Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
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Winner: Best Newspaper at the National Student Media Awards 2019
Student Independent News Nuachtán saor in aisce · Vol. 23 Issue 04 · 02 Nov. 2021
Budget 2022:
Improvements to be made for future students and young people A student’s look By Darragh Nolan
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The government has unveiled the annual Budget for the coming year it comes with a number of developments that may be of interest to NUI Galway students. Measures announced include changes to the SUSI grant, how young people can make use of public transport and efforts to tackle issues surrounding access to contraception.
Eligibility for the SUSI grant will also widen with the threshold set to rise by €1,000. The qualifying distance threshold for students living away from home will also be reduced from 45km to 30km.
Public transport
All citizens aged between 19 and 23 will be able to benefit from a new public transport discount scheme. It will see a new Youth Travel Card released, similar to the existing Leap Card, which will offer half-price fares to those who avail of it. Student fares are currently 30% less than adult fares with the Youth Travel Card to offer fares that are 50% less from the middle of next year.
Higher education Free contraception The Budget also includes the prois set to receive a vision of free contraception for all women aged 17 to 25 as part of a €31 total of €68 million million women’s health plan. This will include contraceptive in funding for 2022. items such as condoms as well as the fitting or removal of other This will include long-acting methods of contraceptive and will apply a €200 increase from August 2022. In addition to access to the SUSI to free contraceptive products, women in grant. Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Finance. Higher education funding
Higher education is set to receive a total of €68 million in funding for 2022. This will include a €200 increase to the SUSI maintenance grant. It will be the first time the SUSI grant has increased in a decade and will apply from September 2022.
this age category will also be eligible for two free GP consultations per year to discuss and prescribe contraceptive products.
Climate action
The government has placed an emphasis on tackling the climate crisis in Budget 2022. This includes an increase to the Carbon Tax by €7.50 to €41 per tonne of carbon
KEY INFO Higher Education funding: €68 million
€200 increase in SUSI Grant – first in a decade SUSI qualifying threshold increases €1,000 SUSI distance threshold reduced 45km to 30km Public transport discount scheme for all aged 19–23 Youth Travel Card offers 50% discount on fares Women’s Health Plan fundng: €31 million Free contraception for all women aged 17–25 Carbon tax boosts schemes tackling climate change CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
News · Nuacht
2 Convenor of the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences / Tionólaí Choláiste an Leighis, an Altranais & na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte
Jack Collins
Editorial 091 493 570 su.medicine@oegaillimh.ie
Convenor of the College of Science and Engineering / Tionólaí Choláiste na hEolaíochta agus na hInnealtóireachta
Societies Chairperson Cathaoirleach na gCumann
085 193 8978 su.scienceengineering@oegaillimh.ie
087 989 3695 su.socs@oegaillimh.ie
Sai Gujulla
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Ethan Wilkinson
SU Says...
and neither are members of the Oireachtas. In fact, a Private Members’ Bill introduced in the Seanad in March 2021 By Matthew Connolly, aims to tackle this matter. Senators MalInternational Students’ Officer colm Byrne, Lisa Chambers and Shane Cassells initiated the Health Insurance Convenor of the College of Business, Public International Students Officer Ethnic Minorities Officer Policy & Law / Tionólaí Choláiste an Ghnó, an By Valerie McHugh It’s no secret international students are (International Students) (Amendment) Bill Oifigeach na Mac Léinn Idirnáisiúnta Oifigeach na Mionlach Eitneach Bheartais Phoiblí agus an Dlí Matthew Connollyby considerable Anne Marie Ward High burdened expenses. 2021, which would declassify international Krystian Bachan 091 493 570 087 459 0127 091 493 570 su.business@oegaillimh.ie su.ethnicminorities@oegaillimh.ie Welcome to issue 4 of SIN every- su.international@oegaillimh.ie tuition is just one obstacle: travel costs, students as ‘ordinarily resident’ for health body! I don’t mean to sound like an immigration fees and insurance premi- insurance purposes. NUI Galway Students’ Irish mammy when I say this, but ums compound into a sizeable hurdle for Union supports this Bill, as does the Union Environmental Sustainability Officer ToI Be Elected SeptHealth 2021 •Insurance SU Council Chairperson - To Be Appointed isn’t & the time absolutely flying -by! many. The Authority’s of Students in Ireland (USI). cannot believe issue 4 has launched classification of non-European Economic Frankly, the Bill stagnated in the already, and what a cracker of an @nuigsu Area students as ‘ordinarily resident’ exac- Seanad and more needs to be done quickly. NUIGalwayStudentsUnion issue it is. Darragh has summarised erbates thiswww.su.nuigalway.ie pecuniary struggle. NUI Galway has the power to redress this the Budget and how it will impact Understandably, all non-EEA students burden imposed on its students by prostudents and young people on our must provide proof of health insurance to viding a group insurance plan, like the front page; make sure to give that the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration one provided at Trinity College Dublin. a scan. We’ve another fantastic Service. Until recently, travel insurance At TCD, non-EEA students may avail of a restaurant in our ‘Dining in Galway’ plans sourced in home countries were group policy that covers pre-existing conhotspot that you need to check out, accepted during all years of study. In 2020, ditions and waives normal waiting periods. and Saoirse is back with another the Court of Appeal upheld the HIA’s defi- If NUI Galway adopts a similar scheme, lovely Erasmus diary entry. Our nition of non-EEA students as ‘ordinarily our university may be recognised as an co-news editor Caoimhe gives some resident.’ Consequentially, this decision academic institution that truly supports views on the impacts on young peoimposes non-EEA students to source its international student population. ple’s contraceptive needs being met health insurance from the private Irish NUI Galway administrators must act in the Budget in our Opinion section, market upon entering their second year swiftly to implement an international and she always has some stellar of study. The Irish market regulated by student group insurance scheme before reading inspiration for you in Arts/ the HIA sells policies considerably more matriculation in 2022. Increased costs Fashion! Ewelina has some interview expensive and sometimes less inclusive are a deterrent to education in Ireland, tips for you in her section and our than travel insurance plans. but NUI Galway has an opportunity to Cainte editor Caitlín has a fantastic International students are not happy offer a more attractive student experipiece about women in sport for you with this extra financial encumbrance, ence in Connacht.
to have a ponder over. Finally, our sport section is as energetic as ever and is bursting with some great pieces! Take a look! If you want to get involved in SIN, make sure to give me an email or join our ‘SIN Team’ group on Facebook. We would love to have you on board! A special thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue especially with the stress of midterms and exams coming down on many. I could not be prouder of you all. Enjoy the issue!
@NuigSin @sin_news Student Independent News, NUI Galway
Budget 2022 CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE dioxide emission. There is also a commitment for the same increase of €7.50 to apply annually until 2029. In announcing this measure, the government said the funds generated by the rise in Carbon Tax would “be spent on schemes working towards climate action.” These schemes include assisting farmers in transitioning to more green, climate friendly practices and providing grants for people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
At a glance
• Other measures coming under Budget 2022 include the annual 50 cent increase to the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes, a recurring feature of the last seven Budgets.
• The national minimum wage will rise to €10.50 an hour for people aged 20 and over, an increase of 30 cent. • Budget 2022 also includes a commitment to providing 11,820 social houses, 9,000 of which will be new builds.
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 #04 02 Nov. 2021
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INSIDE this issue... Civic engagement gold medals awarded to recent NUI Galway graduates 8
News
NUI Galway tackles food poverty head on with food bank 4 Clubs and societies badly hit by cyberattack as in-person events return
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University appoints first ever Irish Language Officer
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33 NUI Galway postgraduate and postdoctoral students awarded IRC funding
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Features Dining In Galway: Trieste Café & Wine Bar 10
His lil’ pumpkin!
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Student Diaries
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Opinion Budget 2022: One step forward for our contraception needs
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How did Facebook’s recent 5 hour outage impact you? 15 How much stuff is too much stuff?
The saga of re-branding and re-casting 16 Youth Ballet West make Claddagh shoreline a central part of edgy version of Swan Lake 19
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Arts & Fashion Ready, steady, read!
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Health & Lifestyle Guide: Prepare for a successful interview
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Staying fit after isolation
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NEW: SIN Says
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Cainte Agallamh Quickfire: Caoimhe Ní Chathail
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Sport Rashford shows the way in how athletes can help society 28
Travel diary
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An tádh dearg. Mná óga ag imeacht ón spórt sna déaga. 26
Shefflin takes charge of the Tribesmen 30
Why Ireland’s November series is so important
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Gambling in sport: where will it stop?
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A huge thanks to our team!
Enya 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 Editor
Aine Fogarty Online Editor
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NUI Galway tackles food poverty head on with food bank By Caoimhe Killeen An increasing demand for food and hygiene products for students has come to the fore at NUI Galway following national attention gathered from a food bank set up by University College Cork (UCC). The food bank for vulnerable students was reopened with “great dismay” according to a tweet from UCC’s Student Union following its closure in 2019 and was completely emptied 50 minutes after opening. The case, in a partnership with St Vincent de Paul Cork, has attracted national attention on the issue and has shed light on the growing issue of food security among student leaders, especially at NUI Galway. NUI Galway Student’s Union President Róisín Nic Lochlainn has stated that demand for a similar service at NUI Galway has also been an issue for a long time and has described the current situation affecting the student population as “heart-breaking.” Similar services have begun rolling out on campus such as a basket in the SU shop in which products are donated to the Hub and to NUI Galway students. A basket has also been set up in the SU building where anonymous donations are made for students to take what they need. “The burden of not knowing where your next meal will come from can take a massive toll on any person’s well-being and is something that unfortunately many students experience,” stated NUI Galway Student’s Union Vice President and Welfare and Equality Officer Cora Clarke. Clarke continued: “Typically students are away from home, managing their own budget, working every hour they can to be able to afford the basics and to know that there is a food bank readily available to them, so that they don’t have to go hungry will hopefully alleviate some of the panic and stress surrounding feeding themselves. “The food bank would be available to all students, so even if you have an unexpected expense like car troubles, you don’t have to starve yourself to pay it. However, although it is a great thing to be able to help students and hopefully alleviate some of the financial pressure they are under, it is also a terrible thing to see so many people struggling to make ends meet.” “To know that even SUSI and other financial aids are just not enough to keep students from struggling to the extent that food banks are necessary aspects of students’ unions all around the country,” finished Clarke. NUI Galway’s St Vincent de Paul Society also expressed interest in helping the SU. “SVP NUIG would be very happy to work with the SU on a food drive if asked,” stated Victoria Poppola, Auditor of NUI Galway’s St Vincent de Paul Society. “Food poverty is definitely a problem within the student community and in Galway as a whole. It’s great to see NUI Galway’s Student Union taking up the indicative to tackle this issue in the form of a food bank. “SVP’s goal in Ireland is to fight poverty in all forms, so here at SVP NUIG, we will fully support this initiative and will always be willing to help out in tackling this issue,” finished Poppola.
