SIN Vol. 23 Issue 02 by SIN Newspaper University of Galway

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Winner: Best Newspaper at the National Student Media Awards 2019

Student Independent News Nuachtán saor in aisce · Vol. 23 Issue 02 · 05 Oct. 2021

NUI Galway student wins bronze at Tokyo Olympics

SIN speaks to Olympian Fiona Murtagh

It feels a bit like a dream, the medal is a reminder that it actually happened

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From Left to Right, Top to Bottom – Emily Hegarty, Aifric Keogh, Eimear Lambe, Giuseppe De Vita and Fiona Murtagh. Photo courtesy of Fiona Murtagh

By Darren Casserly It has been a hectic 18 months for Fiona Murtagh, who at the start of last year was working for Campus Living at NUI Galway, and went on to win an Olympic bronze medal in the coxless women’s four in Tokyo. SIN sat down with Fiona and asked her what factors impacted her journey towards becoming an Olympian, with one resounding factor arising; the support she received as an athlete. Support is something that is incredibly important to Murtagh and was

one of the reasons why she was able to make the jump to professional rowing at the start of 2020 and go on to win an Olympic bronze. She admitted to SIN that “So many people [were] in support of me going before I had the faith in myself.” It was in this environment that she began her rowing career, telling SIN that she started rowing because of her twin brother.She also says that she was extremely lucky because her friends were also rowers by chance, and that she “never looked back.”

Murtagh relayed to SIN that NUI Galway have been a huge support to her so far, stating “I was fortunate that the people around me have been the reason why I kept rowing” and as a student in the MBA in NUI Galway she is now part of the college’s elite athlete program. Talking about her homecoming in Moycullen after her success in Tokyo she says that “it was a personal highlight, something I’ll never forget.” Ireland’s support to their athletes was something that a lot of the Olympic athletes talked

about according to Fiona, and from talking to her coach, Italian Antonio Mauro Giovanni, “The Irish sense of community is something he’s never seen.” When talking about her goals for silverware in the Paris Olympics she says “That is my goal, I want to win Olympic gold.” She told SIN that resting on her laurels for the next Olympics is not an option, and that nothing is taken for granted in the selection of rowers to represent Ireland. However, this is a CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

News · Nuacht

Editorial By Valerie McHugh Hello everyone, welcome back to another issue of SIN, and a very special hello to our brand new readers in the first year class! This week’s front page features our exclusive interview with Tokyo Olympian Fiona Murtagh which is undoubtedly the highlight of this week’s issue. Meeting an actual Olympian and holding a real bronze medal was decidedly surreal, and a very special thanks to our Sports Editor Darren Casserly for conducting the interview. As well as this, there are a bunch of fantastic health and lifestyle articles in this issue to enlighten you, and there are even some handy recipes for you to implement into your busy schedule. Our news section is as full as ever and will keep you up to date on the happenings around the college. Our Cainte section continues to bring the Irish language to the forefront and teach you lots of key words that you might be able to implement into your vocabulary as some of you begin college for the first time. Plus, Saoirse is back with her Erasmus diary and honestly, there’s something so magical about reading her travel tales all the way from Tallinn. For you opinion lovers, have a look at David’s section for some compelling points of view and stimulating perspectives. This issue has it all. Now, to you! If you would like to get involved in SIN, email me on editor. sin@gmail.com. We would love to have you on our team! But for now, enjoy issue 2!

@NuigSin @sin_news Student Independent News, NUI Galway

SU Says... By Cora Clarke

Vice President for Welfare and Equality After the year we’ve had, the importance of meaningful social connections has become apparent to every single one of us and with students back on campus, making those connections looks a lot like it did pre-pandemic. The ability to go to SULT after class, meet new people at a society event or through training with one of the clubs is an element of college life that we welcome back with open arms. Not everyone has to be your best friend for life, but forging relationships with people in your classes, or people with similar interests is a vital part of college life and will lead to a myriad of fun stories to tell down the line about what you got up to in the days of your youth. This

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

is the importance of getting involved, be it in the union or in the variety of things available to you through the college. If you do want to meet new people you can also get involved in the union in a variety of ways, we would be more than happy to have you! You can run to be a class rep and work with your convenor throughout the year to make sure your class’s voice is heard. You can join the events crew and help our SU President Róisín organise all sorts of fun events throughout the year. Or, you can join me on the welfare crew to help me brainstorm and run events and campaigns about anything and everything welfare related. You can even run for election to be our new sustainability officer and join our team! There really is something for everyone so make sure you throw yourself into college life to get the most out of it and to make friends, it can be lonely at times and this is how you can combat that and build a support network!

NUI Galway student wins bronze at Tokyo Olympics CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE challenge she is relishing stating that “the element of the unknown is quite exciting.” The number of rowers that have gone to the Olympics has grown exponentially over the last decade with the expertise of the coaches becoming a strong factor. She says, “It’s their expertise that’s making things very successful at the minute.” The jump that rowing has taken over the last ten years is exceptional, but Murtagh hasn’t forgotten who laid the groundwork that rowing Ireland has built. She mentions the likes of Sanita Puspure who was one of the first successful rowers in Ireland. “When I was growing up it was just Sanita […] she is my complete idol” When asked what advice she would give to a young rowers Fiona concludes by saying “The people around you are very important. Have a support system around you, don’t try and do it on your own because it’s not going to happen. You need support.”

Fiona Murtagh photographed with her Olympic bronze medal alongside SIN Sports Editor Darren Casserly.

An bhfuil rud éigin le rá agat? Cur litir chuig an Eagarthóir.

Editor: Valerie McHugh – editor.sin@gmail.com

Find us online: www.sin.ie

News · Nuacht

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Alumnus becomes NUI Galway’s first Traveller Education Officer 5

INSIDE this issue... News

NUI Galway among universities set to lose combined commercial revenue of €40 million

Galway student housing crisis continues

Galway STEM students eligible for €250,000 in academic grants

Features Café crawl

Fast Fashion: ruining our planet and it’s people

Dine in Galway — Rúibín 8

Woes of a mid-pandemic second year university student 11 Student Diaries

Opinion The mullet strikes back

Are cartoons becoming more adult-oriented?

The various bodies of a book – paperback or electronic? 16

Should we be preparing for annual COVID-19 booster vaccines? 17

Arts & Fashion “Dance for Parkinson’s” explores the inclusivity of the movement of music

Met Gala 2021: Who stuck to the theme?

Health & Lifestyle Inside my makeup bag — September cruelty-free edition 24 Action for Climate Change: Live an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle 25

From Inis Oirr to NUI Galway: A Currachs’ journey to Culture Night

Autumn Chat: Coffee

Why travel in September?

Cainte 18

It’s all about feeling tea-riffic! 22

Agallamh Quickfire – Póilín Nic Géidigh 29

Katie Taylor – the gem in our Irish sporting crown? 32

Alt Tuairimíochta: Tionchar seirbhísí comhairleoireachta ar líne ar ár meabhairshláinte

Sport USA ‘Ryde’ momentum to victory

Katie Taylor – the gem in our Irish sporting crown?

Joshua no longer top dog in boxing world

A huge thanks to our team!

Ethne Tierney Arts & Fashion Editor

Valerie McHugh Editor

Ewelina Szybinska Health & Lifestyle Editor

Darragh Nolan Deputy Editor, News Co-editor

Caitlin Murphy Cainte Editor (Irish)

Caoimhe Killeen News Co-editor

Darren Casserly Sports Editor

Anastasia Burton Features Editor

Katie Barragry Online Editor

David Cendon Garcia Opinion Co-editor

Aine Fogarty Online Editor

News · Nuacht

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

NUI Galway among universities set to lose combined commercial revenue of €40 million By Caoimhe Killeen Co-News Editor NUI Galway is among the eight Irish universities set to lose a combined €40 million in commercial income in the current academic year. These figures come from estimates by eight universities across the country including NUI Galway, University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin, with the figures set to reach €270 million overall. The loss in commercial income is due to the financial strain that has been placed on colleges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to the loss of additional revenue earned through tourism, conferences, accommodation, and sports facilities. NUI Galway President and chair of the Irish Universities Association Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh has urged the Government to increase their overall investment in higher education and research by providing a package of more than €900 million for the sector. “Government have been considering funding reform options for the higher education sector for a number of months, based on an EU-sponsored study,” stated Mr Ó hÓgartaigh. “Our students deserve better now – and investing in our students is an investment in our future now.”

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President Ó hÓgartaigh also stated that it was ‘imperative’ that the Government acts on long-standing funding recommendations in Budget 2022, consistent with commitments previously made in the Programme for Government. SIN understands that the Irish University Association has also made their own submission proposals for Budget 2022 which will take place in Daíl Eireann on Tuesday, October 22nd. The proposals are framed around supporting the core elements of the Strategy of the Department of Further and Higher

Of 36 OECD countries, The “Education At a Glance 2021” report has ranked Ireland in last place when it comes to investing in education services.

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Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The proposals include €155 million in extra core funding, €290 million in capital funding in a Green Campus initiative in line with the Climate Action Plan and €64 million to expand access to higher education for disadvantaged students and fund key initiatives on consent. There have also been proposals for €83 million euro to be invested on skills to improve upon employment growth and a fund of €37.5 million euro proposed to promote Ireland as a destination for international students. However, the biggest amount proposed is the €278.5 million euro for research and innovation which will “provide the cutting-edge facilities and the talent to deliver breakthrough research that will sustain Ireland as a globally competitive economy.” This call from the President of NUI Galway and the Irish Universities Association to invest also coincides with the release of a new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. The “Education At a Glance 2021” report has ranked Ireland in last place when it comes to investing in education services. The report ranked 36 countries based on how much of its GDP is spent on education. Ireland only spends 3.6% of its GDP on education which is about 1.6% lower than the OCED average. Tuition fees set by Irish college for undergraduate degrees were also the most expensive across the data complied across the 36 countries but were lowered for national students due to government support.

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News · Nuacht

Alumnus becomes NUI Galway’s first Traveller Education Officer By Darragh Nolan NUI Galway has appointed alumnus Owen Ward as its first fulltime Traveller Education Officer. The new Traveller Education Officer will focus on assisting the Traveller community in overcoming barriers to higher education and ensuring students both remain and enjoy success in the University. Owen, who is a member of the Traveller community and a qualified teacher, will work in conjunction with a number of Traveller organisations and the wider Traveller community to better understand the barriers facing Irish Travellers within higher education. “The main objective of the project is to support the development of recruitment and support strategies and evidence-based teaching and learning methods in an effort to address the low levels of Travellers in higher education,” he said. “It will empower Travellers in post-primary, further education and mature students to progress to higher education and build a sense of belonging, while being successful during their studies at NUI Galway.” He noted that the project would be a continuation of the University’s efforts in increasing participation in higher education amongst Travellers. His work as Traveller Education Officer will be key in the broader efforts of NUI Galway’s Access Centre. The Access Centre

provides opportunities for a range of students, including those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. The Head of the Access Centre Imelda Byrne said she was “absolutely thrilled for Owen, his family and his community” and that all involved in the Access Centre “are very excited to see” what he bring to the role. Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris highlighted NUI Galway’s position at the forefront of working towards a higher education system that is inclusive of the Traveller community. “Owen is an incredible role model for his family and the wider Traveller community. He has overcome adversity and changed the course of not only his own future but that of the wider Traveller community. “As we strive towards a more inclusive higher education system for all, I have no doubt that Owen will play a huge part in this in the future. I wish him well in this new role and I want to commend NUI Galway for continuing to play a leadership role in this area.” In November 2020, the Department of Further and Higher Education highlighted studies showing that 61 Travellers were in higher education. There are over 30,000 Irish Travellers in the country according to the 2016 Census. The studies also found that roughly 1% of Travellers have attended third-level education.

NUI Galway Traveller Education Officer Owen Ward celebrates with Jason Sherlock after the Traveller student was conferred with a First Class Hons, BA Economic, Sociology and Political Science.

