Inside Dublin

#InsideDublin 1

Autumn 2012

Yo u r s t u d e n t g u i d e t o l i f e i n t h e c i t y

The not so hidden secret of dublin: Life on the streets

Branding #YOU

In the “tech” capital of Europe.

# A c c o m m o d at i o n # B o o k s # F o o d # C o m m u t i n g # p u b s # s t u d e n t s ’ u n i o n # e v e n t s

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Contents Irish culture and etiquette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 accommodation: dos and don’ts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 a city filled with cabs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 commuting in Dublin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 living on the streets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 the diversity of dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 succeeding after college. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 the city by night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 dining in dublin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Student union: the go-to people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 the city of literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 irish national sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 what’s up in dublin?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Cover photograph: Vanja Skotnes

From the editors Being a new student in a brand new city can be really challenging. We know all about it, and that’s the reason why we want to help you adjust to living in Dublin. #InsideDublin will introduce you to the life of very different people in this versatile and amazing city. You will get a glimpse of those who made it after college, but also the men and women now struggling to get by every day as the economic crisis hit Ireland.

For you as a student we will give you advice on how to find an apartment, which is the number one focus for all students arriving Dublin. It’s also helpful to know where to go if you run in to problems with your landlord or roomies.

We will show you good ways to get around the city without taking a cab. In the beginning it can be quite confusing with all the buses, Luas and trains, so we hope you will be a bit wiser after reading #InsideDublin.

Most young students like the party scene, and Dublin is no exception. But unlike other cities the pubs here almost outnumber the entire population.

Our team have been around on your behalf to find out were the best ones are.

So sit back and enjoy this first and only edition of #InsideDublin.

Editors Anita Bakk Henriksen, Vanja Skotnes, Marius Hjeldnes Sub-editors Anne Melsom Bjerke, Susanne Alexandra Tengs Journalists Vanja Skotnes, Anne Melsom Bjerke, Lena Stette Høyberg, Lina Vinje, Marthe Figenschou, Camilla Lingaas, Amalie Knudsen, Martine Hansen-Tangen, Anita Bakk Henriksen, Marius Hjeldnes Photo-editors Susanne Alexandra Tengs, Christine Fagerbakke Art Director Marthe Figenschou

Best Regards,

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This is us: # va n

ja

#Mari

#l en a

#A n n e

us

# christin e

# m a r t in

e

# a n ita

# Su #Am

ali

e

sa n

ne

#c am il la

#Marthe # L in a

P h o to : S u s a n n e Ale x a n d r a Te n g s

Understanding the cultural differences

As an international student in Dublin, there are a few things you should know about the Irish people and their culture.

B y : : C ami l l a Li ngaas & Li na Vi nj e

1. When someone ask you: how are you?

5. In restaurants…

Don’t tell them your entire life story. They don’t really want to know, they are just being polite. Just smile and say, “I’m grand, how are you”, and get on with your day.

It’s normal to pay after you’ve eaten.

2. No ma’am…

Even though you may say “sir” or “ma’am” in your home country, it is not common in Ireland.

6. In restaurants with table service…

It’s normal to tip 10-12,5% of the bill, based on the quality of service.

However if there is an added “Service Charge” on your bill, there is no need to tip. That means the tip is included in the bill (usually 12,5%).

7. Bartenders…

3. When crossing the road…

Do not expect tips.

Remember that they drive on the “wrong” side of the road here, and that at some intersections, there is no green man to tell you when it’s okay to cross. Be careful.

8. Your taxi driver…

4. Women/men in restroom handing you paper towels?

At some nightclubs, you will notice a woman/man sitting in the restroom, handing out paper towels when you wash your hands. Often, they will have perfumes, creams and make-up that you can use, and if you do, remember to leave a tip. If you just want the paper towel, you don’t have to.

Does not expect a tip. It is however common to round up to the nearest euro. BUT if your driver has been very helpful and you really want to tip, 5-10% of the fare is enough.

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Home, sweet home!

Vox pop: What kind of accommodation do you have?

Where did you find it?

Do you share?

B y : A ni ta B ak k H enri k s en

NAshish (19) nepal

Thousands of students arrive Dublin every year looking for a place to live. Experts says that research is the key.

I am looking for a house to share with three other people. We want to live in Dublin 8, and we are searching online at daft.ie and let.ie

B y : A nit a B a k k H e n r i k s e n

“Don’t arrive Dublin with absolutely no facts about the city and the areas surrounding your school,” says Clubs and Societies Officer at Griffith College Students’ Union, Sean Alari.

He meets students at the beginning of the semester who are so stressed out that they can’t concentrate because they don’t have accommodation yet, and many of them have not done any research.

“I feel sorry for them, it’s not a good feeling when you have nowhere to live,” Alari says.

He recommends students to live in a shared house or flat, to get the most out of being abroad.

“When you live together with other students it teaches you a whole variety of useful skills, such as responsibility and how to share a space with someone else. You also learn how to pay bills, managing money, and so on. It really does toughens you up,” Alari says.