News · Nuacht
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
NUI Galway Students’ Union launch Charity Challenge By Vera O’Brien NUI Galway’s Students’ Union is set to run the annual Charity Challenge with a number of challenges to roll out over the next semester. The chosen charities this year are the
Galway Rape Crisis Centre and BeLonG To Youth Service. The decision to choose these two organizations was reached during a council meeting held by the NUI Galway’s Students Union and was announced on Monday October 4.
Galway Rape Crisis Centre Galway Rape Crisis Centre, which was founded in 1984 by a group of women concerned by the lack of support services for sexual abuse and rape survivors, continues to provide confidential counselling and support services to individuals affected by sexual abuse and violence. “We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the SU Charities again this year,”
said Cathy Connolly, Executive Director of the Galway Rape Crisis Centre. “Many NUIG students have been part of our volunteer fundraising team in the past and we are ever grateful for the continued support of NUI Galway Students’ Union. This funding will be used to offer counselling to our crisis clients and reduce our waiting list.”
The BeLonG To Youth Service The BeLonG To Youth Service is a national organisation supporting young LGBTI+ people in Ireland. Since 2003, the service has provided young people aged between 14 and 23 years a safe and diverse environment, and offers a specialised LGBTI+ youth service with a focus on me ntal and s exual health, alongside drug and alcohol support. Moninne Griffith, CEO of BeLonG To Youth S e r v ic e s, said that in the past year they have seen a 113% increase in demand for their support services as more LGBTI+ young people reach out for support than ever before. “Support from this initiative will help us to strengthen our impact and fulfil our mission of creating an Ireland where LGBTI+ young people can be who they are, and love who they love, without
experiencing hate and discrimination.” “Over the academic year, students and staff will compete in challenges to raise funds for the chosen charities. The challenges will be created and designed by NUI Galway’s Joanna Brophy. “We are very excited to launch our Charity Challenge to raise much needed funds for two amazing charities,” added Students’ Union President Róisín Nic Lochlainn. “Over the academic year this event will help our students and staff to feel part of the NUIG community, have fun and keep active while fundraising,” she concluded. If you would like further information about the chosen charities, you can search for the Galway Rape Crisis Centre at www.galwayrcc.ie www.galwayrcc.ie, and BeLonG To at www.belongto.org. www.belongto.org
News · Nuacht
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
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Clubs and societies badly hit by cyberattack as in-person events return By Caoimhe Killeen
News Co-editor
Societies and clubs at NUI Galway are struggling to get back on their feet after an unexpected cyberattack hit NUI Galway networks. Society and club events have returned to limited in-person events in line with Covid restrictions. However, the process of getting back to normal was halted when the YourSpace portal, which acts as the dashboard for coordinating society activities, was deactivated. “For the cyber-attack to follow on from a global pandemic, just as we saw light at the end of the tunnel, has been a big blow,” stated Ríona Hughes, NUI Galway’s Societies Officer at the Societies Box Office (SocsBox). “We had done such great work on our platforms which host societies, webstore, room-booking, clubs, ATS Mentoring, CÉIM, ALIVE, LIFT, the Employability Award, e-learning, personalised calendars and so much more. Losing all of this was devastating particularly as it was so vital for getting society in-person activity back up and running subject to the stringent COVID-19 guidelines. “However, the SocsBox team are simply extraordinary and the tech people who developed YourSpace and the Socs website have been very helpful and creative in finding solutions, and our societies have exhibited outstanding resilience.” The SocsBox have set up temporary pages for people interested in joining societies and for society committees and have Aras Na Mac Léinn available for viewing rooms. The Socs Cinemas scheme has also taken off with various societies using the Human Biology Building to show films related to their society. “We are not defeated, far from it, we hope to have our webstore back up and running very soon so tickets will be available for our events as well” added Hughes. “We do hope that we will get all of our lovely websites back up and running soon but in the meantime the show must go on, and it really is with so much to do, so do come to our events and support the society committees who are working so hard to keep us all entertained and connected” finished Hughes. Indeed, societies are managing to get by despite the disruption. Auditor of NUI Galway’s Fantasy and Science Fiction Society (FanSci) Ryan Carroll states that the FanSci committee is delighted to return to in-person events. “Our weekly attendance has skyrocketed in comparison to most of our online events with last week’s Thursday event having 40 attendees,” stated Carroll. But like all societies, the hack disrupted the process slightly. “The hack has been a major disruption with covid declarations and event registration forms being tied into the Socs/YourSpace page. However, we have adapted well using Google Forms as an excellent substitute” added Carroll. Clubs have also struggled to get back on their feet since the cyberattack. “Unfortunately, it’s not just the academics that have been affected by the cyber-attack, it has had a massive impact on clubs,” states Kirsty Moran, NUI Galway’s SU Clubs Captain. “Without YourSpace, members cannot sign up to clubs to be added to mailing lists but on the other side, many clubs also
cannot access their mailing lists. This has led to multiple clubs unable to welcome new members and inform them of training sessions leaving many students distraught that after almost 2 years without sport, they’re back to square one where they cannot get involved.” “Clubs have tried to compensate by posting on social media about their activities, but their reach isn’t as strong,” she continued. “Without YourSpace, clubs have again had to improvise with bookings, causing extra stress on committees and difficulties with admissions into the Kingfisher. “We hope that the issue will be resolved soon to allow clubs to resume to their full c apability,” finished Moran.
The FanSci committee is delighted to return to in-person events. “Our weekly attendance has skyrocketed in comparison to most of our online events.”
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News · Nuacht
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
University appoints first ever Irish Language Officer By Darragh Nolan
News Co-editor
NUI Galway has appointed Caroline Ní Fhlatharta as its first ever Irish Language Officer. The appointment of an Irish Language Officer comes as part of the university’s Irish Language Strategy for 2021-2025. She expressed delight in being selected for the role and looked forward to working to implement the Strategy. “It is an honour to be given this opportunity and pioneering role as NUI Galway’s first Irish Language Officer and to start implementing the University’s Irish Language Strategy. “I am looking forward to pouring my energy into improving the status and profile of the Irish language and on developing and encouraging language awareness and competency across the entire NUI Galway community,” she added. The new Irish Language Officer will be responsible for the introduction of numerous new Irish language policies on campus. Plans include the provision of customer services through Irish, the language being considered a skill when recruiting new employees and ensuring 20% of professional staff will be able to make use of the Irish language in their role. NUI Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said the establishment of the new role was an important step in developing the university’s status as a bilingual institution. Caroline Ní Fhlatharta, Irish Language Officer, NUI Galway
“The appointment of an Irish Language Officer is a key first step in our Straitéis don Ghaeilge and an act of recognition that reflects NUI Galway’s clear vision for the Irish language within university education. “[Caroline] has the full support of colleagues in the university in promoting the values set out in the Irish Language Strategy, increasing and strengthening the university’s Irish language community.” “At NUI Galway our strategy for the Irish language is an ambitious one,” said Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh. “The app ointment of Caroline Ní Fhlatharta as Irish Language Officer will support that, and our vision to develop and foster a sustainable bilingual environment and promote our language across University life and the NUI Galway community, as well as in the Gaeltacht and Irish language communities.” Ní Fhlatharta has been a part of the NUI Galway community for over 16 years, including handling the Work Placement Programme for Irish language students and helping deliver the first LIFT Leadership Programme through Irish. As Irish Language Officer, she will now oversee the current Scéim Teanga and ensure the university maintains its commitment to the Irish language as a bilingual university. A native speaker from Connemara, Caroline Ní Fhlatharta took up the role at the end of October.
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33 NUI Galway postgraduate and postdoctoral students awarded IRC funding By Tiffany Greenwaldt-Simon 33 postgraduate and postdoctoral students at NUI Galway have been awarded funding for their research projects by the Irish Research Council (IRC). The funding was announced as part of the Government’s 2021 Postgraduate and Postdoctoral programme. Professor Jim Livesey, Vice President for Research and Innovation at NUI Galway welcomed the announcement and congratulated the researchers for their innovative projects. Professor Livesey also said that the IRC’s programmes “animate NUI Galway’s values of respect, openness, sustainability and excellence”. “All 33 projects demonstrate how important public research and innovation is to the fabric of our lives when confronting national and global challenges. I would also like to thank the Irish Research Council and the Government for supporting these important research projects,” he said. The projects at NUI Galway will investigate a variety of topics, ranging from the ecology of the longhorn beetle family by postgraduate student Aoife Crowe to homelessness in modernist literature by postdoctoral student Laura Ryan. Other research topics include the relevance of the apartheid frame for Palestine by postgraduate student Rania Muhareb and the Irish perspective on international law of neutrality during peace time by postgraduate student Pearce Clancy. The ecology of Lyme disease by postgraduate student Ríona Walsh and Feminist lawyering as an alternative approach to address gender-based violence against women in the Ugandan refugee context by postgraduate student Maëlle Noir were also featured. Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science announced the successful projects as part of a €28 million investment in research and academia. The 2021 IRC Government of Ireland Postgraduate and Postdoctoral programme will fund 330 awards in total. This includes 254 postgraduate scholarships and 76 postdoctoral fellowships. Each year Government of Ireland programmes collaborate with organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Met Éireann to continue delivering on shared national objectives.
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News · Nuacht
Civic engagement gold medals awarded to recent NUI Galway graduates By Caoimhe Killeen NUI Galway has awarded gold medals for civic engagement to recent graduate students, now a junior doctor and a speech and language therapist respectively. Dr Rosemary James and Lisa O’Neill graduated from their respective courses in 2021 and were honoured by their schools. Dr James was honoured by the School of Medicine for her outstanding community outreach and volunteering, as well as research in global health. Currently working as a junior doctor and global health academic with the World Health Organisation, Dr James was honoured to receive the award. “I believe that it is important as medical graduates that we are aware of the vulnerabilities certain populations are subject to and act to advocate for, study, and improve their health and wellbeing wherever possible,” Dr James said. “I look forward to continuing to engage with vulnerable communities as I progress onto my postgraduate training – taking with me the knowledge and skills I owe to NUI Galway and the inspiring people I have met along the way.” Lisa O’Neill was honoured by the School of Health Sciences for raising awareness around mental health, volunteering, fundraising, and providing peer support to first year students during the pandemic.