T&Cs Apply. Offer ends 31/12/2021.

Galway student housing crisis continues as more than 200,000 students return to university across the country By Vera O’Brien A protest, organised by the Galway Homeless and Housing Coalition, saw many public figures and students rally together to voice their demands for purpose built, affordable student accommodation in Galway city. A spokesperson for the Galway Coalition said there has been a 9.5% increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation in Galway in the first three months of the year, with many students residing in hotels and B&Bs. The protest, which was held in Eyre Square, was attended by Students’ Union members, homelessness campaign groups, and members of the Galway Traveller Movement. The President of the NUI Galway Students’ Union, Roisin Nic Lochlainn gave a speech at the protest, stating that students have been left in desperate situations. She also commented that there are more than 3,000 students on waiting lists for on-campus accommodation in both Corrib Village and Goldcrest Village. The Students’ Union President also took to Twitter to voice concerns over the decision to cease operation of the Oranmore-Craughwell-Loughrea city bus route after 6PM. She said the course of action taken by Bus Éireann left many students feeling concerned about being able to attend classes. “Students are getting in contact with us asking for buses to be put back on so they can actually get to and from college. If there are no beds, and no buses, how can they attend?” Julie Moran, a second-year Commerce student, told SIN about her struggles in finding accommodation in Galway. “As soon as a room or house was advertised, I’d email the letting agent or landlord to schedule a viewing but I would get a response within the hour saying the room was gone. I lost count of how many times this happened, and I was panicked that I would have to resort to emergency accommodation. It’s just not how you want the start of your college experience to go.” “Thankfully I ended up getting a room in a house near college, but that was only via a friend of a friend. I don’t think I would have found a place if I had continued to look online.” In recent years, there has been an unprecedented growth in participation in higher education, while this year has seen the return of more than 200,000 students to third-level education. NUI Galway are urging students to use their student accommodation search engine Studentpad to aid in finding accommodation for the academic year. The search engine lists local properties for rent that may be suitable for college students. Students can login to Studentpad via https://www.nuigstudentpad.ie/Accommodation. https://www.nuigstudentpad.ie/Accommodation

News · Nuacht

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40% of students find money to be a constant worry By Caoimhe Killeen A new collaborative survey between Spunout. ie and the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has revealed almost half of all Irish college students find money to be a constant stress. The survey has revealed 40% of students find money, with around 88% of students worrying about money in general. 71% of students stated working a part-time job alongside college helped to cover their college tuition fees, with 40% relying on student grants such as SUSI and 59% relying on financial support from their parents. Financial concerns other than tuition fees included keeping part-time jobs, paying rent and travel expenses. NUI Galway Students’ Union Vice President Cora Clarke has stated that balancing a parttime job and college can have “detrimental impacts on not only a student’s mental health but also on their education.” “The struggle to find part time work that will fit to your schedule as a student often means you are left to work night shifts. Students are forced to work undesirable hours in undesirable jobs for a less than ideal wage, on top of their full-time commitment as a student” continued Clarke. “On top of this students often miss lectures due to pressure from their managers to take on shifts that don’t suit them, meaning their education, which they are working so hard to afford is impacted negatively by this. It is completely ridiculous to expect students to continue to live this way” finished Clarke. NUI Galway Student’s Union President Roísin Ni Lochlainn has stated that unfortunately, the findings of the survey do not come as a surprise. “Year after year, we see more students priced out of education, with the ever-increasing rents, the rising cost of living and a student grant system that is not fit for purpose” explained Ní Lochlainn. “The SUSI grant has dropped 7% since 2012, despite the cost of living in Ireland having risen to be at an estimation of €12,495 a year. NUI Galway has the highest amount of SUSI recipients in the country, but the full SUSI grant does not even cover the average months’ rent now. For a lot of students, the time comes where they must choose between paying their rent or not eating for a week. Ní Lochlainn continued that the current situation was completely unsustainable for students and affected the entire student body from “student nurses, to international students, to students from just down the road. When we talk about suicide prevention, it isn’t just crisis text lines that comes into that, it is affordable housing, affordable healthcare, financial security.”

However, a range of financial supports are available for NUI Galway students. “There is SUSI, and if anyone encounters any issue [with SUSI] they can come to the SU and we can assist with appeals etc. There is the financial aid fund; Means Tested, Hardship Emergency, and HEAR/ DARE. There are also scholarships available, and the chaplaincy have a small emergency fund for those in need. There is also the laptop loan scheme for students in need of a laptop, which opens in October.” In addition to the resources offered by NUI Galway, Spunout and the ILCU have also furthered their collaboration to produce new content. The module which is titled “Money on Your Mind” helps students gain a better

understanding on how to manage and budget their money based on the findings of the survey. Amy Lewis, Senior Content Producer with Spunout states: “We based our articles around the main financial concerns reported by new and returning students.” Students showed an interest in learning more about creating a personal budget, saving money, getting a loan and investing, and we created articles to address each of these. As our survey results showed that 88% of students worry about money, we also felt it was important to provide supportive information for dealing with financial stress.” Spunout’s top tip for student is to seek support and to talk to someone about your financial stress. “If students are feeling stressed about money, the most important thing to do is seek support” states Lewis. “Talking to someone can help you to ease your worries and allow you to create a plan to resolve your financial challenges. Remember that you are not alone. Many people experience financial stress at some point in life.” Spunout also has a free 24/7 text message support service for students who also need emotional support from financial stress which can be reached out at 50808.

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

News · Nuacht

Galway STEM students eligible for €250,000 in academic grants By Darragh Nolan €250,000 in academic grants will be awarded to third-level STEM students in Ireland as part of a new scheme announced by Huawei Ireland. STEM students in Galway are invited to apply for the tech company’s Seeds for the Future programme. The programme will allocate bursaries worth €5,000 each to 50 students who take part in the Seeds for the Future programme. Launched in 2015, Seeds for the Future offers STEM students in Ireland the opportunity to be part of an online event teaching them about the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. The programme provides students with a range of courses focusing on developments in technologies such as smart cities, artificial intelligence and 5G. Seeds for the Future will also feature lectures delivered by senior engineers at Huawei and leaders in the ICT industry. Sustainable technology and strategic leadership are among the topics Participants will experience a virtual tour of Huawei’s campuses and the company’s flagship store in the city of Shenzhen.

The students chosen to be involved will also be immersed in Chinese culture through tours of the country’s famous cities, learning Mandarin and receiving an inside look at the operation of businesses based in China. This year’s edition of the event will for the first time see students take part in Huawei’s Tech4Good project. The new

initiative aims to challenge students to use the technology at their disposal to tackle societal and environmental problems. Tech4Good will see students working in teams and presenting projects to a panel of judges. The results will contribute to students’ eligibility for the scholarship. “Huawei is committed to investing in Ireland’s future ICT workforce and we see this scholarship programme as another way to help these students enhance their capabilities as they continue their STEM studies,” said Luke McDonnell, Senior Communications Director at Huawei Ireland. Our Seeds for the Future programme has proven very successful and we look forward to welcoming more students to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this year,” he added. Applications to Huawei Ireland’s Seeds for the Future can be submitted by both undergraduate and postgraduate students to seedsireland@huawei.com. Applications should include either an essay or short video expressing interest in the programme and why the applicant should be chosen to take part. Those who are accepted to the programme will be in with a chance of receiving one of the 50 bursaries worth €5,000. The deadline for submissions is October 14th 2021.

National Agency for Erasmus+ Léargas launches strategy aimed at boosting inclusion By Darragh Nolan Léargas has launched a new strategy aimed at providing international learning opportunities for all, with a particular focus on people who are less advantaged. The not-for-profit organisation hopes to offer participants opportunities or ‘mobilities’ and the chance to travel to other European countries, learn languages and engage with vocational education. Léargas’ strategy identifies three key points to address over the next three years. First, raising awareness of the various educational programmes on offer in order to ensure the inclusion of people from all walks of life. The organisation will also continue to work with youth organisations across Ireland and Europe. In addition, the strategy for 2021-2023 aims to enhance the delivery of their programmes, compliance and management of funding.

Executive Director of Léargas Lorraine Gilligan said she was “very excited” to launch the new strategy alongside Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris. “We in Léargas have worked hard to balance the knowledge and commitment demonstrated by our staff with the ambition we have for our new programmes in this strategic statement. “We’re planning to make waves with our programmes, our partnerships and most importantly, with the people who reach their full potential by taking the plunge into EU Programmes with us.” She said a number of new Erasmus+ programmes have created a “renewed focus” on areas such as inclusion and diversity and the fight against climate change. Speaking at the launch of the strategy, Minister Harris highlighted the potential positive impact these learning experiences can have on students.

“Mobilities afford participants the chance to improve language skills, gain self-confidence and independence and immerse themselves in a new culture. Studying, or training, or volunteering in another European country can help our learners and young people to blossom and grow. “The pandemic has shown us all how much we rely on and value human connections; now that we can consider – safely! – re-affirming them in person, I’d encourage all learners to be open to participating in these international learning experiences. Even short-term periods abroad can be transformational.” Research conducted by Léargas found that 95% of participants in Vocational Education and Training mobilities came away with a stronger ability to interact with those from different cultures. Further information on Léargas’ new strategy for 2021-2023 is available via the organisations website www.leargas.ie.

Features · Gné-altanna

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Peruvian Old Fashioned. Photo @ruibingalway on Instagram

Dine in Galway – Rúibín By Caroline Giles In terms of the Galway food scene, Rúibín could be defined as a relatively new kid on the block having only opened its doors in Summer 2019. In the short period between opening and the forced closure due to the pandemic, Rúibín made a great impression on Galway food lovers. Having never been, I was looking forward to the opportunity. Overlooking the Galway docklands, the interior is warm and inviting. Exposed brick walls, large gold rimmed mirrors and frames accompanied by twinkling candlelight give the space an intimate and cool touch. Downstairs, the bar offers a more laid-back vibe whilst upstairs, where my party of four had opted to dine, presents as more formal. The bar and restaurant have separate menus but as I was keen to sample some of the bar options, I asked if it would be possible to choose from both. Alas, I was informed that they do not mix the menus which means I will have to return

Rúibín, Irish for a small ruby stone, is undoubtedly a jewel in the Galway food scene.

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to sample the bar offerings some other time. We began with four different cocktails from the creative and ever-changing menu: Salted Caramel Rum, Love & Lemons, The Notorious F.I.G and The Cloudy Orchard. The different flavours fuelled conversation amongst us with an overall

The view of the docks from the window of Rúibín. Inset: Kelly’s Oysters, fermented chilli salsa & lemon. Photos @ruibingalway on Instagram

agreement that the winner was the bourbon fused Love & Lemons. To start we shared the Kelly’s oysters with frozen blackberry and cucamelon. Oysters can be intimidating but the flavour combinations were refreshing and easy on the palette. Another shared starter was easily the star dish of the night: the pig cheek fritters with green bean chutney and smoked garlic aioli. The ingredients worked really well together and left us wanting more. For mains we all opted for fish with one guest ordering the poached cod served with potato, olive and tomato broth. The rest of the table went for turbot served with chicken butter, chanterelles, greens and crispy chicken skin. All of the mains were cooked and presented well and showcased great use of seasonal and flavourful ingredients. Choosing from the extensive wine menu we paired the fish with a well-balanced French Sauvignon Blanc which elevated the taste of the dishes. I am a huge fan of the no-uniform policy at Rúibín. The friendly and knowledgeable servers can each express their individuality and wear clothes they are comfortable and confident in which adds to the cool contemporary vibe. A downside is that broke students may not be able to afford the prices at Rúibín, however it is a beautiful venue for a splurge whether it be a date-night, graduation dinner or other special occasion. Rúibín, Irish for a small ruby stone, is undoubte dly a jewel in the Galway food scene.

