College Tribune, Volume 29 Issue 10

The College Tribune Volume 29, Issue 10

Independent News for UCD since 1989 collegetribune.ie

Tuesday, March 29th 2016

Cian Carton News Editor

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President-Elect Conor Viscardi addresses the crowd in the Student Centre following his unopposed victory.

he line-up for next year’s UCD Students’ Union (UCDSU) Sabbatical and College Officers has been confirmed, following the completion of counts before the mid-term break. Only one of the five sabbatical positions was contested this year.

Campaigns & Communications saw a three way battle between Luke Fitzpatrick, a final year Arts student; Ryan Oakes, Business and Law Convenor and a second year Law with Social Justice student; and Sam Blanckensee, a final year veterinary nursing student.

Blanckensee was eliminated on the first count after receiving 641 votes. The second count saw Fitzpatrick total 1257 votes to Oakes’ 1157. As expected, Oakes called for a recount, which saw him receive an extra 12 votes. However, this was not enough, and Fitzpatrick was declared the victor with a final total 1245 votes.

The other four results went as expected, with the solitary candidates all defeating Re-Open Nominations (RON) by a large margin. Conor Viscardi was elected UCDSU President with 2000 votes to 825 for RON. Lexi Kilmartin was elected Undergraduate Education Image: Seán O’Reilly Officer with 2306 votes to 472 for RON, while Cian Casey secured 379 votes compared to 116 for RON to become the next Postgraduate Education Officer. Roisin O’Mara, a fourth year Midwifery student was elected as Welfare Officer with the largest margin of all, Keywest with 2382 votes to 415 for RON. Words | Kevin O’Reilly Also on the ticket were spots for

• USI result a 10% Increase on 2013 ‘No’ vote

• O’Mara elected Welfare Officer, Kilmartin Education Officer, Casey Graduate Officer

• Rejoining now put off until mandate expires in four years’ time

• Fitzpatrick elected C&C after close race with Oakes. Lengthy recount concluded with just 76 votes between the two

Politics Pg. 15

In the wake of the Brussels bombings: Every Life Matters, writes Charlotte McLaughlin

News Pg. 6

Jack Power taps a leak to find the three options to be suggested by the Cassells Report

Business

Kevin O’Reilly chats to guitarist James Lock on a busy day in Temple Bar about the band’s success and busking.

Pg. 12

moved over and joined with them.

Despite the growing importance of social media in the promotion of bands and artists James cannot envisage a time when performing on the street won’t be essential for the band. He points to Passenger as an example who often performs publicly before a gig and Twitter and Facebook instantly explode with activity and the word spreads. If there ever comes a time when Keywest becomes too big for the streets it wouldn’t be because they no longer want to busk but because they wouldn’t have the time between touring and writing.

Throughout their busy schedule they have to make time to write new music. Before they play they warm up by jamming and experimenting together. Sometimes they record these new ideas, take them away and develop them further at home. (Sam, Harry and Andrew casually continued to jam together throughout the course of the interview). It’s this aspect that gives the

I Adam Hetherington t’s quite unusual to see a band with two studio albums -one which reached number one in the Irish charts- still working away on the streets on a cold March day. But James explains; ‘It makes complete sense for us, busking is our record label, so it’s like busking has signed us. It gets us new fans, lets us promote ourselves and helps to fund everything.

We’ve had record deals and publishing deals in the UK and Ireland before, but this way it’s a little more hard work for us; we’ve got to be here every day, we’ve got to keep playing, but it gives us control’.

The band recently became part of a campaign to fight against the proposed council by-laws restricting busking in the city centre and came back from the

takes a look at the upcoming ‘Ireland Fund’ Business Plan Comp

College Officers, which represent individual faculties, along with the position of Irish Officer. Eoghan Mac Domhnaill was elected Irish Officer in an uncontested race, with 2309 votes to 460 for RON. Only two of the College Officer posts were uncontested.

Joseph Millerick was elected as the Agriculture & Veterinary Science College Officer after he overcame Vicki Banach by 304 to 148 votes. Of the two Arts & Human Science Officer positions open for election, Francis Roche won the top spot with 329 votes on the second count. Liam Brady was also elected on transfers with 267 votes beating out Thomas Monaghan for the second place. Johnathan Byrne ran uncontested for the Business & Law spot, and easily defected RON by 338 votes to 57.

Engineering & Architecture was a two-way contest between Joshua Gorman and Lida O’Shea, with O’Shea winning with 184 votes to 92. Health Sciences was the other uncontested Officer position.

Rebecca Hart won with 235 votes to 55 for RON. Finally, Science was another popular constituency. Hakeem Goloba, Sean Kilgarriff and Connor Larkin contested the seat.

Kilgarriff fell just three votes short of the 288 vote quota on the second count, before being elected on the third count with 336 votes in total.

Polling day also saw UCDSU choose to remain outside of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) by a large 74-26% majority. 2161 students opposed re-affiliation, while 760 voted in favour of the MUSIC move.

