SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

NUACHTÁN SAOR IN AISCE VOL. 22 Issue 02. 20 OCT 2020

Student Independent News

WINNER: BEST NEWSPAPER AT THE NATIONAL STUDENT MEDIA AWARDS 2019

O’ Mahony calls for increased Library Disability Support

By Paddy Henry Editor editor.sin@gmail.com The NUI Galway Students’ Union Disability Rights Officer has called for increased supports for students with disabilities in the James Hardiman Library.

Patricia O’ Mahony claimed that students with disabilities were overlooked when the Hardiman Library reopened to the student body, particularly when catering for students in need of Personal Assistants.

O’Mahony, an MA student, who requires the use of a PA herself told SIN that it was a mere afterthought in the library’s general plans for reopening, describing it as a problem that “could have been avoided.”

“I was overjoyed to hear the library had reopened, as I was anxiously awaiting the day I could return to college. Unfortunately, my joy didn’t last long as on my first day I was turned away as there was no facility for my PA. I was outraged.”

“Students with disabilities meet with problems every day, but this is one problem could have been avoided. We feel that when plans for the re-opening of the library were being set up PA’s should have been included there and then from the very start. It appears to us that we were an afterthought.”

“For myself and many others, a PA is essential. As Disability Rights Officer I heard from many students regarding this problem. We all felt let down at this point.”

The seating capacity in the library building has been reduced from a pre-Covid capacity of 1,671 to just 134 owing to the pandemic. They have moved quickly to address issues raised around accessibility, increasing the capacity of the Assistive Technology Areas and providing PA’s with temporary access cards.

Speaking to SIN about the measures put in place to ensure greater accessibility a spokesperson for the James Hardiman Library said.

“Personal Assistants assigned to students registered with the Disability Support Service (DSS) have had access to the Library for many years now, and Library staff have always been supportive of facilitating this access. “ “Through the collaborative efforts of various university areas and the PA service provider, this has been made possible. DSS registered students who have a PA assigned to them can now include their PA on their library booking system request; ID cards are being issued to (external) PAs to facilitate their access to the Library; and capacity within the Assistive Technology (AT) area in the Library has been increased to accommodate students who are in attendance with their PA.” O’Mahony welcomed the library’s swift action on the matter claiming it has left students with disabilities “elated”.

However, she also pointed out issues relating to noise levels in the Assistive Learning Area and called for the re-opening of private booths for students to talk freely with their PA’s without causing disturbance to other students in the area.

“Some students require the use of a booth so that they can talk freely as they need to without disturbing another student’s study.” she said.

“Perhaps at the next level we could look at the re-opening of our booths remaining in line with the current government guidelines, as they are now currently closed for usage.”, continued O’Mahony.

The Library are seeking a revision of its capacity plan, but SIN understands that any additional seats would be small in number due to the requirement to comply with 2-metre social distancing.

INSIDE Labhair Eimear Nig Oireachtaigh le Mícheál D. Ó hÚiginn faoina shaol polaitiúla agus a ghrá don Ghaeilge Lch 10

The Quad goes blue as #WaveofLight Marks Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Day Photo; Oisín Bradley

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SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

INSIDE University to hold virtual winter conferring next month 4 NicLochlainn calls for reduction in levy as NUIG goes online for rest of semester. 5 New NUI Galway study reveals increase in online threats of physical and sexual violence against female politicians 6 Students express concerns over handling of SUSI grants 7 Christmas Shoeboxes Have Gone Virtual 8–9 A Mixed Bag of Emotions Towards Online Learning 10 The Spanish Arch controversy 11 UNPAID INTERNSHIP IN CORONAVIRUS TIMES. Are colleges and the government caring enough about students? 12 JAMES CHARLES: Blatant plagiarism or clever marketing ploy? 14 It is time to let the music play safely again? 15 Five feel-good films to beat the pandemic blues 16 Murder mysteries through the ages 17 HEALTHY IN A RUSH: speedy and nutritious recipes 18 A message from our scars: Is it so hard to love us? 19 Health benefits of yoga 20 Should lecturers have to pass a digital literacy test for providing lectures? 22 This Government may have passed 100 days but, is a Government of the past 23 DITCHED ‘COMMUNITY PROMISE’ REQUIREMENT — a Victory for Students but an Indictment of their Union 24 Is it time to cancel cancel culture? 25 Online learning has changed my life for the better. Let’s hope it’s here to stay 26 GAA – Galway Senior Football Championship 28 Heartbreak for Galway WFC as they crash out of FAI Cup 29 Some sports given go ahead for return. 31

EDITOR: Paddy Henry editor.sin@gmail.com LAYOUT: Shannon Reeves An bhfuil rud éigin le rá agat?

Cur litir chuig an Eagarthóir chuig editor.sin@gmail.com

Find us online:

www.sin.ie

Covid fatigue has hit everybody to some degree over the last year or so. How could it not? But being sick of it is a much preferable situation to find oneself in than being sick with it. We must continue to do all we can in ensuring that less people experience the latter, frustrating as it may feel.

Four weeks in already and haven’t they just flown by! Summer seems like a distant memory at this point.

By now, most of us have thrown our beach gear into the back of a press, not to be seen for another nine months.

Some however, fonder of the cooler climes of autumn, can still be seen out at Blackrock Diving Tower leaping like salmon into the freezing Atlantic, Mental stuff altogether!

Issue two of SIN is our Hallowe’en issue. For most, the thoughts of exams and assignments coming thick and fast may be a frightening enough prospect and with a more subdued Samhain predicted for this year, I suppose lecturers felt duty bound to terrify the living bejesus out of students in some way!

Since the release of issue one a fortnight ago much has changed, as I write this, we find ourselves at Level Three of the Government’s Living With Covid plan and cases are soaring once more, our picturesque college campus is barren and online teaching has brought an impersonal nature to college learning, which in better times thrived off its sociability.

Who knows what may come next?

The optimist in the friend group has found themselves to be a sought-after character over recent weeks in the hope they may find positives among the wreckage of 2020 Covid fatigue has hit everybody to some degree over the last year or so. How could it not? But being sick of it is a much preferable situation to find oneself in than being sick with it.

We must continue to do all we can in

ensuring that less people experience the latter, frustrating as it may feel.

Away from that though and on to what’s inside. Issue Two is full to the brim of interesting stories, across all our sections. From our ground-breaking stories n news, to our lively sport section, and everything in between there is plenty to get stuck in to in issue two.

If you have any interest in writing for the paper, don’t be afraid to get in touch. At SIN we want the voice of every student heard and if you have even the slightest of interest in getting involved don’t hesitate to contact me at editor.sin@gmail.com. We would only love to have you on board.

On one final note, surely during this time of year above all other times, All Hallows Eve it should be easier than ever to wear a mask. So, in the interest of public health, like the lunatics on Blackrock Diving Tower in the October cold, just take the plunge!

College cancels exchange programmes for Semester Two

By Paddy Henry Editor NUI Galway have announced the cancellation of all planned Erasmus, International student exchanges and placement programmes for students in semester two.

In an email from Deputy President and Registrar Pól Ó Dochartaigh sent to all registered students of the University, it was announced that; “the University has taken the difficult decision, in the context of the continuing challenges of Covid-19 to half all outgoing mobility for NUI Galway students in semester 2.”

The University confirmed in the email that “alternative pathways” will be offered to students that were due to go abroad in semester two , advising anybody due to go abroad in their second semester to contact their relevant schools and programme directors.

One student, who was due to go on Erasmus to France in semester two told SIN the news was “to be expected”.

“It is absolutely to be expected. I would say that I don’t hold it against the University that they can’t facilitate it. My only criticism towards them would be their communication style or lack thereof.”

“I haven’t had a single email from them all year not since the semester started” The student also called into question issues surrounding accommodation arrangements made by those due to go abroad.

“Accommodation has definitely been an issue for me. I had made arrangements with housemates that my room would be available for somebody else to take because I would be living in France but obviously that didn’t go ahead.”

She also raised concerns about how the cancellation of her international placement would impact on the quality of her degree.

“I definitely worry that I won’t have as good of a level of French as somebody who had spent a semester abroad. That is definitely a concern.”

“We got an email today to tell us that our Erasmus was cancelled, but no mention on the effects that would have on my overall degree.”

“There’s also no information as to whether or not the standard for final year has changed. It would usually be set with the idea that you had spent nine months living working and studying in a country that spoke that language and you would obviously have a better language ability.”

Student’s Union President Pádraic Toomey has also levelled criticism at the late nature of the decision and appealed to the University to give assistance to students.

“We are very disappointed at the late nature of this, it’s more bad news for students. Students need to be informed on issues like this a lot sooner.”, he said.

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October 20 2020

NEWS EDITORIAL

By Conor Brummell Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s issue of SIN. As I am sitting here writing this, the sun is setting out over Westside, and I suppose now is the time you would take an Instagram picture and caption it ‘golden hour’ on your story. It is October, and it is the season of spooka strange one this year, but nonetheless lovely to get out and catch some crisp autumn air. Salthill is quite lovely these days. I hope you are all keeping well in such uncertain time. With public health guidelines chopping and changing, it is hard to know whether you are coming or going- but hopefully you’re finding some joy amongst the madness at the moment.

The News section this week is as strong as ever. Our Editor Paddy Henry did a deep-dive into accessibility in the library and spoke to Disability Rights’ Officer Patricia O’Mahony about the issue of accessibility in the time of Covid-19. He also spoke to NUIG Confessions about their fundraiser for Mental Health Charity Helplink, and reports on Erasmus places being cancelled after Christmas.

Caoimhe Killeen spoke to Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh and Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell about women in politics on the back of research carried out by NUI Galway’s Department of Journalism and Communications, that showed female politicians are getting an increased amount of trolling and abuse online.

Sarah Slevin spoke to NUI Galway Journalism lecturer Fionnuala Corbett, and Head of News at iRadio, on her win at the national IMRO Awards for Silver News broadcaster of the year. Niamh McGee speaks about the issues with Public Transport cutting their seating capacities to almost 25% due to Covid-19 and the impact it has on rural communities.

I also spoke to students whose SUSI payments were delayed by a week and a half due a scheduling mix-up, as well as speaking to students who are due to graduate, about the news that conferring ceremonies will be happening via livestream.

Tá agallamh iontach déanta ag Eimear Nig Oireachtaigh arís ina colún nualabhair sí le Mícheál D. Ó hÚiginn faoina shaol polaitiúla, gairmiúla agus an beart atá déanta aige ar son na Gaeilge.

As always, if you would like to get in touch with SIN, we are always looking for new contributors to get involved. If you have a news story you would like us to break, we are happy to do so, and you can get in touch at deputy.sined@ nuigalway.ie.

FEATURES EDITORIAL

By Saoirse Higgins Hi everyone and welcome back to SIN Issue Two! I hope everyone has had a good start to the year, all things consid-

ered. We have some great features for you this week to read in between your online classes, so dig in and enjoy!

To start off, we have our columnists. Áine Fogarty talks about how she’s coping with online learning in her first-year diary, while Tom Molloy talks about his struggles with Blackboard in his own final-year diary.

We have an array of interesting features. From Fiona Lee’s piece on how the shoebox appeal is adapting online, to Sarah Slevin, detailing how students are coping with college going fully online.

Eithne Tierney gives her own personal account about how NUI Galway has disadvantaged her financially. Diana Atmad speaks about how OnlyFans has taken over the sex industry, and finally we have Rachel Garvey detail the Spanish Arch controversy.

This issue is jam packed with articles for you to read, and if you want to take part and write a feature don’t be afraid to email me at features.sined@gmail. com. Enjoy!

ARTS AND ENTS EDITORIAL

By Alice O’Donnell Hello there, and welcome to Issue Two of SIN! I hope people have gotten settled into uni life, no matter what form that may take this year. I can’t believe we’re four weeks down in this semester already – where had the time gone?

With a chilly feel in the air, leaves that crackle under foot and shorter nights, unfortunately I think we have to accept that summer is officially long gone. Although I adore the smell of bonfires and cinnamon spice that Autumn brings, the increasing amount of rain is a bit of a downer to the season. However, we at SIN have you covered, with Darragh Nolan’s great article on feel good films to watch on a rainy afternoon, while Kassady Doyel’s piece of flash fiction will transport you to a boiling hot summer’s day.

It’s regrettable but necessary that Ireland has had to increase to Level Three Covid-19 restrictions. With classes pretty much all online, cafés and restaurants partially shut and indoor gatherings basically out of the question, everyone has a lot more time on their hands.

Rachel Garvey gives you her top tips to stay busy indoors, while the book corner recommends the top murder mystery books to give a read.

Hopefully everyone is treating themselves to some hot chocolate, and minding themselves during these crazy times. Despite everything going on, Galway in autumn is proving to be as breathtakingly gorgeous as usual.

Wandering around town, I’m reminded of a quote by Albert Camus - “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower”.

As usual, SIN is always ready to welcome new writers. If you have any interest in writing for the Arts and Entertainment section, or any reviews or ideas

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you’d be interested in getting published, do give me an email at artsentertainment.sined@gmail.com.

FASHION & LIFESTYLE EDITORIAL

By Anastasia Burton Hello my lovelies! Hedgehog editor mom here. I hope you are all setting in well and doing your best to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. With the uncertainty of lockdown and what is happening in this world ]it’s nice to be able to read your college paper and see what’s up.

My goal as the Fashion and Lifestyle editor is to bring you a platform where you can talk about your life and share things you love with others. I know it’s tough to try and get into the college paper considering college isn’t really on this year and everyone is a bit lost, but writing articles about your hobbies, your lifestyle and your interests is always a good way to unwind, while also getting good credit for your CV! My DMs are always open to those who want to pitch in ideas or just want to chat. I’m always happy to respond over email at lifestyle.sined@mail.com, from my Instagram: @thevioletbumblebee or my Facebook Anastasia Burton.

This year I want to have a few regulars writing articles for each issue many of those such articles are made to help students adjust to a healthy and responsible lifestyle in terms of food and budgeting. I am also open to having a section for mental health which I believe is one of the most important things that we need to talk about right now. If you have any ideas or really want to write about your experiences, then hit me up!

I hope you are wearing masks and keeping yourselves healthy and happy!

Lots of love, Anastasia

OPINION EDITORIAL

By Darren Casserly Hello once again everybody and welcome to the second issue of SIN this year. While it may feel like a very different year in college for everyone, we can take solace in the fact that SIN has an array of high-quality articles for you to read.

In this issue’s Opinion section, we have Maureen Breslin questioning if lecturers should have to pass a digital literacy test in order to teach lectures online. Everyone knows how bad an online lecture can be if the lecturers cannot even get the basics right.

Darragh Nolan writes about if the truth is something that can be found on social media these days and Niamh Casey tells us about how poor mental health facilities are for many people in Ireland.

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In Covid news, Matthew Geraghty wonders how people can cope with going into a second lockdown is put in place even if the first one hasn’t even felt like it has ended yet.

If you, like many other people want to find a way of escaping all the negativity and overall bad news for a bit, Katie Barragry gives us some tips to feel a bit better for a while.

I also talk about how the government has passed the 100 day milestone, and what might be in their future and the future of Irish politics as a whole.

We have all of these articles along with a few others that might interest you in this issue. Finally, I just want to thank of our contributors for making this issue and if you are interested in writing for SIN or if you just have any questions you can email me at opinion. sined@gmail.com.

SPORTS EDITORIAL

By Oisín Bradley Hello once again everyone, and welcome back for Issue two of SIN. The past few weeks have certainly been eventful, and of course for the students of NUIG it’s been no different, not least in sports!

This Issue, we have the low-down on the trials and tribulations of Galway WFC, who played out an entertaining tussle with Wexford Youths in the quarter finals of the FAI Cup. Many from NUIG have tasted silverware in the county in recent weeks, with two of our students and alumni picking up medals across the grades. Firstly we look to the Senior Football Championship, where Dessie Conneely captained his Moycullen side to victory over Mountbellew-Moylough, scoring an impressive 1-9. Conneely was among 12 past and present students involved with the newly-crowned kingpins.

Meanwhile, Adrian Varley was the talk of the Intermediate final, and he was to the fore as he captained Cortoon Shamrocks to Intermediate glory. We also have coverage of the hurling decider thrown in for good measure, in a clash where Saint Thomas made it back to back to back titles to maintain their dominance on Galway hurling.

We have articles from a new contributor to the section in Louise Toal, who has been in contact with both Psychology Lecturer Dr. Jane Lynch as well as Ann Heneghan, newly-elected President of Connacht Rugby.

Elsewhere, we take a look at the issues surrounding sport and Covid-19, in particular the suspension of Galway United’s clash with Drogheda United, and cast our thoughts on whether or not such issues could raise their heads in the future.

Finally, we cast our eye over the fortune of all of Galway’s prospects in the top football leagues across the season, with a league season that has been full of action before the international break.

Hope you enjoy the read!

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SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

University to hold virtual winter conferring next month

By Conor Brummell News and Current Affairs Editor NUI Galway has announced that there will be no physical Winter conferring ceremony this month, with graduations going online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Conferrings will be held between the 30th of November until the 9th of December, the University announced the news in an email to students, saying, “Due to the ongoing limits on congregation on campus (and across the country), our Winter Conferring ceremonies will take place virtually.

Our Conferring team will be in contact with graduands shortly with information on dates and how to take part.”

“Graduation is a huge milestone in our students’ lives, made all the more significant by the challenges they faced in completing the final semester of their studies,” the email continued, stating that, “We are disappointed that we cannot celebrate with our new graduates on campus, but we look forward to marking their achievement online and sharing in the good wishes from friends and family.”

“These earlier virtual conferrings had a sense

of novelty about them. We are thinking about ways in which we can make more meaningful virtual conferrings in the age of Covid-19.”

SIN spoke to students due to graduate next month about the reality of having an online ceremony, and how they are feeling about the situation.

Criodan Ó Murchú finished his degree in Chemistry last May and says that the whole situation is disappointing. “It’s sad that we don’t get to tie things off nicely with a bow, but I think we have to recognize the far from ideal situation that we are in. I’d say most people would love a graduation of sorts but that won’t be happening this year.”

“I think people should take solace in the fact that they know themselves that they’re done. They’ve done the hard work. They’ve been through their degrees and completed them. The graduation is only supplementary to your success. I would rather wait to have my graduation in person, with my classmates, than have someone hastily read my name incorrectly via livestream and let that be the end of four years at college,” he finished.

Aidan Casey, who is graduating from NUI Galway with a BA in Economics and Sociology and Politics, agrees with the feeling of disappointment that a lot of students are experiencing about

AN BHFUIL DÚSHUIM AGAT

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An Criú LEASA

Glac páirt i gCriú Leasa an Chomhaltais!

Déan teagmháil le su.welfare@nuigalway.ie le tuilleadh eolais a fháil

An Criú

@nuigsu

LEASA NUIGalwayStudentsUnion www.su.nuigalway.ie

Photo: Galway Daily

graduating online. “We never got to say goodbye in March. I think we got an email in the morning to say it was our last day. I know they have no choice but to go online for graduations though. I do hope, however, that when circumstances allow, we will be invited back on campus for some sort of ceremony to celebrate in person.”

“Although I do think we could be waiting a long time for that because even when a vaccine is ready, it will take a while to roll it out,” he said jokingly.

“As for celebrating, I have seen some other colleges such as UCD and UL graduate this year. You

get your parchment in the post and you get sorted with the gown somehow. I will probably take pictures with family or something but will have to see how it will work first.”

“I can’t imagine it will be too exciting though hearing your name on a Zoom call or something to reward you for getting through your college degree.

That is why I would like a proper celebration when it is possible to do so,” he stated.

The University has appealed to students for suggestions on how virtual graduations could be made more meaningful in the future.

Public Transport: Essential Workers and travel only

By Niamh McGee As the nation enters Level 3 restrictions, public transport is required to reduce their capacity by a further 50%. It has been highlighted that within these restrictions, only essential travel should be carried out on-board public transport, which raises questions for students and members of the public who rely on buses and trains to get them from place to place.

According to Citizens information Ireland, ‘essential travel’ is defined by travelling for ‘work, education or essential purposes’. Although Level 3 has further restricted our day to day activities, such as socialisation and leisure, it is still within our rights to carry out many of these activities while following public health guidelines.

However, students who do not drive claim that they are left to rely on public transport to travel to and from these activities. With your own transport you can travel anywhere within your county to safely carry out any activity deemed viable under Level 3.

