SIN Vol. 24 Issue 11

The first Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week takes place at the University of Galway

By Caoimhe Looney

Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week took place from the 20 to the 24 March to mark the twenty year anniversary of Nelson Mandela being awarded an honorary degree from the University of Galway.

To mark the inaugural Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week, the Office of the Vice President for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion awarded funding to 11 projects as part of the annual Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Project Fund.

Twenty different events occurred over the week to allow people to learn and explore a wide range of cultures, races and ethnicities and start conversations about anti-racism.

Vice president for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Galway, Dr Helen Maher said: “It’s important to note that this is the first week of its kind in terms of the University of Galway.

“We had a particular emphasis on commemorating and remembering the awarding of the honorary doctorate to Nelson Mandela.”

One of the events that took place was ‘Experience Africa’ organised by Vusi Thabethe and Thembela Lubimbi.

This event contained a gallery exhibition, afro food celebration and music and dance.

This event was made to celebrate African culture and allow visitors to meet with people from different African countries and learn all about their culture.

There were examples of traditional African garments and headdresses, which people could be shown how to wear in the traditional way.

Speaking about the event, Vusi Thabethe said: “We received some very positive feedback. It was very uplifting and it was good to share some of our unknown facts about our culture.

“In the future we are hoping to host another one next year if we are allowed to, and hopefully we can continue on this great initiative.”

One of the events that took place was ‘Experiencing Direct Provision through the eyes of University of Galway Students (Virtual Reality Experience),’ organised by Eileen Kennedy.

This virtual reality experience showed a short documentary about a day in the life of two University of Galway students who live in a Direct Provision Centre.

Through the VR headset, it allows you to have a 360-degree view to look around while watching the day in the life documentary of the students.

Another event which took place throughout the week was the ‘Whist A Thary: Traveller and Roma Film Festival,’ which showcased films that contained authentic and celebratory representations of the Traveller and Roma communities.

This four-day film festival sought to engage the University and the general public in a discussion on how different ethnicities can be shown and celebrated in and through media.

The University also hosted the first national HEA conference on Race Equality in Higher Education on 20 March to highlight the structural, institutional, and historical dimensions of racism which informed past and current practices in HEIs and the societies in which they are situated.

There were also a number of talks for the duration of the week about diversity and inclusion and race equality training for staff.

One of the events that took place was ‘Experience Africa’ organised by Vusi Thabethe and Thembela Lubimbi. Photo: Aengus McMahon.

By Valerie McHugh Editor

Dearest readers, welcome to issue 11! I cannot believe we are on our second last edition of the year. Congratulations to all of our SIN contributors this week who have done wonderful work for this issue.

Our reporter Caoimhe Looney takes the front page this week with a rundown on the first ever Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism week that took place in the University. She interviewed some of the organisers of the event, and it was a clearly a truly brilliant week. Make sure to take a look at that piece to learn more about the event. There are plenty of other brilliant articles in this issue too, so make sure to give SIN a good flick through!

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 11. Keep your eyes peeled for some news on our brand-new print edition of SIN which is launching in the next few weeks. You won’t want to miss it.

A huge thanks to our team!

Decision expected soon over former Carbon Nightclub site

By Rachel Foster

Four years after UK pub chain J D Wetherspoon purchased the site of the former nightclub Carbon (formerly GPO) in Eglinton Street in Galway, a decision is soon to be expected regarding whether or not the proposed plans will go ahead.

The plans would see the old nightclub turned into a two-storey pub named ‘The Three Red Sails’, with an extension on the first floor to aid the creation of a roof terrace.

If approved, the pub would become the eighth bar owned by the chain in Ireland.

The plans were brought to the council in July 2022, but many concerns were lodged by locals.

For example, there are concerns from nearby residents over potential noise pollution, particularly regarding the proposed roof terrace.

There were also concerns over the height of signage, with requests put forth for the signage to remain level with the other buildings on the street. However, these concerns from local residents were followed up by well wishes and excitement at the prospect of a new business on the street.

The council also raised concerns about the potential damage to the site should the proposed plans proceed, which they argued could be of archaeological potential, especially in regard to the demolition of the ground floor.

J D Wetherspoon also suggested changing the proposed name of the pub from ‘The Three Red Sails’ to ‘Na Trí Seolta Dearga’ in order to correspond with the importance and prominence of the Irish language in Galway.

Given the decline in the nightlife culture of Galway City following numerous nightclub closures, the pub chain expects that their main clientele will be students of University of Galway, and it is hoped that a final decision will be made soon.

Three men found guilty of first-degree murder of rapper XXXTentacion

By Rachel Foster

On 20 March 2023, the murder trial of famous rap artist XXXTentacion (20-year-old Jahseh Onfroy) came to close, with a Florida jury deliberating for more than a week before finding three men, Michael Boatwright (27), Dedrick Williams (26), and Trayvon Newsome (24), guilty of first-degree murder.

The murder happened nearly five years ago, taking place in broad daylight in Florida in June 2018 outside of a motorcycle shop.

During a struggle that lasted approximately 45 seconds, at least one of the men shot XXXTentacion, before fleeing the scene with a Louis Vuitton bag full of $50,000 cash that he had just withdrawn.

The trial took place in the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where it was declared that all three men would possibly face life sentences.

At the time of his death, XXXTentacion was facing 15 felony charges, which included aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic violence, and witness tampering.

Before his death, the rapper posted a video on social media in which he said, ““If I’m going to die or ever be a sacrifice, I want to make sure that my life made at least five million kids happy, or they found some sort of answers or resolve in my life, regardless of the negative around my name, regardless of the bad things people say to me.”

Much of his music gained popularity in the time after his death, with many of his songs climbing both the UK and US charts, and thousands of fans attended a memorial service for him.

A supporting paw to mental health

By Rachel Garvey

An animal is more than just a word or a being coated in soft fur; they’re beings that are alive just as humans are, they have feelings, they sense when something is wrong. They are human. They have rights.