For more on USI Referendum results, see Page 6

The Trib ArTS & CULTUre SUPPLeMeNT

music | film | fashion | arts

Kevin O’Reilly interviews Keywest in our new-look Arts & Culture Supplement being polished up in the studio which creates a more vibrant and real collection of songs. Playing on the street for them is both an exercise in writing and a rehearsal

James lauds Spotify as the key to gaining an international fan-base since the slow collapse of CD sales. Keywest now boast a monthly listenership of over 64,000

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Viscardi Takes UCDSU Presidency as 74% Reject USI

Editorial

The “Not my Problem” Problem Seán O’Reilly Editor

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ust before the mid-term, UCD students took to the polls to vote in a referendum which, if successful, would have seen UCD’s Students Union re-affiliate with the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). UCD left the umbrella union in 2013 following a constitutional referendum, the result of which saw 65% of students decide they wanted out. This time around, that figure was 74%.

Simultaneously, candidates for the 2016/2017 sabbatical team went up for election, as did those vying for the college officer roles which support the paid sabbats in doing their work over the year. In the sabbatical race, only the role of campaigns and communications officer was contested, with three candidates gunning for a shot at the recently re-instated role. Of six college officer positions, four were uncontested, as was the race for Irish Officer.

According to UCD’s own figures, there were 32,387 students registered as attending the university in 2014/2015. Of these, 5,636 are studying overseas. This leaves somewhere in the region of 26,500 students, give or take the few who will for whatever reason not be eligible to vote in students’ union elections and referenda.

The numbers in the USI referendum appear at first glance to be an overwhelming statement of intent. The result however, democratically binding as it may be, offers only a thin veneer of legitimacy to students’ decision.

The 74% of students who elected to remain out of the USI make up three quarters of a total valid poll of 2,921 – just 11% of UCD students.

In no way does this mean that the opinion of this majority is invalid. The No side rightly pointed out many structural issues within the USI, some of which have gone unrectified since UCD elected to leave in the first place. Problems exist at national level. But these only mirror the same kinds of

The COLLEGE TRIBUNE Team are

problems which exist in individual students’ unions, UCDSU included.

Looking at how few of the positions up for election within UCDSU were contested gives some indication an indication that a problem exists within student politics. There would appear to be very little interest among the student population in what it is that’s happening in the student centre.

This isn’t merely a local issue however. Last weekend, the USI held its national congress in Ennis, Co. Clare. Of the five sabbatical officer positions up for election there, again only one was contested; the welfare and equality role.

There’s a longstanding disconnect between students and their representatives. Something which appears to only be getting worse as time goes on. The core work of a students’ union, representing its members has become nearly impossible as the unions themselves have no teeth.

While sabbats are allowed access to university management meetings, places on boards, and occasionally a voice at national level, they will come to find, very quickly in many cases, that they are there solely to be seen to be there. That to a certain extent, the students’ seat at the table is a token one. A bone thrown to keep those who would otherwise agitate to make real change happen sweet enough not to act.

Students are notoriously disengaged with the political system, something which is so entrenched that it can be relied upon by those in positions of power. The Marriage Equality Referendum inspired some hope that this might change, with polling day having inspired the #hometovote movement and pricked up pundit’s ears at the prospect of the young vote becoming as powerful a force as their elders.

The general election has proved more than a little ambiguous on whether or not this change has actually happened or not. New political parties such as the Social Democrats appear to have drawn in some of the young crowd, as do

the old guard in the treaty parties and Sinn Féin. But despite a lot of chatter on social media, there was no landslide. Things have only ground to a halt.

Student politics is the entry point for many into the Irish political system. Many of those who will haunt the corridors of power in Leinster House in the not too distant future have, and will continue to, cut their teeth on student issues. Those who came before them, Gilmore, Quinn, Creighton et al, did.

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The 74% of students who elected to remain out of the USI make up three quarters of a total valid poll of 2,921, just 11% of UCD students But, it now seems difficult to convince anyone to take a chance at putting themselves up for election – a chance at a well-paid, CV cementing, year-long job which itself offers the opportunity to make life better for the holder’s peers. By its nature, much of the work that the students’ union does will go unnoticed, taken for granted only by everyone bar those who benefit from it themselves.

No-one can ever know when the welfare officer gives a hand to the woman who approached them with crippling depression, or when the education officer helps the man who needed to get extenuating circumstances, and nor should they.

But everyone, and their mammy, will know when there’s a fee rise, or when the wait for a counsellor is extended by another week, or when an undergraduate can’t access the journal which they need to write a second-year essay.

These are the issues which are key to students’ interests. And these and issues like them are precisely

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the things which students’ unions, not solely at UCD, are failing to tackle.

UCDSU was established in 1975 to represent students’ interests against powerful professionals.

This paper was founded in 1989 to hold both it and the university to account. Clearly the problem of students’ issues needing representation and how this is to be best achieved is not a new one.

