SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

NUACHTÁN SAOR IN AISCE VOL. 21 Issue 09. 18 FEB 2020

Student Independent News

WINNER: BEST NEWSPAPER AT THE NATIONAL STUDENT MEDIA AWARDS 2019

Hundreds attend protest against deportation of NUI Galway student

By Paddy Henry

The Students’ Union, in conjunction with Fáilte Refugees Soc, organised another protest on campus against the deportation of Mdu Ngwenya last week.

Huge crowds gathered in the city last week to demonstrate against the deportation of two asylum seekers living in the city, including a first-year student of NUI Galway.

Theo Ndovlu, and Mdu Ngwenya, who are both originally from Zimbabwe, were served with notices of their deportation last month having come here in 2016.

Hundreds of people attended the march, which was supported by Galway Anti-Racism Network (GARN), the Movement of Asylum Seekers Ireland (MASI) and the NUI Galway Students’ Union.

The march culminated in a two-hour long celebration of music, poetry and dance in Eyre Square featuring an array of local talent, including Theo himself, who is a well-known hip-hop and spoken word artist, and Padraig Stevens of ‘Saw Doctors’ fame.

Two online petitions calling for both Theo and Mdu to be given leave to remain on humanitarian grounds, have gathered thousands of signatures between them.

Mdu, a first-year science student in NUI Galway, who is originally from Zimbabwe, came to Ireland as an asylum seeker in 2016 and has been living in Direct Provision ever since.

He has become heavily involved in community activism since his arrival on these shores,

volunteering with Galway City Partnership and Amnesty International, where he runs educational workshops in schools and training sessions with professionals. Along with this, he is the founding member and chairperson of the Melting Pot Luck Society, a student-led initiative which sees asylum seekers cook and share food with locals.

Speaking to SIN, Mdu expressed his disappointment at being served notice that his stay in the country is set to come to an end, “I was shocked. I wasn’t expecting that”, he said.

The student said that the high turnout at the march gave him hope that his deportation order won’t be served and outlined how he has made a home for himself in Ireland, having integrated into society. “It gives me hope that the minister is maybe going to go back and review my case”, he stated. “It’s so hard to come to a place where you are not known and you kind of gel into the community and integrate with the community, and then you make friends and then, after that, you are being told you must go back”, he continued.

Theo Ndovlu, who is also facing deportation, expressed similar sentiments to Mdu and spoke of how he felt at home in Ireland. “It was overwhelming”, he said, “It showed me I have family and friends here. This is my home”. he added.

Theo described his potential return to Zimbabwe as “dangerous” and admits that the prospect of returning terrifies him, “There is danger there and that is a big reason why I am seeking asylum here, I couldn’t see a more dangerous situation. It’s very hard to think about it, I’m terrified”, he said.

Galway Anti-Racism Network were heavily involved in the organisation of last Saturday’s event. A spokesperson for the group was pleased with the support the rally garnered from all sections of the community. “There was a big cross section of the community there”, they said. “It was nice to see both younger and older people coming out in support and there was a real sense of solidarity with the lads, people are really taken in by them , they have developed a strong sense of community here and are big in the Galway music scene. You could see that people were enamoured by them”.

Students’ Union Welfare and Equality Officer Brandon Walsh told SIN that the Union were supporting Mdu, stating, “We’ve been working to support Mdu through the University of Sanctuary programme and we are willing to help him in any way we can”.

2 N E WS & F E AT U R ES

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

INSIDE

Nominations set to open for Full Time SU Roles 4 Holocaust survivor gives talk at NUI Galway 5 Today FM’s Fergal D’Arcy visits NUI Galway and Flirt FM 6 NUI Galway students in action: Continuous efforts made to prevent Galway coast from plastic debris 7 NUI Galway updates students on Coronavirus 8 Good Samaritan aims to aid students’ mental health with free hot meals 9 Campus Cairde: Gideon Oluniran 10 Epilepsy & Me 11 The future of cash 12 Not your typical Cinderella story 14 Sinn Féin Surge not the end of the two-party system; it’s been gone for decades. 15 Why Flirt FM needs more support 16 My Week Without Makeup: 7 Days with My Naked Skin 18 2020 Grammy Awards: Pop Princesses Dominate the Style Stakes on Music’s Biggest Night 19 Miss Americana: The Beauty Evolution of Taylor Swift 20 Styled by the Show: Why Gossip Girl’s Vanessa Abrams is an underrated style guru 21 Travel Junkie: Boston 22 The underrated Netflix series most of our friends don’t want to watch 24 Film review: The Lighthouse 25 What’s on in Galway? February 18 - March 2 26 NUI Galway take home bronze at swimming intervarsities 28 Galway overcome Donegal in Letterkenny showdown 29 Club Spotlight: NUI Galway Athletics Club 30 Competition: WIN two Clubs’ Ball Tickets! 31

EDITOR: Mark Lynch 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

By Mark Lynch Welcome to Issue 9 of this year’s SIN. What a monumental couple of weeks it’s been on and off campus. As the country scrambles together some form of government after a fascinating General Election, the student elections here will quickly take centre stage.

Before we delve into the madness that has unfolded around the country, I will first thank every single one of the writers for the work they’ve put into this issue. Our goal for every edition of this paper is to provide a comprehensive look at matters that affect you, the students of NUI Galway. We can only try our best with this, but I can proudly say that this team of writers are knocking it out of the park consistently. The time and effort that these volunteers put in is beyond admirable, and it shows a fervent belief in themselves and the vocation of journalism in general.

Working in media and wanting to pursue a career in media are both made difficult by the mistrust that exists. The famous saying is that no publicity is bad publicity, but, for an industry that prides itself on integrity and honesty, this is simply not the case for us. We need your trust, but we don’t automatically deserve it. We must earn it through hard work and dedication to our profession. While the students who contribute to this paper haven’t gone professional yet, they are held to the same standards and deserve huge credit for upholding those standards.

Students, as a whole, also deserve huge credit for exercising their electoral right and duty by casting their votes on February 8th. At the time of writing, no government has been formed, and many believe we will be heading straight back to the polls. As we have seen in numerous countries throughout Europe and further afield, the divide between opposing sides in political debates these days seem to be unsalvageable. In the UK, those who wanted to leave the EU and those who wanted to stay in the EU will seemingly never understand the other’s point of view, and so the divide will be there indefinitely between those opposing sides. In the US, Donald Trump’s supporters and those who are opposed to him taking office are as vicious on the matter as they have ever been. There, too, it appears reconciliation is impossible.

Here in Ireland, the widescale protest vote, as I think it’s fair to call it, which has seen Sinn Féin gain the most amount of seats, is protesting against the last 10 years of austerity, as well as the reckless ‘boom’ years before that which preceded the crash.

In some ways, it was also a protest vote against the last 100 years. We are still a young state, and are having somewhat of an identity crisis, even if we’re not keen to admit it. Many young Irish people want to define the future as their own, and move away from everything that represents the past. Sinn Féin capitalised on this in what was a clever campaign by them, and so they made the most gains from this

identity shift. The opposition to this, like we’ve seen abroad, are unreconcilably against it. There are dozens of thousands of people in this country who will never support a Sinn Féin government.

We’ve seen in other countries how divisive politics gets when it comes down to identity, when it resonates in people’s core beliefs and values. Everyone should stand up for what they believe in, as is our right as citizens of Ireland. However, we must remember to try and empathise, show compassion, and see it from the other side’s point of view. If we do go to the polls again, this will be essential in avoiding unreconcilable differences, and inviting real, open political discussion.

We have reaction to this election, as well as much, much more inside these 32 pages, across news, features, opinion, lifestyle and fashion, arts and entertainment, and sport. So, as always, find somewhere comfortable, kick the legs up, sit back, relax, and keep reading.

New Linguistics Research facility launched in NUI Galway

By Ellen O’Donoghue NUI Galway have announced the launch of a new research facility, the Centre for Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism (CALM).

Based in the Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences, the new research hub will provide a platform for interdisciplinary research in the area of applied linguistics and multilingualism, thus increasing the awareness of issues related to language learning, language processing and multilingualism within NUI Galway and the wider community.

CALM’s research themes reflect increasing linguistic diversity in communities in Ireland, the EU and globally.

Galway was identified in the 2016 census as the most diverse city in Ireland, having the highest percentage of non-nationals, with over 60 languages

spoken citywide. This has a significant impact on education, resulting in many multilingual children in some of the city’s and county’s schools.

In addition, there is a high percentage of children and a progressively higher number of adults in speech and language therapy and other related health services in the city and country. This trend is reflective nationally.

The proximity of Galway to the Connemara Gaeltacht links the college to the largest Irish speaking population in Ireland. The University offers a bilingual environment where the Irish language is regularly used in academic and social life. The provision of education through Irish is among the University’s strategic aims.

“Research on Irish will feature strongly in the work of CALM”, said Dr John Walsh, Senior Lecturer in Irish and Co-Director of the Centre. Language change in the

Gaeltacht and the relationships between native and ‘new’ speakers are interesting fields for research in multilingualism, sociolinguistics, language acquisition and speech and language therapy.”

“Calm offers fantastic opportunities to firmly establish NUI Galway as a centre of excellence in the field of multilingualism”, said Dr Stanislava Antonijevic-Elliott, Senior Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy and CALM founding member.

The launch of CALM coincides with the announcement of the new MSc in Applied Multilingualism due to start in September 2020, which is designed to cater for increasing linguistic diversity in communities in Ireland, the EU and globally. The MSc is the only course of its kind in Ireland and is aimed at students from a variety of backgrounds, including languages, humanities, social sciences and speech and language therapy.

N UAC HT

February 18 2020

NEWS EDITORIAL

By Paddy Henry Hello readers, welcome to this issue of SIN. We’re nine issues in now, how it’s flown by. As many of us take a collective deep breath following the election, NUI Galway students, still recovering from their RAG Week escapades, are taking as much paracetamol as deemed medically safe. Talking about RAG Week, Saoirse Higgins brings us her take on the week-long festival of charitable drunkenness, speaking to City Councillor Owen Hanley on the topic. Moving away from RAG Week, the mere mention may bring some flashbacks, I bring you the story of NUI Galway science student Mdu Ngwenya, an asylum seeker facing deportation to Zimbabwe, the country he fled in 2016. I spoke to him about the support he has received since hearing the news and what a return Zimbabwe could mean for him. Elsewhere, Aaron Deering chats to Fergal D’Arcy about the power of local radio, following his recent campus visit, Ellen O’Donoghue reports on the great work being done by Ciara Coleman and the rest of the Biomedical Science Department, who ran a bra collection event for disadvantaged countries last week. Varun Dua gives us the lowdown on Google Hash Code, a programme competition taking place in NUI Galway. Rachel Garvey talks about the Coronavirus and what the University and the health system as a whole are doing to combat the potential threat.

She also reports on recent findings that privately educated secondary school students are three times more likely to attend University.

As always, if you hear any whisperings around college that you think would be worth reporting do let us know, we’re always happy to hear from you. My email is deputy.sined@gmail.com if you’d like to contact me. Our next meeting is Monday 2nd March in AM127 at 6p.m. There’s free pizza and we’re all very nice, so do come along!

FEATURES EDITORIAL

By Shauna McHugh Hello, everyone, Welcome back to another issue of SIN! It’s hard to believe that you all will be reading this in week six, officially halfway through the semester. The year is absolutely flying by! With each passing fortnight, though, it seems our contributors are only getting better, as Issue 9 is an absolute whopper!

As always, the features section this week has benefitted from the excellent work of my trusty columnists. Jody Moylan’s Mature Student Diary this week tackles his difficulties with getting around to writing, and how Karl Marx has been an unlikely inspiration. You should all be glad that he found the time to write the diary, as it truly is a great

read! Another highlight of this issue is the Final Year Diary from the unfairly talented columnist Sadhbh Hendrick, who has turned out to be a great poet too! Read ahead for her hilarious verse about unofficial RAG week. To top it off, Aoife Burke has also returned with a stellar First Year Diary, in which she’s already longing for summer.

So while our contributors have been extremely giving of their time and talents, it seems their attitude is catching on around campus. This week, SIN has an interview with one extremely generous final year student, who is providing free homecooked meals for NUI Galway students. It’s a lovely gesture for cashstrapped students!

Speaking of cash, have you ever wondered if it will soon cease to exist as we know it? Is there any use for coins and notes when we can just pay with the tap of a card? If you want the answers, head to page 12 for Sadhbh Hendrick’s excellent piece on the topic. Meanwhile, SIN also tackles cancel culture in this issue, as we look at how the phenomenon is becoming an increasing danger in the non-celeb world.

With all this and lots more ahead, I’ll leave you to delve in. Enjoy!

OPINION EDITORIAL

By Anastasia Burton Greetings, our dear readers! It’s me again, your favorite opinion editor, Anastasia. I am so pleased to present to you our newest issue, Issue 9!

With each issue I find it hard to find the words to properly thank every one of you for picking up the student paper and reading through the pages.

As the opinion editor, I find myself get all giddy inside when I see the positive feedback and when I notice students carrying around issues of SIN. This issue I was over the moon with the eager writers snatching up article ideas one by one! I love hearing your opinions and sharing them with everyone, because my goal, from the moment I became the opinion editor, was to make your voices heard and to give you a platform so that those voices can be heard from afar. So, thank you, gentle readers and my fabulous writers for working so hard on making this issue a great one!

Now that we got that sappy stuff out of the way, let’s take a sneak peek at what’s inside my section!

Did you hear about RTÉ occupying the Áras na Mac Léinn for the Claire Byrne Live Leaders’ debate? I mean... who hasn’t? But were you aware that there was a protest organized by the students?

If you want to hear more about it, then flick the pages!

Ever wondered why more of us should go on a greens-based diet? What are the benefits of a vegan/vegetarian diet? Find out at our section!

Flirt FM deserve more funding form the college! Not only are they one of the only college radios who work 24/7, but

7

GNÉ -ALTANNA

they are also using equipment which is terribly outdated, which is unfair! Read more about this topic in your favorite opinion section!

Valentine’s day gifts and decorations?

A big oof.

RAG week (please stay safe and mindful) – what does it mean to the students and what should we be mindful of?

Mental health is something very important to me as an editor and I always like to promote such articles as much as possible! So, flick over to our section to see how weather can influence your mental health!

Celebrity deaths often get more attention and other victims of the same tragedies get brushed aside. Is this fair?

Well that’s all from the opinion section, or is it?

Hugs and kisses, Opinion editor x

LIFESTYLE AND FASHION EDITORIAL

By Catherine Taylor Hello again, everyone, and welcome to another stellar issue of SIN! It’s hard to believe that we’re on Issue 9 already, where did all those months go? Now that we’re firmly stuck into the new decade, let’s crack into a brand-new issue of everybody’s favourite college newspaper!

So, what have the fabulous writers of the lifestyle and fashion section got in store for you this week? First off, with award’s season just gone by, we’ve got coverage of all the amazing outfits worn at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Megan Frei is on hand to take you through what was hot, what was not and the clear winners in the sartorial stakes on music’s biggest night. How amazing was Ariana’s ballgown?!

Speaking of pop princesses, this issue I’m taking you on a retrospective look through Taylor Swift’s beauty evolution. I’ve been a fan of this singer-songwriter starlet since she popped into the public consciousness with her track ‘Love Story’ in 2008, and I never miss an opportunity to write about her music, her message and her constant reinventions! Given that she’s come back fighting with her new Netflix documentary Miss Americana, there’s never been a better time to look back on T Swift’s amazing, decade-long reign as an all-American beauty queen.

Elsewhere, our opinion editor Anastasia kindly agreed to take part in a beauty experiment this week, which saw her abandon all use of makeup for seven days. Read all about her experience with her naked face, and developing self-acceptance without the use of beauty products, in this issue.

From fashion and beauty to lifestyle and wellness bits, it’s all here in the brand-new issue of SIN. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we love writing it and as always, you can get in contact with me at lifestyle.sined@ gmail.com.

3

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITORIAL

By Sarah Gill Welcome back to another fantastic issue of SIN. The following pages are full of an exceptional level of work from the entire writing team and I would definitely advise anyone reading this paper to take note of each and every byline - because these are the names that will appear in prestigious papers around the globe in the future. Looking at the Arts and Entertainment section alone, the standard improves issue after issue, and I want to thank everyone who chooses to take an article on and give it their all. In this issue, you’ll find stellar articles such as a review of The Lighthouse, a look at some of Netflix’s most underrated shows and a whole lot more. What I love most about this section is the diverse nature of each piece it features. Excellent poetry followed by thought-provoking commentary and all-encompassing reviews - there’s something that quite literally everyone will find interesting.

SPORTS EDITORIAL

By Darren Casserly Hello once again, everyone, and welcome back to issue 9 of SIN. It’s hard to believe that now, we are nearly half-way through second semester. As always, this issue’s sports section has some top-drawer articles, covering everything from the NUI Galway athletics club to discussing the new rules in Gaelic football.

From the world of Rugby, Johnny Brown writes about one of sport’s great enigmas, the French rugby team. Following their opening round surprise victory over England and their thumping of Italy, could this be a sleeping giant awakening?

In tennis, following Novack Djokovic’s 19th grand slam victory, Darragh Nolan looks at this last generation of Tennis players, such as Nadal and Federer, and how they have managed to stay on top of the sporting world for so long.

In NUI Galway sporting news, Owen Kennedy gives us a recap of the NUI Galway swimming club’s fantastic performance at the recent Intervarsities, with some great photos to accompany it. Then, I shine the club spotlight on the Athletics Club to find out what it’s about and how to get involved.

In Gaelic football, Oisin Bradley discusses the new rules introduced to this season’s league campaign and what kind of effect they will have on the game. Oisin also writes about what kind of an impact the league campaign actually has on the championship.

As always, a big thanks to the contributors and if you would like to get involved just email me at sport.sined@ gmail.com.

4 N E WS & F E AT U R ES

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

Nominations set to open for full-time SU Roles

By Paddy Henry (deputy. sined@gmail.com) Nominations for full-time positions within the NUI Galway Students’ Union are set to open on February 19th.

The role of Students’ Union President, along with the Vice-Presidential positions of Welfare and Equality Officer and Education officer will all be filled by new incumbents after the vote on March 5th.

Campaigning will begin for the three positions on Sunday March 1st, with candidates having almost a week to convince voters to give them their number one vote.

Current full-time role holders Clare Austick (President), Brandon Walsh (Welfare and Equality) and Cameron Keighron (Education) spoke to SIN ahead of the opening of nominations about the importance of their roles and what their work entails.

Current SU President Clare Austick has encouraged anybody interested in applying to do so, and outlined being a team player, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and being non-judgemental, as key to fulfilling the role.

“Being a team player Is important.

All of the officers you’re working with have their own remit, but at the end of

the day, you’re working as a team to deliver on the SU agenda”. She continued, “You also need to know your own strengths and weaknesses, you have to be strong and well prepared, in meeting with the University for example, and to know when you are getting nowhere in meetings, to know when to protest”. Ms Austick added, “It is also important to be open and non-judgemental; we have all sorts of students from many different backgrounds. You cannot let your personal opinions cloud your judgement”.

The former Welfare and Equality Officer also spoke of the importance of having self-belief and confidence in yourself in being able to fulfil the role. “It has to start with believing in yourself”, she noted. “Even if people are scared about running and not winning, it’s not about winning. Either you win or you learn. If you are considering running in the first place, your heart is in the right place”.

Clare Austick also called on any students not to be put off running due to lack of confidence or experience, sharing her own experience of taking office of the first time, “I have a confidence now that I definitely didn’t have three or four years ago. The first time I spoke in public, I was out of breath and my heart was racing. I fell up the stairs of

the O’Flatherty theatre! These things take time and you improve as you go on in the role”.

Low turnout has marred recent elections, and a relative high turnout in last month’s referendum on reform within the Union took many by surprise. The SU President is hopeful that this will continue, and revealed plans to raise awareness for the elections both on campus and online. “We’re definitely hopeful and we have had some interest already”, she said. “We’re hoping to hold events in campaigning and to inform students what’s happening on campus”.

Welfare and Equality Officer Brandon Walsh is hopeful that more people will run for the position than last year, when only 2 entered the race, and said that he has been encouraged by early interest in the position. “There has definitely been a good response, a few people have approached me already”, he commented.

Discussing his role, Brandon gave SIN an insight into what his position entails, “Basically, there’s the welfare side of things, one on one case work, dealing with people with issues around finances, mental, sexual and physical health. And then there’s the equality side of things where we deal with all sorts of cases around discrimination”, he said.

The former Societies Chairperson also claimed that prior experience working within the Union is not an essential trait needed to fulfil the position, arguing that personality is the most important factor. “I had experience in the Union myself. I was involved heavily in Societies and had training, which was handy, but it isn’t necessarily essential. An awful lot of it is to do with personality”, he said.

“Training is all done over the summer in June and August, so you’re trained up to your eyeballs by the time you take up the role for the new year!”, he continued.

Adding to this, Walsh highlighted “empathy, kindness and an ability to listen” as the key to being a good Welfare and Equality Officer, “Being a good listener, I think, is the most important thing” said the science student.

E d u c at i o n O f f i c e r C a m e ro n Keighron has run on policies relating to exam reform and ease of transition between undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The former Postgraduate Taught Officer explained that nominees cannot expect to change everything in one term. “I think, in these roles, it’s important to recognize you cannot get everything done in 12 months but

rather set the foundations for those that come after you”.

Keighron outlined organisation as an important trait in doing the job. “It’s important to be able to organise your work to ensure you get the most out of your year, putting time into reading materials before meetings, engaging with key stakeholders for relevant meetings and a willingness to adapt what has been done before”, they said.

