of Dublin from the 50s to the 70s. He used to ramble on the street, swinging his big key, pretending it was a ’45 gun, which he got off Hitler, and started his make-believe cowboy game.

Soon enough, the street was filled with masses of adults and children who were ‘shot dead’ by his ’45 gun. “It was a bit of fun,” said a Liberties local Leo Magee.

According to Jamie, the bar is named after Dudley ‘Bang Bang’ to show respect to the icon and the locals. “We are not here to turn them away,” said Jamie, “...people can still visit here, have a pint and a bit of a laugh.”

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A lot of companies come out with amazing beers, a lot of people also come out in the last few years to have different pints. They want to come out for a taste than come for the same beer all night

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he location of Dudley’s was once a pub called Baker’s. Due to the pandemic, the management of Baker’s had to close their doors in 2019 after sixteen years of serving pints.

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An Empty Factory and Unhappy Locals

by Kenneth Long

On the other side of the dispute are local residents of Dublin 8 who are opposed to the building of what would be a behemoth amongst their red brick terraced houses, that composite neighbourhoods like St Catherine’s and Donore, small quiet and compact enclaves that have always been as much a characteristic of Dublin as the Phoenix Park or St James’s Gate Guinness Brewery.

Not working-class communities nor are they home to the most well-to-do, they’re the kind of neighbourhoods that are Dublin’s spine, its back bone. The standoff between the global property investor and local residents has the veneer of a David vs Goliath struggle.

The Player Wills site was purchased by Hines Real Estate in 2018, who had already secured planning for the adjoining Bailey Gibson site for which they plan to construct 416 residential units. Along with the development of the nearby St Theresa Gardens the whole project, of which the Player Wills site is the third and final phase, will deliver 2,300 new homes and three towers that will be up to 19-storeys high.

If built these towers will be amongst the tallest in Ireland, similar in height to Liberty Hall in Dublin or the Elysian Tower in Cork, neither of which are in residential locations.

“We voiced our opposition to elements of the proposed planning applications, the overall height and density of the proposals” explains local Labour Party (LAB) councillor Darragh Moriarty. Cllr Moriarty has, along with Senator Rebecca Moynihan (LAB) led the political opposition on behalf of local residents.

The Player Wills factory lies right in the heart of Dublin’s South Inner City. Wedged between the artisan neighbourhoods of Portobello and Rialto. With The Coombe, one of the City’s oldest regions lying just behind the site, this tower block will loom large for all in the local area. Too large for many in fact.

One doesn’t need to be an urban developer to understand local opposition to such a build being plopped down in the middle of Dublin 8.

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And it isn’t just the height of the buildings that have been objected to by various residents’ associations.

This project is a Build to Rent (BTR) development, with 240 co-living units comprising a third of the apartments. “Our concerns included the fact that the full development was ‘built to rent’ as opposed to having a better tenure mix and the co-living aspect contained in the Player Wills Factory building itself” , continues Cllr Moriarty.

Opposition to this development has been firm and longstanding ever since Hines bought the site in 2018. Upon purchase Hines and Dublin City Council (DCC) drew up a master plan for the site’s development. In doing so they shelved a previous master plan that had been agreed upon with local residents in 2017.

But a 19-storey tower would be out of all proportion in Dublin 8. All of the residential properties that surround the site are two-storey terraced houses. Red brick townhouses that have stood for decades around which communities were built, communities now under threat from a lack of affordable or adequate housing.

Having these apartments rented out and so large a co-living hub in the middle of their neighbourhood would ruin the community.

These apartments, 60% of which will be one bedroom, 10% to 20% studios, will most likely be marketed to single people currently living in house shares. Family homes they are not.

But what these apartments will be is expensive, according to the developers’ own estimates they will range from €1,300 p/m for a studio to €2,800 p/m for a three bedroom. This will price many local people out of their own neighbourhoods.

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We voiced our opposition to elements of the proposed planning applications, the overall height and density of the proposals - Cllr Darragh Moriarty

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he location is Dublin’s South Inner City, the site of an old cigarette factory that closed its doors for the last time in 2005. The disputed issue is a proposal to build a large housing development by an American property developer, Hines Real Estate Ireland Limited. The Irish branch of a privately owned global real estate firm that has over $80 billion of assets under its management.

Photo by Lisa Dantsig

The Old Player Wills Factory with Hines insignia acting as a fence.

Priced out of the neighbourhood Since the property crash in 2008, the private sector is only interested in developing the kind of housing that will see a quick turnover, i.e. co-living hubs, BTR or student accommodation.

Building such developments is easier, because you don’t have to build to as high a standard as you would for traditional homes.

For instance, a BTR apartment doesn’t need to be as big as a non-BTR apartment to secure planning permission. Subsequently, those in the market for a family home, say a two-storey terraced house, are getting priced out of the market, priced out of their own neighbourhoods.

According to Daft.ie there are only 196 homes for sale in Dublin 8 and 98 available for rent. Global pandemic notwithstanding these few properties only seem to increase in price and decrease in size to the point where they are nowhere near adequate enough for most. One bed apartments in Rialto at €1,600 per month or Christchurch at €1,800 per month are, of course, unaffordable.

A squeeze that is already being felt by everyone in Dublin 8 who know they won’t be able to see their children grow up in the same communities that their families have been living in for generations is intensified by this proposal.

And it is a proposal that symbolizes the housing crisis as a whole. The spectre of a wealthy American firm plopping an inordinately large tower on top of a community that is besieged by forces beyond their control.

Their defence has been to appeal An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant planning permission to the High Court. The High Court judge Mr Justice Richard Humphreys referred the case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to see if the plans ought to be assessed for compliance with E.U. environmental directives.

Therefore, the Hines’ master plan, the second master plan can be put on hold for up to a year as the ECJ isn’t expected to publish its ruling until late next year. So instead of the housing that the local residents or the American developer wanted to see built, a site that is nine times the size of Croke Park, lying in the middle of a city enduring its worst housing crisis ever, will lie idle for another year. David has drawn a stalemate with Goliath.

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Absence of College Students Affects Local Businesses When classrooms emptied and education migrated to Zoom, what became of the local economy dependent on students’ business?

by Brendan Morris

“ “ An Empty College Lecture Hall, Image Courtesy of Pixabay.

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n these uncertain times, one thing is certain; somebody WILL begin a sentence with “In these uncertain times” at least once a week.

But like all truisms, the benign acknowledgement of the unpredictability of the pandemic is justified, it’s a cliche for a reason. From commerce to education, the Coronavirus pandemic has launched every sector of our lives into chaos, but what remains uncertain is how lockdown initiatives impact the interconnectedness of our economy.

How did buses fare with the mass adoption of commuters now working from home? How did the chipper across from the pub deal take the vanishing of their midnight, kebab-hungry customers? But one specific type of institution commonly created a bedrock on which the immediate economy was founded, the world over; college students, and the businesses sustained by their presence.

In March of 2020, the world watched in awe

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as institution after institution shut its doors to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In an effort to contain the contagion, colleges and universities around the globe took advantage of new digital technology to teach their classes from their home office. However, it was not without its drawbacks.

The phrase ‘Zoom fatigue’ soon became a part of the college students vocabulary, as they expressed the exhaustion brought on by never-ending video calls. But our exhaustion of digital meetings didn’t hold a light to the vacancy created by the lack of students in the local economy.

The change in the practice of college from cafeteria chit chat to digitally-driven education was not felt just by the students.

The businesses located in the locality of third-level education institutions were now left with a vacancy in their account books. And

In a model budget posted on their website, Technological University Dublin says the average student will spend about €7,600 after accommodation and utilities are paid annually. And according to the statistics on the Higher Education Authority (HEA) website, Dublin city enrollment in higher education saw figures of 87,000 in the pre-COVID era. From this, one can see that for foodstuffs, transport, socializing and more, students contribute roughly €661 million to the Dublin City economy.

Not only is the impact visible in account books, but it can also be seen in person in the shops. Walk into any corner shop offering chicken rolls as part of a lunchtime meal and you are certain to witness the sprawling masses of hoodie-wearing young scholars. Imagine the same scene without that youthful buzz, and you can start to understand the vacancy through the eyes of the business owners. Such is a sentiment upheld by Lewis of Noshington Cafe. Within the immediate vicinity of Griffith College Dublin, one of the areas most dependent on revenue from students is this local cafe. From getting a takeaway lunch to buying their caffeine fix, cafes have always been a magnet for students and lecturers. Lewis, the owner of Noshingtons Cafe on South Circular Road, confirmed that the absence of students significantly impacted his business’ bottom line: “For us, students make a big impact. We are right in front of the college. For example, this week schools and colleges are closed, so I would say 1/3 of our customers won’t be in the cafe. There is a noticeable difference now that the students are back”.

Simple logic dictates that this observation is not limited to Dublin, but affects the cities across the country dependent on students.

In Galway for example, the student body occupies one-quarter of the city’s total population, according to the official National University of Ireland Galway website. Although there are no explicit statistics available discussing the value of these 20,000 scholars, if Dublin 87,000 results in €661 million brought into the economy, then Galway’s student population contributes €150 million to the city’s annual revenue.

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For us, students make a big impact.

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while some were able to adapt to the new COVID era, many businesses had no option, but to shut their doors permanently. This all begs the question: just how much does a student contribute to their local economy, and how reliable are those economies on student input?

Again seen in a college-centred town in Letterkenny, the local Letterkenny Institute of Technology students occupy 15% of the population, which is estimated to bring in €2 million to the Donegal urban sprawl.

The financial fallout of the necessitated student absence is a loss felt not alone in Ireland, but around the globe. In the United Kingdom for example, the student economic vacuum was estimated to have cost roughly £2.9 billion to the national economy. Goods and services such as groceries, socializing and transport suffered greatly with the absence of college attendees, according to research conducted by Studdee.com. The top affected urban environments were London, Cardiff and Birmingham, with the damage in the capital alone accumulating to £500 million.

As the world now begins to return to a state of pre-COVID normality, many businesses are now free to reopen their doors and once again welcome the chicken-roll hungry customers they haven’t seen in 18 months. From Noshingtons on South Circular Road to the pubs marketed to the attendees of Letterkenny IT, local business owners can let out a sigh of relief knowing they not only made it through an arduous 18 months of lockdown, but also survived the economic epidemic of the absent scholars.

Similarly in Limerick, it is estimated that the average student spends €907 a month in their local communities, as stated in a press release by the University of Limerick, welcoming in an addition of 2700 international students to the college, estimated to bring a boost of €19 million to the city’s businesses.

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The Loom, one of the latest purposed-built student accommodations on Cork Street. Photo by Dieu-Hang Tran

Students Priced Out of Purpose Built Accommodation The Social Housing Strategy in 2015 was aimed to address the housing pressure via student accommodations, however, it does not benefit student and neither benefits the residents of the area.

by Tran Dieu-Hang

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report by Higher Education Authority (HEA) shows a constant lack of supply for student accommodations. By 2024, 25 182 bed units will be needed to meet the demand of 68 679 students. The report suggests the private rental sector should be more flexible with the rent-a-room scheme and more student accommodation should be built.