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Features · Gné-altanna

Café crawl

@jungle.cafe.galway on Instagram

By Rachel Garvey Welcome to your own personal guide that will give you a rundown of some of Galway’s best coffee shops where you can indulge yourself with tasty treats and sip yourself into ecstasy with cups of coffee and hot chocolates. You’ve heard of a pub crawl, now say hello to the café crawl! Here are my top five favourite cafés:

Java’s Creperie and Café Francais

Situated in the cosy one-way street of Abbeygate Street, this homely creperie has built a reputation for its delicious sweet and savoury crepes. From the second you enter Java’s threshold; you’ll be greeted @javascafegalway on Instagram

Jungle Café Galway

“Go to the Jungle Café,” they said. “It’ll be fun,” they said. They were right! Situated between New Coach Bus Station and Galway’s Train Station, this funky café brings tropical paradise vibes that’ll make you feel better on those rainy days. You have a generous variety of new foods to try like jungle salads, falafel burgers as well as iced coffees and coconuts. Come and experience jungle life like Mowgli and Baloo!

An Tobar Nua

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“Go to the Jungle Café,” they said. “It’ll be fun,” they said. They were right! This funky café brings tropical paradise vibes that’ll make you feel better on those rainy days. with a homely vibe and friendly staff. If you want a personal recommendation, order the Chocolate Liegois; a crepe decorated with chocolate sauce, flaked almonds with 1 scoop of vanilla ice-cream, 1 scoop of chocolate ice-cream and fresh cream. Sip away at a cup of Java’s best hot chocolate while you look out on to the streets of Galway, slipping into a relaxed state and thinking “I could get used to this!”.

The Secret Garden

Take a trip down Shop Street, down past Monroe’s and stumble upon The Secret Garden café located on William Street. This café has grown to be the love of one’s life from locals to students to tourists who visit Galway. The café offers over 100 types of tea that come from all over the world so if you’re a tea fanatic then this place should be on your bucket list. Upon visiting it myself, I was seated comfortably among cushions in a little secluded area where I could appreciate the handmade furniture and the artwork from local artists. The visit is also worthwhile if you’re a lover of cats; the resident cat wanders @thesecretgardengalway around saying hello to every new on Instagram and familiar stranger.

@antobarnuacafe on Instagram

Nestled comfortably on Dominick Street, An Tobar Nua is an Irish and American café with views of the canal and just a stone’s throw away from The Claddagh. Their menu offers breakfast options, grilled food, soups and so much more. An Tobar Nua also holds retreats “inspiring students to a life of meaning, value & purpose.” Come on over and enjoy a coffee on the canal in a cosy and quiet environment.

The Creamery

Located in Galway’s bustling entertainment area with casinos, Curry’s funfair and the Prom is this cute little coffee shop offers a range of vegetarian and gluten free foods, milkshakes, ice creams and a selection of teas. Why not enjoy a walk on the Promenade, fill your lungs with some healthy fresh sea air and afterwards venture to the creamery and enjoy a coffee or some quality food while admiring the sea-side view from your perch. @thecreamerycafe on Instagram

Features · Gné-altanna

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Fast Fashion: the disposable commodity that’s ruining our planet and it’s people By Charlotte Lavin The term ‘fast fashion’ is on everyone’s lips now, as the business model has often been questioned in recent years. Its principles are simple: high volume of clothes, low quality. Elizabeth Cline, author of the book Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost Of Cheap Fashion, explains it well by talking about the two aspects of fast fashion: the constant novelty and variety of new clothing pieces available in stores, and the low prices to allow you to buy new items as often as possible. Fast fashion’s supply chain is described by an acceleration, since the 2000s, of the cycle of the production, distribution, consumption and disposal of the products. Fast fashion’s business model is to produce rapidly high volumes of garments, replication trends and what is seen on catwalks. If there used to be two to four seasons in fashion, things are now very different. Some companies go as far as renewing their collections every other week, or every week, with marketing strategies based on a constant churn of new inventory. The clothing industry did not used to be that way. Clothes were more expensive, but you fixed them, cherished them, wore the hands-me-down and when you finally outgrown them, then you bought new ones. And then about 20 years ago, shopping for clothes in the United States and Europe stopped being an occasional event. Not only did clothes become cheaper but as they did, the trend cycles changed: fashion became fast fashion. Collections became “capsules” collections. Clothes are so cheap Clean lines; dirty water. The fashion industry produces 92 million tonnes of waste per year, waste that often ends up being burned.

now, they have become a disposable commodity. But the dirty little secret is no secret at all: if it’s cheap for you, someone else has to pay the price. Let’s stop here for a second: without even thinking about the ecological and ethical aspects of fast fashion, is it really better for our wallets in the long run? Your clothing is now designed to fall apart. Planned obsolescence does not exist only for washing machines. And on a global level, the cost of fast fashion is unbelievably high. Muditi Kamboj, founder of the sustainable brand Label Mayu, says one of her first professional experiences was in an export house in India, which was producing garments for fast fashion brands such as H&M or Zara. “Working there, I could see what was wrong with the industry, and how things were really working,” she reflects. She says the biggest issue was the way the workers were treated. “Employers didn’t care about the workers,” she tells me, adding there was not really any social protection or support. “Workplace harassment was also a big issue.” She says boundaries and privacy were not respected. “It was really disheartening to see how unethical the industry was.” Kamboj stops before adding: “Everything on paper looks so good, so perfect, but the reality is very different.” Kamboj explains that the fast fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, and that one of the biggest problems is the waste it generates: in the fast fashion industry, 92 million tonnes of waste is produced per year. “Waste is often dumped outside Europe and the US, generating a lot of pollution because it often has to be burned,” says Kamboj. “The high carbon footprint of fast fashion does not just come from the supply chain but also from these activities, happening on the other side of the world.” Perhaps even more telling is the following figure: 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 are released by the textile industry per year. So there you have it: you cannot fight climate change without looking into your wardrobe.

Photo by Yogendra Singh from Pexels

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Features · Gné-altanna

Woes of a mid-pandemic second year university student By Roisin Kerrigan Two weeks have passed since we set off on another academic year at NUI Galway, and from the point of view of this second year, it has been a complete shock to the system. As one of the unfortunate graduates of the class of 2020, leaving secondary school one random Thursday, beginning our university careers completely online, finally getting to walk onto the campus grounds was bound to cause a shock to our secluded selves. Let’s face it, everyone was in the same boat last year. Isolated. We are now slowly but surely getting back to a new form of normal, but I do wonder if many people were actually prepared to go on campus for the first time. I have noticed a great range on the enthusiasm spectrum in 2nd-year students. There is a cocktail of emotions, anxiety and excitement being the most prevalent. I am still struggling to find my way to each of my lectures, and I find myself asking one question. Who really knows

how to work the campus map? I think that I am en route to the human biology building and find myself in the wrong lecture in the Arts Millennium building. Last Thursday, I thought I was walking into Constitutional law and realised a few minutes into the lecture that I was in a science class. I didn’t have the heart to get up and walk out, but at least I now know about chemotaxis. Did you know that bacteria can swim towards or away from chemicals? I didn’t, but I do now. Being a second-year student, normally one would understand how the library works, or at least where it was. I don’t know about you, but I just sit wherever I can find a desk and start reading through the countless emails from people asking if I would be interested in giving tours to the incoming first years. Let me tell you now in case you haven’t figured it out already, I am not qualified to give a tour of campus. I would intend to take the poor first years to the library and somehow end up at GMIT. Studying this year, with a mixture of online and in-person has been so much

easier. As the lectures are back to their old ways of seeing their students in person it has been easier to gauge their reactions to the material, and continue working from there. Students are finally speaking up and sharing ideas in class because unlike on Zoom there are no names to see and people to judge. We can take comfort in being just another voice in the theatre, and there are no more awkward breakout rooms. I cannot believe the amount of reading I have to do, and the number of books I have bought is ridiculous. Out of curiosity, I measured the height of my new stack of schoolbooks, and I was horrified. I, for context, am 5ft7’, and this stack of books stands at the tall height of 4ft 9’. Since Covid took over the world in 2020, studying has changed drastically, but I am hopeful that we will find our way back to normality. We have hopefully been through the worst of it, and survived. Surely it can only get better from here. Let’s wear our masks and take every day as it comes and try to enjoy the year.

Galway Poet releases new poetry book that deals with hard-hitting themes By Saoirse Higgins Galway poet, Danielle Holian, has released her third poetry book entitled Surviving You with a focus on mental health, love, heartbreak, trauma and everything in between. Danielle is a Tuam-born poet who has been writing since her days in secondary school. She’s now focusing her writing skills on telling a story through poetry in her honest and vulnerable new book. “Writing my third poetry book, Surviving You, the inspiration for this was many things in my life from mental health, love, loss, and trauma,” Danielle explained. “Writing for me is like therapy – and I feel anything I write allows me to process and heal at my own pace.”

Surviving You is broken up into four sections, each detailing that part of Danielle’s journey. The Breaking is the first section of the book and starts off with a compelling poem about bullying, depression and learning to love yourself, truly fitting with Danielle’s intended themes of the book. The last section of the novel is called ‘The Making’ and Danielle explained how this part was her favourite. “I love the end chapter titled ‘The Making’ as it includes poetry of where I am today with a positive outlook on my life. Looking through this part for a ‘favourite poem’ is difficult so I would have to say the entire chapter.”

Danielle believes there’s something for everyone in her book and hopes people won’t be afraid to dive in and give her a chance. “For all my books I want people to go into the read with an open heart and open eyes to find themselves in whichever story seems fitting. I don’t expect someone to resonate with every part of my books, but I feel there’s something for everyone once they give my work a chance,“ she said. “I tread carefully writing about hard-hitting topics, as well as letting others know these are my stories in my words. I write for the hearts that need mending, the voices that need to be heard, and the souls that need healing.” If Surviving You sounds like your cup of tea, then you can buy her book in several online bookstores like Amazon and Book Depository.

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Features · Gné-altanna

Erasmus Diary

Mature Students Diary By Aoife Burke

By Saoirse Higgins Hi everyone and welcome back to our second issue this semester. As the title describes, I am currently on Erasmus. I’m based in Stockholm, Sweden and it is as lovely as it sounds. Plenty to see and do, it’s hard to be bored here. However, I have been travelling a lot, which Is part of the whole Erasmus experience really. I went to Tallinn, Estonia several weeks ago. It was beautiful. It honestly looked like a fairy tale. Towers everywhere and stunning churches. I even got to light a candle in the main Orthodox Christian church in the city, it was great. Plus, we got cheap coffee and pancakes when we arrived, what more could you ask for? The weekend I’m writing this, I went to visit my dad. He lives on an island called Aero (yes, like the chocolate bar) in southern Denmark. It’s really beautiful, no matter the weather. It was stormy when I arrived, which made the ferry trip to the island quite sickening. However, I am on my way back to Stockholm now as I write this. A four-hour train trip from Malmo to Stockholm. Feels like going from Buncrana to Skibbereen. I guess what I’m trying to say by telling you all this, that if you’re going on Erasmus or

“

This is a perfect

opportunity to see

new places and

experience different

cultures. You are easily connected to half a dozen

different countries.