If a student wishes to meet a friend for outdoor dining, or a distanced walk for example, they can do so if they drive to the area but are being told not to do so if they require public transport. It has also been suggested by the government under Level 3 to cycle and walk as much as possible. Although this may be ideal to those living in urban areas, it is highly unrealistic for those living rurally. For many living in small villages, the nearest town can be as far as 20 kilometres away, and public transport is simply the only option.

Another obvious challenge to this idea is physical conditions. As winter approaches and darkness arrives early, it is unsafe to cycle for most of the evening. Another simple point is the weather conditions as winter approaches. It is extremely impractical to expect people to cycle any reasonable distance in such conditions.

This also calls into question peoples mental and emotional health as lockdown looms once

Rural transport systems are few and far between in Ireland again. Essential purposes are very much focused on physical matters such as work, appointments, and education.

But for many young people, the most difficult thing about lockdown is the isolation and lack of face-to -face interaction with friends, family, and partners.

This is a natural and human need and has a massive impact on our overall mental health.

This in ways asks to redefine ‘essential purposes’ with people having to use public transport to carry out their infrequent yet safe interactions.

Having asked several NUIG students their thoughts on this matter, it was clearly highlighted that there is now a sense of guilt for use of public transport to carry out these activities although they are viable under Level 3. Words such as ‘guilt’, ‘angry’, ‘confused’ and ‘unfair’ were used to describe this situation by the students in question. At a time where any socialisation or activity is very important, to have this limited or shamed because of how we get there, seems unfair to many young adults relying on public transport.

SIN spoke to two members of staff who work on public transport, Mary an employee of Iarnrod Éireann states, “This point was never really considered as these days it is presumed most people drive.”

Tommy, an employee of Bus Éireann claims that, “Everyone should have access to public transport, as long as it is done safely, I can’t see why not.”

It is evident that those who rely on public transport are feeling a sense of guilt for doing so, and that the Government and staffing of public transport authorities are simply unaware of this issue or do not feel it has a large impact on health and safety.

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October 20 2020

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Confessions fundraiser smashes target in two hours Paddy Henry NUI Galway Twitter legends NUIG Confessions have received widespread acclaim after setting up a GoFundMe for local mental health charity Helplink.

The account, run by anonymous duo, NUIG Gossip Girl and The Other Admin announced their charitable intentions last Saturday to coincide with World Mental Health Day. The fundraiser smashed its initial goal of raising €500 for the local charity within just two hours and has since gone on to raise over €1,000 for the cause The account’s admins spoke to SIN about the charitable endeavour, which they had only devised the night prior “The idea Genuinely came to us on Friday, no word of a lie we thought of it Friday night as something to do for world mental health day, and from there we looked into mental health services and charities around Galway and the west of Ireland and from there the SU told us about Helplink and how they were on of the charities the SU were working on fundraising for this year.” they said.

One half of the mysterious double act found that as the page grew in popularity students began to open up to them anonymously about their feelings of loneliness and general struggles with college life.

When we set up this page we admittedly set it up as a place for people to confess love for their class mates, send in stories about embarrassing one night stands and the library romances students dream of, but pretty quickly we had students opening up to us about how lonely they felt in college, how hard things were for them and we couldn’t ignore it.

The Other Admin himself opened up about his own experiences with the mental health services available on campus and the important role Helplink played in his own life. “ When everything shut down in March, even myself (TOA), my mental health was in the gutter, I tried accessing the mental health supports the college have in place but we all know that NUIG has room for improvement there. So, it was services like HelpLink that helped me get through a rough few month.”

The uncertainty that comes with the current health crisis has taken its toll on students and the accounts’ admins said that being able to make a difference through Their twitter account has been “incredible” to them.

“With so much uncertainty around what’s happening with the year ahead for everyone, there’s so much unnecessary stress on student’s lives, but apart from that, we’re just missing out on so many opportunities to do anything, societies, Sports clubs, SU events all having to cancel or go all online has made it so hard for people to have meaningful experiences and make meaningful connections and friendships.”, they said We’ve realised that there is sort of a little community around this page, we’ve had people tell us how much it helps them in keeping track of what’s going on around NUIG, Galway and even Ireland when it comes to the world we live in at the moment so the fact the we can change even one person’s mood is enough, but being able to actually have major impacts on student life and do

things like this fundraiser is incredible to us. they continued.

Helplink expressed their gratitude towards all those who donated, telling SIN they were “bowled over” by the support.

“Helplink Mental Health, Galway’s only mental health charity that provides counselling and other mental health services 7 day a week are absolutely bowled over by the generosity of students from NUIG that have been donating to a GoFundMe page set up by @NUIGConfessions.”

“NUIG Confessions set up the fund on World Mental Health Day and it has been exceeding targets ever since! Helplink is one of three charities chosen this year by NUIG SU for support on charity events throughout the academic year. They provide accessible free or low-cost mental health services to children, young people and adults alike.”

Helplink CEO Lochlann Scott also spoke of his appreciation for the generosity of students who donated; “we are very humbled and appreciative of the

students that are supporting our work.

Helplink has strong ties with NUIG and we are delighted that we are receiving such support”.

As far as other charitable endeavours go in the future the admins of the 6,000-follower strong account haven’t ruled out further good work, and have committed to supporting future support work by the SU over the course of the year.

“We haven’t talked about doing anything concrete in the future yet but we know the SU have big plans coking for fundraising and we’ll obviously be supporting them there in their efforts but after the success of this fundraiser, we’d be kind of insane to not try and do more.” they said.

NicLochlainn calls for reduction in levy as NUIG goes online for rest of semester

By Paddy Henry and Oisín Bradley NUI Galway is ceasing most on-campus lectures for the duration of Semester One. The information, circulated by the University via an email on Tuesday afternoon, detailed that all lectures

scheduled to take place in the University before Christmas with the exception of Research facilities and practical labbased tutorials are to cease.

“Considering that current national restrictions (at Level 3 at least) will be now in place until (at least) week 5 in the

semester and sensing the need for as much certainty and stability as possible in this regard, for the remainder of this semester, all other teaching and learning will remain online,” the college revealed.

The announcement also detailed that only essential on-site activities would

be taking place for the remainder of the Semester, including research facilities and lab-based practical tuition for which it is essential to have an on-campus setting.

The news comes on the back of the announcement from the Government on Monday evening that the entire country would be moving to Level Three regulations in the country’s plan for living with Covid-19.

The University had been operating under these restrictions for the duration of Week One and Week Two of the academic year. However, with cases in the region, as well as the nation as a whole rising sharply, the University has decided to make this decision in order to keep its staff and students safe.

The James Hardiman library is to remain open under the restrictions outlined at present, while the University are also said to be exploring the idea of safe spaces where students can congregate in a risk-free setting.

On campus accommodation facilities will remain open, and the University has announced that it will refund the cost of campus accommodation, less facilities charges, for the remainder of the semester, should students choose to leave.

Speaking to SIN, Students’ Union Welfare and Equality Officer Róisín Nic Lochlainn welcomed this announcement, but encouraged other off-campus complexes to follow in their footsteps “Campus Living are offering refunds for Semester One, and we welcome that from the on-campus accommodation, but we need other residences around the city to follow suit on that.”

“What we really need to see now is accommodation providers around the city show a bit of human compassion and empathy around the situation that students have been put in, beyond their own control and refund students in full for the accommodation this semester.” she said.

Nic Lochlainn slammed the University for what she described as a ‘last-minute’ response, highlighting the problems this has brought for International Students in particular.

“I have been bombarded with queries, International students especially are very angry, and rightly so. They have been asking me why they have been called from halfway around the world to come here for NUIG to finally say at the last minute that it’s all online.”

She also called into question how the University can justifiably charge the student levy in its entirety given the lack of services available on campus, owing to the pandemic, calling for a reduction in the cost of the levy.

“I would call into question how charging the student levy could be justified,” she said.

“I can’t see how the university can now justify charging for services such as the student levy when all of the services within the levy either won’t be of use or will be online which will obviously be of reduced quality.”

“If it is online and the least the University can do is reduce the fees for things like clubs and societies and the kingfisher, they’re not going to be of use now and should at the very least be reduced,” she continued.

6 NEWS & F E ATU R ES

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

New NUI Galway study reveals increase in online threats of physical and sexual violence against female politicians:

By Caoimhe Killeen A new ongoing study carried out by a team from the Discipline of Journalism and Communications at NUI Galway has revealed online abuse of female politicians is increasing in the form of threats of both physical and sexual violence against them and their families.

The findings were presented earlier this month at a webinar called ‘Cyber Harassment: Women in Politics and Online Abuse’ organised by the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality and the National Women’s Council of Ireland.

The study was conducted through a series of interviews that took place between November 2019 and March 2020.

So far, 69 female politicians have been interviewed for the study, with current and former female members of the Oireachtas taking part.

Female councillors from all major Irish political parties were also interviewed, and further interviews to contribute further to the study have also been planned.

According to the study, 96% of those interviewed had received ‘hate mail’ through email or social media, with these messages containing threaten-

ing language. Three quarters of those interviewed stated they had been threatened with physical violence via social media, while two in five reported threats of sexual violence. A quarter of women also reported experiences of public verbal abuse.

“Hate speech and discrimination disproportionately affect women, people of colour, LGBTI individuals, and people with disabilities,” Midlands-North-West MEP Maria Walsh told SIN. “In a digital world, hate speech is no longer confined to our towns and borders. It crosses borders and cannot be contained within national laws…

We need to project those at risk from harassment from people who often feel like they can act with impunity.”

Walsh also added that she was working at the European level to bring in tougher laws for hate speech both online and offline to ensure a unified approach in all EU countries.

In fact, only a minority of those interviewed for the study said they had reported the abuse to Gardaí or to social media companies.

They stated that they found it hard for social media companies and Gardaí to take their threats seriously, as there was the perception that these politicians had warranted this abuse and were “fair game.”

Other participants also admitted to receiving threatening and abusive phone calls both on their mobile and home phone. Because of the abuse received on social media, they were also worried for their family’s safety online, were not comfortable in attending large public meetings alone and even considered quitting their political careers solely due to the abuse.

Sinn Féin Galway-West TD Mairead Farrell claimed that the treatment of women in politics puts them off running for public office, telling SIN: “I think the way that women are treated in the media and on social media can definitely make them think twice about whether they’d run in an election.”

“I was recently contacted by a reporter who wanted to interview me about my ‘Dáil wardrobe.’ I found it a bit bizarre because my fashion choices are not something that I spend too long thinking about, and I doubt a male TD would have been asked a similar question. I declined the interview.”

Farrell added that while there was an increase in the number of female politicians who were elected in this year’s General Election, women make up less than a quarter of the current Dáil, which is still a very low number, and that a quota of numbers

elected was necessary to ensure politics was more reflective of society.

Tom Felle, Head of Journalism and Communications at NUI Galway, and part of the team that conducted the study stated that some of these results were truly shocking.

“Social media has become a den of misogyny, a cesspit of trolls, where many female public representatives are abused and bullied regularly. Threats of physical violence are criminal acts and abuse of this nature are abhorrent.”, he said.

“At a time when society needs to see more women entering politics, there is a real danger that this behaviour will have a chilling effect and discourage women from running for public office.

The findings are particularly telling in local government.”

Farrell noted that this year’s General Election marked the first time three women had ever been elected at the same time in her constituency of Galway West, as well as the first time women would be the majority representatives in the constituency.

“The impact of social media trolls and occasional sexist journalism does not help. I believe that social media platforms need to do more to tackle the online trolls, hate speech and make users feel safer,” she concluded.

NUI Galway lecturer Fionnuala Corbett wins Silver for News Broadcaster of the Year at the IMRO awards

By Sarah Slevin NUI Galway lecturer Fionnuala Corbett was successful at the recent IMRO Radio Awards, taking home silver in the News Broadcaster of the Year category in the event in early October.

The national IMRO Radio awards took place via Livestream, replacing the usual celebrations of a Gala Dinner in the Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny.

SIN spoke to Fionnuala Corbett, Head of News at iRadio and Journalism lecturer at NUI Galway, to get her reaction on winning Silver for News Broadcaster of the year. She also gives an insight into the journey that got her to this moment, which she confirmed was a highlight of her career so far.

Speaking with modesty, Fionnuala said she was ecstatic with the recognition, and that on the run up to the awards ceremony, she tried not to get ahead of herself, although some belief had slipped through.

“Last Friday, the nerves were building, I’m not going to lie. I did allow myself to think of how nice it would be to be recognised in some way.”

Complimentary of both the event organisers and the other nominees, Fionnuala gave a shout out to everyone who was nominated and also commended IMRO and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) for such a well-run and, mostly, technical glitch free event.

Not getting to go to the Gala was a shame for the IRadio presenter, but Fionnuala and those watching with her did not let that dampen their spirits: “It was definitely strange. Normally you would get to head to Kilkenny, and you’d be getting very dressed up. You would be getting the hair and make-up done and you’d have a real night of it

in the Lyrath Estate, but obviously we were all confined to our sitting rooms pretty much. I think everyone made the most of it.”

Fionnuala began her radio career early, getting her start in iRadio during her school years. A brief work placement gave her a taste for radio and from there, she went on to study Journalism and New Media in the University of Limerick.

Fiona McGarry, one of Fionnuala’s lectuers in Limerick had nothing but praise for Fionnuala, saying, “Right from her student days she showed great potential. It is fantastic now to see that this has been recognised by IMRO. It’s also great to see women in broadcasting being acknowledged. Fionnuala is a really great role model for young women going into the radio industry today.”

Going for any-and-every opportunity is key in Fionnuala’s mind if you want to pursue a career in the industry. Through her studies, she took on a sixmonth placement with iRadio and got to experience it all, from news to the promo team and she also got an insight into radio production. Fionnuala then travelled to Scotland where she did a short placement with Central FM. Soon after that, she was offered a weekend news role with iRadio – all while still working on the final year of her degree. After a brief stint with Morning Ireland, Fionnuala took on a full-time news role with iRadio where she began as a contributor with Fergal D’Arcy. She has been with the station ever since.

Currently, Fionnuala is working with Dave Duke on their daily show ‘The Lift’ and is appreciative of the joy it brings both themselves and their listeners. “You get to have a lot of fun as well,” she says.

“With the Lift, we do try and make people laugh, and we have a lot of fun day to day.”

Fionnuala could not help but give her colleague Dave Duke some well-earned praise for their show Éirevision, which also won a Bronze Specialist Music Show award at the IMROs, saying, “He is an absolutely fantastic colleague, he just couldn’t be better to work with.”

David for his part says the feeling is mutual, stating that, “Fionnuala is an absolute powerhouse of a broadcaster and I genuinely mean that. I can guarantee you that there is not another broadcaster in the country that works harder than Fionnuala Corbett.”

The secret to her success, Fionnuala maintains, is that it is all about dedication, commitment and having fun with it. Putting in the work and doing your research pays off and gives you a better opportunity to really enjoy your time on air. It seems that Fionnuala is exactly where she is supposed to be and is loving every moment she spends collaborating with her colleagues and speaking to her listeners.

“There is a real buzz that comes with getting to go on air and it’s a real privilege to get to go live every day and I do really appreciate that,” she finished.

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October 20 2020

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Students express concerns over handling of SUSI grants

By Conor Brummell When colleges closed last March, many students were forced to move back to their hometowns to complete the academic year online. With most of these students staying in their locality from March until September, many of their part-time jobs allocated them more hours to help deal with the surge in demand from the coronavirus pandemic.

On top of this, some students who were working in restaurants or bars during the weekends were made unemployed and were able to avail of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 a week, and the decreased rate of €203 euro from June onwards.

This resulting increase of earnings for students during lockdown has seen a rise in concerns about the allocation of SUSI grants this year. The first payment was due to be made on Friday October 9th, and many students took to social media to express frustrations that they weren’t awarded their correct entitlements. For some, their maintenance grant was cut entirely, despite being approved months prior.

One student from NUI Galway spoke to SIN about her situation, stating that SUSI told her she had worked too much last year and was no longer entitled to a maintenance grant.

“I apparently worked too much which brought up the overall household income. The savings my mam has now are limited due to my brother needing to go to Poland to do Veterinary Medicine, because his points were downgraded by the Leaving Cert system this year.”

“All I currently have is €17 in my bank account and €60 in my credit union. I may have earned a lot last year through my part time work but that went towards living expenses and I’ve since been left with next to nothing,” she continued.

“SUSI won’t award me my maintenance grant as a result, and my brother is only entitled to 75% of his, leaving him with €37 a week once his rent is paid.”

The student in question moved back to Galway on the pretence that there was going to be on-campus lectures this semester, which changed due to the ongoing public health restrictions and NUI Galway moving teaching online until after Christmas.

“My dad is helping me pay my rent, but I still have to contribute €250 to it a month. I’m thinking of trying to get out of my lease, seeing as we have no lectures on campus, but then I’m also going to lose out on my deposit of €400 which I paid for with my own money.”

She states that she availed of the PUP during lockdown because her workplace, a bar in Galway, closed due to restrictions.

“To be quite honest I’m really stressed, and I have been feeling very drained and exhausted because the every day the situation has changed and it’s quite hard to keep up with, and now I have this financial stress and worry on top of everything too.”

“SUSI normally awarded my sister something like €350 the whole time she was at University, but I only ever received something like €85 a month which isn’t much in the first place,” she caid.

“We’ve heard nothing from SUSI yet, but mum has had to fight with them over appeals every year.

It feels as if things are purposely miscalculated, so you lose out on it and they only give in if you keep fighting for what you’re entitled to.”

Another student from Galway said that matters are uncertain for her too.

“I might not get it at all depending on what they’re saying. A lot of people are being thrown this out of the blue, and I’m lucky that I’m in a situation where it’ll be okay but for so many people who’ve moved to other counties, they’re at a loss.”

“A few of my friends have gotten letters in the last week that have asked for all their income details yet again and without this information, SUSI are withholding money that was originally

other than college, but it’s their wages they look at.”

“Unless my parents get an accountant to look over everything in the next few days, they’ll have to pay for college this year too,” she finished.

A spokesperson from SUSI responded to a request for comment from SIN, stating that they do not hold on record the number of grants not renewed year upon year.

However, they did say that to date in the academic year 2020/21, SUSI received over 97,000 applications with over 73,000 awarded funding.

“We’ve heard nothing from SUSI yet, but mum has had to fight with them over appeals every year.

It feels as if things are purposely miscalculated, so you lose out on it and they only give in if you keep fighting for what you’re entitled to.” granted months ago. It was due out on the ninth (of October) and I only know of one person who got it on time.”

This student’s parents are self-employed, so usually the grant fluctuates, but both parents have found themselves out of jobs because of the pandemic.

“I received SUSI in first and third year and was supposed to get it this year too. They have paid for my fees in the past and I get €135 euro maintenance.

I’m totally financially independent from my parents

Of the 73,000, over 38,000 are renewal students.

These figures are subject to change as SUSI is still processing applications.

The spokesperson also stated that, “Over 40,000 higher education students, including over 3,000 from NUI Galway, received their first payment on Friday. To ensure students receive their first payment as soon as possible, SUSI is making weekly payments from 9th October.

“Students receive the payment as detailed in their grant award or grant renewal letter. For exam-

ple, if an undergraduate student has been awarded the 100% adjacent rate of maintenance, the student will receive €1,215 in nine instalments of €135.”

NUI Galway’s Students’ Union Welfare Officer, Róisín Nic Lochlainn told SIN that she has had some students contact her about the SUSI grant and late payments.

“There may be a delay in the process or a problem with their applications. SUSI has also informed some students that the payment is now being made on the 19th October. If their SUSI grant was approved, they should be entitled to the amount approved.”

However, if a student is facing financial difficulty, the University’s Financial Aid Fund is now open, and students are encouraged to apply for help if they need it.

“Students can contact myself or the Chaplaincy for immediate financial support. What I can do in situations like these is call the private SUSI numbers that the SU are given for circumstances exactly like this- but in order for me to be able to discuss individual cases and see what has went wrong, the students need to reach out to me first and give me written permission to act as a third party in their application before I can discuss their case.”

“It’s such an awful position to be in - the whole SUSI process needs desperate reform and I’ll be bringing it up with Galway west TDs when I meet with them next week,” Nic Lochlainn commented.

More information about the Financial Aid can be found here: https://su.nuigalway.ie/ help-advice/financial-aid-fund/

8 F E AT U R E S

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

Christmas Shoeboxes HAVE GONE VIRTUAL

By Fiona Lee

With businesses in peril as cases of Covid-19 have begun to soar once again, more and more people have been, strangely, talking about Christmas shopping.

Every year, however, it is around now that people usually start gathering toys, hats and toothbrushes

to make up a Christmas Shoebox, as part of Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Thankfully, despite this pandemic, the appeal will be operating fully online this year.