They are our family members and future family members for those looking to want to expand their family. A toy, a Christmas gift, a birthday present or a last-minute decision are all the categories that an animal should not be characterised in. They feel and sense things as we humans do.

Pets are vital to one’s mental health. Although mental health pets aren’t assigned to people as guide dogs are, they play an important role in how our feelings change. Anxiety is reduced because they make us feel like we have a purpose in

life; they depend on us to love them and we depend on them to love us back by taking care of them. Adopting a new dog means they are now your newest family member; that one decision should be permanent.

SIN interviewed Dawn Divilly from MADRA, Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption to gain a better insight into the role dogs play in one’s life.

What are the statistics (if any) on pets helping their owner’s mental health? We don’t have any statistics of that type ourselves, but there may be studies online. We know for sure, through anecdotes, that pets can have a hugely positive impact on their owner’s mental health. We get lots and lots of very happy updates from adopters telling us how their dog enriched their lives.

Do you find that those looking to adopt deal with mental health issues and are hoping a dog will help them in the long run?

It’s very possible that this is the case with some adopters.

What dogs do you have up for adoption? Are there any ones in particular that have personalities where they could brighten a person’s life?

We have a number of dogs posted on our website as currently available for adoption; Wendy who’s a Lurcher breed; a sweet girl in need of TLC, Jack who’s a Jack Russell Terrier, Alfie who’s a Bullhound who was brought to the pound before Christmas and Fleetwood who’s a Terrier.

There’s been a 33 per cent increase of dogs being brought back to shelters since the Christmas period; what advice would you give to those who are planning to adopt for the first time? Is there anything that can be done to reduce the number of dogs being brought back?

Yes, sadly we are dealing with a hugely increased number of people looking to re-home their dog and like all rescues and pounds at the moment, we are full with a long waiting list. There was a significant increase in dog ownership during Covid and many people got a dog, perhaps without thinking about the level of commitment required.

For those looking to get a dog for the first time, we’d recommend looking first at their lifestyle and personal circumstances surrounding their family and work and finances and then researching whether getting a dog is right for them.

One should research what age, size, breed, temperament would suit best. Before committing to a dog, people need to understand the responsibilities and costs involved for the well-being of their dog.

You also need to think carefully of where you’ll get your dog as puppy farming is a very serious problem in Ireland. Naturally, we encourage people to look at rescues and pounds first when looking for a dog because they’ll take the time to match you with the right dog and if circumstances change, they’ll still be there to take the dog back.

In terms of dogs being brought back, it’s important to note that very few dogs brought to shelters for re-homing are dogs that came from the shelter originally. They mostly come from people who bought them from someone like a breeder or online or they’re either a result of unwanted litters where dogs weren’t spayed or neutered.

“ Pets can have a hugely positive impact on their owner’s mental health. We get lots and lots of very happy updates from adopters telling us how their dog enriched their lives.

Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Pexels

Erasmus Diary: Las Fallas and Lá Fhéile Pádraig

By Kara Wilson

Today I paid my third month of rent and my third month of phone credit. Though I run these tedious errands with a bit of financial angst, I also reflect on the fact that I’m starting my third month here. Time certainly flies, I feel this is a positive sign, and my last two weeks have been amazing.

The University system is fairly different to that of Galway’s, so I spend most weekends shooting short films, or ‘cortos’, from 7am to 9pm; which at first was a hard pill to swallow, but the equipment is so advanced that I’ve had the opportunity to really learn a lot as well as bond with my classmates. I’ve been so lucky to be shown such kindness and patience from them and I’ve grown to be very grateful.

This past week has got to be my favourite yet. There is a three week festival that happens in March every year in Valencia called Las Fallas. The University gave us the full week off from school and the city was on fire. Literally.

Every year, each neighbourhood spends all year building a sculpture that will all be voted on in a competition, and ultimately set on fire in the streets. The winner is burned last. During the three weeks of voting, fireworks are set off every night and street drinking is made legal.

For the last week, everyone has school off, and we went on quite the bender. The night commenced at 1am with a huge display of fireworks. As an American, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away, as firework displays are very typical for the 4th of July, but these were huge. They went off for about an hour at a time and were set off directly over the crowd, we found ourselves dodging the fallen ash.

After the fireworks, everyone picked the neighbourhood to which Falla we will attend. Each one has a bar, concert set up with live music, and a gargantuan party. These were phenomenal; we met new people, learned new songs, and really participated in Valencian culture. In true Spanish fashion, these went on until 5am, at which time we all went home, slept until the late evening, woke up, and did it all again.

Of course, by the sixth night, I was questioning why exactly I put my body through the extensive amount of feet aches from the monstrous amount of dancing we did, the stomach struggles from

the no doubt litres of beer we consumed, and the headache from the microscopic amount of water we drank. But, it was the best week I’ve had yet, and not just because of the constant stream of beer, but because it was an experience that taught me a lot about Valencian culture and because I had great people to spend it with.

And don’t worry, I spent 17 March in an Irish pub, Guinness in hand, listening to ‘Fields of Athenry’ performed by a man with a guitar before attending the Fallas for that night. Because though I may have been longing for my Paddy’s Day in Barr An Chaladh with my friends, I was extremely grateful to have been in Valencia for Fallas. So, here we go month 3, bring it on.

“ Every year, each neighbourhood spends all year building a sculpture that will all be voted on in a competition, and ultimately set on fire in the streets. The winner is burned last. During the three weeks of voting, fireworks are set off every night and street drinking is made legal.

Photo by Kara Wilson

Society Spotlight: Book Society

By Beyza Koç

Yes, you guessed it, another Society Spotlight to brighten up your day! This time we hear it from Book Socs Vice Editor Ellen Lee.

Can you tell us about when Book Soc first established and who it is for?

Book Club was founded in October 2020, at the height of the pandemic. We found our footing as a society with no in person activity, just Discord and Zoom events. What better way to pass the time during lockdown than to read? Fortunately, we have been able to adapt our event format to keep up with the lifting of restrictions and keep things fresh and interesting.

