SIN Vol. 24 Issue 07

Independent

Former mayor raises concerns over Gardaí numbers in Galway city

By Joseph Murray

The former mayor of Galway Niall McNelis says that a lack of Gardaí is making incidents of violence and assault more difficult to tackle.

According to figures given at a recent City Joint Policing Committee meeting, there is approximately one Garda for every 384 people in Galway city.

The population has steadily been on the rise in the last number of years, and Mr. McNelis believes that diminishing numbers of Gardai on the force are making the area harder to police.

Although he says that Gardaí are taking the right steps to tackle incidents of assault and violence, he feels that the challenge of low numbers is still a factor; “We need more Gardai, it’s difficult to police without the numbers.”

As the Chairperson of the Galway City Joint Policing Committee, McNelis is familiar with the challenges that the Gardai face. In October, Gardaí increased their patrols in the city following a spate of assaults, putting pressure on an alreadystretched force.

In response to the assaults, measures were also taken by the University of Galway Students’ Union, in conjunction with the Gardaí. Speaking to SIN, SU President Sai Gujulla outlined some of the measures that were taken, “The SU received various messages from students who are genuinely afraid to go home at night.

“Safety measures needed to be implemented more than ever before, some of which include increased campus security patrolling, Gardaí Information stands on campus, distribution of free personal safety alarms, and increased Gardai patrolling in city areas… in plain clothes.”

Despite the added measures, it is not projected that the force will be galvanised by an influx of new recruits this year, either. At November’s City Joint Policing Committee meeting, newly-appointed Chief Superintendent for Galway, Gerry Roche, projected

that “no one, or only single figures” will be added into Galway’s force in 2023.

However, McNelis believes that recent changes to the way the Gardaí operate have streamlined certain processes; “Thankfully, we now have a new policing model that’s specialised, and it is looking at assault a lot more.”

Although concerns over a lack of boots on the ground in Galway remain, McNelis moved to allay concerns that it would prevent Gardaí from tackling incidents of assault and violence, when they do occur.

McNelis says that recent criminal convictions point to the fact that crimes in the city will not go unpunished; “It’s been over a year since the firework attack happened in Eyre Square, and we’ve just seen that the person who did it received jail time.

“We need to make sure that if people do something, they know what the punishment is.”

Photo: Niall

“ We need more Gardai, it’s difficult to police without the numbers.”

Photo: Lisa Hamilton

By Valerie McHugh Editor

Dearest readers, happy new year! Welcome to issue 7, the first edition of SIN for 2023. Welcome to the new contributors that have made their SIN debut this issue too; we are delighted to have you on the team. Congratulations also to all of our SIN regulars who have done fantastic work on their pieces, and to SIN’s Deputy Darragh Nolan for helping to put the final touches on this issue. Our reporter Joseph Murray takes the front page this week. He interviewed Former Mayor Niall McNelis about his views on making Galway a safer place. Make sure to give it a read!

There are plenty of quirky articles in this issue too, so make sure to have a good flick through it!

In our usual housekeeping, if you would like to get involved with SIN, make sure to email editor.sin@gmail.com for more information. We can add you straight to our WhatsApp group from there! You can find us over on Instagram and Twitter too, where you can follow everything we get up to too. We’d love to hear from you, so do get in touch!

For now, here is issue 7. We hope you enjoy all of the pieces! See you in two weeks!

Valerie McHugh Editor

Darragh Nolan Deputy Editor

Gemma Collins News Co-editor

Rachel Foster News Co-editor

Rachel Garvey Features Editor

Steven Fox Opinion Co-editor

Europe among regions most impacted by climate change

By Rachel Foster News Co-editor

New data from the European Union’s climate monitoring service Copernicus has found that Europe was among the regions impacted most by climate change in 2022.

2022 was found to be the fifth warmest year globally, with the scientists of Copernicus stating that the world was experiencing a continuation of a pattern of global warming that has transformed

as temperatures more than doubled the global average for the past three decades, which is at a faster rate than any other continent.

Not only is the impact of this global warming felt in air temperature but 2022 also saw a rise of 0.3 degrees Celsius in the temperature of the ocean, when compared to the period from 1991 to 2020

Copernicus has suggested that the reason why Europe is impacted severely is due to the fact that land areas are warming faster than the seas, and that it is in relatively close proximity to the Arctic, which

This is partly due to the fact that the ice is reflective and absorbs less sunlight, but when it melts it reveals darker areas of land and sea which causes more sunlight absorption, and therefore, warming.

Major impacts of global warming include forest fires, which cause harmful carbon output. France, Spain, Germany, and Slovenia all experienced their highest level of summer wildfire emissions in twenty years.

The deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service Samantha Burgess said “we’re already experiencing

University Hospital Limerick pilot project to tackle overcrowding

By Suhasini Srinivasaragavan

“Extreme measures” taken at the University Hospital Limerick (UHL) “have helped reduce the extreme levels of overcrowding”, however, the wait for an inpatient bed is “still too high”, says the UL Hospitals Group.

The Hospital Crisis Management Team declared a “major internal incident” on 2 January and took several “extraordinary measures”, including a pilot project to reduce overcrowding at the hospital.

The measures included a significant reduction in scheduled care, opening up surge capacity at UHL, Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals at surge capacity, and transferring emergency patients to trolleys in inpatient care.

The pilot project allows paramedics answering emergency calls to conduct an initial assessment of the patients and deliver them to the appropriate hospital. UHL will cater to patients who require emergency and sophisticated care.

A final-year student of medicine from the University of Galway commends these measures. “I think it’s a decent idea, sifting the crowd based on severity,” he said.

He added that the accuracy of the judgements made by paramedics needs to be considered, along with the staffing across the various hospitals.

He said that “solving the staffing issues, the lacklustre facilities and the lack of capacity” should be focused on to solve overcrowding issues in the long-term.

Rain Yan, the convener of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences for the University of Galway Students’ Union, says that this might be an “added workload” to the already overworked paramedics.

She adds that in the long run, this responsibility should land with senior health officers, the registrars, and the interns at the hospital and says that “it could only be feasible” given those circumstances.

Rain also says that paramedics evaluating every emergency call they respond to could be time-consuming, further shortening resources.

University study shows the impact of genetics on obesity

By Rachel Foster

A new study researching the potential effect of genetics on the response to treatment for obesity is underway at University Hospital Galway in association with University of Galway and Brunel University London.

The study shows that patients who were being treated with an intensive short-term programme of medically supervised dietary restriction in an attempt to reverse some of the medical problems of severe and complicated obesity, responded differently to treatment, depending on their genes.

The GERONIMO project involved 93 volunteer patients who had an average body mass index at the start of the study of 52kgm-2, which means that they weighed more than twice their maximum ‘healthy weight’.

The study is only the beginning of possibly ground-breaking research on the impact of genetics on obesity.

Professor Francis Finucane, senior lecturer in the School of Medicine at University of Galway and Consultant Endocrinologist at Galway University Hospitals, who led the clinical study, said: “The genetic effects we found here were subtle, but we think it would be good to explore this further, in

larger studies and with different obesity treatments, such as drug therapy or ‘metabolic surgery’”.

The participants lost an average of 16% of their body weight, or 21kg after 24 weeks, after following the meal replacement programme.

The scientists during the study analysed small variations in hundreds of genes that have been discovered to be associated with obesity. After combining information from these measured gene variations, they calculated a genetic-risk-score for six different obesity-related traits.

One of these genetic-riskscores was named the “waist

hip ratio”, which determined the impact of genetics on a person’s predisposition to carry central or abdominal fat, and this was found to be linked to less weight loss after the meal replacement programme.

“No-one chooses their genes, so, as a society, we need to recognise that when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, the challenge is greater for some people than for others,” said Professor Alex Blakemore, Professor in Human Genomics at Brunel University.

“This study reveals just a small part of the picture of how our genes can help or hinder us in reaching our health goals.”

Call Open for fully funded Hardiman PhD Scholarships at University of Galway

Who are these scholarships for? Excellent students starting their PhD in September 2023.

The Hardiman PhD Scholarships provide a stipend of €18,500 per annum, plus tuition fees are paid for four years.