If you are not familiar with their initiative, Team Hope usually invites the public to make up shoeboxes filled with gifts for vulnerable children in Africa and Eastern Europe. They are delivered straight into the hands of children affected by poverty. These shoeboxes are often the only gift that these children will receive at Christmas, and the joy

Ellie Sheane from Co. Wicklow pictured at the launch of the 2020 Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal at The Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan.

that they deliver is amazing. My mother started me off making shoeboxes as a child, and I remember her mentioning that one volunteer told her that a boy screamed with delight when he got his shoebox, and then fainted when he realised there were things inside it. The impact these gifts have on children with virtually nothing cannot be overstated.

Alan McElwee, Team Hope’s Business Development Manager, told SIN about necessary changes this year due to the pandemic.

“A lot has changed this year. Because of restrictions, we have had to completely change how we approach the Christmas Shoebox Appeal. We are doing it completely online this year.”

“So, what that means is, instead of asking our donors to give a gift-filled shoebox, we will be asking them to donate €20 online to our website, teamhope.ie. We are working with 12 partners overseas. They, on behalf of the donor, are going to assemble and distribute shoeboxes to the children in local communities in their countries.”

Team Hope have tried to make the process of making a box online just as fun as putting it together yourself with their new interactive website.

“What we have tried to do is replicate some of the personal engagement and choice people can have even when they’re donating online. Much of the feedback is that people really enjoy picking out gift items to put in their shoebox, so to try to replicate that a bit, we made it interactive on the website. Donors online will be able to select certain items from a pick list that they might like to have as part of their donations.”

To put together a shoebox, you must think of these four categories:

Something to Wear, Something to Wash with, Something to Write with, and Something to wow them with like toys and teddies.

The website lets you go through each category and you can pick three things to put in per category.

Examples include toothbrushes, face clothes, socks, teddies, copy books, crayons, a woolly hat, scarves, a bouncy ball and so much more.

“They can also upload a picture or a message of some kind because we know that donors really like to personalise their shoebox donation, and there is still an element of that with the online donation process.”

Despite Team Hope’s centres being closed due to the pandemic, Alan says volunteers are still working hard to raise funds for this year’s shoeboxes, as well as schools and companies.

“Our former volunteers have been extremely supportive! A lot of them are thinking now of what they can do locally, in terms of running fundraisers for Team Hope to fund even more shoebox donations this year.”

“A number of schools continue their support this year too, even though it’s a difficult time for teachers. They are thinking about how they can involve their class in helping Team Hope and vulnerable children.”

“There is lots of support from corporates as well, we have been speaking to a number of businesses in Galway, including Medtronic, KPMG and Aviva, their staff are going to get involved.”

“So while it’s been a lot of change in terms of how we are going to re-engineer the Shoebox Appeal, it seems to still have a relevance, and I think people appreciate that as tough as we have

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Pic 4 Ellie and Arthur Sheane from Co. Wicklow are pictured with their cousin, Irish Women’s Hockey International Elena Tice, at the launch of the 2020 Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal, which moves to an online-only appeal for the first time. People across Ireland are being asked to #TeamUpForTeamHope by building personalised giftfilled shoeboxes for children affected by poverty in Eastern Europe and Africa it in Ireland, and clearly it has been tough on us, the impact is even greater for our partners living overseas, living in very underdeveloped communities and countries where the healthcare system is just not there at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic.”

“They don’t have the same possibilities for social distancing and isolation, and if they don’t work one day, they don’t get any pay and then they don’t have anything for food or education. We are very grateful for the continued support.”

Retired volunteers are still able to get involved despite needing to cocoon by coming together and setting up ‘Super Knitters’ groups. They have been making soft toys and little figures since the summer!

One blessing that has come from this new set up is that Team Hope have been able to push the deadline for donations back by more than a full month.

“The deadline in terms of donation is the 23rd of December. In previous years it has been in November, but we can go on later this year and continue working with our partners into the New Year. For some of our partners, Christmas can be on different dates, especially in Eastern Europe. We just wanted to give people in Ireland the best opportunity to donate, even coming into Christmas week, and to stagger the making of shoeboxes out for our overseas partner as well.”

To donate and make your virtual shoebox, go to teamhope.ie.

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Discover You Irish Women’s Hockey International Elena Tice (centre) with her cousins Arthur and Ellie Sheane from Co. Wicklow at the launch of the 2020 Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal, which moves to an online-only appeal for the first time.. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan.

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10 F EATU R E S

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

Mol na Meáin: Mícheál D. Ó hUigínn Le Eímear Nig Oireachtaigh

Sa cholún seo, pléann Eímear Nig Oireachtaigh daoine a bhfuil beart déanta acu sna meáin maidir leis an nGaeilge. San éagran seo, labhair sí le Micheál D. Ó hUigínn!

Táim cinnte go bhfuil aithne agaibh go léir ar an bhfear seo! Tá stair fhada aige leis an nGaeilge agus i saol na polaitíochta, a thosaigh amach anseo in Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh le hAontas na Mac Léinn in 1964. D’oibrigh sé le Páirtí an Lucht Oibre ansin ar feadh na mblianta, agus anois, ar ndóigh, is ár n-uachtarán é le naoi mbliana, agus beidh sé le cúig bhliain eile. Ar ndóigh, Michael D. Ó hUigínn atá ann!

Creid é nó ná creid, bhí deis agam cúpla ceist a chuir air don cholún seo.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, cén bhaint atá aige leis an nGaeilge? Bhuel, tá Gaeilge líofa aige. Bhí sé mar chuid den fhoireann a thosaigh Teilifís na Gaeilge (TG4 anois) i rith a thréimse mar Aire do na hEalaíona. Dar leis féin, bhí sé mar “uachtaránacht bháúil” don teanga, agus “do thuairimí neamhráite” i rith a shaol gairmiúil. Má tá sibh ag iarraidh aon fhianaise de sin, níl ort ach breathnú ar aon óráid atá tugtha aige i nGaeilge. Is léir go bhfuil sé paiseanta faoin teanga, agus an cultúr a thagann leis.

Thaispeáin sé an paisean sin, nuair a chuir sé fáilte roimh dhaoine tae a bheith acu leis i rith Seachtain na Gaeilge i 2019.

Maidir le spreagadh an teanga, i mo thuairim, tá sé sin déanta aige leis an gcaoi ina nglacann sé léi mar Uachtarán. Ní úsáideann sé í díreach amháin chun óráid a thosú, ach déanann sé óráidí go léir trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá sé soiléir dom go dtuigeann sé an ról lárnach atá ag an nGaeilge nuair a thagann sé chuig ár ndomhain pholaitiúil. Nuair a fheiceann daoine go dtógann an tUachtarán an Ghaeilge dháiríre, tógann siadsan í dáiríre freisin.

Spreagann sé daoine cúpla focal a úsáid, fiú mura bhfuil ach cúpla focal acu.

Leis sin go léir ráite, agus an méid atá déanta aige do phobal na Gaeilge, céard é an rud is fearr leis faoin nGaeilge? Ní féidir leat an méid atá déanta aige a dhéanamh gan chúis mhaith. Ar ndóigh, bhí freagair iontach aige dom: “Nuair a labhraímid Gaeilge táimid ag déanamh cumarsáid le chéile, dar ndóigh, ach ar shlí eile táimid i dteagmháil lenár sinsear agus na glúnta ar fad a chaith a saol ar an oileán seo romhainn, thar na mílte bliain, trí mheán na Gaeilge.”

Agus nach sin an fhírinne. Ceapaim féin go dtaispeánann sé sin an chaoi ina n-oibríonn Mícheál D. go foirfe. Is duine praiticiúil é, ach bíonn sé i gcónaí ag smaoineamh ar an oileán ina iomláine, an stair atá againn agus an tábhacht a bhaineann le cultúr na tíre.

Má tá tú ag iarraidh é a chloisteáil ag labhairt as Gaeilge, níl ort ach é sin a bhreathnú suas. Ach, má tá moladh faoi leith uait, molaim go mór an óráid ghlactha a thug sé nuair a bhuaigh sé a chéad toghcháin chun a bheith ina Uachtarán. Ní hamháin go

bhfuil a Ghaeilge iontach álainn, ach tá sé chomh spreagúil! Tugann sé buíochas dúinn, muintir na hÉireann, as éisteacht leis ar feadh na mblianta. Níl a fhios agam fúibh, ach tá mé réidh le héisteacht leis ar feadh cúig bhliain eile.

A Mixed Bag of Emotions Towards Online Learning

by Sarah Slevin

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With the first week of online classes now over, we’ve all gotten a real taste of how the 2020/21 academic year will pan out. So, how are we feeling about it? The good news is that it is not all bad - many students SIN have spoken to have been able to find their silver-lined cloud in the world of online learning. Having said that though, the cons of it are by no means insignificant. From communication to fees, here is a real sense of how NUIG’s students are coping.

A lot of students agree that online learning has one major benefit: recorded lectures. Jess Harkin, an MA student in Digital Media, makes the point that in-person lectures can often be hard to keep up with and that having the luxury to pause and go at your own pace is really beneficial. Another advantage seems to be having the ability to access recorded lectures: it means that they are available for students when doing assignments or essays. However, some lectures are only being pre-recorded and are not live at all.

This poses multiple problems, and not all of them are with regards to academia. Fionn McGlacken, a 2nd year student studying Psychological Studies with Data Science, explains that it is “much harder to concentrate when watching pre-recorded lectures because it doesn’t feel like you’re there with everyone”. And so, we must now turn our attention to the impact online learning is having on students’ mental health.

A lack of social interaction and collaboration is already taking a toll on many students and this is quite troubling seeing as we are only a month or so in. While a lot of students have acknowledged that some aspects of working from home are beneficial, such as saving money on food and time on commuting, it would be crazy to ignore the severe effects being in the one area all the time has on you mentally.

Robbie Walsh, a 2nd year Arts student says that “it feels like you have more of a workload” which is likely due to the fact that everything is done at your own desk. It is a lonely way of learning.

When asked about what changes they would like to see in the coming weeks, many students referred to communication - whether that be with lecturers or simply

their classmates. Not knowing who is in your class, being unable to discuss your studies in person, and feeling like your only friend is your computer screen is simply not sustainable long term. While there is a clear understanding from students that lecturers are doing their best under the circumstances, there is also an undeniable need for these concerns to be addressed.

But what is the answer?

It seems that it would be an effective move for lecturers to swap out some lectures with more tutorials, more Q&A sessions and more use of break-out rooms – basically anything that can provide classmates with an opportunity to collaborate and interact with each other.

In the meantime, though there are options for students missing the sociability of college life, such as CÉIM, a student-run programme that could ease the loneliness many are feeling this year. The initiative is led by 2nd-4th year students who run zoom meetings for first years where they can meet fellow classmates and speak to those who have walked in their shoes.

A programme like this is more vital than ever this year, as first years are experiencing an introduction to college life like no other.

And now, we must delve into the controversial topic of fees. If you are expecting a barrage of backlash, then you will be a little underwhelmed. The level of understanding from the students SIN spoke to is quite admirable.

Each student chorused the same sentiment: a reduction is needed. Emma Griffin, who is studying an MA in History, says “there should be a small percentage off due to the fact that we aren’t receiving the exact same conditions as we would if we were in college”. She is backed up by the vast majority of students who all echo the point that the facilities aren’t accessible enough to warrant the same fee level as previous years.

Many are unsure where their money is going and while there is an awareness of the fact that salaries need to be paid and buildings maintained, clarity is sought on the issue.

Fionn McGlacken summed it up best with his words: “Online classes are a tolerable, temporary solution and not ideal”.

GNÉ -ALTANNA

October 20 2020

11

The Spanish Arch controversy

By Rachel Garvey On the evening of Monday, September 28th, concerns were raised over the huge crowds gathered at Spanish Arch for Fresher’s Week. Images of the crowds spread around social media platforms like wildfire and online users took to the comments section to express their anger and fear over such a large crowd and the effects of what it could lead to, in regards to another future lockdown.

SIN spoke to NUI Galway’s Students’ Union President, Pádraic Toomey to see what his thoughts were on the matter.

“For the Spanish Arch incident, we don’t know if it was NUI Galway students or who.

There is a combined population of about 30,000 students between NUI Galway, Galway Technical Institute and Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and it is very hard to know if the people who attended the large gathering were NUI Galway students.”

“This is coupled with the fact that it’s not an uncommon sight to see young people drinking there every summer. However, this was just not the year to do it in large groups”.

Eagle eyed online observers were quick to point out that there were no masks worn by those who attended this large gathering and how little to none of them were social distancing. In response to the large crowds, NUI Galway stated that “the scenes involving students and other young people in some parts of Galway city on Monday night were deplorable”.

“NUI Galway has repeatedly appealed to the better judgement of our students and reminded them of their responsibilities under the Student Code of Conduct.”

“While the vast majority of our students are doing their utmost to stay safe and helping prevent the spread of Covid-19, we will not hesitate in dealing with any breaches of public health guidelines in line with our Student Code of Conduct which has penalties up to and including expulsion.”

To look at the story from both sides, one can see that it’s okay for young people to go out and enjoy themselves, we were all students at one stage in our lives and our college experience was one we wanted to be unforgettable. However, under the circumstances of this year’s pandemic, it wasn’t the right time.

OnlyFans, a Feminist Movement?

By Diana Atmad OnlyFans, a website designed by British entrepreneur Timothy Stokely in 2016 has been the cause of controversy and uproar in the sex industry.

The idea behind OnlyFans is to allow influencers to ‘monetise their fans’ by way of a monthly subscription fee. The site was turned into a sort of pornography site by the content creators themselves, as unlike Instagram there is no censorship of adult content. Although other content remains on the platform, such as comedy, cookery music and fitness, the prevailing theme is pornography.

In the past few months OnlyFans has come to the fore in pop culture with multiple celebrities joining the app, including Blac Chyna, Bella Thorne and Lana Rhoades. At the end of August this year Bella Thorne generated indignation from content creators and fans alike when her so-called ‘nude’ costing two hundred dollars per person viewing ended up being a lingerie shot. Thorne earned one million dollars in a day from the site. After this incident, OnlyFans capped their extra services at fifty dollars per pay-per-view message and one hundred dollars for tips ‘to prevent overspending’ but they denied that Bella Thorne’s infamy had any role to play in this decision.

Lana Rhoades, in a recent interview with ‘Call Her Daddy’ host Alexandra Cooper, called the porn industry a ‘rip-off’ compared to OnlyFans. She explained further that it is so much more safe and usable than the porn industry she started out in.

In America, where the mainstream porn industry resides, many people get started by finding agents. These agents are primarily men who want to use and abuse women, taking huge chunks of profit and coercing them into doing things they may not be comfortable with. Many believe that it takes a toll on your mental health. Lana Rhoades talked about having a mental block when trying to remember some of her days at work.

The real question is: What does OnlyFans mean for sex workers? It means independence and it

means a safer way to earn a living for one. No men control the work a woman is willing to do and that signals, in the minds of some, progression for the feminist movement and the start of removing stigma around sex work. OnlyFans is already starting to be the catalyst for sex work being approved at least by the younger generations.

SIN asked an Irish content creator what her own experiences were as a publisher in Ireland, a place she describes as, a predominantly Catholic country where values still centre around modesty and virtue. She believed that Ireland was behind the rest of the world in accepting sex work as normal, but that worldwide acceptance has improved exponentially. In the next ten years, when she might decide on a different career, she hopes her history in sex work will not be a deciding factor in whether she secures a job.

She also spoke about how her view on men has changed drastically since starting her OnlyFans.

From seeking validation from the men she was with to now seeing men as ‘clients’. The power that they might alternatively have had over her was being stripped away with every customer purchase.

Overall, OnlyFans having taken the internet by storm in recent months. It may be a subject which brings forth disputes at the dinner table, but so does religion, politics, and every other altercation-inducing topic. Perhaps the most obvious step forward in normalising the sex industry for future generations is the continuous exposure to media coverage on apps like OnlyFans, TikTok, or Instagram.

Hundreds of thousands of creators make a livelihood from the app and help to normalise a taboo industry in many countries today.

Galway City Council made the decision to close Middle Arch following the events of last month. Photo: Connacht Tribune.

Toomey expressed the importance of not blaming the entire student population for the irresponsible actions of a few, pointing out that student nurses have been battling against the pandemic on the frontlines without pay.

“I think it’s just people doing what they did before and the group got larger as the evening went on, but it wasn’t acceptable in a pandemic. Yet we need to commend and remember all the students

who weren’t there, those who worked on the frontlines and worked unpaid by the HSE”.

The Spanish Arch has been closed off recently to stop the gathering of large crowds and with the county now in a Level 3 lockdown, tighter restrictions are in place, with no large gatherings permitted and only one visitor from one household is allowed in the home.

Students’ Union Council

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Then become a Class Rep! Contact the SU Education Officer on su.education@nuigalway.ie for more info @nuigsu

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12 F E ATU R E S Unpaid internship in Coronavirus times.

Are colleges and the government caring enough about students?

By Eithne Tierney While politics, media and the economy have business owners in the spotlight, one sector of society remains somewhat unseen. The students. Since I started college, I could feel how the system regarded my position as a student, that of a luxury. As with many others I lost my part-time job, my only income in April when lockdown started.

On the €203 a week pandemic payment, a new academic year starts. It’s October, and I already owe money to NUI Galway, after I was charged to repeat online exams that I did not pass the first time because the transition to e-learning was rather rocky.

On top of that, I have this year’s fees to pay. NUIG needs me to pay €550 in total, 69% of my monthly income.

The most interesting part is that I won’t be setting a foot on campus, and I won’t be attending lectures via Zoom.

I’m on unpaid placement.

It puzzles me that I’m paying fees that I cannot afford to work for free. I cannot help but wonder where that money is going. Is it going to the professor’s wages that are lecturing me? No. Is it going toward the materials and services I will be consuming on campus? No. I’m away, working full-time for nothing, wondering how I will get by.

Ireland is trying to adapt to the current situation the pandemic has caused, and the sense of support and community at all social levels is probably the one good thing this virus has brought to our country.

This support works at a personal level and also at a social level through income supports and grants, such as the Covid-19 Working Capital scheme. All of us understood that, getting an income to afford a living is a serious matter, and that it’s not always possible to do so alone.

The sense of compassion we feel for business is fair, but why can’t those looking for an education get the same? NUIG has failed to provide an accessible education. The repeat exam fees, their flimsy academic plan for this academic year, where students were guaranteed to have physical lectures, and then asked them to return home as the lectures were going to mainly be online; their exorbitant student contribution fees, which are the highest in Europe and the sense of instability that this creates on students. It’s no wonder the hashtag #RipOffNUIG has grown in popularity with 15,600 results on google.

We work hard and we are in university working towards a better future, but it seems our youth prevents us from taking advantage of any financial support the government has to offer. However, universities can charge us like a for-profit company too.

I hoped that after the nation addressed some vulnerabilities, that universities, and the government might show some insight on how student life is not sustainable without assistance or intervention.

It is time to be together, not to profit off young minds.

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

First Year Diary

By Aine Fogarty The year has properly begun, and it was not what I expected. Of course, I knew work would start piling on, but I didn’t prepare myself for the load.

At the start of the week, I’m well organised but as the week progresses it goes downhill and there’s a mountain of work to be done. It’s quite a change from spending the last four months doing nothing but it’s nice to be busy again.

The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster and to finally begin to settle into a routine is a relief. As you know very well by this point, all our lectures and tutorials are online for the rest of the semester which has

its pros and cons. Lectures are recorded and that gives me the option to re-watch them as many times as I need, but the loss of the on campus experience is still felt by all of us.

We’re all new to this way of learning and so far it’s running quite smoothly.

You wouldn’t expect it but there has been a bit of excitement too around campus. Last week.

Gardaí arrived in Corrib Village after being told someone had a gun in their apartment. Thankfully it was a false alarm but many rumours spread including that it was a nerf gun. The crowds at the Spanish Arch also caused a bit of a stir and I observed it from a safe distance for a purely journalistic observation!

Level Three restrictions have put a downer on us all, but societies have helped boost my

mood! The virtual booths were a great way to meet all the members and find out what each society is about. I ended up joining quite a few societies like Potter Soc and Bród Soc, but I’ll have to shorten the list if I’ve any chance of managing my time. I’m looking forward to making new friends in these societies!

My course so far has been great and I’m enjoying the subjects I picked which was a worry of mine. The lectures have been interesting for the most part and thankfully the lecturers have been there for any help I needed.