When considering accommodation off campus, you should try to find out how good the transportation links will be to get to your classes and how much time you will need to commit to travelling.

Also, be sure to budget for the additional costs, apart from rent, that you will face with each type of accommodation. Contact the Students’ Union in the college you will be attending if you need help, and look up various websites such as daft.ie, gumtree.ie, myhome.ie, studentlettings. ie and let.ie. We can also recommend ”The Evening Herald” for ads.

Tenant RIGHTS

Mallesh (28) India

These are your options: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Pho t o : Su s an n e Ale x an dr a Teng s

I rent a house with four friends, who are all students at Griffith College. For me it was important to live with other people. I found the house through one of my friends.

Remember that as a tenant you have certain rights, and some of them are listed in the USI Rent Book and Accommodation Guide. In addition, the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provide a number of other rights and protections.

But one thing that is more helpful than anything else is the help from locals.

Sean Alari points out: “ A landlord will bend the truth a bit so you will move in quickly. Don’t just say yes in a hurry, talk to other people in the area. They will tell you the truth about the neighborhood.”

#Ac c om m odat i o n # R en t i n g

Prabhdeep (21) India

On-campus accommodation: Campus accommodation is always in demand, can be relatively expensive and quite difficult to find. All universities have halls of residence, generally as apartments of four to eight students, with a private bedroom and shared kitchen, living room and bathroom.

Long-term student hostel: This is another option with quite limited availability, but which can be quite flexible.

You stay in a hostel with other students and your monthly rent provides for use of a communal living area and kitchen, along with a bedroom.

Accommodation with a family: You can live as a paying guest in an Irish home, where you have your own room with space to study, but otherwise share the house with the family.

Private rented accommodation: The options here include renting a bed-sit, a flat/apartment or sharing a house. It is usually cheaper to share accommodation with others.

P hot o: S us anne A l ex and ra Tengs

THings to know before renting a flat or house •

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Check that all appliances are working, check for dampness and/ or don’t be afraid to look behind the wardrobe or flip the mattress, check all locks on windows and doors, request a key for your bedroom door.

It’s important to ask a lot of questions, write a list before you view so you don’t forget any. For example how much is the deposit, and what other bills you are expected to pay, where is the closest supermarket. If necessary ask about parking for a car or bicycle, will the landlord supply me with an inventory, and so on.

Some landlords will insist on getting documents from the school to make sure you are in fact a student in Dublin. Other types of references, like from your previous landlord can be good to have.

Never sign a lease unless you’ve read it and understood it. Ask your Students’ Union for help if necessary.

I came three months ago and in the beginning I lived with my sister, but I moved out when one of my friends had a room available in their house. I live with four other people and I really like it.

Anne (22) Germany I am looking for an apartment or house to share. I don’t want to live with just one person, especially if they own the place, so between two and five people would be perfect. I mostly search online now, or try to ask around.

Chloè (23) France I live in a house with four friends, and we found the place within two days searching on the site daft.ie.

We all share one room, witch is a lot cheaper.

P h o to : Ch r is t in e F a g e r b a k k e

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many drivers are looking for alternative paths in life

#Taxidriver #Rece s s ion # St r u ggl ing P h o to : L e n a S t e t t e Hø y b e r g

There are more than 20,000 taxis on the streets of Dublin. Since the introduction of deregulation there are now more taxis than the city can cope with. It is said that Dublin has more taxis than New York City.

B y : L e n a S t e t t e Høy be r g & Van ja Sk otn e s

Ph oto: Lena Stette H øy b erg

This has turned into a huge problem for Dublin. Taxi driver Steven are contributing to the traffic jams around the city. says that it is very hard for taxi drivers to make ends meet because there “Taxi men are getting hassled by the Garda, and quite rightly so are so many taxis in operation. because they’re blocking the way because there’s nowhere else to park, Steven went from being in the pub business to driving a taxi. He and they’re wasting petrol,” she added. is sure that about 80 per cent of the taxi drivers in Dublin come from Still with a few deep wrinkles on his forehead, Steven explains the other professions. Many of them are people that lost their jobs during the seriousness of the huge increase in taxis. He thinks that a lot of people recession. Steven is hoping for a better future, and he is certain that his have anxiety when it comes to money - now more than ever. future will involve many things, but driving a taxi will probably not be one “I feel that it is demoralising and degrading to be a taxi driver. The of them. He seems to be worried. profession has become almost a competition, and we are begging for “The business nearly exploded, and the amount of taxis went from customers.” around 3000 to 20 000 in a year or two”, he says, “that brought trouble”.

Steven works approximately eleven hours per day. He earns about “We have the work cut out for us. Especially if you work ten euros per hour, which is not nearly enough. He manages, full time and want to make a decent wage. That is close to but the struggling is never ending. Steven got out of the pub impossible, if you ask me,” he says while a deep frown sets in business because he wanted to do something else in his life his forehead. rather than serving pints. However, now he is thinking about We are “Anyone can buy a taxi plate, and the price on a plate has going back. gone to the floor compared to a few years ago. That makes it begging for “I am not the only one thinking about changing paths. very easy to buy into the business, and harder for the drivers customers Many drivers are looking for alternatives. But if you bought your to earn a living.” plates some years ago they were much more expensive than Dublin City Councillor, Deidre Heney, said in an interview with the they are now. And no one is interested in loosing money. It is an evil circle.”