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Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Dr Rosemary James with her NUI Galway CKI Gold Medal for Civic Engagement.
I look forward to
continuing to engage with vulnerable
communities as I progress onto my postgraduate training.” “One of my main aims as a volunteer is to contribute to raising awareness about and funds for mental health,” stated Ms O’Neill, now a speech and language therapist. “The volunteering opportunities I have been involved in so far have allowed me to work as part of a group to achieve the common goal of creating communities that support people when they are most in need,” she continued. “I envisage a world that is more just and accepting, and where people’s differences are celebrated. Volunteering is one way in which I actively contribute to making this vision a reality.” NUI Galway’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences has been honouring Speech and Language Therapist Lisa O’Neill with her NUI Galway CKI Gold Medal for Civic Engagement. Photo: Aengus McMahon.
student excellence with the award of gold medals for more than 100 years. In partnership with the Community Knowledge Initiative, specific gold medals are also awarded for contributions to civic engagement. The CKI Gold Medal can be awarded to graduates and students for activities including volunteering, service learning, collaborative research and actions for the public good which benefit both the wider community and the University. “Within healthcare, civic engagement is fundamentally aligned with working with the public, patients and communities to promote and improve community health status,” stated Dr Maureen Kelly, Senior Lecturer in General Practice and Vice
“I envisage a world that is more just and accepting, and where people’s differences are celebrated. Dean for Civic Engagement, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. “Rosemary and Lisa are very deserving of their award. It is testament to their longstanding partnership with community, reflecting the principles and values of civic engagement that we espouse in NUI Galway.” Dr Lorraine McIlrath, director of the Community Knowledge Initiative at NUI Galway, said: “The CKI was established to promote student commitment to positive social change within community and Dr Rosemary James and Lisa O’Neill are wonderful ambassadors for civic engagement and inspire others to take action. I congratulate them.”
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Features · Gné-altanna
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Dining In Galway: Galway:
Trieste Café & Wine Bar By Kevin Markey
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If you are looking for a new dining experience here in Galway, Trieste Café & Wine Bar is a terrific way to spend an evening out. Featuring a robust wine list with varietals from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Chile, New Zealand and of course France, it is not difficult to find the right wine for you. Trieste is a cute little wine bar located on Buttermilk Walk, just a minute from Shop Street. With both indoor and outdoor seating that includes overhead heaters and cosy blankets, Trieste makes for the perfect date night. The husband-and-wife owners are gracious, kind and very helpful in guiding you through the wine list should your vino knowledge be lacking. Just opened in 2020, Trieste owners Kate and Barry Donovan were inspired by Northeastern Italian culture, and it shows in the wine bar’s décor. The interior is hip without flaunting it and the
Photos courtesy of trieste_galway
exterior is as European as it gets, as you sip wine in the lit shadows flickering against the stone walls of the Augustinian Church. As any good wine bar should, Trieste has a variety of cheeses to pair with your wine selection. Whether you and your company of choice decide to order
If you are searching for an experience that is a bit slower and change of pace than the typical night out in Galway, Trieste is the perfect spot to sit down and enjoy the finer things in life.
by the glass or share a bottle of wine, you will not be breaking the bank to do so. For less than €100 my date and I were able to both start with a glass of Prosecco (romantic raspberry and all), a bottle of red (I highly recommend the Douro from Portugal) and we shared a cheese and charcuterie board. With a hefty amount of thinly sliced prosciutto, spicy chorizo, Jamón, and Salami accompanied by almonds, figs, grapes, honey, two jams and a variety of crackers this charcuterie board did not disappoint at €36.50 for two or €69.50 for four. Along with the meat and accoutrements, you can select four kinds of cheese that are included. We went with the Spanish Manchego, French Brie, Irish Cahill’s Chive Cheddar, and a St. Tola Ash goat cheese. If you are new to wine and cheese I recommend two soft and two hard, that way you can sample and try and find that perfect pairing with your wine. With three reds and three whites by the glass, their wine list is budgetfriendly. Or, if you are wanting to impress you can always order a bottle of the Moët & Chandon Champagne, which surely will make a statement. There is also a sweet sharing plate with a selection of mini desserts, macaroons, mixed with fresh fruit, & berries at €12.50 for two and €24 for four. And of course, as any café has, espresso, cappuccinos, mochas, and hot chocolate just in case the wine hasn’t warmed you up enough. If you are searching for an experience that is a bit slower and change of pace than the typical night out in Galway, Trieste is the perfect spot to sit down and enjoy the finer things in life.
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Features · Gné-altanna
His lil’ pumpkin! By Rachel Garvey They say that the best relationships begin unexpectedly. They say that love is blind. They say that moving too fast will only end in tragedy and that taking things slow is the better approach. We need to stop listening to those cliché phrases and listen to the ones that we believe are true to our own feelings and to our partner. Personally, I believe that quality overrules quantity; it’s not important how long you’ve known the person for, but it’s important to observe how they treat you in that space of time no matter how big or small. When it comes to my past relationships, I’m quite open about speaking about them; I believe that talking about hurtful past experiences helps to relieve that weight from your shoulders, carrying it around all the time could damage your emotional, physical and mental health and anything that is a threat to those simply isn’t worth it. I’ll let you in to my mind for a bit; I was in a four-year relationship once upon a time and I thought the world of him. On the weekends, when I should have been spending time with friends and family, I was too busy going to see him and even when he was in the company of my closest friends and family there was no interaction. It was embarrassing, but I was willing to shrug it off because I loved him so much. Overtime, I could see that my mental health was progressively getting worse and it became a burden on my part. It’s really difficult to open up to someone when the end result is them throwing everything back in your face and dropping you like a tonne of bricks because their feelings have all of a sudden disappeared, and they look at you like a stranger almost as if those four years never existed. It breaks you, it diminishes you as a person when someone, who you thought was your future, throws your mental health sufferings back in your face because they “couldn’t handle it”. A wound, a deep and painful wound was left, but nowadays, it’s healing to the point that I’ve forgotten that it was ever there. A lot of self-healing patched me up, but the biggest part of that wound repairing itself was due to one person who walked into my life out of the blue.
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It’s mind-blowing how one person can change y o u r w o rl d only after one month, how one person can make up for all the bad things that have happened in the past, how one person can prove that happiness does exist. When you find that person who assures you that opening up to them is safe, that they’ll stick with you through the good times as well as the bad times then you need to keep them in your life. In such a short space of time, I’ve felt a huge shift in my mental health; the dark place I was recently in has now been blinded by this light and I can clearly see that better days are coming, that better days are already here. The one phrase I have always believed in is the fact that the best relationships begin unexpectedly. Numerous people have told me to stop looking for Mr. Right because one simply can’t go and directly find their partner in crime, they simply have to go about their daily lives and let the right person find them without meaning to; that is what happened in my life. I never truly believed that it would happen to me after my first official heartbreak that left a wound which I was positive would never heal. I feel that when I was trying to find the right person, I was going in with these high and insane expectations and that is what led me to getting hurt every time. When I took a step back and made my expectations realistic, I found that I became much more suited to this feeling of acceptance that what I expected wasn’t the worst crime in the past because we all want someone who will treat us respectfully and have good communication skills. We’ve just celebrated Halloween, and if your boyfriend or girlfriend calls you by the nickname of “pumpkin,” then keep them forever.
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Erasmus Diary By Saoirse Higgins
Features · Gné-altanna
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
L — R: Rossella, Saoirse, Cris and Luciia on Erasmus in Sweden together
Hello everyone and welcome back again! I’m afraid I don’t have much to report this week. We’re in the midst of exam week over here so the libraries are busy and the pubs are empty. However, I did get to be a bit in touch with nature this week as I went to a forest park to have lunch last Saturday. It was beautiful with the golden leaves and deep blue water. Stockholm is often called the Venice of the north as it’s made up of over 30,000 islands. This means the sea can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. I also went to a cake shop and purchased a red velvet croissant and it was the best thing since sliced bread. I went home to Ireland last week and it was nice to be back for a little while. We have no restrictions here in Sweden so it was weird to be back and have to wear a mask again. The day that I’m writing this I believe nightclubs have opened up and I have to say I’m a little jealous seeing all my friends out without me. However, I will manage and I have the Swedish nightlife at least (even if it is a ridiculous €8 for a pint.) Speaking of going out, making friends is a vital part of the Erasmus experience. If this is a part you’re worried about (which is understandable, it can be daunting especially if you’re going on Erasmus by yourself,) I am here to tell you now that you can definitely make friends. It’s frankly unavoidable as you meet so many different people, every day. Even during the tail ends of a pandemic and online classes. I will give you the same advice your mam has probably given you since you were four, just be yourself. You will meet people from different nationalities and cultures and although there may sometimes be miscommunication or clashes of culture, they are just people too (who also watch a ridiculous amount of Tik Toks like me.) Also, something surprising about meeting people abroad, a lot of them have watched Derry Girls. So apparently that show is universal. However, even with friends on Erasmus, the homesickness and loneliness may still catch up with you. Missing your significant other, friends and family is always going to be hard and some days will be harder than others. However, you will manage and the cheap holiday will be a little incentive for them to come see you. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this week’s diary and you’re being safe wherever you are. I think Halloween will have passed by the time you read this so I hope you had a great spooky season and I will see you next time.
Mature Student Diary By Aoife Burke Hello everybody! It has been a quiet week so far. I have been busy with various projects. I have started writing my next book (i.e. write it all down and edit later!) and it’s in the early stages. I can tell you it’s a chick-lit book. I want to reach the novel length this time and it may take a year or two but starting it is the main challenge. I am working weekends as a care assistant, and am doing a lot of my placement from home now due to the internet situation at the college. I can’t believe it’s only a couple of months till Christmas, the time is really flying, and we just finished midterm too! I got dressed up for Halloween, I wore cat ears on my head as I think they’re cute. Never too old to dress up! I am enjoying the routine of working all weekend and then placement all week. Yes, I am exhausted by Sunday night, but I am glad to be working at all. I am looking forward to Christmas and fully aware this time next year I will be in my final year. However, I am focusing on the here and now and enjoying my placement and learning loads. It’s nice to see people again after the pandemic. Until next time, Aoife.