HOT MEALS

Hi there everybody! Well, we are nearly into October, and I have to say the time is flying. I am learning loads on my internship at Flirt FM. I am just waiting for the weather to turn groggy and then what will we do? I had an excellent summer, I worked hard but then I rewarded myself with a couple of shopping sprees. I still don’t have my driving license, but I didn’t have time for lessons. I definitely feel a sense of nostalgia for I made some great connections in the first year and then they moved on or graduated. However, I am excited about meeting new friends in next year’s final year of English. I am doing a lot of story searching during my internship, looking up stories and chasing leads. Of course, they would need to be relevant to students! I do have a weekend job, as I mentioned before, which I love, as a care assistant. I love looking after my clients. I have a lot on my plate at the moment and sometimes I need to pause and take a deep breath. However, I am doing what I love to do, and I am incredibly grateful. When I want to unwind, I put on some music and do some online shopping! Until next time guys – Aoife are on Erasmus, then travel as much as you can. Ireland has many beauties because of it being an island, however we are separated from the rest of Europe because of it. This is a perfect opportunity to see new places and experience different cultures. You are easily connected to half a dozen different countries. Don’t be afraid to travel by yourself as well, there is a lot of value in being able to do what you want to do in your own time. And you can pretend to be the main character of a Sally Rooney novel. These experiences and so valuable especially after the pandemic. We’ve been stuck in our rooms for nearly a year and a half and all of us are too young for that. So, without sounding too preachy, I urge you to take to the skies and get a train and explore what is out there while you still can. So, if you made it this far in my diary, thanks for reading. I look forward to updating you on my adventures. I’ll see you next time. Saoirse in Tallinn, Estonia

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Opinion · Tuairim

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Business in the front, party in the back – The mullet strikes back By Robert Kindregan Mullets are back. In a strange turn of events the pandemic has created the perfect breeding ground for a mullet renaissance. The infamous haircut began as a protest to conventional beauty in the 70s, becoming synonymous with a rebellious and rockstar lifestyle. It can now be seen all over NUI Galway’s campus. Rock legends Keith Richards, David Bowie and Paul McCartney were amongst those setting the trend leading to mullet-mania, one of the big counter-culture movements of the 80s.

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It is almost as if his mullet hypnotised viewers into turning a blind eye to his animal mistreatment, meth use, and murder for hire plot.

Joe Exotic. Image: State of Florida on Wikimedia Commons

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Barber closures over the last year resulted in hair b eing grown to lengths that people could never have dreamt of. It was either the waiting game or a questionable homecut in the mirror for most. This A self-styled “modern mullet”. meant that as Photo by Wordzandguitar barbers finally on Wikimedia Commons. reopened, they were met with hair lengths that could be styled into a wider range of options. In other words, it became much more feasible to get a mullet as there was more hair to work with. But we needed inspiration. Tiger King’s Joe Exotic is possibly the most unexpected star of the pandemic. The timing of the bizarre and whacky Netflix documentary shot Joe Exotic and his mullet into superstardom. This journey of a man gone wild was epitomized by his bleach blonde mullet. It is almost as if his mullet hypnotised viewers into turning a blind eye to his animal mistreatment, meth use, and murder for hire plot. We had no reason to like this man as much as we did, it had to be the mullet. It seems that the combination of barber closures and a mullet wearing TV star were enough to kickstart the resurgence. Of course, all fashion is cyclical. The business in the front, party in the back cut hadn’t really been seen since the Beastie Boys in the 90s. So maybe it was due to return. Afterall, it was the Beastie Boys who coined the term mullet in the song Mullet Head. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, despite the hairstyle being prominent since ancient times (the 60s), it remained unnamed until the Beastie Boys. This polarizing look takes a lot of confidence to pull off, you might need the ability to not take yourself too seriously, a trait many lack. Joe exotic didn’t seem take himself too seriously, but he was helped in returning mullets to their former glory by another free spirit, Miley Cyrus. It’s no surprise she followed in her father, Billy Ray Cyrus’, footsteps. She originally just wanted to pay homage to his look but instead instigated the modern twist on a classic look. The modern mullet is more relaxed and now female friendly. Miley Cyrus began rocking her mullet in 2020. Since then, Rihanna has followed suit alongside Halsey and Billie Eilish. Mullets now come in so many variations that there’s a style for everyone. The basic cut is short on the front and side with long hair at the back. Many ladies opt for gradually tapered sides and plenty of styling wax for a more sleek, less dramatic look. It works to good effect. The trend looks set to be here for a while. A strange product of the pandemic that nobody could have guessed. Still, more and more are appearing every day, making it clear that the mullet isn’t done with us yet. It may be years before it becomes obsolete and unfashionable.

Opinion · Tuairim

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Are cartoons becoming more adult-oriented? By David Cendón Garcia Opinion Editor

The recent rise and popularity of cartoons and animated shows, such as Rick and Morty and Archer, can be viewed as a representation of an overall shift in the entertainment industry that panders to adult audiences. Is this a fault in film and television, or an evolution? While it may seem easy to point a finger at shows such as King of the Hill and South Park for initiating this modern trend, corrupting what once was an innocent and sincere medium, there is an argument to be made that this has always been the case. It may be that Hollywood have only realized that there is money to be made off adult audiences. Allow me to the take you back to the 1930’s, when film was black and white and so were its cartoons. Some of you may be familiar with the cartoon character of Betty Boop, a short-haired brunette dressed in a black mini skirt, whose carefree ways helped launch her to fame due, in large part, to her substantial adult audience. Many have even gone as far as to describe her as the most well-known, if not first, sex symbol of the animated screen. This was so obvious to American audiences that in 1934, the Hays Code called for Boop’s modification, reworking her to appear more modest and less sexual (i.e. showing less of her underwear and bosom.) For context, this was also only two years after the appearance of Mickey Mouse. On the topic of Disney, I think we all know about the hidden little sexual innuendos spread throughout their filmography. Going as far back as Bambi in 1942 to Frozen in 2013, the Walt Disney Company is no stranger to sprinkling adult oriented humor in their films, both verbal and visual, and it doesn’t just have to be sexual in nature, just aimed at a mature audience.

This may be, believe it or not, an economic strategy. As much as we’d like to believe that these jokes are just the animators having a bit of fun, there is no denying that they also serve as a tool to keep adult audiences entertained and content. Specifically, it may be aimed at keeping the parents in the theater and making sure they buy the tickets for the sequel. This strategy is best exemplified in Dreamwork’s animated movie Shrek, a film so loaded with sexual innuendos and inappropriate humor, that many parents who took their children to it were sure to wonder if this was even a children’s movie at all. I know mine did. But that was the genius behind it, it was most assuredly a children’s animated movie, but it was also an adult’s animated movie; replete with jokes such as that Lord Farquaad was “compensating for something” with his large castle. A joke that only an adult would understand. The success of Shrek can be seen as quite a shock to the entertainment industry, proving that animated cartoons filled with adult humor and themes had a hungry audience, one that could provide an influx into the market if cataloged correctly. They no longer needed to slightly hint at adult themes and humor, carefully hiding it amongst the forests of children’s entertainment, they could now create entertainment specifically aimed at that market. Thus leads to the existence of and rise of cable networks such as Adult Swim, who, among other things, produce and televise shows such The Boondocks, Bob’s Burgers, and the immensely popular and culturally impactful Rick and Morty. As things stand now, I don’t believe the conversation should revolve around why cartoons have become more adultlike (when they always have been), but what reverse impact this will have on children’s cartoons now that is has become so mainstream and popular.

A basic guide to fashion By Unknown Okay everybody, listen up because we need to talk. I have noticed something about the typical Galway lad, and the people who slowly become Galway lads. Shorts. What is with all the shorts being worn? It is September, in Ireland. It is freezing cold, and the temperature is only dropping. I have seen the goosebumps on your legs, what is the logic behind this? Do you want to be cold? Is it some type of endurance test? As I was writing this article, I decided that I would test a theory; to sit by the Galway Yellow sculpture (aka The Big Yellow Thing) for one hour and count the number of people who walked by wearing shorts in freezing temperatures. A total of 23 people in shorts walked past. In a world where a cough can send a crowd into mass hysteria, why are people risking catching a common cold for the sake of fashion? I feel like it is my responsibility to tell you that there are other options in the wardrobe apart from shorts and a t-shirt. You can stay warm and still look fashionable. I am here to walk you through the fashion basics without making it too complicated. An anchor in your wardrobe should be a comfortable pair of trousers that you can sport with many different shirts and t-shirts, giving you a diverse closet with many outfits. These can be jeans, chinos, or joggers: they are your staples. Another must have in your wardrobe is the three basic tops. A nice shirt, a sports jersey, and a comfortable polo top. These shirts can make

What is with all the shorts being worn? It is September, in Ireland. It is freezing cold, and the temperature is only dropping. Do you want to be cold? Is it some type of endurance test?

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you look smart and classy for the everyday. They can be worn year-round as they are warm in the winter and still light and breathable enough in the summer. You can always add a light jacket for that springtime breeze. Speaking of jackets, here is what you need to know about yours. A warm winter coat is a must, because let’s face it, this is Ireland. Coats are needed year-round. Sport coats and bomber jackets are classics, they are comfortable and suit most to all body types. These can be paired with almost any outfit and look fabulous. Overall, the most important part about choosing your wardrobe is that you feel confident and comfortable in your clothes. If shorts and a t-shirt are your thing, go enjoy the cold, if you decide to accentuate your features with some gold eyeliner (best suited to brown eyes), knock yourself out, if you decide to wear a full suit to class, bet the farm. Your confidence and happiness are by far the most important part of your wardrobe.

Opinion · Tuairim

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

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They are the same species, yet different breeds. And both offer escapism to another world, just a different means of transportation.”

The various bodies of a book – paperback or electronic? By Alice O’Donnell There is nothing quite like the physicality of a book. The heaviness of it in your hands, the crispness of pages. Words printed on paper, bound together between covers. I have always been a great lover of physical books. I like annotations, recording my own thoughts through highlighter and

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pencil, decorating the book so it becomes something unique. Far from my own, but no longer fully the author’s either. A gradient between the two. I like being able to flick between passages, breeze quickly from middle to beginning, beginning to ending, all with the lightest touch of a finger. When I read historical or autobiographical novels, the ability to flick back so easily to the photos buried in the middle really does enhance the enjoyment of the book. However, recently I’ve also fallen in love with electronic novels, words printed not on paper, but darkened by a thousand pixels. Although the tangibility of physical books is partially the reason why I love them so, there is an undeniable satisfaction in having all your books contained on a tablet thinner than your index-finger. A tidiness to it all. Last summer I discovered the website Project Gutenberg, where classical novels gone past their statute of copyright are available to download for free. It really is a treasure-chest. I made my way through the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and am currently going through Agathe Christie’s murder mysteries. It is such a useful resource, and I’ve found a great deal of novels for my English modules available for free there too. Most of my reasons for enjoying digital literature are based in practicality. Space; price; accessibility. However, I’ve discovered that, in the same manner that physical books have their own aesthetics, there’s a wonder to eBooks – its own special brand of comfort. I’ve found that I far more enjoy reading eBooks at night, in comparison to physical books. I had never fully understood how obtrusive my bedroom light is until it was off, and I was snuggled in bed, night surrounding me as my tablet’s words shone from gentle light. I fall asleep much quicker after reading on my tablet, the act of simply switching off a device far more relaxing than the intrusive disruption of getting out of bed to turn off the light (and then having to stumble back in the gloom, undoubtedly tripping over mislaid shoes). I think it’s impossible to pick a favourite; to choose between electronic means of reading, or the traditional, physical nature of books. In my opinion, there will always be a market for them both because each provides something the other cannot. They are the same species, yet different breeds. And both offer escapism to another world, just a different means of transportation.