The education Officer also highlighted time management and understanding as other key skills for anybody hoping to assume the role. “The Education Officer sits on around 25 University Committees, this requires a lot of planning and timing to ensure you represent students well on those and have time to meet students, as well as eating and sleeping and taking care of yourself. Understanding is especially important when meeting with students, understanding that everyone has their own journey in college and need different supports, as one solution may not work for everyone.” they added.

Among all three of the current officers the advice for those considering running was very clear – Don’t be afraid to throw your hat in the ring, because student politics is as important as it has ever been.

Latest instalment of unofficial ‘RAG’ Week hits Galway

By Saoirse Higgins The notorious ‘RAG’ week made its 2020 debut on the 10th of February in Galway.

‘RAG’ week (‘Raise and Give’ week) is officially meant to be a designated week in which events take place for students each day of the week to fundraise for charities. It occurs over different weeks in various colleges across the country.

Generally, students partake in an excessive consumption of alcohol over the week’s period, contributing to a general party atmosphere for the universities involved.

‘RAG’ week has not been an official NUI Galway event since 2011, when it was banned following arrests of students and damage to property. It has been slammed for coinciding yearly with excessive consumption of alcohol and illegal substances. The former Students’ Union President Emmet Connolly said in his statement on the proposal to remove ‘RAG’ Week that “RAG Week has descended into a week-long embarrassment to the University and an embarrassment to you – the students”.

In return for abolishing ‘RAG’ Week, the University promised to increase funding for other student initiatives.

The decision to ban ‘RAG’ Week did not dispel the tradition of drinking alcohol, although it now comes with-

out fundraising for charities. Yet, since its abolishment, some argue that the consequences of the week have gotten worse. In 2019, ten arrests were made on ‘Donegal Tuesday’ alone, according to MidWest Radio.

Owen Hanley, a Social Democrat and Galway City East Councillor, said when speaking to SIN that “RAG Week should be officially reinstated by the Students’ Union.” He argues that ‘RAG’ Week has negative consequences, yet we should combat this by regulation, not by banning it.

Cllr Hanley doesn’t deny the carnage that comes from the week of student drinking, yet he argues that we are not looking at the right solution.

“Any excessive consumption of drugs and alcohol obviously encourages bad behaviour. However, I think we need to have a proper discussion around drugs and alcohol and not just with students, they’re just part of the wider tradition that has been in this country for years”.

Galway’s nightclubs and bars were, once again, packed with students and more Gardai were deployed to the city for the week. The Hole in the Wall pub, which has become a hub of student drinking during ‘RAG’ Week over the years, especially on ‘Donegal Tuesday’, has seen a recent change in ownership.

The new management were keen to reaf-

firm their commitment to the safety of participants of the week-long drinking fest. “Our first priority is people’s safety.

We aren’t running any drinks promotions this year. There is a cap of three drinks at a time when you’re at the bar

and everybody gets a bottle of water on the way in”, said a member of the pub’s management.

The Hole in the Wall receives notorious attention every year for the photos of students queuing up outside to gain

entry. Keeping in touch with its “raising and giving” traditions to which ‘RAG’ Week in itself owes its name, COPE Galway were also present at the head of this year’s long queue, collecting money at the doors for a good cause.

N UAC HT

February 18 2020

Holocaust survivor gives talk at NUI Galway

By Paddy Henry NUI Galway marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz last week with a talk from one of the few people still alive to tell the tale of the horrors of the Holocaust.

The event, which was organised by NUI Galway’s Historical Society, An Cumann Staire, in conjunction with the University’s Irish Centre for Human Rights and supported by the Holocaust Education Trust, saw Tomi Reichental, a survivor of Bergen Belsen concentration camp, give his chilling testimony in front of a packed audience.

Ben Barkow, chair of the Academic Advisory Board of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, interviewed the 83-year-old, speaking to him about his childhood, his time in Bergen Belsen and the importance of never repeating the mistakes of the past.

Tomi was just nine years old when he was captured by the Gestapo in Bratislava and deported to Bergen Belsen concentration camp in Northern Germany with his mother, grandmother, brother, aunt and cousin.

When the camp was liberated in April 1945, he discovered that 35 members of his extended family had been murdered.

Tomi moved to Ireland in 1959, making a home for himself in Dublin and despite the passage of time and a change of scenery, it wasn’t until 2004 that he began to share his experiences with the public. Since then, Tomi has devoted his life to talking about the tragic reality of the Holocaust in the hope that the victims will never be forgotten.

“For 60 years, I didn’t speak about the Holocaust, now, nobody can stop me”, he said. “As time goes on, the Holocaust is falling behind in our memories and this is the reason I wanted to speak about it”, he added.

The camp was described by Tomi as “hell on earth”, while he spoke about inmates, “walking around like skeletons”, left to survive on a mere 600 calories a day.

His account of life as a survivor drew an emotional reception from the audience, moving some to tears. With one audience member approaching the 83-year-old at the end of his speech, embracing him in an emotional display of gratitude.

Professor Ray Murphy from NUI Galway’s Irish Centre for Human Rights hosted the event and spoke of the importance of Tomi’s message, and how it serves as a reminder of the need for comradery and humanity in today’s times. “Tomi’s message of tolerance and forgiveness is more important today than ever. He reminds us of our common humanity and the need for human solidarity,” he stated.

Sean McSharry from An Cumann Staire expressed his delight at the success of the talk, claiming that about 200 people had to be turned away from the packed hall, although some people even sat in the aisles to hear Tomi’s testimony. Mr McSharry told SIN, “It was a huge, huge success. There was over 250 in the hall, listening to his story and, according to what I heard, they had to turn away about 200 people. It was just great to be associated with it”.

The An Cumman Staire spokesperson also spoke of how encouraged the group

were to see the interest young people had in hearing Tomi’s first-hand account of one of history’s most horrific events, adding, “It was very encouraging to see, from standing at the front and looking at the students, it was obvious that they hadn’t got the full story. But when they heard his story, you could see the reaction on their faces. It is very encouraging to see that young people are not prepared to forget this and why we need to look back on history, that’s one of the main reasons why we organised it.”

The An Cumann Staire spokesman also described how events, such as this, reinforce the importance of the subject of history and argued that to neglect history would be to neglect the mistakes of the past, arguing, “I think the reaction of the general public will tell say that, yes, we do have an interest in history. I think that it would be a very unpopular thing for any government to reverse the decision not to downgrade history. We would like history to be kept as a core subject.” He continued, “I don’t think, as we look at an event like we organised with Tomi, we can not only look to things like the Holocaust, but even in our own country, we have stuff like the Famine and the one hundredth anniversaries of the War of Independence, the establishment of the Free State, a decade of centenaries. This decade of centenaries is extremely important and if we take history away from that and we don’t learn from our mistakes, I think history is one of these subjects you need to be a critical thinker of and I think that’s why it’s important”, he added.

An Cumann Staire, who organised the talk, along with Tomi Reichental (centre)

7

GNÉ -ALTANNA

5

Biomed Students host bra collection for developing countries

By Ellen O’Donoghue With the University having recently celebrated SHAG (Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance) Week, students in the Biomedical Science Department of the University hosted a bra collection on the Arts Science Concourse.

Organised by Ciara Coleman from the Biomed Department, the collection was geared towards helping women in developing countries.

Bras are an everyday article of clothing for women in Ireland, and in all thriving and wealthy countries. However, in developing, poor and rural countries, bras are often a rarity and luxury.

In addition to empowering women, the recycling of bras saves money and resources, uses less water and energy along with creating a lower carbon footprint. Bras are not often an item of clothing people would think of donating, but in the world we live in, it seems as though almost everybody has a few they old ones could easily spare.

They donate pre-loved and new bras to women and girls in Africa, helping those living in slums, orphanages, IDP (internally displaced persons) camps and schools, as well as those in hospitals suffering from medical conditions such as obstetric fistula.

Travelling to Africa twice a year, they pack a suitcase full of bras, set up a table in different villages, many of them rural, and women find out by word of mouth, with many of them soon surrounding the table keen to find a bra that will fit them.

“There was such excitement, and the chat and laughter continued as ladies tried on the bras to find the right size and colour. What a happy occasion,” a spokesperson for the charity said of a recent trip to Malawi.

Of the collection, Ciara Coleman said, “At BioMedSoc, every year, we take a step back from the usual career and research related events and do something for charity.

The only thing is, it’s not always easy to ask students, or anyone for that matter, for money. Bras that are sitting in their house unworn, however - different story!”

The collection was geared towards helping women in developing countries, as women in these countries who wear bras “are considered more wealthy and likely to be ‘cared for’, which means they are likely to have a male relative in their life”. In turn, this means that they are perceived as ‘not alone’, and thus are seen as less vulnerable, and are less likely to be attacked or raped.

Speaking to SIN, Ciara said, “I’m overwhelmed with the support so far, but I suppose it’s all about people actually arriving on the day and donating! We’ve added a raffle element to the event - so every bra is an entry”.

“Also, a lot of people are interested in cutting back on fast fashion and trying to find new home for their old clothes. However, charity shops don’t actually accept bras – so, from an environmental point of view, it’s an excellent way of recycling them!”

A simple bra has the power to help women and girls regain self-respect and dignity. Ciara Coleman and the Biomed Department are donating the bras to the Scottish Charity SmallsforAll (www.smallforall.org).

6 NEWS & F E ATU R ES

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

Today FM’s Fergal D’Arcy visits NUI Galway and Flirt FM

By Aaron Deering Fergal D’Arcy, radio host with Today FM, was in NUI Galway and Flirt FM at the end of last month to present his radio show live from the Flirt FM studios. SIN got the chance to sit down with Fergal for an exclusive interview.

Fergal D’Arcy is one of the bestknown radio presenters in the country, having interviewed huge artists such as Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa, just to name a few. In his own words, Fergal is “a Galway boy, as the fella would say”. He added, “I’m from Ballinasloe and my home is situated right on the Roscommon-Galway border”, so he’s no stranger to coming back West. He was in the city for a charity event but couldn’t come away without stopping

into NUI Galway and Flirt FM. “Flirt FM has been a big part of my life. I’ve been in here for several shows and actually one of my first times ever in a radio studio was here in Flirt FM, when my sister was doing a show when she was in college and I was in secondary school, and I remember coming down from Garbally and sitting in here going ‘wow, this is something I might want to do’”.

When asked what he has put his success so far in radio down to, Fergal ponders, “Would I say that I’m totally successful? I would say there is a long way to go. The attitude to have is always be learning, always act like you’re getting educated and that you’re learning new tricks which I have been since the world is always changing”. Reflecting

on his journey in radio, Fergal continued, “I came from college radio to local radio to regional radio, to national radio. I’ve worked in them all. I think a lot of success is down to being able to adapt, willing to learn and I think also being humble and kind of realising you’re only as successful as your last interview. I’ve been lucky enough to have some huge interviews and I judge myself on every last interview, and if I do a bad one, I kill myself over it and I am my own worst critic”.

Asked how he prepares for big interviews and if he gets nervous, Fergal admits, “I used to yeah, there was a time. When it comes to interviews, I’m so used to doing them now. Like, last year’s Grammy’s I interviewed Dua Lipa and St. Vincent and both

“Last year’s Grammy’s I interviewed Dua Lipa and St. Vincent and both of them won. I remember thinking to myself ‘wow, I must be the only one in Europe that has interviewed both of them’. Then, it came to Billie Eilish and Lizzo, who took away the most awards, like between the two of them I think there’s 8 awards and it’s the first time I realised ‘oh my god, I actually have one of the biggest music shows in Europe’”

of them won. I remember thinking to myself ‘wow, I must be the only one in Europe that has interviewed both of them’. Then, it came to Billie Eilish and Lizzo, who took away the most awards, like between the two of them I think there’s 8 awards and it’s the first time I realised ‘oh my god, I actually have one of the biggest music shows in Europe’”. When it comes to the preparation for interviews, Fergal jokes “I’m the dude that goes to the 5 pages of the dark net beyond everyone else. I watch everyone else’s interviews, I read all the magazine interviews, I read what’s online as well, then I look and try to form my own opinion about things. I pick up on certain things other people don’t pick up on”.

When asked about his career highlights so far, there were two which stood out for Fergal. The first came in his first year with iRadio. “We won what was known as the Ray D’Arcy award, which is the light-hearted, entertainment, magazine show award, at the 2008 PPI Awards”. He explained, “It was called the Ray D’Arcy award because Ray won it every year. I’ve always said the one thing I want is to win that award and in 2008 I won it. I haven’t won one since. I’ll never forget on the way back in the car, and it came over the radio and I burst into tears along with the production team travelling with me and I had to pull in the car to the side of the road”.

The second career highlight for Fergal was Today FM’s Dare to Care, as he raised funds for a friend who was

recovering from cancer. “I remember I started off the show, and I love those intimate moments on air where you don’t have to go on and be smiling. You just strip it back and I remember I was very close to tears. I just said I’m just after getting this message and I read it out and said, ‘if you have your phone then put in this number and text this number’. About 20 minutes into the show, one of the girls from the office runs in and goes ‘you’re after raising €10,000 in a half hour’. I’ll never forget, we walked out of the studio and everyone in the office just stood up and gave us a standing ovation”.

When asked if it’s important that colleges and universities have facilities such as Flirt FM at their disposal, Fergal strongly agrees they should.

“Yes, absolutely. I think it’s important for facilities like Flirt FM to be in every college. It is a breeding ground for creative talent, whether it be people with bands recording, whether it be people who’ve a podcast idea and want to create a podcast and get it out there or people who want that actual experience of hands on radio, which is what you get at Flirt FM”. He added, “It’s ran like a god damn proper station. It’s not ran like hospital radio or student radio. It’s ran like a proper station and if you want to cut your teeth, Flirt FM and down in Limerick are the best places you’re going to do it. I just think this is a huge opportunity for anyone coming here. Most colleges need to be looking at the model Flirt FM has and bringing it on”.

SIN’s Aaron Deering with Fergal D’Arcy of Today FM during our exclusive interview, which took place in the Flirt FM studios

N UAC HT

February 18 2020

7

GNÉ -ALTANNA

7

NUI Galway students in action: Continuous efforts made to prevent Galway coast from plastic debris

By Kuntal Samadder There is no doubt that people are now becoming more concerned about plastic waste than ever before, notably the rising generation. The youth movement globally is gaining unprecedented momentum.

Likewise, in Galway, a group of young students from NUI Galway took part in the first beach cleanup of the year on the 5th February 2020. The noble initiative was led by the Marine Society of the University, and approximately 30 participants gathered to remove plastic waste from Mutton Island to Grattan beach area.

The event kickstarted outside of the Martin Ryan Building, where the society members met the volunteers at 2pm. After a quick brief, the group inched forward toward Grattan beach via the Canal road, while collecting every single piece of litter on the way. At the beach, people divided themselves

into smaller groups and gathered a colossal pile of trash in a few hours. In the end, more than 30 large garbage bags were filled. Of all the garbage collected, the most frequently found items were plastic bottles, discarded fishing net parts, ropes, beer bottles, and cans.

These plastics turn the ocean into a minefield for marine animals and sea birds. According to studies, up to 90% of seabirds have consumed plastic. A predictive analysis done by Hardesty’s computer model suggests that 99% of seabirds will have plastic in them by the end of 2050. A senior research scientist at the CSIRO, Denise Hardesty said in 2015, “In the next 11 years, we will make as much plastic as has been made since industrial plastic production began in the 1950s”. If this continues, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish in 2050.

The youth uprising across the globe has intensified since the previous year, as 16-year-old Greta Thunberg has inspired an entire generation.

Likewise, Hannah Douglas, the auditor of the Marine Society, is an avid marine conservationist. In an interview, she said, “Teamwork always brings hope. Out here by yourself, it would be devastating surrounded by all this rubbish with people walking past. You’d feel alone. But together as a group under the sun, there is such laughter and camaraderie”. Hannah is presently studying Marine Science in her undergrads and possesses a keen interest in bioluminescent marine organisms.

Around the globe, the youth is turning into a powerhouse in its own right. There are 3 key ingredients to change the world, according to Melati Wijsen, the teen activist and founder of ‘Bye Bye Plastic Bags’ & ‘YOUTHTOPIA’ – passion, planning, and teamwork.

The next clean-up event by the NUIG Marine Society is taking place on 19th February and will be held monthly starting in Spring.

8 NEWS & F E ATU R ES

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

Cillian Murphy launches new Empathy Action programme with NUI Galway

By Caoimhe Killeen Actor Cillian Murphy has launched a new programme with the UNESCO Chair Professor Pat Dolan at NUI Galway that aims to introduce empathy education to second-level students across Ireland.

The programme was launched on January 23rd and is part of a body of work carried out by the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre (UCFRC) based in NUI Galway.

The “Activating Social Empathy” is intended to form part of the Junior Cycle’s Wellbeing Programme, with four

key modules to target student learning: Understanding Empathy, Practicing Empathy, Overcoming Barriers to Empathy, and Putting Empathy into Action.

It has now entered its evaluation stage, which is being carried out on over 2,000 students in 25 schools nationwide.

The evaluation will assess students’ empathic attitudes and interpersonal links, with the full programme being available as a free resource to schools from September 2020.

The programme is a result of research that was conducted by UCFRC on teenagers that showed the need to focus

more on social values and developing an aptitude for empathy in secondary schools.

The launch was also attended by youth advocates for empathy education and provided an opportunity to showcase the Youth as Researchers Video Resource Library for Schools and Community Groups. It was developed in collaboration with Foróige, and narrated

by Cillian Murphy, who is also a Patron of UCFRC. He also commented that as an actor, empathy is an important acting tool and that in “supporting this education programme which we are launching

Pictured are Ella Anderson and Jack Gaffey, UCFRC Youth as Researchers, with actor Cillian Murphy and UNESCO Chair Professor Pat Dolan, Unesco, Child and Family Research Centre NUI Galway. Picture Jason Clarke.

today, my hope is that it will help young people see that everyone has a different story and everyone’s story is valuable”.

John Gaffey, a UNESCO Youth Researcher and second year Creative Writing student at NUI Galway, got involved with UNESCO last year by a “mix of volunteering and luck”, after finding himself as stand-in MC for the night at an event. John adds that the “UCFRC has a good ethic of having youth events be youth-led and that was largely our purpose on the day as hosts”, giving credit to Professor Pat Dolan and researcher Charlotte Silke, as well as praising Cillian Murphy’s work as patron. He says that, “He is a great patron, because of course, he attracts interest to events but more importantly, he has something to say, he strongly believes in the work that the UCFRC does and brings his own anecdotes of his childhood and his experiences with the Leaving Certificate”.

UNESCO supports the Child and Family Research Centre at NUI Galway on a range of international collaborations on education programmes and policy initiatives. The Centre also undertakes its own research, education and training in the area of Family Support and Youth Development, as well as focusing on practical and community-based approaches for young people. UNESCO Chair and Director of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at NUI Galway, Professor Pat Dolan, added that the programme is intended to “equip young people with vital skills in social emotional learning as well as offering them opportunities to engage in active citizenship.” He further commented that education like this is needed “to curb hate speech aggression and racial and other forms of negative profiling” and called for the new incoming Minister for Education and Skills to consider empathy education alongside Maths and other STEM subjects.

Pictured with actor Cillian Murphy is Charlotte Silke, Post Doctorial Researcher UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway and UNESCO Chair Professor Pat Dolan, NUI Galway. Picture Jason Clarke.

NUI Galway updates students on Coronavirus

By Rachel Garvey As the Coronavirus becomes a worldwide fear, NUI Galway has been putting safety guidelines in place to ensure the safety of all students inside and outside the University. NUI Galway has been updating its website to bring students the information that they may need in order to keep people calm as well as offer advice if symptoms are showing.

“The healthcare staff in the Student Health Unit are all fully briefed on the most up-to-date guidance regarding the current advice for students/visitors who have travelled to Ireland from China, as well as on all of the assessment/management algorithms for any potential suspected cases, should one ever come to their attention at any stage in the

future”, says Dr McDonagh of the Student Health Unit.

The Coronavirus, now officially named COVID-19, is a large group of viruses that can cause different types of illnesses, the majority of them being a common cold. In this case the virus is leading to severe illness like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

However, this Coronavirus seems to have a new strain, known as the “novel coronavirus” and it has never been seen in humans before. Symptoms can include a fever of up to 38°C or higher, cough, breathing difficulties, shortness of breath and sore throat which can take up to fourteen days to appear.

These symptoms can be treated, however there is no specific treatment yet for the novel Coronavirus.

“The NUI Galway page is being updated whenever any new information is received from either the HPSC and/or DFA. There have been email circulars issued to all students and staff informing them of this ‘alert page’, and regarding the information contained therein, with additional email communications being issued whenever there are any new updates, as and when they occur”, says Dr McDonagh, as he gave us insight about future updates.

It is also advised that students and staff in China should return to Ireland and that all other travel plans to China should be postponed. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have also updated their warnings, advising people to avoid non-essential travel. They commented, “In Hubei, where the

situation is still developing, increasingly strong containment measures are coming along. Travel within the province is tightly contained and all tourist facilities have been closed.

Under the circumstances, Irish citizens are strongly advised not to travel to the province of Hubei”.

People who have travelled to China or have been in contact with a person who is diagnosed with novel coronavirus have been directed to phone their Local Department of Public Health for further advice, but they are advised that there is no need to quarantine themselves. Work and school can be attended as normal and they must also monitor themselves to see if symptoms arise. If they do, they are urged to immediately phone their GP or the Student Health Unit. Those who

are suffering from the symptoms listed previously are advised to stay at home, to avoid public places, to sustain from attending university or work.