Final Year Diary By Anastasia Burton
Features Editor
Hey guys! So, technically I am in my final year but logistically I am finished the study-oriented portion of my degree. Lockdown and the uncertainty of Covid-19 have caused a lot of hiccups, especially with placement abilities. 2020 was the year I should have been on placement but due to lockdown, most of my interviews did not go ahead and a lot of details were up in the air. That is when I decided to flip my year. I requested to finish my final year of study in the third year and do a placement in the fourth. However, I was already on placement with Stellar, VIP, and Kiss magazines at the time as I had outsourced my own placement to further my skills and keep myself busy. I technically completed my placement from April until September which thankfully got counted towards my degree as most of my pieces were published and even printed! So, what am I doing this year you might ask? Working for Google. Yes, you heard that right. I have worked with Google for the past year and juggling a full-time remote job and a final year of education was really tough. I had midterms in the middle of very busy work seasons and final exams during the end of a quarter which was very difficult and tedious. I somehow passed both my midterms and finals with a 2.1 average for the year! I’m looking forward to seeing what my overall degree will be worth as it was something I had to mix with full-time employment throughout my degree. If you’re in a similar boat, where you are working and trying to do good in University, I feel you. Just remember to take your annual leaves and sick days to focus on your assignments and exams, be open with your managers as most of them will understand the struggle and will look out for you. I am focusing this year on my professional growth and working towards travelling more to find my place in this world. As a second-generation immigrant I feel like I have an identity crisis 24/7, and to solve that I decided that within the next 24 months my goal is to find a place in this world where I will feel happy living for reasonably rent rates and a place where I can feel at home. Also, I recently got a new tattoo! So that’s something. Thanks for listening to my Ted Talk and you’ll hear from me again next issue!
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Opinion · Tuairim
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Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Budget 2022: One step forward for our contraception needs By Caoimhe Killeen
However, the most talked about decision came in the form of a proposed €31 million women’s health package – namely At first glance, this year’s Budget seems a bit like smoke and the decision to invest €9 million to roll out free contraception mirrors in some places. for all women aged seventeen to twenty-five. This includes two Some progress was made with a slight increase to the SUSI free GP consultations about contraception, including fittings grant and minimum wage going up to €10.50, but the govern- for contraceptive methods like the coil. ment still not revealing their plan of action regarding the Mica On the one hand, it’s a promising start in the right direction. redress was a slight let down. After all, a crisis pregnancy in the seventeen to twenty-five age range can, in some cases, greatly impact a woman’s education and lead them down a path that they hadn’t necessarily planned, even with recently legalised abortion services. Yet, the main criticism against the measure was that the targeted age category was too narrow. In other European countries, namely France, the categories for ages eligible for free contraception have slowly widened. In 2013, contraception was offered to those between fifteen and eighteen. This was later extended to the under-fifteen age category last August, with under twenty-fives set to be included next year. So, it makes sense that the minimum age for consent and free contraception is seventeen, with legal challenges stated as the reason why pushing the eligible age range lower could pose a risk. Yet, Health Ministers Stephen Donnelly has claimed the Government have sought legal advice about the possibility. And that’s before we even get into the criticism that everyone should also have access to free contraception, not just people with ovaries. Certainly, the burden should not fall on these people alone, creating a whole other debate. Other measures were included in the announcement such as addressing the issue of period poverty for the first time. However, no clear measures have been outlined on what exactly will be done. The country will have to follow the precedent set by Scotland. Scotland tackled the situation head on by becoming the first country in the world to put local authorities under legal obligation to make sanitary products completely free of charge and universal under The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill. The Bill was passed in Scottish Parliament just under a year Monday 1st 4pm-7pm ago in November 2020. Granted, the logistics of it are still being sorted out but it is still a huge step forward in tackling period Danny Alex Monday 1st 7PM-11pm poverty. Perhaps the Irish Government is already attempting to draft JOHN MURPHY TUESDAY 2nd 4pm-7pm legislation, but steps are already being taken outside of the government that mould such future bills. Lidl Ireland recently partnered up with Homeless Period Ireland to start a Period WEDNESDAY 3rd 4pm-7pm Poverty Support Programme, becoming the first major retailer in the country (and the world) to offer free period products. Graham Doherty THURSDAY 4th 4pm-7pm Through their app Lidl Plus, customers get a free monthly coupon which can be used on period products. Quarterly donations are made through the Simon Community to those who STAFF TAKEOVER FRIDAY 5th ALL EVENING may not have access to a smartphone, and free products are also donated to clubs across the country for athletes in partnership with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association. These are all steps that the Irish Government could adopt in tackling the issue. And in any event, it’s too soon to say whether this proposal will make a massive difference, or if it’s just a tokenistic step in the right direction with no further action taken. We shall have to wait with bated breath until the contraception measure is rolled out next August and until other plans are announced to see if it will make a well needed and effective change in Irish society.
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On the one hand, it’s a promising start in the right direction. After all, a crisis
pregnancy in the seventeen to twenty-five age range can greatly impact a woman’s
education... yet, the main criticism against the measure was that the
targeted age category was too narrow.
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Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Opinion · Tuairim
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How did Facebook’s recent 5 hour outage impact you? By Katie Barragry On the 4th of October Facebook went down and access was restricted across all Facebook platforms including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. To be honest, I wasn’t too heartbroken about the outage, but I can see where frustration lay in terms of communication for many people. My evening without access to Facebook and Instagram wasn’t that different to the usual. In lieu of the absent-minded scrolling that has become part of my daily routine, I found that I had additional free time. I resorted to a book and an early night. I enjoyed my evening “offline” as I felt I had an excuse to stay away from social media and could be productive instead.
In other cases, many people just clicked onto Tik Tok and Twitter, which were thriving in the absence of Instagram. The following morning, all was up and running again. Many influencers that I follow were addressing the outage and many commented about the freedom they felt when the platforms went down. The idea of an evening “offline” was a foreign concept for those who have a significant presence on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. When your income is dependent on social media platforms, you are going to have a stronger opinion when it crashes. Some of these influencers and social media personalities mentioned they felt refreshed and recharged after the evening. It makes sense. When you stop and think about it, how often do influencers get a break from work? Influencing online is essentially a 24/7 job and they don’t stop at 5pm. While it may be easy to switch off your computer after a day at the office, the same can’t be said for Instagram – which is used for both work and entertainment. An evening like the night of the 4th truly reminds us of how subconsciously addicted we are to social media. There is so much talk these days about the importance of living a ‘real’ life and not a life online, but many people have still failed to get the memo. The idea of switching off isn’t a common thought and living without Instagram seems unbearable for many. Our society has undoubtedly become engulfed by social media, and it doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon. With many people commenting on how refreshed they felt without social media, it demonstrates that sometimes we all need to switch off and take a well-deserved break back to reality. Making a conscious effort not to get sucked in and live a “real life” will have its benefits for everyone.
Opinion · Tuairim
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Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
The saga of re-branding and re-casting By Roisin Kerrigan I’m not sure if anyone else has noticed this, but why in the world has Hollywood became obsessed with the idea of re-branding male led films? It doesn’t make sense to me. There seems to be a never-ending stream of reboots of this kind coming to a cinema near you, but why? Who is asking for these films? I certainly wasn’t. Ghostbusters, a Halloween classic from 1984, has been re-branded and re-made to star four female leads instead of the original cast of males. Now, why was this necessary? The original was a classic, and now the 2016 shows the film in a silly and uninspired light. In my opinion, they ruined the film, dumbing themselves down to stupid gag jokes and objectifying a Hemsworth brother, keeping the poor man shirtless as much as possible solely to boost viewing numbers. I do not see a need or want for a re-boot of the original film, proving that Hollywood has run out of ideas and must now result to stealing from the past. It is the same situation with Oceans 11, we now have Oceans 8; where eight bad-ass women pull off a jewellery heist. Are you kidding me? Do writers believe women think of nothing else? It does make my blood boil. The original, Clooney/Pitt film showed skilled con men pulling a huge scam to get revenge and earn their fortune. Well, this idea was repeated in Sandra Bullocks’ version, where she seeks revenge on an ex-boyfriend, deciding that stealing jewellery is the best revenge. You couldn’t make this stuff up, and clearly neither could Oceans 8’s writers.
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“Let me say, nobody wants or needs a Jane Bond on screen. We want a strong female who is wholly original. Hand-me-downs are not acceptable; we deserve far more. I do feel slightly hypocritical as Ocean’s 8 had eight strong, admirable (apart from the crime) women on screen, showing women that they can be as good as their male counter parts, and I did enjoy the film. But still, can Hollywood please stop giving women the men’s hand-me-downs? It is infuriating and I think the characters were clearly written with a male lead in mind and putting a woman in their place was just for the sake of political correctness. What we need is more scripts with
strong women as their original leads. We, as women do not need any man’s second-hand script. Women deserve more wicked and wonderful women on their screens, Charlies Angels anyone? Three strong independent, and let’s be honest, cool ladies who take control of their own destiny. And they never result to the stereotypes of women, fighting over a sub-par man, and ogling at jewels. Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, and Cameron Diaz execute their roles, and targets, with a flawlessness that is rarely seen in female cast cinema. I won’t talk about the 2019 version, because in one word, atrocious. We are being taught as young girls that women are not special enough to have a film written with our gender in mind, that we may only have what another man has had first. It is not fair. Everyone can agree that representation on the silver screen is important in society, so why is this not being done? Surely the creativity gene has not skipped our generation, so why are reboots casting women just for the sake of it? There is no rhyme or reason to the monstrosities these reboots have had inflicted on us in recent years. Let me say, nobody wants or needs a Jane Bond on screen, (James’ sexism was more than enough for this woman to stomach). We want a strong female who is wholly original. Hand-me-downs are not acceptable; we deserve far more.