We seek high-achieving dynamic individuals, who have an appetite for the research world and creativity, who thrive on intellectual excitement, and who will positively shape the future for all in our society. Using your creative energy, your PhD journey at University of Galway will be alive with possibilities and opportunities.

To help you find Potential Supervisors and identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, start with our ‘Find a Supervisor/PhD Project’ link.

Explore some the research themes, institutes and centres that make our University unique and bring your ideas to life. Further details here

Successful applicants will be expected to have a first or upper second class honours primary degree or equivalent.

Apply Now. Closing Date: Friday 10th February 2023 (17:00 Irish Standard Time)

Full details and forms available at Hardiman Research Scholarships – University of Galway

A Pinpoint for Personhood: My 2023 Resolution

By Chloe Richardson

This is a mantra that is soaked in the optimism of spirit that sustains our efforts to grow; new year new me. With this timeworn adage fueling action of resolution, we take on the beginning of each year with a sense of serene confidence. This confidence is fueled by an underlying recognition of the ‘cleanslate’ a new calendar year brings to us. It’s a marker of change. So, we work to break bad habits, and in their place, we form healthy ones. We move towards a better version of ourselves; we’re all in this pursuit of indiscernible personal contentment. It’s hard to say if that yearning will ever be fulfilled. But there’s a sense of honesty behind the desire to work towards that effort, and we have the opportunity to use the new year as a catalyst for this endeavor.

It’s sometimes hard to live in the weight of personal change; but with an inclination towards growth, making resolutions for the new year can be an integral step forward. To relieve unwarranted pressures, it’s important to remember that change is inevitable. But as sure as change comes, the type of change is completely unpredictable. With this in mind, I like to encourage a sense of grace when moving into the realm of new year resolutions.

When I work up the courage to change, it’s helpful to begin with a broad notion and navigate the steps from there. So, this year in an effort of self-respect, I want to become truly purposeful in my actions and beliefs. Far reaching, and in flux, this is a resolution that might be misconstrued. But approaching this from an angle of opportunity, becoming purposeful creates a strong sense of individualism and truth. I believe in the conscious

effort to become oneself; and through this journey we find kindness, comfort, and the candid nature of our personhood.

It’s a journey of tenacity, and at times disappointment. This pursuit of personhood is not an easy path. But by navigating through these moments of growth, trying our best to be grounded in our actions, we start to shed the fear of mis-stepping. I think by considering intentions as well as actions, we follow the compass that guides our hearts more confidently. We try to live our lives on the basis of contentment. It’s hard to find that awareness, and keep it. But this journey of resolute understanding is also what veils the human experience in such beauty. While our lives can become stagnant and repetitive, the desire for change uproots even the most permanent of structures leaving us with something even more comforting: an honest chance to be ourselves.

Photo via Pexels

Dylan meets: Clodagh Higgins, Mayor of

Clodagh

(2022-2023)

Does politics run in your family?

By Dylan McLoughlin SIN Columnist

I was born in Athenry and attended primary school locally. I then attended Dominican College, Taylor Hill in Galway for secondary school. For my third-level education I studied Psychology in various universities in Dublin, Wales and Ulster.

What was your childhood like growing up?

I had a great childhood which I have many fond memories of. My parents had a number of businesses which I grew up in, learned the ropes, what it was like to deal with people, and it gave me a wonderful sense of belonging at a young age. While there are five children in my family, I had two siblings close in age to me, and we were like the three musketeers doing everything together. Looking back, if I could describe it in three words, I would say my upbringing was carefree, adventurous and creative, imbued with key values such as respect for others.

It’s a generational weakness! A relative of mine William Duffy was a member of the House of Commons in Westminster, and he represented Galway South in the first Oireachtas. My great granduncle was a candidate for FG in the city in the 1950s. My cousin Sarsfield P Cunniff was a Democrat member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. My cousin Tom Higgins was a former Councillor and Mayor of Waterford and contested the 2011 general election. Another cousin of mine Miriam O’ Callaghan was a member of Offaly County Council, and my sister Lorraine was a member of Seanad Eireann from 2011 to 2016.

How do you achieve a work/life balance?

How long is your term as Mayor of Galway?

The term of Mayor of Galway is one year. My year commenced in June and will conclude in June 2023.

What are your plans when your term as Mayor is over?

I will continue in my role as Councillor and will continue doing the very best for my community.

What is your vision for Galway City and suburbs?

Galway?

Indirectly I suppose it was. My grandfather was a staunch supporter of Fine Gael, and he was a big influence on all of us as kids. That sense of public service was instilled in me from a young age, and we were always encouraged to help in the community. For instance, I would have joined my local Tidy Towns group when I was 7 years old, helping with clean ups, and then later I was Chair of my local Tourism Committee and so forth.

So many of us struggle to achieve it! If we don’t practice self-care, it is so easy to burn out. The lack of a work-life balance impacts all aspects of your life. It can be difficult to achieve, and in my case, I have a four-year-old who I have to balance with my mayoral duties. There’s no prescription as to how you successfully strike the balance so it’s up to everyone of us to work at creating it. We all have to get better at putting boundaries in place so that you can truly unplug! I prioritise my health and try to either meditate or go for a walk or cycle daily. This year as Mayor is incredibly busy but I make space in my schedule for family time. I always make sure I drop my son to school every day and then have circle time daily where we talk about how he is feeling and how his day went. I prioritise having quality time together as a family. Achieving a work-life balance is a process and I’m learning and adapting as my circumstances change.

My vision for our city is for a city where people want to live, work, raise a family in, experience, invest, and socialise as a matter of choice rather than having to. I want Galway to be the most appealing, livable and well managed community in Ireland. I want Galway to be a city with an emerging urban vibrancy guided by a small-town sense of community. I want our city to be a beautiful, compact city with a distinct character and a vibrant culture and a diverse smart, green, innovation-based economy. I want our city to be an accessible city connected by green spaces, bike trails and mass transit. And of course, I want our city to be a safe city with a positive identity with positive perception.

The fact that you are a qualified Psychologist, does this make you more empathetic to the mental health issues affecting people in Galway, and how do you plan to address this?

I really feel that my background in Psychology has benefitted me in my role as Councillor. I definitely have different conversations with my constituents than other Councilor’s. I understand the

Higgins is the current Mayor of Galway City

and is a Galway City Councillor for the West Ward representing Salthill, Taylors, Hill, Knocknacarra and Rahoon. She was elected a Fine Gael Councillor to Galway City Council in the local elections in May 2019. She is also a practicing Psychologist and a Peace Commissioner. During her election campaign she campaigned on a platform that was community focused, and she was interested in developing facilities.

Where were you born, and where did you go to school and college?

Was it always a passion of yours growing up to get involved in politics, and to be Mayor of

Photo via Clodagh Higgins on Twitter

Galway City

unique challenges people have and try and articulate their issues in the most compassionate way to resolve them.

Furthermore, I set down a motion which passed that will see a new Galway City Council led group established to combat the tragic loss of lives on the River Corrib. This will allow all stakeholders to come together and work together to improve safety on the River Corrib.

You hosted a Mayor reception for the All-Ireland minor football champions. This was a fantastic achievement, and a wonderful boost for Galway football.

I was delighted to host a Mayoral Reception for the All-Ireland Minor Football Champions. They deserved us as do so many athletes who achieve levels of distinction. Indeed, I also marked the momentous achievement of the Galway Intermediate Camogie Team winning the All-Ireland Championship with a Mayoral Reception too. These two teams worked hard, performed, and delivered for the people of the county and they certainly brought the glory days back for Galway supporters. It was a wonderful achievement which demonstrated the talent, teamwork and technical skills imbued in both teams. It was a great honour for me as Mayor to do this.

The Rachel Diaries

By Rachel Garvey Features Editor

Before this new year even began, I started putting together a list of what this year would bring me, or rather, what I would bring to the table for this year. Christmas was quiet and hectic at the same time; with a family death on Christmas Eve and another one just before New Year’s Eve. Life is cruel with no room for fairness, but it teaches us to value those closest to us as well as those who aren’t. I wasn’t particularly close with my family members who have recently passed on, but I still hold memories of them when we were both in each other’s company. I value those moments. It won’t do me any good to fill my head with the

me the exact same gift as I am still grieving the loss of my grandmother since 2019. We hugged and she said “Now, see, I told you there was a strong link between us”. She reminds me a lot about my Nan and I often cry because it feels like I’ve gotten my old Nan back, in some way. It was an emotional, but beautiful few days.