In 2017, National Student Accommodation Strategy was in progress. The strategy immediately attracted developers to invest in purposed-built student accommodations (also known as PBSA). In county Dublin, the main area for this plan was Dublin North and Dublin South-West. The boom time for PBSA was between 2014 - 2020 when almost €950 million worth of asset was made for student accommodation, according to a Linsey’s report.

“The original idea for student accommodations was that the more you provided then the market starts to find the balance, and the price will reduce where there’s more supply,” said Stephen Coyne, programme manager of Dublin South-West’s economic development, “but it hasn’t happened yet,” he added.

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However, the price for PBSA is out-of-read for most student. According to TU Dublin’s cost of living guide, an average budget for rent in Dublin is €585 per month per student. This budget should be doubled if a student wants to live in purposed built student accommodations.

On Apartostudent.com, a standard bedroom starts from €260 per week, it means €1040 per month. Similarly, Heyday Student Living offers an en-suite bedroom from €268 per week.

“The name doesn’t go with the program, it doesn’t help student,” said Hiya Saikia, a thirdyear student at Griffith College, “if you stay outside of student accommodation in a shared house or a shared apartment, then you pay less than what you pay in student accommodation” In the second half of 2020, there were a number of operators got permissions to convert student accommodations into short-term lets due to ‘lack of demand’ in the pandemic and also the difficulties in the tourist industry.

Dublin Inquirer reported about 1000 bed units have been converted into short-term lets until 31/05/2022.

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A loss in public value

I think they are trying to flip the system a little bit,

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“The model that they are operating has changed dramatically because of Covid, and it’s still not clear how much it affects the business,” said Stephen.

It’s not until the pandemic that student-to-tourist accommodation conversions are permitted. In January 2019, Dublin City Council granted DWS, an operator company, to re-purpose 713 bed units into short-term lets. In September 2019, DWS was allowed to convert 599 student beds to non-student co-living.

Question the inflated housing system On 13th October, a protest was held to call Owen Keegan, CEO of Dublin City Council to resign. The protest sparkled following the CEO’s ‘sarcasm’ reply to a student union president raised concern about 571 student accommodations were converted into short-term lets.

Ruairí Power, the student mentioned in the reply of Owen Keegan, talked about the union’s reaction towards the conversion: “We found quite strongly that this is wrong…there was a demand for student accommodation. Isn’t that weird? Because the perception that Irish students can’t pay the same rate as what is supposed to be more for affluent international students,” said Ruairí.

In the reply, Keegan justified the circumstance of the conversion that there was no demand for student accommodation over summer. According to Ruairí, the union did not accept the excuse, he said “the acceptable circumstance might be Covid when everything was delivered over zoom, so there was less demand for student who come to college and campuses.”

“Dublin city council is here to grant the permission and allow them to keep the rent artificially inflated,” Ruairí added, “where previously they could have fill the room if they bring the rent down in order to keep the demand.” Keegan replied: “If I believe this is artificial inflated charge in the market, you should start developing it yourselves.”

Ruairí said “There is a big sense that what is coming up in Dublin are hotels and commerce, it’s not a place for people to live, they are coming to the city just for tours. We don’t think it is the best for students and we ask him to resign because of that.”

The Liberties has changed significantly since the Social Housing Strategy started in 2015.

The area was aimed to be constructed with new residential buildings and student accommodations.

“If I was asked 5 years ago, I would say ‘what’s wrong with students?’” said Trevor Keppel, a town planner and a resident of The Liberties since 2016. “There is nothing wrong with students… It (student accommodation) doesn’t contribute to the local area, it’s not what people want. They want living cost to go down, they want living options.”

“And the problem is the way student accommodations is built, its price is very high,” Trevor added, “we want Dublin to be an international place, but it seems the only people who can afford it are international students.”

Weaver Community Garden was a project to connect the locals and enrich the environment.

Trevor was the last gardener to join in the garden before it was demolished in 2018 for housing. There were people who had been gardening for 12 years, according to Trevor. The effort they put in has enrich the area “not for their own but ecologically”.

“Now I’m looking at the building site not yet finished, it was a big loss and it’s really unfair because they didn’t replace it (the garden) with another one” “Thinking all those spaces have been used for hotels and for student accommodations…it does not do back to the community what they desperately want which is housing, but not student housing, expensive housing” The Liberties area was known as having one of the lowest open spaces among the inner-city areas. However, since the housing scheme was in effect, the green area was taken and replaced with more building sites. The loss of the community garden led to a campaign by the gardeners to bring the garden back in 2018.

However, with an urgent need for housing, the replacement was failed. Since then, there was no plan for a new community garden was made by the city council.

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Students Struggle to Find Accommodation in Dublin

by Sinead Agbons

C

hloe Pearl, a second-year student of UCD, finds it difficult to make a decision when it comes to accommodation hunting. She thinks of the accommodation features, amenities and location when trying out different accommodations.

In the meantime, she stays in Highlight Thomas Street Student Accommodation ever since her first year of college. Highlight Thomas Street Student Accommodation is located in Dublin 8.

This is where most students from Trinity college and UCD stay.

The accommodation is close to the city centre where you will be well located to some shops and it is close to the Guinness storehouse. Students reflect about academic quality, post study career chance, and life connections while deciding where to study. However, their parents consider the realities. What are their options for housing? What is the price range? Is public transportation available in the area? What safety precautions are in place during their studies? These non-academic factors are very influential for students weighing pros and cons of studying at one institution versus another.

When it comes to relocating to college, the most difficult task is finding a place to live. According to Daft.ie’s quarterly Irish Rental Price Report, lodging in Dublin is presently at €1,824. People in Dublin are now spending 30% more yearly than they were before the last rent peak in 2008.

The first concern about learner’s studying and living outside home is how far is college from the accommodation. According to Pearl, from her leaving the student accommodation it is approximately 45 minutes without the traffic, but she doesn’t know how far the walking distance is. “You can easily get the Bus 38A straight to UCD with no problem at all. I just don’t like the distance,” she said.

What are the advantages of staying on campus instead of renting outside of campus?

“There are several benefits of living on campus. The obvious one is that being among so many other students will make it much easier to make friends, but there will also be significant distractions because everyone will be going out on college night outs, so temptation will constantly be around”, Chloe Pearl said.

Features and Amenities Highlight Thomas Street Student Accommodation is a good living environment which caters to student needs. However, Chloe doesn’t like a few things about the accommodation. All apartments allocated to residents are too small for four people to live in, and she feels the cost of the accommodation is too high for the living standard.

The goal is to identify the characteristics that will influence visitors’ decision to rent a place close to college with the facilities they desire.

In addition, it is necessary to assess the importance of prospective visitors’ choices for renting an apartment outside of campus.

A questionnaire survey was done online to determine respondents’ opinions of the aspects that will impact their decision to rent an apartment. The data from the questionnaire survey is analysed using frequency analysis and the relative relevance index in this study.

As a result, among the other factors with high relative importance index values, such as: safety/security, price, service quality, functional attributes, amenities, cleanliness and hygiene of the accommodation appeared to be the most significant factor that will affect guests’ decision-making in renting an accommodation.

The least important aspect was friendliness, followed by the warmth and responsiveness of the host and employees.

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Students’ mental health/ well-being is hugely improved if they can feel able to engage with other students who reside in the same accommodation.

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Highlight Thomas street student accommodation main entrance to the building. Photo by Dieu-Hang Tran In a nutshell, it will benefit both hosts and accommodation providers increasing the competitiveness appeal of their properties.

Students may find it difficult to focus on their schoolwork or build bonds with their peers if they do not live in a pleasant atmosphere.

Many students use their residence as a venue to meet new people and mingle. “Students’ mental health/well-being is hugely improved if they can feel able to engage with other students who reside in the same accommodation, either through cooking, socializing, playing and generally living together in a respectful community”, Chloe shared. Students can prevent unfavourable experiences by guiding them through the rental process and keeping them updated about the condition of nearby accommodations.

It’s all about striking the appropriate balance between work and leisure when you’re a student. Your students are vital, but we all need to refresh our minds by resting and doing something pleasurable on a regular basis to keep us motivated.

Living at Home For many people, leaving home and the sense of independence that comes with it is one of the most appealing aspects of attending university or choosing a student residence.

As it is a difficult decision to make regarding student accommodation, seek opinions from as many people as possible. A smart place to start is with family or friends who have stayed in other accommodation besides the Highlight Thomas Street accommodation.

Chloe said, “Highlight Thomas Street accommodation has application days prior to the start of a semester when you may meet other students that you will be sharing the apartment with. Also look at some of the available rooms suitable to your preference but still, I will consider some of the features and amenities I said when it comes to decision making.”

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Local Cafes Survive COVID-19 and Persevere

demic it is also a long-lasting café in the area.

With its sense of welcome and familiarity given by the atmosphere and treat of Teresa as soon as you enter the café, it is hard to see why one wouldn’t stay.

Teresa came to Ireland in 1993, arriving at a very young age from Spain to learn English. She stayed in the country and studied photography; went on to work for the Metro Newspaper, in a hotel, and other part-time jobs until an acquaintance offered to start a business together. Her business partner lived in the building in front of the café, which at the time was a beauty salon.

Business owners talk about coming to Dublin, settling in the Dublin 8 area to open their cafes, and how their business survived the pandemic.

When they were leaving, he saw the need for a café around the area and proposed to open one. That was eleven years ago. To this day, they have stayed in business seeing changes happening in the area near St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Since its beginnings, there were lots of people coming; from tourists to locals from all parts of the world, it was a thriving business just like any other, until COVID-19 happened.

by Estephania Bedoya

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Dublin 8 is considered a very hip, up-andcoming area with a vibrant diversity of residents. As someone who recently arrived in Ireland, the great variety of options available for restaurants, cafés and pubs did not go unnoticed. Nonetheless, keeping a business afloat through a pandemic is no easy task.

Dozens of businesses were forced to adapt to a new reality; many struggled while others did not survive. Cathedral Café is located in Dean St. near St. Patrick’s Cathedral and The Coombe. Its location prompts many visits from locals, tourists and the student community surrounding the area. Although one of many businesses that survived the worst of the pan-

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“It is like everywhere else. Everything has changed a lot until tourism starts again. If there is no tour, no theatre, no parties, no bars and no nothing then people do not come!” she said while preparing for closing time, “The pandemic goes on and on. We have been open for two months but we can’t just go back to how it was before these two years of the pandemic.”

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I’ve never thought of leaving, I came at a very young age and I have my life here.

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sat at a corner table in Cathedral Cafe when a young man came in and asked for the order he had placed earlier in the day. Teresa -the owner of the place- went to the back kitchen to get it, “Did I see you yesterday as well?” she asked when returning to the front counter.