Students at UCD have a wash through rate of somewhere between three and five years. When another USI referendum comes around in four years’ time, there’s a good chance that anyone who might have been around to experience the events of the past few weeks will be long gone.

It’s very likely though, that the same problems which exist today will exist then. As they have down through the years gone by.

A quick glance through the back issues of this paper confirms this, with many of the problems which existed in 1989, or 1993, or 2005 remaining unresolved.

This is my fifth year in and around UCD. Having graduated last year, I’m not quite as clued in to what’s going on as I once was, thankfully I have a good team of section editors and writers to act as my eyes and ears.

A quick chat with friends after the referendum result brought up one sentiment. Those who were aware of what’s happening in student politics expressed frustration at problems going unsolved but the vast majority, 9/10, couldn’t care less. One even went so far as to ask “how any of that is my fucking problem?”.

Those in positions to effect change would do well to look back at what’s worked and what hasn’t for their predecessors. Those who feel they’re not in these positions need to make themselves known and involve themselves in any way they can.

Students must organise and do so by fixing the structural problems which have hampered efforts in the past. If this can’t be managed, then you’ll be reading this same editorial in four, eight, twelve, 20 years’ time. Find some teeth, use them.

Inside the Tribune News

Pg 2. - Editorial: The “Not my Problem” Problem Pg. 3. - Headline Award - 11 Spots for UCD in

QS subject rankings - Letters to the Editor - Exam Timetables - 1916 Commemerations Pg. 6. - Three Options of

Cassells Report Revealed - UCD to remain out

of USI Pg. 7. - News in Focus: Social

Media and the US

Presidential Election

Features Pg. 8. - Cillian Fearon

reviews Shake speare’s Globe Pg. 9. - Dublin Date Spots Pg. 10- Great Scott!

Business Pg. 12. - Ireland Fund

Launches Competition - US-Cuban Capital

Politics & Innovation

Pg. 13 - Undergrads solve

campus problems

through Innovation Initiative Pg. 14 - Bureaucracy stifling

Student Engagement Pg. 15 - All lives matter post Brussels - FF & FG: A Recepie

for Instability?

Gaeilge L. 15 - Taillí Uisce - Rás UCD - Oifigeach na Gaeilge

Sport Pg. 20 - UCDMC host inter varsities and rock the field - Sigerson All Stars

Editors Arts Editor Features Editor Politics Editor Contributors Special Thanks Seán O’Reilly Emma Costello Sinéad Slattery Jack Power Una Power Cillian Fearon Mélanie Brisard Shawna Scott

Business Editor Film & Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Órla Slattery Charlotte McLaughlin Jacob Koopman PO Box 74

Adam Hetherington Niamh Crosbie Neil Ryan Joanna O’Malley Bill Horan Hudson Taylor Student Centre, Amy Thomas Mark White Keywest UCD, Eagarthóir Gaeilge Music Editor Turbine Editor Laura Shorten Monty O’Reilly Sarah Byrne Belfield, Gearóid Óg Ó Greacháin Kevin O’Reilly Hans Offerman Joey Power Saoirse Sheehy Ariff Serca Williams Dublin 4. Tina Butler David Newell +353 1 716 8501

Fashion Editor News Editor Designer Eoghan Finn Ruairi McCann editor@collegetribune.ie Emer Slattery Cian Carton George Hannaford

Editor Applications

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The College Tribune The College Tribune is welcoming applications for the position of Editor(s) for Volume 30 of UCD’s independent newspaper.

Job Description

This is a full-time and demanding job which requires the publication of a minimum of ten print editions of the College Tribune during the academic year. This involves unsociable hours under a high pressure environment. The candidate should have some experience in journalism, communications, and or media as well as being highly self-motivated. The position is open to staff of the College Tribune and external applicants.

Responsibilities

As an independent newspaper, the College Tribune receives no source of regular income from the Students’ Union or University Authorities. As well as producing a print edition of the paper each fortnight, the Editor(s) are responsible for sourcing advertising revenue to fund the print run. The Editor(s) are responsible for the appointment and management of an editorial and design staff and for the recruitment of new writers during Freshers’ Week and on a continuing basis throughout the academic year.

Experience

As Editor of the College Tribune, you will gain unique experience in the world of journalism, media/new media and communications. The position provides an excellent basis from which to establish a professional career in these fields. Previous editors enjoy distinguished careers in various national media outlets. Additionally, the experience of managing a self-sustaining SME is beneficial to anyone hoping to pursue a professional career in sectors such as business or advertising.

Wages

The Editor(s) will be paid depending on the surplus amount of income raised from advertising revenue for each issue produced once printing and other costs have been met.

APPLY NOW!

Applications

All interested applicants should submit a letter of application to the Editors which includes the following: • Outline of experience and suitability • News plan for the coming year • Advertising proposal • Ideas and suggestions for improvements to be made

Applications should be sent to: The College Tribune, LG18, Newman Building, UCD, Dublin 4.