However, every high brings an intense low; my job is starting to take a toll on my mental health. I know too well what happens when this overwhelming and anxiety-induced feeling comes knocking; the anxiety of getting out of bed and entering the workplace, the degrading looks from the higher-ups, the zero appreciation that comes with the back breaking work we do. The reward for that is more work. A toxic cycle that I want to end. I took that first step today by sending out my CV to a nearby smaller store. I hope it all goes well. I really do.

On the lighter side, we celebrated our hamster, Pipsqueak’s first birthday on January 3rd; I can’t believe he’s a year old. My little baby! Okay, I’ll stop with my mushy mother-hamster talk, but

Since taking up office I got the opportunity to visit our sister cities; Chicago and Milwaukee - which was a wonderful experience for me as I represented the city abroad. Chicago and Milwaukee are real and active partnerships. The relationships that have been built up between our countries over the years has had many mutual benefits for all. I attended the largest Irish festival in the world in Milwaukee and worked on the Galway stall which promoted tourism in the city and county. It was fantastic speaking to so many over the three days who plan on visiting Galway during the coming year.

famous what ifs because they don’t give justice when the gavel lands.

St Stephen’s day started at 06:30am to get a bus to Kilkenny. Three buses; worth it. I know most people are nervous when it comes to spending time with their partner’s family, but I am the opposite. My boyfriend, Dylan’s family is one that takes you in as if you’re their own blood. Presents and Christmas cards were exchanged and when it came down to Dylan’s grandmother, Mary and I, we both had each other in tears as we exchanged presents. I had bought her a Tipperary Crystal bee necklace due to the loss of her son years ago; a loss she still grieves. I knew that bees were a symbol of remembrance; it seemed like the perfect gift. Little did I know, she bought

I also wanted to share another bit of good news with you, something big in my life that I’ve been wanting to do for years, but have been too scared; I’m writing a novel. My novel. My masterpiece that now consists of ten chapters, but I have a long way to go. I watched a movie recently and one of the scenes acted out was a book signing. I turned to Dylan and said “I’d love that to be me this year or the next, meeting my readers and signing their books with a smile”. He had no doubt in his mind that it would happen, assuring me he would be standing right beside me with a proud smile.

As Mayor of Galway have you travelled to many interesting places?

What advice would you impart to anyone contemplating a career in Politics?

Go for it! If you want to help shaping your community don’t contemplate, just go for it!

Life is cruel with no room for fairness, but it teaches us to value those closest to us. I still hold memories of them when we were both in each other’s company. I value those moments.”

Photos via Tipperary Crystal

Horror Movies and Me

By Suhasini Srinivasar Content warning: This article contains mentions of suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

Horror and tragedy have remained a staple in popular literature and entertainment for over a thousand years; Grecian tragedies often involved a few mutilated organs along with woeful descriptions of suicide (cue Oedipus), and who can forget, Shakespeare; his interest in writing tales of the accidental murder of kin, or even the ghost of king Hamlet.

Horror as a genre is wide, encompassing non-fictional thrillers, occult movies, slashers and religion-centric exorcisms among others. As a fan of horror, I have to admit, I don’t know why I enjoy the genre. Death doesn’t excite me, and I would like to believe that I’m not craving the destruction of peaceful communities by an ancient evil entity. I am also by no means a brave soul; quivering and shaking with my hands covering my face even at the dreadful anticipation of eventual jump-scares.

Researchers worldwide have studied and surveyed the interest in horror movies as a genre. Although, they believe that much needs to be done in this area of study. They hypothesize that lower levels of empathy lead to higher enjoyment of horror and gore, adding that men and boys prefer watching the genre to women and girls, according to a study. This study also concludes that the ‘startle’ reflex is amplified during this experience. Another research states that “low neuroticism, high sensation and

loneliness” are good predictors of why a person seeks out movies with such elements.

Most horror movie fans state that they seek out the adrenaline and a feeling of dread and some find it intriguing to explore the complex universe that tries to remain true to ours while adding elements that make us uneasy. Others enjoy this genre for its production, enthralled by practical and graphic effects that plays an often central part in its creation.

Horror has found its permanent position in the commercial film market, regularly providing movie-goers with ghastly visuals and carefully crafted lore that enhances the audience’s immersion in the movie. Every year, the Halloween season releases dozens of movies made with the singular intention of scaring the viewer (try explaining this to aliens!). Horror is certainly a tried and tested genre, evoking fear, disgust, shock and several weeks’ worth of nightmares. What gets you spooked?

Photo via Unsplash

Champagne Problems

My Erasmus diary

By Kara Wilson

Hi, my name is Kara. Like many on Erasmus, I’m a third year student and I study Film & Digital Media as well as Spanish. I’m from a small city in upstate New York that you have definitely never heard of, but I am adamant to put on the map, called Syracuse. I grew up there all the way until it was time to start college when I decided to move to Galway. I moved to Galway at 18, completely alone, with the strong ambition to travel. It was all I talked about. I always wanted to travel Europe. Once I got there, I would see it all. Travel everywhere all the time, no stopping me. But alas I moved to Ireland during Covid which put a major dent in these plans. So, second year was the year I would travel everywhere, new country every weekend, no stopping me. But then, I got a job, made some incredible friends, found my favorite coffee shop, my favorite pub, my favorite hot-girl-walk route. I became comfortable in Galway. More than comfortable actually, I began to develop a little crush on Miss Galway, and I didn’t really want to leave her.

Postgraduate Open Evening

Our Postgraduate Open Evening takes place on Tuesday 7th February from 4:30–7:30pm in the Bailey Allen Hall.

This informal networking-style event will showcase the suite of full-time and part-time postgraduate programmes available, including taught and research masters, as well as doctoral research options. Flexible, online, and blended learning options are also on offer.

College representatives will be available to talk to prospective students about these courses, and postgraduate support staff will be on hand to discuss careers, applications, admissions, and fees.

Our schedule of talks will include an ‘Introduction to Postgraduate Study’ and ‘Funding your studies’ which will provide information on fees, funding and scholarships. The Career Development Centre will also be hosting a talk on employability and ‘How to write an effective personal statement’. So come along and meet college representatives, attend our talks, and enjoy some light refreshments.

You can pre-register for the Open Evening now at www.universityofgalway.ie/postgraduate-open-day

No problem, third year is my year, I’ll be on Erasmus in Spain. I’ll travel everywhere, new country every weekend, no stopping me. All summer in America I bragged to everyone I know that I’ll be in warm beautiful Valencia come January 22nd. Absolutely no concern, no angst, just adventure on the mind. I’ve moved to a foreign country alone before; no problem, I got this. September crept around, still excited. October, cannot wait. November’s here, time to fill out the applications. December, you’re in, apartment deposit paid, plane ticket booked- you’re going. Hold on, I don’t want to leave Galway. Everything’s here. All my friends, my favorite cafe, my favorite pub, my favorite hot-girl-walk route. I can’t leave all that. I don’t know anyone in Spain. I have like B1 Spanish at best. How’s that going to get me through? There’s no iced coffee? What do you mean it doesn’t rain every day? I don’t have clothes for this. What if I hate it? Worse, what if I’m all alone?

Though I know this is what Taylor Swift would refer to as a “champagne problem” and hardly an admirable commencement to my Erasmus Diary, it’s the truth. I’m scared. Terrified really and frankly I don’t want to go. I know I’ve done it before, but this time feels different. I was ignorant before and blind to the hardships that came with the territory when I first took off at 18. Now I know what culture shock is and I’m a good friend of homesickness. I know what’s coming. I have more to miss. Two countries, two cities, two homes. However, when I think about all the previously stated adversity, I’m reminded of all the accompanying accolades. I know that it will be hard, but I know I can do it. I know I will struggle, but I know I will gain fluency. I know I’ll have to go shopping, but I know I’ll find weather appropriate attire. I know I will be alone, but I know it won’t be forever. I know I will meet amazing people and I know I will become the most independent I’ve ever been. I know I’m terrified, but I know I can do it. And if there’s anything I’ve learned from the first time it’s that the best things come from the most challenging experiences. So, bring it on, new country, every weekend, no stopping me.