Though we are called Book club, we are not the average style book club! Being busy college students, we don’t do the usual “read one book a month and discuss it”, instead we welcome readers of all interests and types. The best thing about Book Club is that you don’t have to be an avid, constant reader. There’s always something for everyone over our semesters of events. Our hope is that we give people a community to meet with other book lovers and discuss all things book related.

Can you talk us through about what a regular meeting looks like?

Book Club is a relatively big society, with over 1700 members. When everything came back in-person in September 2021, we experienced a huge surge in membership, gaining over 1000 members in a year. Winning “Most New Members” and “Best New Society” at the 2022 Soc’s Awards was a definite highlight for us, and reassured us that there is demand for a Book society at the college. We try to vary our events to cater to every type of reader, be they fantasy lovers, poetry fans, or aficionados of classic literature. Every Tuesday evening you’ll find us in the Human Biology Building, holding a quiz, games night, discussions, arts and crafts and much more - all book themed of course. You never know what you’ll get at a Book Club meeting from week to week. One of our most successful events was our “Book B*tching Session” where we tore into some of our much-hated (and much loved!) tropes in books. There’s nothing quite like complaining to really bond with people!

Any final thoughts or wishes for the Society’s future?

The next chapter of Book Club has yet to be written (see what I did there?) but there’s no doubt the society is in good hands, given the amazing committee we have and the great regulars who come to our events.

The Rachel Diaries

By Rachel Garvey

I recently received a message from a priestess in Los Angeles alerting me that I had recently been cursed by a family friend who is envious of me and that’s why I’m not excelling in life. I really don’t see what there is to be jealous of; I’m a twenty-four-year-old with anxiety, depression and PTSD, genuinely nothing to be envious of.

The thought stressed me out though because of how demanding things have been lately. The work life is tough and taxing on the body; I really shouldn’t be having serious back pains at this age and finances are tight. Life is great, isn’t it?

However, darkness brings light and as down as I feel most days, I do put in effort to stay positive especially when I get to wear my new SIN hoodie with my name and title on it; my Mam is going to be proud.

St. Patrick’s Day in Headford town was spent working, but Dylan and I snook

Mother’s Day brought flowers and chocolates, my Mam was overjoyed, but as every mother says: “Don’t you be getting me anything now, mind your money.”

My little brother, Cian, seems to think their house is haunted because he’s constantly hearing creaking noises. I know a lot about the paranormal and have had the same experience when I lived at home, but it’s merely the house settling, but try telling an overactive thirteen-year-old that. He’ll be fine once the teenage disco comes up at the end of March.

The day held some well-needed good news for Dylan and I; unsurprisingly making the cry-baby of the family shed tears. That cry-baby is me. We’re moving back to my Nan’s house in the city; the house deemed our forever home by my uncle. Our money troubles can finally end, we can save properly, be in a job where we feel respected, add a new canine family member and continue to dwell in a place that is sacred to me. A place where memories of childhood live in the walls and laughter still echoes. A place where we’ll be surrounded by old neighbours who became friends, who we miss and can’t wait to live next

in it for his soccer club, it was only mandatory that I see him and give a big wave.

This next anecdote is funny, but you would have had to have been there in person; I was up in the bedroom and Pipsqueak was taking a drink from his water bottle. I padded over to his cage and stuck my finger in to give him a little rub; he was so unaware of my presence that my finger scared him and he jumped back a few inches and landed on his back. I felt so bad, but laughed so hard and apologised aloud to him.

to again. I’m finally going home. Home. To keep fulfilling my promise to my Nan; a promise to look after her home for the rest of my days.

I feel this is because of her, someone up there was looking out for me and sprinkled some good luck our way instead of bad news. Our next chapter begins in June and this time there will be a good starting sentence, a deep relating plot and a permanent happy ending. Good things happen to good people too.

I recently received a message from a priestess in Los Angeles alerting me that I had recently been cursed by a family friend who is envious of me and that’s why I’m not excelling in life. I’m a twenty-four-year-old with anxiety, depression and PTSD, I really don’t see what there is to be jealous of...”

Our forever family. Photo via Rachel Garvey. Portrait by Canaan Zheng.

Photo: Beyza Koç

Meet me at the Sabbath

By Rachel Garvey

To reduce one’s anxiety; Sabbaths in today’s modern age are safe and sacred. They are not tied in with bonfires, devil-worshipping and dancing naked because that is the ancient stereotype.

When one studies witchcraft or enjoys the beauty of collecting crystals and educating them-self about their special properties then one of the many modules in the craft is; The Wheel of the Year. In clearer terms; cultures celebrate Christmas, Halloween, Easter and St. Patrick’s Day annually while a witch’s wheel of the year consists of more frequent celebratory days for nature.

These frequent days celebrated nearly every month are sacred and important to one’s craft work. The reason why they celebrate such Sabbaths, their original name, is fascinating and beautiful especially in regards to Wiccan imagery learned from the writings of Kelden.

Imbolc is a Sabbath that falls on 1 February and marks the end of the cold winter and the beginning of a fresh new spring. Doors and windows are cleansed with sage to drive away negativity from the Christmas period and windows are left open to welcome in the new spring air. Animals give birth. Plants wake from a snow-drowned slumber and new life breathes all around the world. “In Wiccan imagery, Imbolc is when the Great Goddess recovers from giving birth to the Horned God and begins to nourish him”.

Ostara falls on 20 March, a time where the hours of darkness and the hours of light are equal. This time is known as the spring equinox. Flowers bloom and the last of the winter’s darkness is being drowned out by light. It’s a time for planting and growing. Linens are encouraged to be hung outside on a clothes line so that they are “imbued with Ostara’s energies of prosperity and fertility.” Moon water and lemon juice become your best friend during this month because it can be used to cleanse carpets, down the toilet drains and gutters and on windows and doors.