Herald in 2008, that the taxi business in Dublin is in great need for a His face lightens up. There is still some optimism in his thoughts, just change. She promised that the city would see improvement. Four years a hint at least. has gone by and the situation has gotten worse.

“There are a few up sides to being a driver though,” he says.

“There are too many taxis. Even from an environmental point of view, “You are your own boss”. all the taxi ranks are full, “ said Councillor Heney, in the interview with the That may be enough for now.

Herald.

The taxi driver wants to be anonymous because his opinions may be Many have been, and still are, worried that the huge number of taxis unpopular.

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9 Where to hop on, when to hop off, and where does this ride actually stop?

B y :A mal i e K nud s en

#S tu de nt Tr av el ca rd #Dub l i n B u s # Luas

Dublin Bus, and the tram called Luas, will bring you around town, but figuring out what, where, and when can be complicated. First off, fill your pockets with change – a lot of change. Neither Luas nor Dublin Bus accepts notes, and while Luas give back change, Dublin Bus doesn’t.

Second, download the smartphone app “Dublin Bus”. If you know the bus stop number and the bus, the app tells you when the bus will show up. Figuring out which bus to take is the hardest part. You can try the travel planner on Dublinbus.ie, but it’s easier to ask locals or the bus drivers. That’s what I did, and it was indeed very helpful.

“At O’Connell Street you can find the head office of Dublin Bus”, bus driver Gafney kindly informs me. He’s been driving a Dublin Bus most of his life, but realises that foreigners can have some problems figuring out the routes. “You can try drawing up the routes on a map, and if you have a smartphone, I advise you to download the app.” He wishes me luck before I jump on the next bus towards O’Connell Street.

After some research online I found that a student-ID card is not enough proof that you are a student when it comes to Dublin public transport, you also need a Student Travelcard. On dublinbus.ie it says: •

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So, how to commute in Dublin?

B y : A mal i e K nud s en

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yourself, and a stamp from your school proving you’re a student. Then mail the form all the way to the Student Travelcard super-people.

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you get a 0.20 euro discount on each journey. With a Student Travelcard you can get far better discounts with the Student seven-day Dublin Bus and Luas for 26.30 euro you have a week of unlimited travels with the bus and Luas. You can also get a 30 day ticket for 92.50 euro.

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for students. That means that if you’re taking the bus more than one time a day it will save you money. You also have the five-day rambler for 17.20 euro for five non-consecutive days.

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How to get from A to B without yelling

”Taxi!”

Ph oto: C hri sti ne Fagerb ak k e

If you’re only using Dublin Bus you can get the 30-day ticket. This is for 30 individual days, and costs 86 euro

o Your College ID (secure) o Completed Student Travelcard Application Form o 12.00 euro (plus 3.00 euro Photo Capture) Great. I just bought a 86 euro 30-day bus ticket, but I can still get fined. And I have to pay 15 euro more to get another student card. Oh my. Finally at O’Connell Street I ask the girl how I will know when and where the buses are going. She kindly gives me a map. Finally. A map of all the buses. I pick up a brochure on my way out. It looks black and frightening, and informs me that I will be fined 100 euro if someone asks me for my Student Travelcard. It's obviously my lucky day, because no one catches me and my 86 euro ticket without a Student Travelcard.

Now the only thing that remains is waiting for the bus at the right side of the road. Like everything else once ruled by the Queen of England, it runs on the “other” side of the road.

Travelling by Luas is far easier than by bus. There are only two lines, and they are separated by colours. You have a red one and a green one, so as long as you are not red-green colour-blind, the Luas should not offer too many problems. Routes are sensibly drawn up on a map, and connect with both train and buses, but not with each other.

Decide whether you’re going to use both Luas and Dublin Bus. With a Leap-card you can use both, and

The Student Travelcard is a secure Photo ID that is the key to exclusive discounted Dublin Bus tickets. The Student Travelcard is also a national discount card, entitling the holder to many discounted goods and services.

The Student Travelcard is available at any number of on-campus card centres which will issue you with a Student Travelcard on the spot. It is also available in a selection of colleges, I.T.’s and youth information centres around the country.

All you need is:

What you need is a Students Travelcard-form from www.studentravelcard.ie, two passport pictures of

If you’re only commuting with Luas it depends on how many zones you are travelling in, but seven-day tickets range from 11-17 euro for each line and 30-day-tickets from 37.50-61 euro for each line. But here’s the catch.

If you want a ticket valid for both the green and the red Luas a seven-day ticket is 17 euro and the 30-day ticket is 59.70 euro. The tickets are more expencive if you buy them at a ticket machine, than at a Luas line ticket office.

P h o to : Am a lie Kn u d s e n

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It’s degrading #Lorraine Murphy

#Jo hn By rn e #dogs #rabbit #homeless Al l ph otos: Vanj a S k otnes

Life on the streets In the last three years, the number of homeless people in Dublin has increased by 38 per cent.