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Opinion · Tuairim

Should we be preparing for annual COVID-19 booster vaccines? By Tiffany Greenwaldt-Simon

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An advisory panel at The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently endorsed COVID-19 boosters for certain Americans. For now, the CDC is only recommending a third Pfizer vaccine for those 65 and older, nursing home residents, and adults aged 18 to 64 with underlying health conditions. In Ireland, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) have also recommended booster vaccines for these same groups. Booster vaccines are only being recommended for the most vulnerable of people in countries across the world, but the lingering question remains of whether individuals that are not high-risk should be preparing for the possibility of a third vaccine dose. If a booster is needed, will we be getting it with our flu vaccines every year, or will we eventually be able to stop? Non-vulnerable people may be waiting a while for their third dose, but if a third dose does become available, what would that look like? Would we be protected until the virus dies out, or would we need to continue getting annual booster vaccines? COVID-19 is a virus, and like all viruses it is constantly evolving. We’ve seen this

If a booster vaccine is needed every year to keep me and my family healthy, sign me up.

with the ever-growing number of variants (e.g. the Delta variant) that seem to pop up every day. The flu, like COVID-19, is constantly evolving (as viruses do). When you get a flu vaccine you may be receiving a completely different vaccine from any you may have had in the past. Twice a year, the World Health Organization (WHO) meets to review results of data collected by labs across several countries on the flu. These labs conduct year-round surveillance on the flu virus, in order to decide what strain may become the most prevalent. That is how it is decided what should be included in the flu vaccines for that year, and with COVID-19 evolving rapidly, it is possible that this same decision-making process could be used if a booster is needed every year. As such, I think we should be preparing for the possibility of receiving a vaccine every year, along with our flu vaccine. COVID-19 may never go away in the way we want it to, and we may always have to live with the virus. But if a booster vaccine is needed every year to keep me and my family healthy, sign me up. I already get a flu vaccine every year to protect those around me, so what difference is adding another vaccine going to make?

Arts & Fashion · Cultúr 7 Faisean

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

NUI Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh with Áras Éanna Artistic Director executive Dara Mac Aoidh in the Quadrangle, NUI Galway to mark a new partnership between the University and arts centre on Inis Oírr

From Inis Oirr to NUI Galway: A Currachs’ journey to Culture Night By Ethne Tierney 21 uniquely decorated currachs have journeyed from Inis Oírr to the NUI Galway campus to officially launch a new partnership between Áras Éanna Arts centre and the University. They will be displayed in the Quadrangle at NUI Galway for one month, with the public invited to visit free of charge and without prior booking. An exhibition displaying the 21 currachs was opened showcasing unique works by John Behan, Jennifer Cunningham, Ger Sweeney and Áine Phillips, among others as part of Culture Night. The event celebrates the partnership between NUI Galway and the multi-functioning arts space located on the smallest of the Aran Islands, Áras Éanna, which will allow the two institutions to work together to promote the islands and the West more generally as places of culture, learning and research. Along with the exhibition of the traditional Irish boat unique to the

West, ConTempo Quartet performed a specially selected suite of classical and contemporary music connected to the ocean, composed by Alec Roth, Claude Debussy and Katharina Baker. NUI Galway Drama students were also on hand to recite a selection of poetry by Máirtín Ó Direáin. The partnership between the University and Europe’s most westerly Arts Centre, which will be on display until 10 October 2021, will not only allow for showcases like this, but also to support staff and students who wish to travel to the island and use the facilities at Áras Éanna as part of their studies. There will also be a fund established for them, such as artist studio space, a 75-seat theatre, two galleries, a café and various rooms and spaces for workshops and classes. President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “I am delighted that 21 currachs have come to campus to launch the new partnership between the University and

The event celebrates the partnership between NUI Galway and the multi-functioning arts space located on the smallest of the Aran

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Islands, Áras Éanna

Áras Éanna. We respect the unique language, culture and environment that we share in the West of Ireland, and we are open to collaborating with Áras Éanna and the Inis Oírr community to promote that distinctiveness as part of the life of our university.”

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Arts & Fashion · Cultúr 7 Faisean

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

“Dance for Parkinson’s” explores the inclusivity of the movement of music By Ethne Tierney

Arts & Fashion Editor

Hot Releases to listen to By Ethne Tierney

‘Lead by Example’ by Ramson Badbonez

The long established rapper of the UK hip hop scene has swapped the mic for the mixing desk and just released his explosive new album “Lead by Example” through New Dawn Records on Friday August 27. Featuring many heavyweights of hip hop from the USA, UK and Canada such as DJ Miracle, Ruste Juxx, Chima Anya and Tru Trilla, they deliver the highest standard lyricism, compelling rhymes and slick wordplay.

‘Donda’ by Kanye West

The tenth studio album by American rapper and producer was released on August 29 by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings. This highly personal work is named after his mother Dr. Donda C. West, and it touches on how his mother and his faith have moulded him. The hip-hop veteran gives once again a refreshing twist to mainstream rap. He covers issues such as spirituality, mental health, family relations and vulnerability in a musical sphere.

‘Certified Lover Boy’ by Drake

Certified Lover Boy is the sixth studio album by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on September 3 through OVO Sound and Republic Records. It’s well-produced, like all of Drake’s albums, and easily likable. The collaboration for this album are outstandingly good with artists such as Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Future, Young Thug, Ty Dolla Sign, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Kid Cudi featuring on the album. Certified Lover Boy is the kind of album that is not looking for the number one spot on the charts for a few weeks, but rather stays with you and you love more and more over time.

‘Voyage’ by ABBA

The first two singles from the album “Voyage” by the iconic Swedish band it ‘I Still Have Faith in You’ and ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’ and are available to stream right now. The full album, featuring 8 new songs, will be released on November 5. Along with their long-waited comeback, a concert in a custom-built arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London, is also planned.

‘Simple’ by Fia Moon

The upbeat track ,released on August 20, is the latest from the Irish pop singer-songwriter, who explores the complexities of relationships and life. “I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that two people can be in the same situation but experience it through a completely different lens because of their mindset. This song really is an exploration of that and wishing I was able switch to a less complicated frame of mind, wishing things would be more simple.”

Dance Ireland are organising weekly dance classes especially tailored for people with Parkinson’s disease. The classes are led by choreographer, dance artist and facilitator Olwyn Lyons. “I don’t know if it happens to everyone, but I lose my symptoms when I’m there” is one of the many positive comments participants in the ‘Dance for Parkinson’s’ classes shared about their experiences, which involved exploring movement and music in ways that are energising, fun, stimulating and creative. According to Dance Ireland, the national dance development organisation, people affected by Parkinson’s Disease have hugely benefitted from taking part in dance classes as their range and fluidity of motion, multi-tasking, and balance increase; in addition to co-ordination and efficiency of movement. Research shows improved movement, balance, gait, and cognitive performance. Studies also show that dancing may address each of the key areas that have been identified as being important for an exercise program designed for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Firstly, dance is an activity performed to music. The music may serve as an external cue to facilitate movement, but dance also involves the teaching of specific movement strategies, which is the second recommended component of a Parkinson’s-specific exercise program. As well as physical improvement, participants claim to experience better mental health after dancing stating that when “The music and movement started, I was filled with great joy. I was able to take the whole class and walked out feeling accomplished.”

“When the music and movement started, I was filled with great joy. I walked out feeling accomplished.

”

The classes take place in the DanceHouse in Dublin and online through Zoom making them accessible nationwide for everyone with this neurodegenerative movement disorder. Carers, family and friends are welcome in order to make any vulnerable dancer feel safe and supported. The class starts with a gentle chair based warm up, then works towards shifting weight out of the chair and up to standing before transferring weight and travelling through space. Affinities of movement, effort qualities and rhythm are explored as dancers connect to the music and enjoy moving together as a group. Photo by I.am_nah on Unsplash

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Arts & Fashion · Cultúr 7 Faisean

Met Gala 2021: Who stuck to the theme? By Ethne Tierney On September 13th, fashion’s biggest night was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This year’s theme was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” Despite how original and beautiful their looks may be, this fundraising event welcoming stars, young creatives, and industry paragons always has some attendees that do not stick to theme, and in my view, sometimes do not even know what they are wearing. The MET gala acts as a reminder to people that fashion can also be art. Here are the best and worst theme-complying looks in my opinion.

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Kendall’s team had this to say: “The inspiration was Audrey Hepburn’s My Fair Lady, we just made a modern take on that.” Someone should have told them that Audrey was Belgian/ British, and that My Fair Lady is actually set in London Top 3 costumes that followed the theme 1. Quannah Chasinghorse’s culturally and thematically relevant outfit

The 19-year-old model and activist nailed the theme. She used her native-American heritage as inspiration, wearing a Navajo jewellery collection coming from her “aunty” Jocelyn Billy-Upshaw’s, which traditionally represents its wearer’s status. She also wore an elegant flowing gold lamé dress and a sleek hairstyle. “. The ideas for this outfit were cohesive, detailed and very thought through.

2. Grimes’ sword

Grimes took a sword cast from a COLT AR15, the notorious American weapon with her to the fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, as an accessory for her Frank Herbert’s American novel, Dune-inspired look. She reached out to the team in filming the feature adaptation of the book coming out next month to borrow an original mask from the film.

is what Kendall’s team had to say: “The inspiration was Audrey Hepburn’s My Fair Lady, we just made a modern take on that.” Someone should have told them that Audrey was Belgian/ British, and that My Fair Lady is actually set in London, this way, perhaps, they would have chosen something more appropriate for the MET Gala’s American theme.

2. Rihanna’s Duvet

The hopes were high for this music artist and entrepreneur, as she has stood out with her well-crafted and extremely original outfits in previous years, but this time she looks like she rolled out of bed in her duvet. There is something that makes it somewhat relevant to the theme, the clash between street wear and high fashion, very prominent in American hip-hop culture. Even then , Timothée Chalamet’s outfit, with the same inspiration, did a better job at expressing this and giving it a different twist.

3. Lil NaasX’s stunning, yet not American costume

Lil Naas X’s outfit was undoubtedly one of the most interesting and elaborate outfits, making him go viral. He wore three layers that he took off one by one. He explained that the outfits represented the three different stages in his music career in the public eye. First being guarded, and not sharing too much about himself. Later having an “armour” to protect himself from criticism and rejection, and later being his uncensored, fabulous self. The idea and the execution of this outfit are genius but wearing a European aristocrat cloak or a medieval armour doesn’t exactly work with the American theme. It is, however, hard not to applaud the creativity and vision behind these costumes. For a look at all of the costumes on the night, see Vogue’s gallery. gallery

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3. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her bold political statement

What better outfit for a congresswoman for an event with an American theme that a bold political statement? The socialist politician Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez wore a white gown by Brother Vellies, splashed with a political slogan across the back. One detail that shows the craftsmanship of this piece is the bottom curve of the C in “rich” nicely mirrored the tulle hem.

Top 3 celebrities that did not stick to the theme 1. Kendall Jenner’s everything but American costume

There is no doubt that the super-model’s dress is beautiful and detailed, but we can’t help but notice the similarity between it and Kim Kardashian’s 2019 met Gala costume. Originality is already out of the picture, but what about the relevancy to the theme? This

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Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála

It’s all about feeling

tea-riffic! By Rachel Garvey

When you were growing up, you might have had it in your head that there was only one particular type of tea; the English breakfast tea. It was our morning ritual or an integral part of our night-time routine, and sipping on a cup of tea helped us relax and forget about the stresses of our daily lives. Nowadays, there are more types of tea than what we can count on our ten fingers; black tea, green tea, white tea, herbal infusions and countless others. These types of teas have been around for a long time, but as you grow older you start to realise that there is more to life than just the normal English breakfast tea. It can overwhelming, with so many different flavours to taste. Tea might also be a great remedy to aid your health systems, it’s all about finding a tea that’s right for you!

Herbal Teas

The list is endless; chamomile, peppermint, ginger, lemon balm, sage and so on. You’re probably thinking where drinking herbal tea comes into play with aiding our health; let me explain. Let’s start with chamomile tea; it is commonly known for aiding one’s sleep with its calming effects. Healthline outlines that “in a study of eighty postpartum women experiencing sleep issues, drinking chamomile tea for two weeks led to improved sleep quality and fewer symptoms of depression.” Chamomile is also believed to contain anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and liver-protecting effects. Sage tea, another member of the herbal tea family, is not only just used as a spice, but “has a long history of use in alternative and traditional medicine that can decrease inflammation and blood sugar levels as well as promoting healthy skin and wound healing.” Penn Medicine gives us a small breakdown of how both peppermint and rooibos aid our health. Rooibos may improve blood pressure and circulation. It may also boost good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol. Peppermint may soothe an upset stomach through the work of menthol in addition to helping constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and motion sickness. The variety of herbal teas is endless, it serves as a perfect excuse to put your tastebuds to the test and see which flavour works best for you.