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Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Opinion · Tuairim
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How much stuff is too much stuff? Enhance your career prospects with a postgraduate qualification By Róise Nic Dhonnagáin
I recently read an article written by Adrian Chiles for the Guardian where he reflected on his belief that as a society, we have too much ‘stuff.’ I won’t lie to you, that article sent me spiralling. As I read Chiles’ reflections on how we, as people, have continued to stuff the planet full of things we don’t actually need – hello, random lockdown purchases – I realized how truly emotionally charged owning and buying things can be. Two months ago, I moved to France, and in the two weeks before I moved, I had to narrow down all my worldly possessions to fit into my luggage – a 20kg suitcase and a rucksack. It was a lengthly, thought-provoking process as I struggled to whittle down twenty years’ worth of living to abide by the Ryanair baggage guidelines. Since I’ve come to France, I’ve experienced weekly pangs of regret as I ponder the things that didn’t make the cut – my fluffy dressing gown, my Nutribullet blender, all seven of my Harry Potter books; the list goes on. I tearfully picture these beloved items collecting dust in my bedroom - that is, if my sister hasn’t stolen them for herself. With each visiting family or friend, I’ve made various requests for items to be reunited with. From my friends I requested my winter coat, (leave it to me to severely underestimate Autumn in the south of France.) From my boyfriend, my electric toothbrush charger. Now with my parents’ visiting, I’ve made requests for the newest Salley Rooney novel and a box of Barry’s tea – the core essentials.
Reading Chiles’ article made me realise just how obsessed with ‘stuff’ I really am. I have genuinely had tears come to my eyes as I thought of all the things I’ve left behind, feeling as though my whole life, as reflected in the objects adorning my bedroom, had all been abandoned. When did my relationship to my possessions become such an emotional issue? Why am I getting weepy over the thought of not having my favourite throw blanket here with me? Chiles points out in his article that it’s not uncommon for people to resort to storage facilities to store the sheer number of useless possessions they have racked up over time. This rings true to me. Despite my desire to be reunited with my ‘stuff,’ if I even attempt to bring any more things into my undeniably tiny French college apartment, my roommate and I will have quite the obstacle course to face in the mornings as we try make our way through to the kitchen. So, for now, I will try to be a bit more critical when compiling my list of ‘necessities.’ It’s safe to say I’m living in luxury now, compared to the first few days in my new apartment, when I slept with a towel as a pillow, without even a duvet to my name. In the future, I will try and adopt Chiles’ philosophy and, in an attempt to live more simply, figure out which are the truly essential things and which are the disposable dust collectors. I’m pretty sure about which category that box of Barry’s tea belongs to, though.
Research shows that a postgraduate course can increase your earning potential and that your career progression greatly increases after you obtain a postgrad qualification. Statistics from the Careers Service Graduate Destinations Report indicate that 94% of NUI Galway postgraduates are in employment or further education/research six months after graduation. Visit our upcoming VIRTUAL Postgrad Open Day to find out what we offer at postgraduate level that can enhance your prospects. The Virtual Postgraduate Open Day (Tuesday 16 November) will feature presentations representing our postgrad courses, where you can talk to programme directors and students about these programmes. General talks will also take place covering research, application tips and personal statements (which you may need for your course application), and part-time study options. Pre-register at http://bit.ly/3ASiwjd http://bit.ly/3ASiwjd.
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Arts & Fashion · Cultúr 7 Faisean
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Ready, steady, read! By Caoimhe Killeen Are you sick of studying for midterms and doing assignments? Are you feeling burnout just from scrolling through your Instagram and Twitter feeds or your TikTok “For You” page? Well, why not pick up some books you have been dying to read for a while but have been sitting on your to-be read list? If you have been meaning to get back to the reading swing of things but don’t know where to start, here are my top five picks (in no particular order) to add to your TBR:
1. We Were Liars by E.Lockhart: With spooky season upon us, why not bypass the traditional horror picks of Dracula or Carrie and go for a lighter yet mysterious YA thriller instead? The book is centered around the Sinclair family who spend every summer together on a private island. But seventeen-year-old Cadence is forced to relive and remember a tragic incident from two years ago over the summer from her old friend group-the “Liars.” A sleeper hit, it has eventually grown in popularity on “BookTok” and is a quick read at 256 pages.
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2. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett I f you’ re lo o k i ng fo r a deeper read, The Vanishing Half focuses on twin sisters Stella and Desiree in their small town of Vignes. They run away at sixteen years old in search of a better life, but years later the sisters are separated. Stella abandons Desiree to live life as a white-passing woman due to her lighter skin tone, while Desiree returns to Vignes with her daughter from a failed marriage. Weaving across generations to their daughters Jude and Kennedy, the book not only explores the issues of race and passing, but of family, societal expectations and what it meant to belong in 1990’s America.
3. Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas For the fantasy lovers out there, this book could be for you. The first of an epic six book trilogy (eight if you count the prequel book and spinoff novel), the first book is essentially about Cinderella but if Cinderella had a sword…and was a deadly assassin who was sent to prison. But in this case, Celena Sardorthien is given a get out of jail free card as she is chosen to be the prince’s champion in a tournament to become the King’s right-hand man. But along the way, romance and mystery murders also crop up. If you’re looking to get stuck into a new YA series, then it’s worth reading.
4. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman This last pick is for graphic novel lovers out there-it can also be read easily online through comic websites like Tapas or in its original webcomic form on Tumblr. Heartstopper is also set to come to Netflix soon as a TV show. Set in the UK, it follows an openly gay Charlie Spring as he befriends rugby jock Nick Nelson. They eventually fall for each other and support one another through the challenges as they navigate their school days in an allboys school. Currently, four volumes are published with a mini novella but if you’re looking for a LBGTQ+ love story that tackles bullying, homophobia, eating disorders and what it means to come out, grab the tissues and get comfortable with some snacks because this is the perfect read for you!
Arts & Fashion · Cultúr 7 Faisean
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
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Youth Ballet West make Claddagh shoreline a central part of edgy version of Swan Lake By Enya Tierney
Arts & Fashion Editor Inspired by the beautiful swans in Galway’s Claddagh shoreline, the talented dancers from Youth Ballet West will perform “Claddagh Swans” in the Town Hall Theatre on Saturday, November 6th and Sunday November 7th. The cutting-edge approach to a classic theme has been choreographed by Judith Sibley, who interchanges from a contemporary vision of the traditional Swan Lake ballet to mesmerizing underwater scenes.
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It was amazing to be back at the studio after Covid, knowing that we would be up on stage for the first time in so long. “It’s very different to what people expect of a ballet,” says Eimear Gillen, soloist in The Claddagh Swans, Youth Ballet West company member. The young dancer had also participated in the original film, Dancing by Distance, for Cruinniu na nÓg 2020, commissioned by Creative Ireland and aired on RTE 2. “It’s nice to connect the dance with Galway, where the company is based.” The seventy-minute piece includes an eclectic mix of composers, including Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens as well as Declan O’Rourke BellX1 and The Corrs, that will set the tone for the combination of classic and new portrayed in the performance. In an effort to introduce ballet to diverse audiences and raise the profile of ballet in the West of Ireland, Youth Ballet West (YBW) offers young dancers in the west of Ireland the opportunity to audition for and perform professionally choreographed ballets of the highest standard. Claddagh Swans is the organisation’s first performance after the stop of rehearsals during the pandemic. “It was amazing to be back at the studio after Covid, knowing that we would be up on stage for the first time in so long. I think that’s the best part of it, getting back with the people of the company, working with them and helping create the dance,” Eimear mentions. Choreographer Judith Sibley, one of Ireland’s most prestigious ballet artists, puts this ornate and edgy piece together seamlessly. Having choreographed for Cork City Ballet, Baboro Festival, Macnas, Cuirt Festival, and Catastrophe Theatre Company, her broad experience in the dance industry gives her works a level of creativity that is hard to find in the West Coast. Judith has toured internationally, performing principal and soloist roles in all the major classical ballets including Swan Lake, Giselle, La Bayadere, Cinderella, Coppelia, and The Nutcracker. Tickets for the show can be bought on the Town Theatre website, which has now increased audience size to 60% of venue capacity where all patrons are immune (fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 6 months).
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Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála
Travel diary By Anastasia Burton Howdy! So, travel restrictions were eased back in August I believe and every month since then I have dedicated my annual leave days for my trips abroad. Since August I have travelled to Venice, Italy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Estonia. I have two or three
more trips planned this year but I’ll walk you through the ones I have already taken and tell you all about how fun it is to go on short, spontaneous trips fueled by depressive episodes and Ryanair sales.
August — Venice
In August I was officially fully vaccinated and therefore I was ready to take on Europe. My partner and I always wanted to see Venice. It’s a magical place although it does seem like a fake city of sorts. Let me explain, we went for a week, stayed at a fab hotel that for some reason never turned off their AC’s even at night. The city is filled with tourists and sales merchants but here’s the thing that threw me off. The city felt a little empty, or to be more clear, it felt as though it was specifically manufactured for tourists and holidays for Italians from other regions. There are no taxis (apart from boat taxis which are expensive) and no roads, it’s all canals. The best way to travel around Venice and the surrounding Islands is to purchase a three-day pass which gives you
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
I would suggest going to Venice for no more than four or five days as the city itself is quite small... and plan to spend a fortune on food.
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unlimited journeys. It was a great trip where we met people from Austria that we actually still keep in touch with and will be meeting this New Year! I would suggest going to Venice for no more than four or five days as the city itself is quite small and unless you plan to spend a fortune on food, there is no point. The trip cost us 20 euro for return tickets for 7 nights and 521 euro for the hotel for the entire stay with breakfast included in an ensuite room.
September — Amsterdam
This trip was heavily influenced by my love of windmills and the bike culture of the country. My partner has never been to The Netherlands and this was my third time going. The tickets were equally cheap as they cost us 39 euro return excluding luggage. This trip was really fun but the downside was that it rained for the entire four days that we were there. Most sightseeing buses were out of service due to the pandemic so we took the Lover’s cruise around the city canals which is fun no matter how many times you’ve taken the
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála
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Photo by Jace & Afsoon on Unsplash
tour. We also visited the flea market where my partner and I bought a lot of items that we probably did not need but loved anyway! I bought a strawberry hat. I spent three days convincing my partner it was a great investment. Of course, it’s not a trip to Amsterdam without a trip to the Ice Bar and a visit to the coffee shops. All in all the trip was well worth it and the hotel we stayed in had a wonderful location and only cost us 107 euros as I had multiple discounts and credits on my Booking.com app.