Or, via email to editor@collegetribune.ie.

Applications must be received by Friday April 29th at 5pm

News in Brief / Letters

Entries Open for Headline 11 Top 100 Subject Spots Award for for UCD in QS Rankings Student Journalism Cian Carton News Editor

Cian Carton News Editor

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spiring student journalists are being encouraged to enter the Headline Award for Student Journalism 2016. The competition challenges entrants to produce a piece about mental health or suicide prevention, in a tone appropriate to such an issue.

The award is open to all forms of media, including written (print or online), radio, and tv. The winner will receive a Samsung Galaxy tablet. Carl O’Brien, Education Editor of the Irish Times, is set to judge the award. The 2015 award was won

by Fiachra Mc Kermott from the University of Limerick, who produced a piece about the impact of suicide on Midleton in Cork.

Headline is Ireland’s national media monitoring programme, which promotes positive and accurate coverage of mental health issues in the media. It was originally set up by the Health Service Executive’s National Office for Suicide Prevention.

Entries have to be posted to Headline’s office by Monday, 11th April. Full details about the award and guidelines for the competition are available on www.headline.ie/awards/.

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CD has secured 11 top 100 rankings in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject, which were released last week. This year, the rankings featured 42 different subject categories. UCD was ranked under 39 of these. The top fifty universities in each subject are named, followed by rankings in bands of 50.

Veterinary Science was UCD’s highest scoring subject, ranking at 31st place. Last year, it was ranked in 40th place. In contrast, Development Studies dropped from 45th place in 2015 into the 51st-100th category. 11 subjects in the top 100 marks an increase from 9 subjects in 2015, and 7 in 2014.

UCD scored in the 51st-100th places for Archaeology, English Language and Literature, History, Modern Languages, Agriculture & Forestry, Nursing, Development Studies, Law, Politics & International Studies, and Social Policy and Administration.

Factors which influence the rankings include academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations per paper, and a “h-index” score. The h-index is designed to measure the “productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar.”

This is then weighted differently based on how prevalent publications and citations are in each subject.

At a national level, Irish universities secured six rankings in the top 50, including four from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and one from University College Cork (UCC). TCD’s highest ranking was for Nursing at 31st place, while UCC also ranked high in 34th place for Nursing.

However, the news has been overshadowed by allegations TCD attempted to sway rankings.

It is claimed that TCD sent out emails to inform academics and alumni that QS and Times Higher Education were sending out reputation surveys for their rankings research. The Irish Times said it had seen a letter from John J Boland, Vice-President and Dean of Research at TCD, which detailed how academics could become QS reviewers for the rankings. Rather than operate on an invitation-only basis like some of the other organisations, QS allows individuals to nominate themselves to take part in rankings surveys. The matter is currently being discussed between QS and TCD. This is not the first time an Irish university has found itself in trouble with QS. UCC was at the centre of controversy in 2013 over a similar incident. Michael B. Murphy, president of UCC, wrote a letter to staff calling on them to get academics from other universities to help raise UCC’s rankings by registering to take part in reputations surveys for universities.

Letters to the Editor

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rom time to time, the College Tribune receives correspondence relating to issues of university or public life.

Letters which are deemed to have merit may be published here at the discretion of the editor(s).

For obvious reasons, it is not practicable to reply to all correspondence. Letters published may be subject to editing prior to publication.

For points of contact, see page two of this paper.

On the Easter Rising Editor,

Our good wishes to the people and government of Ireland on the centenary of the 1916 Rising. We join with you in remembering the patriots who laid down their lives for the liberation of their country.

The selfless solidarity of the Irish people in the struggle against apartheid will forever be etched in the annals of South African freedom.

In our hour of need you opened

your hearts, your homes and your schools to our political exiles. We salute those workers of Dunnes Stores and other Irish workers who went on strike. We salute the ordinary Irish men and women who took on our struggle as their own. Ireland stands tall among the community of nations. Be assured of our continued friendship.

Kiru Naidoo Musgrave, South Africa

Summer Exam Timetables Due Out Wednesday Seán O’Reilly Editor

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he dates and times of UCD’s end of semester summer examinations are due to be released this Wednesday, March 30th. The examinations, which take place each semester for the majority of modules on offer will be the final hurdle for many ahead of the summer break.

As always, the examinations are set to take place in the Simmonscourt Hall on the RDS campus in Ballsbridge. This is in contrast to the Christmas examinations which are held in the Industries and Main Halls.

Certain examinations will also take place at the Blackrock exam centre on the Carysfort campus.

This can be reached by taking the No. 17 bus from the campus stop beside the Sutherland building.

Some students, registered with the UCD Access Centre and the Disability Support Service will sit their examinations in the Newman building on the Belfield campus, students who believe they are entitled to avail of this option should contact the centres.