Overall the last few weeks have been scary but the events online and the socialising that is possible has helped greatly and I’m looking forward to the months ahead.

Final Year Diary

by Tom Molloy We’re back, kind of. A lot of what I predicted a fortnight ago has come to pass for me. This “online learning” does not suit me at all. I missed one lecture because I’d left my laptop out in the car and I missed another because I just plain forgot.

On another occasion I fell asleep, and began snoring loudly, in the background of my girlfriend’s class. I almost had a heart attack when we were asked to turn on our webcams. This wasn’t what I had signed up for!

The online learning throws up some interesting situations. The kind of people who dominate every tutorial on-campus almost exploded when they were finally given the chance to express their “opinions” after six months of rising tensions. One fella even decided to change his Blackboard avatar to a topless picture of himself.

Yes, this is going to take a bit of getting used to.

Before the current Level 3 restrictions came in, I spent a couple of days on the very quiet campus doing some reading in the library and enjoying the whole area of the Bialann to myself. It was eerie. I felt like the people in the Bialann were working only for me so that was kind of nice in a way. I’ve decided, however, to retreat to my adopted county of Limerick for the foreseeable and wait to see how things develop.

The return to study following an extended break is tough. It almost feels like two universes colliding. How am I expected to fit studying into my schedule when there are TikToks to be viewed? Although the days of Tiger King, Normal People, and banana bread seem like an age ago, the mindset is still very much there and the fact that most of us are still in that physical environment certainly doesn’t help matters. I feel like this year is going to require more willpower than

most. Speaking of willpower, I am 34 weeks smoke-free as of today so there’s another thing to be positive about.

The biggest issue that has been bothering me about this new college year is the issue of fees. I find it incredibly difficult to understand how the University can charge full fees when the circumstances have clearly changed. Aside from the absolute hames they made of student accommodation, the fact remains that we are paying full price and not getting the full product. This is something that needs to be addressed soon, or else I can see a complete loss of faith in our third-level institutions’ ability to deliver education, pandemic or otherwise.

Anyway, this has been an insight into my thoughts over the last couple of weeks.

Hopefully I’ll be more adjusted next time.

Chat soon.

Mature Student Diary Gary Elbert Now we are getting down to business.

Module expectations are taking shape, the learning begins. The process of knowledge accumulation is sacred. Knowledge will humble you; it will eventually render you impervious to ideology, and in an ideal world you will leave college on the road to enlightenment, better equipped to live a life of struggle, hard work, and fulfilment.

The more you learn the more you realise you do not know.

Ideology is something I purposefully avoid. Ideology is dangerous, it spreads too quickly, rendering its core principles suddenly immune to rational criticism. Yet ideology is hugely adaptive. It may be essential to healthy cognition. Ideology offers a group, a team, a suite of ready -made ideas, extremely intoxicating and attractive to a mind searching for meaning and identity. In the modern world more people are lonelier than ever before. There is a widespread star-

vation of intimacy that perhaps fuels much of the descent into social media posturing.

Why be sad when you can go online and be mad?

Ideology makes a person alone in a bedroom feel like they are part of tribe. Ideology saves lives. Outsiders, loners, those minds, and bodies strewn along the boulevard of broken dreams, ideology for them is a lifeboat, a parachute, a survival mechanism.

The purpose of a good education must surely involve the development of critically thinking independent students who recognise the dangers inherent in ideological spread.

Heading into week four of semester one here on our digital campus the task ahead becomes clearer. The university is in a curious position. If remote learning is a success then the college experience, the traditional college experience, of militant Marxism, pot noodles, and beer is effectively finished.

Just as remote working is suddenly accelerated and normalised, remote learning

begins its own experimental foray into the official world of degrees.

Will future students have the option?

Remote or on campus? Will remote learning broaden access to third level?

In a post Covid world with artificial intelligence’s upcoming breakout moment, climate‘s end game and rapid technological advances surely closer than ever, the standard university model may suddenly appear quaint, a remnant of a dying culture.

Enjoy it, Enjoy the learning process. I try to remind myself in bouts of procrastination how lucky I am. The gift of learning is a gift millions of human beings never came close to having.

Think of all the potential lost due to lack of access.

Yes, access this year is not as we know it.

But it is still access. Having the opportunity to learn, to study, to delve deep into subjects that interest you.

That is a privilege.

Do not waste it.

EVENT w e r C Want to learn how to organise events?

Join the SU Event Crew!

Contact su.president@nuigalway.ie for more info

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14 A RT S & E NT E RTAIN M EN T

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

James Charles: Blatant plagiarism or clever marketing ploy?

By Oisín Bradley.

were calling Charles out in his own comments section, with one comJames Charles is no stranger menting “James, your new color to controversy on YouTube, block sweaters look like Teddy and the last few months Fresh rip offs.” have proved no different as It didn’t take long for Ethan he has been accused of stealhimself to get involved. ing the design of his new Sisters “I know we didn’t invent colApparel brand from podcast orblocking but I’m having a hard mogul H3H3’s wife Hila Klein time with the new James Charles and her company Teddy Fresh. merch, it’s the same exact Charles, 21, was wearing design as Hila’s. Combined with the new designs for his merthe fact that his audience is so chandise in recent uploads huge, many people will assume to his YouTube and TikTok he designed it and start accusing accounts, and the design of his us of plagarism. What do you think?” colour-blocked hoodies with his Klein also talked of the possibility catchphrase ‘Sisters’ drew plenty of of Charles 22.7 million strong fanbase ire on social media. believing the design is his own, It didn’t take long for and turning on Teddy Fresh fans to draw comparifor ‘copying’ the design sons between Hila’s from Charles. clothing comThere are many pany and the questions from make-up artviewers of both ist’s merch. creators, however James Charles is back in the YouTube spotlight, warring Even Charles’ it all stems back to with fellow stars H3H3 leaving fans hooked on the drama. own fans one big question:

WIN

Did James Charles intentionally steal the design from H3H3’s company, or is he being unfairly singled out as a villain?

For me, I believe this story is too convenient for both parties. H3H3 boasts 12.36 million subscribers across their four channels, while James Charles has 22.7 million subscribers on his YouTube channel alone.

These creators both create very different forms of content, with the former renowned for his podcasts and the latter uploading makeup tutorials.

Thus, both have largely differing demographics.

Having this drama surrounding their names only brings their names into conversations and puts them front and centre of YouTube ‘drama’ shows.

You only need to look at the Google searches for ‘Teddy Fresh’ over the last while to see that they have risen notably since this drama surfaced to see its benefit. Both creators have gained massively from this controversy and H3H3 is still using it to gain traction and YouTube views on Twitter.

To suggest that either of these massive creators are completely clueless in this debacle and are not savvy businessmen would be naïve. Since the dawn of time and the introduction of payment by YouTube to its creators, said creators have been drawn into public clashes to keep their names in the consciousness of viewers, and more importantly the recommended box.

By Rachel Garvey The recent transition into a Level Three lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic has altered a lot of people’s routines in relation to work and educational endeavours. Lectures have moved to online platforms with NUI Galway’s library is open to accommodate the students with the books they’ll need for their studies, but there will be a safety measures in place to prevent any congregation for everyone’s safety. Due to the fact that we all have to remain indoors while we study as opposed to going to a lecture hall, a lot of us are thinking about other things to keep us sane while we remain at home. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Netflix recently added a variety of movies to their evergrowing list and a lot of them are horrors. Halloween is lurking just around the corner so Netflix has taken it in its stride to add a variety of frightening flicks for us to watch to get us in the mood for spooky season.

Halloween, Friday the 13thand House at the End of the Street are some examples of what’s waiting for you.

House decorating

For You + 5 Friends!

As said previously, Halloween is lurking just around the corner and even though it won’t be the same as every other year previous, there are still some people out there who will stop at nothing from not letting this pandemic break their Halloween spirit. Why don’t you decorate the house with pumpkin lights and spiderwebs and hanging ghost decorations? Not only is it enjoyable, but you can get creative with your decorating. Surveying your masterpiece at the end is always worth it.

Check out our social media platforms on how to win

Study

A table will be reserved for you on a day of your choice

sultnuigalway

From the earlier days of KSI vs GudJohnDaniel, to recent clashes between Shane Dawson and Tati Westbrook, ‘beef’ has always been flavour of the month on YouTube, and while there is usually a genuine nature to these incidents, it’s doubtless that they have benefits for all involved.

For these two it’s no different. There may be some genuine resentment there, and it would come as no surprise if James Charles made the decision to copy the design to get as much time in the limelight as possible. While these types of drama may become tiring for some viewers, it encapsulates the masses, therefore there is no doubt that they are here to stay.

Guidebook for the recently appointed introverts

Netflix and chill (alone)

Pitchers & Pizza

Image: Netbuzz.com

It may not be the most thrilling thing to do indoors, but not physically being in college means that it’s a

great time to catch up on any pending college work, and perhaps doing a little extra. There is no better feeling than catching up on college work, whether it’s finishing that essay or looking over your notes or doing a little extra reading.

Cooking/baking At the start of lockdown, a lot of individuals took to baking at home, making their own bread etc.

Devil’s Food Mix have released a new Halloween recipe for chocolate cupcakes and they must be on everyone’s shopping list. They are perfect for this spooky season! Get creative and make something you’ve never made before, have fun with it! It’s all about trying new things and seeing what works for you, and who doesn’t like baking?

Game night A lot of students who have recently moved to Galway are now staying with housemates who they have never met before. Why not instigate a game night once or twice a week; games like Monopoly, Cards against Humanity, Charades or any other game you can think of. A quick warning though in regards to the game Monopoly-it does destroy friendships.

Be prepared for major competition!

Tea night A lot of new students are away from home and this might be for the first time they have lived away from home and because of this year’s pandemic people’s mental health can be at stake. We never truly know what some people are going through, and a lot of people do suffer in silence. Sometimes it’s just nice to sit down and talk with somebody about how you’re feeling over a nice cup of tea or coffee at home. We all need to look after one another in these times of uncertainty.

C U LT ÚR

October 20 2020

7

SIAMSAÍO CHT

15

It is time to let the music play safely again

By Conor Brummell I miss live music. I miss the anticipation of waiting to buy concert tickets the morning they go on sale, to the forgetting you have those tickets until the month or week before the gig and remembering with sheer delight the present past you had for you in the present.

I miss the friends who would text you the morning a concert was announced, and say, “You up for it?”

I miss the buses you would get to concerts, and the excitement mounting for hearing the first drum beat of the night, or the first guitar string plucked, and the crowds screaming upon hearing the opening line of the first song. I miss the pre-concert dinner and drinks, and the panicked rush to get to the venue in time for the warm-up act when you have miscalculated the amount of time you had beforehand. I miss the busyness of a city, and the people around you

who have other plans. I miss standing for the support acts, the hidden gems you have never heard of but fall in love with because they are so good. I miss live music.

The coronavirus pandemic has decimated Ireland’s entertainment calendar for this year, and for the foreseeable. No longer can hundreds of people gather in a room in collective awe of an artist on stage, or the lighting crew that make the experience so spec-

Artist such have Sam Fender have tried novel approaches to playing in front of crowds once again. Photo: journal.ie

tacular. Venues are hurting because of this, the same with staff, lighting and rigging crews, managers and of course artists themselves. There is very little support for creative talents who lost work because of Lockdown, and it begs the question, is it time to let the music play again?

Irish band Two Door Cinema Club, known for hit-songs such as What You Know and Sleep Alone, have been vocal about the issue, stating on Twitter that governments and fans need to take risks to ensure the Arts survive past this pandemic. The wording of their tweets caused some controversy, with fans seeming to think the band meant for fans to literally risk their health to attend a concert. Instead, the message Two Door Cinema Club wanted to convey was that there are solutions to these problems faced by the arts and artists in both Ireland and further abroad, but that we’ve just not taken the chance to see if they work.

Gavin James had a similar sentiment-he wanted to put on live, drive - in concerts that fans could attend from the safety of their own car after lockdown, with proceeds going to crew members so that their livelihoods were not completely destroyed.

Initiatives like this have been taken in Germany and seemed to work well.

The Irish Government, however, decided to cancel these concerts after they had sold out, not clarifying the reasoning for the decision, but presumably that they felt it would not

work, or that people would get out of their cars and not adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Newcastle’s Sam Fender, known for songs such as Hypersonic Missiles and Will We Talk? had the opportunity to put on a socially distanced outdoor gig over the summer, where people came to stand on platforms with no more than six other people who were part of their bubble. The concert went viral because of its innovative attitude to letting music play safely - giving fans the entertainment they needed after such a long lockdown period, and because it raised vital funds for both the band and crew.

The bottom line of the matter is that without artists and musicians we would have no television, music, or paintings.

The things that help us through our darkest moments or lift us when we are at our highest would simply not exist. The longer we leave the decision to stop live concerts from happening, the longer we risk not having any live gigs to attend in the future. It is well and good asking an artist to live-stream a concert on YouTube or Instagram, but when there is no money being made from such a production, then literal livelihoods are at stake. Not just the artist’s -but the hundreds upon thousand of crew members, lighting technicians and venue owners around the world as well. It is time we take the risk and let the music play safely again or give the arts the supports they need to weather the silence.

(What’s the Story) Morning Glory? — SIN pays tribute to the best album of the 90’s Paddy Henry A beautiful cacophony of sounds that defined a generation. An album, the likes of which we will never hear again, in a world where any genre is available at one’s fingertips.

Oasis’ second studio album ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’ celebrated its silver jubilee this month, and a tribute must be paid to the mastery of the Manchester band , displayed so perfectly through the gravel, grit and optimism in its songs.

The UK’s bestselling album of the 1990’s is packed with memorable numbers, not mentioning the eponymous title track which unleashes an onslaught of urban grunge on the listener from the outset, the sound of inner-city obscurity, tied in harmoniously with the whirring drone of a helicopter in both the intro and outro.

The wonderful rawness of frontman Liam Gallagher’s vocals throughout the track, battling the words as they leave his mouth are iconic and leave listeners longing for the mid- 90’s.

Deviating for the grungy rebelliousness of ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’; the soulful beauty of Noel Gallagher’s guitar playing prowess comes to the fore in what is without doubt the seminal song of the decade,

‘Wonderwall’ finds itself third up in the album’s track listing. In the 25 years that have followed on from its original release the opening chords of the song have been heard at every large social gathering with a guitarist in attendance. The band’s signature Northern English humility shines through, a no holes barred classic, stripped back, Mancunian brogue front and centre. In an album strewn with belters it is without doubt the most memorable track on the album. 25 years on, it is still held in the highest of regard among fans of the genre. It will continue to be for at least another 25.

Any tribune the Britpop band’s magnum-opus could not be paid without mention of the beautifully sentimental and soothing ‘Champagne Supernova’.

The listener is eased into seemingly quaint surrounds in the song’s introduction which slowly builds, culminating in a choral release of pent up sound. The track is a poetic epic of sorts, where the catchy, somewhat psychedelic lyrics continue to baffle listeners 25 years on, however, such is the artistry of Noel Gallagher’s song writing a lack of lyrical coherence matters little to the song itself, and if anything adds to the track’s magnificence.

The equally epochal ‘Don’t look Back in Anger” is the final track on the album.

The song itself, like most on (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is instantly recognisable from the opening notes. The track has become a rallying cry over the years, and perfectly depicts the strength of human character and a never say die attitude. This was summed up in the days that followed the tragic events of the Manchester Arena bombing of May 22nd, 2017. A devasted community latched onto its melody, bringing a degree of comfort to a grief-stricken city. Its message of hope and defiance echoed throughout a packed Old Trafford Cricket Ground in the days that followed, as Liam Gallagher led the crowd, most of which not older than the song itself, in a heart-breaking rendition of the classic.

In summation, as (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? reaches a quarter of a century, it is simply undeniable that the album ranks in the higher echelons of musical masterpieces over the last 25 years.

The genius of Noel Gallagher shines through in the versatility of the album’s hallmark tracks, none of which would sound out of place at either the most raucous of football grounds on a Saturday afternoon, or the most solemn of church choirs on a Sunday morning.

With over 22 million copies sold since its release, and the continuing

popularity of the album among those born after its original release in October 1995. it is hard to find a collection of music that has had an impact like

it. (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?

Will continue to be revered long into the future as the poster boy of Britpop brilliance.

Oasis’ second studio album recently celebrated its 25thbirthday Image: Rollingstone.com

16 A RT S & E N T E RTAIN M EN T

Henry

By Kassady Doyel It was hot. Too hot. Too hot to be standing out in the sun in nothing but a t - shirt and a pair of jean cutoffs that were a size too small. Too hot to have forgotten sunblock in the car which she couldn’t go fetch for fear of losing her place in line. The only relief she would find was when the people standing in front of her moved forward into the cool, air - conditioned shop, and she could step under the awning that protruded humbly from the front of the building.

It hadn’t even been her idea to come to this stupid little shop and stand here, burning.

It was Henry’s.

Henry with his baseball cap to protect his face and complexion so used to the sun that it didn’t bother his skin at all. Henry who could stay out in the sun all day, not a minute in the shade.

Henry wouldn’t mind standing in line for hours in the sun for some off brand ice -cream. But she did. Her, with her skin so pale even now she could feel it beginning to burn after only twenty minutes. Her who spent all of summer indoors or constantly slathering sun block up and down her body.

She squinted toward the parking lot, wondering if she had any after sun lotion at home.

The line shuffled forward.

Her watch read two thirty pm.

Henry was always late. He was never on time, she knew this. But each time they met she showed up five minutes to the dot, thinking one day he’d show on time. She wondered if she looked as miserable as she felt, if the poor souls behind her could see on her face as she shamelessly stared, how much she loathed her current situation.

The line shuffled forward.

She was one paying customer away from the grimy, green awning.

One person away from sweet salvation. She stared longingly at the shade only a few feet away.

Her mind jumped ahead a few hours to her at home, watching daytime television while cold Aloe Vera stained her couch cushions.

“Bea!” She turned at the mention of her name. Henry ran toward her from the parking lot, flip flops slapping the hot pavement so loud that half the line turned to watch his approach as well.

“Sorry I’m so late,” He gasped, cracking a lopsided smile and clutching his chest. He wore a worn - out tank top and a pair of blue board shorts. A Mariner’s baseball cap sat backwards on his head.

“Don’t worry,” She said, “I’m used to it.”

“It’s not like I do it on purpose.”

He said. She squinted up at him, he smiled, she rolled her eyes.

“I’ve been out here, burning, for half an hour Henry.”

CREATIVE CORNER “Here.” He removed his baseball cap and set it on her head. She held still while he adjusted it so the sun was blocked from her face. It smelled of his shampoo and aftershave, and she found herself sighing as an excuse to take a deep breath of the scent. “Better?” Henry asked.

He smiled down at her, his handsome lopsided smile.

“It’s not the worst, I guess.” She said.

“Oh! I brought this too, knew you’d forget yours.”

He pulled a bottle of sunblock out of his pocket and handed it to her. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that it was too late, she could feel a sunburn, which meant it was too late for sunblock. Not that he would know, she doubted he’d ever had a sunburn in his life. Not perfectly tanned Henry.

“I just left it in the car,” she said, “but thanks.”

Two groups of people left at once, so instead of stepping into the shade, they walked right under it and into the comparatively freezing shop.

She fixed herself a small cup of frozen yogurt, less than half the size of the monstrosity that Henry produced. As they set them on the scale she dug through her wallet searching for her Visa card, but Henry beat her to it. He put a hand on her wrist and he held up his American Express to the woman behind the counter. “It’s alright,” he said, smiling with his lopsided smile, “I’ve got it.”

They took their cold treats and left the shop. Henry held the door for her.

She sat at a small wire table that was stained with the messes of the day’s previous customers. Taking the seat in the shade, her own sweat mingled with the sticky confection already present on the chair, creating an unpleasant situation for the part of her legs that weren’t protected by her jean cutoffs.

Henry’s seat was in the sun, but he didn’t mind. He sat down without a second glance to discern if his seat was spotted the same as hers.

“So,” she said, twisting her bright pink plastic spoon between her fingers, “why were you late this time?”

“Oh, Bea. It’s a fantastic tale of intrigue, heartbreak, and murder.”

“Murder?”

He proceeded to tell her the story of how Bruno, a dog he had been asked to look after, had broken free from his yard and led Henry on a wild chase through the surrounding neighbourhood. He had eventually found him in the neighbour’s koi pond, terrorising their fish along with the other neighbour’s dog, a poodle called Pixie.

“I still haven’t told them that they have to reimburse them for the fish.

They want three hundred bucks. For a fish! Can you believe that?”