“Probably, I always come to this place. I come from New York, but I have already been here for two years and this is my favourite café.” Teresa laughed asking him if he has tried other cafés around the area. “Yes, I have. This is the best! That’s why I keep coming back,” he replied cheerfully. They said their goodbyes, he left, and Teresa came to bring my order.

I listen while she mentions how Dublin 8 is an area full of history, even the building above the café, now Airbnb rooms mostly, is about 200 years old. She wants to move to the area in the future, but considering high rent prices, she hasn’t yet. As for the local spaces’ rent, she mentions how they “got lucky” due to the small demeanour of the place. “It depends on the owner,” she says, “but in our case, we’ve been so many years here that instead of having it empty or with someone they don’t know, we are here”.

View from inside of a customer sitting outside Cathedral Cafe.

Photo by Liza Danstig

My short time in Dublin has shown me how much Ireland is full of vibrant people and characters. She shares some urban legends and stories of the area: Locals seeing a dog of whom it is said visits the tomb of Jonathan Swift, his previous owner; the man ‘Bam Bam’ who liked western movies and went about ‘shooting’ people who played along pretending to be wounded; also, she recalls the ‘Four Corners of Hell’ which consist of four pubs in four different corners creating a sort of square which saw many fights when visitors became too tipsy.

Raving with urban legends, local gossip and characters I still ask if she would ever go back to her native Spain. She shakes her head. “I’ve never thought of leaving, I came at a very young age and I have my life here.” She explains how the friends she has made over the years living here are now like her family. Different nationalities come to the area, and from all over the world have come to the café. If you like to socialise then, “why not?” she shrugs, “I don’t mind colour, shape, origin… I talk to everyone.”

From witnessing how the area became filled with apartment complexes with unaffordable rent prices to hearing all the urban legends that surround the streets of where the café is located; Teresa has told me just a little about her story of coming to Dublin and starting a new life on her own 27 years ago.

With so many stories to tell, something we both agree on is: If the whole world looked the same, then why would you ever explore it? This is exactly why we love Dublin City because is not like anywhere else.

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ALMA CAFÉ Being away from home is hard. It challenges your comfort zone, and also means turning away from your family, but not for this one. It all started when one of four sisters came to Europe to experience a year abroad, but ended up with all four sisters coming and settling in Ireland. Anabella and her sisters came to Ireland five years ago from Argentina and their parents three years ago after thinking it made more sense being where their four daughters were.

ALMA, meaning ‘soul’ in Spanish, came to life two and a half years ago when the family thought about starting their own business and including their unique print having Argentinian options using Irish ingredients. “We love having a food business… mostly because, in our house, most things spin around food,” Anabella laughs as she explains how the family unites in this life experience brought by tasting and preparing food.

Located in Portobello, near Harrington Street, ALMA is a beautiful spot to have your morning coffee, or a very tasty brunch prepared with care and certainty that you’re tasting a selection of recipes to fall in love with Argentinian cuisine.

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ALMA is all of our family initials in the name, and it also has a meaning (in Spanish). It’s like we put our soul in this business.

RUFF CAFÉ Five years ago, Luisa came to Ireland after finishing her Social Education studies. However, after working in the field, she steered in a different direction: social media management. Later on, she did part-time jobs thinking about her professional future. She worked at the Kemp sisters’ café in Dublin Castle and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA); during that time, she learned about hotels and caterings and found a love for it which gave her, along with her husband, the idea to open their own cafe at the beginning of 2021.

Ruff Café opened in Clanbrassil Street Lower in July, but from looking for the right place to transforming their vision into a reality, and even finding their gorgeous dog, Calypso, it was a long journey. After all, you wouldn’t put a highly pet-friendly place in Grafton Street, would you?

Ruff Café owner’s pet, Calypso Photo by: Liza Dantsig 20

Alma Café’s menu items: Matcha Latte and croissant.

Photo courtesy of ALMA Cafe

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The pandemic stopped many businesses, but as many restaurants did, ALMA had orders for takeaways from their regulars or just people surrounding the area. Customers came by to have their dinners ready to take home; and when the worst ended, they opened again and welcomed the regular faces who went to the office every morning and the new faces that come now and then.

Growing up near the Patagonia region in sunny Argentina, Benjamin grew up surrounded by Irish culture in the St. Patrick’s college of his city. Originally, the plan was to come with a friend of his after they finished school. His friend couldn’t come, so he took the chance and came to Ireland on his own, with just €400 in his pocket, into the unknown. That was ten years ago.

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We are hoping we can keep going and maybe open more in the future. We’ll have to wait and see, one day at a time.

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BAKEOLOGY TREATS

Bakeology Treats entrance and sitting area.

Photo by Liza Dantsig

Jumping from job to job in different cafés, bars and as a tourist guide, he and his wife decided to open a business of their own.

It started as an online bakery business of classic, traditional Argentinian treats.

From having the business online only and just as delivery, they opened their store Bakeology Treats a few months ago after the worst of the pandemic passed and they found a place on Meath Street in Dublin 8. “We love the area. It’s close to the children’s school, and many of the clients we had when we were online are around here”. As soon as they opened, their regular customers came walking, cycling, or by car to buy from their new store and for those who live far, they plan to have the delivery option again.

“The idea to have an Argentinian bakery was from my wife.

Around the area there’s nothing like it. We’re the first to have a bakery with Latin American products, but mostly Argentinian”.

And with their empanadas, albacores and range of sweet and salty options. There’s something for everyone in this colourful, lovely spot to suit different tastes.

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In here, all the races, all the sizes, and all the species are welcomed.

Ruff Café is unique in its pet-friendly statement that “there’s no ‘dangerous race’ in dogs,” or animals for that matter. Their menu is not only for people but also for the pets that come with their owners during the mornings. Their regular customers are dogs and cats, but there have been many episodes featuring horses in the street, and even lizards.

“You’ll be surprised with people. I get surprised every day!”

Luisa laughs, and, honestly, if my everyday customers come with either a dog or a horse, then I would be surprised too!

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Na Gael Aeracha, Is Ireland Ready to Accept the First Explicitly Queer-Inclusive GAA Team?

Catching up with Caoimhe Baxter, the secretary and co-founder of Na Gael Aeracha (The Rainbow Gaels): Ireland’s first explicitly queer-inclusive GAA team.

by Conor Biggins

Remind us, Caoimhe, what is Na Gael Aeracha?

Na Gael Aeracha is the first-ever GAA and LGFA club that has been built on the purpose of being inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community. We are welcoming to all members from all walks of life, but the main idea behind it is the concept that it is non-discriminatory.

Did you face any challenges this year?

We did face some challenges when it came to actually setting up the club officially and getting some members registered.

It is very rare that football clubs get set up out of nowhere, and the fact that we were setting up this club on principle as opposed to within a parish, led to some difficulties. Also, we had a little bit of push-back from outsiders on the fact that we are building it on the basis of being LGBTQ+ - inclusive.

Outsiders, you say?

At the beginning of setup, there was some hate coming from online. The usual sort of social media ‘naysayers’. You know, homophobic backlash from people on twitter and against some articles. However, regarding all that, it was easy to overcome those when we saw the support we received from most of the public.

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Na Gaeil Aeracha Ladies Team. Photo by Conor Biggins.

“ The fact that we were starting up from scratch during a pandemic made it all the more challenging.

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This meant that we were not able to get our men’s team up and running, but, fortunately, we were able to get our women’s team up and running and have been quite successful on the front and we can only really go forward from here.

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Despite not being able to register the men’s team, we were able to get a group of men from the LGBTQ+ community in contact with each other who wanted to play socially

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Why has the men’s team not been able to be registered when the women’s team has?

It is just down to administration. The GAA as a whole was undergoing a big turnover and a big change in the way they register players in general, so that was a big difficulty for everyone, not just our club. The fact that we were starting up from scratch during a pandemic made it all the more challenging.

We had an amazing amount of support from the LGFA, which meant that we found it a little bit easier to get the ladies team up and running.

It is not down to lack of numbers or anything. In fact, we have at least a hundred men who want to join the team and play this year. It was just down to admin problems; we really were running the club on a skeleton committee.

We were running two clubs with about five people on a committee when, realistically, there should have been fifteen people on the committee, so it was very difficult in terms of resources and people just to get things up and running.

Has the kit been finished?

Yes! We designed a gorgeous kit with the help of McKeever’s Sport. They sponsored our first set of jerseys for the ladies’ team. McKeever’s were very supportive of us because we had some specific requests. We wanted to have the inclusive pride flag on the jersey and all the merchandise, and they were very willing to help us achieve that.

We are hoping to expand the kit as it comes, even though it has had a great response. We have had people who aren’t in the club or even the country ordering it because they love the idea of it and they love the thought behind it.

What has gone right for you this year?

Well, we have had a massive level of support from people of all different walks of life, globally. The fact that the women’s team were able to get registered, train weekly and play matches competitively was a massive win.

Also, despite not being able to register the men’s team, we were able to get a group of men from the LGBTQ+ community in contact with each other who wanted to play socially so they could organise their own social kickabouts.

We had our first AGM there recently and we were able to vote on a full committee which we believe can only mean better things coming in the future because we will have more manpower and more support in registering for the 2022 season.

Any update on a home pitch?

We are still looking into a home pitch, we are hoping to get one for our 2022 season, it has been tough having to rely on the hospitality of other clubs for matches. We have been able to train in the Phoenix Park, which is good, but we are still looking for a place to call home.

You can follow Na Gael Aeracha to keep up to date on the latest news, events and updates on their Instagram: @rainbowgaels, Twitter: @GaelsRainbow, or even register to the club by sending an email to dublinlgbtqgaa@gmail.com with the subject: ‘Registration’.

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It’s All Funked Up! In a kaleidoscope of neon colours, vintage bike parts and funky music, we discuss bicycle customisation, bringing bikes back to life and being a cyclist in Dublin with Mark from Funked Up Bikes.

By Orla Jane O’Connor As you walk through the doors of Funked Up Bikes you are whisked away to a 70s dream oasis of bright colours and chill music. As you wander under a canopy of technicolour wheels and twinkle lights, you can admire the bicycles fashioned like something out of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory adorned on the walls. The vibrant aesthetic is matched only by the amiability and patience of the staff. The tight-knit team of three Olaf, Mark, and Rory, the founder and his two trusted repairmen, receive their customers with a smile and a sense of calm that puts them immediately at ease.

“That was the idea, an affordable

A

t Funked Up Bikes, not only do they repair and sell bikes, they can create the bike you could have only concocted in your wildest dreams! Using their smart tech software they begin with a simple model, a single speed fixie-bicycle, and then the customisation begins. Any shade, any colour combination under the sun and any parts you may so desire. Mark, the shop repairman, walked us through the simple and efficient software, “ They start at €640 unless you upgrade them parts wise any colour configuration is €640. That was the idea, an affordable bike with little maintenance, customised to your taste, that can get you where you need to go.”