October — Tallin
This trip was not so much for a holiday as it was to meet my future in-laws. Yes, you heard that right I am officially going to be somebody’s Mrs. I didn’t expect too much from Tallin but I was taken aback by how much a fellow post-Soviet country has developed itself into a full-blown European city. The old city was so well preserved and I was shocked that polluted streets were not a thing in Tallin, and don’t get me started on the E-scooters you can rent for 12c a minute! The flights cost us about 40 euro return including priority and one carry-on bag. We saved a ton on rent as we lived with my partner’s parents who had plenty of room for us to rest and work. We wanted to visit Finland as there is a direct Cruise route but the weather was quite frosty so we bookmarked it for next time. So here you have it. A summary (be it a short one) of my travels so far this year. Be prepared to see a few more of these in the coming issues.
MATURE STUDENTS
Clinic Buail Isteach do Mhic Léinn Lánfhásta 10:00-11:00 Wednesday/Dé Céadaoin Location: SU Office Áras na Mac Léinn More information from/Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ó: su.maturestudents@nuigalway.ie @nuigsu
NUIGalwayStudentsUnion www.su.nuigalway.ie
Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála
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Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Guide: Prepare for a successful interview By Ewelina Szybinska
Health & Lifestyle Editor If you have recently applied for a new job or a placement opportunity, you might get a chance to be interviewed for the position. An interview does not have to be a nightmare that haunts you every time. The stress can be significantly reduced with good preparation. The first idea that comes to mind is to search for popular interview questions. It is most definitely a promising idea to prepare for possible questions but there is so much more you can do to feel ready by the time your interview comes around. Here is a list of things you can use to be a successful applicant.
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prepped, learn it off if you would like. Interviewers always ask this and being able to answer it well will give you a boost of confidence for the remainder of the interview. Prepare answers with regards to skills, accomplishments, and qualities. It is important to be able to provide examples of where you have presented each. Do not forget about the beauty behind practice! All you need is a mirror. This will allow you to see if you fidget a little too much or maybe you will find yourself being stuck for words. If you are lucky to have somebody around, ask for their help. We are more comfortable around things we already know. Thus, having this mock interview can ease your worried mind.
Get some sleep! Being sleep deprived will only increase irritability and stress. Research the company
You would be surprised how much this will help you to become comfortable with the upcoming conversation. Use this time to ask friends and family about the company. Sites such as Indeed and LinkedIn can help you navigate previous employees’ views. This is where the real intel comes from. It will allow you to further understand the employer’s expectations for this specific position.
Interview questions
‘Tell me about yourself;’ this deceivingly simple question continues to cause a block for a lot of people. You must have this
Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash
Organise the following:
Donate to the Hygiene Bank today Donate hygiene, personal care and household cleaning products to those in need. Help us to end Hygiene Poverty.
AN BANC SLÁINTEACHAIS
Tabhair rud éigin don Bhanc Sláinteachais inniu Tabhair táirgí sláinteachais, cúraim phearsanta agus glantacháin tí dóibh siúd atá i ngátar. Déanaimis ár gcion féin le deireadh a chur leis an tearcrochtain sláinteachais.
@nuigsu
NUIGalwayStudentsUnion www.su.nuigalway.ie
• Make sure to have your references organised. This may be difficult to obtain when you are looking for your first job. However, a reference from the school principal or a place you may have volunteered for will likely suffice. • Prepare your bag. Pack around five copies of your C.V, a notepad and a pen. Try to have it cleaned out prior because once you need to reach in for something, you do not want wrappers to be falling out. It might give an impression of disorganization. This may seem to be a small detail; however, it can make a difference in how you present yourself. • In regards to presentation, dress accordingly and be on time. Being punctual will also represent how serious you are about the position. It is best to be earlier because it will give you time to get in the right head space. • Sometimes an interviewer might drop a question you will not be ready for. That is only natural and there is no need to panic. To give you some time to think about your answer, have a phrase ready to go. For example, ‘This is a great question, I believe …’ • Oh, and I almost forgot, get some sleep. Being sleep deprived will only increase irritability and stress. It is one more thing you can do to nail your interview.
With all of this, I wish you the absolute best of luck in your future interviews!
DISABILITY Rights Clinic Clinic um Chearta Míchumais
4pm-6pm • Every Monday on Zoom For more information contact su.disability@oegaillimh.ie NUIGalwayStudentsUnion www.su.nuigalway.ie
@nuigsu
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Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Staying fit after isolation By Paris Ediagbonya
Don’t worry if you haven’t found a type of workout that suits you yet, the perfect one for everyone still exists somewhere!
to do 30 minutes of swimming twice a week, or whatever works for you. Afterwards, you can build it up over time as it begins to etch itself into a permanent space in your life. Don’t worry if you can’t increase your time spent with fitness over time, or at all. Every moment you try is important and counts toward something, as long as you are consistent.
Maintaining your fitness during any significant life change can always feel next to impossible. I’m sure we can all look back to Motivation our first ever lockdown and remember how Staying fit goes hand in hand with staying motimuch we wanted to get done back then. It’s vated. Most of the time we can get stuck in this been eons since that time, and for some, loop where we feel like we must start something the new activities they have picked up have at specific times, like at the beginning of the stuck. For others, it’s been difficult to land week, or month, or year. The best and quickest Resources on any one activity and commit to it. If you way to get motivated is to ditch that idea entirely. There are a variety of ways you can stay fit relate to the latter, it is not too late! It is never You can start doing anything to keep fit right without spending much or anything at all. too late in fact, and after this article, I hope to away. There is really nothing holding you back. As I mentioned before, the university clubs reignite your inner spark of motivation and It may sound simple, and a bit over-said but are worthwhile for those who like to keep slowly help you to establish a fitness routine. keeping motivated is about seizing the moment social during their fitness routine. YouTube and doing something as it occurs to you. Ignore is amazing for those who would prefer to Something you love the little voice in your head saying you will do exercise in the comfort of their own home. Choosing an exercise you love is crucial it later, or on Monday, or in 2022, there really is It’s also free, if you can stomach the ads, and when beginning any fitness journey. It no time like the present. they host a wealth of beginner’s exercises in doesn’t always guarantee that you’ll stay activities from cardio to pilates. Another valuamotivated to do it, but it sure will help. Slow and steady ble resource for fitness is Zoom classes. Maybe The only true way to find out if you’ll like Motivation is a very volatile force. Doing too you’re sick of Zoom, I get it! However, for those something is by trying it. The great thing much too quickly, as we all know, can lead to who don’t want to spend a lot of money on about being a college student is that there burnout. What is more, once we get burnt out, classes but still want to keep fit with people are infinite clubs you can access to find your we could lose our motivation and fall off the in real-time, Zoom classes are the way to go. perfect sport. Often finding out what you fitness wagon. Starting off your fitness jour- Keeping fit can be quite accessible and there don’t like can make discovering what you do ney slowly is one of the best ways to ensure are plenty of resources out there that will like much easier. For example, I never liked that you will stick with your routine for the match your specific fitness wants and needs. competitive sports that involved teams, so I long term. That means setting a small goal for Remember keeping fit is all about you, leaned towards dance as my fitness activity. yourself every week. If you love to swim, decide so make it as enjoyable as possible.
Choosing an exercise you love is crucial when beginning any fitness journey. The great thing about being a college student is that there
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are infinite clubs you can access to find your perfect sport.
Health & Lifestyle · Folláine 7 Nós Maireachtála
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
NEW: SIN Sayys Advice from one student to another By Katie Barragry Hi SIN Says, I have just started college and moved away from home for the first time. My course is going very well and I am enjoying it. However, I am really struggling to make friends. I have a tight-knit friend group at home, but we have all gone our separate ways. I am living in student accommodation and hate feeling lonely and isolated and want to make new friends. How do I get myself out there more? Kind regards, Lonely student Dear Lonely Student, Firstly, I would like to thank you very much for getting in touch – it’s not easy to reach out and look for help and advice. Secondly, I would like to reassure you that you are not the only person feeling like this and you are certainly not alone. The beginning of a new college year always brings up a wide array of emotions. Some people thrive in a new environment while others find it more difficult to settle in. It is important to remember that both feelings are completely normal. Regarding making friends, my biggest piece of advice would be to “Say yes!” If someone invites you to join them on a night out, say yes. If someone asks you to grab a coffee after a lecture, say yes. If someone asks you to tag along to a club meeting, say yes. S o me times
Not only do we want to share newsworthy stories here at SIN, we want to provide a wellrounded view on student life. Life at university isn’t always easy. We all experience issues and struggles from time to time. This new section of the newspaper will be dedicated to answering and advising your issues and queries, from one student to another. If you have any ideas up for discussion, please email sinsays.sineditor@gmail.com. sinsays.sineditor@gmail.com you must grab opportunities as they present themselves. You never know, you could meet a new best friend over a pint in the college bar or at a late-night study session. Furthermore, I would advise you to join a club or society of something that interests you - NUI Galway are renowned for having something for everyone. Whether you are interested in mountaineering, politics or fashion, there is certainly something for you. Keep an eye out for the weekly Student Union newsletter for all the latest information on clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities. You have mentioned that you are currently living in student accommodation. Try to spend time in the communal areas of the house or apartment and get to know your housemates. Try to organise a housemate night out or a movie night. Remember that spending all your time in your room and closing the door gives the impression that you want be alone. I would also encourage you to reach out to your fellow classmates – be it online or in person. If there is a course night out being organised, ensure you tag along. It is always reassuring to have a friendly face to sit beside in lectures. Just as a final note, reach out for help if you need it. I would like to highlight the student counselling services available at NUI Galway. For all information and queries, email counselling@nuigalway.ie counselling@nuigalway.ie. Yours, Katie Author of SIN Says
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Avoiding burnout
Taking steps to improve your life
By Aoife Burke It is important not to do too much too soon, and burn out happens when you burn the candle at both ends. So what steps should you take to ensure that this doesn’t happen to you? Firstly, pace yourself. Remember that life is not a race. Next, make sure to get plenty of rest. Sleep is important for growth, healing and renewal and if you don’t get enough sleep, you might not be able to produce quality work. It is also important to eat properly. Food is so important for energy throughout the day. Make sure you
avoid processed foods as much as you can. Try to consume energy drinks only in moderation. Don’t take on extra work that you know you will not have time for. You could just end up exhausting yourself both physically and mentally. Exercise is another way of avoiding burnout and it may help you feel happier and more motivated. Comparing your work to others might cause you to lose your self-confidence as everyone has a different method and style of working. Having a routine is also a good idea. Try to arrive to work on time and leave on time. The same for lectures in college. Yes, go to the library but as soon as you start feeling tired, try taking a break. Take care of your hobbies. Reading is a good way to de-stress. You can also try listening to lecture notes that have been pre-recorded. Listening to music or the radio is also a good way to switch off from studying. Do a little at a time and set yourself daily and weekly tasks to complete by a deadline. Having a diary and an alarm clock might be helpful. Be kind to yourself, you are only human.