Beltane falls on 1 May, no better day to welcome in the summer sun and warm breeze. The Sabbaths energies focus “beauty, manifestation and sexuality.” It makes a great deal of sense as warm weather brings less material to the body; more skin is shown and we need to embrace our naturalness.

After Beltane, comes Litha on 21 June and then followed by three harvest Sabbaths; Lughnasadh on 1 August, Mabon on 21 September and Samhain on 31 October. During these months, harvesting starts and days grow cold and dark, blessings are thanked and rituals are performed to banish any negative energies.

Samhain is the one night every year when the veil between the living and dead lifts and spirits co-habit among the living. Ancestors are remembered. In Wiccan imagery “the Horned God’s power diminishes and his final sacrifice comes at Samhain.”

Lastly, Yule arrives on December 21st which marks its name on our calendars as the shortest day of the year; sunlight dominated by darkness. Rituals are made to banish any negative energies and to protect one’s space.

Photo by Tonia Kraakman on Pexels

Exam Tips

Exam Tips

Leideanna Scrúduithe

Leideanna Scrúduithe

Before The Exam

• We all learn differently, try different study methods and find out what works for you.

• Focus and systematically work through each topic, question by question.

• Do past exam papers and practice questions.

• If you need help with a topic - reach out to your classmates or your lecturer.

Exam Tips

• Know when your exams are - check out your personalised timetable on the University of Galway exams website.Know what type of exam you will be sitting - open book, MCQ, 2 hour written paper etc. if you are unsure – ASK.

Leideanna Scrúduithe

During The Exam

• Take time to settle yourself and BREATHE

• Read all questions carefully.

• Leave time to review your paper at the end.

• Set time allocations for each question and move on once the time elapses.

Exam Tips

Leideanna Scrúduithe

Minding Yourself

• Take regular breaks during study.

• Avoid burn out, sleep well, keep active and allow yourself to take time off.

• Eat healthy

Exam Tips

• Set personal goals.

• Take each day as it comes - don’t be disheartened if you have a bad exam or study isn’t going well.

Leideanna Scrúduithe

If Something Goes Wrong

• If you lose your Student ID card you can buy a new one for €20 at the Student Registry Help Desk in Áras Uí Chathail

• If something goes wrong that is outside of your control that means you cannot attend your exam you can defer your exam to August and your result will not be capped.

• If you fail an exam, you will have an opportunity to appeal the result.

• If you fail an exam there will be an opportunity for you to resist the exam in August (first-year excluded) the grade for the repeat will be capped at 40%

The cards have spoken: a fair is a-coming

By Rachel Garvey

All Tarot practitioners, all crystal mams, all spiritual and healing folk; this one’s for you as a personal newspaper notification to alert you on Galway’s upcoming Holistic Fair that will be visiting our beautiful city during the weekend of 15 and 16 April in Leisureland, Salthill.

The locals of the West are surely in for a treat during this two-day fair that will be filled with Tarot readers, Healers, Mediums and guest speakers. SIN interviewed Freddy Roberts who manages the event ‘Mind Body Experience.’

For those who don’t have any knowledge of the Mind Body Experience Events, what does it entail?

For starters, there is free admission. We have seventy exhibitors and forty-eight hours of complimentary talks, workshops and classes. The event is comprised of four different elements all in one venue, the Mind Body Soul Expo, the Yoga and Meditation Festival, Live Well - Talks & Workshops and the Galway Psychic Fair. Our site depicts what we’ll have going on.

The Mind Body Soul Expo: Bringing together exhibitors and practitioners from the world of holistic health & wellbeing. The event hosts over 20 holistic therapists from all modalities offering mini treatments, advice, and information. You will also find a fantastic array of exhibitors providing holistic health products & information, specialist books, crystals, handcrafted jewellery, angelic gifts, natural skincare, herbal remedies, oils and essences, and much more.

The Yoga and Meditation Festival: Two days of Yoga, Mindfulness, and Meditation. The yoga zone hosts 16 hours of free yoga & meditation classes and many additional meditation sessions & mindfulness talks are held around the venue over the weekend. All classes, sessions & talks are open to everyone and are complimentary, no admission is charged.

Live Well Talks & Workshops: 32 hours of free talks & workshops that will inspire, educate and entertain. The talks & workshops will be as diverse as the presenters but with an underlying focus on inspiring a healthier and happier you.

Galway Psychic Fair: Set in its own separate dedicated area it’s a must for all those interested in the world of Psychic Readings, Mediumship, Angel and Tarot cards, Palmistry, and the Crystal ball. All of our readers have extensive training and many years of experience and they all deal with your information in strict confidence. All readings are private and are given on a one-on-one basis. We treat all speakers the same, although we have some very experienced & well know ones at some of our events, I feel everyone should be equal so they all get equal billing. The talks have a pretty broad range, but we always try to have some focused on mental health & mindfulness. At our larger venues, we also try to have a fun workshop so people can try new activities such as drawing classes or singing in a choir, etc. No pre-booking is needed, just come along on the day.”

How long since it first started?

We started the Mind Body Experience events in 2019, but have been running holistic fairs since 2008.

How are the team feeling about the upcoming fair? Are they looking forward to communicating with Galway people and making it an experience to remember?

What do they most look forward to?

All is going well; we have run this event in Galway a number of times. I think the fact it’s free admission and all the talks, classes and workshops are free is great for the public. It opens it up to those curious and not just the folks that are already interested in the holistic world.

Are sceptics usually a problem or do you get many people who vocally try to persuade people that the experience isn’t real etc?

No, not really. We had over 40,000 folks attend our events in 2019, without incident. (We were closed for two years due to Covid and are just getting back to normal this year). While we do have tarot and angel card readers at our events, we also have a huge number of holistic therapists, yoga teachers, life coaches, mindfulness and meditation teachers, nutrition & health experts, etc so it’s a pretty broad range.

Do you hope to expand across more counties in the future rather than Galway, Dublin and Cork?

We run around 30 smaller one day holistic fairs nationwide each year in addition to the much larger Ming Body Experience Events in Dublin, Cork & Galway.