Meet three of Dublin’s 2375 homeless people.

B y : Vanj a S k o t n e s & L e n a Ste tte Høy be r g

Good-looking people are walking by, nicely dressed for shopping.

High heels. Smiling. Warm, full cup of coffee in their hands.

John Byrne, Marko O’Shea and Lorraine Murphy all have empty cups. ”It’s a dog’s life”, one of them says.

John Byrne, 38 years old, is observing. He is sitting in Henry Street with his pets. He has two dogs and one rabbit – they are faithful and never leave his sight.

John has been homeless for 25 years. ”I got thrown out of my home by my stepfather when I was 13,” he says, ”he used to hit both me and my mother. So one day I hit back”. ”It’s hard to be homeless. Some people are kicking me, and pissing on me,” John says, ”however, many are also very nice. They are helping me feed my animals.”

At the end of the day, John has about 20 euros in his cup. Food for his animals costs 15 euros a week.

Now he sleeps in a tent behind the city centre. He used to sleep in the streets, by the doorsteps. He can’t do that anymore, as the police won’t let him.

27-year-old Marko O’Shea has been living on the streets for two

months. He used to be a fully qualified plumber, but lost his job. Now he sits on a nice, white bridge with a cup. Freezing.

Marko also has a drinking problem, and wants to go to rehab. ”Hopefully I’ll get to go there. I can’t take this anymore,” he says, ”I have so many qualifications, and I’ve been throwing in job applications everywhere”. ”You know, people don’t give a fuck,” he says, ”life on the streets is vicious. It’s a dog’s life”.

Usually he sleeps in hostels. ”I get up in the morning and have to be out of the hostel at half 8. I can come in again at 10pm. And now the winter is coming up.”

Lorraine Murphy has been homeless for 17 years. Her son died when he was little, and Lorraine lost everything. She is now 40 years old.

She has five children, and her youngest one is in foster care. He is 11 years old. ”I see him all the time,” she says, ”my little baby”.

Lorraine explains that she started to drink when she became homeless, to ease the pain.

“Some of the people passing by are nice, but some are horrible. It’s awful and degrading to be a homeless”.

“I used to sleep in hostels. But while sleeping I could get robbed”.

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Can’t take it anymore

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people are kicking me

#Marko O’Shea

The new crisis Ireland took a beating when the economic crisis hit. Many people lost their income, and were not able to keep their homes. The number of homeless people in Ireland has increased by 38 per cent in the last three years.

B y : Lena S tette H øy b erg & Vanj a S k otnes

The majority of homeless people in Ireland and Dublin are single, Irish men. Many of them are educated with good health.

What went wrong? The chief executive of Focus Ireland, Joyce Loughnan, shares her opinion in their Annual Report from 2011.

“Because of the harsh economic environment and its impact on the rising number of people at risk of becoming homeless, 2011 was another difficult year. The lack of housing also kept many trapped as homeless, despite the fact that the country is awash with empty homes.”

The definition of a homeless person is somebody who has no reasonable accommodation to live in or lives in a hospital, institution or night shelter due to a lack of a home. There are many different types of homelessness – for example on the streets, sleeping rough, in shelters or so-called hidden homelessness. Which is when someone is living temporary with relatives or friends.

In the past, homelessness was seen as an individual problem caused by personal difficulties. Homelessness is now mostly caused by social and economic factors - such as poverty, unemployment and housing shortages. The failure of these factors creates pathways into homelessness.

The Founder and Life President of Focus Ireland, Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, has hope, and is certain that Ireland’s homelessness will be solved.

“The truth is that, given the political will, homelessness could

be solved in the next few years. It is possible. The work of Focus Ireland shows this. When people have someone who listens to them and provide them with support, they can overcome difficult times and secure a home.” says an optimistic Founder of Focus Ireland.

Some of the individual factors are low income, debt, unemployment, family breakdown, mental health problems, and drug or alcohol abuse. The economic and social factors are a shortage of suitable or affordable housing, availability of employment, levels of poverty and security, trends in relationship breakdown and family restructuring.

People who are experiencing homelessness are entitled to receive the same range of public services as other members of society. This is not always the case.

The public services, like health care, education and housing, are designed around the needs of people who live in conventional houses in community settings. The services are therefore often difficult to get for homeless people.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive is responsible for the enumeration of people who are homeless in Dublin. The last assessment of homeless took place in March 2011 in partnership with the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The number of homeless in Dublin is updated every three years.

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The Diversity of dublin

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Everything you ever want is outside your comfort zone

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I got to meet people from all over the world, and expand my horizon

#G oo gl e #Int ernat ional em ploye e s # opport u nit ie s

P hot o: S te f f e n Ra b b e n , Go o g le E n g a g e 2 0 1 1

Swedish born Andreas Roos is one of thousands of immigrants who made the move to Ireland as a consequence offered by Dublin becoming the ´tech´ capital of Europe.