A “fixie-bike”, also known as a fixed gear bicycle, is single speed, meaning no gears to increase or decrease the base speed. This is the smart reason Funked Up set up shop in 2011 during the “fixie-craze”, “We mainly did that because Dublin is quite flat, and there are not a lot of hills, and not a lot of people like to get their bikes maintained. It’s a bit of a hassle so what we did was design a bike with as little to maintain as possible, to suit the Irish market.”

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Roof at Funked Up Bikes featuring the customisation system.

Photo by Anne Woetzel.

bike with little maintenance, customised to your taste, that can get you where you need to go

The next step in the evolution of the store is restorations. Taking battered and bruised vintage bicycles and mending them, “The idea is to keep it as original as possible. Fix what you can, maintain what you can and at the end of the day if something needs replacing it has to go. Our intention is to bring the bike back to life. That in the window is a JKF (vintage manufacturer) and his initials were originally JFK, because the owner was named Jean Koffman but obviously to avoid confusion, they went by JKF. I have only ever seen two other frames from that manufacturer ever (online) so it is pretty obscure.”

Irish interest in bicycles has been growing slowly over the past decade but the quiet of lockdown brought on a new burst of activity as people searched for ways to get out of their houses! “ Big boom in bikes during Covid!

“... the public interest in cycling and getting out certainly is there. It has certainly increased. It is fantastic

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The only issue was that with Covid all the factories had to close. So the initial boom was great and then no stock. So there was about 6 months last year, where we had very little parts to repair bikes, which was an issue and we could not get any. But the public interest in cycling and getting out certainly is there. It has certainly increased. It is fantastic. The amount of bikes that I have had come to the store that have been dug out of sheds and people say, “That has been sitting a while but can you fix it?”

Of course I always say, “Sure, yeah, sure.”

Though Irish interest in cycling is piquing, the structure is not exactly rising to the same height. With thin or tilted cycle lanes scattered with maintenance and sewage grates cyclists need to keep an eye out, especially in the rain. When discussing the “cycle-friendliness” of Dublin with Mark after some cheeky chuckles he said, “Dublin is trying to become one, a cycle friendly city.

anything weird and wonderful that does not look like it should come from a bike shop, came from them.”

A true reflection of the quirky and lively neighbourhood of Dublin 8, the cycling haven that is Funked Up Bikes always has its doors open for all ready to receive you with a gracious attitude and in-depth knowledge. As Mark the repairman said, “We want to provide for the community as much as we can, keep everybody happy and keep the wheels rolling!”

Front view of Funked Up Bikes featuring several models including the ‘Vintage JKF Bike’ , at the bottom left corner. Photo by Anne Woetzel.

I enjoy the ‘Bike to Work’ scheme but the rest of it, the bike lanes and infrastructure for the bikes, it is really great that they are doing it. It is just not being done very well.

Unfortunately, it is most likely people in an office in a tall building somewhere, who haven’t been on a bike in years, making these plans. I am an avid cycler, I was a courier, I know how “cycle-friendly” Dublin is, which is not very.”

A hidden gem in the centre of the New Market area, Funked Up adores the community it is surrounded by, “I love Dublin 8. It is one of the few places in Dublin that still has a sense of community. We help out all the shops along the road, they help us. Everybody knows each other, all up and down the road. There are a few characters here as well. It is so weird to think that a place like this still exists. The antique shop next door for example we are quite connected, we fix things for them and they help us. During our renovation a few months back they provided us with lights and our prized disco ball,

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Local Author Writes Men’s Health Crime Thriller Writer Gerry Mullins’ striking new book is set in Dublin 8, and features gang violence, drug trafficking, and an insightful look at men’s issues.

by Ethan Webber

Gerry Mullins and Ethan discuss testosterone, and what it means to be “manly”. Photo by Anne Woetzel

W

hen I first moved to Dublin 8, I had the immediate impression that it was a quiet, sleepy area. There seemed to be none of the excitement or intrigue one would commonly associate with urban neighborhoods. One local author, however, who has lived in Dublin 8 for 16 years, sees our area quite differently.

Gerry Mullins wrote a book published in 2020, called Testosterone Dublin 8. His novel tells the fictional story of Jimmy Fyffe, whose life and career begin to fall apart as he suffers from having low levels of testosterone. After some testosterone boosting treatments, Jimmy becomes a commanding alpha male, and begins down the path of a drug kingpin, dealing cocaine and violently feuding with gangs and police. The story takes place within Dublin 8, and deals with a range of themes: mental health issues, crime, drug use, and men’s health.

Upon discovering this book, I was fascinated.

Hoping to have a conversation with the author,

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I reached out to Liberties Press, and was soon on my way to interview Gerry and learn his story.

I arrived at Gerry’s home, where he issued me a quick, friendly greeting, and brought me inside. As my photographer and I set up for the interview, Gerry asked us about where we came from, cracked jokes, told us about his honeymoon in Germany, and time spent living in San Francisco working in finance. Lively, attentive, and visibly in very good shape, Gerry Mullins is the last man you would look at and think “low testosterone”.

However, his story would soon prove how far he had come. Together, we sat at a table in his spacious, sunlit living room to discuss the book, and the life of the man behind it.

“I was flabby, tired, and depressed.”, Gerry explains, resting his chin in his hand as he speaks.

Gerry had gotten the idea to write a story centered around a man’s struggle with low testos-

terone, because he had lived it. After looking around, he found that books rarely ever talked about the issue, and if they did, they were either medical manuals, or pop psychology. Sitting with Gerry, I got the idea that psychological literature just wasn’t his beat. “Ever hear of gynecomastia? It’s when men get tits!”

generations of young men will buck the stereotypes. “Now, it seems that men are encouraged to lead a less gorilla-like life, but we still have a long way to go. The argument has always been that testosterone drives all of that aggression, but being a caring, sensitive man doesn’t mean you lack testosterone. High testosterone doesn’t mean being a monster.”

To treat his condition, Gerry was prescribed testosterone, and began to exercise and diet.

“Right now, I get testosterone injections, but at the time it came in a gel, like a toothpaste tube. Rather than hiding it, I’d put it on after a workout at the gym, with the tube right there. I always wondered if any other men would come to talk to me about it, none ever did.” Gerry began to see that not only were writers reluctant to discuss low testosterone, but men were too. No ordinary man wanted to even consider that they may have low testosterone, thinking it would mean they are less of a man. When I asked Gerry what he would want readers to take away from his book as a central message, he simply said,

“

I’m hoping men that read my book and have similar issues will ring their GP. At the time, I believed this sort of thing for men was revolutionary. Honest to God revolutionary.

“ In Testosterone Dublin 8, testosterone serves as a literary gateway to an important question: what does it mean to be a man? Gerry states, “We’ve been presented with this idea of a man through our movies and books, which is that he’s one step away from a caveman. Man, go to work! Man eats meat! Man fight! He’s a gorilla with a suit on.” In the book, Jimmy Fyffe learns that he had taken his family relationships for granted, and should have given more effort to his duties as a father and husband. Gerry expressed to me that, rather than embracing the aggressive image society has of males, men should understand that being a strong man means having care for others, passions, and sensitivity. He told me he has hope that future

The criminal element of Testosterone Dublin 8 was inspired by a 2008 incident, when a boat transporting €440 million worth of cocaine sank off the coast of Cork. While reading this story, Gerry wondered about what it would be like for an ordinary person to stumble across a fortune in illegal goods, and how the decision of whether to capitalise on an illegal opportunity to get rich would challenge their morals, and change their life. A theme which is deeply evident in the story, as Jimmy Fyffe finds himself at his lowest point before deciding to deal cocaine. A choice which makes him loads of money, and effectively destroys his life as he knows it. Gerry chose to set his story in Dublin 8 because of his fascination with the local area, and the major transformation which it’s going through, not unlike the transformation of the main character on testosterone. “I find the area very interesting. It’s an area that’s undergoing gentrification, and this gives you two groups of people. You have the locals, who are more working class, have more hardships and sometimes have this connection to crime. Then you have the blow-ins, these more middle class or wealthy people who move in, turn their noses up at the locals, and change the things about the area that they’ve known all their lives.”

Before Testosterone Dublin 8, Gerry Mullins was the author for the historical photobook Dorothea Lange’s Ireland, and wrote Dublin Nazi No. 1, a biography on the former Director of the National Museum of Ireland. These days, Gerry is the presenter for D8 Live, a live talk show in Rialto that hosts local musicians, creatives and business owners as guests.

While not wanting to give too much away, Gerry did mention that he intends to write more stories and biographies in the future with a focus on Dublin 8. As we ended our interview, something Gerry had said really stuck with me: “What is a man? Does he just kick up and fight?

Or is a man someone who can be caring, nurturing and loving? Can he be something more?”

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King of His Castle An interview with Robert McKenna, head librarian of Griffith College Dublin.

by Tobe Ezegbu

I

am seated at the library at Griffith College Dublin, researching for an essay. I do not exactly fit the profile of someone who visits the library often, but here I am. Assignment submissions are building up and I am running in the last lap. Desperate times, I guess. I am surrounded by deafening silence. I expected more people at the library, being just a little after noon on a Tuesday, but it is just the occasional visitor walking in and out. Suddenly, the sound of persistent movement comes from behind me. Feet shuffling, inaudible muttering, hums and what sounds like books sliding in and out of shelves.

I look back, and there he is. Clean shaven head, glasses partially masking the intense gaze in his eyes as he flicks through the pages of the book in his hands. He continues pacing around the library, rearranging books. He then pauses, looks around with a proud demeanour. This couldn’t be a frequent visitor, no.

He seems too knowledgeable and attached to the library. Then, a young woman walks in and confirms his identity. A final level Journalism student asking for recommendation materials to use for an assignment. His name is Robert McKenna, Head Librarian at Griffith College, Dublin. Intrigued by what I had seen, I was overcome by the compulsion to be invited into his world.

Why books?

For me, it is about a connection to different kinds of information in different places. It is not about being a specialist, but being someone who connects different people and ideas. It has always been the idea of a semantic network. I have always wanted to connect subjects and people.

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Inside Griffith College Library.

Photo by Alice Tauleigne What qualities should one possess to get a job as a librarian?

The thing about it is, there are a lot of different jobs under that term. For example, there are people who work in catalog and classification, where you need to be very methodical, pedantic and picky, and maybe very literal as well. It is that bifurcation, the split in the profession. The useful skills for a Librarian are Structured Query Language, good with databases, a bit of python programming and data, but these are not me (chuckles), I am the person at the inquiry end.