He smiled his lopsided smile, and she laughed, knowing full well that the next time he asked her to do something with him she would show up five minutes to the dot, because she never wanted to miss a moment of their time together.

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

Five feel-good films to beat the pandemic blues

By Darragh Nolan

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

College has moved online for Semester One and restrictions are coming back in, as Covid-19 cases surge. Now there’s another reason to stay at home, albeit a less important one; it’s getting pretty chilly out there.

The rain’s pouring down in Galway and across the country with more regularity each day and temperatures are crawling ever downwards. It’s high - time we filled the evenings with some tried and tested feel - good favourites.

This indie flick follows Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a 22-year-old with Down’s Syndrome who leaves his care home behind to pursue a dream job in professional wrestling. Social worker Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) tries to bring Zak home while fisherman Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) helps him on his journey to a wrestling school.

It’s original, refreshing and utterly wholesome. The Peanut Butter Falcon represents a huge step forward for Hollywood and even sparked a real - life friendship between Gottsagen and LaBeouf which saw them present an Academy Award together. A progressive story that has as much feel - good factor off - screen as on it.

School of Rock (2003)

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

There’s a certain charm to films based around the relationship between a teacher and their students and few are as uplifting as School of Rock. Jack Black is at his very best (admittedly not the hardest task) as a down - on - his - luck rocker who poses as his substitute teacher’s (not a temp!) roommate to score a job at a private school. Dewey Finn, played by Black brings a class of reluctant youths on a rock ‘n’ roll journey to Battle of the Bands that features stellar supporting performances from Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman and the film’s writer Mike White. Non-stop fun with an excellent soundtrack and the novelty of a pre-Nickelodeon Miranda Cosgrove.

The appeal of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is rather self - indulgent.

We’ve all pulled a sickie at one point or another but not like this. Staying in bed and playing your Nintendo is a far - cry from stealing a Ferrari and taking a tour of Chicago with your best mate and your girlfriend. Maybe I just wasted my days of ditching while the rest of you were driving sports cars and getting the shift… Nobody made teenage films quite like John Hughes and this is arguably the late director’s finest work. The fourth - wall breaking, the oh - so - satisfying battle between rebel and authority figure and all the youthful exuberance of a Hughes ‘80s classic. Not only a fun - filled movie, but a must – watch classic, period.

Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Emma Thompson stars opposite Tom Hanks’ Walt Disney as Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers. The film follows the writer through negotiations around the film rights for her book with the media tycoon. Rife with the warmth and sentimentality typical of a Disney produced biopic, Saving Mr. Banks balances itself out with themes of loss, healing and Travers’ deep personal attachment to her work. Hanks puts forward what is surely the defining portrayal of Walt Disney on the big screen to date, but Thompson’s central role does not take a backseat in the slightest. She is fiercely authoritative, her command of the role the cornerstone of an overall excellent movie.

For my money, the ultimate feel-good film. Robin Williams is at his Oscar winning best as Dr Sean Maguire, leading Will Hunting (Matt Damon) through the emotional struggles of youth. The title character navigates romance, friendship and the counselling he receives from Maguire while coming to terms with his wasted intellect. On the surface, Good Will Hunting is a film about a young genius who works as an MIT janitor. The real gem is Will’s efforts to balance the conflicting relationships in his life. As likely to make you smile as it is to make you cry, it’s really a cardinal sin if you haven’t seen this one already.

T

HE WORLD IS GRINDING TO A HALT AGAIN.

C U LT ÚR

October 20 2020

7

SIAMSAÍO CHT

17

Murder mysteries through the ages

By Alice O’Donnell Arts & Entertainment Editor I don’t know about you, but my Netflix has been pushing its new film Enola Holmes onto me. Every time I logged in, Millie Bobby Brown in period costume popped up. Eventually, I bit the bullet and watched it. And begrudgingly, I really enjoyed it. It

of this novel – although the book takes time to establish the crime, and Sherlock and Watson do struggle to untangle the mystery, the murderer is caught within the first half. The second half is devoted to telling the murderer’s own story, detailing his reason for revenge. Although the pacing does deviate between the two halves to such a degree you’d be close to getting whiplash, it’s a rewarding read. Once you’ve accustomed yourself to a slower pace story, far away from the busy world 221B Baker Street, London, you are drawn into the tale. It’s also fun to compare it to its TV adaption Sherlock episode, A Study in Pink (I loved how London cabs were integral to both plots, although a cab in Victorian times is a far cry to the modern day cabbies). As the world’s first introduction to perhaps the world’s most famous detective, that should be reason alone to give it a read!

I think at the heart of a good detective story is an unlikely detective.

Someone who doesn’t fit the stereotypes of the After the Funeral role, someone whose

by Agatha Christie You really thought I could make a list of murder differences end up mystery novels and not mention the queen of the Who-dunnit genre? Agatha Christie is the allowing them to solve the second- bestselling fiction author of all time, only beaten by Shakespeare. Each and every one case... As you watch these of her 74 novels are full of mystery, suspense and murder. After the Funeral will always have unlikely heroes persevere a special place in my heart, namely due to the fact it was the first work of hers I ever read. and allow justice to be Instead of getting the dusty, archaic mystery I was expecting, I was thrown into turmoil of served, your own problems an unhappy family revolving around a murder.

Each character was equally as suspicious as the no longer seem as massive. next, and I was forever kept on my toes along got me back into the detective genre, the who-dunnit books. For over a century, we’ve been blessed with a top-notch selection of murder mystery novels. From the Victorians to 1920’s to modern day, below are my top picks of murder mysteries.

A Study in Scarlet,

by Arthur Conan Doyle The first, the original, the opening. Jump right into the world of consulting detective Sherlock Holmes. I was quite surprised with the formatting

with detective Poirot. Another reason I adore her novels so much is that they also serve to freeze a moment in history, and like a window you can peer into a different time period. A time when Aleppo was a busy holidaying location for the European upper-class (Murder on the Oriental Express), where children could be found not in schools but begging on streets or working as lift boys and maids (The Secret Adversary) and what I found the weirdest thing of all, the practise of sending little slices of wedding cake in the post to old relatives (After the Funeral).

Silence of the Lambs

by Thomas Harris There were a lot of books that are perhaps a better fit to the genre, like Gone Girl or Girl on the Train, but I think Silence of the Lambs is one of the best examples of how the murder mystery genre has evolved and changed. No longer does the protagonist detective rely only on their own cunningness to solve the crime – Clarise Starling has the power of the FBI, data bases and DNA prints all to help her.

However, Clarise also has to deal with a different barrier-gender imbalance. Clarise’s constant fight to be taken seriously as a woman in the detective field heavily shapes the plot. The novel is also far more graphic and violent than either Conan Doyle’s or Christie’s work, and verges on psychological horror at parts. However, at its heart is an unsolved mystery. A nail-biting read from start to finish.

watch these unlikely heroes persevere and allow justice to be served, your own problems no longer seem as massive. They no longer seem like life or death anymore.

I think at the heart of a good detective story is an unlikely detective. Someone who doesn’t fit the stereotypes of the role, someone whose differences end up allowing them to solve the case. It can be a young teenager (Enola Holmes), a man who can understand the dead better than the living (Sherlock Holmes) an old lady or perhaps a forgotten foreigner (Both Mrs Marple and Poirot) or, as seen in Silence of the Lambs, a young woman, or a serial killer themself. You lose yourself in the lives, and sometimes deaths, of others. As you

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18 FA SH IO N & L I F EST Y L E

Sustainable Fashion

By Liz Hunt Who made my clothes??

The hashtag “who made my clothes”, sparked the sustainable fashion global movement in 2013. Following the collapse of the Rana Plaza, a garment factory that resulted in the death toll of 1,134. The campaign reached over 156 million impressions online, sparking a demand for transparency within the bleak fashion industry. To the current day we are still fighting for these workers’ rights. During the pandemic, many billionaire CEOS of large corporations like Topshop, River Island and Penneys have failed to pay their workers for completed orders.

So, what can we do about it? Well, lockdown provoked some strange and impulsive purchases for a lot of us. I will put my hands up and admit I was amongst the masses.

Depop and TikTok took centre stage. I was subconsciously swayed by girls twirling in leather jackets, tennis skirts and plat trousers. While I had the upmost intentions of turning it around and becoming the next Marc Jacobs. My upcycling career has seen better days. My hopes and dreams of setting up a business in the back shed all came crumbling down in the early hours of lockdown mornings. My artistic streak must have peaked in primary school because even though I had the equipment (Scissors, paints, and needles). I lost part of my soul to some of my most treasured items.

One thing I managed to conquer was my environmental anxiety. During lockdown I began a spring clean of influencers who no longer served a purpose. My feed had become a bottomless pit of shiny new clothes. It sent me logging off from Instagram as I had become aware of the consequences fast fashion has on our planet and people. I realized the aesthetic images of unrealistic body standards was by no means a happy place. I began replacing these cartoon images with real life action heroes.

Environmental activists, sustainable fashion advocates, feminists, local businesses.

Now I ran my own Instagram town. It not only eased the anxiety I had within myself.

As cliché as it sounds it restored my faith in humanity. I am aware of the privileges of second-hand shopping. I am aware it is not feasible for everyone. While we may not be politicians, billionaires or presidents of the UN. Our voice still matters, and we have the power to alter the fashion industry. We still have time to speak up for workers’ rights, the planet and to attempt to shamelessly repeat our outfits. To exchange clothes with our friends, family, and long-lost cousins. To not shame those who engage in fast fashion.

To educate and follow those who inspire us to lead a more sustainable life.

So why am I writing to you? Over the next few issues of SIN. I am going to tell you everything you need to know about making our wardrobes a more sustainable place. To share the names of those who inspire. To virtually lead a charity shop path of Galway. Interviewing talented and curating a place to discover new local shops, tops and bops. I will see you very shortly!

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

“Vorfreude”

By Ilka Denker

My absolute favourite part about going on holidays is that sweet tingling sensation that comes from the joyful anticipation of planning a vacation.

Once the Airbnb and the train or flight is booked, it is time to start surfing the net and searching all the different platforms for sights not to be missed, checking out what #rotterdam throws up on Instagram and creating your very personal travel itinerary. For me, nothing will even come close to the way I feel when I get to explore a new piece of this beautiful planet.

For a long time, my idea of travel was to book a flight to anywhere and then spontaneously jump into my adventure to see what meets me along the way.

I took a few trips where I did just that and every time I made some truly funny memories and had to improvise a couple of times, because it turns out that being spontaneous is like that taxi driver that takes you along that bumpy backroad that is badly lit.

Don’t get me wrong; those trips are super fun, and they make you feel as if you are easy-going and living 100% in the moment. But, there is a downside to this: Every time I came home I saw a picture or somebody asked me if I went to this or that place and mostly I had to say “No! I wish I knew about this before”.

For my recent trip to Holland, I started planning. I went on Pinterest and searched what the main sights and the hidden gems of the places

I wanted to see were. While I was busy with my research, writing down all the things I wanted to make sure not to miss in my notes, I got butterflies in my tummy. I got so excited that my conversations with friends and family mostly revolved around my trip and what I wanted to see. I could not wait to see the things I had seen in the pictures for myself.

I still believe that travelling should be all about exploring and not only about ticking boxes off a list.

But planning a trip is just as important and fun as actually going on it.

In German we call this joyful anticipation “Vorfreude”, which means the joy you feel before something actually happens. There is a saying that this kind of joy is the best kind of joy. I agree.

Planning a trip and making a list of the things you want to see does not mean that you are not spontaneous or not fully living in the moment. It means that you do not miss out. Not only on the things you end up not seeing and wishing you did, but also that you are not missing out on the sweet joy of looking forward to seeing all the things you have read about.

Right now, it can be frustrating that there are loads of places out there you still want to see, but can’t due to the current situation. So, start making that list. Start looking up the sights to see, the foods to eat and the bars to go to. Does it matter that you have no flights booked yet or that you do not even know when in the future you may get to travel? No. What matters is that you have the vision and the dream to hold onto. For now.

In German we call this joyful anticipation “Vorfreude”, which means the joy you feel before something actually happens.

There is a saying that this kind of joy is the best kind of joy.

And when you finally make it to the places you have been wanting to see and that are on your list, lift your eyes off the paper, map or phone. While you are walking to the main sights, take an interest in your surroundings. If there is a street that looks interesting, walk down it. If you see a tower in the distance that looks shiny and different, start heading for it. If you smell freshly baked treats, or the sound of people playing music in the distance catches your attention, follow them.

That is spontaneity. Those are the little adventures you will be telling people about. That is living in the moment.

Putting thought into where you are headed on your vacation, and checking out what the worthwhile places to visit are: that shows respect for your travel and your destination.

And that is where that joy comes from that keeps you up at night and makes life so, so beautiful.

Vorfreude.

Healthy in a Rush: speedy and nutritious recipes Ethne Tierney

COOKING METHOD 1. Start by putting the couscous in a cup and

It doesn’t matter if we are staying at home or out and about in college. Sometimes, we just don’t have the time to cook, or don’t want to wait ages for our delicious food to be ready. Instead of throwing some chips in the oven or putting an awful Rustlers burger in the microwave, you can try a few recipes that take even less time, taste great, and make you feel better than any overpriced and highly processed food. In SIN, we have a few ideas that you can use on those busy or lazy days, where you need the food ready in under 10 or 15 minutes.

pouring in some boiled water until the cup is completely full. Add the oil, herbs and spices to the water. Put a tea towel over the cup so the couscous can absorb all the water. You will know it’s ready when it had doubled its size and is drained of any liquid.

2. As you wait for the water to be absorbed by the couscous, put a pan on high heat and throw in the chickpeas, once they have been drained. Add a little salt and some of the herbs and spices you used for the couscous if you wish. Stir them around for a few minutes until they look crispy and are golden incolour.

3. Chop the tomatoes in four pieces, and season them with some balsamic vinegar. Add the hummus, olives, spinach and couscous in a bowl, and you will be ready to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal with zero effort.

Quick couscous chickpea bowl The food is so nice they named it twice, and there’s a reason for it. Couscous is any college student’s best friend. It’s a Maghrebi dish of small, steamed balls of crushed durum wheat semolina. You can get it in any supermarket, and it requires no cooking at all.

It’s a great source of carbohydrates, that combined with spices, protein packed chickpeas, and some veggies, makes the perfect meal.

INGREDIENTS • Half a cup of couscous • 1 teaspoon of olive oil • A sprinkle of a herb of choice (we went for rosemary) • ½ teaspoon of Cumin • ½ teaspoon of Turmeric • Tinned chickpeas • Balsamic vinegar • Cherry tomatoes • 1 or 2 tablespoons of hummus • Black Olives • Handful of spinach

Banana Cinnamon Mug Cake Craving something sweet? Instead of attacking the biscuit cabinet, you can satisfy your craving with this mug cake that takes less than two minutes to prepare. Looking after your body and giving it all the nutrients that it needs has never been easier. Pro tip: use your biggest mug so the batter doesn’t overflow!

INGREDIENTS • 3 tablespoons of self-rising flour • 1 egg • 1 banana • 1 teaspoon of honey

• ½ teaspoon of baking powder • ¼ teaspoons of salt • ½ teaspoon of cinnamon • 2 tablespoons of milk (plant based or non-plant based) • Chia seeds (optional) • Walnuts (optional)

COOKING METHOD 1. Mix the flour, salt and baking powder and cinnamon in a big cup until they are all combined.

2. In a separate bowl or plate, mash the banana and then add it to the mug. Put in the rest of the wet ingredients too and mix it all together. If you choose to add chia seeds and chopped walnuts, put them in the mixture only once the batter is well mixed.

3. Pop the mug in the microwave for a minute and a half at 1000W. Once ready, stick a fork in the mug cake. If any wet batter sticks to it when taking it out, put it back for 30 seconds. Let it cool and enjoy your treat!

FAIS EAN

October 20 2020

7

A message from our scars:

Is it so hard to love us?

By Rachel Garvey As someone who deals with anxiety and depression, my scars are mainly on the inside. I won’t take you step by step through my complicated past, but I will take you through the steps of how I learned to love my scars. I would say I’d take you by the hand, but social distancing guidelines must be adhered to, so reading this will have to suffice for the time being.

Anxiety and depression or any type of mental illness is a type of illness that is hard to explain to others who have never suffered from it before.

We can try our best to explain, but one will never truly know how others feel unless they are in someone’s shoes.

I hated that I was too nice; I always felt like I owed people something and if I didn’t keep them happy then they wouldn’t want me around. I did everything for everyone so they would keep me around and the one time I said “no” I was branded the bad guy. We are all guilty of that aren’t we?

However, after many attempts at keeping people happy and then getting hurt by them, I continued to repeat my actions over and over and I didn’t know how to stop. Have you ever come across a cartoon on social media where this one person does everything for everybody, that same person giving away a piece of their heart until they have nothing left, but when

they want someone to talk to everyone turns away from them? That was me!

However, upon speaking with my neighbour one day, she taught me that me being “too nice” was a weakness, but it was also a strength. I taught myself then that it was okay to be nice as long as it wasn’t towards people who take advantage of kind hearts.

I hated my panic and anxiety attacks.

They always happened at the worst of times, and when they would happen, I would feel self-conscious and ashamed. There were times I felt like crying because it was too much for me and I hated that people witnessed what I thought was a weakness. Over time, I sat myself down and thought about how my anxiety attacks made me feel, and even though the cons outweighed the pros, I kept going back to the positives. Yes, suffering from an anxiety attack is awful, but I taught myself that it was my body’s way of saying “you need to take it easy”.

I was putting myself in situations that I couldn’t deal with and I was adding all this pressure to myself to the point where I could feel myself crumbling and what good did it do me? My body was telling me to stop and breathe.

After a while, I learned how to embrace my anxiety attacks; I let them happen, but when they did happen, I would take a few minutes to myself in order to give my body the time it needed to recover. I’m in a bittersweet relationship with my attacks, but they happen for a reason and as a result I have grown to love them.

I don’t want to get into my physical scars, mostly because for some it is an upsetting subject, but in regard to physical scars, a recent post by Selena Gomez really spoke to me. Her confidence in her Instagram post was truly inspiring. It read “When I got my kidney transplant, I remember it being very difficult at first showing my scar, so I wore things that would cover it up.

Now more than ever, I feel confident in who I am and what I went through! All bodies are beautiful.”

Those few words spoke to me and made me realise how all of our bodies scar differently mentally and physically, those differences set us apart from other people, but even though we are all different, we still all hold the title together of being beautiful. Our bodies are sacred, so let’s learn to love their good sides and bad sides.

Budgeting Advice!

By Anastasia Burton We all have trouble with money, it comes with being a college student who has either just moved away from their parents’ home or still living with parents with access to adult money!

School taught us a lot, but none of it was useful in teaching us how to manage our own finances and how to prioritize expenses that go towards necessities and leisure.

Budgeting is hard, but fear not, SIN are here to help you skint students with some top budgeting advice Firstly, what is budgeting? Well if you had studied accounting or business in secondary school you would have a faint idea of what budgeting is. But if you hadn’t studied budgeting, don’t worry.

You don’t need a fancy ledger or anything of that sort. Get yourself a cheap copy or just any piece of paper you can find. Begin with layout!

DATE YOUR LEDGER: Make sure you have the date written somewhere on that

paper so you can then look back and see your progress from one week to another or one month to another.

LAY OUT ALL YOUR ACCOUNTS: By this we mean write out every bank account/ credit union/ cash that you have. Note the amounts you have in each, so you have a better idea of your finances.

SPLIT A COLUMN: Split the bottom of the page into income and expenditure.

Make sure to put in all the dates you are expected to get paid, so you know when money is coming in. If you don’t know how much you will be getting, guestimate. In expenditure make a rough draft. In the expenditure you should have your rent, bills, food expenses, travel, treat money, etc. Calculate both income and expenditure.

COMPARE: Look at expenditure and income, if your expenses are higher than your income, decrease your expenditure. By that you should maybe cut out treating yourself for a week or so to try and accumulate funds. Maybe try and save on public transport by walking or

taking your bike. Consider buying less expensive groceries. You need to understand that you can’t live paycheque to paycheque.

MAKE A GOAL: You need to set a goal for yourself in terms of how much you want to save and what you’re saving for.

This doesn’t have to be a set idea, you can literally just save for the sake of saving in case the world hits the fan and you really need extra cash.

You can make these accounts as often as you like if you are actively saving or looking for ways to save. These little accounts will help you understand where you need to work harder and where you need to tone down a bit.

Budgeting is an important part of being an adult with student money that is way too easy to spend.