Roberts’ final statement beamed “We just enjoy bringing so many people together and hopefully giving folks an interesting day out.”

Photo by Lukáš Dlutko on Pexels

There is no truly safe place for a woman to simply exist

By Roisin Kerrigan

Safety for women is a common cause of concern, how can it not be? Can you find me one woman who has not been harassed or felt threatened in some way? From heckling, cat calling, unwanted advances, unsolicited pictures sent online, the wandering hands as you move through a nightclub. It is always something for us, there is unfortunately no avoiding it. Every time you walk into a club you know you will feel the touch of a hand looking for your waist as he moves through the crowd, but isn’t it funny how that hand always seems to slip down to the waist and lower area?

There are not many coincidences in this area, as women know the dangers with every familiarity as they teach each other their dayto-day rituals for keeping safe in this world, because let's be honest with ourselves; there is no truly safe place for a woman to simply exist.

I know myself that I have had many an opportunity to experience the hard reality of being a woman, from being followed, catcalled, stopped on the street, and have made many pacts with my male friends that allow me to grab their hand and pretend they are my protective boyfriend in public should a man threaten me. For goodness' sake, I have even bought myself a cheap fake engagement ring for my nights out, because let's be serious here, some men will not respect a woman’s no, but they will respect a man's possession.

This is not to say ‘All Men’, I personally do not believe in the ‘kill all men’ and ‘all men’ because it is not all men, most men I know could not even think about making a woman uncomfortable. But it is enough men to ensure that all women have a story to tell about this topic.

Galway has recently found itself having to face this reality as groups of women have been getting harassed more frequently and make people more aware about the importance of maintaining their safety. We walk with our keys between our fingers, but is it enough? I wish it was not true, but we cannot expect the world to change for us, because there is no way of changing things that have always been. Women have always been vulnerable and there is nothing we can do to be 100 per cent safe, but we can walk in

groups, learn to defend ourselves, download ringtones to fake a phone-call and carry alarms. Men can be our biggest aid against harassment, men fear and respect other men and will be less likely to approach or harass if you have body of possible protection by your side.

I know that this may be a controversial position to take, but I truly believe in it. My father taught me to fight and defend myself since I was a small child, and unfortunately it is a lesson that I have had to use on more than one occasion. He taught me to grab the wrist and how to bend a persons’ arm so that he is facing away and brought to his knees, giving you time to run, he taught me to break a persons’ arm and which areas of the body to hit hard so that I have an advantage and a better chance to escape. It is something that I will always be grateful for and something that I believe all women should learn.

P.S. Carrying weapons and pepper spray are illegal in Ireland, but a small bottle of

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Gorillaz: Cracker Island Review

By Scott Stephens

Cracker Island has been a long time coming. The album, according to Damon Albarn, has been completed since May of 2022, with a long string of singles being released since June. The first single was the title track and opener to the album, an exciting intro that certainly set the scene for what was yet to come. Much like on Plastic Beach, Albarn is using an imaginary setting as a means of a commentary on today’s society, with the “Cracker Island” representing the fragile foundation of society; “a made up paradise/Where the truth was auto-tuned.”

The single that followed, ‘New Gold’, showed off some of the big features, with Tame Impala and Bootie Brown performing on the track. It is one of the grooviest songs off the album and the voices of Albarn, Parker, and Bootie Brown bounce off each other brilliantly, but it is not without the usual gloominess of an Albarn track; “New gold, fool’s gold/ Everythin’ will disappear.”

The album does however lean towards the repetitive. Gorillaz have developed a unique and interesting sound of their own, but one that they have mostly failed to expand on in this release. Cracker Island certainly has its fair share of highlights, but it is not without some forgettable tracks such as ‘The Tired Influencer’ and ‘Baby Queen.’

This is the issue that Gorillaz often face. While Albarn is most certainly a brilliant songwriter, Gorillaz’ projects are sometimes let down by a lack of variety. Albarn’s insightful lyrics are often left to do the heavy lifting. That is not at all to say that Cracker Island is without any interesting sound. ‘Skinny Ape,’ begins with an acoustic intro, then moves into a melancholic ballad reminiscent of ‘On Melancholy Hill,’ before switching it up ending with blaring, dancing, synths. It is one of Gorillaz’ best tracks in years and is bound to have you tapping your foot to the sad but danceable melody.

Bad Bunny’s feature, too offers a nice change of direction on the album. The track is quite hard to describe; there is something jazzy about it, something reggae about it, and a bit of rap thrown in there too. Additionally, Bad Bunny’s Spanish rap verses provides a nice contrast to the rest of Cracker Island

Cracker Island is certainly an enjoyable listen, but it does not hold up to a standard that Gorillaz are most certainly capable of. There is nothing overly poor in this album, just several high points combined with a collection of repetitive and forgettable tracks.

Image: Warner Music

DanceSoc x CheerleadingSoc Showcase

DanceSoc and CheerleadingSoc held their showcase on Wednesday the 29th of March in the Bailey Allen Hall which saw groups and individual acts perform a variety of dance styles to a packed audience.

Photos by Lisa Hamilton

‘Descendants’ –GUMS Intervarsity Entry 2023

Before heading to Belfast to perform in the annual College Musical Theatre Intervarsities competition, the company of Descendants, GUMS 2023 entry, performed two shows in the Cube to sold out audiences. The production was an excellent retelling of the 2015 Disney Channel Original Movie of the same name, condensed to 20 minutes of material with incredible choreography and vocals by an immensely talented cast. GUMS went on to place 3rd in the Best Overall category at the competition as well as coming home with the Best Choreography award.

Photos by Lisa Hamilton

WaffleSoc – Odd One Out

One of the University of Galway’s newest societies WaffleSoc held a ‘Odd One Out’ game in Sult on Wednesday the 29th of March to a packed-out room. The premise of the game was based on game of the same name found on the ‘Jubilee Media’ social media pages where a question is posed such as ‘Who is the fake Harry Potter fan?’ and the participants must justify why they aren’t an imposter by answering questions from the host. The audience participation in this live event was brilliant and the host made it enjoyable for all involved.