Students who, as a result of circumstances outside their control, feel they may not be able to make their best efforts in final assignments and exams can also apply for the consideration of extenuating circumstances from their college.

This should be undertaken only after consulting with the module co-ordinator of any class which they may feel will be affected by their extenuating circumstances.

UCDSU are expected to organise a shuttle bus service to brings students from Belfield to Ballsbridge, however a timetable is as yet unavailable at the time of going to print.

For further information on getting to examination centres, preparation guides and more, visit the UCD Assessment website at www.ucd.ie/students/assessment/ arrangements.html

4 1916 Commemorations Underway Nationwide - and on Campus Seán O’Reilly Editor

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ommemoration of the 1916 rising began in earnest on Easter Sunday with a military parade through the streets of Dublin having been attended by hundreds of thousands. Highlights of the day included the Presidential address and the reading of the Proclamation outside the GPO on O’Connell Street.

The events of the weekend are the first of a ‘decade of centenaries’ which will chart Ireland’s tumultuous progress through the events of 1916, the civil war and its years as a fledgling state.

Both UCD itself and individual schools and departments within the university have arranged commemorations of their own with the School of History and Archives taking the lead.

A conference, ‘Globalising the Rising: 1916 in context’ was held at UCD from February 5-6th which saw talks based on a number of panels including ‘Memory Studies and 196’, ‘Beyond 1616: transnational contexts and imperial insurrections’ and ‘Politics, Violence and Legitimacy’ ‘Reading 1916: An Exhibition’ is currently ongoing and features a number of contemporary documents presented in the UCD Special Collections Archive. The collection, which was put on display at the ‘Globalising the Rising’ conference will be open t the public until May. Further events will be taking place over the course of the year.

More information on these can be found at http://centenaries.ucd.ie/ events-calendar/

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News in Focus

The conclusions of the report fill form the basis for the future funding of higher education.

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Image: The Dalhousie Gazette Students eye up election posters on the concourse.

Image: Seán O’Reilly

Three Options of Cassells Report UCD Elects to Remain Out on Higher Education Revealed of USI with 74% No Vote

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Option One: Fully Publicly Funded Higher Education Jack Power Politics & Innovation Editor

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he College Tribune can reveal that the Cassells Report on Higher Education will publish a list of three options for the future funding of Ireland’s higher education system. The Report was constituted to examine and outline the best viable options to meet the funding and quality requirements of Ireland’s higher education sector, given expected future pressures on an already heavily taxed system.

Speaking to The College Tribune, one source close to the Cassells group stated that this list will not be graded and that no one recommendation will be suggested or ranked above the others.

They said, “the terms of reference on the group [from the outset] was to outline a series of options, and not to make a recommendation.”

The three options to be recommended by the group are as follows: The first option will be a fully publicly funded higher education system. This would entail abolishing student’s current commitment to paying the €3,000 registration fee. It would however mean a large increase in funding required from the state coffers, and a marked increase in the level of contribution made by employers.

The second option outlines

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Option Two: Current Registration Fee and an Increase in State Investment

Option Three: Introduction of a Deferred Loan Payment Scheme

maintaining the current registration fee, but complimenting the shortfall in funding with an increase in investment by the state.

The level of public investment needed would be less in Option 2 than the fully state-funded Option 1. However, it was recognised that investment would be required to some extent to meet increased demand and maintain quality of services in the higher education system. The report found that it would not be equitable to let students and parents of students alone shoulder the funding shortfall due to increased demographic demand.

The third option will outline a student loan scheme. The University Times reported in December this option would entail a rise in the student registration fee to €4,000. But the College Tribune can report the Cassells Group will instead outline a series of fee levels, ranging from €2,000 to €4,000 which would be introduced in concert with student loans. The precise cost of these deferred fees would be relative to the levels capital invested in the higher education system by the state and employers and would also be coupled with the introduction a loan payment scheme.

Another source stated that the Cassells group has examined means by which problems associated with loan schemes in other countries can be addressed and that its findings are critical

implementing the Australian fee model to Ireland’s case. This is primarily as Ireland’s tradition of emigration is very different to the inward migration culture within Australian society.

Concerns exist particularly around the collection or loan payments from those who emigrate following graduation. Arising from these this, it is understood that the final report will advise strongly against the introduction of a deferred payment scheme such as that which is in place in the UK and US and has enabled the consistent rise in fees charged over time.

One general conclusion the group has reached outside its recommendations is that the level of contribution to third-level funding by businesses and employers should be increased.

Currently, the contributions made by employers in Ireland to its higher education system rank among the lowest in the OECD. The report therefore is expected to include, across its three recommendations, that investment by business and industry as a key stakeholder and beneficiary of the higher education system be increased.

The publication of the Cassells Report is expected “shortly” according to one source, however at the time of going to print no specific timeframe was made clear.