NÓ S MAIRE ACHTÁLA

19

Refer to SpongeBob’s quote of “I’m Ready!”, are you really?

By Rachel Garvey There are a lot of things that I wish someone had told me before I moved out into the big bad world full of uncertainty, and adult problems lurking around every corner.

Here are a couple of useful things to keep in mind!

Planning: Planning is everything and if you don’t plan these things then you’re already setting yourself up for failure. You need to know where you’re moving to, how you’re going to get there.

Whether it’s close to local amenities such as supermarkets, banks, gyms and colleges. Have you done your research with regards to looking at various places to see which ones suit you better, especially in terms of rent prices and how close it is to your place of work or education?

Budgeting: This is the probably the one thing I did right when I moved out. Budgeting is going to become your new best buddy.

Moving out of home is stressful enough, but then the money matters decide to tag along, and it’s up to you to manage your financial matters. Whether you’re on a student grant or working parttime, it is important to keep track of your income and expenditure because no-one wants to be struggling to pay their rent every month because they overspent their money on new clothes. Putting aside money each week for rent is a good way to ensure you won’t be stuck at the end of the month as well as putting money aside for any extra bills. Then you have the rest of your income for food shopping and anything else you might need.

False hope: I wish someone had told me how hard it is to be away from home. As children, we’ve always wondered what it

would be like to move away from home and we have all this pentup excitement, but it actually turns out to be a whole different experience. We may be excited at first for the first couple of days, but after a while a particular type of anxiety sets in; separation anxiety. We don’t have our parents close by, and we miss their cooking, or we just miss them in general. There is the reward of being independent and learning how to do things for yourself, but it won’t be all fun and games, and there will be times you will find yourself thinking “Am I doing this right?”, but those doubts will soon disappear once you get yourself into a routine. Checking in on your parents and loved ones at home will also make things a little easier in your day to day life. Calling Mum, Dad or your grandparents will do you the world of good and they’ll be there to remind how proud they are of you.

Correct meal prep: We all can’t live off noodles and pasta for the rest of our lives and our bodies won’t be thrilled about having a ready microwaved meal every day of the week. Noodles and pasta may be cheap to purchase, but we shouldn’t have to live off them because that’s all we can afford. This is where the budgeting comes into effect. Making sure not to overspend in certain areas and ensure you have money to buy yourself proper ingredients to make healthy and nutritious meals. This is where meal prep comes into effect; make your dish, but be sure to make enough so it can last a couple of days and all it takes is putting it in a lunch box, popping it in the freezer or fridge and taking it out when you want to eat it after a couple of short minutes in the microwave. Easy as pie!

20 FA SH IO N & L I F EST Y L E

Health benefits of yoga

By Anastasia Burton Yoga has been around for a long time, and when we say a long time, we mean the BC era. Yoga was invented between the 5th and 6th century BCE and has remained one of the most popular forms of meditation and exercise in the world.

Yoga originated in Asia and hence is often associated with Buddhism and Hinduism. Many people feel like yoga might not be for them without really ever trying it which is a shame since Yoga has many health benefits which this article will tell you about!

Who knows, maybe after reading this you will buy yourself a yoga mat and assume the Lotus position.

Before we get into the physical health benefits, why not take a moment to consider the mental health benefits yoga brings?

Benefits against stress!

Yoga helps with easing the mind and reducing stress. Stress can reveal itself in many ways, including back or neck pain, sleeping problems, headaches, drug abuse, and an inability to concentrate say medical experts.

It is a known fact that stress does gather in tense muscles, for example after a hard day at work you may have back or neck pains as well as a headache. Those pains often come from stress which is caused by sitting in one place and gathering frustration in your joints. Yoga can help you stretch and relax the affected joints giving you a clearer mind and less neck pain. This isn’t magic and it won’t help instantly, but if you follow a quick 7-minute yoga exercise you will notice an onset of pain relief.

Flexibility check!

If you find yourself losing flexibility and want to gain it back, you can do so with yoga. Many yoga exercises offer stretches that help your muscles loosen up and allow your body to bend in ways you probably never thought possible! Don’t expect to twist yourself into an O on your first try, if you stick with it daily or every second day you should see the benefit in the first month!

Posture fix!

Yes, you read that right. Yoga also helps with posture and straightening you out. It is more than likely that most of us have developed poor posture habits, from the way we sit at the dinner table or maybe even the way we sit at our office desks. Our head is pretty heavy, and we don’t realise it. Yoga gives a few simple exercises that help with straightening out your posture and undoing the damage that you might have caused it throughout your lifetime.

Helps drain your lymph’s and boosts immune system!

For those of you who might not know, lymph is a fluid rich in immune cells which help the lymphatic system fight off infection and disease, and not to mention destroys cancerous cells. When you twist and bend your body in ways that you usually wouldn’t a couple of times a week during your yoga lesson you are actually doing your body a huge favour!

Drops your high blood pressure!

There have been studies by the British Medical journal that have shown that some yoga positions like the corpse pose help reduce high blood pressure. Those who suffer from high blood pressure know how tough it is and how harmful the medication can be to your organs. Yoga is a great way of dealing with these symptoms.

Improves balance!

To most balance may not be at the top of their health benefit list. But did you know that good balance is linked with good posture which all help prevent back and knee pain?

People who work on their balance are more aware of their surroundings and their own body, which inevitably helps prevent accidents and nasty falls which can lead to serious or minor injuries.so why not try the tree pose and save yourself a few cuts and bruises?

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

October Beauty Bag

By Anastasia Burton October is an exciting month with Halloween fast approaching and us being in the midst of autumn it’s a brilliant time for cooler tones and lots of greens and oranges which have been a vibe since the beginning of this year. In this column I will be sharing with you guys my picks from my beauty bag. Before we get into what I’m actually using, let me tell you how I choose what make-up goes into my beauty bag and how I dispose of used/old items.

Firstly, I had gotten myself quite obsessed with project panning. To those who are unaware of what project panning is here’s a little explanation: Project panning is a process of looking through your make-up collection and figuring out which items you like, don’t like, love, need to use, need to get rid of and so forth.

If you have items that you know are old or need to be used up, place them in your beauty bag. Pick one or two items for each process of your make-up application and try to use them up as much as you can.

This helps clean out your make-up collection without binning items that cost money and handing things away.

Now that you are aware of what project panning is, I will share with you what items I have placed in my beauty bag and why! The items will be listed in order of how I personally apply my make-up.

ally, I am a huge fan of ABH and no it has nothing to do with it literally having my name on the packaging! I have already hit pan on two shades “Dawn” and “Electric” and hoping to hit pan on three more shades in the coming month or two. The reason I wanted to get through this palette is because it is quite old in my collection and one of my first ABH products, so I wanted to finish it up before investing in a new ABH palette. I feel like I won’t be able to finish it anytime soon, but I’ll try!

Illamasqua precision ink eyeliner This is quite new in my beauty bag and the reason for me adding it in is because I finished up all my previous black liners and wanted to try out this brand. I feel like it takes time to get used to the pen, but I expect to have it used up in three or four months.

SoSu complete contour palette This is perfect for setting, contouring and it has a highlight shade that’s a bit too dark but nice to use on a fresh face just for a little glow on the eyes or cheeks. I’ve decided to add it into my collection because it is quite old, and I really needed to use it up! I’ve already hit pan on the shade one, which is the concealer and am currently getting closer to hitting pan on the contour and setting powder. I expect to hit pan on those in the next month or two.

Essence lash princess mascara

Flormar perfect coverage foundation

Maybelline New York: Baby skin instant pore eraser primer.

I have had this primer in my collection for a while, it really does make your skin feel very soft and works the same way as a professional primer. It feels great on the skin but honestly, I just can’t wait to finish it because I have been trying to get rid of it for a couple of months now. I expect to finish it in a month or two since I don’t use a huge amount of primer.

This foundation is very high coverage so beware! A little drop will do you fine. I added it into my beauty bag at the beginning of October in order to use it up since this foundation is quite old and reaching its expiry date. I believe I will have it finished up in two months just three months before it expires.

Brilliant mascara and super affordable.

I’m trying to use it up since it’s getting quite old and it would be a shame to waste the product.

Essence Camouflage matt concealer

Topshop Chameleon highlighter mother of pearl

One of my favorite concealers of all time.

It is full coverage and very smooth. The formula is brilliant, it really is a bargain considering its less than five euro.

I expect to have it finished within the next month and then repurchase!

One of my favorite unique highlighters. I can’t see myself finishing it anytime soon, but I will set a date for possibly January 2021.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture palette

This palette was one of the most controversial in ABH history. Many were having issues with its pigmentation and its problematic blending. Person-

This of course isn’t everything in my beauty bag but at least it’s a sneak peek!

GET INVOLVED Ways to get involved with your SU this year Bealaí le páirt a ghlacadh i do Chomhaltas i mbliana



Take the Charity Challenge Glac páirt sa Dúshlán Carthanachta Join the Welfare Crew Glac páirt sa Chriú Leasa



Run for Election Seas sa Toghchán

♥

 

Become a Class Rep Bí i d’Ionadaí Ranga

Join the Event Crew Glac páirt sa Chriú Siamsaíochta

way.ie

on@nuiáil

Contact studentsunion@nuigalway.ie for more info Déan teagmháil le studentsunion@nuigalway.ie le tuilleadh eolais a fháil

@nuigsu

NUIGalwayStudentsUnion www.su.nuigalway.ie

22 O PI N IO N

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

How Will People Cope If There Is A Stricter Lockdown Put in Place?

By Matthew Geraghty Rising cases and a move to Level Three restrictions makes one wonder- how will students cope with these ever-imposing restrictions? Of course, such measures are very much necessary in order to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the community, but it would be foolish to ignore the ways in which such restrictions will impact the lives of young people.

Over the summer months we have got reacquainted with the practice of meeting up with friends for a few drinks at the pub, taking trips to the cinema and even visiting other counties on staycations.

When we went through lockdown the first time around there was a ‘we’re all in this together’ mentality. It was the first time ever that any of us had been through such a pandemic or the experience of isolating at home, away from our friends and life at college.

However, despite the horrifying tragedy of itrising numbers of people falling sick each day, ever increasing death rates and the inability to hold hands with our grandparents and those closest to us

As Covid-19 cases rise the counties pubs and public amenities have shut once again. Photo: Lovin.ie during a time when nearly all of us were impacted in one way or another- we made the most of things.

In hard times it’s the small things that count.

Back in March and April, we embraced the grand stretch in the evenings and took to comforting activities such as baking banana bread, watching ‘Tiger King’ and partaking in virtual Zoom quizzes. For those of us lucky enough to just have to stay at home and not work on the frontline in the

health sector, there were even some positives to be found in the situation. Many found an opportunity to reconnect with their family and friends from home who they had had grown apart from.

Those few months, allowed for the time and space to re-evaluate how we had been living our lives up until now. Some came to the conclusion that the 9-5 corporate lifestyle wasn’t for them and have continued working from home.

However, as a second lockdown edges nearer and nearer and with the winter drawing in, our prospects look fairly bleak. It will soon begin to get dark between four and five., leaving little room for long walks evaluating our current life situations and barbeques under the sun in groups of six.

Going into lockdown the first time around people were more willing to stick to the rules as it was the first time any of us had been through this, and community spirit was at an all-time high. Now, however, people know what lockdown entails.

Despite the positives outlined above, lockdown largely consists of being stuck in the same house with the same people all day, every day, for weeks

on end. Nearly eight months into the pandemic many have exhausted their Netflix recommendation lists, recipe books, and quiz questions by now.

In the event of another lockdown, mental health will have to be at the fore of the conversation.

Students and the general population at large will struggle at the prospect of further restrictions. It is imperative to look after yourself during these times. While socialising isn’t exactly encouraged at the moment it is still a crucial component in the lives of young people so where it is safe to do so within the government guidelines see a friend, and if not take advantage of Facetime.

Being back in college is an added stress we are also facing at the moment with everything being online until at least Christmas, but rest assured in the knowledge that lecturers are extremely understanding- they are also adjusting to online education. Exercise and diet are crucial to minding oneself and will make you feel better and remember not to let personal hygiene slip.

We will get through this and the sesh will be immense on the other side.

Should lecturers have to pass a digital literacy test for providing lectures?

By Mareen Breslin By now, everyone is well-acquainted with the notion of working remotely and learning remotely.

Since March 2020, third level-education has primarily been taught in online form. This has led to mixed responses from students, educators, and policymakers alike. Many students and teachers have complained of a dampened quality of education, and certainly that of the traditional university experience on campus, calling into question if a discount is in order for students on their fees and housing.

Universities have been working hard in the past few months to deal with these unprecedented circumstances due to the pandemic, as well as to ensure the quality of education and standards of learning are upheld, despite Covid-19 limitations.

Something that has been suggested to potentially enhance the quality of online learning is a digital literacy test for lecturers and professors.

This test could guarantee that lecturers have the aptitude to function digital learning tools, such as Blackboard or Zoom, in order to more effectively present course materials and online lectures to their classes. Many proponents of a designated digital test argue that if students are paying the same rate of fees, tests are a fair way to evaluate and certify that their teachers are proficient enough to sufficiently educate them through the web to the best degree possible.

If students are expected to make sacrifices and learn how to navigate online learning, on top of continuing to pay the rate of standard fees, it does not seem like much to suggest that teachers be held to an online performance standard. Digital tools and being savvy with technology have become essential to the very function of education amidst the pandemic.

To ask a student to use this digital technology, requires the educator to as well. If an educator is to use it, he or she should be held to at

least a minimum standard of performance and understanding of video presentation, posting course materials, email correspondence, and assortments of digital file distribution as needed by the class and module.

Those against any sort of digital literacy test have made claims that it is unfair to older lecturers, who may not be digital denizens. People have stated that it is disadvantageous to ask an older professor to take a test in order to prove a level of adeptness in online teaching, when this has never been an aspect of their lecturing life before, and could discriminate against them for something out of their control. This is in contrast to many students, who tend to be in a younger demographic at large.

However, everyone, regardless of their age, has been forced to take on new skills which are out of their control in recent times. It is paramount to delivering high quality online learning that the person in charge of teaching understands how to use the tools at their disposal. The test could also be seen as an opportunity for learning. Universities and institutions could provide lessons for teachers who might not know the ins and outs of digital education to get them up to speed. After undergoing these lessons, it could then be required for them to take the base line digital literacy test to move forward to online learning.

These are challenging times for everyone, particularly students and educators. A digital literacy test could bring about reassurance to students that their education is being held to the highest standards. It could also ensure that professors are knowledgeable in how they are using the online tools in order to best teach students. This would also be beneficial to teachers because it could open a window for them to better understand digital education and broaden their own skillsets. It would be a positive thing for all parties, especially within the growing concern that the entire academic year is likely to be, at the very least, a hybrid experience.

TUAIRIM

October 20 2020

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This Government may have passed 100 days but, is a Government of the past.

The coalition of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael goes to show how the political landscape has changed over Opinion Editor the decades, the two parties which held the overwhelming majority of support among the entirety It has been a tumultuous start for this current gov- of Irish independence, now having to join with the ernment, with the last 100 days feeling more like 100 Green Party to form a government. years and some ministerial posts having a merry-goThe breakdown of voting by age groups also does round feeling to them. However, it still is a historic not make good reading for the government, it is government with what they’ve had to deal with as highly plausible that in the next 10 -15 years Fianna well as what parties they’ve been made up with.

Fail and Fine Gael join together as more progressive parties grow in popularity.

The Green Party may be the worst affected in this government as they have turned their backs on their votership and have folded to every Fine Gael and Fianna Fail policy since the beginning, even on the anti-environmental policy. I could easily see a huge fall in Green Party popularity in the next election if they continue to turn their backs on the voter base.

This looks even worse for the Two Ministers for Agriculture have already gone with government if you think about Barry Cowen (Right) and Dara Calleary (Left) both the fact that Sinn Féin could have being forced out of their posts within the first 100 had even had more TDs if they days of the new government. Photo: RTÉ.ie. had fielded more candidates. In

By Darren Casserly

many cases the party could have got another candidate elected just from their first candidates surplus alone.

The pandemic for a while did improve public perceptions of this government, but the longer it went on as well as the rotating of the Taoiseach eroded that small bounce in popularity. The messaging has been too unclear for a lot of people these past couple of months with Varadkar speeding up the reopening of the country, which looks like it will backfire The 33rd Dáil has endured a rocky start in the long-term. to life. Photo: The Irish Times This pandemic has overshadowed anything else that the government has tried to achieve and has really soon and what has been a major problem for too been put to the wayside. The biggest problem that long takes its toll. this government will face in the coming months The final point I want to make is how student and could yet determine how history will look nurses and doctors who have been a cornerstone of back on them is how they handle the healthcare the pandemic response have not received any sort of system going into the winter months. The num- state support? It really is a disgrace when everyone is ber of ICU beds has been a concern for quite a thanking these frontline workers, many of whom face while and hospital capacity has been a problem long daily commutes and just barely getting by, They for years. It would not be out of the question that have been taken advantage of. This is a government something disastrous could happen in this sector of the past and the future cannot come soon enough.

Are Mental Health Facilities Adequate for Modern Ireland?

By Niamh Casey Ireland has really rapidly modernised in the past three decades. Many large companies, such as Facebook and Twitter, have their European headquarters in Ireland. We produces and employ some of the world’s leading IT experts. It wasn’t that long ago that nobody was emigrating to Ireland, quite the opposite was true. There was very little that could be called modern about Ireland until nearly the early 90s.

However, since then Ireland has really transformed and brought itself into the modern world in many ways. We are a very forward thinking and open population as a whole for the most part, but when it comes to mental health, many aspects of Ireland are still in the dark ages.

In Irish culture nowadays, it seems that there isn’t anything more taboo to talk about than mental health, and it’s hard to say where this comes from.

It could have something to do with the fact that in the past a person could literally lose rights to their land and their general independence if they were deemed not to be sane enough, and it seems that stigma has lingered on in Irish society. Mental health is not talked about in open conversation in Ireland. Even when talking among friends, the feeling is that you’re “admitting” to having had mental health issues. Though you never feel like you have to “admit” to having physical health issues.

There is a clear line in Ireland between the two, where one is ok to be talked about openly and the other is generally not. Some would say that the hospitals in this country are hardly adequate for modern Ireland. So, if Ireland as a whole struggle to even talk about mental health, how are we to expect our mental health facilities to be up to modern day standards?

There is a blatant shortage of mental health support and facilities in this country. Children and

teenagers often spend years just trying to get a decent diagnosis or assigned to the right psychiatrist, which can then lead to other issues later in life as well.

In NUI Galway there are only three councillors for over 18,000 students and appointments must be made often weeks in advance as there is such a demand for the services. It was only last month that a 24/7 text service to provide mental health support to students was launched. This demand for better mental health services isn’t just a student’s issue either.

There is a huge demand for more counselling services to be made available nationally as they are so limited. People in desperate need of help are often waiting months, even years, to start seeking professional help, and they often don’t even see the head psychiatrist they were assigned. More often than not in the public system, it’s psychiatrists intraining that people are actually seeing, not the head psychiatrist themselves. Even still, there is no official helpline in Ireland for those in a crisis.

A post went viral on Facebook saying that there had been 33 cases of deaths caused by suicide in one week as opposed to only 13 deaths causes by Coronavirus in the whole month of August. Which when put into comparison is quite staggering. There is nothing to prove that this was the case however, yet even still people reacted quite defensively. Bearing in mind that so many people turned to Facebook for their facts about Coronavirus, the same people were now saying that “you can’t believe everything you read online” and that there was no proof to back up the post. Which is a fair statement, but quite hypocritical and it really just goes to show the reaction that talking about mental health evokes in people in Ireland.

There is no doubt that the mental health facilities are long overdue a serious boost in order to make them adequate for modern Ireland

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24 OPI NIO N

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

Ditched ‘Community Promise’ Requirement – a Victory for Students but an Indictment of their Union Simeon Burke When NUI Galway announced on August 21st that all students must sign a new pledge called the ‘Community Promise’, I suspected immediately that students’ rights were being undermined. As I read through the pledge that fear was entirely confirmed.

The requirement that students sign up to following University and Public Health Guidelines, no matter how they might change, seemed to stand out as a blank cheque of sorts. How could students be expected to sign up to following guidelines if those guidelines cannot even be read?

The demand that any student showing symptoms of Covid-19, however mild, report to the University and, if instructed, get a Covid-19 test, struck me as a callous disregard for the right to privacy. Since when did privacy rights disappear? It seemed as if the framer of the ‘Community Promise’ had forgotten that such rights had ever existed.