For people like me, I would say it is like being a teacher. Also, being interested in a wide range of topics. To give an example, the other

Inside Griffith College Library. Photo by Alice Tauleigne

and I am going back and forth. So, that is the day, I was doing a Business Information class reason that works for me. But the for fashion students and I had thing about readership surveys, to go and “be interesting”, or be though, is that they are not static. very boring if I’m not (laughs). You How people read changes. need to be interested, willing to take on a new subject and learn People come in and Up until Saint Anselm of Milan, the language of that a bit. I am think ‘Oh, I want this’, but he was known as a genius about not an expert in any of the sub500CE because he could read jects, but I know what people are that might not really without moving his lips! Nobody talking about in most of the subbe what they should be had thought about reading withjects that we teach in college. looking for. Our job is to out moving their lips, so how help them look for betpeople read changed. When they Some readers claim that the invented books in the 1400s, they experience of reading physical ter things, show them tried to make them look as much books trumps that of reading onways to look as things done in scriptoriums by line. Is this true and why is this? monks.

For me, definitely. Readership When we make eBooks now, surveys tend to suggest that peoyou will see that “this page was ple have better attention from a intentionally left blank,” so what printed book. And I know certainwe have now is a book that Apple will describe ly for me, if I am reading an academic book, I as a skeuomorphic design. It is a contemporary will much prefer a printed book because I usutechnological product that has a design aesally have three, four, five places in the book

“

“

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thetic from the previous. That is why you have, what looks like, a notebook on a computer.

How we will adapt to fully electronic texts has not actually played out yet. So, definitely, for most people, the physical book works better for retention. That kind of electronic product works really well for novels, but I do not think it works well for books.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the library and its users?

I want to stress that there are both negative and positive things about it. The positive is it has given us a bigger focus on electronic access and remote access. They give us a better equality of access to materials for people who cannot travel and also people whose first language is not English, an electronic text is better because they can translate it or have it read by a screen reader if they have sight problems. It gives better equity of access and allows multi-module access for people with special needs.

We have also added some remote services.

On the negative side, obviously, a lot of learners do not have great spaces for studying so they rely on the library. It is open now and we do not have huge numbers. We are not overfull even with the limit because people are worried about coming in because they do not want to be wearing a mask for four hours sitting and studying.

Do visitors usually know exactly what they want, or do you have to assist them in making their choices?

No, but often they think they do (laughs).

People come in and think “Oh, I want this,” but that might not really be what they should be looking for. Our job is to help them look for better things, show them ways to look. If you were looking for a newspaper article, the first thing you would normally do is just go to Google, right? That is not a great way to do it, I can show you a much better way to do it in which the data structure is better.

On a lighter note, if there was a massive fire in the library and you had to save only one book, what would it be?

I am going to pick one that other people would not: Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. It is a memoir of her father committing suicide and it is comic, but it is intensely literary. Each chapter is structured around and based on another book.

Composed, approachable, knowledgeable and with a surprising sense of humour, Robert Mckenna is a man who understands and is proud of his craft. There are quite a few college – based librarians in Dublin 8, and Mckenna puts them in a good light. The Librarian – indeed, a king in his castle built with knowledge.

How has the availability of these books online affected the culture of the library?

I think the online discovery and access to books is a less communal activity. It has less collegiality, less of a community aspect to it. To me it is a loss; people assume that libraries are all about staying quiet.

There are quiet spaces in the library, but there are other spaces where people engage in more social activities. So, I think the social, community aspect of discovery and learning has taken a hit with online books and with COVID as well.

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From editor team: In case you are wondering where is the photo of Robert, unfortunately, we don’t have any. We sincerely apology about that, the latest COVID-19 restriction had made it difficult. However, you can always find Robert at Griffith College Library and talk to the man in person.

Honouring Her Roots A young black woman decided to take matters, business, and hair into her own hands, while preserving and celebrating her roots.

by Naomi Mudiay

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ecessity is the mother of invention. Plenty of ideas, skills and businesses begin where there was lack of something, and a niche was identified. This is exactly what happens when you move to a different continent with most of the population having a different texture and colour of hair from your own.

As a Black woman living in Dublin, one of my challenges has been finding someone who can wash and braid my hair without burning me.

After several failed attempts of having my hair done at the usual hair salons around the corner, and hearing excuses varying from ‘we don’t have the right products’ to ‘it will take longer than usual’, my only resort was to look up any black hairdressers. The search was proving to be futile, but I was eventually introduced to Adowayo.

I reached out to this remarkable business owner after a thorough look at her work, or rather art, via social media. The aesthetics and content she displayed on her Instagram business page is enough to pull one towards the follow button. To say I was relieved when she finally replied would be misleading, because I was both nervous and excited to meet her. Her work is impeccable; she has done styles I have not seen before and the way she captures the process is simply flawless.

We settled to have the interview online, and I appreciated her timing keeping skills. ‘’I have actually never been interviewed before,’’ she giggled and let out a warm laugh as she introduced herself. ‘’Moving to a different country,

Model pictured after braiding. Photo by Elisaveta Dantsig

leave alone continent is definitely top of my list of ‘life changing experiences’ and I am almost always glad to meet people who somehow relate to the changes and adjustment that is needed for you to survive.’’

We briefly discussed the challenges, weather and culture shock that is attributed to moving from home. ‘’Abuja is extremely hot, and Dublin can get extremely cold. I will never get used to it,’’ says 26-year-old Adowayo.

Adowayo came to Ireland as a student, where

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she majored as a Chemical Engineer and enjoyed the course. It was within her first few months in the country that she realised she had to ‘retouch’ her hair but had not seen any African Salons that could braid her hair. Unlike me, she did not bother to look for any hairdresser. ‘’I’m actually glad I did not attempt to get a hairdresser, they are expensive and most of the time, you will not like the outcome.’’

Adowayo quickly discovered that she has the gift of braiding. ‘It started as a simple thing, I had the ultimatum of either relaxing my hair with chemicals or learning how to braid my hair.’’ What started as a ‘trial and error’ activity ended up being her main source of income. ‘’I simply enjoy it. I have made connections and learned how to do several styles.’’ Her vision and mission were to make black women feel like their hair matters and can be tended to without feeling like a task.

Dublin 8 was recently described and mentioned as one of the top neighbourhoods to live in worldwide. The article mentions that it is a large area with friendly people from different walks of life. As much as there is a diversity in businesses and people in the area, we both agree that it could do with a wider range of representation.

Model pictured after braiding. Photo by Elisaveta Dantsig

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She started off as an on-call hairdresser where she would do house calls for customers. ‘’ I was able to talk to my landlord who gave me the go-ahead to build a small shed in the backyard, which I transformed to a salon space.’’

I was fortunate to get a virtual viewing of the space and one can easily tell that she sticks to a theme; a hint of purple, gold, and pictures of black powerful women from Madam C.J. Walker, who created hair-care solutions and remedies with black women, to Lyda D. Newman,

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My mother has told me the history several times and has always reminded me the importance of ‘staying true’, and when I discovered I could braid myself and others, I knew I had to stay on this path.

Model pictured after braiding. Photo by Elisaveta Dantsig

“ who also ventured in creating and inventing better hair remedies for black women. ‘’It has always been about preserving my roots and appreciating where I come from.’’ Braiding history can be traced to more than 5000 years ago and its evolution is one that black women hold dearly and celebrate to date. A lot of women in Africa would define it as a rite of passage.

It is impossible to comprehend the history of braids and Black Hair culture in general without considering the impact of slavery on African women. Aside from the physical and psychological trauma it caused, it also resulted in an erasure.

Braids became more useful. There wasn’t time to create intricate styles in a system where they were just trying to stay alive. Due to a lack of time, resources, or products, African women began to wear their hair in a simpler manner.

The women chose easier-to-manage styles, such as single plaits, and conditioned them with oils they had on hand, such as kerosene. ‘’People like to see the person behind the brand, so I show them that person. My sessions include conversations and playlists curated by my customers’’ I too would like to have my hairdressers allow me to curate the playlist of the day.

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The Fights Against Witch Hunting in India Meghna Dutta, a resident of Dublin 8 makes her own way to create awareness of with hunting in India from abroad.

by Hiya Saikia

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fter working for numerous Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) back in India, Meghna Dutta, a resident of Dublin 8, made her journey towards Ireland to complete her second masters in Trinity College and University College Dublin. Her journey began from Jorhat, Assam; her hometown. She completed her further studies in the University of Delhi.

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I want to continue my research in this field and I believe my research project ‘Witch Hunting in Assam’ will be an eye opener for many Non-Governmental Organisations that are working towards curbing this menace in the north eastern region of India

She was also a fieldwork researcher in Passion Movement (2015–2017), an organisation that adopted slums and took care of their health and security. She also presented her research paper on “An Insight into Violence Against Women in India” at the 15th International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities at Imperial College, London, 2017.

Meghna Dutta is currently a PhD student of Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Her research topic is, “Witch Hunting: A Culmination of Gender Based Violence and Superstitious Belief Among the Rabha Community of Goalpara, Assam, India.”

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“

Being a student of sociology background, she was involved in organisations like Touch India Trust, founded in 2003, whose main motive was to involve new generations who are willing to question and challenge the existing structure in society in order to build a better one.

Her involvement in the organisation Women In Governance as an intern in 2013, got her introduced to Witch Hunting, which is now a dream project of hers. She says “While doing my fieldwork and collecting case studies for domestic violence against women, I was startled to see the subjugating position of women with men always having the higher authority and this made me determined to work for these helpless women and bring them into forefront in the society.” Women In Governance is an organisation working against the violation of human rights.

Completing her studies back in India and making the decision to work as a high school educator in Assam Valley School, Tezpur, Assam, was not the ultimate goal of the socially enthusiastic woman.

She worked as a high school educator for more than a year before her dreams made her bound to do something to better society.

Leaving behind her job and family back in India was not that easy, but her desire to fulfil her passions and dreams was an equally important matter to her.

Witch hunting involves branding a woman as a witch based on the declaration of a quack. Though a small percentage of men are also branded, it is mostly the women who are targeted as witches. It is associated with the use of black magic/supernatural power for inflicting harm to people and their property, bringing misfortune, causing disease or awakening love/passion within somebody.

The woman who is suspected of being a witch is dragged out of their house and tortured and beaten. The victim, if they somehow manage

Portrait of Meghna Dutta.

Photo by Hiya Saikia

to survive, is then ostracized from the village and stripped of their property. Sometimes the village chief imposes a heavy fine on the family of the woman in order to relieve her of her misdeeds towards her fellow villagers.

Meghna says that though the constitution of India has granted equal rights to men and women, still in the sphere of women’s human rights in India, there exists a wide gulf between theory and practice. Witch hunting involves gross violation of human rights as the victim loses all her rights and dignity of being a human and is treated as a wicked entity who brings misfortune to a community.

Creating awareness of human rights and Mission Birubala, is the main theme of Meghna’s project. Mission Birubala is the brainchild of Birubala Rabha, established on 23rd October 2011, to fight the problem of witch-hunting exclusively and in a more effective way.

Birubala Rabha is an Indian dissident who crusades against black magic and witch hunting in

Goalpara, Assam which is in India. She runs an association called Mission Birubala which spreads mindfulness against witch hunting.