Green Tea

A growing favourite amongst the population of tea lovers with Healthline recommending it to be “one of the healthiest beverages on the planet.” Green tea contains antioxidants that have health benefits which may include improved brain function, fat loss, protection against cancer and lowering the risk of heart disease. Other health benefits may include improved brain function as well as increased fat burning. Antioxidants may lower the risk of some cancers; breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer.

Black Tea

Did you know that black tea is one of the top beverages that is consumed? Now you know! Healthline offers an easy list of health benefits that come with drinking black tea. As previously mentioned with the above teas, black tea also contains antioxidant properties which may also provide a number of health advantages including decreasing cell damage, decreasing the risk of chronic disease, boosting heart health, improving gut health, reducing blood pressure and the possibility of the reducing the risk of a stroke. At the end of the day, it’s all about feeling tea-riffic in terms of your health! There should always be time for a cup of tea or numerous cups throughout your busy daily schedules.

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

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Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála

Chamomile is believed to contain anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and liver-protecting effects.”

Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Inside my makeup bag — September cruelty-free edition By Anastasia Burton More often than not I usually write these articles based on what is currently in my project pan and everyday make-up. However, today I am doing something a little different. I will be sharing with you some cruelty-free make-up brands and their products that I would recommend and have used. Cruelty-free products are very important to me as I am a huge animal lover and have a zero-tolerance for violence of any sort. If you’re looking for some cruelty-free goodies that are both accessible and affordable so look no further. I have also formatted these products based on their colour story and wearability during autumn to keep them on a theme.

eye shapes and eye colours. The pigment is surprising for an affordable palette and is very travel friendly!

NYX

Another great brand that is cruelty-free but is not 100% vegan so beware when buying your pieces and make sure they are vegan before testing or purchasing if you wish! This brand is a little less accessible than Elf and Essence but is still available in all SuperDrug stores and some Boots stores throughout Ireland.

Lip Lingerie XXL Matte liquid lipsticks

This range is for my vegan babies! The

Elf

Not only is this company cruelty-free and affordable but it is also 100% vegan. Most items from Elf don’t top 10 euros and are sold in pharmacies and Primarks throughout Ireland. I have used a few products from

colours to choose from are stunning and in my view, unlike with the Kylie lip kits, you will not have your lips deprived of all moisture. They are about €9 each and very wearable. Did I mention they’re cruelty-free already?

The Marshmallow smoothing primer their new Mint collection. The Mint Plumping Gloss was fairly affordable with four different shades to choose from. The mini Mint Palette is also cheap and amazing for an everyday soft look to complement most

This is a good dupe for the Urban Decay primers which can be seen as pretty pricey! This primer is about €17 which is a little more expensive than most other budget-friendly items mentioned in this article, but it is so worth your money!

Essence

One of my favourite budget-friendly beauties ever! This brand is everywhere and is often used by very high profile make-up artists worldwide. If you watch Youtube you would have seen some fan favourites in each video.

This brand is cruelty-free and unfortunately, not all pieces are vegan but again just keep an eye out for the little vegan symbol.

Lash Princess mascaras

Pick your mascara from this range with ease as you can get all of them and you will still be saving money. These mascaras are ridiculously cheap when you see how well they perform. You do need to be careful when choosing a wand however as each mascara has a different purpose, so try a few out and find your princess!

Make me brow eyebrow gel mascara

I have to say I have been in love with this product since 2016. I’ve always had poor eyebrows ever since the overly plucked eyebrows thing was a trend, but I’m working on it! And I have to say... it is 100% vegan! I hope you guys enjoyed my little list! Next issue I will write about high-end cruelty-free products that deserve a spot in your make-up bag!

A night-time routine for sleep lovers By Ewelina Szybinska

Health & Lifestyle Editor If you are anything like me, falling asleep is a constant struggle. There are so many factors that affect my sleep. Don’t get me wrong, I love sleeping. It’s the falling asleep part that needs some help. I have researched ways to get a good night’s sleep and not long after, I started to adapt certain advice into my night-time routine. I am a night owl and nothing will ever change that. However, if I can feel that bit more rested when I wake up in the morning, I’m willing to make a few small changes. Put your phone away: How many times have you been told this? While you tirelessly scroll through various social media platforms, your eyes fight to stay open. Do you really need to see the latest posts? Personally, I think you would do a huge favour not only for your sleep but also for your mental health. Being a night owl encourages a latenight snack: I mean who doesn’t love to have something small before heading to sleep? The key is to eat something small

if you must. Otherwise, you will send your stomach on a mission to digest a heavy meal. This can cause acid reflux, indigestion and heartburn. The more time you give your body to break down the food before climbing into bed, the better. Having a routine is truly rewarding. Your bedtime habits will affect your focus and performance during the day. It’s best if you can wake up and go to bed at set times. Not only will you be rested but it might boost your emotional well-being. Purchase an alarm clock instead of using your phone! This ties in with taking naps throughout the day. Try to break the habit of napping. You could also try out different essential oils to help ease your mind and consequently help with falling asleep. We always think about our sight, sound and touch. It’s best to fall asleep in a dark room with no noise, covered by warm sheets. However, not many people think about the sense of smell. There are certain scents that can calm our bodies down after a long day. Consider lavender, rose, roman chamomile or jasmine. I have also heard of pillow sprays that are meant to promote a peaceful night’s sleep.

Fighting stress and overthinking at night time is a part of my routine. There is something about lying down in a dark room with your eyes closed, that flips a switch. Not all of it is necessarily negative. I like to plan my following day and think about what I will eat for breakfast. But I can’t lie and pretend like I don’t stress over what has happened throughout the day. I try to catch myself whenever I drift towards negative thoughts. It happened, the world did not end and I get to try again the next day. Sometimes we can get so worked up about little things that we won’t think of in a few days’ time. Don’t give up if you find some of these changes difficult at the beginning. This is not meant to be easy, otherwise, we would all be walking examples of a good night’s sleep.

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála

Action for Climate Change: Live an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle By Vera Bernie O’Brien For some people, Covid-19 has highlighted the fact that we need to tackle climate change at a much faster rate, because if there is one thing that can be taken from numerous lockdowns, it is that the planet will not wait. Like climate change, Covid-19 has hit struggling retailers hard, but some have been quick to capitalise on increased social media engagement to persuade shoppers to purchase their goods online instead of in-store. But at what cost to the environment? I was an established online shopper long before the pandemic hit, so all of those flash sales and discount advertisements on social media weren’t new to me. But it wasn’t until we had to work from home that I realised just how bad of an impact my online shopping addiction was having on the environment. Whether it was clothes arriving from ASOS, or books arriving from Amazon. The endless stream of packages was hard to miss. The build-up of rubbish and cardboard did not go unnoticed, and I kept picturing all of the plastic packaging mounting on top of an already gigantic pile of landfill waste. With each delivery the postman’s van would also release C02 emissions, causing further

environmental damage. So I knew something had to change. Now, I know I don’t have the right to call myself a ‘Green Queen’ just yet, but I’ve made a number of changes to try and reduce my carbon footprint over the past year. If living a more eco-friendly life is something that you would like to take onboard, then here are a few tips on how to make yourself a little more green-minded. 1. Reusable Bamboo Pads: These are a game-changer! Plus, bamboo is naturally hypo-allergenic and gentle on the skin. They last for ages, and can be easily cleaned in a mesh bag. Just throw it into the washing machine on an eco-friendly wash. 2. Reusable Water Bottles/Coffee Cups: Two eco-friendly essentials. I know some cafés are not accepting reusable cups at the moment due to the pandemic, so just make sure to recycle the paper cup that your coffee comes in. Even better; get some compost, seeds, and water, and you’ve got your own seedling plant pot. 3. Be Vegan(ish!): Not to force veganism on anyone (I’m not, I promise!), but if you can cut down on eating meat and

dairy products during the week, it will make a difference. Meat and dairy are responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture industry, so it wouldn’t do any harm to shake things up a little. 4. Be Mindful of Printing Paper: As students, we often have the need to print off numerous articles and short stories for some lectures, only to be discarded at the end of a semester. If you can, read the article online and take notes on your laptop. If you really need to print something off, just make sure that you are printing double-sided. 5. Buy Second-hand Clothing/Shop Vintage: There are so many good second-hand and vintage stores around Galway! However, if you can’t find that staple piece you’re looking for in-store, apps such as Depop or Nuw are better alternatives than fast-fashion stores. 6. And lastly – Speak up! Whether you’re already an avid eco-warrior, or whether you are just starting out, don’t be afraid to pass along any tips of your own to friends, family, or colleagues, and encourage them to become more eco-friendly too. Remember: a positive mindset is the onset of change!

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Ending Orphanage Volunteering & the Institutionalisation of Children

Transforming the Way We Care

Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Easy pasta recipes By Anastasia Burton

Autumn Chat: Coffee

Pasta is a student’s best friend, one of the most versatile meals you can make and one that is incredibly cheap and delicious. As a broke student myself I have accumulated a variety of pasta dishes that are both easy and cheap to make (but beware some of these are odd.) Also worth mentioning is that I am a pescatarian and have been one for fifteen years of my life so unfortunately for meat lovers, you will not find anything meaty in this article but instead I will share one of my odd pasta dishes including fish.

By Ewelina Szybinska We are finally entering the fall season and with this, it is time to welcome the fast-approaching chilly mornings. Waking up and trying to get out of bed might become a little more difficult than usual. If there is one thing that motivates me to start my day is a steaming cup of coffee. So why do millions of people indulge in this beverage? For many people, it is a morning boost to get them through the day. Not to mention the unique taste! Coffee is definitely a social drink as we often meet our friends for a coffee whether that is at home or in a local café. It is such a simple activity, yet brings so much joy. I try to visit new cafés all the time, but it seems like I might be running out of places. As we know coffee can be enjoyed in many ways. The real question is if you prefer it hot or cold! Personally, iced coffee has always been my go-to during the summertime. An iced latte of any kind will forever be in my heart. Now that the weather is changing, I am going to go back to my fall favourites and nothing screams fall more than pumpkin spice! It is a drink I can’t get enough of. Finding a café you like is oddly a fulfilling experience. You step in and look around. My eyes are immediately drawn to the furniture and various cakes and muffins that stare at me from behind the glass. There is something comforting about sitting in a cosy café while you drink your deliciously fresh coffee. To date, my favourite cup of pumpkin spice latte is from Starbucks. The rich flavour of pumpkin, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon will delight any taste buds. Not to mention the whipped cream followed by pumpkin pie spices. If you are looking for a place that truly radiates comfort and warmth, Caffé Nero is your next stop. While you are visiting, try the white chocolate mocha. Espresso blended with steamed milk of your choice and white chocolate sauce might become your new addiction. Choose to either top it with whipped cream or vegan creamy topping. This time last year, my friend and I used to warm up the cold mornings with one perfect cup of hot, white chocolate mocha on our way to campus. I can’t think of a better way to start a day full of lectures ahead.

The “I watched TikTok recipes” pasta This pasta is inspired by the many Italian cooks on TikTok. They have shown me the error of my ways and sometimes when I’m bothered, I make my pasta according to this method.

Ingredients:

• Garlic cloves (2 or 3 small pieces depending on your love for garlic) • Tomatoes (fresh) • Pasta • Salt • Tomato paste

Method:

The Basic B* I call this pasta dish the Basic B* because anyone can make it regardless of whether you have €15 in your bank account or €2.

Ingredients: • • • •

Pasta (any kind) Salt Cheese Sauce (of your choice)

Method:

1. Boil the water and make sure to salt it. 2. Add your spaghetti (or whatever pasta you choose, spaghetti is 28c so I’m going with that) 3. Once the pasta is ready drain the water and add a small bit of butter inside the pot and let it melt as you mix. The more butter you add the creamier and saltier the pasta will taste. 4. Then add grated cheese or sliced cheese on top. Make sure to mix well so the cheese melts in between the pasta and is stringy. 5. You can add ketchup/ or canned sauces for additional taste.