By the time I reached the extraordinary commitment at the end of the pledge, which required students to agree to ‘change their behaviour’ whenever challenged by the University, the red lights were well and truly flashing. This broad, vague, seemingly innocuous statement had incredible ramifications.

This mandatory commitment went far beyond Covid-19. What if the University told us that protest was no longer acceptable? What if the University decided certain issues could not be debated? What if the University informed us that certain political affiliations were no longer permitted?

Who would decide what ‘behaviour’ was acceptable? There was nothing in the Community Promise about taking the beliefs or opinions of students into consideration – if a student was challenged, they had to change their behaviour, no ifs, no buts. Such a requirement flew in the face of individual autonomy. It would effectively have deprived students of the right to think and act for themselves.

This mandatory commitment went far beyond Covid-19. What if the University told us that protest was no longer acceptable? What if the University decided certain issues could not be debated? What if the University informed us that certain political affiliations were no longer permitted?

These were the incredibly serious issues at stake.

After reading the pledge, I knew something had to be done. As students, we have rights. We are independent, autonomous individuals who take full responsibility for our own behaviour – playing the Covid-19 card does not allow the University to remove our rights or eliminate our freedoms.

For this reason, on August 25 th, I launched a campaign against the ‘Community Promise’. This campaign involved posting videos outlining my concerns to social media (which received over 130,000 views), sending a voluminous amount of emails to various

members of the University management and eventually picketing in the rain outside the Quadrangle.

I was incredibly fortunate to be supported by numerous fellow students who shared my concerns about the situation.

Through our united efforts, the University came under intense pressure to drop the requirement. On September 9th, after weeks of campaigning, NUIG announced that signing the ‘Community Promise’ would not be mandatory.

The scrapping of the ‘Community Promise’ requirement was a major victory for students’ rights here at NUI Galway. It showed us that student voices matter, and that student protest is as effective as it ever was.

As we look to the future, it is my heartfelt desire that this situation would strengthen the resolve of every NUIG student to unapologetically stand up for our rights and come together as one to speak out when they are threatened. In this way, I know we can continue to effect positive change moving forward.

To come together, however, the students of NUIG need a vehicle. They need an organisation that will coordinate the constant struggle to protect and defend our rights and interests.

They need fearless, intelligent and principled leadership that will challenge injustice and defend our common interests.

Opponents of the Community promise would remove rights and limit freedoms.” Have your say: opoinion.sined@gmail.com. Photo: Irish Times.

They need a flag around which they can rally, a body that can unite all students to fight a common cause.

NUIG used to have such an organisation. It was known as the Students’ Union.

Formally established in the 1960s, the NUIG Students’ Union was created to be a voice for students’ rights on campus. Its mission was lofty, admirable, and inspiring: it existed simply to “promote, defend and vindicate the rights of its members.” An injury to one would be an injury to all. It would unite the student body in defence of their rights.

Does this organisation still exist?

If one judges by shiny posters, disposable cups and plastic photoshoots, the answer may be in the affirmative.

Judging by actions and deeds, however, the NUIG Students’ Union as envisaged by its founders has long since departed this world. What remains today is a shell of an organisation, a mere shadow of what once was, a body without a soul.

The ‘Community Promise’, and the campaign against it, revealed the true state of our Students’ Union. When students’ rights were jeopardized at the beginning of this academic year to an extent like never before in the history of our University, concerned students were left – for the most part – to fend for themselves.

Our Students’ Union should have led the charge against the ‘Community Promise’. It should have spoken out clearly at the first breath of such a brazen power-grab by the university authorities. Instead, we beheld in appalled astonishment as the Students’ Union joined with the University for a press release to launch the document!

The turkeys’ union marched out proudly to launch the Christmas campaign.

What an irony. What a mockery.

What a tragedy.

The ‘Community Promise’ episode has shown all of us the importance and effectiveness of student protest. But it has also highlighted the existential crisis which now engulfs our Students’ Union. A crisis of leadership. A crisis of vision. And, ultimately, a crisis of relevance.

These are challenging times. The students of NUI Galway deserve a strong representative organisation that is capable and prepared to fight our corner.

Members of the Executive Committee are paid tens of thousands every year to scrutinize the decisions of the university management and say ‘No’ when our rights are threatened and disregarded.

Anything less than this is utterly unacceptable.

If we ever needed a real Students’ Union, we need one now. We just can’t afford to settle for less.

TUAIRIM

October 20 2020

Is it time to cancel cancel culture?

By Donagh Broderick When it comes to cancel culture people seem to fall into two broad camps. Those people such as Comedian Tim Walker who are against it, and those such as left-wing politician Ruth Coppinger who thinks it is not a real thing at all.

However, I would argue it is, and needs to be stopped for the sake of political discourse and to end polarisation. If we look at people such as Mrs Coppinger who insist it is not a real thing, it’s easy to see why they hold this belief. No one Mrs. Coppinger likes or supports has been cancelled. Perhaps if they had been, over something Ruth agreed with, then she too would be on board with the idea of cancel culture being a real thing. As was seen when those in the leftwing contingent of the UK Labour party were angered when Rebecca Long Bailey was fired over sharing an imflammatory article from The Independent.

Cancel culture seems to fall into two broad realms: people being cancelled from events due to their views, and people having their past tweets discovered which espouse views no longer considered mainstream in contemporary society.

Cancelling people for old tweets seems to have become a part of the madness of our times and society needs to learn to reject this practice. If we look at the recent swing in public opinions, such as the mainstream acceptance of gay marriage or the recognition of transgender rights, these are incredibly recent changes. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter predate them.

If our socials were representative, they’d portray something quite different.

“Just spent half an hour in the loo checking Twitter then watched 14 episodes of Peaky Blinders”.

Now that’s real life.

Wouldn’t social media actually be more fascinating if people were offering brutally honest updates? Perhaps I’m just nosy.

As British journalist Douglas Murray, a gay man himself, highlighted in his recent book ‘The Madness of Crowds’, we have no mechanism as a society to atone for these past misjudgements. If nothing can truly be forgotten on the internet, and the past can always be brought into the present, then why should people have their careers damaged for simply thinking out loud 10 years ago?

Especially when the view they may have held was the norm at the time.

Cancel culture has also been critiqued by British radio presenter Maajid Nawas - by cancelling people in the present for their past views we aren’t giving people room to grow and improve. Maajid is particularly aware of this as he himself used to be an Islamic extremist before setting up the Quillian Foundation, a think - tank that seeks to counter such extremist ideas.

Cancel culture also creates an attitude of immediately dismissing ideas we don’t like, rather than engaging with them, something that needs to happen to prevent polarisation in society. One person being cancelled ultimately makes it easier for another to be, until as a society we simply shout down and banish those we do not like from discourse rather than learning how to engage with differing views. It starts with the extremes and slowly works its way in, just like censorship.

Such is the case with The College Historical Society (The Hist) in Trinity College Dublin deciding to cancel their invitation to Richard Dawkins over some of his views, citing that the “comfort of their

Bad News, Bad Mood – An Escape

By Katie Barragry JK Rowling . Photo: NBC News. members” was most important. How a debate society cannot see how ridiculous that reasoning is is truly worrying. For healthy discourse to happen people must learn that cancelling people for views they disagree with will not amount to anything.

And lastly, in case I haven’t convinced you that cancel culture needs to go, I advise you to look at the recent situation of J.K. Rowling, where people have attempted to have her newest book not published and employees have walked out in protest of the publishing house.

Now whatever you think of her views, they are definitely not the most extreme, as can be seen from the fact many trans people, such as popular Trans YouTuber Blaire White, came to her defence.

However let’s look at where she was before this.

J.K. Rowling was undoubtedly the saint of the New Left. she made Dumbledore gay to anger the right - wing Christians and prooted the rights of asylum seekers. All of these and her many other progressive views counted for nought the second she stepped out of line and was in disagreement in one area. If you think that cancel culture won’t come back to bite you, you should think again.

Where does the truth lie in the world of social media?

By Darragh Nolan The buzzwords have been done to death; fake news, alternative facts, fact check. But do we really live in a post-truth era? Social media has certainly blurred the lines between fiction and reality. The wider world and the political sphere have of course been ravaged by heated debates around the notion of truth. Our personal lives, unfortunately, are no different.

For all its benefits, social media has made it harder for us to know what’s really going in the lives of people around us. Instagram feeds are filled with nothing but nights-out, holidays and artsy sunset photos. It would have you thinking that all of your friends were hurtling through a life of non-stop craic, when in actual fact life is going on as normal.

The reality of social media is that it’s just there to paint a picture. Profiles only show the highlights of an otherwise everyday existence and we’d do well to remember that. There’s plenty of posts featuring the latest sesh or the most recent trip abroad. The more boring stuff gets thrown aside in an effort to make ourselves seem perpetually interesting.

If our socials were representative, they’d portray something quite different. “Just spent half an hour in the loo checking Twitter then watched 14 episodes of Peaky Blinders”. Now that’s real life. Wouldn’t social media actually be more fascinating if people were offering brutally honest updates? Perhaps I’m just nosy.

As harmful as getting caught up in the feeds of our friends can get, it pales in comparison to the impact social media is having on the search for truth at a macro level. Political discourse has been upended by

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platforms on which leaders say whatever pleases them with little regard for the legitimacy of their claim.

The U.S. President has had tweets labelled as false by Twitter’s fact checkers on multiple occasions. Indeed, Trump is probably the biggest driving force behind the company implementing fact checking on their site in the first place. Of course the truth is more difficult to attain when the most powerful man in the free world is having public spats over his pathological lying.

It’s not just those in power dragging us into a posttruth world though. The pandemic has shown us a nasty side of people, with Covid-19 hoaxes a regular occurrence on WhatsApp in particular. The early days of lockdown saw fake news spread across the messaging app about Garda powers and the status of pubs and restaurants, among many other things.

Thankfully our media publications did an excellent job of swiftly debunking many of these fabricated stories. However, that they have to be debunked in the first place just hampers our ability to obtain the most accurate information. Social media presents those with ill intentions to poison the well and throw others into a state of confusion.

The truth is still out there. Social media makes it ever more difficult to find. Even when you come to something you believe to be the truth; you can be sure there’s someone in the replies there to tell you why it’s not. And then you have to figure out if that person’s telling the truth and the whole act of chasing your tail starts all over again.

That’s before you even consider the possibility that you’re dealing with a Russian bot. The line between fact and fiction has never been more difficult to identify.

In these uncertain times, many of us can find ourselves completely swamped by bad news. Constant Covid notifications and depressing social media updates have been taking its toll on us over the last few months.

For the majority of the time, it seems to be all doom and gloom. Between radio, television and social media, hearing bad news every day undoubtedly has a serious effect on our mood and mental health. Here are a few tips and tricks to limit the amount of “bad” news you receive every day.

Turn off the phone: Easier said than done but give yourself a break from the constant stream of bad news that makes its way onto your home screen every hour. Distract yourself from the updates and do something different.

Keep busy: With even more time spent at home, we often find ourselves scrolling aimlessly through our newsfeeds. Establish a daily routine and keep yourself occupied. Get some exercise, read, bake, or attend that online lecture you have been avoiding.

Turn off notifications: If your phone is constantly hopping with RTÉ News, Irish Times and Irish Independent updates, turning off live updates might be a good decision in limiting your news consumption every day. You don’t need hundreds of tweets constantly popping up on your screen informing you about daily case numbers.

Change your feed: You have the power to control who and what pops up on your social media feed. Take the time to go through your Instagram and Twitter accounts deciding what you want to see every time you open the app. There is an account for every interest be it sport, fashion, motivation, celebrities, music, or comedy. Unfollow those who clog up your feed with things that no longer interest you. Remember that you can also mute some accounts if necessary.

Stay Connected: It can be difficult to stay in touch with family and friends in these unprecedented times. With constantly changing regulations, we can find ourselves lost and lonely. Although the Zoom group call phase seems to have ended, pick up the phone, check in on your friends and have a chat.

Speaking to our loved ones can come as a welcome distraction from the neverending stream of Covid news.

Only read from trusted news sources: With the added panic and anxiety that the pandemic has brought for many, we do not need any inaccurate news reaching us. Make sure you are getting your news from legitimate, trustworthy sources to avoid even more stress and worry.

26 OPI NIO N

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

A picture should not paint A thousand words Andrew Florio

Photo: Extea.ie

Anger and frustration dominated my emotions after a night of drinking at the Spanish Arch. It wasn’t directed towards the students however (after all I was one of them), but rather to the media storm and reactions that followed.

As a student of journalism I am constantly reminded by my lecturers to be aware of the dangers that come with news shared via social media.

Single screenshots of videos can, for example, take certain situations out of context and not tell the full story as it happened. In my view that’s precisely the mistake that was made.

In this case the pictures taken showed large crowds spilling out of the Spanish Arch and then making their way up Shop Street, with some stopping for a quick singalong with a busker. The outrage that followed was focused on the fact that no student was shown to be social distancing or wearing a mask. This is where the frustration and anger starts to build inside me. My memory of Spanish Arch was very different.

I remember groups of friends, some probably already housemates, sitting around in circles and for the most part sitting two metres away from the other pods. That wasn’t shown in the pictures. I remember two Gardaí herding students together and breaking up those groups. That wasn’t shown in the pictures.

I remember forming one big crowd as a result of the actions taken by the Gardaí. That was in the pictures.

The next thing I remember is waking up in the morning to find out I had been part of an event that had been described as “deplorable” by the same university that encouraged those very students to make sure we had accommodation secured by the 28th of September.

Calls for the army were sounded to patrol the streets of Galway by Senator Ollie Crowe, as if an act of war was committed by the youth of the city overnight.

The newspapers were quick to run stories as you would expect. ‘Insane’ gathering of hundreds of students in Galway condemned”; read the headline of The Irish Times. Similar sentiments were printed on most of the country’s major newspapers.

The Gardaí were interviewed as was Mayor Mike Cubbard and locals. Personally, what I find to be deplorable is the fact that not one single student was asked about the night in question. No article featured an interview from one of the very people it was accusing of dismantling all progress made in the first seven months of lockdown.

The very last line of the Irish Independent article contained a quote from Sergeant Michael Walsh, Galway City’s Crime Prevention Officer. He responded to ideas that closing off-licences would slow down the drinking that was seen. His answer was; “There is a real risk the use of drugs will ramp up if they can’t get their hands on alcohol”. What a way to talk about people. Not only are we pandemic enablers, but the next mob that Galway City will be witnessing will now be a horde of drugged up zombies wandering the streets leaking Covid to everyone we pass. The anger that I felt reading those words was immense, as if I’d been cheated out of a fair trial by the entire country.

Yes, I’ll admit it mightn’t have been the best idea to gather like that in hindsight. But does that mean going to the pub is a better option? From people I’ve spoken to, a popular bar was pretty much running business like pre-Covid times. With people pushing past each other, no one-way systems on stairs and a fragile two metre gap between tables. I didn’t hear any cries of outrage.

Also, what did the universities expect by asking their students to return. How could they not realise there was going to be some degree of socialising on fresher’s week? And then when the inevitable happens, the students are the ones who bear the brunt of the blame. Misrepresented but still convicted as guilty.

Online learning has changed my life for the better. Let’s hope it’s here to stay

le Cárta cint CM s i r ai

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T

By Niamh McGrath

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P

Attending a mundane,9am Lecture on a Monday Morning in the Ryan Institute. Easy, right? For those who suffer with various disabilities it’s not so easy. I suffer from FND,(Functional Neurological Disorder), a chronic condition that has taken over my entire life by storm ,for the past 8 years.

It is a condition that has various components; chronic pain, abnormal movements such as tremors, immobility which requires use of wheelchair, the list could go on and on. Due to the chronic elements of FND, I missed most of my secondary school years and the first two years of university all the while living in Goldcrest Village, not even 15 minute walk away from the other side of campus.

Lying in my room, staring at the ceiling, on the bed unable to move, knowing my lecture is starting.

Unfortunately, I am not alone in my position. There are other students across the campus who can’t attend their lectures due to their difficulties.

Cue Covid-19. The virus that changed everything for every single person in the country, in the world! Everything for university reverted to online learning. I started my course in September, classes and tutorials, with no bother at all, all from my kitchen table alongside my PA. I was ecstatic.

I was finally able to put everything into my lectures without my body holding me back. For the first time ever, I felt excited to return to education again, and not worry about what symptom would stop me today or if I ended up in hospital again, I would just miss more.

So It got me thinking, so much so that I sent an email to our student’s union pleading that online, blended learning could stay for those reasons. As I thought more about this, I began to think outside of just people with disabilities and difficulties. I thought of all the students who missed a short amount of time due to a bereavement, or students who had a sudden change in their circumstances, or students who simply couldn’t afford accommodation. This way of learning suits a lot more people than we realise.

So many more students going from 2nd level would apply to university simply due to being able to do it from home, the cost would decrease dramatically. People who have had a change in their circumstance or missed short periods of time wouldn’t be backed into taking a leave of absence but could catch up right from Blackboard. Lecturers wouldn’t be hounded with thousands of emails from students with sick certs or “I wasn’t there today, what did I miss?” or ”I need an extension because I missed a lot of time”. It would reduce the emails massively.

I know this style of learning could benefit so many students in NUIG, it would benefit the university, as more people would apply, and it saves money for the university too.

Now that we have the hang of the online learning and being honest it is going to be here to stay for a while, why not keep it? Why not utilise the resources we’ve now become familiar with as our new normal? Why not make education inclusive for all people affected by various circumstances?

We’ve done it now, let’s keep it going.

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28 SPORT Photo: Connacht Tribune

SIN Vol. 22 Issue 02

GAA – Galway Senior Football Championship NUIG contingent star as Moycullen crowned Kings of Galway Maigh Cuillinn 2-12 Mountbellew-Moylough 1-11

By Oisín Bradley Sports Editor CLG Maigh Cuillinn made history recently, as they powered to a 2-12 to 1-11 victory over MountbellewMoylough in the Galway Senior Football Final.

It is a win which is the crowning moment in the 106-year history of the club, as it is their maiden county crown, and the first time they have secured that the Frank Fox cup headed out the N59 to Phairc Mhaigh Cuillinn for the first time.

The first half of the clash was nip and tuck, and neither the men in green or their counterparts from

East Galway could lay claim to the lead as Austin O’Connell blew the half-time whistle.

The game was on a knife-edge until the fixture entered the final quarter, when NUIG student Conor Bohan came up with the goods for Maigh Cuillinn, producing a three-pointer in the 45th minute. To the credit of Mountbellew-Moylough, they refused to let the hammer-blow affect their psyche and their heads refused to drop. However, the lead always looked like it was insurmountable, and so it proved.

Dessie Connelly was imperious on the day, and a couple of scores late in the day ensured that it would be him who was laying hands on the Frank Fox cup, in a historic day for all from Maigh Cuillinn.

The result was especially striking from an NUI Galway perspective, with 13 members of both the management and backroom teaming having been involved with University in years gone by.

The most notable was the captain of the winning side and Man of the Match on the day Dessie Conneely. Conneelly, who was named at corner-forward, was in totemic form on the day, notching a barnstorming 1-9 of his side’s 2-12 tally and causing plenty of headaches for the Mountbellew-Moylough rear guard.

The wily forward pounced to score a fine goal only moments after the re-start and surely caught the eye of Galway bainisteoir Pádraic Joyce as he looks to stay at the summit of the Allianz League Division One table.

It was a side with a massive NUIG backbone, as every single score on the day for the kingpins came from one of the college’s alumni. As well as Conneelly’s monstrous tally, Bohan chipped in to raise a green flag, while Owen Gallagher bagged himself a brace of points and Gareth Bradshaw got in on the act from corner forward with a solitary score.

Neil Mulcahy and Aidan Claffey also started for Maigh Cuillinn in defence. While bainisteoir Don Connellan also boasts NUIG connections.

Cathal Clancy was also a coach in the backroom team, while Sean Kelly, Paul Kelly and Fresher coaches Diarmuid Lee and Niall Walsh were all panellists.

GAA – Galway Senior GAA – Galway Intermediate Hurling Championship Football Championship St Thomas edge Turloughmore to secure the threepeat NUI student Varley leads the way in Intermediate decider

St Thomas 1-14

Turloughmore 0-15 Cortoon Shamrocks 1-10 Kilkerrin-Clonberne 1-8

By Oisín Bradley

By Oisín Bradley

St Thomas came to the fore in a keenly contested Galway Senior Hurling Championship final to defeat Turloughmore by the slim margin of two points. It was a result which meant that the club from South Galway wouldn’t be relinquishing their grip on the Tom Callinan Cup, taking it home for the third season in succession.