She was instrumental in the Assam Government passing the Prevention of and Protection from Witch Hunting Act, 2015. The Government of India granted her the fourth most noteworthy regular citizen honour of the Padma Shri, in 2021, for her commitments to social work. She is also known as ‘The Indian woman who hunts witch hunters.’

She also mentions that Witch Hunting will also be her research topic soon. She believes that illiteracy leads to superstition which mostly prevails in India. The only way to stop or prevent it is to make people more aware of it.

This brave woman, along with working for the well-being of society, is also a dog lover as she mentions. She has been working for charity organisations for dogs that provide shelter and food to street dogs. She also mentions that her mother, Rashmi Hazarika Dutta, who is a high school educator, is her motivator and hero.

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The front of John Gunn shop. Photo courtesy of Miguel Ángel Vilela via Flickr

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John Gunn: The Man Who Spreads Joy The family-run camera shop gives exposure to Irish photographers during lockdown

by Jessica Krieg

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e talk on a Tuesday afternoon after John is back from mass where he heads every morning at 11:30. While he follows his morning ritual, his daughters Fiona and Cathy open up the shop. Located on Dublin 2’s Wexford Street walking into John Gunn’s camera shop feels more like walking into someone’s home than anything else. Every little bit of wall space that doesn’t show posters about upcoming events in the neighbourhood or ads for all kinds of camera equipment is plastered with family photos that were taken inside the shop over the last 5 decades they have been in business.

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People are important. People knock the edges off. That’s part of why I’m not retired.

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What was only a means to an end in the beginning, “to make money and have livelihood,” soon became a passion – not just for John but also for the rest of his family. He says, “It was a wonderful feeling when the first customer walked into the shop.”

Earlier this year the Gunn’s celebrated their business’ 50th birthday.

“It’s fantastic,” he explains, after I ask him what it is like to be working with his family, all sharing the same passion. “You never have to explain why you are home late because they are with you,” he laughs warmheartedly. “Everyone just knows exactly what to do. And I now even have my granddaughters come in on the weekends, on Fridays and Saturdays. And they just love it. It was their own request to just come in and work here. It’s wonderful to have them all and they have terrific energy and it’s just fabulous to have them,” he elaborates a little more.

A little stuffy – but in a loving, lived-in kind of way – the inside of the small shop is filled with display cabinets full of cameras, a huge fridge filled with film rolls and everything else a photog-

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rapher’s heart desires. We stand a little to the back of the shop amidst many boxes packed with envelopes of developed photos that are just waiting to be picked up by their owners, that make it a little hard to distinguish where shop floor ends, and stock room starts. John is happy to have made it through the lockdown and back to his normal routine as meeting people and socialising is “terribly important” to him.

“I should be retired now for 26 years but I need people. People are important. People knock the edges off. That’s part of the reason why I’m not retired,” he tells me with a warm smile.

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Digital is very clinical whereas, I find, film is personal.

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As they continued working behind closed shutters most of the time during the turmoil of Covid-19, they either posted the developed pictures and ordered film rolls to the customers on request or the customers came in person to pick them up. “We called them and asked, and a lot of people preferred coming in instead of getting it delivered,” he says surprised. I have had many lovely chats with John myself before this interview, so I can see why people rather come in person.

However, not everything went fluently during the lockdown. “We had a little post box outside the door so people could drop in their own dockets and films. That didn’t last long, because at some point, someone stole all the dockets in the box.” But even after this, people still kept dropping their dockets with their film into the box showing their trust and loyalty to the 50 years old business.

Very quickly It becomes clear that photographers from all over Dublin don’t just visit the shop for the professional advice, service, and high-quality prints but also for the warm welcome everyone gets who comes in and the wholesome energy John and his family emit while working.

While galleries and museums were still closed over the last lockdown in early March, John Gunn and his family tried giving the passers-by

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of Wexford Street a little bit of hope by showcasing their customers works on their shopfront window, leaving the shops shutters open most of the time.

Being overwhelmed by all the submissions and the large follower count they accumulated shortly after they created an Instagram account and posted about the open call, they started extending their little exhibition called “Spread Joy” to neighbouring buildings and the electricity box in front of their shop. Since the submissions didn’t stop, his daughters had the idea to send people out to paste the photos in guerrilla style all over Dublin. “Young people have all these new ideas, I am afraid I’m a little too old to come up with new stuff, but they’re great for it,” giving full credit for this project to his daughters, Fiona, and Cathy.

John is “just very delighted” by the fact that film photography has risen in popularity over the past few years, especially amongst the younger generation. “They seem to love the retro aspect. They are so used to taking pictures with their phones that they’re just surprised by the quality of film. It is lovely. The way I’m looking at it is, digital is wonderful, it’s incredibly sharp.

But digital is very clinical whereas, I find, film is personal. It has a quality that seems to be more people oriented.”

To me, he didn’t just describe what film means to most people but also gave a beautiful description of what people love about his little shop. It’s not as clinical as other camera shops you come across in Dublin, but rather very personal and people oriented.

But he is also wary of his current success as film has not always been as popular as it is now, saying he “can’t possibly estimate,” the future of film. “As long as I’m able to get film, I think it’s going to sell. But the great danger is that the demand of film will dry up,” referring to camera brand Fuji, which stopped their production of film rolls last year.

Always open to help with creativity struggling photographers and being loved by so many analogue lovers, John’s family-owned business definitely has landmark standard within Dublin’s film community.

“We Learn As Much From Each Other As From Our Lecturers And Tutors” Lizzie Downes: on her photographic approach, research processes and Zurich Portrait Prize 2021

by Elizaveta Danstig Hello, Lizzie! Please tell our readers about your photography, where it begins?

I’ve always been interested in photography. In my early twenties I bought myself an SLR camera and taught myself how to use it.

I was actually working in education for over 20 years, in a non-governmental development organisation for many years, and then in third level as well. All the time I was interested in the practice and theory of photography, even when I couldn’t seriously pursue it, because I was raising my children and I couldn’t just go back to college.

For instance, while working in third level education, I did some research around the representation of vulnerable people, particularly from the Global South. I suppose it was my way of bringing photography into my work. And I did some training around what is called “participatory photography’’ or “photovoice” and used that with my students as well. Photography was always there as an interest, but also a kind of frustration because I couldn’t really focus on it.

I was always taking photos of my kids, mostly using film. I have so many negatives and stuff that is not scanned or maybe even developed.

I was building up an archive, but not actually doing anything with it.

About five years ago, I became unwell and this really gave me a reason to look seriously at the work I was doing and reflect on what I wanted to do with my life. It took me quite a while to recover and it really affected my perspective on things and I realised that I had to re-evaluate my work-life balance.

Lizzie Downes next to her work ‘Inside’. Photo by Marina Dmitrik

In 2019, I applied for the NCAD certificate course in Photography and Digital Imaging, and it was really inspiring, opened my mind, gave me a different understanding of what I could actually do studying photography.

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I loved the visual culture and theoretical aspect as well as practice and just being with other people who had similar interests. I think it’s important especially for a photographer, looking at other people’s work, discussing it, sharing your work. We learn as much from each other as from our lecturers and tutors.

ence in the city. I’m interviewing different people and trying to show their feelings about this.

I think they are an essential part of the city, but there are those who love or hate them.

Then I applied for the photography degree in Griffith College which I’m studying now.

At the moment... chaotic (laughs). Under ideal conditions, I tend to do a lot of research, reading around the subject as much as I can; looking at other photographers who have done similar work on whatever my theme is. In the NCAD course we had to put together an actual physical workbook, as we were progressing with a project.

During the lockdown, when all our projects and shoots were cancelled, I found that I was able to turn things around and use the opportunity to focus on my family, and I ended up producing a photobook.

What topics excite you and are most often reflected in your work?

Particularly and primarily, I am interested in people, portraiture, and documentary or a hybrid of these. I have been focusing a lot on my family, trying to find ways of bringing photography to my locality and my community. I really admire photographers who have managed to spend their whole career just focusing on their local community, like for instance Saul Leiter, who always found something new to photograph just around the block in his locality (although he did live in New York!).

There are always opportunities, we just have to be patient, and we will find them. We don’t have to fly off to India or the Amazon to find topics for projects. I am interested in the idea of the female gaze and I want to give a voice to those who are underrepresented, women in particular. Those who I photograph are not the subjects but are always active participants.

Tell me what you are working on right now At the moment, I am working on things related to college: assignments and other stuff; I’m working on a film about seagulls in Dublin City (laughs).

They are kind of contentious because they are known to attack people. I suppose they create problems with noise and nesting habits, but they are protected by EU law. However there are varying opinions on them and their pres-

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Hope to see your work soon! And what does your project cycle look like?

Here I would put all my contact sheets and drafts before actually starting shooting; I really feel that this kind of approach puts me in a much stronger place: when I have this wealth of information and exposure to other perspectives. Then I can put this aside, go into the project and do what I want to do.

I tend to plan a lot, and then shoot a lot. Even when I am shooting film I tend to take lots of pictures and it is hard to stop. But the nice thing about film is that it really makes you much more present with your subject. It makes you check less and you have to be very much “in the work”. Then the editing, which I find very painful and difficult, takes a long time. Sometimes I go back and re-shoot more, or end up having too much and cutting it down.

There is an opinion that it is “impossible to create a shoot without a good idea.”

Do you prefer planning or improvisation?

Actually both, because it’s really about being open to ideas or being ready for something to present itself. When I go out for a daily walk I would often bring my camera just in case. And, of course, the day I don’t bring it is always the day something amazing appears. Generally, I do plan, maybe even over-plan, but I keep telling myself to be ready in case something happens.

Sometimes I feel that everything has already been said, shown or shot before me.

Please tell us more about the Zurich Portrait Prize, how were you nominated for it?

Honestly, I never expected it at this stage of my career. I feel like I’m just starting out. When I entered the competition, I wasn’t working on anything in particular and thought: I need to get into the habit of submitting my works to exhibitions.

When you’re starting, you often feel really insecure and lacking in confidence about your work. I found this difficult at the beginning, but now I’m gradually growing in confidence – and, really happy to have been shortlisted. It is a good exercise to apply for such things, and the photo I submitted wasn’t the usual style of portrait I make.

For me, this was an unusual approach, more like theatrical art, improvisation. It was something that happened rather than was prepared, posed or set up. It was a stroke of luck for me.

How do you feel about plagiarism in photography and how do you “protect” yourself from it?

Inside, a portrait by Lizzie Downes. Photo courtesy of Lizzie Downes

Do you have that feeling? In general, is there a new word in photography now?

It is true. Sometimes I think: “Wouldn’t it be amazing to be doing this work in Victorian times when only a few people were doing it, very few women”. Maybe there would be more space to emerge.

When looking on Instagram I find so many amazing people, they are amateurs who are doing incredible work and I think: “They don’t need me doing that new work.”