Mending broken healthcare system no simple fix – and it won’t come soon

By Darragh Nolan

A veteran of the HSE for almost his entire working life, my father has always boiled all issues with our health service down to one problem.

“It’s not that there’s not enough money being spent, it’s how badly that money is managed.”

Whatever the cause, there’s no overstating how major an issue people being left to wait on trolleys in our hospitals is. Interim Chief Executive of the HSE Stephen Mulvany said it was a “very realistic” possibility that preventable deaths are occurring as a result of overcrowding.

Overcrowding has been a problem for years now and it has reached a record level. It was already a plague afflicting our health service and it has been allowed to fester and grow into something no one in charge can get a handle on.

Doctors and nurses reach the very limits of their own wellbeing, time and patience every winter. The experience of being left on a trolley when there’s no bed available can be traumatic and demeaning. We’re awash with stories from people who witnessed fellow patients suffer in corridors with no privacy.

When we find ourselves faced with the exact same problems year after year and spending is rising at a not-insignificant rate, it’s difficult to say it’s as simple as throwing money at the problem until it’s fixed.

Health expenditure has been rising by an average of €1.3

billion a year since 2015 according to Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures, a rise skewed by ballooning spending during the pandemic but was already going up by almost €1 billion per year pre-Covid.

When the bill keeps rising, perhaps it’s an indication that my father’s right. A far-reaching health service (did you know the HSE oversees civil marriages?) with funding fast approaching over €30 billion couldn’t possibly be underfunded.

And yet it remains so drastically under resourced. According to figures compiled by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the number of hospital beds in Ireland stood at almost 22,000 in 2008. Enter the crash, at which point we see beds plummet to at the lowest point, under 12,000.

We’ve rebounded to 14,000 beds as of 2020. We’re still well short of the mark once population growth comes into the mix. From a peak of 6 beds per person in Ireland in 2000, we’re at just half that now.

Rearming the health service with thousands more beds and staff is no silver bullet, but something has to change. The running of our hospitals as presently constituted is almost insane, doing the same thing over and over and encountering the same unsustainable overcrowding each year like clockwork.

The HSE has said that change is coming – years down the line. Stephen Mulvany told the Oireachtas Health Committee the service was effectively “playing catch-up” with population growth and aging. It will be some time yet before patients on trolleys becomes a thing of the past.

He also said the situation this winter “surpassed the most pessimistic modelling”. Realistically managing expectations is surely something that could be done in the short-term to help staff prepare themselves.

Beyond more beds, there must be a commitment to improving the working conditions for staff. Equal access to a full range of care and services must be made available to all regardless of geography or any other factor.

While University Hospital Limerick has dealt with a back-breaking level of record overcrowding, Waterford University Hospital has coped relatively well. That is as much of an indication of the system failing as any.

It is imperative that the HSE, government and Department of Health work together to heal a healthcare service that has been left to wait to be fixed for years if not decades.

Whatever the cause, there’s no overstating how major an issue people being left to wait on trolleys in our hospitals is. Interim Chief Executive of the HSE Stephen Mulvany said it was a “very realistic” possibility that preventable deaths are occurring as a result of overcrowding.”

Is January the best time to make resolutions?

By Tara O’Malley

Every New Year, we are all encouraged to start afresh and make New Year’s resolutions to better ourselves in the twelve months ahead. Christmas has barely returned to its cardboard boxes when the exercise equipment appears in the supermarkets, and the wellness books are stocked on the shelves of every bookshop.

It can make people feel pressured to better themselves immediately after the holidays, guilty for not keeping up with their usual habits while they took a time out from their usual schedules to celebrate. Resolutions sometimes seem like the answer.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to set goals for the year ahead. It’s almost instinctual to do so. It is a chance to renew yourself, to take stock of the previous year and see where you want to take yourself in the new one.

However, I know myself that in the past I have been very quick to set large, often unattainable goals for the year that I end up not following through with. This has led to me taking quick solutions to problems, solutions that do not work in the long term and leave me feeling worse than before.

I also know that I’m not the only one to feel negatively about making resolutions around New Year’s. Often it is more the pressure of the new year coming that makes people decide to make resolutions, rather than their own personal desires.

So, when we sit down and think about it, do we really have to make all these goals and resolutions in the first month of the new year?

I think it’s important to remember that if you don’t feel like this is the right time to make any resolutions, then you don’t have to.

Many people have taken to starting their resolutions in the spring, as that feels more like a new beginning than the dark, cold January days we are facing at the moment. It can be especially hard because of the low mood that is prominent – both because of the wintery conditions and the return to routine.

It is only tradition that dictates that we make resolutions as soon as the new year begins. In reality, we can decide to create new goals for ourselves at any point in time. There are always new exercise classes, new skills to try, new books to read. These things are not limited to the first few weeks of the year.

In the end, only you can decide what works best for you. If you can set goals for yourself in January and find that makes you happy, then that is fantastic! Keep doing what you’re doing.

However, if you feel pressured to make resolutions in the new year and find yourself stressed or unhappy about them, it’s likely that you will not be motivated to keep them. In that case, it might be better to wait until you feel ready to set yourself some goals.

The most important thing is that you listen to what your body and mind needs and follow through with that, no matter what the outside world says. Taking care of yourself should always be the top priority.

Royals out of reach: Prince Harry and Meghan’s attempt to clear their name

By Róisín Kerrigan

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have done nothing but damage their public image in my eyes. I remember when I was first introduced to the couple. It was the day of their wedding in 2017. I watched the grandiosity of their nuptials in the background on that May morning as I made breakfast.

I had never heard of Meghan Markle before, and I didn’t even know that the rebel royal redhead was engaged. I watched all the same as this beautiful bride joined the British monarchy as Duchess of Sussex, bowing to the late queen on her way down the aisle.

It was a nice service, but within the hour it was gone from my mind. Just like many others who had watched the wedding, I had to ask, “who cares?”

Now, almost six years later, this explosive couple are the centre of controversy. They could have held their jobs as working royals without anyone bothering them. Instead, they felt it was their duty to expose the alleged systemic racism within the royal family, even recently receiving a humanitarian ‘Ripple of Hope’ award for their heroic work.

All of this was until Harry’s most recent interview, in which he contradicts his and Meghan’s claims of racism, claiming that they had never made any such assertion, and that by growing up in the family, he knows better than anyone.

This is to say nothing of the alleged hypocrisy in their search for privacy, as they claimed to want to step completely out of the limelight and away from press scrutiny. That is, until they decided give a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, which they are argued to have used to decry and shame the royal family for not protecting

them from the press. All of this while Meghan lovingly cradled a baby bump, named for the matriarch of a family they claimed mistreated them so badly they were forced to flee the country.

Next came the six-episode Netflix series (Harry & Meghan), revealing the truth of their horrific lives. I have watched the show, so the reader doesn’t have to: in my view, they contradict themselves every 20 minutes. Here, Harry claims that when Meghan was first introduced to the British media as his fiancé she could do no wrong for three months; there, they backtrack and claim that from the very start of their relationship the press was out to attack her. So, which is it?

After the special, Meghan began her feminist podcast (Archetypes), while Harry released his memoir Spare. Both of these are topped off with the most recent potential embarrassment: a 60 Minutes interview where he claims his brother William attacked him, but that all he wants in the world is to have his father and brother back.

When will this couple finally do as they promise and step back from public life? Quite frankly, the constant media parade is getting boring, and their contradicting stories are getting harder and harder to believe.

It is astounding how many rallied around Harry and Meghan, and before their exit from the royal family and revelations about those still inside the institution, public opinion of the monarchy had never been lower.

I never thought that I’d see the day that people would be defending the crown again, but Meghan and Harry can do amazing things.

Photo by Mark Jones, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Matt Healy and the 1975 – An Interesting Turn From The Usual Darlings of Pop Music

accounts

By Lucy Peoples

Matt Healy, lead singer of British pop rock band The 1975, has caused quite a stir with his recent on-stage behaviour on the band’s Being Funny In A

While boybands are constantly associated with having something for everyone, Healy strives to be different and stand out in front of his audience.