Seán O’Reilly Editor

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CD students have voted against re-joining the USI today with an overwhelming majority opting to remain independent of the umbrella students’ union. The campaign and referendum comes three years after UCDSU’s split from the national body in 2013.

In the referendum, polling for which took place on March 8th and 9th, 26% (760) voted Yes to re-joining while 74% (2161) voted to maintain UCD’s current stance. The total number of voters who took to the polls was 2,921 excluding spoiled ballots.

Reports from both camps during polling suggested that a low turnout, caused in part by the large number of uncontested races for sabbatical positions, may have seen the referendum fail to meet quorum, the minimum number of votes required for a referendum to be considered binding.

However, the turnout of 2,921 was deemed by the returning officer Hugh O’Connor to be in excess of quora.

The strongest showings of support for the No side were in Sutherland (Law) and Newstead (Landscape Architecture/Engineering) buildings with 84% and 82% of the vote respectively.

Ultimately, 12 of 13 constituencies voted against re-joining the USI with a vast show of support for the no side.

The Yes campaign managed a win in one building on campus, taking 73% of the Veterinary Science vote.

In a statement released to The College Tribune, the No campaign expressed its satisfaction with the result. It also stated an

awareness that UCD students will again be asked to vote on USI membership in four years’ time and has set out a list of reforms it hopes to see enacted before students will consider re-joining.

The five reforms are that the USI make its annual accounts publically available, that democratic elections for the USI’s President take place, that longer sabbatical terms for its officers are instated, that voting structures the USI’s annual congress are amended to allow for more robust discussion and that an internal review of costs and membership fees is undertaken.

The No campaign team also invited the USI to come to UCD to hold a “townhall” meeting at which a dialogue can be established on how reform might be undertaken. Their statement finished by thanking students for their support through the course of the campaign.

Also speaking after the result, a member of the Yes campaign’s organising team expressed disappointment, adding that students may not necessarily have voted no to the USI as an organisation and suggesting that the no campaign had engaged in a degree of mis-selling with regard to precisely what the USI is and does.

The Yes side also cited the absence of an impartial information campaign run by UCDSU as being problematic and something which should be addressed ahead of future votes. Despite the defeat, the Yes side remain optimistic that the quarter of UCD students who wish to see the university represented nationally are deserving of recognition and that this remains a good base from which to grow.

News in Focus

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A cartogram representing the votes of electoral college members in the 2012 US Presidential election. The 2016 race looks set to be down to the wire.

News in Focus: Persuasion and Presidents: The Changing Course of Elections Ever wonder why the 2016 US Presidential election is being dominated by two very different anti-establishment candidates? Cian Carton looks at how technology is the basis for the Trump and Sanders campaigns.

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he greatest pantomime on earth, also known as the US Presidential election, is getting into full swing as the race for the Democrat and Republican nominations nears its end. This election will mark a significant change in the way the fight for the White House usually pans out.

As cognitive dissonance is a requirement to be a mainstream pundit, you will not hear much about this changed landscape amongst their diatribes. A few writers outside the mainstream consensus have been covering the underlying change, one which goes to the core of the relationship between the media and elections. Understand this, and you will be far ahead of the rest.

The American Spring Naval Ravikant, the CEO and founder of AngelList, a site for startups, wrote what is probably the most important piece on how to understand the current US election. Called “American Spring”, it briefly covered the development of US politics to the present.

US political parties merged to continuously beat rival groups, until there were just two left, today known as the Democrats and Republicans. These are controlled by the country’s elites, which Ravikant refers to as “merely people that went to the right schools, grew up in the right neighbourhoods, and came from the right money and the

right families. It’s not a formal conspiracy – rather an intricate and distributed system, organized by the invisible hand of the market, voting with dollars and newspaper ink, and controlling the country all the same.”

Their tool of control is the media, which is used to help them win elections. “Media literally intermediates reality and programs voters by framing the acceptable parameters of any debate. Mass media costs mass money. The elites, a plutocracy of the top few percent, bought the parties. So cheaply in fact, that they bought both.”

One problem that faces the elites is the election of the President every four years, where hundreds of millions of citizens have a vote. Ravikant asks “what are the odds that the two most qualified candidates to be president out of 300 million people are siblings? Or married?” He says that Obama’s original position was at odds with this process, before he joined the elite, as he could not work around them.

That was 2008, and technological advances have created new possibilities for the 2016 election.

Money and Media Technology has alleviated the two main barriers to the presidency, money and media. This is the reason why two anti-establishment candidates, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, have altered the election cycle. The huge costs of running a campaign are now in their hands,

rather than under the control of Political Action Committees (PACs) who can push agendas.

Sanders raises funds online from small donations from his supporters, which allows him to compete against the establishment’s candidate, Hilary Clinton.

Trump can self-finance, and is therefore a threat to the traditional Republican financiers. The result? “A mob is pushing Bernie.

Trump is pulling one behind him. YouTube killed TV and Twitter ate the news. Donald’s tweeting from his jet and Bernie’s Kickstarter went viral. Software is eating politics and the elites have lost control.”