Voila, pasta done within 20 ish minutes and you can have as much as you like.

1. Cut your garlic and fry it on a medium or low heat pan with extra virgin olive oil. Make sure to cut it very small. 2. Cut tomatoes and whatever other veggies you like to add to the pan. 3. While you are frying the veggies make sure the pasta is boiling in a nearby pot. 4. Transfer some tomato paste onto the pan and add a bit of the pasta water (not too much or you’ll make soup) 5. Once the pasta is finished, transfer it over onto the pan with the veggies and sauce. Make sure to drain the pasta before you transfer it. 6. Fry for a little bit, mixing constantly so that the pasta can swim around in the sauce and gather flavour. 7. You can add a bit of pesto and also spices that you like and voila!

My final recipe is:

“Cravings at 2 a.m.” Ingredients:

• Tuna (canned, fresh whatever tuna you can find) • Tomatoes (small little baby ones) • Pasta (any) • Cheese (if you want) • Sauce (of choice but I prefer the tomato flavoured ones)

Method:

1. Boil your pasta as you normally would. 2. You can, if you like, cut the baby tomatoes up on a pan with the sauce of your choice and fish or you can add those later, one by one.

Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

Why travel in September? By Isabel Filby Traditionally September is a time that marks summer being over, people returning to work and school starting but if you can swing it September is one of the best times to travel. For weekend trips, Europe is the most viable as it is closest. In the most popular European destinations, September means tourists leaving and citizens coming back from their own holidays. Hotels are often emptier and cheaper, lines for attractions are shorter and prices begin to drop into off-season discounts. The weather in western Europe tends to have cooled down a bit from the boiling summer temperatures, to more tolerable but still warm, with most Mediterranean locations settling at a comfortable 20-25 degrees. This allows for a much wider range of activities, as it is still warm enough for the beach but cool enough for city holidays. Many you will be able to relate to that feeling of wanting to see so much on holiday but having to return to the hotel or Airbnb after just one activity covered in sweat and exhausted from the heat. In eastern Europe temperatures begin cooling down, but this is nothing a coat or layers cannot solve, and you’ll likely have a lot of tourist sights almost to yourself. Of course, the pandemic complicates things, but a lot of countries have eased their restrictions and an EU Digital COVID certificate gets you in pretty much everywhere For example, some countries close by that only require the EU Digital COVID certificate (and a passenger locator form) if traveling from Ireland, as of right now, are Spain, England, Portugal, Turkey, France, Germany and Italy.

Nothing says you have to be attending lectures from your bedroom, so why not be by the poolside or the ocean?

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If you’re remote studying and can take more than just a few days off and are craving something more exotic, a bit further and a bit hotter, Egypt is a great opportunity. Nothing says you have to be attending lectures from your bedroom, so why not be by the poolside or the ocean? With current temperatures of around 30+ degrees and no rain, Egypt is hot, dry and great for a late summer vacation. All that’s currently required for a trip to Egypt is a negative PCR test and a passenger locator form and as an added bonus, Egypt made vaccinations mandatory for all tourism workers, so you can enjoy a more worry-free vacation and stay safe.

Budgeting with Aoife By Aoife Burke Everyone is on a budget. So how do you develop frugal habits and save money? Here are a few suggestions for you. 1. There are hobbies you can take up which are low cost or free such as at home aerobics, painting or sketching. If you purchase a few ingredients you can go baking and make some biscuits or a cake! 2. There are low-cost German supermarkets you can visit in Galway or anywhere in Ireland. That would be my first suggestion. Don’t forget about the pound shop. You can find many great brands at lower prices. You can try bidding on eBay, you never know what you might find. 3. If you are a designer friend like myself, you can always try eBay or charity shops. I once found a pair of Tommy Hilfiger Trousers in a charity shop. It was in Oxfam and although they were quite tight at the time, I bought them as I love them. Always check label! 4. I personally use the bank money bags to save my change. I have a glass jar that holds the money bags until they are full and can be swapped with the bank for actual banknotes. 5. Another suggestion is to try selling stuff. Try online marketplaces such as Galway buy and sell. You can even open a Depop shop to sell your clothes. 6. Try cooking at home using fresh ingredients instead of buying processed food items. If you have certain cupboard staples such as pasta, beans, or eggs, you can make healthy food quite quickly and cheaply. 7. Fix your clothes by doing your own sewing. You can learn how to sew for free off Youtube. 8. Buying a bike is a good way to save money and it’s a fun way to exercise. Not so handy if it’s raining. However, you can always choose to walk to save money as well. 9. On a night out, try and choose the early bird menu and split the bill between everyone. It might be better if everyone pays for their own drinks as some might have more expensive tastes than others.

Donate to the Hygiene Bank today Donate hygiene, personal care and household cleaning products to those in need. Help us to end Hygiene Poverty.

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Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Alt Tuairimíochta: Tionchar seirbhísí comhairleoireachta ar líne ar ár meabhairshláinte Le Caitlín Ní Mhurchú Eagarthóir Cainte

Tá easpa mór seirbhísí comhairleoireachta sa tír seo do dhaoine ina bhféadfaidh siad labhairt lena chéile agus iad ar aghaidh a chéile. Tá líon na ndaoine atá ag streachailt lena sláinte meabhrach ag dul in olcas. Tá tacaíocht le fáil ar ndóigh ar an bhfón, trí ghlaoch a fháil, téacs a sheoladh nó fiú crinniú Zoom ach n’fheadar an leor é? Ní hamháin tar éis pandéim Covid-19 ach ‘pandéim an uaignis’ chomh maith, nach cheart níos mó aird a thabhairt ar chúrsaí suntasacha meabhairshláinte na tíre? Ba chóir don Rialtas dul i ngleic leis na fadhbanna seo anois, sular mbeidh cuma níos measa ar an scéal sa todhchaí. De réir taighde de chuid Harvard tá méadú (63%) ar líon na ndaoine óga atá ag lorg cabhrach lena meabhairshláinte, go háirithe fadhbanna a bhaineann leis an ngalar dubh agus le himní. Ní féidir a shéanadh ach go bhfuil meabhairshláinte mhic léinn Ollscoile ar fud na tíre imithe in oclas tar éis na dianghlasála i gcoinne Covid-19. Níl aon iontas ach go bhfuil ardú ar líon na ndaltaí atá ag lorg cabhrach

Bosca Foclóra

• seirbhísí comhairleoireachta: counselling services • Meabhairshlainte: mental health • Galardubh: depression • Imní: anxiety • Sáinnithe: trapped • Dianghlasála: lockdowns • Cásanna eisceachtúla: exceptional cirumstances • Ocsatóicin: oxytocin • Aireachais machnaimh: mindfullness meditation agus an méid acu a sáinnithe sa bhaile ar feadh míonna ag breathnú ar scáileán. Sa lá atá inniu ann tá an-chuid gnéithe den saol bainteach leis an teicneolaíocht. Anois bímid ag siopadóireacht ar líne, ag léamh leabhair ar líne, ag úsáid suíomh geandála ar nós Tinder chun bualadh le daoine nua. Is é Google an cara is fearr linn. Nuair a thosaigh an phandéim d’aistrigh níos mó den saol oibre, Ollscoile ar líne. Bhí ranganna scoile agus Ollscoile ar líne. Bhí an chuid is mó den domhan ag obair ón mbaile le linn na dianghlasála. De bharr Covid-19 tá seisiúin chomhairleoireachta OÉ Gaillimh fós ar fad ar siúl ar líne. Deir siad faoi láthair gur beag duine gur féidir leo glacadh leo chun comhairleoireacht amach ar d’aghaidh a thairiscint dóibh seachas i “gcásanna eisceachtúla”. I láthair na huaire tá teorainn ar sheirbhísí comhairleoireachta

in Éirinn ar siúl ar líne. Tá Jigsaw, seirbhís chomhairleoireachta do dhaoine óga in Éirinn, ag tairiscint meascán de seirbhísí amach ar d’aghaidh, ar an bhfón nó trí fhíseán. Ta athoscailt an Stáit faoi lánseol na laethanta seo. Tá an córas iompair poiblí, imeachtaí siamsaíochta, taisteal idirnáisiúnta ar ais mar shampla. Is léir go bhfuil meabhair shláinte i bhfad siar ar liosta tosaíochtaí an Rialtais fiú do mhic léinn tríú leibhéal atá ag filleadh ar an gcoláiste den chéad uair ó thosaigh an phandéim. I mí Feabhra dúirt an t-iar-aire Gaeltachta Éamon Ó Cuív maidir le tréimhse a chaitheamh sa Ghaeltacht, “Ní féidir an Ghaeltacht a thabhairt do dhuine ar líne, caithfidh tú seasamh inti.” Is mar sin atá sé chomh maith don chomhairleoireacht. Is gné tábhachtach í an chumarsáid i measc daoine atá buailte ag meabhairghalair, chun cahbrú i gcoinne mothúcháin an uaignis. De réir saineolaithe, tá cumarsáid amach ar d’aghaidh go hanmhaith chun ocsatóicin a scaoileadh sa chorp. Cinnte tá go leor achmhainní meabhairshláinte eagraithe ag Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn OÉ Gaillimh do mhic léinn. Bhí seisiúin aireachais machnaimh ar fáil ar Blackboard Collaborate le Dr. Eva Flynn i Meán Fómhair. Tá aireachais bunaithe ar a bheith i láthair agus díreann sé ar análú séimh. Chomh maith leis sin, bhí seisúin ar struas, imní agus cuspóirí a bhaint amach ar fáil ar Microsoft Teams agus é oscailte do chách. Anois tá an HSE ag déanamh iarracht achmainní saor in aisce a chur ar fáil ar líne. Le déanaí deir the Irish Times go mbeadh comhairleoireacht le haghaidh an dúlagair le fáil ar líne tar éis an rath a bhí ar scéim phíolótach. Tháinig feabhas ar 88% do na rannpháirtithe i ndiaidh triail a bhaint as an gcúrsa nua. Sa lá atá inniu ann tá an dúil sa teicneolaíocht agus sna meáin shóisialta ach is cinnte nach rud sláintiúil é caidreamh amach ar d’aghaidh idir dhaoine a mhalartú go scáileán ríomhaire. N’fheadar an níos mó dochair ná maitheas a dhéanfadh sé ar chúrsaí meabhairshláinte dhaoine óga sula i bhfad.

Focail nua don tsechtain Le Caitlín Ní Mhurchú • • • • • • • • •

Deireadh Fómhair: October Ionadaí ranga: Class rep an chéad bhliain: first year Seachtain na bhFreisear: Fresher’s Week Géarchéim thithíochta: housing crisis Lóistín: accommodation An Fhaiche Mhór: Eyre Square Sráid na Siopaí Shop Street Níl pingin rua fágtha agam: I have no money left

Agallamh Quickfire – Póilín Nic Géidigh An tseachtain seo roinn Póilín Nic Géidigh, bean óg as Dún na nGall atá ag obair mar léiritheoir le Raidió na Gaeltachta, cúpla rud suimiúil liom i rith an agallaimh Quickfire – cuimhne ghalánta óna hóige, an sraith is fearr léi faoi láthair, agus tallann cheilte aisteach!

Chéad cheolchoirm a d’fhreastail tú air? Taylor Swift ar an Speak Now tour i 2011. Bhí mé gafa léi ansin agus tá mé gafa léi go fóill!

Cuimhne is sásta atá agat ó d’óige?

I mo shuí ar ghlúin m’athair sa charr ar bhealach portaigh ag cur i gcéill go raibh mé ag tiomáint!

Chéad phost a bhí agat?

Bhí mé ag obair mar fhreastalaí in óstán – níl aon rud strusmhar nuair a smaoiním ar chuid dena laethanta a bhí agam sa phost sin!