Healy’s onstage behaviour has sparked an interest in the media. Kissing fans, eating raw meat, taking naps, dancing provocatively and shouting at security guards are all a part of his performance throughout the band’s At Their concert tours.

The 1975 demonstrate an entire performance on stage, transcending the act of simply playing their music. The performance takes place in the setting of a house where Healy performs in a controversial and though-provoking way, staying loyal to the band’s original style of never doing what is expected

It begs the question as to whether Healy’s behaviour is as part of an act, to ensure that concert clips go viral or whether he has stopped caring about the regulations and basic conduct usually

Healy’s decision to invite his fans on stage to kiss has been met with mixed reactions on Twitter. The singer asked for consent and has given people the chance to fulfil a fantasy, to embrace their idol on stage in plain view of his audience.

As for meat-eating on stage, Healy’s performance demonstrates a kind of animalistic behaviour. It appears he is living on stage; stopping for a cigarette, taking a nap and dancing like no one is watching.

His value for artistic behaviour and a need to fight against patriarchal views is voiced on his social media accounts where he explains the “Jester’s Privilege” which is described as the ‘ability and right of a jester to talk and mock freely without being punished; for nothing he says seems to matter’. His frustration at the failures in society is expressed on stage as he does whatever he pleases.

The performance of the band is an interesting turn of events in the world of pop music as people have become accustomed to the typical boyband experience and would not expect to witness the theatrical antics of Matt Healy or be invited to partake in the performance itself.

“

On his social media

he explains the

Photo via Ian purple yellow, CC BY-SA 4.0. via Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Albums of 2022

By Scott Stephens

2022 was a big year for music. There was the return of many artists who had been quiet since before the pandemic, such as Mitski, Arctic Monkeys, and Kendrick Lamar. Even Kate Bush made a comeback with ‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)’, despite its initial release being 1985. Along with Bush there were many pop hits this year with Taylor Swift’s Midnights and Harry Styles’ Harry’s House. Considering the remarkable year of music that was 2022, here are the 10 best albums of the year.

10. Weyes Blood: And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow

While not the best album overall, And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow is sure to be some of the best cover art of the year. This is the fifth full length album by Natalia Mering under her stage name Weyes Blood. Mering, as always, has a similar vocal performance to Aimee Mann, and indeed similarly interesting lyrics. She sings, “Trying to break away/From the mess we made/Oh, we don’t have time anymore to be afraid” on the song ‘Children of the Empire’ detailing the “mess” children have been left with on this planet. And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow will leave listeners in awe of Mering’s song writing skills.

usual with a Beach House album, it marks an evolution in their music, with only traces left of their original form which was reminiscent of bands like Mazzy Star. Songs like ‘Superstar’ remind you of the duo’s past, a track about two star-crossed lovers; “When you were mine, we fell across the sky/Backlit up against the wall”. The shoegaze-like elements of Once Twice Melody allow you not just to listen to this album, but makes it feel like an experience in and of itself.

8. Rina Sawayama: Hold The Girl

Following her EP RINA and the following album SAWAYAMA, it is clear that Rina Sawayama is now on a winning streak with Hold The Girl. Sawayama’s second full length album incorporates many different genres of pop to create an emotional collection of tracks surrounding

like another set of addictive Florence + The Machine songs, but many of these dance-inducing tracks have lyrics which are brutally honest and poignant. On the track ‘Dream Girl Evil’, Welch makes fun of the expectations placed on women; “Make me perfect, make me your fantasy/You know I deserve it/Well, take it out on me”. Dance Fever features a lot of Florence + The Machine’s best work yet and may just have you suffer the same fate as Welch on the song ‘Choreoamania’; “I just kept spinnin’ and I danced myself to death”.

6. Father John Misty: Chloë and the Next 20th Century

On his fifth studio album under the stage name Father John Misty, Joshua Tillman makes a turn towards big band jazz and 1950s-esque pop. Chloë is one of those albums that transforms you to a different

9. Beach House:

Once Twice

self-acceptance and staying in touch with your younger self; “I wanna remember, she is me, and I am her/So, hold the girl, hold the girl”. Songs like ‘This Hell’ and ‘Imagining’ prove how brilliant Sawayama has become at creating perfect hits, even though they are on very different places on the pop spectrum.

7. Florence + The Machine: Dance Fever

Melody

Dream pop duo Beach House’s eight studio album is presented in four chapters. As

One thing you can always expect from a Florence + The Machine album is Florence Welch’s powerful vocal performance, and the bands fifth studio album is no exception. Dance Fever is exactly what it says on the tin, and more. It may at first seem

time. It feels like a journey through 1940s Hollywood, but it becomes clear that it is less a journey to the time itself, and more poking fun at the romanticisation that this period and place often attracts. Chloë is filled with typical Hollywood characters and stories, often romantic and tragic, such as on the song ‘Kiss Me (I Loved You)’. ‘The Next 20th Century’, the most traditional Father John Misty song on the album, finishes it off with the magic of Hollywood disappearing and a declaration for, given the pain the century appears to hold, how important genuine love is; “I don’t know ‘bout you, but I’ll take the love songs/If this century’s here to stay”.

5. Natalia Lafourcade: De Todas las Flores

It is quite rare nowadays for an album of this style to be released. De Todas las Flores is a Latin folk album, but it draws on many other genres, including jazz and chamber music. Of All the Flowers, the album’s title in English, is the Natalia Lafourcade’s first full album of original works in years. It has a rich and joyous sound, for example, the addictive piano and trumpets on ‘Muerte’. The Mexican singer-songwriter described the album as being a diary for many feelings including heartbreak, loss,

Album cover photos via Spotify

and grief, and this is reflected in the lyrics; “Heal yourself, my girl, with the love of the most beautiful and light the fire/ Surrender your pains, that they turn to dust and new flowers come”. Even without an understanding of Spanish, or the aid of a translation, De Todas las Flores is incredibly enjoyable and makes for an amazing listening experience. Do your ears a favour and give this one a go.

along with many other tracks on the album, on the state of the world today with frontman Matty Healy singing “I’m sorry if you’re livin’ and you’re seventeen”. At 43 minutes long Being Funny In A Foreign Language is The 1975’s most compact project yet. It is their first time collaborating with producer Jack Antonoff, known for his work with popstars such as Taylor Swift and Lorde. The band seem to have given Antonoff a lot of freedom, and what results is a joyously beautiful pop record with Matty Healy’s usual heartfelt lyrics. The production is well rounded throughout the album, such as on ‘Part Of The Band’, an excellently arranged song featuring strings, and a guitar solo produced to near perfection. It is all topped off by Matty Healy’s absurd but great lyrics; “I know some Vaccinista tote bag chic baristas”. Being Funny In A Foreign Language also has its fair share of uniquely 1975-sounding pop tunes, such as ‘I’m In Love With You’, a song so corny

such as the odd drums on ‘Time Escaping’, or the spring-like sound of the jaw harp on ‘Spud Infinity’. Dragon is filled with inspired lyrics that will leave the listener wondering, thinking of answers to questions raised; “Would you smile forever, never cry/While everything you know passes”. Adrianne Lenker’s vocals perfectly match the music, with her demonstrating a wide range. The production of this album is also fantastic. The instrumentals are edited brilliantly, such as the guitar solo in ‘Simulation Swarm’. Dragon seems to lack a certain thematic cohesiveness, but this is far from a negative. It results in an album that is less of a concept, and more of a journey through the songwriter’s thoughts and wonderings.

1. Black Country, New Road: Ants From Up There

Finally, in the top spot for 2022 is Black Country, New Road’s Ants From Up There . Released only a year after their acclaimed debut album, the English band released this album with the hopes of achieving a more “accessible” sound than their debut. It would not be inappropriate to call Ants From Up There a breakup album. Lead vocalist Isaac Wood delivers an intensely emotional performance of heart-breaking lyrics surrounding his thoughts of his past partner; “Oh, that every time I try to make lunch/For anyone else, in my head/I end up dreaming of you”. Unfortu-

4. SZA: SOS

SZA’s second album was most certainly worth the five years wait. There is something for everyone in this album, which mainly has a R&B and hip hop feel, but a huge variation throughout. It switches up from acoustic ballads like ‘Nobody Gets Me’ to rock tunes like ‘F2F’. Lyrically, SOS hops from being funny to being tragic to being both at the same time; “I might kill my ex, I still love him, though/Rather be in jail than alone”. The features add a nice bit of a vocal change in the album with guests including Phoebe Bridgers and Don Toliver. SOS demonstrates SZA’s true talent for transforming her experiences and feelings into musical beauty. She shows this on the song ‘Ghost in the Machine’ where SZA reveals some of her most personal thoughts and desires; “Can you distract me from all the disaster?/Can you touch on me and not call me after?”. It may be five years or more before we hear from SZA again, but it would not be a surprise to see her top her previous work once again.