B y : A nn e M e l so m B j e r k e

It‘s early morning. Ireland’s capital as most capitals are preparing itself for a new morning. A morning no different than other. Except for 26 year-old Andreas Roos. For him this morning is like no other. His feet are crossing streets he has never walked before. He is a foreigner- but a part of an international technological giant. Google.

A few years ago the newly graduated graphic designer and communication student had no idea that he would soon move to Dublin and work for Google.

“I was hungry for something new. My friends suddenly grew up, got jobs and I did not know exactly what I wanted to do with my life. It was time for a change and Google was different”.

He was surfing the internet one late evening and came upon an advertisement by Google searching for new international employees. The 24 year-old man from the south of Sweden, was getting tired of waking

up to the same routines every day, and decided to apply.

“I applied in November 2010 and did not hear anything from them for several months. I thought nothing more of it, and came to terms with that fact that somebody else must have gotten the job”.

Then, in January 2011, Andreas received a call from Google. The person on the phone asked for a telephone interview.

“I was well aware of Google’s decision to move their European Head Quarters to Dublin, but not aware that I would soon take part in the process. After five telephone interviews, Google wanted me to fly over to Dublin”.

And so he did. After getting back to Sweden there were yet another telephone interview. And then came the final call from Google. Four words. The job was his. He was ecstatic, but also well aware of the fact

that he had to move away from family and his friends back in Sweden.

Around the 1990s, Ireland became well know for high-technology sectors based on modern information and communication. And many regard it as the Silicon Valley of Europe.

Many IT - companies such as Dell, Facebook, Microsoft, EMC and Twitter are located in Dublin, making it the multilingual capital of Europe.

Google is an American multinational corporation that was founded in California in 1998. They provide internet-related products and services such as internet search, software and advertising technologies.

Google has been estimated to run over one million servers in data centers around the world and process over one billion search requests.

In September 2012 google.com was listed as the most visited internet site, and numerous international Google sites as being in the top hundred.

Andreas works towards the Swedish market, providing their advertising services to companies. He is also frequently flying over to Sweden to give presentations.

He is now settling in Dublin, and enjoying the city and everything it has to offer. “ I like the fact that it is a relatively small city. Just about everything is

within walking distance. Also the people here are very friendly. It made the whole new in the city experience a whole lot easier”.

But although the people were friendly, Andreas admits he had ups and downs in the beginning. ” When I landed in Dublin, I was terrified. I did not know anyone, did not know were to go or where to live”.

He felt intimidated by the whole situation.

“It is strange how small and lonely you can feel in a big city with people everywhere. There were times when I felt very lonely and started thinking if I had made the right decision”.

But that is just a part of the process, he claims.

“I got the opportunity to make a difference for me. See the world, experience new things and to expand my horizon. Looking back, I would have been so disappointed in myself if I had not taken this chance”.

He knows what it is like to be new in another country, and that it can be tough.

“But if you work hard and go outside your comfort zone, things can happen quickly. And you should take every chance you get. That is the best advice I can give”.

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Dublin’s vibrant nightlife Dublin is the city that suffers from multiple personality disorder. If you can’t find the place that meets your specific needs here, it probably does not exist.

B y : Cam i l l a L i n g a a s & M ar tin e Han s e n -Tan ge n

There are many places to enjoy in Dublin and at a nightclub you can meet everything from dancing penguins to the typical hipsters. If you live close to Griffith College the possibilities are endless. You are a short walk from the smaller pubs as well as the crazy big clubs. Below we have covered some of the most popular places.

Diceys Garden Address: 21-25 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.

Beer: €5 Cover charge: €5 At Diceys you can get everything. This place is brilliant for a cheap and most likely cheerful night out. If you like the combination of quiet areas where you can talk and upbeat music, this is where you should go. The value of beers and drinks are good, and if you smoke you have a large space outside where you can have a cigarette. The staff is friendly, and after a hard week at college, there is nothing more fun than having a beer at Diceys.

The Palace Address: 84-87 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2.

Beer: €5 Cover charge: €10 (€2 for your coat)

Central Hotel Library Bar Address: 1-5 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 Beer: From €5 Cover charge: None One of Dublin’s best-kept secrets. You enter through the hotel lobby below, and the first things you notice are the dimmed lights and lush couches. Although the interior is sophisticated, the people are informal.

You get table service and sometimes live music in the form of a pianist.

They have a big variety of beers and other beverages. If you want a place to sit, you may want to arrive early.

The Grand Social Address: 35 Lower Liffey Street, Dublin 1.

Beer: €5 Cover charge: None Probably one of Dublin’s largest nightclubs. After a beer too many it may feel like a labyrinth, but it is also one of the most fun labyrinths to get lost in. It contains places to sit and talk, areas to dance and a large place outdoors where you can smoke or get some fresh air. Because of the big variety in people you will most definitely find someone to talk to, and you might even get a snog.

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A gourmands delight Best five things to eat in Dublin – at a reasonable price!