Cainte
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Agallamh Quickfire: Caoimhe Ní Chathail
An tádh dearg. Mná óga ag imeacht ón spórt sna déaga.
le hÁine Ní Dhonnaile
Déan cur síos ort féin i 5 fhocal.
Gnóthach, paiseanta, tiománta, drámatúil, cainteach
An bhfuil leasainm agat?
CaoimheChats, Chats, Caoimhze, Caoimhe the Diva (níl a fhios agam cad chuige!)
Céad cheolchoirm ar fhreastal tú uirthi?
Taylor Swift in 2010 sa 3Arena agus nuair a d’ísligh an cuirtín ór agus bhi sí le feiceail ar stáitse, chaoin mé uisce mo cheann ... le háthas!
Céad phost a bhí agat?
D’obair mé i siopa potaireachta agus reachtáil muid campaí samhraidh ealaíne. Rinne mé cuid mhór péinteála an samhradh sin!
Cad é a cheannófá dá mbuafá an crannchur náisiúnta?
Cheannóinn teach faoin tuath taobh amuigh de Bhéal Feirste, carr leictreach agus saoire thar lear le mo theaghlach
An bhfuil tallann cheilte agat?
Thig liom an fheadog mhór a sheinnt ach nil sin déanta agam le tamall, i ndiaidh na blianta de ranganna agus graid cheoil ….. brón orm a thuismitheoiri!
Cuimhne is sásta atá agat ó d’óige?
Achan turas go Glaschú chun mo sheantuismitheoirí a fheiceáil
An téacs deireanach a sheol tú?
“Do I have a hidden talent??”
Cad é a chuireann eagla ort? Luchóga mora agus beaga
An bhfuil ‘happy place’ agat?
Amuigh faoin aer i dTír Chonaill ag siúl le mo theaghlach agus ansin ag léim san fharraige, beag beann ar an aimsir.
Cad é a chiallaíonn ‘rath’ duit?
A bheith sásta sa rud atá idir lámha agam, ag mothú gur ar mhaithe le rud inteacht nios mó ná mé féin atá mé ag obair agus ag foghlaim agus ag forbairt i gcónaí. Oh agus cothromaíocht idir mo shaol oibre agus mo shaol pearsanta ... rud atá i gcónai ina dhúshlán.
Agus….. cén focal Gaeilge is fearr leat?
Buzzáil …. measartha cinnte gur chum mé sin agus mé ar an ollscoil ...
Le Caitlín Ní Mhurchú
Eagarthóir Cainte
Níor thuig Áine Ní hÓldáin ag an am go raibh an t-ádh dearg uirthi. Is iomaí cailín a theipeann ag an chéad chliath agus í ag tabhairt faoin spórt sa lá atá inniu ann. De réir suirbhé a rinne Lidl, ceapann triúr as ceathrar cailíní go ndéantar neamhaird orthu sa spórt i gcomparáid le buachaillí. Ag trí bliana déag d’aois, éiríonn duine as gach beirt cailíní as spórt. Bhí Áine dhá bhliain déag d’aois nuair a leag sí lámh ar an tóirse is cáiliúla ar domhan; an lasair Oilimpeach. Is siombail é de phaisean agus de dhíograis na gCluichí Oilimpeacha.
Bosca Foclóra
An tseachtain seo labhair mé le Caoimhe Ní Chathail, láithreoir agus léiritheoir teilifíse agus raidió as Leitir Ceanainn. Faoi láthair tá Caoimhe le feiceáil ar TG4 achan oíche Chéadaoin leis an sraith ‘Éadaí SOS’, agus le cloisteáil ar Raidió Fáilte agus BBC Raidió Uladh achan seachtain. Bíonn sí gnóthach go leor! Labhair ‘Caoimhe the Diva’ liom faoina happy place i dTír Chonaill, an fheadóg mhór agus ag caoineadh ag an cheolchoirm Taylor Swift i 2010!
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
An t-ádh dearg — to be lucky An chéad cliath — the first hurdle Neamhaird — disregard Rása sealaíochta — relay race Drogall — reluctance Colainn — body Eiseamláir — example Baois — foolishness
Bhí an chéad chluiche san Aithin i 1896 nuair a lasadh an tóirse don chéad uair le cúnamh ón ngrian ar Shliabh Oilimpia. I láthair na huaire lastar an tóirse sa Ghréig agus tar éis an rása sealaíochta timpeall an domhain, coiméadtar an lasair Oilimpeach ar lasadh i bpríomhionad na gcluichí ó thús deireadh. Fiú fuair cailín óg as Ceatharlach deis greim a fháil ar an tóirse seo mar a rinne na mílte roimpi ó bunaíodh an traidisiún. Bhí an t-ádh dearg ar Áine an deis seo a fháil. An lá a bhuail mé léi, beagnach deich mbliana ina dhiaidh sin, í naoi mbliana déag d’aois anois, agus meangadh mór gáire uirthi agus a béaldath dearg ag suí os mo chomhair sa chaifé. Bhí an grian ag rince tríd an fhuinneog ag tarraingt siar ar bhóithrín na smaointe í. Seo é an cur síos a rinne sí air. “Bhí an t-ádh dearg orm i ndáiríre, bhí mé páirteach sna cluichí pobail. Cuir siad na contaetha go léir i hata amháin agus tháinig mo chontae Ceatharlach amach.. Agus ansin chuir Ceatharlach na paróistí go léir i hata agus tháinig mo pharóiste féin amach. Ansin chuir siad imreoirí ó aois a dó dhéag suas isteach agus tháinig m’animse amach!” Cinnte, rugadh an sonas le hÁine nuair a fheiceann tú an próiseas casta taobh thiar den roghnú. Bhí sciorta den ádh ag baint le roghnú Áine óig. Cinnte músclaíodh dúil sa spórt ina mheoin ó aois óg. Ach cad faoi na páistí nach mbíonn an deis seo acu? Níl cailíní óga ag leanúint ar aghaidh leis an spóirt sa mheánscoil agus is mór an trua é. Fásann cailíní suas níos tapúla ná buachaillí ag an aois chéanna. Le na hathruithe móra
atá ag tarlú dóibh agus iad ag fás aníos bíonn drogall orthu iad féin a chur chun tosaigh. Ní bhíonn daoine ag labhairt faoi na deacrachtaí a bhíonn ag cailíní ag an aois seo agus iad ag déanamh iarracht fanacht leis an spórt ach ag dul i ngleic le colainn atá ag forbairt agus ag athrú. Cinnte den chuid is mó bíonn dul in olcas ann i measc cailíní sna déaga sa spórt. Pléasc lasair i Áine an lá sin agus í ag rith go brodúil leis an tóirse i measc laochra spórtúil. Fós níl an lasair sin múchta. Deir sí “tá saol na hollscoile an-tapa agus an-ghnóthach. Tá sé éasca a bheith ró-thuirseach chun aon rud a dhéanamh.” Tá feachtas 20x20 ar an bhfód anois ag Cónaidhm Spóirt na hÉireann leis an mana “If she can’t See it, she can’t Be it.” Tá siad iarraidh tuiscint chultúrtha i dtaobh mná sa spórt a athrú. Le méadú 20% ar an gclúdach a dhéantar ar spórt na mban, méadú 20% ar rannpáirtíocht na mban sa spórt agus méadú 20% ar líon na ndaoine ag freastal ar imeachtaí spóirt ban. Bhí an deis ag Áine bualadh le Katie Taylor. Cúpla seachtain ina dhiaidh sin i Londain, bhuaigh Katie bonn óir i mbua stairiúil. Nach eiseamláir iontach í le haghaidh cailíní ar fud na hÉireann. Ach deir Áine liom agus í ag gáire nár roghnaigh sí an tóirse a thabhairt do Katie ar an lá mór. “Bhí mise mar fan mór de Jedward ag an am agus thug Jedward an tóirse domsa! Thug mise é do Shane Horgan.” Baois na hóige! Cinnte le cailíní agus mná ar nós Áine ag coinneál suas leis an spórt tá fós seans againn athrú a dhéanamh ar an scéal don ghlúin nua agus na huimhreacha a ardú. Mar a deirtear, mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. Imreoir Haca Oilimpeach Óige na Breataine Katherine Gale, ar chlé, a bhí ina hiopróir Tóirse Olimpeach do Chluichí Olimpeacha Londain 2012.
Ciorcal Comhrá Gach Céadaoin 1 i.n-2 i.n. sa Mhol in Áras na Mac Léinn. Every Wednesday 1pm-2pm in the Hub in Áras na Mac Léinn. Do dheis le Gaeilge a labhairt agus aithne a chur ar dhaoine nua. Your chance to speak Irish and meet new people.
@nuigsu
NUIGalwayStudentsUnion www.su.nuigalway.ie
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Sport · Spóirt
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
If we do not see the change, we cannot be the change.