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Anyone looking for articles on Trump which go beyond the level of ‘Trump is a bad man who says mean things’ should read him.

Those who enjoy burying their head in the sand should avoid him

Scott Adams Says

Scott Adams is the cartoonist who created the Dilbert comic strip. At the age of 58, he has re-invented himself as a political pundit. He writes about the US election on his blog. Adams does not support any of the candidates, but is fascinated by Trump.

His main interest centres on Trump’s persuasion skills.

Adams is a hypnotist himself, and has been covering Trump’s actions under his “Master Persuader” series. This involves him taking what Trump says and does at a 2D level of politics and revealing its 3D impact at the persuasion level.

Anyone looking for articles on Trump which go beyond the level of ‘Trump is a bad man who says mean things’ should read him. Those who enjoy burying their head in the sand should avoid him. He is, all told, one of the few people producing insightful commentary on the election.

Last week, Adams wrote a post inspired by Ravikant’s American Spring, called “Social Media is the New Government.”

In Adams’ view, the US was originally run by smart people who were elected by other smart people. (For example, think of the original debate over Federalism). Those with money then gained influence over the system. They controlled it through the media, resulting in a kind of economic fascism. Adams defines this as the rule of the 1%.

As long as they get richer, minor improvements for everyone else is acceptable.

Now, Adams says that the most persuasive people have the power due to social media.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Anyone talented in the arts of persuasion can spread a message and gain followers. “A trained persuader such as Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders gains popularity on social media and forces the traditional media to fall in line. That form of government looks more like populism.

The majority has more control than it did under a republic or under economic fascism.”

The danger of this system is that control appears in the hands of persuaders, who by definition are manipulators.

This leads to mob rule, which Ravikant pointed out. Adams believes social media can help prevent this with its all seeing eye. Taking the example of Trump rallies, he notes that cameras are everywhere, which forces the crowd and protestors to behave and avoid wide-scale violence. Nevertheless, the face of populism has come to the fore and must be explored in detail.

Where does any of this mean for people who are watching the election from across the Atlantic? A simple reminder will help.

Remember that politics is just like pro-wrestling. Fight onstage for the crowd, then share a drink in the back afterwards.

What are the chances that any of the candidates in an election personally know you, or even care about you? Therefore, whatever your views, seek to understand what is going on under the surface. And always remember, losing friends because you support rival candidates is one of the stupidest things you can do.

Features

8

The Colosseum: where ancient debts get settled

THIS WEEK: Greek Hoplite vs.

Roman Legionary GREEK HOPLITE (Athenian):

The interior of the rebuilt Globe Theatre in London.

Image: Cillian Fearon

Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition and Tour Cillian Fearon looks back on a visit to the home of Shakespeare in London.

R

ecently I had the opportunity to experience the tour of Shakespeare’s Globe. Nestled away in Southwark on the banks of the Thames sits a recreation of Shakespeare’s famous Globe theatre. This is the third Globe.

The first having been built in 1599 and unfortunately burnt to the ground less than twenty years later in 1613 in an incident which involved a canon, a thatched roof and a potentially humorous prank.

A second Globe was built in 1614, but Shakespeare had much less involvement with that theatre and died two years later. It too was destroyed in the 1640s, a victim of falling popularity on the fickle London theatre scene.

The current reconstruction of the Globe is based on of what Shakespeare’s globe would have looked like, however due to the remains of the original theatre being under a rather large and very busy road bridge, its design is only an approximation based on evidence from written sources, period buildings, and excavation of contemporary theatres like the Rose.

The building itself is remains a marvel. Its reconstruction was the brainchild of the American actor and director Sam Wanamaker and it was designed and built using as many traditional materials and processes as possible. The frame of the building is built entirely of English oak and held together with mortise and tenon joints.

The structure is also remarkably stable due to the wood used in it construction drying out in place as opposed to being seasoned before building began.

The Globe reconstruction is also an incredibly unique building within London for a very special reason as it is the only structure in the city with a thatched roof. Due to the catastrophic events of the fire of London in 1666, a law was created outlawing the use of thatch as a roofing material in the city.

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The “groundlings” would have been referred to as “penny-stinkers” back in Shakespeare’s day due to the lax standards of personal hygiene and the lack of a rest room in the theatre The Globe had to fight for a special exception to be made to allow them to remain true to Shakespeare’s original designs.

There are some modern conveniences that you wouldn’t expect in Shakespeare’s day such as an extensive sprinkler system poking out of the thatched roof

and the large luminous green signs denoting fire exits. Painfully authentic however, is the lack of a toilet in the theatre itself. Much as there would have been in the past.

They have tried to keep the experience as authentic as possible to an early seventeenth century performance. There are no lights or microphones. It is also an open air theatre which means the audience in the standing room frequently get wet thanks to London’s patchy weather. It has the capacity for 857 seated in the audience, and a further 700 “groundlings” standing in the yard. The “groundlings” would have been referred to as “penny-stinkers” back in Shakespeare’s day due to the lax standards of personal hygiene and the lack of a rest room.