B y : Mari us H j el d nes

TWELVE-HOUR SLOW ROAST BBQ PULLED PORK SANDWICH Odessa, 13-14 Dame Court

FEIJOADA Taste of Brazil, 32 Parliament Street

Still looking for that life-changing sandwich? Odessa is doing an outrageously good one for a mere 6 euro: twelve-hour slow roast bbq pulled pork served on toasted farmhouse batch bread, with a generous helping of tomato relish and red onion compote. The dish is also served with an herb bean salsa on the side. This is one of the great bargains in the city!

Though Brazil may be renowned for its football, they’re definitely not incompetent in the kitchen department either. Situated on one of the city’s busiest food streets – Acropolis, the Greek across the road, is also a must-visit – Taste of Brazil is where homesick Brazilians go for their food-fix. Smoked pork, rice, black beans and roasted cavassa flour combine to make a stew that’s worthy of its national dish status.

MICHELANGELO PIZZA Pacino’s, 18 Suffolk Street Good quality pizza at a reasonable price and a cold beer is a classic crowd-pleaser, and you’ll find both just off Dublin’s no.1 shopping street, Grafton Street. Be sure to check out the Michelangelo pizza; an artistic mix of chèvre cheese, a basil pesto, spicy pepperoni, caramelised red onions and shavings of Parmesan.

FISH SKEWERS The Market Bar, 14A Fade Street

RABBIT GNOCCHI Terra Madre, 13A Bachelors Walk Tucked away in a basement near O’Connell Bridge it’s an unassuming eatery. It feels like you’re popping by an Italian friends house for some impromptu grub. This place is charmingly imperfect in both its décor and service. Don’t come here expecting pizza, because there’s none on the menu. Go for the gnocchi, made with rabbit and a divine tomato sauce. Save room for one of their chocolate tarts after. A real slice of Italy in the heart of Dublin.

If you’re looking for tapas, The Market Bar on Fade Street do a good line in tapas. Pick ‘n’ mix together with a group of people to make up a spectacular lunch or dinner. The fish skewers are the highlight, and include salmon, prawns and whatever white fish from the market on a given day. You get two skewers in a small portion, served with yellow rice cooked with turmeric, paprika and tomato.

The new version of the Palace is stylish, spacious and good fun. The bar areas are big, and there is also a cocktail bar. If you order drinks from the cocktail bar it might take some time. A DJ is performing in the centre of the club, giving a good vibe all around. The Palace attracts mostly Irish people, and not so much tourists. If you don’t feel like dancing, you can come here at a Sunday night to play pool and mingle with friends.

Anseo Address: 8 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2 Beer: €5 Cover charge: None This is a good pub whether for a night out, after work drinks or just hanging with your mates. The DJ are playing good old music and keeping it groovy. The pub is kind of small, but has enough room to breathe for the most of the night. They have a good selection of beers on tap, in bottles and others alcohol beverages. The staff are welcoming and don’t take themselves too seriously. The pub is stylish at night, and easily transforms into a good old-fashioned Irish pub in the day. Every Wednesday there is comedian club on the second floor. The first Monday in every month there is improv night for the price of 3 euro.

#Ni gh tli fe #Cl ub #Be e r #Fun #Pub Ph oto: Susa nne Al exand ra Tengs

d #Lu nc h #O de ss a #F oo #Twelve-hourslowroastbbqpulledporksandwich Photo: Marius Hjeldnes

18

19 If you are a student at Griffith College you will automatically become a member of the Students’ Union. GCSU is the representative body for all the students. You are encouraged to get involved, visit for a chat, or if you need any kind of help these are the go-to people.

What can SU help you with?

“With anything under the sun. Students come in with personal problems, very often they suffer from depression because bad things have happened at home. We have a student counsellor who can help. We also assist with administrative problems, if you have questions about the college, need to know where you can print or where your classrooms are.

We cover a lot of things. If students have problems with lectures, they can come to us. If any students have any question about extra points from sports, anything outside the classroom then they can come to me.

We cover all the gaps that are left in college administration when it comes to human relations with the students,” Alari says.

How do you start a new society or a club?

“You get in contact with the student officer. There needs to be a minimum interest in the subject in order for it to be a society. It depends on how many people who are interested. If six to eight people are motivated and you submit an idea, we can set up a plan together. You don’t have to pay for the set-up, but if for example you want to arrange a skiing trip you have to pay for it yourself.”

Which clubs and societies already exist?

“There are 12 clubs and probably 20 societies. Food and cooking, music society, photography, radio, yoga, dance, karaoke, go-cart, paintball, graffiti magazine, debating society, African, Chinese, chess and poker are some of them.”

How do you become involved in the organization?

“We have student elections in April. The election process is by simple majority and it occurs yearly. Our term is one academic year, nine to ten months. In February or March you would start your campaign and walk around campus marketing yourself. How to run for a position is simple, you just fill out an application. You need to have good social skills, and there are interviews, so you need to be motivated.”

Col leg e #Se an Ala ri #Gr iff ith #St ud ent s’ Un ion

Covering all the gaps

Ph oto: C hri sti ne Fagerb ak k e

Griffith College Students’ Union can help you with everything from heartbreak to accommodation.