3. The 1975: Being Funny In A Foreign Language

As usual with this British pop band, The 1975 begin their album with another track titled ‘The 1975’. It acts as a commentary,

only this band could pull it off. The track is also sure to be a classic wedding tune of our generation. The 1975 finds in footing in its fifth studio album, with an album loaded with sincerity and the band’s unique sound improved.

2. Big Thief: Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You

Big Thief’s fifth album is the penultimate installation in this list. It is a testament to the quality of the band that they can produce an album that is 80 minutes long yet keeps your attention for each track. It is the folksiest album made by Big Thief so far, but interesting qualities keep the album interesting throughout,

nately, just a few days prior to the album’s release, Wood announced he would be leaving the band, citing personal reasons. It is difficult to confine Ants From Up There into one genre. There are elements of post-rock and chamber pop, and the band themselves say they were influenced by artists such as Sufjan Stevens and Billie Eilish. This sound results in a beautifully intimate and melodic album detailing the fall and end of Wood’s relationship. Ants From Up There has an impressive flow to it, with the tracks building to the climactic final 12-minute song “Basketball Shoes”. If ever there was a perfect departure from a band, Wood has achieved it with this album.

Rewriting the romance script

By Rachel Garvey

Being a part of a generation that grew up watch ing Disney princesses fall in love with prince charming made us think we would end up with that fairy-tale ending; happy and in love. It was the same with non-animated romance movies; the main character always ended up falling in love with the right person while the wrong person was left alone. Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to apply the rules to real life because hopes were raised and crashed down like a tonne of bricks; the end result always seemed to be disappointment. It was torturous, but we all held on to that hope that we would be the main character falling in love, but time and time again our scripts would be taken from us and our stories re-written.

However, it wasn’t Disney that was the biggest disappointment when it came to finding love in the real world, but the romance movies on television. That disappointment hits deep when you realistically have a soft spot for the genre; movies like Made of Honor, Bride Wars, Leap Year and Where the Crawdad’s Sing. Love is not just misrepresented in movies, but it’s represented in a light that is relatable in some instances.

The movie Made of starring heartthrob Patrick Dempsey depicts two best friends, both complete opposites when it comes to love, but after Dempsey’s character finds that his best girl friend is getting married to a man she just met, his whole vision changes. He finds that he’s in love with her, the past few weeks she was abroad were weeks he spent feeling lost without her. The lesson we learn from this is; it takes another love interest to make you realise who you truly like/love. However, it doesn’t always turn out like the movies; often times the one you love won’t fall back into your arms after confessing your love to them. Yes, it happens, but if it all works out then your romance movie script was printed successfully, but remember, this is life, not a movie. If you love someone then tell them, don’t wait for their engagement to someone else to confess your true feelings.

Leap Year has been a favourite of mine for years as it follows a perfect, but chaotic love story with Irish humour. Anna is hoping to propose to her boyfriend after a gift of earrings was thought to be an engagement ring. A business trip takes him to Ireland where Anna plans to propose to him on leap day as it’s an Irish tradition for a woman to propose to a man. However, if there was ever a trip that led to disaster after disaster then this is it. As a guide for getting Anna to Dublin, Declan, a pub owner under stress from debt collectors takes the American lass under his wing as she promises a huge money reward. At first, the two of them fight and annoy each other, but as the movie plays on we notice the two of them drawing closer together until feelings start to surface shyly. This is the hardest lesson to learn; falling in love with someone you thought you never would despite wanting to make a commitment to someone else, but the one you thought you were destined to be with is actually not who you thought they were. Feelings are allowed, changes of hearts are allowed, but do not leave your thought-to-be other half without explanation.

Where the Crawdad’s Sing is a movie of such beauty and romance that is relatable on a variety of levels and my heart has never cried or bled for a character except when we’re introduced to Kya. The romance is portrayed as someone learning to trust, but their trust shatters when their love doesn’t show up; it’s a real tear-stained scene. Then there’ll be the lesson of not everyone can be trusted especially those that abuse your trust and make you into an object they’ll possess, but never speak about. Daisy Edgar Jones is a true beauty and was born to play a role that relates to one’s romance experience as opposed to romance that doesn’t appeal to us at all.

We all held on to that hope that we would be the main character falling in love, but time and time again our scripts would be taken from us and our stories re-written.”

Illustration via Pexels

THE GOLDEN GLOBES RETURN FOR 2023

By Emma van Oosterhout

The Golden Globes marks the beginning of the 2022-23 awards season, a year which boasts some highly anticipated and well-reviewed films. The awards returned to our screens on Tuesday, January 10, after a brief hiatus. NBC refused to broadcast the Golden Globes award ceremony last year. This came after the lack of diver sity in the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the body responsible for presenting the awards was exposed by the Los Angeles Times. However, in September of last year, NBC announced that they would be televising the awards ceremony once again. The Golden Globe awards are usually an indicator of nominees and winners for the prestigious Academy Awards, which will be held in March.

Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama award for his performance in The Whale. Fraser did not attend the awards ceremony after he told GQ Magazine that he had been sexually assaulted by former president of the HFPA, Philip Berk in 2003.

The major winners of the night in film included Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiThe Fabelmans winning Best Motion Picture Drama and Best Director.

Austin Butler claimed the trophy for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his portrayal of the King of Rock and Roll in the Film Elvis, passing out the frontrunner, Brendan Fraser for The Whale. Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama was won by Cate Blanchett for Tár. Michelle Yeoh achieved Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her role in Everything Everywhere

All at Once , becoming only the second Asian actress to win in this category.

The winners of Best Television Series – Drama; Musical or Comedy; and Limited Series were House of the Abbott Elementary and The White Lotus, respectively. Zendaya earned a Golden Globe for , and Evan Peters won for his portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer in Dahmer – Monster. Other notable television wins were Quinta Brunson for Abbott Elementary and Amanda Seyfried The Dropout.

The ceremony was held in the Bev erly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, for its 62nd year running. There was no lack of fashion on the red carpet. Multiple noteworthy A-listers made their pres ence known including Margot Robbie in a custom embroidered Chanel gown, Andrew Garfield in an eye-catching burnt orange Zegna suit and Jamie Lee Curtis in a Valentino jumpsuit and lace cape ensem ble. The rain poured down in the usually sunny Los Angeles, and this was evident on the hemlines of Anya Taylor Joy’s lemon Dior two-piece and Viola Davis’s floorlength royal blue Jason Wu gown, both of whom were unlucky with the flooding that prevented Kevin Costner from claiming his award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama. A notable absence was Brendan Fraser, one of the nominees for the Best

The Irish ruled the roost in both the nominations and awards, with Martin McDonagh’s black comedy The Banshees boasting eight nominations, the most nominations for any film since in 2004. Irish nominees were Kerry Condon, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan, and Martin McDonagh for Banshees and Domhnall Gleeson for the psychological thriller series The Patient. Of the eight nominations, three were won. These were Colin Farrell claiming the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, whilst Martin McDonagh won two trophies, one for Best Screenplay and one for Best Motion Picture – Musical or

Some memorable speeches were made at the ceremony, including a friendly scolding from Colin Farrell to co-star Barry Keoghan saying; “when you are sharing a house with an actor you are working with… don’t eat his Crunchy Nut cornflakes.” Steven Spielberg left the audience with some words of wisdom; “Nobody really knows who we are until we’re courageous enough to tell everyone who we are.”

“ Of the eight Irish nominations, three were won. These were Colin Farrell claiming the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture –Musical or Comedy, whilst Martin McDonagh won two trophies, one for Best Screenplay and one for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Image: Golden Globe Award Statuette™ Official website of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association® and the Golden Globe® Awards.