Writers Soc – 2023 Publication Launch

Writers Soc held a launch for their 2023 publication ‘Voyages’ on Wednesday the 29th of March which saw writers, publisher and fellow writer soc members come together in The View to read excerpts from stories and poems written by students from the book. ‘Voyages’ is available to purchase on Amazon at a cost of €5.00 and features writing from some talented Writer Soc members.

Photos by Lisa Hamilton

Vitamins to help you when you’re feeling run-down

By Caoimhe Looney

Most people I know at the moment are struggling with feeling run down. A lot of people’s immune systems seem to be weak and they’re getting sick more often, and energy is at an all-time low.

While there’s other ways of tackling these issues, it is also worth noting that part of these feeling could be caused by a vitamin deficiency. The best thing to do if you think you’re lacking in a vitamin is to go to your GP and get them to check.

Here’s a list of some of the vitamins you could need to include in your diet.

1.

Magnesium

Magnesium has a lot of important roles in the body. It supports muscle and nerve function and energy production. Magnesium is one of the vitamins with the most uses in the body, as it’s needed for more than 300 different biochemical reactions, including muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and energy production. Magnesium is found in food like fish, nuts and whole grains.

2. Vitamin B

There are eight different types of vitamin B, each numbered one through eight which support the body in health brain and cell functions and convert the energy we eat into energy. If you are deficient in any of these eight B vitamins it can cause symptoms of tiredness and fatigue. Some foods that contain vitamin B are eggs, salmon and leafy greens.

3.

Iron

Iron is responsible for making red blood cells, which transport oxygen around the body. When you are low on iron it causes exhaustion and fatigue, with it possibly leading to disorders like anaemia. Anaemia can impair cognitive abilities, decrease immunity, and negatively impact work performance. The best sources of iron is meat, seafood and nuts.

4.

Vitamin D

This vitamin is responsible for supporting your immune system, keeping bones strong and assisting with energy and mood. In Ireland we have a lot of people

who are low in vitamin D since the main way of getting it is from the sun, which we don’t get a lot of. Some foods you can get your vitamin D from is oily fish, egg yolks and red meat.

5.Vitamin

C

Vitamin C is useful to the body in many ways. These include helping to protect cells and keep them healthy, maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage and helping with wound healing. Not only is it good for all of those things but it also helps the bodies production of energy. Sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries and broccoli.

While you can also finds supplements in pharmacies and health shops for all of these vitamins, the best way to supply your body with them is through your diet. So, the best thing you can do for your body when you’re feeling run-down is to maintain a balanced diet. And remember, always consult with a medical professional before you take any vitamins.

Photo by Magda Ehlers via Pexels

Needles-s to say, it’s worth a shot

By Caoimhe Looney

Acupuncture involves having very thin needles inserted into your skin at very specific points on your body. This practice comes from traditional Chinese medicine. The main use of acupuncture is to treat pain, but it is becoming more common for other uses like wellness. Studies have shown acupuncture is effective for a variety of conditions.

In Traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that the human body has over 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways. These pathways create an energy flow called Qi (pronounced ‘chee’) through the body that is responsible for overall health. It is believed that a disruption to the energy flow can cause disease, so using acupuncture on certain spots improves the flow of Qi and benefits your health.

One of the main reasons people are hesitant to try acupuncture is because of their fear of needles. While I wouldn’t recommend trying this if you have a severe fear of needles, the

However, acupuncture is not for everyone. Discuss acupuncture with your doctor first. Based on conditions you have or medication you take it, it may not be compatible with you. Your doctor should be able to tell you if acupuncture is beneficial for your condition. It is also important to research the acupuncture practitioner to ensure they are qualified and have good reviews to make the experience as good as

pain from the needles is not very bad. Most people report feeling very minimal pain as the needle is inserted. You might feel a slight aching sensation when the needle reaches the right depth.

You should only feel pain during the session if the needles are placed wrong. There are other stimulation forms used instead of acupuncture sometimes, such as cupping, acupressure or friction. An acupuncture session can last up to an hour, though it’s dependent on the issue being tackled. The same goes for the number of sessions needed to treat the problem.

Some of the issues that acupuncture is used to treat are headaches, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia and men strual cramps. The benefits of acupuncture are sometimes difficult to measure, but many people find it helpful as a way to control some painful conditions. Ultimately it seems like some types of simulated acupuncture appear to work just as well as real acupuncture. There’s also evidence that acupuncture works best in people who expect it to work.

“ You might feel a slight aching sensation when the needle reaches the right depth but you should only feel pain during the session if the needles are placed wrong.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

Figiúirí coir fuatha in aghaidh grúpaí mionlaigh ag dul in olcas

Le Gearóid Ó Droighneáin

Bhí agóid ar súil ar an Fhaiche Mhór i nGaillimh Dé Sathairn Márta 25 a d’eagraigh an grúpa nua Gréasán Pobal na Gaillimhe in aghaidh an Chiníochas agus an Leithcheala, le haghaidh áird a tharraingt ar an chiníochas a bhíonn orthu déileáil le ar bhonn laethúil.

I dtuairisc a d’fhoilsigh an International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) na hEorip an mhí seo caite, bhí sé ráite gur é 2022 an bhliain ba foréigní do dhaoine Leispiach, Aerach, Déghnéasach, Trasinscneach + (LADT+) san Eoraip le breis agus deich mbliana.

Ag labhairt i Béarla, dúirt Maria Molloy, Leaschathaoirleach an ghrúpa Amach LADT+:

“Is í seo an fhianaise a bhí a fhios againn faoi, foréigin agus ionsaí dhiúltach in aghaidh an pobal LADT+. Homafóibe ach go háirithe Uamhan tras mar tá sé ag méadú ag leibhéal atá muid buartha faoi agus tá taithí dhíreach ag go leor dár bpobal le sin”.