Guidelines have also been posted with how to protect yourself from the novel coronavirus, which include washing hands with soap and water, covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing and throwing used tissues away into bins and washing your hands afterwards. They also advise to avoid any close contact with anyone who is displaying symptoms of a flu or cold and to check the travel advice online from the Department of Foreign Affairs prior to arranging travel abroad.

At the time of going to print, there are still no confirmed cases of the virus in Ireland.

N UAC HT

February 18 2020

Good Samaritan aims to aid students’ mental health with free hot meals

By Shauna Mc Hugh The atmosphere on campus on a Sunday afternoon is one unbeknownst to many students, who either go home for the weekends, are working, or even a lucky few who are just sleeping in. However, many people who frequent the place at this hour could tell you that it’s often a stressful climate, full of students who would rather be anywhere else. “Generally, the people in college on a Sunday really have to be there for whatever reason, and not by choice”, Lily Magennis explains. Thanks to her culinary skills and generosity, however, Sundays at NUI Galway have recently become more bearable for the unlucky students who have to spend their weekends studying on campus.

From 3 to 7pm every Sunday, Lily Magennis serves free hot meals in The Hub to the students of NUI Galway. It all started back in September as a “happy accident”, when she was forced to return home early from her job at an Italian summer camp after breaking her finger.

Desperately in need of something else to do, Lily found employment with the college’s Socs Box, and began cooking for many of the University’s society events. Not satisfied with this busy workload during the week, Lily decided to continue working on weekends; “I use whatever ingredients we have left on a Sunday and try to recycle it and make a decent meal”.

It’s not shabby leftovers that Lily serves, however. Lily has extensive cuisine experience, which is reflected in the quality of her dishes; “I’ve been working in a kitchen since I was 17, and I’m 23 now. I originally started out as a kitchen porter, but often did many other

things for the kitchen team”. Lily’s exploration into cookery “started as an accident, like all good things”, she says. She’s now capable of creating many innovative meals on demand: “Pasta, rice and potatoes are all provided for free by Socs Box, not many people know about this” she shares, “Those form the base for so many good dishes. There are also always meat options and vegetarian options available on Sundays. If a vegan ever shows up, I’d be happy to prepare something for them too.”

There’s now a select amount of people who always show up on Sunday for her food.

There’s a group of Chinese mature students who are regulars, and DramSoc have also been in a few times if they have rehearsals on campus at the weekend. There has also been a surge in the number of people showing up.

“Lots of friendships have been made there”, Lily enthuses, “I love the Chinese masters students, they’ve even offered to help me open a restaurant in Thailand someday! My friends from Anime Soc come and help a lot too.”

Friendship is what first inspired Lily’s love for cooking as a child; “I grew up in a particularly poor part of Cork. My Dad left when I was young, and so my mam had to work a lot, so I cooked for myself often. I used to cook for my friends too. It would just be some meat and potatoes but it was like gold to them. A lot of my friends were going hungry, that’s what inspired this for me.” Serving meals on Sunday has now become a means for Lily to help a wider community that may be struggling. “Students, especially ones doing Masters or PhDs, often don’t have time to properly care for themselves. People can just come in to eat or talk - as far as mental health

goes, it’s amazing how far a hot meal and a chat can go, which has been a happy side effect of all this. I would never judge anyone who wants to come in and talk. I’m a 6ft 4” trans girl from Cork, I’m the last person who can judge!”

The BA Connect with Film, Geography and Archaeology student is now trying to balance this commitment with studying for her last ever semester; “I’m in final year now, so I can’t devote as much time to it as I’d like. I usually spend 12—15 hours a week between prep, clean up and buying ingredients. In semester one, it was just me, now I get help from other Hub staff. This weekend, Anastasia will be doing all the work, and I’m just helping out.

The official hours are 3-7pm, but I’m happy to stay beyond that. I just want people to eat.”

While a free hot meal is enough of an enticement for most students, it’s not all that Lily offers, as she often shares her culinary tips and tricks too; “If anyone wants to learn how to cook, I will teach them! I can show people simple things like how to sharpen a knife on the back of a mug, for example, or sometimes I teach people how to dice onions.”

With the service on a Sunday only growing in popularity, Lily has a vision for expanding this initiative; “I’d love to do more days of the week.

If people are around on Friday evenings, I’d do something, or I could do breakfast on Monday mornings”, she tells SIN. The only thing holding Lily back at the minute, she says, is what she perceives as an unfair allocation of the college’s funding; “I’d love more funding for this, like 100 euro of the student levy goes to the Kingfisher, which not all of us use, so why not give more to something that could feed everyone?”

Private school students more likely to attend third level education

By Rachel Garvey A recent study in The Sunday Independent has shown that fee-paying students are up to three times more likely to attend top universities. The data recorded by the Sunday Independent showed that “less than 10 percent of pupils sitting the Leaving Cert attend private schools, yet 30 percent of these students make up the incoming student populations in Trinity and University College Dublin in 2019”, These statistics show the proportion of private school students are attending some of Ireland’s top third level institutions.

The figures show that 51 percent of students from public schools will go on to

attend university. In comparison, 70 percent of fee-paying students went on to a higher institution. Ireland’s top art colleges have a particularly high proportion of students from fee-paying schools. For example, Sunday Independent’s recorded data showed that 23% of students who attended Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design had come from a fee-paying school, while that number is 20% for the National College of Art and Design.

The Irish Times conducted a recent survey which showed that students from private schools dominated most of the popular courses at third level. These private schools also made up half of the 25 schools who had the most students progress to third level. Carl O’Brien of The Irish Times conducted an inter-

view with Professor of Equality Studies at UCD, Kathleen Lynch, who stated “access to grinds and trips to Irish colleges are among the ways better-off students can secure an educational advantage”.

The lack of these benefits can be seen as a potential barrier to further education for those who can’t attend private, fee-paying schools. This is something that university student bodies are keen to address, as seen by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) slogan, ‘Break the Barriers’.

Statistics also showed that most students don’t leave their own county to go on to third level. Around 90% of students in Dublin stayed in the county for college. That figure is 72% in Galway, and 78% in Cork.

7

GNÉ -ALTANNA

9

‘Urban Gaeltachts’ could be key to promoting Irish language in NUI Galway

By Dean Keating Over the summer, the creation of an ‘Urban Gaeltacht’ on Nun’s Island was proposed to NUI Galway. The plan was meant as a “Serious step in the national revival dream: an urbane Irish-speaking community” in the world’s only bi-lingual Irish city, according to the founder of UrbanGael, Bréanann Ó Catháın.

The proposed project would be home to a literature museum, poetry house, Irish speaking schools (Gaelscoileanna) and Irish speaking apartments (Gaelárasáin). The Gaeltacht would also seek to contribute to the economic growth of Galway by attracting a tech-class through the creation of a “Tech Hub” in the heart of the Gaeltacht. UrbanGael has described this as a plan for a “Gaelic Silicon Valley”. The project would also be environmentally friendly, with a proposed bird sanctuary, in keeping with the Island’s Irish language name “Oileán Altanach”. The proposals also include a financial plan about how the University could achieve this in a financially sustainable manner.

Nun’s Island was proposed because of its significance to two famous martyrs of the Irish language: Maolra Seoighe and Saint Colmán. Maolra was executed because the courts refused to understand his testimony of innocence, delivered in the Irish language. Similarly, Colmán was murdered by German barbarians who did not understand Irish.

This comes against the backdrop of former NUI Galway President Jim Browne dropping the Irish language requirement for the NUI Galway presidency in 2016, which received huge backlash at the time and sparked several student protests. UrbanGael’s Mr Ó Catháın described the decision to drop the Irish language requirement as the beginning of a series of rollbacks for the Irish language at NUI Galway and an undermining of NUI Galway’s status as the only bilingual Irish language university in the world. He notes that the protests to re-open the university’s Caifé Na Gaeilge, which raised concerns over the lack of spaces for Irish language speakers within the NUI Galway campus, showed the popular support among students for the Irish language and their rejection of these language rollbacks. Speaking at the Caifé na Gaeilge protests, Students’ Union President Clare Austick said to fellow students “Going forward, we must protect the spaces we have for Irish speakers on campus. We must also encourage more spaces to become available for people to engage in the Irish language”.

Amidst all the hype of this year’s General Election, it is worth noting that the plan has seen cross-party support in the Galway City Council and County Council, as well as reactors in the student media and wider national media.

It is hoped that this proposal will be a part of the Nun’s Island master plan, which will include a €200 million redevelopment of the urban quarter.

10 N E WS & F E ATU R ES CANCEL CULTURE: Why thinking before you type is more crucial than ever

By Shauna Mc Hugh Cancel culture is an all too familiar phenomenon for many in 2020. It would be difficult to find any prominent figure in pop culture today who hasn’t been deemed problematic or cancelled by social media hordes at some point in their career. One of the most scandalous, and perhaps justified, “cancellations” of late was the case of singer Camila Cabello. Controversy arose for the star in December 2019 when her old Tumblr posts resurfaced, revealing some troubling racial prejudices from the former Fifth Harmony member. The posts in question contained several uses of the n-word, and perpetuated many negative stereotypes of Asians and African Americans. While Cabello has since apologised for her “uneducated and ignorant” comments, many people argued that the posts in question, shared when the singer was just 15 years old, shouldn’t have had such a harmful effect on her established character as an adult, years after the fact.

This highlights one of the biggest dangers of social media for our generation – once you post something online, it can’t ever truly be taken back. You can’t guarantee that it will be deleted before it is screenshotted or shared to a significant number of people. Regardless of whether you post something as a misguided teenager, and then educate yourself and become a more progressive and sensitive adult, no amount of changing your own self can change your past social media posts. With social media now inarguably established as an essential part of life today, many employers are taking advantage of its significance. Anyone who has any incriminating posts out there could now be tripped up and disadvantaged by it, regardless of how qualified or renowned they are within their field.

The most glaring proof of this is the recent resignation of veteran broadcaster Alastair Stewart, who was forced to end 40 years of service with ITV News after his own share of allegedly racist tweets. With such a highly regarded career ended over something as simple as a few “misjudged” words typed out and sent within seconds, what’s to stop the career prospects of the average Joe being similarly damaged by a misuse of social media?

While many of us will perfect our CVs and cover letters before applying for our ideal job, perhaps we should be sprucing up (or covering up) our social media accounts as a priority instead. In a 2018 survey by CareerBuilder, 70% of employers revealed that they rely on social media to screen potential candidates in a typical hiring process, meaning 70% of people could have their shot at a dream job scuppered before they have even stepped foot in an interview room, all because of a regrettable tweet, snapchat, insta post, or Facebook status. Much like Alastair, steadily employed social media users aren’t off the hook either. The same CareerBuilder survey found that 43% of employers use social media to check on current employees. While such statistics would tempt many of us to delete our accounts and step away from all screens for fear of jeopardising ourselves, this strategy can also harm your chances at employment. In that same study, 47% of employers claimed that they wouldn’t call a candidate in for interview if they couldn’t find them online.

While we’re set for judgement with or without social media, it seems cancel culture is becoming a danger for us non-celebs too. The next time we all throw a #RandomStarIsCancelled party, perhaps we should be more mindful of the skeletons in our own online closets, and whether we’ve ever posted something we’re no longer proud of.

Because whether or not we take social media seriously, it’s becoming all too clear that our employers consider it very seriously indeed.

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

CAMPUS CAIRDE: Gideon Oluniran

By Ilka Denker

Every student knows the struggle of forking out enough money for accommodation, travel, food and the general cost of living. This issue’s Campus Cairde, Gideon Oluniran from Nigeria, is a student as well as a member of NUI Galway’s staff, who knows how difficult it can be to balance college work and earn enough money to live in comfort. Gideon came to Ireland on 29th September 2017 to start his PhD in Physics. Fortunately, his wife and son were able to accompany him, as he says: “You just can’t stay apart from your family for four years.”

He knows what a struggle it is to make ends meet while trying to complete a degree. He says: “I got full funding for my PhD, but it wasn’t enough to take care of my family, especially when you have to consider the cost of housing in Galway. The idea was to get something else to do in addition.”

Gideon tried himself in a couple of different jobs, as he says: “You do anything to get money. I did cleaning in a hotel and in Dunnes. At some point, I was a stockroom assistant in DID Electrical. That job was really hard, as I often had to move washing machines and large TVs. It was quite energetic and sometimes, when I came to university to continue my studies, I felt tired. For six months last year, my PhD work was really slow.”

Things took a better turn for Gideon last year in November, when he got a job as an IT assistant in NUI Galway’s library. “There was this advert that came out, saying that an IT student helper was needed.

I applied, went through the interview and, voila, I got it!” Gideon remembers.

The job in the library is ideal to compliment Gideon’s studies, as he explains: “I can easily switch between doing my job and going back to doing my PhD work, because it is on campus. Here, I get time to think. Sometimes when I am less busy at work, I try to do some of my PhD work.”

Gideon works 20 hours a week at the IT helpdesk, assisting students and staff with any problems arising with their laptops or phones. He says: “I try to do 16 hours of library work during the week and then a few hours on Saturday, because I do not want to forget that my main work here is to do my PhD; that’s my main focus.”

Thanks to the paid job in the library, Gideon gets the chance to

focus on his studies and at the same time financially support his family. He voices: “I can live comfortably now. If you are not comfortable, there is no way you will do well academically. You need finances, but at the same time, you need work that helps you not to be under too much stress so that you can focus on your main things.”

Gideon concludes that “you need to get that balance”, and, luckily, he did!

N UAC HT

February 18 2020

7

GNÉ -ALTANNA

Epilepsy & Me

By Lorraine Lally I have written this piece in support of International Epilepsy Day 2020. My life with epilepsy began as a child, when I was not fully aware of the extent of the seizures, the daydreaming and losing time.

The diagnosis of epilepsy was something that made my mother cry and made my dad smile, as he said, “at least we know”.

The stress of epilepsy on those around you growing up does have an impact. I often wonder if the seizures are preventing me from dreaming like others. There is a definite link with my emotions, when I am distressed for someone I love, then I am likely to have a full tonic clonic. It is as if my body rejects the bad news.

Having a boyfriend with the epilepsy is always an interesting conversation. Definitely one way to find out if he likes me. Going away to college in Dublin was my dream. In spite of the hesitation that my parents had, I believed that one life with choices and free will was better than a life of limitations with fear ruling over all decisions. I was careful living away from home because stress triggers seizures. On arriving in college, I had a seizure in the library and ended up in the nearest hospital with the neurologist that I still have

One important revelation I discovered living with epilepsy is the need to share the condition with others and to ask for help. I still hate asking for help, but I refuse to feel shame as a person with the most common neurological condition in the world

today. My independence was often not encouraged by medical doctors.

The interesting thing about epilepsy is that you don’t have control of the condition, but you have control over most things in your life. I realised with my condition that I get to choose what I worry about and who I love. The other important revelation I discovered living with epilepsy is the need to share the condition with others and to ask for help. I still hate asking for help, but I refuse to feel shame as a person with the most common neurological condition in the world. My epilepsy has meant many medications, including one drug nearly killing me after a few months of being ill and an isolation unit in my home town. I overcame Stephen Johnson Syndrome and the other bad reactions to epilepsy medications.

Epilepsy places you at an increased risk of depression and other mental health issues, partly because of the involvement of the brain. My family members have told me that after a seizure, I often push my loved ones away and look absolutely terrified. The aftermath of a bad tonic clonic seizure in my sleep means that getting up is really a big effort.

My legs are cramping like I ran a marathon in my sleep along with bruising and pain. My epilepsy is a part of me and I have grown to love life with the condition.

First Year Diary

Final year diary

By Aoife Burke

By Sadhbh Hendrick

Hi guys!

Aloha! Is spring on the horizon? I think so!

I’m doing well but I can’t believe it’s February already! I’m making plans for summer already.

Lazing about on the beach in Salthill. Beer gardens during the summer. Music festivals. That sort of thing!

I’ve got to first off make a correction. There’s no negative marking in first year tort law exams in March! This is the best news! Also on the subject of news, I passed all my exams. In fact, I got 60% for my law exam at Christmas! So, I’m a happy camper right now. I’m working my way through the readings we are assigned but you know my enthusiasm for assignments never wanes. Yes, I’m usually the first to upload work to Blackboard finished. I guess, as I couldn’t find a job during term time, it means I have extra time

on my hands. Meaning better marks. Wahey. I have got to give credit to the amazing lecturers NUI Galway finds for us, though. Without the constant support and encouragement, I would not have done so well. In fact, I noticed my work for college has evolved. My writings have improved.

I can read a book in no time at all. I have brought my A game now! At this moment in time, I am working on a law assignment where we have to write our legal opinion (no research) on a 30-page hypothetical case. I know. Send coffee.

Seriously though, I’m having a blast so far. I had a story published last week in a woman’s magazine (Circulation 160,000!) and every so often, I am on “Trivia Matters” Friday 2-3 on Brian Currie’s show on Flirt FM. I also love the food in An Bialann. Every Wednesday, after my 9am lecture, I head down there for my brekkie and it’s got fantastic food! I’m a fussy eater (depending on my mood) but I am never disappointed there.

I am currently recovering from a bad cold. I had the flu jab last year but I was so sick all weekend. So, thank you to whoever made me ill! I still soldiered on and finished an essay for English last weekend.

I also like a new module we are doing called introduction to media and communication. We get to study Love Island and celebrities and social media.

I am planning on doing (yes another) essay, this time on the regulation of social media in Ireland.

Already looking forward to it. I also did my bit for the environment and bought a keep cup from the student shop! If I’m not mistaken, you get a cheaper coffee for using it. I encourage everyone reading this to think about purchasing one for 8 euro. It’s a great investment!

Also, any law students out there – flash cards for studying are a great idea. I’m working my way through the study material and summarising the main points. Makes the exams seem so much less daunting.

That’s all for now! Happy Valentine’s day to everyone also and chat soon.

Aoife X

11

Dear Diary, So long to the longest month of the year and hello to the loveliest one. (14th … Valentines… Geddit).

Whilst this diary entry will be published after all that ‘Hallmark profiting’ or ‘Aww <3’ inducing holiday (depending on your political inclination), let’s still give three cheers to the florists of the world who basically do all the work of Cupid, but without any of the perks Mr. Claus gets to enjoy.

Secondly; ‘Twas the night before UNOFFICIAL!!!!! rag week, when all through the county, Not a nightclub was stirring, not even a Coyote; The mixers were hung by the fireplace with care, In hopes that a mad ole predrinks soon would be there; The students were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of Smacs danced in their heads; And bouncers in their black getups, and I in my tanning pyjamas, Had just settled down anticipating a wild week but no dramaz.

When out on the courtyard there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what the hell was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the curtains in one swift dash.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be security testing their brand new equip’.

More rapid than eagles, the big burly figures they came, As they whistled, and shouted, and warned us all to be tame; Head honcho sprang to his sleigh (van), to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew to the office, almost like a missile.

But I heard my neighbours exclaim, as they drove out of sight, Happy UNOFFICIAL!!!!! rag week to all, and to all a good night.

Thank you one, thank you all. Here’s hoping for a great week. The “UNOFFICIAL!!!!” that comes before or after anywhere the word rag is typed in all of county Galway always makes me chuckle.

There seems to be the fear of God in us all that a lawsuit will hunt us down if we forget the unofficial bit. Maybe it will, I wouldn’t know. Better safe than sorry and all that jazz.

On to ‘more important matters’ (ish). The General Election of 2020 is being held as I write this very article. And whilst I shan’t be disclosing my political alliances or beliefs to you all (soz but those kinda things really don’t do you any favours), I will say that this election certainly has the potential to be pivotal and will begin to impact us (well, me at least, I don’t want to get in trouble for implying anything about you trusty SIN readers) in new ways. Being a Final Year means things like taxes and retirement ages, to name but two, are now about to become my reality. Adulting. Yay. I suppose we’ll wrap things up there for now.

In case anyone was wondering, yes I am still religiously watching Love Island and yes, I still absolutely adore Shaughna. That’ll be all. Hun. GRMA, Sadhbh x

12 NEWS & F E AT U R ES

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

The future of cash

By Sadhbh Hendrick What exactly is cash? According to Investopedia, ‘Cash is legal tender currency or coins - that can be used to exchange goods, debt or services.’ Society has always placed value in trading, be it commodities or otherwise, to gain goods or services not previously in their possession. We have come a long way since barter style trading. As we progressed to exchanging precious metals as a form of money, we eventually saw through the introduction of cash. A practical, portable and durable form of money that allowed for easy transactions, encouraged specialization, the list goes on. As we now consider if it is time to bid farewell to our fond, familiar friend cash, we appreciate the many benefits of coins and notes have provided us with for hundreds of years.

Moving ‘swiftly’ onwards, let’s discuss the alternatives to cash, any disadvantages associated with coins and notes and eventually begin a country by country investigation about the direction of cash’s future. So, my inverted commas around swiftly were not a typo, rather a reference to SWIFT Payment 1, one of the largest financial messaging systems

in the world. In a nutshell, SWIFT is one of endless alternatives to cash payments.

According to PwC, certain ‘Technological advances and solutions that could change the face of payments if they turn out to be scalable, resource efficient and sustainable’ include: social payments, NFC technology, Bluetooth Low Energy and Blockchain Technology. Fear not, we need not all obtain a degree in computer science or technology simply to buy our messages for the week or the daily newspaper. On the contrary, we daren’t forget our trusty steeds, the debit card and credit card. Electronic payment options that are easily accessible, understandable and widely used.

In short, it is important to acknowledge that electronic or online payment does not immediately equate to some sophisticated coding platforms or a new form of trading that’s only understood by the chic 20 something year old hipsters of the world in downtown café’s and eco-friendly, (potentially FBI spywarerigged, hello, webcams?) apartments.

Nonetheless, this dark and scary world of Blockchain Technology does still exist.