But then you might see someone who’s doing something similar to you, exploring an idea you share, that can be encouraging. However, it is very easy to feel deflated and wonder: What the hell am I doing?

I might be more shocked than anything, if I saw someone had copied my work because it was good enough to copy (smiles). But I do feel for people who have had their work used, for instance, some people rephotograph other’s pictures and present them as their own to make a lot of money from it, but the original photographer doesn’t get anything. I think that happens a lot. If the person is losing out financially and doesn’t get compensated or get any credit, then that is unfortunate and not fair.

What would you say to yourself at the beginning of your career?

I would say: Don’t be too concerned about others’ expectations of you. Take good advice but follow your own instincts. I often ask myself: Why didn’t I study photography thirty years ago? But the circumstances are different. I still tell my kids: study what you really want, don’t choose because of others. You need to do something you love.

Lizzie’s work “Inside” is now exhibiting in the National Gallery of Ireland.

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Testosterone Dublin 8: Exciting & Thoughtful

by Ethan Webber

T

estosterone Dublin 8, written by local author Gerry Mullins and based in Dublin 8, is the story of a man who, in the course of receiving treatment for his low testosterone, begins dealing drugs, comes into conflict with gangs and the police, and ultimately has a spiritual journey on a path of self acceptance.

For the open minded reader who seeks a truly unique story and narrative style, this is a book that you don’t want to miss.

Testosterone Dublin 8 was written by Gerry Mullins with the purpose of bringing attention to men’s health issues and low testosterone, while having a thought provoking and entertaining story behind it, and both are accomplished beautifully. Main character Jimmy Fyffe’s process of personal transition from diagnosis, to treatment, to physical transformation is told in honest and unapologetic detail by a talented author with firsthand experience, and complimented by a storyline that seems to jump effortlessly between relatable comedy, poignant social commentary, and the suspense of crime and conflict in a punchy yet satisfying manner simply not found in other

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Cover of Testosterone Dublin 8.

Photo courtesy of Liberties Press

fiction novels.

Readers living in Dublin will enjoy the imagination behind setting such a bold story in Dublin 8, and will undoubtedly recognise local landmarks, neighborhoods and establishments that are part of their daily lives, and play important roles in the story. In some ways, this rollercoaster of a book seems to be a well deserved literary salute to the big smoke, a fascinating city often overlooked in crime and other fiction genres in favour of bigger, trendier cities like New York or London.

Testosterone Dublin 8 manages to have a main character who is so relatable precisely because he is an everyman, from this very area, who deals with many of the same life obstacles that confront many Dublin men: fear of age, money issues, marital strife, and a deep longing for a sense of

power over their own lives.

While testosterone helps to give Jimmy Fyffe some of that power back, he ultimately learns that it will be up to him alone to change his life for the better, and that it takes far more than brawn to be a good man.

Testosterone Dublin 8 is a striking book because it really is the only one of its kind.

Rarely can a fiction book cover such a broad range of themes so well, while also remaining addictive to read and socially relevant. Readers will find that this book offers pound for pound as much insight as it does thrills and laughs, without being a preachy pop psychology piece on the matter of men’s health and hormones.

Rather, it’s a locally based, testosterone fuelled, emotionally charged epic, a legend of a changing man in a changing city in fast changing times.

One of the Best Indian Restaurants in Dublin 8: Konkan Restaurant

by Alice Tauleigne

Since its opening, it has won a list of prestigious awards including in the McKenna’s Guides the Best In Ireland award in 2015. The restaurant has a 4.4 rating on its google page. Sam Rivaton posted this kind review in early November: His Tripadvisor page is also full of good reviews with an overall rating of 4.5/5. That’s why in 2011 they opened a second restaurant in Dundrum.

Konkan is the region on the southwest side of India, a 720 km long coastline of the Arabian Sea. This region covers a vast area of culinary delights from the fiery curries of the East Indies to the rich seafood of Goa or the green massalas of the Hindus. Therefore, their menu features South Indian specialities, which are very popular in Ireland. Butter Chicken is the most popular Indian dish. The freshness, quality and unique taste of the dishes on offer are to be commended. They make their own

spiced masalas, yoghurt and paneer (cheese). The dishes are then filled with unique flavours, contrasts and are very varied, as rich and diverse as its civilisation.

The staff are also very polite and pleasant. It should also be remembered that food is a passion for most Indians and therefore treated with respect. The best of Indian cuisine is as rich and diverse as its civilisation.

Now it’s up to you to go and try this fabulous restaurant and don’t forget to put a review after you’ve been there!

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Thanks to the Konkan staff,

we have tried the entire tasting menu and are always impressed with the quality and freshness of the food. The staff are so kind, friendly and funny, a big thank you! We will be back!

Here is the photo of the Konkan Restaurant, we see the restaurant’s blue storefront and the letters outside the restaurant window. Photo by Alice Tauleigne.

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onkan is an Indian restaurant located in Dublin 8 in Clanbrassil Street since 2004. Indian restaurants in Ireland face a lot of competition, but this restaurant has managed to stand out. The restaurant is considered as one of the best Indian restaurants in Dublin 8.

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Graffiti and Street-art in Dublin 8 Zoom on a wall of street-art on the Longwood Avenue in Dublin 8

by Héléna Filip

A graffiti: bright colors, large outlines made on an illegal wall.

Photo by Alice Tauleigne

There is a lot of graffiti and street-art in Dublin 8 but what is the difference between the two?

Graffiti Adrenaline, the smell of spray paint, paint on your hands, your sketch and a group of friends: graffiti.

Graffiti was born in Philadelphia in 1960 in the hands of a certain Cornbread. To attract the attention of a young woman, he put his signature all over the city. There were so many tags with his name that the press spotted him and challenged him to put his name in the most unlikely places in the city! This he did, and it sparked vocations all over Philadelphia, plunging the city into vandalism.

Eight years later, graffiti took hold on the silver trains of New York. This playground, which Philadelphia and New York were particularly fond of, became a source of rivalry between the two cities! This is where the graffiti culture exploded in New York.

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Street-Art It is only in the 2000s that street art shows its nose. As graffiti was seen as degrading and illegal, street art wished to make a good impression and created a place for itself in the art world. Street art is perceived differently by people as more “artistic” and closer to a painting on canvas. For the most part, it gives people confidence and they find it particularly beautiful.

Graffiti to be known as painting to pass a message; the subtlety between graffiti and street art.

For a graffiti artist, it is essential to be seen by everyone as much as possible. You must “destroy” the city. That’s how you get known - by being visible. You shouldn’t blame them, it’s a passion. Admittedly, graffiti is not appreciated by everyone, but it has a meaning. And if what you do or create has a meaning, it is important to consider it. What graffiti artists do makes

Here is an example of graffiti, letters sometimes misunderstood and made quickly. Photo by Alice Tauleigne

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Their marking consists in the repetitive affixing of their pseudonyms, which can only be decoded by themselves, which reinforces the general disapproval.”

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Translated from French. Source: Nouvel L’Obs

sense among themselves because their graffiti or tags are intended for other graffiti artists and not the public.

Moreover, there is some mystery with the fact that not everyone can understand the meaning of the graffiti itself, but that is not why they should be blamed.

For a street artist, his work is intended for the public at large who will understand it. That is why he is well accepted in society, particularly here in Dublin. Dublin 8 is a treasure trove of street artists’ walls. There are a lot of them, with some being there for several months.

We talk about differences, but what do they have in common?

In three words: expression, independence and visibility.

Even if they are not aimed at the same people, graffiti and street art both want to express the thoughts of the artist who creates them.

Creating your own piece and exhibiting it in the open are signs of freedom of expression and independence.

Whether it is legal or not, or in a public space, both want to be visible so that their art can be seen.

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Wall where the interview was done, on Longwood Avenue in Dublin 8.

Photo by Alice Tauleigne

The fairy mushrooms that Kati talks about.

Photo by Alice Tauleigne

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Painting, but at what cost?

We interviewed Kati and Stephen in Dublin 8 in front of a mural to get their opinion on it.

Kati is a German student at Griffith College, school in Dublin 8 for one semester.

Stephen : Mechanic in Dublin 8. Both found the wall very nice.

Do you think it’s graffiti or street art?

Kati doesn’t think it’s graffiti, because for her it’s more like letters or words. “Here, it’s like fairytales and mushrooms. For me, it’s street art.” Stefan also thinks it’s street art.

Is it legal for you?

Kati wonders, “Isn’t graffiti illegal and street art legal?” She thinks it’s legal, or at least she hopes so, because she thinks it’s pretty.

There are a lot of painted walls in Dublin. Do you like to see that here in Dublin 8 or are you indifferent to it?

For Kati there is no doubt that street art is good but in small doses. Stefan likes to go to work every day and see it all over the city. He likes to work next to this wall.

We can see that the people of Dublin 8 like to see colourful murals in their daily lives. Without hesitation, many of them confirmed that it was nice to see it because it gives the area attention and also because it is like an open-air museum that is free for all.

How much does graffiti removal cost? I have not gotten any answers from the organizations I have contacted, but according to thejournal. ie, between 2010 and 2014, cleaning up the graffiti cost €1.2 million, or about €300,000 each year. I have not been able to get any better sources at the moment.

Price of a graffiti and street art piece.

A can of paint costs about €4. To make graffiti, you will need several cans of paint. About six to make a piece about one and a half metres long and one metre high. A starting budget of €16 at least, without counting the small cap which is put on the bombs.

For street art, the cost is even higher because it involves many different costs.

The more detail there is, the higher the price will be, and the choice of materials is also a price factor.

Street artists must therefore buy cans of paint in large amounts. Equipment such as brushes and a gondola are needed if the “canvas” is high up. A piece of street art costs between €75 and €1000 per square meter.

If you want a mural in your home, the site “bookanartist.co” offers the services of artists in several countries, with all styles and all prices included.

So, which do you prefer?

Graffiti or street art?

Photo by Alice Tauleigne

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The Mosque was a Presbyterian church before being converted in 1983

Photo by Alice Tauleigne

Discovering the Dublin 8 Mosque On the South Circular Road lies a mosque, where the Islamic Foundation of Ireland is situated.

There’s not only a mosque, but a restaurant where people bond with Muslim community.

by Thomas M. Prior

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nside the office of the Islamic Foundation lies things you’d typically see on a desk; books, computer, and notes scattered everywhere.

There’s also a picture of Mecca, the place of pilgrimage for Muslims worldwide. Their spiritual home is special, even for Irish Muslims, who usually face south-east when they pray in the direction of Mecca.

This is the office of Fares Sabbagh, who is part of the administrative team there. The routine at the mosque is typically a busy one and it especially follows an everyday schedule. “On a daily basis, we have the five prayers that would be conducted here in the mosque and led by the Imam,” he said. “We would also have the Friday sermon, we also arrange funerals from start to finish, we do school visits for any schools that want to come in and visit the mosque just for a tour, and if they are looking to cover a particular topic about Islam with their students, then we also provide classes as well.”