Socs’ Day 2023

Welcome to University of Galway’s Socs Day

SIN: Health and Lifestyle Sub-Editor Caoimhe

Granny Soc

DramSoc

De-stressing with the Wooly Farm bunnies Art Soc

Clubs’ Day 2023

Volleyball Club: Jerry Obi, Bronwyn Varette and Daniela Bowers

Tom Keal of the UG Surf Club

Taekwando Club: Katelyn Hehir & Sapphire Guilfoyle

Surf Club - Tom Keal and Bill Demery ZooSoc

Wooly Mobile Farm experience at Áras na MacLéinn Pieta

Orchestra Soc

People Before Profit

Flirt FM

FanSci

The University of Galway RFC Junior Team started their campaign for the Connacht Junior Cup well with a win over Corrib RFC last weekend in Headford with a final score of 10–13

Beauty/Lifestyle trends that need to be left in 2022

By Roshni Dsouza

Obsession with “barely there” makeup looks:

There are many trends that erupted last year that were basi cally just the “no makeup makeup” trend but rebranded. For example, the clean girl makeup look, the autumn girl makeup look, and the winter girl makeup look that differentiated itself from the autumn one by having cool tones. But the basic idea was makeup looks that appear like you don’t have makeup on. While I do like the concept, I feel like people should proudly flaunt their makeup skills in various tones and colours. It’s okay to not pretend that you’ve not taken the effort to look good.

Also, I don’t think we must reject any kind of makeup look that doesn’t subscribe to the “no makeup makeup concept.” Makeup over the years has evolved to an art form and there’s always a lot to explore and experiment with. Limiting it to makeup that’s barely there takes away from that.

Skin cycling:

I actually like this trend. It’s great for those just starting out with their skincare routine. Basically your night-time routine is divided into four nights under this trend: one is the night you exfoliate, second is the night you apply retinol, and the third and fourth nights you only apply moisturiser. The basic idea is to

start slow with active ingredients. But because there are many factors involved in skin health like the amount of sleep you

should stick to. Which is why I’d rather leave it behind. I would suggest sticking to the concept that created the trend, which is starting slow with skincare products.

Buccal fat removal:

This is a plastic surgery trend in which people get the fat below their cheekbones removed to make their face look thinner. This is a problem because as we grow older, the buccal (area below cheek bone) starts to grow thinner. That would make our cheeks look sunken beyond repair and the very people getting that fat

removed might end up putting fillers to increase volume of their cheeks. It wouldn’t, however, help them as much because once you remove the fat, you can’t replace it really. And the area around it typically sinks when you grow older so you’ll have a very hollow face.

Literally any trend related to the body

Human beings, unlike most animals, are blessed with different types of bodies and facial features. I find the uniqueness of each human being in how they look beautiful. Which is why I don’t think each of us needs to have our legs thin as a pencil or our breast and butt fat while our waist is thin. Or our hands a certain shape. Beauty comes in different shapes and sizes and we must focus on taking care of our body first because it’s the only one we have. And it has helped us through so many things. For some of us, it helped survive a whole pandemic. It deserves to be taken care of.

Image via Pixabay

My 3-step skincare routine

By Ewelina Szybinska

As a woman in her twenties, my interest in skincare products is as high as ever. Since my teenage days, I have become obsessed with treating acne, pigmentation, and overall skin health. Simultaneously, I’ve learned which products made a positive difference and those items which unfortunately caused more damage than good.

I’ll focus on my best finds so far. I have learned that using less products on my face works well when it comes to skin barrier preservation. If you’re not using PanOxyl as a face wash, well then let me know of any other miracle worker.

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash

This face wash fights acne and prevents its formation. It does exactly what it promises to do, ever since this product joined my daily skincare routine, I never looked back. I will use it once or twice a day if my makeup is heavier on a particular day. I then follow up with my favourite toner.

If you’re struggling with larger pores, this will be your holy grail. Honestly, not only did my pores get smaller, but some disappeared. My makeup looks better, and my overall skin condition is less congested.

La Roche-Posay Anthenlios UV 50+

This ultimate protection, weightless and quick absorbing liquid is the perfect base for makeup or ideal when

Image: La Roche-Posay

applied on its own to give you that healthy glow. I cannot recommend this SPF enough. It does not clog my pores, which is highly important for my skincare routine. My sensitive skin loves it.

Believe it or not, that is all. I went from applying oils, different facemasks, moisturisers and the list only continues, to finally become best friends with an easy three step routine.

Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner

The brand stole my heart. Put simply, once I tested their products two years ago, I continue to repurchase every time I run low. Speaking of which, the toner lasts months. It has a phenomenal weightless formula which absorbs quickly and minimises pore size. Usually, I would cleanse my skin with Panoxyl and follow up with Paula’s Choice toner. If I’m getting ready to jump into bed, I finish up here. When I see that my skin needs some extra hydration, I apply 2-3 drops of niacinamide. Otherwise, I will use a moisturizer with SPF50, no matter the season. Apply your SPF50 daily, you’ll thank me in a few years.

By Rachel Garvey

January is hitting its mid-way point and the festivities of the New Year are about to hit its second wave of celebrations; that’s right, Valentine’s Day rears it’s beautiful heart-shaped head and has already marked people’s calendars with a lovely little heart emoji.

Stores have already stocked out a few of their Valentine’s Day treats which include the cuddliest of teddy bears, chocolates and cards. I’ll admit; I buy it all for the one I love topped off with a bouquet of roses. I can already hear my dad’s voice as he says “What do you be buying all that for? Money-making scam” while my Mum argues “Ah, it’s only for a day, it’s romantic”.

Yes. It is romantic. Very. A day filled with love and affection and dinner dates to restaurants, cinema dates and walks by the beach. However, what if you wanted to do something different this year? Here’s a little something that will inspire you to do something different this year on V-day.

Puppy love

Personally, there is nothing better than going into a pet shop on a regular day, but why not make that day Valentine’s Day especially if your significant other loves animals. Looking at pets together proves to be a close bonding time for couples especially when the pet shop allows you to hold their rabbits.

Often times, the talk of pets or the possibility of getting one together is great for adding strength to the relationship. When my boyfriend and I bought our first hamster, Pipsqueak, we found it brought us closer together; it became our responsibility to look after the little bean. It was like we became parents. It was a commitment. And it was romantic.

Star-crossed lovers

Call me cringey or corny or a complete love sap, but this is my ideal romantic date; a small picnic under the stars, but don’t forget a blanket because the weather still proves to be cold in February. Wrap the blanket around both of your shoulders and star gaze; be sure to keep a look out for any shooting stars. You could get creative with it and create your own shapes and constellations from the location of the stars.

Sing it for the world

It may come across as embarrassing or make you self-conscious, but why not see if there’s any karaoke or open-mic nights coming up in February. I’m no relationship expert, but for new couples, this could break the ice and have you feel more comfortable with one another; laughs will be shared and a great time will be had. Nothing breaks the ice as clean as that. You don’t have to have an X-Factor voice, but only a sense of adventure, a desire to have fun and be silly together in a cringey duet.

Your

own

By Rachel Garvey

personal promotion

that we break that stigma.

Having a promotion dangled in front of your eager self is taunting, it’s torturous in ways that feed on your mental health because you’re waiting for the words to be said aloud, except the words continue to not exist in the oral world yet. However, why must we wait for someone to come along and give us what we want? Why don’t we take that into our own hands and make such things possible?

We must take control over it instead of letting it control us. This is where New Year Resolution’s come into play because we set the rules, we set a deadline, we set the stakes. And we make it happen. Give yourself that promotion and that hungry vicious feeding mouth on your mental health will stop feasting.

Instead, building blocks will begin to construct themselves into nourishing back your mental health as well as your well-being. We look after us, we can’t expect others to look after us because that’s selfish. Everyone needs to look after the one person in their life that is important, themselves.

The art of the journal

As someone who deals with anxiety and depression, I have found that journaling helps you keep a steady mind about the things in life. The good and the bad. Writing it down helps. I know people laugh at the idea because it’s just words on a page, but you’d be surprised how much weight lifts off your shoulders when you do write it out.