What is this mysterious technology?

Straightforward question; cannot say the same about the answer.

In recent years, Bitcoin has become as big a buzz word as avocado, vegan and vanilla soy latte. But who can precisely recite what this strangely titled new currency is? Peeling it back, what is crypto-currency? Impressively and concisely put by BlockGeeks.com, cryptos are just ‘limited entries in a database no one can change without fulfilling specific conditions.’ So, essentially, just another form of cash, but cash which is active in an entirely different environment – the internet. Blockchain technology provides an appropriate platform for these forms of currency to thrive. And whilst your average Joe Soap may not understand or place any mass on Bitcoin, or one of its rivals, such as Ripple, due to its failure to satisfy all three money functions, there’s no denying the very real fluctuating share prices in these cryptos and the list of very credible firms currently accepting Bitcoin as payment.

From Subway to Microsoft and every Bloomberg subscription in between, we simply cannot argue with the facts, this alternative form of payment is showing no signs of slowing down.

Considering further the world of crime, tax evasion, gangland activity and the leading role cash has to play in

An EC369 inspired essay. If you know, you know. this more-successful-than-Shakespeare production. Whilst in the initial stages of researching for this article, I posed the question, ‘What is the future of cash?’ to my friends, family members, acquaintances etc. Essentially anyone that would listen to me. I posed the question with bated breath each time in the hope that one of them would present me with a groundbreaking idea or notion, an older, more mature outlook or a fresh, intriguing millennial insight. Unfortunately, this didn’t come to fruition and so crushed were my dreams of becoming the next Miriam O’ Callaghan, you know? One interesting pattern amongst my interviewees, however, was their lack of optimism.

The majority told me outright that cash has no future. None. Just like romantic Ireland, it’s ‘dead and gone, it’s with O Leary in the grave’. Naturally, I pressed them for more information. Why? Why is everyone so certain? And the only two answers I received, from upward of 20 people, was the reliance on debit cards and also the eradication of higher denomination notes and the lowest denomination coins.

On a final note, it’s important to summarise and reinforce the conclu-

sion of my evaluation. After examining what exactly cash is and waving hello to its friends or foes trying to ‘Revolutionise’ the world of payments, I still believe the future of cash is bright.

Cash cannot be totally eradicated without isolating and imposing grave difficulty upon the more vulnerable members of society. Nevertheless, in an age of rapid technology developments and app developer after coding whizz-kid, we must still appreciate and welcome alternatives to cash. The use of cryptocurrencies or elimination of higher denominated notes in a war on crime or struggle against financial crises are not life-threatening to cash.

Cash alternatives are not a terminal diagnosis on notes and coins. Rather, a call for necessary action to be taken to accommodate the uses of both cash and alternatives in the diverse and ever-changing world we live in. As proclaimed by UKFinance.org, cash remains king, however its crown is slipping. It is slipping as a result of Dogecoin or Ripple, electronic payments, cards, online banking, and apps such as SWIFT, but nonetheless, it is still only slipping. Much like Michael D. Higgins, cash is here to stay.

Mature Student Diary

By Jody Moylan All of a sudden, I feel like Karl Marx.

And no, despite what you might be thinking, I haven’t become a socialist revolutionary over night, or a man whose influence will decide the fate of nations (though both are on my bucket list). No, it’s because, like Karl, I am writing in conditions of profound chaos. I was flicking through a biography of the great Prussian last week, when I really ought to have been studying. I discovered that for all his legend and cool-cat status, Marx was a bit of a disaster when it came to organising himself. Now, I don’t think I’ve got the personal hygiene issues that Karl never sorted out (though you tell me), nor the chronic financial anxieties (though I ain’t rich), the status of exile, nor the personal tragedies either. But I do feel his pain about ‘the long days and nights of frenzied reading and writing, followed by collapses into exhaustion’.

Yes, the pressure is well and truly on, and Christmas now seems like many moons ago. There are a few deadlines looming, goose-stepping steadily towards me. As a third year, it seems like I’ve been living with these deadlines for a long time now; constantly tip-tapping away at the back of my mind. But I’ve got this far, and I have to believe the work will get done; it always does. In any case, the modules I’m studying this semester are very interesting, and it’s not the worst way

to be spending your time — that’s why I’m back here after all.

Coincidentally, given that it’s back in the news, the Holocaust has come up in our history syllabus. It really is fascinating stuff. I’m particularly thinking about our latest readings, namely the rise of the Third Reich, and the plummeting of civilised German society. I remember looking at a brilliant lecture series on YouTube by John Merriman, on European Civilisation. He’s a famous name to anyone who studies European history and one thing I remember from those lectures was when he talked about Christopher Browning’s book Ordinary Men, which we’re now reading. I had somehow imagined that those Nazi soldiers we’ve gotten used to seeing in films like Schindler’s List were the real deal; the raw, robotic embodiment of hate they’ve been portrayed as. And that’s probably what they were, when they crossed that line, and left the real world behind. But in Ordinary Men, we get to see them before all that. Those screaming monsters who had entered the ghettos had once been truck drivers and dock workers. They’d worked in warehouses and on building-sites.

They had once been machine operators, sea-men, and waiters. When, all along, you’d thought they couldn’t have been from your world, the realisation that they were, that they’d once been ‘ordinary men’ is somehow, in some ways, the most disturbing thing you’ll ever read. Browning’s is a great

book, doing what great books do; telling you something you never knew.

In a similar vein, my new history research project, on Ireland’s famine of 1817, is uncovering all sorts of interesting information that I’d really known nothing about. It’s a forgotten period, overshadowed in popular imagination by the Great Famine, but 1817 is a fertile ground for research, with online databases like the Irish Newspaper Archives and the British Parliamentary Papers giving us not just a glimpse, but a whole story of life in Ireland two centuries ago. The fever epidemic that followed

that famine lasted right up until 1819, and maybe now is the right time to be remembering it, exactly 200 years on.

One topic we’ve not covered yet has been World War One, but I made time recently to get to the cinema to see 1917.

From the advertising shots, I went in expecting something like Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, an edgy and dark film, unique and powerful, with a lingering effect. I was left disappointed by 1917, a forgettable movie that played up to sentiment and cliché and gave us nothing new. Somewhat better was Uncut Gems; a film I caught last week, before all those

deadlines began to march in my direction. Adam Sandler as the lead plays a bumbling, chaotic, and completely unlikeable character, but you can’t for one second take your eyes off him. Now that’s a sign of great writing.

Hopefully, when I hand in my assignments, my own writing will at least be readable. And though I should have read more of Marx last year, when we studied him, at least I learned something worthwhile this time round: no matter how chaotic his life, he always managed, in the end, to get everything he was doing done.

N UAC HT

February 18 2020

7

GNÉ -ALTANNA

13

Google Hash Code 2020 at NUI Galway Campus

By Varun Dua Each year, Google conducts multiple programming competitions around the world for students and amateurs. Google Hash Code is one such annual team programming competition, with hubs all over Ireland.

The Hash Code was created back in 2014 by engineers in the Google France office. Hash Code takes place over two rounds: first up is the Online Qualification Round on Feb. 20, after which the top teams will be invited to Google’s Dublin office for the Final Round on April 25. Business Analytics society has collaborated with GDG Galway and Launchpad to host and organize the event this year at NUI Galway.

SIN talked to a few people who were involved in hosting the event on the NUI Galway campus last year, including some members of the Business Analytics society, and students and lecturers from the J.E Cairnes School of Business and Economics.

The event last year was a great success according to Siddhant Mohapatra, one of the key committee members of the organizing team. “It all started with a plan to organize an event for students at NUI Galway to quench their thirst for programming.

What better way to do that than a programming competition by Google itself!” Ruminating, he adds, “This could not have been possible without the support of GDG Galway, LERO, Launchpad,

faculty at the J.E Cairnes, and members of Business Analytics and CompSoc societies”. According to Siddhant, a key takeaway of hosting such events is the enhanced collaboration between societies, students and faculty.

Denis Dennehy, Director of the Business Analytics programme at the J.E Cairnes School of Business and Economics, who has been instrumental in encouraging students at the Business School in participating in such hackathons, adds, “The positive energy and inspiration of the event organisers and mentors makes everyone involved feel like a winner. The camaraderie and competitive spirit of the students provide an electric atmosphere.”

Neil Keane, lecturer at J.E Cairnes School of Business and Economics, has been guiding the organizing committee for the last few years in registering and organizing a successful event. Talking about his continuous support, Magalakshmi Venkatesan, this year’s committee head, feels that holding such large events, where participants come from different organizations around Galway such as GMIT and GDG, would not be possible without such a wonderful support system that we have in place at the Business School. With more than 70 participants last year, from across Galway, this year the committee expects around 80 students to participate in the coding marathon.

2010

Sean Moncrieff of Newstalk presented his show Moncrieff live from The View in Áras na Mac Léinn in the run-up to the General Election. Pictured here is Moncrieff chatting to JP McMahon, local award-winning restaurant owner and chef

As we enter a new decade, SIN looks into the past and takes on its own 10-year challenge. Here’s to another 10 years of the best student newspaper in the country!

Student Independent News 2020

NUACHTÁN SAOR IN AISCE VOL. 21 Issue 07. 21 JAN 2020

WINNER: BEST NEWSPAPER AT THe NATIONAL sTuDeNT MeDIA AWARDs 2019

SU REFERENDUM: All You Need to Know Students encouraged to vote to have their say on structure of Students’ Union Committee

By Mark Lynch The Students’ Union will hold a referendum this coming Thursday, January 23rd, in which students will be asked to vote yes or no to the motion of restructuring the Students’ Union officer roles, after gathering the 500 votes needed to hold a referendum on the matter.

The changes proposed to the structure of the SU Executive Committee, and the motion which students will vote for or against on Thursday, are three-fold.

The first change is to reinstate the part-time position of Equality Officer on the Students’ Union Executive Committee.

The second change is the abolition of the roles of Mature Student Officer, International Students Officer, Gender and LGBT+ Rights Officer, Disability Rights

Officer and Ethnic Minorities Officer, and the removal of the SU Council Chairperson as a part-time officer.

The third change is simply renaming the Clubs’ Captain as the ‘Clubs Officer’. This role remains otherwise entirely unchanged.

These three changes are all contained within the same motion, so students will be voting yes to all or no to all. The changes, if the referendum passes, will come into effect in the next election cycle, i.e. officers would stand for election under the new structure in Spring 2020.

The part-time Equality Officer role previously existed up until the end of the academic year 2017/18. Its existence ended as a result of a referendum held in February 2018, whereby the Equality Officer role was abolished and the roles of International Students Officer, Gender

and LGBT+ Rights Officer, Disability Rights Officer were created in its place. Later that year, the student body voted to create the position of Ethnic Minorities Officer as a part-time role on the Executive Committee. This Thursday, the motion refers to the reinstating of that part-time Equality Officer role that existed until 2017/18, and the abolition of the 5 part-time officer roles that have been created in that time to work on the different aspects of equality in the student community. Equality is also within the jurisdiction of the full-time position of Vice President/Welfare and Equality Officer, currently held

by Brandon Walsh. This position would not be impacted by the proposed referendum changes.

The change regarding the removal of the SU Council Chairperson is not an abolition of the position entirely, but if the referendum passes, the SU Council

Chairperson will no longer be part of the Students’ Union Executive Committee. SU Council meetings would still be chaired by a Chairperson, but this would most likely be an external person, who is independent of the Executive Committee.

SU President, Clare Austick, spoke to SIN to explain how this referendum came into being. She states that it is a result of a review of the SU Constitution.

“The constitutional review process began during my predecessor’s year. This year, we continued on the work of the constitutional review, with a particular focus on the composition of the executive team and the effectiveness and efficiency of roles within the exec structure. What came out of the constitutional review would have been streamlining and enhancing the functionality of the Union”.

Students’ Union divided on referendum as both sides look for a strong voting turnout

By Mark Lynch The process that led to Thursday’s referendum has been the point of much criticism, with a particular focus on transparency in the decision-making of the Students’ Union Executive Committee. Current Disability Rights Officer, Alex Coughlan, will see their role abolished, and its responsibilities come under the jurisdiction of the new Equality Officer, should the referendum pass. They are concerned about the consultation process that brought about this referendum. “I feel that far more consultation was needed before presenting the proposed changes to SU Council and going to referendum. Over the past two years, there was only one meeting open to all students to attend to discuss the executive structure, and this took place in week 11 of term, with only two days’ notice. I feel that simply does not allow for feed in from a body of almost 19,000 members, and the process should have taken place over a number of weeks, with students being given the chance to feed in and propose changes to draft versions of a document over a number of weeks”.

Students’ Union President, Clare Austick, is aware of these concerns but feels some of the criticism is unfair. “Well, it started 2 years ago, so it would have started in my predecessor’s year, and ours was a follow on from that, so there would have been a

consultation process, it would have been brought up at Exec meetings numerous amounts of times, with SU Council, it would have been advertised in the weekly email and on our social media platforms”.

On the motion itself, Ms Austick, who was the last Equality Officer in the year 2017/18, says it’s all about improving the way the Union is run. “It’s strengthening and streamlining the exec, increasing effectiveness and efficiency and having meaningful representation that translates into action, and to improve the functionality of the Union”. She added, “It’s about bringing back the 9 strands of equality under the one term. If there’s just representation for the sake of having a representative, it can become tokenistic and dilute the overall equality agenda.

All Exec members are there to represent all students and not just necessarily their role remit”.

The SU President also added that having so many members of the Executive Committee makes it difficult to run efficiently. “I do think having 19 officers isn’t always the most productive in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and functionality in working towards a shared vision. It doesn’t always work trying to get 19 people in the same room, making cohesive decisions together for the betterment of the whole student population, so sometimes that can be putting the amount of work and function at risk”.

Alex Coughlan believes, however, that the current

proposal is not the answer. “I believe that a constitutional review is needed, as the current document is 10 years old, however the specifics of the referendum question I cannot support in good faith. I fully believe that combining the work of 5 part-time officers into one, part-time, unpaid role, is promoting poor work practices. As a part-time officer, I do between 15 and 25 hours work per week”. They continued, “Even if this were to be rounded down, combining 5 of these roles easily creates 40+ hours of work. I believe that as a Union, we should be promoting excellent work practices, and asking such of one unpaid volunteer is deeply unfair and shows a lack of concern for individual welfare”.

Despite the motion largely based on reverting the structure of the SU Executive Committee back to the way it was in 2017/18, Ms. Austick doesn’t see the last 2 years of a split-up equality role as a failed experiment. “At the time, it was trialled and the great thing about the Union is it’s adaptive and reactive to the surroundings, of what students want.”.

On the other hand, the current Disability Rights Officer claims two years isn’t long enough to revert to the previous structure. “I don’t believe that this is enough time for these roles to fully develop. Furthermore, I feel that these roles are extremely important representation for students, who very rarely see themselves represented within University structures,

and to remove that is removing seats at the table for marginalised students, who face particular issues when accessing third level education”.

Alex Coughlan continued, “As an example of this, many times when I attend meetings within University structures, I am the only person there with experience of disability, and as such, have raised issues that would have otherwise gone unnoticed by management”.

As a final call for a ‘yes’ vote in this referendum, the current SU President stated, “It’s not an equality referendum, it’s about the functionality, the effectiveness, the efficiency of the Union. It’s what students want and it’s to really carry out the mission of the Union and make sure that the team can work together on a shared vision and not against each other”.

On the ‘no’ side, Alex Coughlan had this to say, “As someone who is marginalised, the creation of specific roles to represent these experiences felt like being invited to sit, and share my experience and expertise with my Union. I felt empowered to be a part of that body, and in trying to remove these voices, we are all the poorer for it. I hope that the larger student body not only agrees with this, but listens to those around them who are marginalised”.

Both Officers encourage students to go out and have their say on Thursday, whichever way they vote.

14 O PI N IO N

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

Not your typical Cinderella story

by Rachel Garvey February eh? A month that holds the romance-filled day known as Valentine’s Day, a month where the brightly coloured daffodils bring life to the green areas of our little city. For others, it sparks the proper start to the new decade, as the trial month of January has now come to an end. That’s February in a nutshell for the majority of people, but for students it means RAG Week. Ah yes, the week where lecture hall seats are sadly abandoned for the bar stools and soft booths in the pubs and various pre-drinking venues like houses and student accommodation.

I fondly remember being a little younger, in my early teens, driving around with parents and seeing crowds of students flock to the streets of Galway with cans of drink in their hand, laughing at nothing and everything and my parents would say, “Ah look it, they’re at it again because of that RAG Week”. I would just sit and stare and ponder on the whole concept of RAG Week and what it meant. My innocent mind just associated rags with Cinderella before her tremendous transformation before the ball, but this reference was nowhere near the actual meaning of it. Then, many years later, I became a student and understood more of it. I experienced sitting in the front row of a lecture hall without eyes burning into the back of my head, because there was no-one behind me to do that and then a few days later, I would have a flood of people begging me for class notes they had missed out on. I always ended up turning over my notes because I just couldn’t decline.

This is a fact: when I attended college, I never ever took part in RAG Week’s festivities. Not one drink did I have, not one pub or club did I go to, but I merely stood back and experienced if from a distance. That is experience enough for me, thanks very much!

However, I can’t be completely biased and say I’m all against it. That’s not true, because some days, it’s a goal to go out during that time. You won’t know if you like something unless you try it first. There are disadvantages, but the advantages too. The advantages being that it’s okay to blow off steam and to have fun on the town with friends for however long you see fit (I honestly don’t know how people can do it for days on end). Galway’s nightlife becomes even more alive and it’s that life that creates an addictive atmosphere, as well as generating a healthy income into businesses.

Now, I’ll spare you the details of the disadvantages, but I will say this: • Look after yourselves on those days and nights out.

Something can go wrong faster than you think, so staying with your group of friends will ensure your safety • Drink only what you’re comfortable with and don’t exceed that limit for anyone • Mind your possessions and keep them close, there has been major upset caused in the past with many phones and wallets going missing • Have respect for yourself on a night out and respect for those around you. Don’t go breaking bottles down shop street ‘fore the fearsome poor girl in heels gets a piece of glass wedged in her foot or outside an elderly person’s home; anti-social behaviour like that scares them, so be mindful.

• Just have fun without overdoing it! It’s part of the student life but have fun in the sense that you won’t do something you’ll regret doing!

On an end note, have fun and be safe! Cinderella ditched her rags for glass slippers and a glimmering dress. It’s not the worst thing in the world if you lose a shoe before midnight, but just make sure you have a pair of flats in your bag, because I hardly think Prince Charming will be running all over Galway and trying the shoe on every single girl’s foot to see which one it fits.

Photo by Sarthak Navjivan on Unsplash

In my early teens I would just sit and stare and ponder on the whole concept of RAG Week and what it meant. My innocent mind just associated rags with Cinderella before her tremendous transformation before the ball, but this reference was nowhere near the actual meaning of it.

Remember all instead of one Going Green: Worth the Fuss?

by Rachel Garvey A threat of World War III, a continent suffering from bushfires and a virus spreading itself throughout Hubei’s province. 2020 could not have been off to a more devastating start. Then, a new headline emerged and it was a headline that would shock audiences from all over. On January 26th 2020, star basketball player, Kobe Bryant, and his teenage daughter of thirteen years old, Gianna Bryant, tragically died in a helicopter crash. I usually don’t follow sports, but it was through a friend I first heard it. It was heart-breaking to hear how he looked up to Kobe and how the news devastated him, as it would for thousands of fans around the world, as well, of course, as his life-long friends that played alongside him during many basketball games and, most importantly, his family.

Tragedies like this don’t just affect those close but can have an impact on people worldwide. News articles and headlines and playbacks from Kobe’s basketball games flooded the online world, as online users reminisced about their favourite things about him and his best moments during games. However, as tragic as it was for a father and daughter to die together in a tragic accident, we can’t forget about the other members on board the helicopter, and it only seems to be Kobe we are hearing about. I really don’t want to offend anyone by saying that, but it is quite possible to remember and grieve over them all. There were nine passengers altogether on board, two of which were Kobe and Gianna, as well as fourteen-year-old Alyssa Altobelli, Keri and John Altobelli, thirteen-year-old Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan.

They should all be remembered, but it just so happens that one of the most iconic basketball players of all

time was one of the deceased with his young daughter, and it’s that unfortunate event that shocked millions worldwide, but we need to remember that every life needs to be treated the same. It’s the sad reality of today’s world where, if a celebrity dies in an accident, the whole online world erupts over it, but what is mentioned of the unfortunate people who were killed alongside the celebrity? Do we ever hear anything about them? The answer, truthfully, is no. That needs to change, but when?

In March 2010, Los Angeles Lakers played against Orlando with Orlando’s Matt Barnes making an inbound pass at Kobe in an attempt to make him flinch. However, he didn’t flinch, and we see in that example how strong-willed Kobe was. He didn’t flinch back in fear or alarm and he stood his ground tall and full of pride. We see, in this example, our idol, who many people have looked up to for many long years, who many people have strived to be like. He was a credit to the world of basketball and to the world itself.

In his final moments, he wasn’t just a star basketball player, he was a Dad, a friend, just a person, the same as those other passengers. None of them was better than the other, they were all equal in their own eyes and I’m sure Kobe knew that too, so why don’t we lead by his example and remember them all equally, not just one or two? If Kobe was still alive today and witnessed how unfair all of this was, he would definitely flinch from this unfairness.

There was a cartoon which graced the internet with its presence recently, a cartoon of Kobe and Gianna, their backs turned to us and their arms around each other, with Gianna asking “Where to next, Dad?”, and Kobe responding “I don’t know, but we’ll do it together!”.

They all did it together, may they all rest in peace.