We talked to The Club and Societies Officer, Sean Alari.

B y : Cam i l l a L i n g a a s & M ar tin e Han s e n -Tan ge n

President, Communications Officer and Welfare Officer Name: Ian Donegan Tel: 01 4150 463 Email: su.president@gcd.ie Vice President and Entertainments Officer Name: Claire Aston Tel: 01 4150 418 Email: su.ents@gcd.ie Clubs and Societies Officer Name: Sean Alari Tel: 01 4150 460 Email: su.sports@gcd.ie Manager Name: Paul Walsh Tel: 01 4150 497 Email: su.manager@gcd.ie Student Counsellor Name: Carole Wardlaw Tel: 087 972 9335 Email: wardlawcarole@gmail.com

Vox pop:

1.

2.

What do you think of international students in Dublin?

What should you do and see when you are new in Dublin?

B y : A nne Mel s om B j erk e

Jacqueline

1. I have a very good impression of international students in Dublin.

I think it is good for our city with many nationalities.

2. I am from Northern Ireland, so I would recommend everyone to go up there to see what the cities have to offer. And other than that, go out and see as much as possible. Dublin has a lot to offer.

Louise

1. I have a good impression of international students going abroad to study. And we too can benefit from it. Our children are learning about different cultures and meeting people from all over the world. That is positive.

2. It is important to get out and see as much as possible. Go out and meet new people. Interact.

Gordon

1. I think most people are very well mannered, and that their English is very good. That never stops to amaze me! I think it is a good thing with all the international students in Dublin.

2. Go to the pubs. In Dublin there are many pubs with a history. Also walk around the city. Get to know your area and meet new people.

Siobhan

1. I am positive to all the international students in Dublin. I think they are well mannered and behave very well. But I do think they tend to stick to themselves.

2. It is important to walk about the city. Get to know it properly and get to know new people. They can show you all the important cultural and historical places.

P h o to : An n e M e ls o m Bje r k e

20

21

Destination: Literature

#l ite ratu re #c re at ivi ty

#inspiring #bookshops

Dublin inspires literary creativity, and has both the UNESCO City of Literature status and three winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature to prove it. It also boasts some of the finest bookshops of any city in the world, with many rare and long out of print titles available alongside the latest bestsellers.

B y : M ari u s H j e l d n e s

The Winding Stair Bookshop 40 Lower Ormond Quay

Hodges Figgis 56-58 Dawson Street

An independent and eclectic bookshop. The most appealing feature about it is its unexpectedness – you are never quite sure what you’ll find on the next shelf. They stock some really weird books that you may never see anywhere else again, as well as a lot of the more popular fiction and non-fiction. It’s a quaint little place where you can while away the free hours if you have nothing better to do, and although a lot of their stuff is a little pricey, The Winding Stair is worth your cash if only for its uniqueness. The stock isn’t big, in fact it’s downright tiny for a bookshop, but everything is superb. Their selection of art books can blow you away; they have a lot of titles and collections that you are unlikely to find in a traditional bookshop. The Winding Stair Bookshop is without a doubt one of the reasons Dublin has such a strong reputation for literature.

If you love finding new authors at a ridiculously cheap price, this is the place to visit. You could get lost here – and I don’t mean its layout is confusing – it’s just that they have so many books. The place is humongous and houses thousands of books, yet it still has a really nice intimacy to it. It has a vast array of books from all literary categories.

Hodges Figgis is more like an old library than a bookshop really. People stroll in and out, flitting through books and just taking in the ambience.

It was founded in the 18th century (1768) and is mentioned in passing in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses (“She, she, she. What she? The virgin at Hodges Figgis’ window on Monday looking in for one of the alphabet books you were going to write.”) Hodges Figgis is without a doubt one of the great Dublin institutions. This is one for the true bibliophiles. And by all means do not forget your loyalty card!

Oxfam Books 23 Parliament Street What is there to say about this shop? Whoever is providing this bookshop with books – thank you! There are definitely some people out there with impeccable taste in literature. Keep hauling those boxes, so that we can keep this store stocked. When you part with money, you always know that you are getting a great book for nothing. Books cost 5 Euro at most, which often can lead to guilty thoughts, “I should give them an extra 2 Euro, because I’m robbing Oxfam blind here!” The selection is diverse with a smart layout and neat shelving of books by genre. As well as good quality books, they have CD’s, DVD’s and Vinyl.

The Gutter Bookstore Cows’s Lane, Temple Bar You can’t miss the green sign outside, or the huge Oscar Wilde quote on the windowpane. This is the winner of the “Independent Bookseller of the Year” award for 2012. The Gutter Bookshop is a place where books happen. It’s a small-ish shop in the older part of Temple Bar, that has quickly made a name for itself for being a spot to attend book launches, discuss books, meet writers, talk about writing, and generally express a love of the printed page. The store may be small, but the gods of bookish feng shui must be smiling down upon it, since it manages to be charming and efficient rather than cramped and cluttered. There is always a good selection of staff picks from books just published to classics, and you’ll very rarely leave empty handed.