It was a game in which the pendulum of momentum swung to each side on numerous occaConor Cooney. Photo: Tommy Grealy/INPHO sions, with neither side able to put significant daylight between each other. Turloughmore were ahead as the game Sean Loftus and Linnane raised white flags to entered the final chapter and will be bitterly disap- put the men searching for their first Galway title pointed they couldn’t hold on until the finish line. in 30 years, however man of the match and captain However, St Thomas showed their pedigree to sum- Conor Cooney levelled matters for an astounding mon a late surge which saw them clinch the title. sixth time as the clock ticked into the red. Eanna Turloughmore forged ahead early on in the Burke and Brendan Farrell hit their opening points clash, David Sherry’s long ball from deep found of the day, and they would prove to be the most cruthe hands of Conor Cooney, who races out in front cial as they left the three in a row Champions in the of the defence to claim the ball and fire it into the ascendancy upon the shrill of the referee’s whistle. roof of the net in some style.

ST THOMAS’: G Kelly; C Mahony, F Burke 0-1f, D The men from mid-Galway were dealt blow Sherry; J Headd, S Cooney, S Skehill; David Burke, after blow as their opponents raced away on the J Regan 0-1; Darragh Burke 0-1, C Cooney 1-6, 6f, scoreboard, however their grit and determination E Duggan; O Flannery 0-3, B Burke, E Burke 0-1. which brought them to the decider shone through, Sub: B Farrell 0-1 for Duggan 50mins and they clawed back to level terms as referee Alan TURLOUGHMORE: M Fahy; M Morris, R Burke, Kelly signalled for half time.

D Loftus; F Moore 0-2, J Holland, K Hussey; Daithí Joe Hession’s men couldn’t carry their momentum Burke, S Loftus 0-1; S Linnane 0-4, C Walsh 0-4f, from the end of the first 30 minutes into the start of M Murphy; B Callanan 0-1, M Keating 0-2, G Burke the second 30 however, and it was tit for tat in the 0-1. Subs: B Connolly for Daithí Burke 32mins; R third quarter, with St Thomas holding the slightest Badger for Callanan 58, Daithí Burke for G Burke 58 of edges as the fixture entered the final chapters.

REFEREE: A Kelly (Rahoon-Newcastle)

NUI Galway student Adrian Varley was captain of the Cortoon Shamrocks side which ensured that they would be playing Senior Championship football in 2021 after pipping Kilkerrin-Clonberne in the Intermediate Final.

Varley, who was co-captain of the club from the north of the county, was pivotal in his side’s victory to return to the Senior rankings following their drop down two years previous. The flame-haired corner forward raised the white flag on four separate occasions in an engrossing affair which was competitive until the death.

The men in sky blue had it all to do after suffering a hammer blow early on, when household name Shane Walsh converted a penalty in the opening exchanges and Kilkerrin-Clonberne tagged on another score with no reply within the first five.

A brace of points from Varley, who was involved in the college’s Sigerson Cup panel last year, helped to drag Shamrocks back into the game.

While Cortoon were battling hard, their Kilkerrin-Clonberne counterparts were doing their utmost to keep them at arms’ length.

Not long into act two, all was about to change however.

Paul Varley (twin of Adrian), arrowed an excellent delivery into the square, where Joseph Donnellan displayed tremendous power to rise highest and fetch the ball, before unleashing a powerful strike which nestled behind Kilkerrin-Clonberne shotstopper Fiachra Mac an Tsaoi to level proceedings.

Cortoon’s tails were up from then on and they smelled blood. Adrian Varley bisected the posts twice again, before Shane Walsh, Conor Rabbitte and Johnny Ryan spearheading the charge for the men donned in red to leave the game on a knife edge as it entered the final furlong.

With the fixture in the melting pot, veteran David Warde edged the men from just off the N83 ahead in the dying echelons, before Peter Finnerty made a substitute’s dream performance, chipping in with a crucial score to secure the title.

Chaos ensued in injury time, with a high tackle from co-captain Varley seeing him banished to the line by the man in the middle, Christopher Ryan, for a scything challenge. It wouldn’t be long before his own Brian Roache followed him as well as Chris Glynn, KilkerrinClonberne’s captain, for the fracas which ensued.

Varley will care little, however, and it would be him as well as co-captain David Finnegan who would be hoisting the Cotter Cup above their heads and heading home with the title of Galway Intermediate kingpins for the third time in the club’s history.

SPÓIRT

October 20 2020

Heartbreak for Galway WFC as they crash out of FAI Cup GALWAY WFC 2-3 WEXFORD YOUTHS

By Oisín Bradley at Eamonn Deacy Park; 69th-minute substitute Lauren Kelly’s strike ten minutes from time was the difference, as Wexford Youths ended Galway WFC’s hopes of FAI Cup glory this evening.

The ball fell to Kelly six yards from the goalmouth, and while her finish was simple, it proved vital as the girls in black ensured progression to the last-four in Eamonn Deacy Park.

It was a game which had everything, and a neutral would’ve got great value for their fare, however it will be little consolation to the hosts, who left their Terryland home empty handed It took Galway all of 13 minutes to surge ahead after a sumptuous corner from Lynsey McKey, who found herself in space on the left flank before releasing a shot towards the near corner, which Wexford net-minder Ciamh Grant saved smartly.

However, there was little Grant could do about Meabh De Burca’s header, who rose highest to nod home following McKey’s pinpoint header.

Tom Elmes’ charges responded well to such a hammer blow when the game was in its infancy, and continued to commit people to pressing Galway in possession; in a manner not too dissimilar from the hosts in their previous match against Treaty United.

The opening half an hour was quiet for Amanda Budden between the sticks and she had little to do with thirty minutes on the clock. That was about to change however, as the visitors from the Model County piled on the pressure in a bid to level proceedings.

The first attempt in the Wexford barrage fell the way of Vanessa Ogbonna 35 minutes in after a whipped delivery from Ciara Rossiter, however the first-time shot lacked accuracy. Ogbonna turned the provider only moments later for skipper Kylie Murphy, whose looping header brought the first Budden save of the day, who tipped over.

Budden was out to claim the resulting corner, but that did little to stem the tide, and the Wexford leveller wasn’t

long coming in some style.

A Youths corner from Aoibheann Clancy was sprayed out to Rossiter around the half-way line, and the Wexford woman produced a wonder-strike from the centre of the park, past Budden to bring the sides back level in a goal that could grace any arena.

Galway would’ve been looking to get back into the dressing room unscathed at the changeover after the setback, however it would be them heading in in arrears after a late hammer blow.

Ogbonna was played in with a deft ball over the backline of the Tribeswomen, and when faced with a one-on-one opportunity made no mistake with a well-placed strike into the bottom left corner on the cusp of half-time to race ahead.

Galway were the side causing the threats from the off in the second half, and the pressure told in the 64th minute, after Jaime Turrentine’s sublime curling effort.

The American midfielder received the ball from a throw-in before turning on a sixpence and unleashing a curler from long distance to beat the keeper at the far post and draw Wexford blood for the second time.

Gray showed superb reflexes to make sure her net wouldn’t be rippled a third time after a powerful Aoife Thompson effort, which took a strong deflection as it sailed goalwards.

The following exchanges were helter-skelter, with the fans treated to cracking drama as both sides went all out to attain the vital score. It almost came in the 78th minute after fantastic interplay from the away side, however Galway’s defence held firm to block out.

The same couldn’t be said in the 80th minute, when sub Lauren Kelly found herself unmarked and in prime position six yards out to tuck away, leaving Billy Clery’s girls with a mountain to climb as the clock inched towards the red.

Galway were committing bodies to the attack looking for the vital moment, and it did leave them susceptible, however the last-ditch defending from Galway looked like it would be enough.

Their attack just couldn’t do enough, however and it would be the Wexford faithful heading home happy with their lot.

29

Galway United hit with two cases as Irish football feels effect of Covid-19

By Oisín Bradley In recent weeks, Galway United were hit with the news that two of the club’s senior squad members tested positive for Covid-19. The news came in the wake of the club’s Airtricity League First Division clash with Drogheda United that Friday.

The news of the cases meant that all players and management had to go into isolation pending the results of tests carried out in the wake of the news. The positive cases were somewhat of a landmark, albeit a negative one, as they became the first confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the League of Ireland at either of the two levels.

“The SSE Airtricity League First Division fixture between Galway United and Drogheda United has been postponed,” the club confirmed in a statement on their website.

“Two positive Covid-19 cases have been identified in the Galway United squad and as a result the whole first team squad and staff are now restricting their movements and awaiting tests, following HSE and government guidelines.”

Galway United will continue to follow all protocols relating to Covid-19 and the players will isolate for the required period of time.”

John Caulfield’s men will be looking to usurp

Cabinteely and UCD in the final two fixtures of the league season, having seen an uptake of form over recent weeks, which could see them sneak into the playoff spots.

The club also confirmed the rescheduling of the game, stating that “the new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.”

This is not the only issue surrounding Covid-19 to have reared its head in Irish soccer circles in previous weeks. Galway native Aaron Connolly and Norwich City youngster Adam Idah were both ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2020 playoff defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava due to being a close contact of an FAI staff member who tested positive for the virus.

Both were considered key cogs in Stephen Kenny’s plans to progress in the qualifiers, and the feeling of injustice was only heightened by the fact that the test turned out to be a false negative.

The drama surrounding the national squad heightened on the morning of their UEFA Nations’ League draw with Wales at the Aviva Stadium. Callum Robinson, John Egan, Callum O’Dowda and Alan Browne were ruled out due to being close contacts of a Covid-19 case.

Ireland’s next game in the Nations’ League is the reverse leg of their 0-0 draw with Wales in Cardiff in November.

sultnuigalway

Galway WFC: Amanda Budden, Shauna Brennan, Shauna Fox(Aoife Lynagh 90’), Keara Cormican(C), Meabh DeBurca, Chloe Singleton, Aoife Thompson, Lynsey McKey, Jaime Turrentine (Lucia Lobato 79’), Savannah McCarthy, Therese Kinnevey.

Wexford Youths: Ciamh Grant, Lynn Craven, Nicola Sinnott, Lauren Dwyer, Orlaith Conlon(Lauren Kelly 69’), Edel Kennedy,

Lyndsey McKey cuts a solemn figure as Galway crash out of cup Credit Paddy Henry

Kylie Murphy(C), Ciara Rossiter, Vanessa Ogbonna(Blessing Kingsley 78’), Ellen Molloy, Aoibheann Clancy(Aisling Fahey 69’).

Referee: Bartley Folan.

Connacht Rugby CEO speaks out over Canterbury slip up

By Louise Toal Newly appointed CEO of Connacht Rugby and NUIG graduate Ann Heneghan told SIN that she believes it was a serious mistake that Canterbury used a model for the launch of the new women’s Irish jersey, instead of a woman who plays rugby.

She went on to say that when launching the 2020 Connacht jersey, both men and women were used in their launch. Heneghan, who took up the historic role in August, mentions other provinces took the same approach.

When asked if the media were doing enough in promoting women in sport, Heneghan said, “I think it’s the women really driving it and not so much the media, the media have a big part to play”.

She adds, “if you see the attention I’ve gotten since becoming the first woman President for a province, the media are all over it. But what about promoting the women’s game? The media have a big part to play”.

When asked if the Connacht women’s team would

soon turn professional, she explained the difficulties facing the province in feasibly undertaking such a prospect.

“Even without Covid we would face challenges because we would need a dedicated tournament similar to the Pro14,” the solicitor from Partry in County Mayo stated.

Henegan mentions one turning point for Connacht Rugby was having women join the men’s committee in making decisions for both sides, which is now called the Adult Rugby Committee.

Connacht Rugby will be celebrating its 135th birthday with an online celebration with fans for this coming November, with more details for how they plan to mark such a landmark date in the province’s history being released in the next few weeks.

The Westerners have endured a mixed start to their season so far, edging out Glasgow at the Sportsground in their opening game, but falling to a heavy 29-7 defeat to Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade the following week.

Next up for Andy Friend’s side is a tricky tie against Edinburgh away from home on October 25th.

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Vice President / Education Officer Leas Uachtarán / Oifigeach Oideachais

2020 -2021

Vice-President / Welfare and Equality Officer Leas-Uachtarán / Oifigeach Leasa agus Comhionannais

President / Uachtarán

Emma Sweeney

Pádraic Toomey

su.education@nuigalway.ie 086 385 3658

su.president@nuigalway.ie 086 385 5502

Róisín Nic Lochlainn

su.welfare@nuigalway.ie 086 385 3659

Mature Students’ Officer Oifigeach Mic Léinn Lánfhásta

Gender and LGBT+ Rights Officer Oifigeach um Chearta Inscne agus LADT+

Disability Rights Officer Oifigeach um Chearta Míchumais

Erin Mac An tSaoir

Michelle Mitchell

Maeve Arnup

Patricia O’Mahony

091 493 570 su.gaeilge@nuigalway.ie

089 966 6847 su.maturestudents@nuigalway.ie

091 493 570 su.lgbt@nuigalway.ie

085 212 0689 su.disability@nuigalway.ie

Oifigeach na Gaeilge Irish Language Officer

Postgraduate Taught Officer Oifigeach na nIarchéimithe Teagasctha

Martin Smyth

Sebastiaan Bierema

Clubs Captain Captaen na gClubanna

Kirsty Moran

087 781 0130 su.pgtaught@nuigalway.ie

091 493 570 su.pgresearch@nuigalway.ie

085 882 4797 su.clubs@nuigalway.ie

Convenor of the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies / Tionólaí Choláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta & an Léinn Cheiltigh

Convenor of the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences / Tionólaí Choláiste an Leighis, an Altranais & na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte

Convenor of the College of Science and Engineering / Tionólaí Choláiste na hEolaíochta agus na hInnealtóireachta

Claire McHale 091 493 570 su.arts@nuigalway.ie



Postgraduate Research Officer Oifigeach na nIarchéimithe i mbun Taighde

Evan O’Flaherty 091 493 570 su.medicine@nuigalway.ie

Aoife Buckley

087 775 0227 su.scienceengineering@nuigalway.ie

Positions to be filled next semester/Poist le líonadh an chéad seimeastar eile: Societies Chairperson • SU Council Chairperson • Convenor of the College of Business Public Policy & Law • International Students Officer • Ethnic Minorities Officer

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SPÓ IRT

October 20 2020

31

Some sports given go ahead for return

By Oisín Bradley Sports Editor Some sports clubs in NUIG will be given the goahead to return to action next week, according to Clubs’ Captain Kirsty Moran.

Moran, who represents all clubs on the Students’ Union Executive, revealed on Wednesday evening that under specific constraints and regulations, that clubs which train outdoors and in pods of 15 could be given clearance to return to training starting next Monday.

Speaking to SIN, 2nd-Year Computer Science student Moran expressed her relief at the decision.

“The bottom line is clubs will be allowed to use the NUIG sports grounds, which before this was a no-go, so it’s great to get progress!

“The clubs have to fill out return to practice applications which are up for approval in the Sports

Office for risk assessment. Any of the clubs which have the forms filled out and submitted and have them approved will be allowed to return to sport on the 12th of October,” Moran revealed.

“The sports that are allowed to go back are clubs that train outdoors in pods of 15 or under with no contact. They are permitted to go back as long as they adhere to Level Three sporting guidelines and all Covid-19 regulations.”

There was also great news for any of the colleges high-level athletes, who will be permitted to actively compete. However, it’s bad news for anyone looking to compete in any indoor sports.

“Teams who fall under elite, high-performance or Senior Championship within their respective sport can also compete in National governing bodyapproved leagues and competitions, allowing them to partake in competition,” Moran stated.

“There’s no indoor training allowed, unless it’s

signed off by the sports unit, however there is specific case-by-case bases where it may be possible for certain individuals or teams in the ‘elite’ bracket.”

While this may be a tough time for many of the students of the University, Moran believes that the return of training will be something to build on.

“It was hard for people who were up here who aren’t on campus. They’re not allowed to go out drinking, and there’s been no societies or clubs so it is very draining for people. Obviously, we are still very limited and there’ll be lots of issues with time slots and the like.

“But the fact that we’re allowed to go back to training is a start and we can work from here.”

We’ve gotten the go-ahead that, under certain constraints and very specific scenarios, clubs can go back to training.

The news is somewhat of a surprise for students, however it is a welcome one amid all the uncertainty, given the current crisis.

Across the water: Galway’s Football interests explored Greg Cunningham – Cardiff City:

By Oisín Bradley The top leagues of English football are back, and despite the fact that only a few games have been played, the objectives of many sides have been made clear. Many men from the banks of the Corrib will be looking to make their mark as sides gear up for title or promotion tilts, or indeed the battle to avoid the dreaded drop into the lower leagues. Here, we detail how they have fared in the opening few fixtures of their respective league and League Cup seasons.

Aaron Connolly – Brighton and Hove Albion: The Oranmore youngster enjoyed a strong breakout season at the Amex Stadium, making himself a fixture in the Seagulls side and notching thrice in the Premier League as well as netting in the League Cup in a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers.

Connolly will be looking to cement himself as a first name on Graham Potter’s team-sheet, and has made a good start to the 2020-21 campaign, scoring the third goal as Brighton romped to a 3-0 win over Newcastle United on the road at St James’ Park.

Cunningham is entering his third season in South Wales, and will be looking to put some torrid injury struggles behind him as he faces into Cardiff City’s second successive season in England’s second tier. Cunningham has it all to do to make it back into the squad, despite starting in a home match vs Reading before the international break. The full-back, formerly of Mervue United, played 90 minutes before being subbed off in a 2-1 defeat.

29-year-old Cunningham will be looking to impress potential suitors as he reaches the end of his contract with The Bluebirds next Summer. Cunningham also featured in a 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat against Northampton Town.

Daryl Horgan - Wycombe Wanderers: Wycombe are up there as one of the most intriguing side’s in the Championship this season, and Galwegian Daryl Horgan is a recent addition to the side from Adams Park. Horgan joined Wycombe off the back of a stint in the Scottish Premier League with Hibernian, and has been a regular starter for Wycombe in their historic first season following promotion from League One.

It’s been a difficult start to Horgan’s second spell in the Championship, with neither himself nor his side managing to find the net in their opening four fixtures. Horgan was the sole Wycombe scorer in their Carabao Cup clash vs Brentford, which the men in sky blue lost on penalties.

Ryan Manning – Queen’s Park Rangers The youthful Manning had a decent spell at QPR last season, chipping in with five goals in 44 appearances last season as his side finished slap bang in the middle of the league table. R’s manager Mark Warburton has strengthened the midfield in the transfer window however, with the likes of George Thomas and Luke Amos coming in the door from the Premier League.

Unfortunately, budding prospect Manning has found game time hard to come by so far, with his only appearance coming in the Carabao Cup loss against Plymouth Argyle. Manning netted in that game however, and will be hoping to build on his good performance as he bids to earn his stripes this season in West London. Cregmore man Manning secured a move to promotion hunting Swansea City at the close of the English domestic Transfer Window.

Ryan Manning(Left) Daryl Horgan (Centre) and Aaron Connolly (Right) represented the Galway contingent in the Ireland squad over a disappointing International break for the Boys in Green Credit FAI

Mental Toughness During Covid-19

By Louise Toal When it comes to elite players and athletes there is usually a professional team behind them from nutrition to psychology.

Sport psychologists are becoming even more valuable for elite players and athletes as they train under Covid19 guidelines ahead of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.

Lecturer in Psychology at NUI Galway, Dr. Jane Walsh tells SIN, “it’s not so much the long legs or arms that wins the race.

The most important characteristics for athletes are learning and practicing coping strategies that would make a big difference.”

Mental toughness is a term she shares as one of the most important findings from researching into sports psychology, Dr. Walsh explains.

“It’s distinctive among sporting elites, the idea really is to be able to come over obstacles and go over them or around them and find ways to do that by digging deep would be a key factor”.

She mentions one of the main characteristics would be bouncing back from failure. Seeing it as a learning experience rather than something that defines you.

“Rather than seeing yourself as a failure, say that was a valuable lesson learnt, that I didn’t know before and I’m going to use that moving forward. It’s impossible to win if you don’t have your foot on the start line, only being prepared to lose, while having the belief you can win, can you overcome failure”.

Dr. Walsh goes on to say sporting elites should look at criticism as constructive and something you can use to your strength. A belief in yourself is a corner stone in mental toughness.

“I think what they really need to do is learn how to cope with success. How to cope with failure. How to control the mind.”

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