By Siobhan Brew Vegetarian and vegan diets can be viewed as a trend set by celebrities, such as Natalie Portman, Joaquin Phoenix and Beyonce, but it can seem like a lot of work to cut meat entirely out of your diet. However, with fast-food restaurants such as McDonalds and KFC making the inclusions of vegan and vegetarian options on their menus and supermarkets like Dunnes Stores, Tesco and Aldi providing more options on their shelves for those following the meat-free diets, it is now even easier than ever to take the leap. With more information, recipes and movements available such as Veganuary, and the Meat Free Monday movement created

by Paul McCartney, there is really no reason not to try it out.

I have been a vegetarian for three years now.

I remember when I decided to make the switch, I was almost scared to tell my mother. I had been reared on a meat diet – sausages and pudding for the breakfast, bacon and cabbage for the dinner; and to this day, I still miss these meals. My reasons for quitting were by no means revolutionary; I just found myself eating a lot of processed meat. It was quick and easy but held very little nutritional value, and I decided it would be healthier to cut everything out altogether.

There are several other reasons to choose a plant-based diet. Medical News Today shows how a plant-based diet helps lower levels of cholesterol, improved blood pressure and blood flow, better blood sugar control and lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Simple reasons such as food allergens, like lactose intolerance, may be

a reason to change to a vegan diet. With climate change and the effect of agriculture in the emission of greenhouse gases, people take on the vegetarian and vegan diet for environmental reasons. The cost can also be an influential factor. Meat can be a costly part of the shopping list and cutting it out or replacing it with vegetables, pulses and meat substitutions such as Quorn can save money.

Following such diets can be somewhat restrictive. A vegan does not consume any meat, seafood or animal products, such as eggs and milk. Not consuming foods rich in nutrients and vitamins will mean a necessary dependency on supplements in order to ensure your immune system does not suffer. The likes of Evergreen and Holland and Barrett’s can provide the various nutrients and vitamins often high in animal and animal-made products such as Iron, Calcium, B6, and B12, while Boots provides options more affordable for students.

Galway is also a very vegetarian-vegan friendly city. With previously mentioned fast food restaurants an option, TGO Falafel Bar on Mary Street, The Lighthouse Café on Abbeygate Street Upper exclusively offer delicious and interesting vegan options as well as other restaurants, such as Dela Restaurant on Dominick Street Lower, The Quay Street Kitchen on Quay Street and even Boojum, offering great options to try out too.

Essentially, there is no real downside to trying out a plant-based diet, nor is there any pressure to do so. Whether it is something you want to continue for the future or partake in once-a-week, there are several healthy, cheap options in the city whether you are cooking at home or eating out.

TUAIRIM

February 18 2020

15

Sinn Féin Surge not the end of the twoparty system; it’s been gone for decades.

By Paddy henry A political head scratcher of monumental proportions, the commentariat stunned into relative silence, nails scraping on their scalp the only audible noise. In the midst of Storm Ciara, thunderous wind and rain-filled surges rocked the west coast, while, simultaneously, the Sinn Féin surge rocked the county.

Running 42 candidates and picking up 37 seats is both phenomenal and inconceivable. To put things into perspective, the party won in 88% of seats they contested and arguably would have won more had they predicted such a performance.

Few were more surprising than the election of Mairéad Farrell in Galway West. Having lost her council seat in May, most would have written her off before a ball was even kicked.

May seems like an awful long time ago now, as the Parkmore woman swept aside her competition reaching the quota on the eighth count. Applause aplenty and tri-colour aloft, her election, along with many similar scenarios nationwide, saw the jaws of the political establishment collectively drop.

While Storm Ciara was predicted to be the fine gale that saw the end of Fine Gael, nobody expected it to be The Wind that Shakes the Barley. A republican display of lethargy with the status quo, and a hunger for change.

Yet, the talk this election being the final nail in the coffin of the two and a half party system simply is not the case. Neither the Fine Gael collapse, nor the Fianna Fáil failings, were down to Sinn Féin alone. The figures paint a more accurate picture. A picture of a steady decline of the two parties who have dominated Dáil Éireann since 1922.

In the 1987 general election, the pair took home 84.6 % of the vote. Last week, they could only scrape together 43.1% between them. In fact, rather than the much-discussed Sinn Féin surge, what we saw on the 8th of February was a continuation of the decline of the parties that have ruled the roost between them for almost a century.

The perception that Sinn Féin have broken down the door of the political establishment and stolen the keys to Leinster House, is simply untrue. It has been done before. In 1992, the Labour Party romped home with 33 seats, doubling their total from the previous election, and while they hadn’t broken the Fianna Fail, Fine Gael stranglehold, they had certainly pried the door open ever so slightly.

In 2011, Labour were at it again, and ready to take the hinges off the door this time around.

They floored Fianna Fail and swooped into position as the second largest party, with 38 seats, a haul higher than Sinn Féin’s last week.

January was just a trial month, new year new me starts in February!

By Ewelina Szybinska The phrase ‘new year, new me’ is the motivation for personal change as the new year approaches.

Some follow this, while others don’t take much notice. The ‘new me’ idea doesn’t have to mean significant change. This varies from eating habits, to taking up new commitments such as starting the gym, making it on time to meetings or simply making your bed every morning! It’s difficult to pick an exact time for a change. If you follow this idea and January didn’t quite work out for you, see it as a trial month.

February is still very much a fresh start. I don’t make many new year’s resolutions and if I happen to stick to something, I ensure it’s achievable.

Sometimes, people quit after January, as it was a quick start without much planning, so start your new year in February. Just think about it, you’re after leaving the holiday season and you’re trying to make all these changes without taking a breath!

You’ll try to take on new habits, leave the bad ones behind and tackle new obstacles without really reflecting on the year that just passed. Take January as a break from all that has happened while preparing yourself for the year to come.

Not only will you recharge your batteries, but you’ll have time to carefully decide what it is that you would like to change and perhaps how will you go about it.

This approach might not be approved by everyone, as some may argue it’s like starting your week on a Sunday, but think of the benefits. When

everyone else is dropping their resolutions, you’ll only be starting! The chances of you quitting whatever it is you choose are smaller. After all, the year is a long, long marathon and not a sprint!

That is not to say you can’t start approaching your goals in January. Bit by bit, aim to do small things to prepare yourself for the bigger change.

What can you do in January?

Start a journal! Not only will it help you to focus on your goal, but it’s a great way to look back on some previous achievements and things that didn’t quite go as planned. It’s a good month to start planning and most importantly you’re being productive, and you can safely say that this trial month is not wasted!

Clean, clean, clean! Clear out your wardrobe, the cupboards or some documents. A clean slate come February. This might not be a new year resolution but a great way to start the year.

Get ready! January can be the month for gathering any tools you’ll need for the new year. You will often find cheaper memberships, great deals for almost anything and everything.

Whatever it is that you need to help you pursue your goals.

If you were hoping to apply this to your new year and don’t see the changes coming anytime soon due to personal reasons, just remember you can make a change any time. Waiting for a new date in the calendar does not have to be a reason to stop you. It’s a great excuse but is it worth it to waste the time?

Yet, to confine the Mary Lou tsunami to the insignificant would be wholly wrong in itself. They have to their regard made history, becoming the first party other than the big two to win the popular vote. They won the election and had they seen the surge coming, would

have swept home comfortably. However, the perception that last week signalled the end of the two-party state is a false one to make. It has been falling by the wayside for almost 40 years. Labour doused the establishment in petrol years ago. Sinn Féin lit the match.

Sinn Féin’s Mairead Farrell celebrates becoming a TD for Galway West. Her election to Dáil Éireann, along with that of many more Sinn Féin TDs, came as a surprise to some political commentators.

Connecting Ireland’s student cities and towns

Clifden

Dublin Airport

Galway

Dublin

Limerick

Cork Cork Airport

Book online at www.citylink.ie or call 091 564164

16 OPI NIO N

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

Why Flirt FM Feeling Under the Weather? needs more support

By Katie Barragry

By Aaron Deering Anyone that volunteers with Flirt FM will know that the station needs more funding, as, currently, the station is suffering from outdated equipment and lack of space. Flirt FM has two studios, an office and a computer room. The two studios are tight on space and this creates a problem for when certain shows will have up to 4 people in the studio. You’re crammed in and almost feel claustrophobic. The computer room is tiny in comparison to the two studios and all the equipment in it is extremely outdated. For example, the other day, when I was in the computer room receiving training, there was no HDMI port on any of the computers to try and connect it to the TV. Currently, Flirt FM receive a little over €70k from the student levy, €5k from the DSP for a Wage Subsidy and €1k for studio hire. This works out at about €4.92 per student form each individual’s student levy. In total, the station only gets roughly €76k a year, which isn’t much considering it has to pay 2 full-time staff along with some part-time staff. Even if Flirt FM received an extra 10k in funding a year, it could mean the station could do so much more, such as replace their ageing computers, operate the station 24/7 and keep the pre-recording studio open over the weekend. It could also improve the equipment used for outside broadcasts, which, at the moment, is very outdated and takes too long to set up. These are just a few examples of what Flirt FM could do if it received more support and funding.

Flirt FM is very important, as it offers students the chance to have hands-on experience with radio, and with a station that is fully registered with the BAI (Broadcasting Authority of Ireland). Flirt FM is also available for all students as well. I’m not a journalism student and yet, I can still avail of the facilities that Flirt FM has to offer, so, at least as students we get some value for our money. Contrast this with the Kingfisher which we pay a fee to as part of our student levy, but still have to buy a membership on top of this. Is that value for money? I don’t think so. I recently did an interview with Fergal D’Arcy, a presenter with Today FM, and he highlighted how important Flirt FM was by saying it was one of the best student radio stations in the country, because, to quote, “it’s run like a god damn proper station”. If a top national radio presenter like Fergal D’Arcy is praising the station in its current state like this, then just imagine what the station could be like if the University made more of an effort to support it and provide further funding.

Fergal also highlighted the amount of opportunities Flirt FM has given to people that have gone onto be successful in national radio stations. “The amount of talent we received when I was at iRadio that came from Flirt FM – It’s just amazing. Chris Greene (RTÉ 2FM), Peter Ganley (RTÉ 2FM) and Louise Clarke (iRadio) all came from Flirt FM and I could mention them all day. They’re all brilliant presenters and they all came from Flirt FM. That’s where they got their home ground from”. This just shows how important Flirt FM is as an outlet that drives creative talent and allows students to be given a crucial base from which they can learn and gain important experience, that they can then use to go on and be successful in the radio business.

It’s vital that not only does the University continue to fund Flirt FM, but increases this funding and show more support to what is a crucial asset to the University and student body.

Picture this. It’s Wednesday morning and your first lecture doesn’t begin until one in the afternoon. You have all the time in the world to make breakfast, have a cup of tea, take a long luxurious shower and spend hours preening yourself in front of the mirror. For the occasion, you’ve blow-dried and straightened your hair followed by a carefully applied face of makeup.

You leave for college with plenty of time to spare. It’s not a bad day out, it’s cold, but the sun is shining. You look half decent and you’re feeling good about yourself. You’ve been walking for about ten minutes when the heavens open out of nowhere. In true Galway fashion, it isn’t even a drizzle or a simple mist. No, it’s a lashing, pelting combination of rain and hail.

Did I think to bring an umbrella? Or wear a jacket with a hood? Or even a hat?

Of course not, why would I? It was glorious out seconds ago.

After trudging your way through unavoidable puddles and soggy wet grass, you finally arrive on the Concourse looking like a dejected, drowned rat. Your hair is sopping, your shoes are squelching and you are shivering with self-diagnosed, early-onset pneumonia. Ideal. A great start to your day.

You think about the content, optimistic person you were just five minutes ago in comparison with the bedraggled, poor excuse for a human that is now glaring back at you in the bathroom mirror. Mascara is running down your face, your once pristine hair is now a frizzy,matted mess and you begin to dread the next five hours of sitting in damp clothes in a lecture theatre. Your mood has well and truly deteriorated.

What is about the weather that can instantly change our mental state? Everyone reacts differently to changes in weather, some worse than others. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a state of depression dictated by the change in seasons. It mainly affects people during the winter months when sunlight is limited but is also known to be prevalent during the transition to summer. Those affected by SAD often suffer from low energy levels, severe mood changes, sleeping problems and concentration difficulties.

It is interesting to note how the weather can impact our state of wellbeing. How can you even begin to imagine having a good day after opening your curtains to the doom and gloom of January weather? Alternatively, why do bright sunny mornings make it so much easier for us to jump out of bed, ready to tackle the day? Does the sound of rain hit-

ting off your roof trigger or relax you? And what is it about the humidity that leaves everyone in edge? In Ireland, what excuses us to take a national holiday when the temperature rises above 25 degrees?

For the majority of people, I would imagine that sitting at the Spanish Arch drinking cans in May sounds more appealing than clutching a pint in a dark, cold pub as a brewing storm howls outside. Likewise, playing a football match on soft ground on a sunny afternoon sounds better than being left destroyed head-to-toe in dirt after a disastrous game in the lashing rain.

While walking along the beach in November wrapped up in a hat and scarf would surely “blow the cobwebs out,” a relaxing summer’s day at the seaside does sound a bit nicer, doesn’t it?

While the weather evidently can affect our mood and mental state, factors such as geographical location, average temperatures and altitude of an area must also be taken into consideration. However, it is worth soaking up an extra bit of Vitamin D when the opportunity arises. To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” On the rare occasion that the weather picks up and the sun begins to shine, get up, get out and see if your mood improves.

‘Claire Byrne Live’ on campus triggers protests

By Siobhan Brew NUI Galway’s Áras na Mac Léinn was recently the location for the ‘Claire Byrne Live’ leaders’ debate for the General Election just past.

The event occurred 27th January, and prior to the broadcast, students were made aware via email of the early closure of the building in order to facilitate the security arrangements necessary for such an event.

Although it was considered great exposure, not just for the University but the city in

beginning the day before at 8am, societies like DramSoc and the Musical Soc GUMS lost two days’ worth of rehearsal time due to their rehearsal spaces now being occupied

by RTÉ. The college did not feel it necessary to consider the student body in relation to the event, and the short notice they did receive on the matter meant they could not find an alternative space. The likes of the View in Áras na Mac Léinn provides a great open space perfect for rehearsals, while lecture halls and classrooms are not always guaran-

political leaders on campus. The Galway Housing Support Group, a housing activist group, urged students to join them in a protest directly addressing the government regarding the housing crisis that affects hundreds of students every year in the city. “I went to the protest because I wanted to be part of sending a message to the politicians at the debate that we want to see change in the country, in particular, to do with housing and climate policy,” says protest attendee Conor McGowan, who has struggled for the

With set up for the event beginning the day before at 8am, societies like DramSoc and the Musical Soc GUMS lost two days’ worth of rehearsal time due to their rehearsal spaces now being occupied by RTÉ. The college did not feel it necessary to consider the student body in relation to the event, and the short notice they did receive on the matter meant they could not find an alternative space. general, especially with Galway’s current status of European Capital of Culture, students felt in the dark about this decision to have student services such as the Student Health Unit, Socs Box, Students’ Union Office, Flirt FM and the Hub close early for an non-student related event such as a political debate.

Some students remained unbothered by the debate, as Áras na Mac Léinn was closed for only one night. For others, however, losing this space for one night meant much more than not being able to play foosball with the lads after a lecture. With set up for the event

teed for the duration needed and are limited in space due to furniture.

With college stress, societies like these can be a great hobby and stress reliever for students. Although I did not personally attend the protest because of how little the takeover affected me, I understand the other side to the argument. For this recreational period to be removed for the college’s own interest and profit is disappointing and gave the protest validity and reason.

Meanwhile, others took advantage of the debate and the presence of influential

four years of his undergraduate with finding accommodation. “It was a success in gathering a varied group of people all with different objections to the current government.”

Although the protests never garnered any coverage from RTÉ per se, there are videos of leaders entering the Bailey Allen Hall that have the satisfying booming voice of protesters in the background. The leaders were not the only ones voicing their opinions that Monday, and now it is up to the government and the University to listen and make a change in future decisions.

The e g n e l l a h C Step

6 3 F MS O

TEA derboard Lea kly

ee W d n zes a i r P n o etiti p m o C

2nd-27th MARCH 2020 Sign Up Now ActiveTravelLogger.ie www.marchathon.ie STworkplaces

STcampus

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

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

MY WEEK WITHOUT MAKEUP:

7 Days with My Naked Skin

By Anastasia Burton Make-up is beautiful and fun but can also be timeconsuming and unhealthy for your skin, and your self-esteem, if worn every day. For the past week, I have refused to wear make-up as a challenge, to see how my skin would react to being bare. I must say, it was hard to say “no” to doing a fun eye look, and it was terribly tempting to hide my imperfections with some foundation and concealer, but I stayed strong. This is how seven days with my naked skin impacted on my life.

DAY 1: I woke up early, the way I usually do, to give myself time to do my make-up and grab something to eat. That morning, I went over to my make-up desk and remembered my experiment. This made me a bit scared. I looked into the mirror and saw my hideous black under-eye bags and my red blotchy skin, plus a bright red pimple on my chin, before realizing that I would not be able to hide those imperfections. This made a slight dent in my self-esteem throughout the day; I found myself avoiding mirrors and I wanted to stay away from Snapchat. By the end of the day, I felt glad to finally be home to be ugly in peace.

DAY 2: I decided to sleep-in a little longer since I no longer needed time for make-up (I was also afraid

of the black under-eye). I found myself having more time to eat my breakfast without rushing out the door. I still felt an itch to hide my skin imperfections, and of course the anxiety was still there. But despite this, the day went smoothly; I enjoyed the fact that I could rub my nose and not rub off half of my makeup. I also enjoyed rubbing my eye and not having sparkles and mascara smudged all over my face.

DAY 3: My skin looked healthier. The pimple cleared up on its own and my skin didn’t look as blotchy as usual. I felt fresh. I felt comfortable with just moisturizer on my face for the day, but I was still slightly concerned when I met with my boyfriend, in case he found me less attractive without make-up. I had a long day, with lectures that started at 9am and finished at 6pm, so I was just as happy that I could skip the make-up removing process before I went to bed.

DAY 4: I enjoyed my extra hour of sleep with the absence of make-up application. I was less hungry throughout the day because I had enough time for a proper breakfast. My skin felt lighter and softer.

I wasn’t worried as much about what other people thought of my appearance, however, I still felt like I was not at my best. Going make-up free also restricted me from socializing and going out.

DAY 5: I was feeling completely normal. I felt accepting when I looked in the mirror and enjoyed my skin care routine, which now took less time and made my skin feel fresher. My friends and my partner had commented that I looked very cute

I still felt an itch to hide my skin imperfections, and of course the anxiety was still there. But despite this, the day went smoothly; I enjoyed the fact that I could rub my nose and not rub off half of my make-up. without make-up and that I didn’t really need it. As basic as those compliments sounded, they did help me feel more confident in my naked skin.

DAY 6: I finally plucked up the courage to go on a night out with no make-up on! It felt great to not

worry about smudged lipstick and leaving lipstick marks everywhere. It felt nice to be able to go straight to bed after a long night without worrying about skin care before bed.

DAY 7: I felt a sort of aversion to make-up. I still loved it, and was excited to play with my eyeshadow again, but I didn’t feel like I needed to do that to feel pretty. I went to work without make-up and went to all my meetings makeup free. My skin did improve, with most of my breakouts clearing up, and my face feeling more moisturized and freer. I felt more confident and beautiful naturally, rather than with artificial products packed on my face. I enjoyed the extra time of sleep and the earlier bedtime. I enjoyed laying on my partner’s chest and not leaving a big make-up print on his hoodie. I enjoyed giving people hugs without leaving highlight sparkles everywhere!

Overall, this was a challenging week, where I was faced with my own imperfections and learned how to embrace them. I learned how dependent I felt on make-up and that I really didn’t need it to feel prettier. I enjoyed all the spare time I had and the lack of wipes in my bin. Overall, it was a growing experience, and after that week, I find myself still avoiding make-up!

THE FOODIE DIARIES: Udon Noodles

By Isabel Dwyer Sometimes, all you need is a takeaway from Xi’an.

And sometimes, you don’t have enough money in your account to order said takeaway. When the umami craving hits, I like to go for a simple vegetarian noodle dish like this udon one. It’s fast, cheap, and infinitely customisable.

For these nood’s, you’ll need a cabbage (I like the curly type), spring onions, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, spinach and udon noodles. If you want to be savvy with your sauces, the Asian grocery stores in town are a necessity. Jasmine Asian Grocery and Asiatica are both located around the Lower Abbeygate Street area, and both stock amazing quality sauces in bulk for cheap. Plus, it’s never bad to support local and independent businesses. You can find your noodles and veggies here too. In a lot of Asian stores, vegetables are sold by weight which is hugely student-friendly; less waste, less moola. Other than that, Tesco on Headford Road is always a good bet for Asian ingredients.

Start by preparing your udon noodles according to their packet. The ready-to-eat ones that come in those vacuumed pouches are great but need to be softened in hot water first. You’re going to want to manipulate them around the water a little bit in order to free them from their freaky, cubic form. Just be gentle so as not to break them up. In a super hot pan, add some oil and some chopped or grated cabbage (about a quarter of a head per person). Sesame oil adds something really special to noodle dishes, so if you have it in that bread-crumbed hole in the wall that you call a press, grab it, but use carefully. It’s better to drizzle over the end product rather than cooking the ingredients in it, as it burns easily and changes flavour as a result.

But, back to the cabbage. Keep the heat on high

and let it brown nicely. We’re looking for a sort of charred flavour here. To caramelise, add a teaspoon of sugar and a dash of soy sauce. Stir and allow it to break down. This provides a great base of flavour for the oncoming ingredients. At this point, add your chopped garlic.