Words tend to get jumbled up when they’re swirling around your mind and not a lot makes sense. On paper it does. Writing down dates and what happened on that specific date can be compared to your later pages when you’re in a steadier place. There is no better feeling than looking at your journal and think ing, “Wow, I was in a bad place then, but after doing something about it, I feel much better.” That’s the art. It’s your book. It’s your instruction manual to look back on to fix things when they feel like they’re breaking.

Set a goal for you and you only

This doesn’t necessarily have to be set in the new year, but it’s tradition and the new year resembles a new beginning, a new start. Set your goal. For you. Set it under your terms and condi tions and never under anyone’s influence because you’re doing this for yourself. Not them.

Start a new sport, practice a new hobby; you have a world of possibilities and opportunities to choose from as long as it’s your choice. Once, I was friends with someone who tried to force me into the business field of studying because it would “get me places”.

I liked Business in school, but it wasn’t something I am pas sionate about in my adult life. I wanted to be a writer. An author. And I stuck with goal, not someone else’s recommendation. Once you master that art of setting your goal and sticking to your goal and finally, achieving that goal; you’ll find it is the most rewarding thing. A reward that happened because of you.

The lesson of kindness

Christmas is over, but winter also brings a lot of families despair, death and money loss. I have heard many a horror story about family members suffering a loss the day before Christmas; my family being in that boat or people not having enough money after the Christmas season because of wanting to give their children the toys they wanted, but secretly couldn’t afford.

It doesn’t cost anything to be there for those you know and don’t know, to be there as a support through a dark time. I know someone who is so close to me, but who is so afraid to speak out when they’re upset over something, and it is so important

That we offer them an ear when they need it. A big part of the promotion of one’s well-being is that they like the person that they are. Feeling like you are a good person doesn’t have to be an arrogant thing, but it is a genuine feeling that we must embrace.

University of Galway Students’ Union Seomra Cótaí Saor in Aisce Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn

Photo via Unsplash

Former Rugby star Tulsen Tollett discusses life after retirement

By Sanjukta Salgaonkar

“Having the right attitude really helped me, I do that about most things in life, having the right attitude towards certain things helps.”

Tulsen Tollett is a former professional rugby league player, First Dan Black Belt in Karate, and now a TV presenter with the BBC and a teacher.

professionally. During his career, he played in the position of scrum-half, stand-off, centre, wing, and fullback, while playing for clubs like Emu Plains (in Junior Rugby League), Penrith Panthers, Parramatta Eels and London Broncos. While in Rugby Union, he played for Harlequins and London Welsh.

Tulsen also toured with the Great Britain national rugby league team to Papua New Guinea, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. During this tour, he said: “I learnt new things from this experience. I got to meet different players from all around and understood how different things were in other clubs”.

However, due to a shoulder injury, he had to retire from rugby early in his career. Retiring from a sport you love so passionately naturally takes a part of your life with it. So, when Tulsen had to leave rugby, he felt a big part of his life was missing, too.

To keep himself busy, he started karate, as the Japanese culture really intrigued him. He later became a First Dan Black Belt in it.

behind the camera or microphone, as well as in front of it.” After this, he was given an opportunity with the BBC to report and commentate on some rugby games. From there, he went to different sports, worked for different organisations, and did many different things.

Rugby, as with many other sports, has evolved over time, and Tulsen feels that there are several key changes, saying: “The physical aspect had changed a lot over the last 15 years, the players have got a lot bigger.

“Now, they are generally 6 foot 2 inches tall and interchangeable in position due to their physique, which was not possible back in the day.”

Tulsen has no regrets after his shoulder injury, saying: “You see your teammates or your opponents more than you see your family, so they become your family.

Born in Hastings in the UK, Tulsen started playing rugby at a very young age alongside his peers.

After a few games, he understood he really liked the sport and started to improve, while perfecting his plays during matches. At the early age of 15, he understood that he had a chance of going further and playing

Tulsen explained that when he was still playing for the clubs, they had to do television interviews, and he enjoyed those a lot which made him realise that he quite enjoyed the television side.

While working in ABC studios, he would sit in the studio and began to learn how everything was done. Tulsen said: “I would always ask a lot of questions to the presenter or the reporter just to understand how things were getting done.

“With this, I learned how things work

“Leaving everything behind was hard, but I started karate and found a new family in them. Since injuries are part and parcel of the sports world, I’m just glad I got to do what I wanted to for a long time.”

As a final word of advice, he says hard work is always the key: “Work extremely hard in anything you choose, it can be a sport or your daily life.

“Be prepared to have setbacks in whatever you do. Not everything goes in a forward direction, sometimes it does not work out easily.

“A setback is good because it focuses your mind on what you want to do in life. Be stubborn about what you want to do, but make sure you enjoy it always.”

Tulsen at the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Photo via @TulsenTollet on Twitter

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Basketball Report: University of Galway Maree 92–69 Energywise Neptune

By Cóilín Duffy

Rodrigo Gomez led the game with a 24-point display - including five threes - as University of Galway Maree built upon an impressive second quarter display to stifle Super League playoff hopefuls Neptune with a 92-69 away victory on Friday evening.

It ensured the Westerners ended 2022 on a winning note, and remain top of the Superleague, as attentions now turn to a Pat Duffy National Cup semi-final against Dublin side Bright St. Vincent’s, also at Neptune Stadium this coming Saturday (January 7th - 5.30pm).

Neptune were without leading scorer Jordan Blount, who had 29 in the previous meeting, but it’s hard to imagine the 25-yearold forward carrying his teammates with much success here.

Barcelona-born power forward Nil Sabata posted 11 points in the first period, as Neptune commentators waxed lyrical about the team’s sharp ball movement and their ability to create open looks for one another.

He only added two more across the three subsequent quarters. That’s because almost as if they heard that praise, Maree cranked up the defensive intensity before half-time.

Haines had 19 and enjoyed a deadly 13-point second quarter, as the visitors absorbed their hosts’ energetic start before responding with staunch defence themselves.

Forcing turnovers and making it harder to circulate possession with any purpose, Charlie Crowley’s side showed active hands and regularly scored down the other end.

Besides Haines’ inspired efforts, there was dependable ball-handling by Eoin Rockall and Stephen Commins an ever-present threat from distance - finishing with 15 points and four triples.

Neptune, who appeared content to trade baskets during this sequence, had multiple three-point attempts with mixed results before half-time.

28-year-old guard Roy Downey scored two on consecutive possessions to get the crowd excited, but that was an exception to the rule as relying on long-distance shooting is dangerous at the best of times.

So it proved here. All of Haines’ points came from mid-range: floaters, step-back jumpshots, floaters and an and-one play too – all difficult but importantly in the flow of Galway’s attack, well-executed moves.

Rockall and Zach Light’s off-ball defence in particular proved problematic for the hosts, who headed into the break with a fourpoint deficit. It would soon balloon into double-digits afterwards.

Centre Zvonimir Cutuk had his most productive outing since mid-November in the scoring department, posting 18 points in 30 minutes - spreading those contributions across an evening where Neptune couldn’t contend against multiple attacking options.

After being a little unfortunate to foul Sabata in the act of shooting as he contested a layup, Nil missed what would’ve been a three-point play.

Gomez and Cian Heaphy traded corner threes, before Cutuk showed timely anticipation to box out and rebound Gomez’s missed layup, converting second chance points of his own.

All of the Croatian’s six third-quarter points were in the paint, as Neptune lamented their inability to match Maree with length and defensive intensity inside the key without fouling.

By this stage, they were down 11 and scoring became increasingly infrequent from their perspective. Light made a big block at one end, before Rockall charged into the paint before deftly assisting Commins in space at the other.

The week before Christmas, Galway made Flexachem KCYMS record a lowly 13-point quarter en route to a landslide victory. In their final appearance of the year, Maree forced Neptune into two quarters where they only managed 25 points combined. With the result beyond doubt and the lead as high as 26, there were fourth-quarter minutes afforded to Malik Thiam and John Burke among others.

University of Galway Maree built upon an impressive second quarter display to stifle Super League playoff hopefuls Neptune with a 92-69 away victory, ensuring the Westerners remain top of the Superleague, as attentions now turn to a Pat Duffy National Cup semi-final against Dublin side Bright St. Vincent’s, also at Neptune Stadium.”

Photo via Pexels