Ach ní in Éirinn amháin atá grúpaí mionlaigh ag troid ar son a gcuid cearta,

le gairid anuas thug an stáit Tennesse sna Stáit Aontaithe bille nua dlíthiúil isteach a chuireann srianta ar taispeántais draig. Níl aon chead ag taispeántais draig a bheith ar siúl in áiteanna poiblí ná in aon áit a bhfuil an baol ann go bhfeicfeadh gasúir iad.

I Uganda na hAfraic tá an rialtas ag déanamh iarracht bille nua a tabhairt isteach sa dlí ionas go mbeidh sé mídhleathach a bheith aerach. Tá sé i gceist go ngearrfar príosún saoil ar aon chúpla aerach agus go gcuirfear daoine chun báis má scaipeann siad VEID/SEIF.

I bhfigiúirí a d’fhoilsigh An Garda síochána dúirt siad go bhfuil ardú de 30% ar an méid coir fuatha in Éirinn le dhá mhí dhéag anuas.

I ráiteas ó LGBT na hÉireann dúirt siad gur cúis imní iad na figiúirí sin agus tá siad ag impí ar an rialtas seasadh isteach agus rud éigin a dhéanamh faoi ardú na bhfigiúirí láithreach.

Ag labhairt i Béarla, dúirt Paraic Á Fearon ó Líonra Frithchiníochais na Gaillimhe:

Foclóir:

Ainbhreitheach: Perverse.

Coir Fuatha: Hate crimes.

Foréigní: Violent.

Grúpaí mionlaigh: Minority groups.

Líonra Frithchiníochais na Gaillimh: Galway Anti-Racism Network.

SEIF: Siondróm easpa imdhíonachta faighte (AIDS).

Uamhan tras: Transphobia.

VEID: Víreas easpa imdhíonachta daonna (HIV).

“Fiúntas, an cine daonna, dínit agus fios a bheith againn ar ár gcuid staire mar tá go leo i gcoitianta againn le cuid de na daoine seo (grúpaí mionlaigh) agus breathnú ar an gcaoi sin ar in áit an bealach diúltach agus ainbhreitheach”.

Tá súil ag na grúpaí mionlaigh i nGaillimh go mbeidh bille nua dlíthiúil in aghaidh coir fuatha sínithe isteach sa dlí in Éirinn go luatha.

Photo by Gearóid Ó Droighneáin

Unused lab coats and goggles taking up space in your house?

Donate them today!

Cótaí saotharlainne agus gloiní cosanta ag glacadh spáis i do theach? Athchúrsáil inniu iad! Recycle lab coats and goggles by donating them at the SU Office or SU Síbín before Thursday 4th May

Will Arsenal run out of steam in pursuit of Premier League glory?

By Nathan Molloy

No one expected Arsenal to be here with 10 games to go at the start of the season. Mikel Arteta’s side are eight points clear at the top of English football, albeit with a game in hand against their title rivals Manchester City.

The Gunners’ sensational season so far came after a disappointing end to the last one, blowing their chance to qualify for the Champions League after losing back-to-back games against Tottenham and Newcastle United.

So, will this season end similarly? Will the pressure of a title race make them stutter and run out of steam? Or will they claim their first title in 19 years since the famed Invincibles?

One thing that may answer if the Premier League trophy will be coming to The Emirates Stadium is the fixture list. Arsenal’s remaining 10 fixtures are split evenly between home and away.

For the matches at home, they face three sides in the bottom half of the table, Southampton, Wolves and Leeds, one midtable side, Chelsea, and European hopefuls, Brighton & Hove Albion. Considering their opponents’ quality, it will be expected that Arsenal will pick up at least 12 of the available points.

However, their away trips are a lot more daunting. Mikel Arteta’s side will have to travel to four grounds that they lost at last year, Anfield (Liverpool), St James’ Park (Newcastle United), The City Ground (Nottingham Forest) and most importantly of all, they have to face their title rivals at the Etihad, Manchester City.

The crucial showdown against last year’s champions will come with just five games to go. One bizarre aspect to consider with the Premier League run-in is that Arsenal have been better on their travels than at

home. Of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s 12 clean sheets, nine have come on the road.

Arsenal’s superior away form may be explained by the pictures you could see of their most recent victory on the road against Fulham. In the background of the celebratory dressing room, you can see posters in red and white and a replica of the iconic Highbury clock.

It seems that manager Mikel Arteta wants his players to feel at home in every one of the 19 away grounds. With their away form in mind, Arsenal could very well hold onto their eight point lead over Manchester City.

However, as the game weeks start ticking down to the final one on May 28th, the pressure will inevitably ramp up. Arsenal have the youngest squad in the league, so it will be interesting to see how they react to the pressure of being in a title race.

Last year, the Gunners crumbled in the crucial games to qualify for the Champions League. Tottenham hammered Arsenal 3-0 in the third last game, seeing them close the gap to just one point.

Spurs would then move into fourth over the weekend with a win. The Gunners had to win their game against Newcastle on the following Monday to reclaim pole position against their arch-rivals.

However, the pressure got to the young squad as they fell to a dismal 2-0 defeat at St James Park with their opponents dominant. In his post-match interview, Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka suggested that some of his teammates weren’t ready for the game and should not have been there, saying “If someone isn’t ready for the game, stay at home.”

Yet, this season, Xhaka’s teammates have shown that they are ready to embrace the challenge of a title race. In February, Arsenal suffered a mini-crisis, failing to win three games including a loss against Manchester City which put Pep Guardiola’s side top on goal difference.

However, last season seemed to have matured the squad, as Arsenal responded with six wins in a row in the Premier League and now have a handsome lead now coming into the run-in.

One advantage Arsenal have over City is that the Premier League is the only competition they are currently in. The reigning champions must juggle catching Arsenal with exploits in the FA Cup and more importantly, the Champions League.