As always, go for as many cloves as you’re brave enough to handle. We wait until now to add the garlic in order to prevent burning, and to maintain it at that aromatic state. Now, add a handful or two of spinach and mix in. Gently stir in the noodles, plus a dollop of oyster sauce and equal amounts of soy sauce. Once combined, taste. If it needs more salt, add another dash of soy sauce. If it needs sweetness, add another pinch of sugar. Plate up in a bowl and top with lots of chopped spring onion.

Mushrooms, sesame seeds, bean sprouts, and fresh chilli are all examples of ways to jazz this recipe up according to your own personal tastes. To make it vegan, swap out the oyster sauce for a vegan hoisin sauce instead.

Who knows, maybe if you survive off of these noodles for a while, you might be able to save up enough money to visit the sacred ground that is Xi’an on Quay Street and buy yourself the real deal.

FAIS EAN

February 18 2020

7

NÓ S MAIRE ACHTÁLA

19

2020 GRAMMY AWARDS Pop Princesses Dominate the Style Stakes on Music’s Biggest Night

By Megan Frei Everyone knows the Grammys are a night where anything goes.

Hollywood turns out to serve original looks, enlisting designers to help create red carpet magic. The 62nd Grammy Awards were no exception, kicking off the new decade in dazzling style.

Wearing dewy makeup, a cat eye, and her signature ponytail, Ariana Grande owned the Grammy carpet in a slate gray Giambatistta Valli dress. The Cinderella-inspired tulle layered dress encouraged the singer to sit down on the red carpet, mid-strut, posing and stunning the cameras in a pile of her own flowing fabric. Given opera gloves have recently been seen on the runway at New York Fashion Week, Grande wore satin versions to complement her dramatic look. Time Magazine rightfully claimed Ariana’s dress “swallowed the internet”, setting off a flurry of tweets and memes praising Ari’s “lewk” as one of the night’s highlights.

Billy Porter’s Baja East blue jumpsuit, complete with a motorized lampshade hat, kept with the night’s biggest trend: sparkles.

Smooth Technology, who have also designed pieces for Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj, constructed the electronically powered lampshade hat for fashion superstar Porter, giving the controls to Porter’s stylist, who controlled the hat’s “open-and-close” function from the carpet sidelines.

Maggie Rogers, one of the “Best New Artist” nominees, sported vintage Chanel as an homage to the late Karl Lagerfeld. The simple silhouette highlighted the black tulle dress’ beautiful gold star-shaped beading and embroidery. As the 2020 Grammy’s unofficial poster woman for sustainability, Rogers brought along one important accessory: a gold Chanel reusable water bottle. Fully functional, with a chain strap and leather quilting, Rogers’ water bottle served as both function and fashion in one.

Lil Nas X, no stranger to bold statements, wowed in a bright pink Versace cowboy outfit.

Wearing a pink harness and cropped jacket, complete with shoulder pads, Lil Nas channeled a Western-revisited fashion moment. Hot pink from headto-toe, from his studded cowboy hat to his gold-tipped shoes, the singer dressed for the celebratory occasion, given he won his first two Grammys that very night.

In keeping with the glitter theme, “Best New Artist” nominee Lizzo stole the show by making Old Hollywood glamour new again, sparkling in custom floor-length Atelier Versace. The hand-sewn Swarovski crystals on Lizzo’s custom dress, which took two months to make, matched the singer’s metallic silver heels.

Finishing her look with a faux fur stole and over $2 million worth of Lorraine Schwartz diamonds, Lizzo slayed the Grammy red carpet proving she is, indeed, 100% that b*tch.

SU LOCKERS Wearing the dress that “swallowed the Internet”, Ariana Grande.

NUI Galway Students’ Union

Seomra Cótaí SAOR IN AISCE Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn

S

SU CLOAKROOM

FREELife Skill Thursday & Fridays

OPEN

Clockwise from above: Billy Porter, Maggie Rogers, Lil Nas X and Lizzo.

SU

09:00-18:00 Only

Ar Oscailt Déardaoin agus Aoine 09:00-18:00 Amháin

www.su.nuigalway.ie

facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion

twitter.com/NUIGSU

www.su.nuigalway.ie

facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion

twitter.com/NUIGSU

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

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

MISS AMERICANA

The Beauty Evolution of Taylor Swift

By Catherine Taylor With the release of her Netflix documentary Miss Americana, we take a look back through the career and beauty evolution of pop queen Taylor Swift. Here are some her most iconic looks, Taylor-made.

2006: TENNESSEE DARLING When she released her debut single “Tim McGraw” in 2006, Taylor Swift could never have predicted how quickly she would blast into the music industry stratosphere. 16-year-old Taylor soon began attending country music events around America, wearing mini dresses and cowboy boots that wouldn’t be out of place on fashion runways in 2020.

In terms of beauty, Taylor allowed her natural blonde curls to roam free, styl-

ing them with a simple side-parting. She kept her makeup simple and natural, opting only for a peachy-nude lip and cat-eye lashes to further enhance the distinctly feline quality of her eyes. This was Taylor at the beginning of what is now a 14-year career: ambitious, carefree and embracing her natural beauty.

2008: COUNTRY CINDERELLA Swift hit the big-time with her instant radio hit, ‘Love Story’, helping her to become the youngest person to win a Grammy for Album of the Year at just 20 years old for Fearless. Given the song’s theme, Taylor’s beauty and fashion choices stayed in keeping with the princess theme.

She donned elegant ballgowns, pretty crowns and maintained her natural curls during this era. She still kept her makeup simple and elegant, adding subtle dabs of glitter to her eye looks. By truly encapsulating the princess theme of her biggest hit so far, Swift pushed her all-American brand further, creating a thoroughly wholesome image of the girl next door.

2010: GIRL, REINVENTED

2006

2008

In October 2010, Taylor released her third studio album, Speak Now, which she wrote by herself in its entirety. The album was nominated for a Grammy and set her on what seemed like a clear path to further country music stardom. The now highly successful songwriter then started to take more beauty risks with her newfound confidence, turning up to the 2010 American Music Awards with poker-straight hair, a full-fringe and a diamond-encrusted bodycon dress.

While this makeover may seem insignificant, changes to her look signalled

2010

a new direction for Taylor’s music, as occurred within the next two years…

2012: LADY IN RED Taylor Swift cemented her icon status in 2012, when she unveiled her most critically acclaimed album, RED, in October of the same year. Rolling Stone wrote that “her self-discovery project [RED] is one of the best stories in pop. When she’s really on, her songs are like tattoos”. Taylor then embarked on a best-selling world tour to promote the album, encapsulating the record’s name in her look. Swift shook up her image; she donned red lipstick so much that it has since become her beauty trademark. She continued to rock her straight hair and fringe hairstyle, while almost every outfit on her tour conveyor belt contained at least one item of red clothing. Taylor Swift was now a certified style icon; America’s darling come to life with a classic red lip.

2014: WELCOME TO NEW YORK In 2014, Taylor made an unprecedented move that would define the next decade of her career: she transitioned her sound from country music to pure, unadulterated pop. Inspired by the pop synths of the 1980’s, Swift worked with producer Jack Antonoff to produce her first purely pop record. She also took a leap of faith and made the move to New York City, further establishing the idea that this era would be a new beginning for the 20-something young woman. It was here that Swift penned one of her best albums, 1989. Its most successful single, the earworm-worthy Shake It Off, became Swift’s biggest hit to date, dominated music charts and was named

2012

as one of the ten songs that defined the 2010’s. For her 1989 era, Swift again made a beauty transition. Upon moving to New York, she cut her once-long locks into a short bob and played with smokier eye looks and more daring clothing choices. Still, Swift’s perfect pop image remained intact, until house of cards she’d built crumbled around her…

2017: VENGEFUL VIXEN “This Summer…” Swift wrote in her diary in 2016, “is the apocalypse.”

Following the infamous Kanye West/ Kim Kardashian controversy which saw #TaylorSwiftIsOverParty trend number 1 worldwide on Twitter, the singer, once so accustomed to the public eye, swiftly made a statement and then became a complete recluse. For three years, nobody saw Taylor Swift in public. She even moved to London to be with her long-term boyfriend Joe Alwyn, managing to remain anonymous in the UK for years. During this time, she penned Reputation, her darkest album yet, which took a turn towards R&B in terms of its sound, a Swift first. Prior to the album’s release, Swift signalled what was to come when in the summer of 2016, she dyed her hair bleach blonde during an experimental phase she dubbed “Bleachella.” Embarking on her Reputation tour in 2018, Taylor then fully transitioned to a bad girl version of herself; it was deep black eyeliner, snake motifs and black leotards a-plenty during this tumultuous time in her life.

Lover. This record saw the snake symbolism of the Reputation era abandoned in favour of a lighter, airier aesthetic; the butterfly became a motif to symbolise her rebirth as a happier artist, while Swift added a dip of pink to her ponytail to match the album’s cover. Lover was once again a critical and commercial success, providing fans with upbeat pop tunes, sultry ballads and a country track reminiscent of her roots. Everything about Taylor’s image has lightened since then. She is appearing in public again, attending award shows in brightly coloured outfits that seem mature, yet youthful. Swift is keeping her full-fringe hairstyle, adding a shaggier, messier cut that’s on-trend for 2020 and abandoning her trademark red lip in favour of a pretty pink pout. At thirty years old, sure of herself and having gone through a storm, Taylor Swift has never looked better. She’ll truly never go out of style.

2019: TAYLOR, RECLAIMED Fast-forward to 2019 and Taylor Swift finally reclaimed her image with her much-anticipated seventh studio album,

2014

2017

2019

FAIS EAN

February 18 2020

7

NÓS MAIRE ACHTÁLA

21

STYLED BY THE SHOW: Why Gossip Girl’s Vanessa Abrams is an underrated style guru

By Valerie McHugh Following the woes and ways of the ‘idol rich’ members of the New York elite, Gossip Girl examined a world which fell victim to the trials and tribulations of social media in its earliest stages.

The news of its reboot has everybody dusting off their ‘upper-eastsider’ membership cards and renewing their subscriptions to the original seasons of Gossip Girl. Hitting television screens in 2007, a nostalgic reflection on the fashion trends of this mid-2000’s show has begun.

The fashion senses of egocentric prom queen Blair Waldorf and NYC princess Serena van der Woodsen left fashionistas everywhere awestricken and inspired. With both characters descending from a rich, socialite background, a stylish fashion sense was a need, not just a want.

Whether it was a Chanel bag, or Chloé shoes, many of the character’s ensembles were created by some of the biggest designers in the world. But, for the underprivileged mere mortals residing on the outskirts of Brooklyn, fashion was more “off the rack” than “juicy couture”.

The artsy style sense of Vanessa Abrams, the show’s ordinary girl-next-door, was continuously overshadowed by the glitz and glam of wonder duo princess S and queen B. However, Vanessa Abrams needs to be celebrated as a real style icon of the time, wearing affordable clothes that could be seen on the streets of Manhattan.

Here are five of her unforgettable fashion moments, some which are often overlooked…

ensemble sees Vanessa combine her love for art and her need for comfort in one go. Finished with a pair of drop earrings, this is an outfit Gossip Girl herself would have to reward for its originality.

SPOTTED: Vanessa Abrams in a matching outfit?

It’s definitely accurate to say that Vanessa was a fan of layering diverse patterns and textures, with most of her wardrobe consisting of artsy jackets and sweaters. But this blue and orange plunge

money. Finished with a matching hair bow, this dress is a perfect fit for any edgy Brooklyn queen.

Ballet ballgown This pink and black number was featured in Season 4, Episode 8, and sees Vanessa flouncing her way to the ballet in style. The frilled neckline is suitable for any ‘swan laker,’ and is daring enough to match the havoc Vanessa is about to cause in this episode.

It is fair to say that Vanessa’s fashion sense is certainly individualistic and will never be everybody’s personal preference. However, Vanessa’s unapologetic way of expressing herself brings a new dimension to the show, inspiring all of you fashionistas out there to always be true to yourselves.

Happy shopping, Upper Eastsiders — XOXO, Gossip Girl

Leopard Print Cleopatra Actress Jessica Szohr wore this eye-catching outfit in Season 1 of the show, where the chunkier the bracelet, the better the fashion rating. Szohr effort-

/student e .i n n a e ir e s u visit b et your discount to g dress is highlighted by a long baby blue necklace, carrying the coolness of the blue undertones from head to toe. They say one has strength in numbers, but in this case, Vanessa has strength in colours and is more than ready to take on her arch nemesis, Blair Waldorf. lessly combines these patterns, staying true to her character’s bubbly personality.

Patterned Perfection Was it really the mid 2000’s if you didn’t have a cropped jacket to add to your collection? This bold

I Got 99 Problems but Hi-Visibility Ain’t One Not everybody is a fan of tangerine shades, but this outfit accentuates Vanessa’s killer bohemian boldness. The flowing sleeves on this dress are fun and vibrant, giving Waldorf Designs a run for its

THE BUS ÉIREANN/EXPRESSWAY €10 STUDENT OFFER IS FOR ONLINE TICKET PURCHASES ONLY. ENTER PROMO CODE STUDENT02 AT CHECKOUT TO SAVE €10 ON ANY STUDENT RETURN OR 10 JOURNEY TICKET DEPARTING FROM 1 FEBRUARY UNTIL 29 FEBRUARY 2020 INCLUSIVE. SEE BUSEIREANN.IE/STUDENT FOR FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS.

22 FA SH I O N & L I F EST Y L E

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

Travel Junkie:

BOSTON

By Matthew Geraghty

Your comprehensive guide to the best things to do, see and eat in Boston, Massachusetts.

SHOP at Wrentham Village Premium Outlets Wrentham is one of the classic American ‘outlets’ that you’ve probably heard family and friends discussing upon return from a trip stateside. Located roughly an hour outside downtown Boston, Wrentham features an array of fashion brands selling high-end goods at much lower prices than their regular stores. Everything is reduced from the recommended retail price, with most stores offering huge sales of up to 60% off all year-round, leading to further reductions. Stores include Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Levi’s, Michael Kors, Nike and many more. Various buses leave Boston city centre for Wrentham daily and it’s definitely worth the trip, as stores in the city-centre are as, if not more expensive, than their Irish counterparts.

EAT at Tatte Bakery With a couple of locations around the city, Tatte is one of the best places for coffee to-go, or to sit down inside and people-watch. Their baked treats include excellent cheesecakes and muffins, but just be prepared to pay a bit more for high-quality coffee and baked goods. An ideal afternoon would involve taking your coffee and treats to Boston Common, finding a spot to lay out on the grass and people-watch for a while. More student-friendly (but not particularly healthy) options include Chipotle Mexican and Regina Pizzeria. Both have multiple locations across the city. Avoid the expensive food-stalls in Faneuil Hall. The Beacon Hill and Theatre Districts have good options for fine dining.

SEE a Baseball game at Fenway Park A personal highlight from my summer trip was seeing the Boston Red Sox take on the Toronto Blue Jays at the world-famous Fenway Park. The baseball season runs from April to September, with the Red Sox playing at home quite regularly and cheaper tickets available. The games are invigorating, and the atmosphere is electric, especially on a hot day.

Check game dates and buy tickets at www.mlb. com/redsox/tickets.

EXPLORE the Beacon Hill District This district is located in the heart of Boston and is filled with red-brick buildings. Located mere minutes from the hustle and bustle of Boston

Common and the Faneuil Hall area, this district contains many independent boutiques, restaurants and museums and should be explored on foot at a leisurely pace. A morning spent exploring here is not a morning wasted.

DO the Boston Duck Tour This is a rite of passage, especially for first-time visitors. A former army vehicle takes tourists around the city, taking in the most famous landmarks and the stories behind them. For part of the tour, the bus takes to the water, transforming into a boat, offering sublime views across the city’s harbour. Engaging tour guides give an interesting history of the city but keep it fun throughout.

How to travel the world on a student budget

By Anastasia Burton We all want to travel and live our best lives, but it’s no secret that some of the best things in life cost money (and many of us students just don’t have it). By the time you read the final sentence of this article, you will be ready to cross all borders with little to no money! This is our comprehensive guide to getting all the best travel deals on a student budget, so that you can see the world without splurging through your savings or SUSI. Fly with Ryanair: I already know what you’re going to say, “their flights always get delayed!”

While this is true, Ryanair has worked on its policies and is improving gradually. Ryanair is a budget-friendly airline that offers sales and flight deals almost every month. Right now, you can fly to London and back for about €20! So, lesson one – fly with a budget-friendly airline and you’re guaranteed to save as a student traveler.

For accommodation, use Booking.com. This

brings us to lesson two; affordable accommodation (an issue many of us are too familiar with).

Booking.com offers great savings and deals on hostels and hotels all around the world. Usually, the app cuts up to 15% of the original price to promote tourism and gives everyone a chance to travel and avoid living on the streets. For example, I spent €80 for four nights in the centre of Amsterdam city through Booking.com. Now, considering the low price of your airline and the affordability of your housing, you’re already mostly prepared for your holiday and it hasn’t left you in student debt! … or use Airbnb: Hostels and Airbnb’s are often some of the cheapest options to stay in and many are very welcoming and comfortable. There is no need to be afraid of hostels and sharing a room with strangers; they are doing the exact same thing and looking for budget-friendly travel options just like you! You may even make friends in your group hostel, as, often, they’re used primarily by young people. Don’t forget,

you travelled abroad for some sight-seeing and to explore the location, not just to stare at the four walls of a fancy room!

Once accommodation and flights are sorted, most of your pre-holiday spending ends there.

However, what will you eat once you arrive? Food can be a huge money spender when on holiday, not to mention drinks and alcohol! My advice is to avoid restaurants and fast food chains when abroad. Instead, go to the closest supermarket (most European countries have Aldi or Lidl, which are great for affordable food options). Once you are in the supermarket, you have a choice between the local food and food you are more familiar with. You should buy enough food to last you the few days you will be staying, and I promise you, it will be cheaper (and healthier) than getting fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Once the three most important conditions, flights, accommodation and food, are thought of, move on to travel. Avoid taxis! While you are abroad, there will always be 24hr tour buses,

and in some cases, travel boats. Purchase a 24 or 48hr ticket and that will usually bring you to all the tourist attractions, plus give you an easy way to get back to your accommodation. The tickets usually vary from €18-32 depending on your age, however if you are a student, you can get discounts!

With that in mind… Always carry your student ID when holidaying abroad! Most museums, tours and food chains in Europe have student discounts, so use ‘em!

And finally, if you are planning on buying souvenirs for family and friends back home, avoid buy the crazy expensive stuff. A magnet will do fine, a post card even better! Postcards are always cute and customized for each city! If you buy a few, you can usually get a discount and then buy stamps from the same shop to send them out. This will give your loved ones and friends a nice gift to put on the fridge, complete with pictures of beautiful landmarks and destinations.

Safe travels!

Clubs’ Ball Bal na gClubanna -

2020

Tuesday 24th March ◆ The Galway Bay Hotel ◆

Tickets €40.00

On Sale Now on Eventbrite ◆

Ticéid €40.00

Ar Díol Anois ar Eventbrite

www.su.nuigalway.ie www. ww w.su.nuiga su.nuigalway lway.ie e

facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion

twitter.com/NUIGSU

www.su.nuigalway.ie

facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion

twitter.com/NUIGSU

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

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

An ode to the I’ve got my i on you re-watchables

By Sarah Gill

By Harry King There are certain films that you can watch over and over again. Some, simply because they seem to get better and better as you relate to them more with time. Some, because the plot and characters are so multidimensional that you may see or feel something different with every viewing, and others, purely because of the experience you know you’ll receive no matter how many times you have watched it already. The fact that you can enjoy a film despite knowing what’s going to happen is one of the many magical aspects of cinema.

When people think about their favorite films to re-watch there are a variety of brilliant choices. When asked about their fondest memories of cinema, many people will think of Tom Hanks’ iconic voice as woody in Toy Story, or Dustin Hoffman’s chemistry with Tom Cruise in Rain Man and more recently, people will think of the journey on the Hogwarts Express in JK Rowling’s magical wizard world. Each of these movies transport us to a different place and even if their power diminishes over time, it’s the memory of what it was like the first time that gives us so much joy.

None of these films should ever be under appreciated; their impact is unmeasurable. They give us a place to escape whenever we ask for it. The love and attachment we feel towards the characters are fictional, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it. A character can often

empower and allow someone to be who they want to be. The iconic character of Hermione has inspired the masses to study and value friendship and bravery simultaneously. For many people, she is not just a character, but a friend.

One of my favorite films to re-watch is the John Hughes 1986 classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Like Harry Potter, Toy Story and Rain Man, it’s not so much about what happens - but the journey it takes you on. It’s a coming of age tale following the adventures of three students when they skip school and head into Chicago city for the day. You feel like you’re in the movie and you experience the range of emotions along with the characters. Ferris Bueller also has a feelgood factor to it in the messages of the film.

During it, you want to laugh and to cry and the first thought you have afterwards is sadness at the fact that it’s over. Many of these films may seem light on the surface but there is deep meaning in them that can be derived differently by everyone.

Whilst nothing can come close to watching a great movie for the first time, there is also something powerful about returning to a film again and again. You can take it with you. It can comfort you in hard times and help you enjoy the good times even more. Movies mean as much or as little as you let them mean. Finally, it is important to try new genres and different styles of movies, but I implore you never to under value the brilliance of the re-watchables.

People don’t meet like they used to; catching eyes across a crowded room, being asked to dance and potentially even ‘go steady’ with someone. Nowadays, we extraordinarily happen to just bump into each other after positively scouring Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Facebook.