The Muslim community in Dublin 8 are known

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for charity events and often help out in the wider area, especially working with the homeless and other kinds of issues.

“One thing that we’d like to do is keep it open and support other organisations as well, so we get on a regular basis different organisations’ that would contact us and say “Can we do a collection after the Friday prayer?” and we’d be more than obliging to do that, as long as they have charitable status and what not,” he said.

“So, when that other organisations who would for example-feed the homeless, we’d allow them to come into the mosque on a Friday to do a collection there, so that there’s a bit of collaboration and support.”

A Muslim women’s group called The Muslim Sisters of Éire, unaffiliated with the mosque has been notable for its own contribution towards helping the homeless. They are usually at the GPO in O’Connell Street giving food to the poor and needy. But another group called AMAL which is a women’s group often engage too. They are mostly affiliated with the mosque.

“They do coffee mornings for the ladies every Wednesday,” said Fares. “In addition to that, they actually helped us put together English classes for the women who were migrants here

ponent of their way of life. “Getting together, sharing meals- that opens up people’s hearts,” he said. “What’s the old saying “a way to a man’s heart is his belly! We do get a lot of different people, different faces here, so I know there’s a Chinese lady that regularly visits the restaurant.

We get people from different backgrounds, a lot of North Africans would visit, a lot of Sudanese, a lot of Somalis, from the Irish public as well.”

The restaurant has been running for 35 years,

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Getting together, sharing meals- that opens up people’s hearts,

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Fares Sabbagh. Photo by Alice Tauleigne and can’t speak English too well.”

Often at times, most residents in the local area generally get on well with the people at the mosque. There’s great feedback from many of the mosque’s own neighbours. Sometimes however, when there’s mention of anything on the news concerning a terrorist attack for instance, there would be hostility- but rather it is in the minority.

“We have good relations with them, and one of the reasons is because, my predecessor, what he used to do is they’d go out to the neighbours themselves and they would give out leaflets and put notices in the door saying that we’re having an exhibition,” he said. “So, in general I think, the reaction is OK. We don’t really feel like there’s a hatred or a pressure or anything like that.”

Beside the mosque, there is a restaurant that serves food according to Islamic culture, like halal meat. A lot of people like to drop by most of the time. Fares himself is a great believer, along with other Muslims that food brings people together and that hospitality is a key com-

and was run by someone who passed away, but his son took over, but now it is just part of the Islamic Foundation of Ireland who are responsible for it. With that length of time, it has been running, most of the Muslim community in Ireland have been here for much longer!

“My family was actually one of the oldest Syrian families that came here,” said Fares. “I think it’s safe to assume they’ve been here around the 50s and 60s, that’s as far as I know. But I think generally they have been accepted very much so.”

Since the lockdown and the situation with Covid-19 in Ireland, most religious places of worship had been closed down due to the guidelines from the HSE. The mosque was no exception. For most of the lockdown, prayers had been cancelled. “So, when the corona (virus) hit in the very beginning, we actually closed down the mosque, which was really controversial,” said Fares. “In the end of course, we said “look, the decision has to come back to whatever the HSE guidelines are, and whatever the law says”. And then, the entire board agreed and they said ‘look, if the country says we have to go into lockdown, we’re going to lock it down’, and we did.”

The future of the Dublin 8 mosque through Fares’ eyes is one that is hopeful. “I’d say the services that we provide right now and the supports that we provide right now, if we can keep doing what we’re doing, but improving it as much as we possibly can.”

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Dublinia. Photo credit PIXABAY

Why You Should Experience Dublinia

by Elisa Dauphin The Dublinia Museum is very well placed in a nice area. Let me show and describe to you the Dublinia experience and tell you why you should see it with your own eyes.

What is there to experience in Dublinia the Museum in Dublin? It is a fantastic museum about the Vikings and Medieval times of Dublin, or so they specifically thought. In terms of culture, there are literally various possibilities to go to Dublin 8, but one of my main recommendations so far, for all intents and purposes, would be Dublinia, which is significant. Here are the reasons why in a subtle way:

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1. The Structure of the Visit The Museum is really well made. There are three floors in total and the experience you essentially get from start to finish is particularly impressive and very interactive. You can see a lot of effort put into details and a lot of materials that can demonstrate perfectly what each writing board is saying. It is definitely not a modern museum and I personally think that it might be better this way, as many people want to be immersed into the medieval and Viking times of Ireland, fairly contrary to popular belief.

There is just the right amount of technology throughout your visit: you can see some screens to demonstrate what the board is saying, some pieces of audio, and animations that represent a person from the medieval age. I think it would be less accurate and credible if the museum leaned more into technology. This Museum is also very educational and interesting for children. It’s well made for every age, children would have fun with the statues and different objects that you can see and touch, and the adults would appreciate the richness of information that you can find in the Museum.

2. The Quality of the Information Everything is interesting! Even at times when things are not the easiest to understand, it is really well explained, which is quite significant.

The Museum is big, and there is a lot to learn about. Did you know the Vikings’ age in Dublin extended over a period of 333 years from 837 to 1170?

It goes through the different gods and goddesses that the Vikings believed in (Thor, Odin, Freya, etc.). This was considered North Paganism. Different information is provided, from the ships that represented some of the most advanced technology of the period and gave the Vikings many advantages over their rivals, to the different health medicine involved at that time and a big replica of Dublin at that time with a kind man right next to it that will explain to you everything that happened from then to now.

There is also a sort of short film at the end of the Museum. The staff there are very helpful, so do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions, I’m sure they would be glad to answer. You can also find different wax statues in the museum with accurate period attire. This brings such joy through your visit and transports you to a period of time in Irish history.

3. The Location Over 200 parishes in Dublin and Dublinia are linked by a medieval bridge to one of the most popular Churches in Dublin, The Christ Church Cathedral. The location of Dublinia is central Dublin. Dublinia is in the Liberties area, at the junction of St. Michael’s Hill, Patrick Street, and

High Street.

It’s near College Green, and there is a nice park right next to the Museum. The Peace Park was made to remember the desire of the Irish people for peace in 1988. Today it is closed for renovations, but we hope it will reopen soon.

The museum is housed in Synod Hall, a building that was once the home of the Church of Ireland from 1875 to 1983.

Some pieces of advice: Take your time The Museum is a vast place so take your time while you are there. I would say it will take you approximately three hours to see every different room and read the major information. I would recommend taking the morning or the afternoon to really enjoy yourself without thinking of the time you have left in this beautiful place.

Take pictures Without flashes, of course, but it’s a good visual experience, so don’t forget to take some souvenirs from it. For photography lovers, you are going to be filled with joy, the exterior is really well made, and the lightning inside is interesting with warm and cool tones depending on the room you are in.

Visit the Christ Church Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral, officially The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, is the basilica of the United Dioceses of Dublin. It is the senior of the capital city’s two middle-aged basilicas, the other being St Patrick’s Cathedral. Christ Church has a long melodic history, with a notable house of God ensemble and a young ladies’ choir. So, if you have the chance, go there while they are playing music, you do not want to miss it.

Here are a few of many reasons and advice on why you should really see the magical Dublinia Museum in Dublin 8. Now you know why you do not want to miss it, to have a great look into Ireland’s history and know all of the mysteries around it.

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A Match That Won’t Disappoint: Culture Date With Dublin 8 Are you looking for an area of Dublin to visit, but want to avoid the clichés and tourist traps? Swipe right, we have a match!

by Ana Monteiro

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The goal has always been to further explore Dublin 8 and see beyond the city centre

D8 Logo by John Rooney Designs

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he postcode D08 was born in 1923 when the new Free State government adopted the district codes. It includes the areas of Dolphin’s Barn, Inchicore, Island Bridge, Kilmainham, Merchants Quay, Portobello, South Circular Road and the Coombe. In fact, it is ranked 15th of the 49 “coolest” neighbourhoods in the world’s Time Out Index 2021 survey. Time Out magazine called Dublin 8 a place that “captures the essence and charm of the Irish

capital to a tee”.

Due to its preserved architecture, the area has a historical cultural atmosphere, with a mix of modern street art, cafés and brand-new shops.

Culture Date with Dublin 8 project launched in 2017, with the idea being to celebrate the history, culture, architectural heritage and stories of the Dublin 8 area. The initiative was the brainchild of Dublin City Council, Failte Ireland and supporters like the Irish Museum of Modern Art. It was the first time so many cultural in-

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stitutions had come together to develop a project focused on a historic Irish neighbourhood.

“The goal has always been to further explore Dublin 8 and see beyond the city centre”, points out Grace McEvoy, project manager and Social Media Promoter for Culture Date. Culture Date with Dublin 8 is far from another tourism blog or advertising space. It is a community with an online presence dedicated to discovering Dublin 8. The mission has around 3,200 followers on its Facebook, Instagram and

How do you become a tourist in your own neighbourhood?

Twitter accounts.

A weekend event was held on 13th and 14th May to bring together nearby institutions and promote family - friendly activities, such as free guided tours and community workshops.

Approximately 2,000 people participated in the opening festival, which featured a concert for the reopening of Goldenbridge Cemetery, an open studio visit with artist Bharti Parmar and a creative family art class. Because the original festival was only able to feature a small area of Dublin 8, the following events will branch out to include The Liberties, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Mashy’s Library and Christ Church Cathedral, among others.

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“A unique point of the project has been opening these places for free and encouraging people who live, work and visit the area to visit it on the doorstep”. McEvoy proposes an extraordinary exercise for those who are familiar with the area but have not visited all the attractions.

“How do you become a tourist in your own neighbourhood?”

She argues that there are undiscovered wonders ready to be found by Dubliners in their own neighborhoods, and people just need to take a chance to get out and explore.

With the aid of John Rooney Designs, Culture Date with D8 created illustrations, motion graphics, a logo, and a Culture Map of Dublin 8. The project is currently managed by a single person, and increases in funding and staff will be a necessity for growth. Culture Date hopes to start bringing in more customers and raising awareness by increasing their advertising and social media outreach. The long-term vision is for Dublin 8 to be recognised as an international cultural destination.

For the next year, the goals of Culture Date’s media outreach are the creation of promotional videos and a “D8 passport” for each business or historic site visitors can explore, where they will acquire a stamp as part of the experience and to keep as a souvenir. Having John Rooney’s D8 design maps printed and distributed is another target for next year.

A “steering meeting” to discuss 2022’s targets and planning for Culture Date will be held in January between contributors and Dublin City Council. With Covid 19 having cancelled most live events and festivals in 2020 and 2021, focus will likely be on figuring out the best way to make a comeback worthy of our dynamic and fascinating local area.

Grace McEvoy, Project Manager and Social Media Promoter. Photo courtesy of Grace McEnvoy

To follow the work of Culture Date with Dublin 8, they can be found on Twitter and other major social media at: @CultureDateD8.

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Culture Date With Dublin 8 Map

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D8 Map by John Rooney Designs

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