Rashford shows the way in how athletes can help society By Ian Casserly
“Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything” — Colin Kaepernick (Nike Ad 2018) In the year 2021 food shortages should not exist. Food Banks should not exist. Marcus Rashford should not have to campaign his own government to provide food to their own citizens. In an ideal world, Marcus Rashford can focus fully on his football and governments can focus on providing the essentials of life to their citizens. If the last 2 years have taught us anything, this world is far from ideal. The comments made by his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about how “Marcus has done some remarkable and fantastic things. But now he maybe needs to prioritise his football” are perhaps tone deaf at best and crass at worse. In a country where it has been reported by their own waste advisory body that their “households waste 4.5m tonnes of food a year that could have been eaten, worth £14bn.” there may be more important priorities than football. Whilst this fact should be worthy of a national scandal itself, the fact that it took a 23-year-old footballer to shame his
own government in providing food to 1.3 million school children, to ensure they didn’t go hungry over their school break is awe striking. Rashford, an outlier in the world of commercialised and brand-focused sport stars who has spoken up for what he believes in, will have a much wider impact than can ever be realised now. Rashford himself suffered through the same hardships and struggles that those he campaigns for today currently face. His upbringing in Manchester’s Wythenshawe area saw him and his family rely on food banks and soup kitchens to get by in his younger years. This compassion in his younger years has attributed to him becoming this voice for the voiceless. Similarly, other social activists such as ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick who took the knee during the American National Anthem to protest racial inequality is revered to a similar regard. Kaepernick, put his reputation, career and life on the line and used his platform to highlight the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the USA. Whilst Rashford and Kaepernick have risked everything they’ve built to stand for what they believe in; sporting organisations must similarly realise their importance in this process and the society improving effects they can achieve.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United during the International Champions Cup match between Manchester United and Sampdoria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
In the last few years clubs such as QPR whose constant support and action to help those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire disaster has gone far and beyond the remit of a football club and eclipsed the UK governments measly attempts to remedy the situation. To the other end of the spectrum, the massive response to Premier League clubs such as Burnley and Brighton simply providing free sanitary products to its fans exposes how low the current barometer is for sporting organisations to bring change. Whilst it is not the obligation of sporting organisations to bring about societal change, their foundations as clubs for the working man must still represent those people. Whilst Marcus Rashford might not solve food poverty, or Colin Kaepernick might not eliminate racial injustice, their courageousness will influence the future. With the next generation of kids growing up, seeing these inequalities addressed before their eyes by globally recognised stars, this will sow the seeds for future societal changes.. Much like the 20x20 campaign in Ireland, endeavouring to improve the visibility of women’s sports, their slogan “If she can’t see it, she can’t be it” also applies to the likes of Rashford’s and Kaepernick’s campaigns. If we do not see the change, we cannot be the change.
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Sport · Spóirt
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Why Ireland’s November series is so important By Michael Bolton Andy Farrell recently announced his squad for the November internationals, which will see Ireland take on Japan, New Zealand, and Argentina. Three months out from the six nations and two years from the world cup, this will be a crucial time to develop the squad. Japan are improving every year with their open, attractive rugby, with the 2019 world cup win over Ireland a timely reminder of what they can do. While Argentina will look to bounce back from a disappointing Rugby Championship campaign. All eyes will be on the clash against New Zealand. While they arguably are not the force they once were, they are still the No.1 team in the world. In their first clash since the 2019 World Cup, Ireland will want to prove they can compete against the best in the world under Farrell. Farrell’s squad included some interesting selections, with Leinster duo Ciaran Frawley and Dan Sheehan receiving their first call ups, while Simon Zebo is back in the Irish squad for the first time in almost five years. Despite the excitement of the squad, there is still a number of questions that remain. As Ireland enter another block of
games, the next flyhalf after Johnny Sexton remains unclear. Farrell included Sexton, Joey Carbery and Harry Byrne. Seen by many as the starting 10 for Ireland in the future, Carbery’s performances can be seen as somewhat underwhelming this season. Likewise, Harry Byrne is also coming back from an injury. The 22-year-old has made fans and pundits take notice with his creativity in the last two seasons. However, after suffering a hip injury against Zerbe and ruled out of Leinster’s team against Glasgow, he is also in a race against fitness. With Sexton also doubtful for the opening game, pressure is on Carbery to deliver from the start. Jack Carty can feel unlucky not to be included in the squad after his player of the match performance against Munster, and Carbery. This is a long-term problem that has proved costly in the past for Ireland and must be solved sooner rather than later. This November will also show life after CJ Stander, following the back rows retirement in May. Ireland have been accused of struggling against the more physical sides, so it’s no surprise to see three ball carrying 8s included in Jack Conan, Calen Doris, and Gavin Coombes. Expect Conan to start 8, while Doris is capable at playing at 6, something Leinster have done on a number of occasions.
While much of the talk has been about young talents in Craig Casey and Ryan Baird, the return of Simon Zebo has added a real excitement that was missing from the Irish squad. Left out in the cold while playing for Racing Metro, his return to Munster has reopened his Irish career. While nobody in the back three has the flair of Zebo, all three positions are highly competitive. Hugo Keenan has not put a foot wrong in his time at full back and will likely continue to play there. Jordan Larmour has started the season well and like Zebo, can cover all three positions, while James Lowe is always a danger to any team, despite his defensive difficulties. Meanwhile, Connacht are represented by the trio of Bundee Aki, Ultan Dillane and Finaly Belham. Aki will likely start at twelve with Ringrose, with former Connacht player Robbie Henshaw ruled out with injury. Aki’s physicality and energy was badly missing from majority of the six nations and will give the team a boost. While Ultan Dillane will face huge competition to win a spot in the second row, with James Ryan, Tadhg Bernie, and Iain Henderson all competing with the Connacht man.
Sport · Spóirt
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Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Shefflin takes charge of the Tribesmen
Kilkenny legend and now Galway Hurling Manager Henry Shefflin pictured at the launch of the Allianz League Legends series in Dublin, 2 June 2021. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
By Darren Casserly
COUNTY COLOURS Oíche na nDathanna Contae
Night
Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin was a surprise announcement by the Galway GAA as the new manager of the Galway hurling team. It was much rumored that former Clare and Wexford boss Davy Fitzgerald was going to take the reins at Galway, but with Shefflin’s appointment coming out of nowhere there will be big question over what Galway will be able to achieve next year. There has been much talk in the media since his appointment about how Shefflin could be just what this team needs. This is in spite of the fact that this is his first intercounty job, his playing credentials and winning the club All-Ireland at the helm of Ballyhale Shamrocks in 2019 have done enough to convince people he has what it takes to bring Galway back into All-Ireland contention next year. Galway are coming off from a disappointing championship performance last year and with the departure of key man Joe Canning, Shefflin must work quickly to fill the gap left in his wake if he hopes to hit the ground running with the team next year. The departure of Joe Canning will however be the first stumbling block for Shefflin with this Galway team, losing the team’s arguably best player before he gets in the door I’m sure is something Shefflin would have rather not have to deal with. It is important that Shefflin replaces his presence not just on the pitch, but off it as well. It is, however, an experienced team that Shefflin has inherited with most of the 2017 All-Ireland winning team still around there probably won’t be a massive overhaul needed to get this squad back into contention. The likes of Conor
Shefflin’s playing credentials and winning the club All-Ireland at the helm of Ballyhale Shamrocks in 2019 have done enough to convince people he has what it takes to bring Galway back into All-Ireland contention next year.
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19:30 Thursday 4th of November at Sult
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Whelan and the Cooney’s will now need to step up their games in the absence of Canning and in Evan Niland is a player who can take over the free taking responsibilities and do an okay Canning impression. The questions still remain and his lack of managerial experience at inter-county level means that there are no guarantees here. With Shefflin coming in with a very similar managerial CV as previous manager Shane O’Neill you have to hope from a Galway point of view that his standing within the game will be enough to win over the players early on. Shefflin has broken many Galway fans hearts, but you have to hope that he can mend a few of them over the next few years.
Vol. 23 #04 02 Nov. 2021
Sport · Spóirt
Is Fury now at Mike Tyson’s level of boxing greatness? By Darren Casserly I know it may sound a bit of an overreaction to say Fury is the greatest boxer ever so soon after one of his finest moments in a boxing ring, but it has to be a conversation at the very least. Fury and Tyson do share similarities not just in their domination in the ring, but also their problems outside it. Both could possibly have been better fighters if they were more
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Tyson, the charismatic, troubled figure known for his knockout power and Fury, the man who looks more like a middleaged farmer than a world class boxer.
concentrated on boxing, but in both cases it did not hurt them that much. Of course, when having this debate in sport judging two people in different generations you can almost always tell who’s going to say which one of them is the best. It’s really impossible to have an answer for it, but to say they are not in the same conversation is wrong. It is clear that he is the best heavyweight boxer around now, with all the other contenders like Joshua, Usyk, Wilder and Whyte arguably nowhere near his level and it looks like Fury will dominate the division for a while yet. There is a debate to be had about if the division is what it used to be in its heyday and to be honest it’s probably not. There are not many boxers today up there with the likes of Evander Holyfield or Lennox Lewis and there does not seem to be the same number of fights between the top boxers as there use to be. I could be wrong there, but it seems to me that twenty years ago the like of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury would have had at least a couple of fights by this stage. I know that there was a fight arranged that got cancelled due to covid, but with Joshua having a rematch with Usyk scheduled we may never see them fight and that is a real shame. Tyson and Fury are special for different reasons, Tyson being this charismatic, troubled figure known for his knockout power and Fury being this man who looks more like a middle-aged farmer than the world class boxer that he is. Fury still has time to show the world that he is better than Tyson and if he keeps up to this world class level and avoids any Buster Douglas type embarrassments he could go down in the record books as the greatest heavyweight of the last 50 years if not ever.
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Gambling in sport: where will it stop? By Darren Casserly
Sports Editor
Gambling has always been a part of sport, for many people it’s what makes sports more entertaining and makes people more invested in whatever their watching. But, with the explosion of online gambling the problem has been getting a lot worse. Evidence of how bad it has gotten can be seen in the fact that in the 2020/21 English Premier League season only three of the twenty teams did not have some connection with a gambling company. While they themselves did voluntarily ban gambling advertisements during sports games the problem is still very bad. Social media has also exacerbated this problem. A book recently published by Aaron Rogan called “Punters: How Paddy Power Bet Billions and Changed Gambling” shows how PaddyPower made its money and how it is now an enormous data company with mathematicians and accountants running it. The cosy relationship that gambling and sports have clearly ruined the lives of so many people, yet Irish football internationals are still sponsored by PaddyPower. They should ban betting advertisements for the same reason they banned cigarette advertisements for the damage they cause and the danger they put people in. This shouldn’t be normalised and should be something that should have been gotten rid of a long time ago. It seems almost farcical that an industry that knows scientifically how to take your money is advertising itself on the biggest stage in sports and no one seems to care. The sad reality is nothing will be done until people start to care about the problem. In the U.K things are starting to be done about it with the banning of credit cards for gambling. Ireland still has not taken the problem seriously enough and with an estimated 40,000 people in Ireland with a gambling addiction and betting shops on every second corner it’s far past time for this problem to be properly dealt with.
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