BOOM! According to SnapMaps, she was in the pub three minutes ago listening to music and … let me just check Spotify … she’s listening to Dua Lipa. Haha, I’m not a stalker I just have all the tools and equipment to locate and assume a person’s entire existence at my fingertips. As I said, I’ve got my i on you. iPhone, iPad, iPod, iPotentiallyHaveDevelopedAnAddictionToSocialMedia.

Let’s not pretend we’re not all guilty of it. Flicking through Instagram stories and stopping to try to find out where they possibly went to source such a beautifully presented brunch (usually avocado, smoked salmon and a poached egg). And if you don’t aspire just a little bit to someday be as cute as your bitmoji then you’re lying to yourself and making me feel a tad embarrassed.

There’s no such thing as ‘stranger danger’ anymore. If a girl in France continually likes all your Instagram photos, she is just so nice and there is positively not a chance that she could be a balding middle-aged catfish. Try explaining your social media consumption to one of your grandparents and you’ll soon realise how weird our generation really are. We all double tap those pictures saying how

ting, watching TV and… sleeping. But when your phone dies, you start, in the words of Kylie Jenner, realising stuff.

And don’t even bother pretending you’ve never been in the position where you accidentally know everything about someone’s holiday. Hope you had fun in Mallorca, I loved your #OOTD on day two of your get-away. Hope your aunt Carol is feeling better and I absolutely love your dog more than I love life itself.

Don’t even bother pretending you’ve never been in the position where you accidentally know everything about someone’s holiday.

Hope you had fun in Mallorca, I loved your #OOTD on day two of your get-away. Hope your aunt Carol is feeling better and I absolutely love your dog more than I love life itself. screen casts upon us, we’re out of our depth, we become bored. The horror!

Once you pluck up the courage to take out your earphones and try to engage with the people around you, you realise how homogenised people have become.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say we’re using our trusty phones as a crutch to socialising. Groundbreaking stuff, I know. I realise we’re able to exist without our phones and we do so at work, when we’re reading a book, chat-

But it’s not all bad. A lot of the time, while we’re looked on as “scrolling”, we’re actually reading worthwhile articles and educating ourselves. Twitter and Facebook especially are filled with honest and enlightening features which help to broaden our minds. Instagram is filled with empowering, motivating and talented people to inspire us. It’s not just mindless scrolling. And memes were handed down to us by God himself, so they’re a definite plus.

The underrated Netflix series most of our friends don’t want to watch

By Anastasia Burton

Clockwise from above: Rain Man (1988), Toy Story (1995), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986).

ridiculous young people are that they’re always on their god-damn phones, but the irony is almost palpable. You’re probably reading this on your god-damn phone. There’s also a good chance that after you finish reading this (excellent) article, you’ll swiftly move to Facebook or Twitter to resume scrolling. We’re a very self-aware generation; we know what we’re doing, but once we step out of that blue/grey light a laptop or phone

We all have our favorite Netflix series and we all like to share our love for said series with our friends. Although we all seem to love the “basic” favourites, it is very hard to find someone with an interest to some of the more “indie” Netflix gems. For example, Extraordinary Homes, Stay Here, Tiding Up with Marie Kondo. Most of these shows are guilty pleasure shows, which is completely fine, but it’s practically impossible to find someone who also watches these shows.

Here’s a little more on these programmes:

Extraordinary Homes A show dedicated to exploring the world’s most bizarre and unique homes on the planet. The two hosts travel across the globe to stay and judge these amazing homes. They speak to the architects behind the job as well as the homeowners, and get a glimpse at the inspiration behind the properties but also cost and materials needed for such designs. It’s a truly fascinating show which is best watched at the weekend with a glass of wine and snacks, it really brings out everyone’s inner housewife/househusband.

Stay Here This is an Australian-based show dedicated to finding the best instant hotel between four to five different establishments. This is incredibly entertaining, with drama-filled competition and beautiful homes, while the travel destinations near the instant hotels add to the enjoyment of the show. In each episode, the contestants visit each other’s instant hotels (sort of like B&Bs), stay a night and enjoy some fun activities in the area the home is located in. At the end, the contestants find out their scores for each instant hotel and the winner hotel gets a title of best instant hotel. The owners also receive great prizes!

Tidying up with Marie Kodo If you’re a fan of feel-good, decluttering series that make you feel at ease, then this show is for you. Its recently had its popularity spike and most know of the show but have never seen it. I, myself, happened to be one of the people who kept putting off watching this series and recently got sucked into it. The series follows Mrs. Kodo and her translator/ co-star travelling around the states helping families organise their homes. This

show is not just a reality tv show where they clean homes and leave the family forever. No, this show helps the family talk about their problems and discover how they got to a stage where they can no longer control the clutter in their home.

Mrs. Kodo teaches the family the value of things and the importance of thanking an item when you are getting rid of it. One very important lesson which I personally found helpful from the show was letting go of things that no longer spark joy. For example, if you are going through your wardrobe and are discovering that you have a lot of items that you like but won’t ever wear again, why keep it? Kodo’s approach is very minimalistic and traditionally Japanese, in that it is very organised. In the show, many of the families whom she helps are on the verge of separating due to the stress caused by the clutter, and it’s heartwarming to see that by the end of the episode, the family are working through their issues.

These shows are worth a watch if you are into shows like Place in the Sun and Four in a Bed. They’re long enough to keep you entertained but not too long to bore you to tears. Beware, the content is very addicting.

C U LT ÚR

February 18 2020

7

SIAMSAÍO CHT

25

Leading by example

FILM REVIEW: The Lighthouse

By Sarah Gill

By Darragh Nolan

The name Greta Thunberg is one known by many.

This 16-year-old Swedish activist will be remembered among the greatest names of all time, appearing alongside the likes of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr. and Gloria Steinem in the history books of the future. Each of these names have fought, or are continuing to fight, in ongoing battles towards the greater good.

Having caught the glimpse of the public eye back in August 2018 through her climate strikes outside the Swedish Parliament, Greta Thunberg has single handedly started a revolution. A year later, Thunberg’s movement has given rise to what is rapidly becoming known as ‘the Greta effect’; inspiring vast amounts of school kids, adults and politicians to take notice and adjust their views on climate change.

She’s known for her straight-talking attitude and unyielding bravery in the face of some of the most powerful members of society - we’ve all seen the Trump / Greta meme by now! Having recently caught up with like-minded actor Leonardo DiCaprio to discuss “commitment to support one another, in hopes of securing a brighter future for our planet”, DiCaprio championed Thunberg as a “leader of our time”, which is an incredibly apt description of this young woman.

In an illustration of her unwavering dedication to the cause, Greta Thunberg recently politely declined

the Nordic Council’s Environmental Prize for 2019, an environmental award to the value of roughly $50,000. Via Sofia and Isabella Axelsson, the activist stated that the movement “does not need any more prizes”, and that “what we need is for our rulers and politicians to listen to the research”. Ever the humanitarian, upon winning the 2019 Right Livelihood Award, Thunberg stated, “It is not me who is the winner. I am part of a global movement of school children, youth and adults of all ages who have decided to act in defence of our living planet.”

While we’ve all more than likely heard Fatboy Slim’s remix of Greta’s emblematic UN speech by now, the teen activist’s voice will be gracing our eardrums in a new collaboration with The 1975.

Opening the BRIT award-winning band’s forthcoming album Notes on a Conditional Form, this marks the first time The 1975 have teamed up with another person on a track. In Greta’s four-minute monologue, she states that, “We are, right now, in the beginning of a climate and ecological crisis and we need to call it what it is: an emergency.”

All proceeds made from this track will go towards Extinction Rebellion.

The voice of a generation and a beacon of hope for our society, Greta Thunberg is a tireless force to be reckoned with. However, one sixteen-year-old girl can’t do this alone. We must all come together to work towards the common goal of a better tomorrow and a brighter future, because - as the protest signs say - ‘there is no planet B’.

Harvest Moon

It’s Hunting Season

By Bridget Mohan

By Anonymous

They say the moon steals the sun’s light, And we know that is a lie.

For all her searing energy, Even the sun grows weary.

She needs another to take charge And maybe they are miles away but as soon as she lays to rest, Then the moon starts.

See hidden in hiding ‘neath these college grounds surrounded by insects among soily sounds bounded by all natures grasp among mounds lies a gift just for you so go gather the hounds!

If you solve for x though its roots may sprawl you’ll equate your treasure may just be C2H5OH. Go strive Go seek Go find but don’t yield and when the sky falls return to your field.

To unearth the heart of this hunt it is prime to dissect what is written, to riddle this rhyme, to break free from all our doomed paradigm and to take what cannot be taken: time.

“I know nothing with certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream”

Not far from stubborn Stoney walls The longest reigning king recalls When rain used not destroy his crest And man used not disturb his rest.

Behind his back I hid your heart Then Degged with dew alas did part And ‘neath the starry lamppost night I could not see a star in sight.

His surface is scratched up, Covered in dust and craters and scars, But their darkness he discards, Makes them an honourable badge.

His beauty is unmatched.

The days are beginning to lose their length, and her strength is slipping awayWinter is about to arrive.

But his presence turns the tide, And she thinks maybe she can survive.

Time has evened out.

I stand still and look up to the sky Knowing that winter is nigh.

Never so low on hope.

Then, just when I think I can’t cope, You appear.

To unwrap the black of this autumnal night, You cast everything you touch in warm orange light.

Now I know I’m not Young, But I need it to be sung That I am still in love with you, Because you are my harvest moon.

CREATIVE CORNER

Filmed on location in Nova Scotia, The Lighthouse puts a reluctant working man, played by Robert Pattinson, placed alongside Willem Dafoe’s strict lighthouse keeper. At its heart, the black-and-white piece is a study of the insanity that seeps in when two incompatible people are stuck in each other’s company.

Where it lacks in story, it makes up for in spades with atmosphere. The striking 1.19:1 square ratio in which the movie is shot creates a sense of claustrophobia throughout. The constant ringing of sirens, beating of gull’s wings and whirring of violent storms adds to the tension that sees Thomas Wake (Dafoe) and Ephraim Winslow (Pattinson) drive each other to madness.

And The Lighthouse does lack in story. There is little more to it aside from the two characters being stranded on this tiny rock, tending to the titular structure while they creep towards drunken derangement. This is a film focused on themes, on making the viewer share in the bemusement and discomfort felt by the duo on-screen.

If you’re looking for a powerful narrative, you won’t find it here. Instead, it evokes stories like The Lord of the Flies, presenting how power dynamics can shift from the organised to the primal when the shackles of society are absent. Director Robert Eggers explores the lengths to which people will go when their hatred isn’t limited by the laws of man.

EVENTS

The tension between Wake and Winslow, the industrious monotony of the work and setting they occupy and the general bleakness that surrounds them is broken by brief moments of comic relief, sea shanties and alcohol-fuelled tirades. But there is no denying that this is an uncomfortable, albeit enjoyable watch.

The aspect ratio coupled with the strikingly bright monochromatic filter makes every inch of dirt, every bit of grit and grime, every drop of rain and every gust of wind stand out. Nothing is left to the imagination. The Lighthouse is thoroughly human, unafraid to present the reality of this hellish island experience in all its horror. It is a stunning film, despite it making for somewhat unsettling viewing.

For all the thematic darkness and grotesque circumstances, Dafoe and Pattinson shine. Tasked with carrying the film for its entire 110-minute run-time, they deliver performances that play off each other impeccably. The sound, cinematography and setting all do plenty to establish the discontent Ephraim Winslow harbours for the elderly lighthouse keeper, but it is the acting that brings it from annoyance and bickering to two desperate men who outright despise each other.

The Lighthouse is noir, bizarre and worth the price of admission if not for what’s mentioned above, then at least to take in a film that brings something different to the table. You’ll leave a touch perplexed by what you’ve just seen, and feel a little damp, as if you too have been marooned at sea.

PLANNER 17-21 FEB//2020 sultnuigalway

MONDAY

SHUFFLE presents

17

DJ PAUL BELTON 5PM-7PM OPEN MIC 9PM • CORRIB ROOM

CHELSEA VS MAN UTD 8PM • MAIN BAR

WEDNESDAY

19

DJ GRAHAM DOHERTY

TUESDAY

18

DJ SOC 4PM-7PM

ATLÉTICO VS LIVERPOOL 8PM • BIG SCREEN

THURSDAY Thursday

20

SULT STAFF TAKEOVER

4PM-7PM

4PM-7PM

DJ SOC

Keys to Adventure with Captain Morgan & The Morganettes 9pm

9PM-11.30PM

ATLANTA VS VALENCIA 8PM • BIG SCREEN

In Craven’s keys I place my trust Through pane I watch her grow and rust.

Her offspring die upon your bourn So root around till soiled and worn.

Now venture down the rabbit hole, To find your heart and break parole, As I have gone to make my piece, As I have gone to make my peace.

Charles Dodgson Matthew 6:21 Happy hunting.

GET YOUR SU CARD TO UNLOCK

FRIDAY

21

PRESENTS

1990’S Music Night 6pm

EXCLUSIVE DRINKS PROMOTIONS

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

What’s on in Galway? »» February 18 - March 2 ««

By Sarah Gill Blowing off some steam is part and parcel of every student’s weekly schedule and it’s important to spend your time outside the library making some quality memories. Without further ado, let’s get planning the next fortnight...

GROOVY TUESDAY at Massimo - Every Tuesday Having quickly become a staple of every student’s college week, I would be shocked if you haven’t been to Groovy Tuesday yet. Bop along to one of the Westend’s very best boozers Massimo, where the dancefloor is always full and the tunes are always pumping.

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

FILM REVIEW: 1917 Alice O’Donnell It seems that as long as there have been wars, there has been the very human reaction to record and recreate moments in memory. From Herodotus’ The Humanities, which described the 5th century BC Greco-Persian wars, to the immeasurable number of modernday books, films and music that are devoted to wars, the history of the arts is seemingly based on the dramatization, commemoration and remembrance of past battles.

action of the film. There are no cuts, no sudden scene changes; we are invited to see the war as these two young soldiers do, to experience the shock and horror without the comforting presence of editing cuts.

With a budget of $100 million, the realism of the film is outstanding. In contrast to previous war films, such as the Rambo franchise (1982 – 2019) and Pearl Harbor (2001), which relied heavily on the newly developing CGI to create the chaos of war, the environment of 1917 is set nearly entirely in the real world, with

fluctuates with the levels of tension the audience feels. After some particularly tense few minutes, the audience are given a brief reprieve with the knowledge the characters are safe for the time being. Sam Mendes skillfully manages to not just maintain, but increase the audience’s fears for the two protagonists, while simultaneously not tiring or boring the audience over the two hours.

Of course, part of this feat is thanks to the actors. George MacKay and DeanCharles Chapman both shine as young men thrown into the unimaginable,

JOE ROONEY AND PAT MCDONNELL at Róisín Dubh - Friday, 21 Feb Perhaps the names Fr Damo and Eoin McLove will ring a bell? The stars of the legendary TedFest will be taking their comedic stylings to the Róisín for a night full of laughs. If you’re particularly interested, the duo will be hosting a Fr Ted table quiz in Massimo the night prior where I’m sure plenty more laughs will be had.

Image: thisisgalway.ie

MOVIE BUFF QUIZ NIGHT at The Skeff - Thursday, 27 Feb Everyone loves a table quiz - don’t even try to deny it. If you consider yourself something of a film buff, now’s the chance to prove it. With questions on cult classics, modern favourites and old-school Hollywood - there’s something from every genre. Proceeds go to a great cause, so it’s completely worth-while.

Image: The Skeff Late Bar & Kitchen via Facebook

FLEA STYLE MARKET at Galway Arts Centre - Saturday, 29 Feb For all the thrift lovers and sustainable fashion fanatics, Flea Style Market is back and ready for their first market of the year. If you fancy giving your wardrobe a little more individuality, these stalls are jammed full of unique and original pieces.

With the last few years being a centenary of the First World War, a remembrance of the nearly 10 million killed soldiers and widespread devastation for both nature and people, it seems hardly surprisingly that there has been an extra-large volume of works acting out the events of a war which engulfed not only Europe, but the wider world. In this torrent of works (including the biographical Testament of Youth (2014), a remake of Journey’s End (2017) and the science fiction Wonder Women (2017)), it may seem an impossible task for any film maker to find a new angle to depict and view The Great War from.

Yet, Sam Mendes, director, producer and writer of 1917, manages to do just that. The film follows a day in the lives of two young English soldiers in the midst of The Great War, Schofield and Blake, who are tasked with the mission to travel through enemy territory in order to stop an attack which will cost thousands of lives. The entire premise of the film already introduces the audience to a rarely seen element of a war-film; fighting to stop the fighting.

The film is shot in order to look like it is nearly all one take – the effect is to draw and captivate the audience in the

The film follows a day in the lives of two young English soldiers in the midst of The Great War, Schofield and Blake, who are tasked with the mission to travel through enemy territory in order to stop an attack which will cost thousands of lives. filming locations across Britain being transformed into lunar-esque No-Man’s Land. Without spoiling the film, there is a particular standout presentation of a ruined village illuminated only by the light of dying flares. Scenes such as these, along with ones of abandoned trenches and the desolation of No-Man’s Land are juxtaposed with scenery of great natural beauty, such as orchards and rolling fresh fields. What makes war films like this so rare and noteworthy is that scenes such as these allows the audience to truly grasp how utterly incomprehensible life must have been like for soldiers and civilians in the grip of the war, trapped in a bare and dead landscape.

The scenery is well wound up within the plot, and in a similar manner to the juxtapositioning of scenery, the plot too

while a wide cast of famous actors support them, from Andrew Scott to Benedict Cumberbatch to Colin Firth, each themselves only receiving a few minutes of screen time, yet still managing to not only progress the plot, but present individual men trying to do their best in madness.

1917 is currently sweeping the awards (going as far as even having its own “accolades received” Wikipedia page!), and despite still being in cinema, has nearly tripled its original budget. After watching the film, it’s very clear why, with a combination of filmmaking, writing, acting, and locations all endorsing and profiting off each other to create a truly magnificent film. To summarise this review to a few words - I really really liked 1917.

#NUIGSU20

 SU ELECTIONS Will you run?

FULL TIME

OFFICERS



✓President ✓Vice President / Education Officer ✓Vice President / Welfare and Equality Officer

Nominations Open: Nominations Close:

10:00am Wednesday 19th February 2020 5:00pm Wednesday 26th February 2020

Election Day: Thursday 5th March 2020 www.su.nuigalway.ie

faceboo acebook.co com/NUIG NUIGalwa wayStude wayS tudentsUnion

twitte tw ter. r.co com/ co m/NUIG NUIGSU NUIG SU

28 SPORT

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

NUI Galway take home bronze at swimming intervarsities

By Owen Kennedy NUI Galway’s swimming, water polo and lifesaving teams competed in the Irish Swimming Intervarsities between Friday 7th and Saturday the 8th of February, with University of Limerick hosting the event. The competition was a huge success for NUI Galway, with the college placing third overall. Led by captain Isobel Roche, the squad who went down to the competition against Limerick were unbelievably victorious in their preliminary racing on the Friday, with NUI Galway having 70 final places on the Saturday. When asked for a statement on the team’s incredible performance, Isobel Roche had this to say: “NUI Galway’s swimmers did themselves proud this weekend. We sent a huge team of 42 swimmers to compete, our strongest team ever according to head

coach Brendan Breathnach. We had A and B finalists in every event. My personal highlight from the event was definitely the Women’s 4x50m Medley Relay, as we absolutely killed the competition in that race and placed first. The NUI Galway women were phenomenal in general, with them placing 2nd in the women’s events overall, coming 2 points behind University College Dublin. It was and amazing weekend, I couldn’t be prouder of our swimmers and coaches Brendan and Tom Hayes. A massive thank you to University of Limerick for hosting such an excellent competition and I’m already looking forward to next year’s competition.”

Head coach of the club Brendan Breathnach added: “It goes without saying that our women did fantastic. It’s without a doubt the strongest girls team we’ve ever fielded, and it’s honestly a tragedy

they had 1st place stolen from them by a mere 2 points. Everyone who participated swam out of their skins and if we’d had the numbers that University College Dublin or University of Limerick rock up to evets like these with, we would have won easily. The highlight of the weekend for me personally was seeing our girls come first in the Women’s 4x50m Medley Relay, but almost everyone came out with personal bests”.

“There were a couple of standout swims from our squad but it has to be duly noted that a lot of people stepped up to the mark to take on events they would’ve been uncomfortable with (competing in), but (they) swam them for the sake of getting the squad points. Our team spirit was the strongest aspect of the weekend, and that to me is the most important part of how the team performs. The support each swimmer gave towards one another was excellent”.

‘Big Four’ dominance of golden era nothing short of a sporting marvel

By Darragh Nolan Another Grand Slam, another win for Novak Djokovic and tennis’ greatest quartet. The Big Four’s stranglehold on the sport now spans three different decades and after all this time, it is still Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer occupying the top three spots in the ATP world rankings.

Andy Murray belongs in the same conversation as the other three, but there is no doubt that they’re a cut above the Scotsman. Even Murray has been outlasted by their impressive longevity.

Generation after generation has been shut out from having any consistent success thanks to the Big Three.

Roger and Rafa saw off the tail-end of bygone legends like Agassi and Sampras.

Djokovic and Murray joined the fold and peers like Wawrinka, del Potro and Čilić came and went. The newer generation headlined by Zverev, Tsitsipas and Kyrgios have had to wait their turn while the Big Three continue to boss the scene.

Andy Roddick feels like a member of a group of tennis players past, having retired in 2012 after facing Federer in three Slam finals in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In fact, he’s a year younger than the Swiss, a testament to Roger’s prolonged success.