Chapters Bookstore Ivy Exchange, Parnell Street This is one of the largest independent bookshops in Ireland. While they are best known for their second hand section, the general section downstairs should not be ignored. When you enter Chapters you realise that this isn’t any ordinary bookshop. Locals often refer to Chapters as the mammy of all bookshops, and doesn’t she know it. The shop feels like it runs back for miles, and the selection is wide enough to precipitate a nervous breakdown. The layout makes sense, the stuff laid out for their sales are always a good spread, and the prices, even for new and ordered stuff is competitive, and they also have a great collection of the weirder books on any topic. Plus you get into that nice pretentious feelgood mood for supporting a local business. All in all a superior bookshop staffed with smiling folks that just make you smile in return with your new story in hand.

Dublin on the page As James Joyce once said, “If Ulysses isn’t fit to read, life isn’t fit to live”. But there’s more to Dublin literature than Joyce (but you should definitely read him as well). Here are the best five books of fiction, set in Dublin, that are not called Ulysses or Dubliners.

B y : Mari us H j el d nes

•

The Commitments: Roddy Doyle

•

The Ginger Man: JP Donleavy

•

More Pricks Than Kicks: Samuel Beckett

•

My Left Foot: Christy Brown

•

At Swim-Two Birds: Brian O’Nolan (written under the pseudonym Flann O’Brien)

Ph oto: Susa nne A l exand ra Tengs

P h o to : S u s a n n e Ale x a n d r a Te n g s

22

23

Events in dublin

autumn 2012

Dublin, the core of entertainment and the thriving capital of Ireland, is bubbling with activity throughout the year. Check out what happens in the near future!

B y : Marthe Fi gens chou

WHAT:

WHAT:

#Hu rl in g c #F o ot ba ll li ae #G rt #S po

Arthur’s Day

The Dublin Theatre Festival

WHERE:

WHERE:

Every corner of Ireland 27th Sept.

sep tem ber

Photo: Piara Ó Mídheach/piarasmedia.com

Sports in Ireland

Lionel Richie

WHERE: The O2 24th Sept.

B y : Lina V i n j e

cup. Kerry is the most successful county in the history of Gaelic football (36 wins), followed by Dublin (23 wins).

In Gaelic football, you may not:

In Hurling, you may not:

• • • • • •

• • • • • • •

Throw the ball (it needs to be “hand-passed”) Bounce the ball twice in a row Go fours steps without releasing, bouncing or soloing the ball Change hands (right-hand to left-hand or vice-versa) Pick the ball directly off the ground Hand-pass a goal (you can punch it into the goal from the air)

Shoulder to shoulder contact is permitted, as is slapping the ball out of an opponent’s hand. Most of the adult football, and all minors and under-21 matches, lasts for sixty minutes and are divided into two halves of thirty minutes. Senior inter-county games last for seventy minutes. Nearly all counties play in the knockout tournament “All Ireland Championship”.

The final takes place at Croke Park on the third Sunday of September each year. The winning senior county team receives the Sam Maguire

Again, like in Gaelic football, senior inter-county matches lasts seventy minutes, while all other matches lasts sixty minutes. The final takes place on the 1st Sunday in September, but this year the final ended in a draw and will have to be replayed on the 30th of September. The (almost) identical sport for woman is called Camogie.

The O2 19th Oct.

WHAT:

Hurling is an outdoor team game that has been played for over 3000 years. The objective is for players (15 on each team) to use a wooden stick (a hurley) to hit a small ball (a sliotar) between the other team’s goalposts. Like in Gaelic football, a point is given when you score over the crossbar, and a goal (three points) is given when you score under the crossbar.

Pick the ball directly off the ground Throw the ball Catch the ball three times in a row without it touching the ground Go more than four steps with the ball in hand Change hands (right-hand to left-hand or vice-versa) Hand-pass a goal Throw the hurley

WHERE:

oct obe er

WHAT:

Ever heard of Gaelic football? What about hurling? Read on to understand the most popular Irish sports and you’ll soon be able to take part in the sports conversation with your new Irish friends.

Gaelic football (cool kids just call it Gaelic or football) is one of Ireland’s most popular sports. It’s played between two teams of 15 players, and the objective is to score points by passing the ball through the other team’s goal. The players advance the football up the field by bouncing, kicking, carrying, hand-passing and soloing (dropping the ball and toe-kicking it upwards into the hands). Two types of scores are possible, either kicking or hand-passing the ball over the crossbar gives you a point, while kicking the ball under the crossbar and into the net gives you a goal (worth three points).

27th Sept.14th Oct.

WHAT: Jennifer Lopez

Ireland vs.

Germany

Nov emb er

WHERE:

Aviva Stadium 12th Oct.

WHERE:

Through the Georgian streets of Dublin 29th Oct.

WHAT: Florence + The Machine

WHERE: The O2 11th Nov.

WHAT: Dublin Marathon

WHAT: Michael McIntyre

WHERE: The O2 16 -19th Nov.

DEc EMB er

WHAT: The Nutcracker & Swan Lake

WHERE: The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre 5 - 9th Dec.