An bhfuil tallann cheilte agat?

Tá mé iontach maith ag fáil greim ar rudaí a chaitheann daoine san aer isteach i mo bhéal – milseáin, cnónna, fíonchaora – 9 n-uair as 10 gheobhaidh mé greim air

Cad é a thugann sásamh duit? Leabhar nótaí nó dialann úr!!

An bhfuil tú ag amharc ar sraith ar bith faoi láthair?

The Chair ar Netflix – Sandra Oh ina reachtaire úr ar Roinn Béarla i gcoláiste iomráiteach i Meiriceá. Iontach furasta a choimhéad!

An téacs deireanach a sheol tú?

“Cha bhíonn tú ábalta dhul abhaile, they’ve taken the roads in”

An chomhairle is fearr a bhfuair tú ariamh? ‘Glac d’am’, agus ‘stop your nonsense’!

An bhfuil ‘happy place’ agat?

Sa bhaile ar an Chreag Bheag ag amharc amach ar an fharraige.

Cad é a chiallaíonn ‘rath’ duit?

A bheith sásta, sláintiúil, agus ábalta dhul ar saoire

Agus... an focal Gaeilge is fearr leat? Púiríní – prátaí beaga!

Sport · Spóirt

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

USA ‘Ryde’ momentum to victory By Mark O’Connor

“

Team Europe might be licking their wounds for the next 2 years as Team USA strolled to a record-breaking victory of 19-9 at Whistling Straits in the 43rd Ryder Cup. Much of the debate coming into the competition was mainly how Team USA would gel, with the tense relationship between Bryson DeChambeau & Brooks Koepka being the key conversation starter. Strange bedfellows or not, the writing was on the wall early as Team USA rushed out the gates in the Friday Morning Foursomes with a 3-1 lead. This was emphasized by the final game of that outing as Rory McIlroy continued his infamous Ryder Cup struggles as the Northern Irish star and his partner, Ian Poulter, were finished by the 15th hole. Later that afternoon, the bleak got bleaker as Team USA dominated and had it not been for a stellar performance at the 18th by Europe’s Tyrell Hatton, Team USA would have taken 3 of the 4 games. Down big beginning Saturday morning, the Spanish connection of world number one John Rahm & Sergio Garcia

An emotional Rory McIlroy was moved to tears following his victory over Xander Schauffele having received criticism and abuse on social media over the three days.

gave Europe a glimmer of hope with an inspirational comeback having been 3 down through 3 holes to begin. Team USA were quick to respond and backed by the outstanding duo of Patrick Cantlay & Olympic Champion Xander Schauffele, the ‘States’ claimed 3 of the 4 points available Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon Fourball was as good as it got for team Europe with Shane Lowry putting home at the 18th to claim a big point and providing some passionate verbal’s to lift European hearts if only for a brief moment. Going into the Sunday morning, murmurs of the “Miracle of Medinah” being recreated in the American north-west were well and truly in full swing. That momentum was only heightened as both Shane Lowry & Rory McIlroy played themselves into early leads, with the latter being able to sustain the lead for the full 18 holes. An emotional Rory McIlroy was moved to tears following his victory over Xander Schauffele having received criticism and abuse on social media over the three days. Whilst Ryder Cup veterans Lee Westwood & Ian Poulter were able to put 2 more points on the board for team Europe, it was relatively a walk in the park for the Home side as they claimed 6 points to close the competition out. In truth, Team USA looked every bit of value for their record breaking performance with a large 19-9 victory meaning Team Europe will be out for revenge come 2023 in Rome.

Is constant change ruining the GAA Championship? By Darren Casserly Sports Editor

Recently, I read Jim McGuinness’ article in the Irish Times about the new proposals the GAA are implementing to change the football championship. I hadn’t really looked into the proposals until I had read the article but the muddled, complicated new championship proposals (with more loopholes than a rollercoaster) could destroy the competition in my view. Was it not enough for the GAA to just wait until the three-year experiment of the super 8s was finished and review that before making any more drastic changes? The GAA championship has changed more in ten years than the previous hundred. Each of the two new proposals will be radical. The first proposal will completely change the provincial championship with teams from Leinster going to Connacht and Munster and Ulster teams also going to Connacht, all this

based on league performance. This basically tells me that the provincial championship will have lost all meaning. The second proposal will be more of a league format with teams from division one, two and winners of three and four being given the chance to win the All-Ireland. It is not clear what the provincial championship will mean in this format, but its importance may be diminished. You might be asking, why is the championship changing so soon again? I believe it’s one thing. Money. It’s all to do with their bottom line. It does not mean that the championship is not in need for a renovation. Dublin’s dominance of the Leinster championship makes it borderline unwatchable; Kerry are the big dogs in Munster; Connacht is a three-horse race and Ulster has never been more competitive. The thing that has to be remembered is all of this is cyclical, and things will change. The underage is dominated by

teams with not much success at senior level and the same goes for under 20s. Dublin lost the All-Ireland for the first time since 2014. People rush to conclusions, but sometimes you need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. I believe that Dublin will always be the dominate force in Leinster and the same with Kerry in Munster; nothing will change that. Maybe a B championship would work, maybe not, but let’s not throw out a hundred years of tradition. Just because a problem is there now doesn’t mean it will always be, and changing the championship might not solve the problem. More equal funding could be a solution and I have seen it work with the likes of Offaly in the under 20 championship and with Limerick in hurling. As I have said before there are no guarantees with this, but the more changes the GAA make the more unrecognizable it becomes and the further we stray from our history.

Team-Up and Get Walking

4th-31st October 2021

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Sport · Spóirt

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Katie Taylor – the gem in our Irish sporting crown?

Katie Taylor, left, and Jennifer Han during their Undisputed Female Lightweight Championship bout at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds, England. Photo by Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing via Sportsfile

By Mark O’Connor Only the strongest shoulders can carry the hopes of a nation and in our fabled sporting history many have been heroic enough to put the dreams of a small isle on their backs. It’s important that when we look back on Irelands greatest sports people of all time that we are not blinded by that old demon of nostalgia. Whilst we so clearly remember single performances of Richard Dunne in Russia or Munster rugby turning over the All-Blacks of New Zealand in 1978, it is vital that we acknowledge the legendary career that Katie Taylor has already created for herself. At a 19 – 0 record with 6 knockouts to boot, the Wicklow star currently holds 5 belts: the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring female lightweight titles. When we look at these accolades without context they can almost appear hollow without further analysis. For said context, Katie Taylor is currently dominating one of the most competitive divisions in world boxing, regardless of gender.

Following her victory over Delfine Persoon in 2019, Taylor became one of only eight boxers in history (female or male) to hold all four major world titles in boxing simultaneously. Another key component which adds to the ever-growing legacy that the 35 year-old has shaped for herself is the fact that the Bray native has also represented the Ireland national team in association football on 11 occasions and even scored twice. Taylor played at the highest level in Irish woman’s soccer with Dublin based club Peamount United where she managed to claim a treble in 2010 in a star-studded side that featured 4 other Irish internationals. When we look at other possible mentions in the (hopefully) ever growing numbers of Irish sports stars, few have such a stellar ability to capture the hearts of our nation much like the aptly named “Bray Bomber”. I think that Conor McGregor has not reached the highs that Taylor has reached when contrasting accolades despite the

When we look at other Irish sports stars, few have such a stellar ability to capture the hearts of our nation much like the aptly named “Bray Bomber”. Notorious one being the “face” of the UFC company for multiple years. Also, I believe that although Roy Keane will often be thought of as the best Irish soccer player we’ve ever produced, his decision to leave the training ground of Saipan in 2002 leaves a permanent asterisk on his resume. In truth, the debates will be had in all sorts of establishments for years to come. One will say this and will say that, but it’s hard to look past our own, Katie Taylor.

”

Vol. 23 #02 05 Oct. 2021

Sport · Spóirt

Are women being disrespected in sports? By Michael Bolton The recent treatment of the Connacht women’s team has shown how women continue to be disrespected in sport. On September 11, Connacht took on Leinster in the final round of the inter-pro series at Energia Park in Donnybrook. Prior to their inter-pro series game against Leinster, the Connacht team were forced to change in disgraceful conditions outside beside rats. Due to Covid-19 guidelines, only elite sports teams have access to changing facilities. As women’s rugby is an amateur sport in Ireland, there was no plan B. Footage of the horrifying conditions was shared on social media and condemned by many online. While this incident was shocking and should never happen again, I must ask you; is it surprising? The sad reality is that if the footage had not been shared on social media, this would not be talked about. The horrifying treatment of women in Ireland is extended to the sporting field, despite the sporting success of women in Ireland. Connacht back-row Paul Boyle condemned the incident

Joshua no longer top dog in boxing world By Darren Casserly Anthony Joshua lost on points to underdog challenger Oleksandr Usyk who was 2/1 outsider in a fight which many thought would have been a warm-up fight for Joshua v Fury. This upset has now raised a number of questions for Joshua in regard to where he will go next, who will be his next opponent, and if he has what it takes anymore. A rematch with Usyk would be the next step in many people’s minds, with the Fury fight coming after that if he regains his title. But it’s the second time in three years’ that he has lost his title and I don’t think he has looked at his best in a while. The build-up to this fight had the feeling it was very much the ‘second option’ after the Joshua v Fury match fell through. Usyk definitely was portrayed as the rank outsider, and he was only going to be a steppingstone to the real fight. The fight itself was very much fought on Usyk’s terms with Joshua unsuccessfully trying to out box the Ukrainian. Joshua’s tactics were surprising to many considering he had three inches and nearly 20 pounds on his opponent. Usyk’s domination of the opening and closing rounds was enough for him to get him the win and make him the third ever heavyweight and cruiserweight champion after David Haye and Evander Holyfield. Joshua could also count himself lucky that the fight ended when it did as if it had gone even a minute longer I think Usyk would have knocked Joshua out which may have been an even bigger embarrassment to him in front of his home fans. For Usyk, there are a number of possible next fights, while there is a rematch clause in his contract if Joshua wants it, a fight with Fury may seem like the next most likely option. The rematch is something I am sure Usyk would not avoid. The big question that I have coming out of this fight is what will Anthony Joshua’s legacy be, with two losses on his record so far and no fights against Wilder or Fury will he be remembered on their level? There’s not many people out there now that hold them on the same level and the opinion will remain the same until they finally fight. This can all change however, in a couple of fights, and we could be saying “Joshua is the greatest fighter of the last twenty years” but for now all we can do is wait and see.

in a recent interview admitting that “we spoke about it in our changing room and said we wouldn’t put up with it. It wasn’t good enough.” That is the reality of this situation. Would it happen in the men’s game? If the Connacht men’s team had turned up to these conditions, the game might have been postponed, and the consequences would have been, in my view, astronomical. This summer has shown the success that can be achieved through the proper support and funding. This inter-pro series was shown by TG4, known for their excellent coverage of provincial rugby. The high standard of games was enjoyed by many fans and showed what women’s provincial rugby has to offer. However, despite Ireland’s hugely successful sporting triumphs by women recently, this incident can be seen as a massive step backwards. From Leona Maguire’s heroics in the Solheim Cup, to Katie Harrington’s inspirational performances to win Gold in Tokyo, Ireland has produced some amazing women in sport. However, how little they are highlighted is becoming a worrying trend in Ireland. Katie Taylor is the prime example of this. Arguably the greatest female boxer in the world, the lack of hype in Ireland in the build up to her fights shocks me. To find the most in depth build up and promotion, boxing fans in Ireland often have to look at journalists like Ariel Helwani for the best coverage. For the next generation of sportswomen to succeed in Ireland, they must be shown that Ireland cares about women. While progress has been made in Ireland, such as repealing the 8th amendment, our country still has a long way to go when it comes to women’s rights. If young girls aspiring to be athletes in the future can’t see women being respected on the biggest stage, how will they be inspired to follow in their footsteps?

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