This level of extended domination feels inexplicable but it’s really quite simple. They’re just better than the rest

of the competition. By sheer coincidence, the aligning of the stars has blessed tennis fans with the three greatest players of all time during the same era.

What has blessed the fans for all these years has proved a curse for the rest of the players on tour. The likes of Murray and Wawrinka should be praised for winning even three Slams while the Big Three were at the peak of their powers. Murray would certainly have hit double figures if not for the obstacles in his path.

That statement is true for many of the top players on tour over the past two decades. There’s no shortage of elite talent but elite just isn’t good enough when you’re up against perfection. Nothing

in sport is more engrossing, more aweinspiring, more beautiful than tennis played at its very best and no one has produced that level of entertainment quite like these three masters of grass, clay and hardcourt.

Roger Federer, the conductor of an on-court orchestra, the racket his baton and each shot another note of sweet music. His game defies all logic and yet still looks effortless, even at his advanced age. Rafael Nadal brings a frightening level of aggression and tenacity that sees him make rip-roaring winners from the most impossible of defensive positions. Novak Djokovic is almost a mixture of the two, mixing Fed-like precision and finesse with a ten-

dency to bully his opponents and control the court in a manner reminiscent of Rafa’s tireless work-rate.

The plaudits for one are just as complementary to the other two. How, in an era defined by three players this good, could Federer amass 20 Grand Slams, Rafa 19 and Novak 17? First, second and third in Slams respectively, they’ve managed to cement legacies the sport has never seen while competing against each other.

The most perplexing thing about the ability of all them to sustain success is that they did it in spite of each other. We ought to enjoy them while we have them, because tennis has never experienced excellence like this before, and we’re not likely to see it replicated any time soon.

SPÓIRT

February 18 2020

29

Does a team’s League Galway overcome campaign effect their Donegal in Letterkenny Championship performance? showdown

By Oisín Bradley

By Keith Fahey

GALWAY 2-09 • DONEGAL 2-08 Donegal’s awful record in Letterkenny continues, having held a seven-point lead during the second half and at the end losing out to Galway by the bare minimum, in a one-point defeat in Round 3 of the Allianz National Football League Division 1.

It’s the sixth year in succession that Donegal have failed to win at this venue, but they can’t give the excuse that the weather conditions played any part in it. At the end of the game, they had two chances to tie the game up with frees that were missed by Michael Murphy and Ciaran Thompson.

It became a fairly tight contest towards the end, as Galway refused to lie down despite going down seven points early in the second half. The gap was closed after goals coming from Moycullen’s Sean Kelly and Killannin’s Johnny Heaney, while Shane Walsh showed leadership in continuing his scoring spree.

With windy conditions at O Donnell Park, Donegal won the toss, as they played against the wind in the opening half, yet they did dominate possession.

Both goalkeepers struggled with their kick-outs as both sides put more into attack.

Donegal thought they should have a penalty in the opening two minutes. Ryan McHugh’s effort came off the post while Eoin McHugh was being held inside the square.

Galway got the opening score from the game thanks to Damien Comer winning a free, which Shane Walsh converted.

It took Donegal over 12 minutes to open the scoring as Ryan McHugh took a free and picked out Peadar Mogan, as he went for goal, but Conor

That was the last action of the half as referee Joe McQuillan blew the whistle, Donegal leading 1-03-0-04.

Donegal started the second half with Murphy converting a ‘45’ which looked to be going wide, but Murphy did brilliantly to curl it in and send it over.

Donegal extended their lead 42 minutes, as McHugh picked out Thompson, who brought the ball forward and buried the shot into the net.

Galway responded thanks to a goal from Heaney, after Shane Walsh set him up with some good play.

Walsh, with some good skill, fired over a point to reduce the deficit to three points, before Paul Brennan was black carded for bringing down Comer.

Walsh converted the resulting free.

Things changed, as Kelly ran through and got around three defenders, barging through to score a second goal for the Tribesmen, in what was truly an excellent individual play from the Moycullen native.

Michael Daly had put Galway into the lead again, while Jamie Brennan put his shot over moments later. Walsh converted another free to give Galway the edge and Dáire Ó Baoil won a free which Thompson converted and left a point between them, six minutes left.

Daly saw red and Galway were down to 14 players, after an incident with Donegal’s Caolan Ward.

Micheál Murphy had a score disallowed after he appeared to be in the square before the ball was kicked, before Donegal tried to level the match, with Thompson and Murphy missing frees at the most crucial of times, as Galway held on for a onepoint win.

It finished Galway 2-09 Donegal 2-08.

Jamie Brennan won a penalty for Donegal, as he was tripped by Galway’s goalkeeper Gleeson, who subsequently received a black card and was replaced

by Ronan Ó Beoláin. Murphy powerfully converted the penalty, as he sent Ó Beoláin the wrong way.

Gleeson denied him and went over for a point.

Robert Finnerty went down the pitch and put Galway back in front after a ‘45’ taken by Walsh dropped short in the box which Finnerty converted.

Michael Murphy saw his shot at goal cleared off the line, while Jamie Brennan won a penalty for Donegal, as he was tripped by Galway’s goalkeeper Gleeson, who subsequently received a black card and was replaced by Ronan Ó Beoláin.

Murphy powerfully converted the penalty, as he sent Ó Beoláin the wrong way. Galway decided to make the substitution of Ó Beoláin permanent, which meant he saw out the whole game.

Galway’s Damien Comer should have scored a goal after 25 minutes after a lovely long pass from Shane Walsh, but Comer had to settle for a point, with his shot blazing over the bar.

Donegal replied in superb fashion with an excellent point, while Finnerty showed the potential he possesses with a well taken point, but into added time Donegal’s Niall O Donnell won a free which Murphy converted.

DONEGAL: Shaun Patton; Caolan Ward, Neil McGee, Eoghan Bán Gallagher; Ryan McHugh, Conor O’Donnell, Odhrán McFadden Ferry; Caolan McGonagle, Michael Langan; Eoin McHugh, Peadar Mogan (0-01), Paul Brennan; Ciaran Thompson (1-01, 0-01f), Michael Murphy (1-03, 1-00 pen; 0-01 ‘45’; 0-01f, 0-01m), Jamie Brennan (0-02, 0-01m).

SUBS: Niall O’Donnell for Mogan 37, Andrew McClean for McGonagle ht; Dáire Ó Baoill for E McHugh 55; GALWAY: Connor Gleeson; Sean Kelly (1-00), Sean Mulkerrin, Johnny Heaney (1-00); Gary O’Donnell, John Daly, Cillian McDaid; Ronan Steede, Cein D’Arcy; Finnian O Laoi, Damien Comer (0-01), Michael Daly (0-01); Robert Finnerty (0-02), Shane Walsh (0-04, 0-02f), Michael Boyle.

SUBS: Ronan O Beolain for Gleeson 17; Conor Campbell for McDaid 37; Adrian Varley for Steede ht; Paul Conroy for O Laoi 43; REFEREE: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)

The Allianz National Football and Hurling Leagues are in full swing at the moment, with all sides from Malin to Mizen looking to make a dent on the League and make a move for silverware in the Spring months, but do their efforts at this time of year have any impact on their Championship prospects?

Ultimately, the answer to this is undoubtedly yes.

Unless you are either Dublin or Kerry, or one of the teams at the bottom of Division 4 (such as Limerick or Wexford), chances are, you will be involved in either a relegation or promotion battle as the league approaches the tail end. Because of this, you are aiming to have that 4-month period of peak form between March and June, when you will likely be involved in the closing rounds of the League when your fate is sealed, League finals, the blood-and-thunder knockout clashes of the provincial games and the qualifiers.

Take, for example, Cavan. Cavan could conceivably be involved in a relegation battle to avoid the trapdoor into Division 3 and the second tier of Championship football this season, while the possibility of promotion to the top flight also looms for Mickey Graham’s charges. Immediately after that, it’s straight into a heated derby in Saint Tiernach’s Park against Monaghan.

Another team in this scenario is Cork. Cork will need to keep up the form they’ve showed in the early rounds of the League to make it into Division 2 and the hunt for the Sam Maguire, and will have no easy feat in Munster, with Kerry making their way to Pairc Uí Chaoimh and the slog of qualifier football likely looming.

Compare this with the likes of Dublin and Kerry, who are looking to peak from May to August, and you see how difficult it is for the other teams to break the deadlock. Neither county is in danger of relegation from the top flight, so are able to take a step back and not fully commit to the League.

Then comes the Leinster and Munster Championships. Dublin don’t have to perform until after they have won the Leinster Championship, swatting aside a smattering of Division 3 and 4 sides as well as Meath before peaking for the Super 8s, while the same can be said for the Kingdom in Munster.

Due to the nature in which the big 2 treat the League and their competition in the Championship, they are naturally geared to peak in mid-July for the Super 8s, when they face the likes of Donegal, Tyrone, Mayo and Galway, who have all been exhausted after playing competitive football since March, which begs the question; how are the chasing pack meant to keep up in the current format?

#feblove specials

Smoothie Acai Kick mango, banana, lemongrass, kale Regular €3.20• Large €4.25 Iced Mango Matcha €3.50 Red Velvet Cake €2.50 Raspberry Coconut Cake €2.50 American Pancake with bacon and maple syrup €3.95 Mega Berry Muffin €2.00

30 SPORT CLUB SPOTLIGHT:

NUI Galway Athletics Club

By Darren Casserly

The NUI Galway Athletic Club is one of NUI Galway’s most successful clubs, with former Olympians having represented the club and college for over 20 years. The club also has well over a hundred members, with athletes from all over the world. A lot of people would assume that the Athletics Club is only for top-class athletes, but that is very much not the case.

While previously the club was aimed towards top-class athletes, this is changing, with the club trying to encourage more people to join, even if they have never trained in athletics before.

One of the problems that students face is that they stop participating in sport when they get to university.

This a problem that Athletics captain Bridget McDyer is trying to combat.

She says that beginners were being put off by the high standard, so they have introduced more groups to accommodate beginners, so that they’ll be ready to join the main group and won’t be put off by the standard.

With beginner sessions in Dangan on Thursdays for free, there are not to try it out for people who want to join a club or just do something different.

The Athletics Club isn’t just about running, even though there are a lot of options in that area, but also throwing and jumping. With disciplines such as javelin and shotput, there are a huge number of areas that people can get involved in.

Getting fit is not the only benefit to joining the Athletics Club, with opportunities to travel to places you never have before, to take part in warm weather training, for example. On top of this, like all clubs and societies, you make friends you would never have the chance of making anywhere else, with a bond that can only come from sport.

For people with a more competitive side, there are opportunities to compete in the Athletic Club’s own competitions. With trials to decide who is able to compete, it could be an opportunity for people with more of an athletic background to get back into the sport.

On the competitive side of things, the club is looking to have its most successful year, with athletes medalling in events such as road relays, which has never previously happened before.

They’re also aiming to be in the top two top performing universities in indoor and outdoor events, which is, again, a first for the University.

Club captain Bridget McDyer says that while the high performance aspect of the club is doing well, it is a real goal of the club to get as many people involved with the club and to try and make it as widely available as possible to all NUI Galway students. So, why not give it a go, you might just enjoy it?

SIN Vol. 21 Issue 09

Is the French rugby team a sleeping giant?

By Jonny Browne The first round of this year’s Six Nations brought up a good few talking points, like how Ireland didn’t really impress as much as what was anticipated before the tournament. Also, how competitive will this Italian team be after being spanked by Wales 42-0? None, however, are as interesting as the magnificent French performance against England to wrap up the first weekend.

A French team that has been stereotyped as a poor defensive team came out with true brutality against an English team who have become known for their hard-hitting frantic pace and a team who Eddie Jones said would show the French “absolute brutality”. Jones’ pre-match antics made for an easy pep talk for the French and was probably a reason why they played as well as they did.

This French team is littered with talent across the squad, from enigmatic, try-scoring winger Teddy Thomas, the hard-working number 8 Gregory Alldritt, the skilful, calm 10 in Romain Ntamack to possibly the best player in the Six Nations and the most important player in the French squad Antoine Dupont. This squad is built on youth now, after a very successful Under 20’s side that has won the last two World Cups in a row, with Ntamack and Dupont starring in these triumphs.

With new head coach Fabien Galthié and assistant coach Shaun Edwards, France perfectly blended the French “Jouer” and Edwards’ tough rugby leaguestyle defence based on quick line speed and big hits in that magnificent first half at the Stade de France.

Edwards was debatably the star of last year’s Six Nations, as the Welsh squad he coached won the Grand Slam off of their defence, not conceding more than 20 points in any match and keeping defending champions Ireland to 7 points in the decisive fixture.

Him joining the French backroom staff is a big coup for the side that has underachieved in the 2010’s, despite reaching a World Cup final in 2011. Poor Six Nations performances and conflicts in the squad were a regular occurrence, along with the constant indecision at 10, from Freddie Michalak to Lionel Beauxis to François Trinh-Duc, but with Romain Ntamack starring now at only 20 years old, it looks like they finally have their out-half for the next decade at least.

So, the first match. The England game plan is based on getting an early try and managing the game from there, but most importantly, they don’t have the play catch up early. They draw up strike plays from lineouts which they hope to play in the first few minutes, but when they tried to use these strike plays, the French were just getting off the line and smashing the English backs from whence they came. As they attacked, ‘Les Bleus’ were crashing the English line hard and fast, with Dupont dictating the pace and he ended up creating the break for Teddy Thomas to make ground. Then, after some more phases, Ntamack drew in Kyle Sinckler and popped the ball inside for Vincent Rattez to score his first try for his country.

The English continued to knock on the door and had several opportunities in their opponent’s 22 but France found a way to cause an error and cleared their lines, including a beautiful 85 metre spiral kick from Montpellier fullback Anthony Bouthier. One of

these errors was a knock-on from debutant George Furbank, which led to a turnover and a pinpoint box kick from Dupont, which was gathered by Rattez and he executed a 2 on 1 to put new captain Charles Ollivon in for another try. After a penalty from Ntamack, the French went in 17-0 up at the break.

The French continued to play well in the second half but the English began to take advantage of the poor set-pieces that the French had. This was especially evident in the lineout, which could be a worry for potential Grand Slam hopes for the French, as the Irish and Welsh both have strong set-pieces.

Another issue for the French is Teddy Thomas.

On his day, he is the best winger on the planet, scoring tries for fun and causing opposing wingers to worry, but sometimes, like in the second half against England, Teddy gets lazy and cocky and decides not to defend. When you’re already a poor defender, like him, you should at least make a full effort. For example, for Johnny May’s first try, May kicks the ball through and Thomas casually jogs towards the ball as May is running at full pace, and even though Thomas had a head start, May beats him to the ball and scores. Then, for May’s second try, he makes a break and easily weaves past Thomas, as Thomas acts very casual again and makes a lazy attempt of a tackle and England got the game back to a 10 point difference, which gave the French a nervy final 20 minutes.

But they still won and, after defeating Italy comprehensively in the second game, they should celebrate and ride on this momentum for as long as they can if they hope to win their first Grand Slam since 2010.

How will the new Gaelic Football rules work?

By Oisín Bradley The inter-county Gaelic football calendar has kicked off once again for 2020, and yet again, all managers, players and referees have been forced to contend with a host of new rules and regulations.

Here, we cast our *expert* opinion on the new rules and how they will potentially affect the game from the grassroots up.

The Advanced Mark: Possibly the most contentious of the new rules.

Many supporters in the opening exchanges of the Allianz Leagues were quick to criticise the stopstart nature which inevitably slows the game and changes the dynamic of the game in a negative manner, pointing to the almost farcical nature of the Michael Murphy mark in the Donegal-Mayo Ballybofey clash, and rightly so. The mark was implemented to increase high-fielding in the fullforward line, and a punt pass into the chest being rewarded doesn’t sit right. The rule has potential if it is tweaked to a notion previously suggested by Colm Parkinson, where the ball is kicked from outside the 45-metre line to inside the 21-metre line.

The distance may be slightly too long between the kicker and receiver, however, this is the only

way to make the rule feasible, bar some new line on the pitch.

The Sin-Bin: Another rule that has caused controversy in recent times. There have been minor teething issues with the sin-bin rule, such as the Cillian McDaid issue in Galway vs Kerry in Round 2. However, this rule is one which has the potential to function at intercounty level once it gets fleshed out. Ultimately, the issue will rear its head lower down the food chain in club football. Even at the highest level of club football, referees are on their own, sometimes without a second neutral official to keep track. As someone who is involved in Ladies Football at club level, I have seen the issues when there is more than one player on the side-line. The referee, on occasion not of a high standard, becomes muddled, creating frustration from both players, supporters and managers. Due to issues in club games alone, I expect this rule to be binned soon enough.

Advanced kick out rules.

This is a rule I can get behind. There seems to be no flaw or complaint thus far. Moving the kick outs out to the 21-metre line leads to the goalkeeper kicking the ball further down the pitch, thus leading

to more attacks and thus a slightly more offensive spectacle. It greatly affects the dynamic of underage football as well, making for a game more similar to senior football at Under-14 and Under-16 level.

Tier-Two Championship There is a lot riding on the marketing and media coverage of a tier-two championship, in order to make the thought of a ‘B’ Championship appealing and encouraging to the supporters of the Division 3 and 4 clubs and casual watchers from other counties. A serious social media campaign from the top brass of the GAA will be crucial, as well as media coverage. Many television outlets (such as Virgin Media and TG4) should see this as a prime opportunity to make a case to the GAA to dislodge RTÉ from their monopoly on all coverage of the Senior Championship. Should this be marketed properly, then supporters will buy in, and with that comes a boost for players.

In essence, while these rules have some potential, they have been rushed in without much thought at Congress, bringing pressure to referees who are known to be unsure of the rules and the ins and outs of their functionality, even at the highest level. Expect much confusion come the heat of championship.

31

WIN TWO CLUBS’ BALL TICKETS! Crossword Clues

7 – Much like onions (or cake), this creature also has layers (4) 9 – Give it some _____! (5) 14 – A non-caffeinated tea option for your next trip to Smokey’s (7) 16 – Not acidic and definitely not too complicated (5) 17 – Following the release of the Christmas exam results, one must avoid the temptation to overthink and _____ every mistake (7) 18 – Very common respiratory disease (6) 19 – Vodafone’s deals offering free _____ are very handy for students wishing to communicate at a low cost (5) 20 – Acronym for the SU’s recent sexual health awareness week (4) 22 – Do you mean a mushroom or the dolphin? (5)

ACROSS 1 – Former hotel in Dangan, in the process of being rebuilt as luxury student accommodation (8) 4 – How we all used to say “cool” in the early 2010s (4) 8 – Opposite of confident (7) 10 – This artist is now just somebody that we used to know (5) 11 – Ancient Irish writing technique that involved carving lines (5) 12 – This saint has his day during the Christmas period (7) 13 – (See 2 Down) If Ms Jessica Parker visited the Gaeltacht (6) 15 – Peninsula containing Spain and Portugal (6) 19 – Many Irish homes are filled with these Christian symbols (7) 21 – Capital of Bulgaria (5) 23 – North African country still in the midst of a civil war that began in 2014 (5) 24 – This type of taxi cab originated in London (7) 25 – One Friday every month, this grant makes a lot of students very happy (4) 26 – Winner of Best Picture at this year’s Oscars (8)

ISSUE 7 SOLUTIONS N A M I B A A

DOWN

C

scin

t le Cárta

S P O R S A U C O R O F O K F T E K I S S A B E A N L M A S E B A R S R G T A N E E I A R R E

isc

I E L L L I G O T S T

*SU Card credit can be used at any of the SU outlets, including Sult, Smokey’s and the SU Shop, but not on alcohol or tobacco products.

Buy 10

HOT DRINKS

Get 1 FREE

C

SU CARD OFFER ir

T S O I N G S S

1ST PRIZE: 2 CLUBS’ BALL TICKETS 2ND PRIZE: €20 SU Card Credit 3RD PRIZE: €10 SU Card Credit

All you have to do is complete the crossword, then take a photo of the completed crossword page.

Send your photo in an email to editor.sin@gmail. com, with the subject “Crossword Competition Entry”, before Saturday February 22nd at 5pm to be in with a chance of winning.

Winners to be selected at random and will be announced from our BRAND NEW INSTAGRAM PAGE, “@sin_news”, on Monday February 24th.

Head over and follow us, and remember to keep an eye on it in case this is your lucky week!

ML

ML

int le Cárta

int le Cárta

C

STUDENTS’ UNION

S H C

ri

sci

nt le Cárta C

ML

SU CARD

i

int le Cárta

Ta

sc ri

ML

i

isc

iri

Ta

Ta

ir

Ta

cint le Cárta C

K E S H A

A T I O N E B O S E S L E L A I R I V D O R E D B R N E E B S E H I N D I T N N Y W A Y

ML

s iri

ML

Ta

1 – If it’s not Mac, it’s probably _____ (7) 2 – The face of hit TV show Sex and the City, _____ Jessica Parker (5) 3 – To be constantly thinking and worrying about something (like an FYP, or a thesis, for example) (6) 5 – The _____ is a very popular new Netflix show starring Henry Cavill (7) 6 – Verde/vert/grün/glas (5)

SU CARD OFFER

Ta

CO MÓ RTAS

February 18 2020

SU CARD OFFER

le Cárta cint CM ri is

P

YOU TAKE YOUR NEXT STEPS TO SPORTING EXCELLENCE

SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP PORGGMME PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

IMPORTANT DATES:

CLOSING DATE FOR ALL APPLICANTS 31ST MARCH 2020 INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 27TH APRIL AND 9TH MAY 2020 TO APPLY AND FOR MORE DETAILS LOG ONTO BIT.LY/SPORTSSCHOLARSHIP2020

APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOW OPEN