In the latter, Guardiola will have to face Bundesliga kingpins Bayern Munich in the coming weeks and squad rotation will be necessary. Tired legs and weaker teams being put out in the Premier League may result in the Citizens dropping further points.

Everything seems to point to Arsenal retaining their lead at the top of the table and being crowned Premier League champions in May. However, football is never that simple, and extraordinary things tend to happen in the high-pressure final third of seasons.

We’ll have to see if Arsenal’s young squad can prove their maturity over the coming weeks.

Photo by Who’s Denilo ? on Unsplash

Galway United WFC upset the odds with victory over champions Shelbourne

By Paul Corcoran

Galway United secured a big win when they ran out 2-1 winners over current Women’s Premier Division champions Shelbourne last weekend.

The Reds took the lead through Jessie Stapleton early on but United battled back and goals from Aoife Thompson and Jenna Slattery gave the Tribeswomen the three points at Tolka Park.

Phil Trill opted for two changes to his side after defeat against Bohemians last weekend. Jessica Berlin came into the side to make her debut for the club while Aoife Thompson returned to the starting line-up having come off the bench during the loss to Bohs.

The current League and Cup champions had a perfect start to the game when an Alex Kavanagh corner-kick was met by Jessie Stapleton in the third minute to give Shelbourne the lead – the goal putting United on the back front early on.

It was nearly two just a couple of minutes later when Jemma Quinn was played in on goal by Megan Smyth-Lynch, but the striker’s effort came back off the woodwork.

Jenna Slattery went close for the Tribeswomen in the 22nd minute when Gemma McGuinness was fouled by Noelle Murray. Slattery’s free kick was struck well but it kept rising and went inches over the crossbar.

United went close just before half time when Slattery had another free-kick opportunity in a dangerous position. The midfielder dispatched the shot expertly, but Shelbourne goalkeeper Courtney Maguire managed to dive across goal and push the ball onto the woodwork to deny the Tribeswomen.

United turned the game on its head just before the hour mark. Aoife Thompson was played in by Gemma McGuinness for a one-on-one with Maguire, the striker rounded the shot-stopper and set herself

Match Report

Galwegians U20s 15–10 University of Galway

up for an easy tap-in to bring the side level in the 56th minute.

Just two minutes later and the Tribeswomen were ahead, Slattery with another free-kick and this time she managed to beat the goalkeeper. The ball was struck beautifully and sailed into the bottom left corner of the goal despite Maguire’s best efforts to dive across her goal.

The game became more challenging for United with 20 minutes to go after the dismissal of McGuinness who received a second yellow card and was sent off by referee David Dunne.

Shelbourne substitute Kerri Letmon went close shortly after her introduction when she raced down the right flank, she made it deep inside the Galway box, but her shot was saved well by Jessica Berlin.

The Reds went close to equalising again in injury time when Ruvimbo Mucherera squared the ball to Sophie Watters, but her shot was saved by Berlin thanks to some good positioning by the goalkeeper.

Smyth-Lynch then rattled the woodwork late on when she broke through the defence with United just managing to hold out for a huge win.

Shelbourne FC: Courtney Maguire; Keeva Keenan, Maggie Pierce, Pearl Slattery (Leah F Doyle 60), Jessie Stapleton; Rachel Graham (Sophie Watters 81), Alex Kavanagh, Siobhan Killeen (Ruvimbo Mucherera 60), Megan Smyth-Lynch; Noelle Murray (Kayla Hamric 60), Jemma Quinn (Kerri Letmon 71).

Galway United Women: Jessica Berlin; Aoibheann Costello, Eve Dossen, Jamie Erickson, Therese Kinnevey (Amy Madden 75); Isabella Beletic, Gemma McGuinness, Lynsey McKey, Jenna Slattery (Nicole McNamara 81), Kate Thompson; Aoife Thompson (Siobhan Doolan 75).

Referee: David Dunne.

By Ciarán Ó Flaithearta

Galwegians under 20s beat the University of Galway 15-10 in the Bruce St John Blake Memorial Cup on Sunday in terrible wet conditions. With the ground extremely soft underfoot but both teams made really good use of the conditions with some really good ball retention despite the ball doing its best efforts to imitate a bar of soap.

College started the better playing up towards the clubhouse in the first half. They had the wind behind them, and they quickly went about their business. On 10 minutes they deservedly took the lead, with Donnacha Fox drawing first blood. College’s forwards sucked in the Wegians defence, to create space for the winger to score out wide. The near-impossible kick sailed wide, and College led by 5.

Wegians grew into the game and dominated the second quarter. Ryan Roach was kicking well and on the half-hour mark, nudged one into the corner to set up an attacking line out. A textbook line-out put second-row Marcus Lowery away making it 5 all at halftime.

Wegians came out with a slight wind at their backs in the second half, but it was college who came out on fire. A strong break took College into our 22 and they set up camp. Wegians made every effort to push them back, but 2nd row Dara Murphy eventually burrowed his way over, and they regained the lead. The conversion again sailed wide with difficult the wind against them this half. Wegians trailing 10-5.

Wegians really began to dominate thereafter, with Roach pulling the strings to set up territory in the 22. But a series of inaccuracies saw Wegians come away from the opposition 22 multiple times with no reward.

Finally, in the 75th minute, great heads-up rugby from Evan Brady, saw the centre set up a great attacking opportunity, bundling the College defence back over their own line, and winning the 5-meter scrum, which captain Brian McHugo would then a pick to score to right of the posts. Roach’s conversion was carried wide by the wind and the sides now level at 10 apiece.

At this point with the game all tied up, it looked like the cup might have to be shared and the league point halved, but straight from the restart Brady made the all-important break. Although he was held up short of the line, quick ruck ball put College on the back foot, Roach spun the ball out wide for fullback Josh Munn to score out left.

Even though the conversion sailed wide the game was beyond College’s reach and Wegians hung on to retain the cup. The game could have been anyone’s, and both teams deserve huge credit for making the best out of the dreadful conditions. But Wegians bring home the silverware and the four points.