The Exhibition space in the main entrance is a must see and can be gone visited either before or after the tour, which runs every half hour. It chronicles the building of the reconstructed Globe, what life was like in Shakespeare’s day in Southwark, and how the costumes and special effects were done in the past. It finishes in a central area with an example of the stage from the Rose theatre.

In a small area off to one side you can find a charming little alcove which allows you to record your own Shakespearean lines and listen to performances of Shakespearean plays from actors like Alec Guinness, Marlon Brando, and Peter O’Toole. Prices can range from £10-£20, but for the best deals bring your student card and go at an off peak time.

I am a Greek Hoplite, and you can bet your last drachma that I am the ultimate fighting unit in the ancient world. My bronze helmet sports a suave horse-hair plume, made famous in Homer’s Iliad (Roman legionary troops would later make a lame attempt to emulate this, not so nice). I mean, you should see this, it’s sexy.

My other protection, (I don’t use anything Trojan, after all, they let a few through and that caused all the trouble) comes in the form of bronze greaves (shin-guards), a leather cuirass to protect my torso, and the solemn knowledge that I am not simply some stooge fighting for an indulgent, probably inbred emperor. In case you were wondering about the bravery of a Hoplite, have you ever heard of a little thing called Marathon? I mean, if you want a trousered-barbarian murder fest that was it. We gave them the proverbial business. The business. And then they came back, with a fleet and army gathered for one thing, to subdue Greece. Do you think that they succeeded? The hardest hammer stroke from the largest empire in the known world? NO. In fact, we decimated them, so much so that their great king Xerxes went running back to Asia Minor, before we were even able to finally massacre his troops at Plataea. BAM! Simply put, we Greek hoplites were cool.

ROMAN LEGIONARY: Salve!

As a citizen of our great city I proudly march in the ranks of our glorious emperor, sowing the seeds of empire in his name and watering said seeds with the blood of those wretched, trousered barbarians.

Though my pack weighs more than 50 lbs, I carry it with pride as it contains everything I will need to spread the word of the emperor to all corners of the world, as long as the sesterces keep rolling in every month. Unlike those womanly Greeks who would rather perfume themselves and perform on the stage, we in the legion prefer to spray ourselves with the blood of a thousand barbarians. I would rather a single fellow legionary by my side than a hundred of their so called heavy infantry. Those boy-lovers have rightly been brought under the yolk by the lads of Lucius Achaicus’ legions when he sacked Corinth in the year of his own consulship with Lentulus. Training is tough in the legion, but to be the best one has to suffer through worse hardships than the enemy could even imagine. Many of the lads fear the retribution of an angry centurion more than the spears and blades of the barbarian or the phallic symbols of the Greek. I myself have felt the sting of the vine stick on more than one occasion, and believe me the welts last for a long time, but one must wear them with pride. The centurion of my first unit, old Lucilius, was even given the nick-name, “Bring me another” as he frequently broke his vine stick over the backs of trouble-makers. But, even though my helmet is heavy (yes, that is a euphemism) I will keep soldiering for the glory of Rome, the true mistress of all the world! Roma Victor!

Features

9

Dates Without Drinking: A Guide to Dublin’s Top Non-Alcoholic Date Spots Sinéad Slattery Features Editor For some, the idea of going on a date that doesn’t include a pint is a recipe for disaster. Here are some suggestions for things to do that won’t leave you with a hangover.

Tea Garden Located on the quays, Tea Garden is a perfect date location. You walk through the doors and go downstairs feeling like you’re going into Aladdin’s Cave. The tea rooms are divded into sections, so you have your own little chill out space on the floor where you sit on cushions. You can choose from a wide selection of teas and Shisha to share (no need to panic over what to get - the staff are lovely and eager to help you out) They even have board games if the conversation is a bit lacking!

Accents Don’t go to your standard bigbrand café. Perfect for an evening rendezvous where you don’t feel like drinking, Accents is open until 11pm Monday to Saturday and until 10pm on Sunday. There are loads of comfortable seats and couches and the coffee is first class. There is often spoken-word and comedy nights on so check out their Facebook page for more information.

The Zoo

Garden Wars by Una Power

Take the 46a up to Phoenix Park and have a stroll around far enough and you’ll come across Dublin Zoo. Bring some food with you (the zoo’s restaurant’s are notoriously high in price) and have a picnic. Bring a camera and capture some memories!

The garden was our battleground, Our hurleys our arms, As we set off to fight our enemy.

Bang… Bang Bang… Bang… Bang

Greystones Get the DART to Greystones (or walk from Bray if you’re up for it!) and make your way to The Happy Pear. A vegetarian / vegan restaurant ran by David and Stephen Flynn, both the coffee and the food are worth waiting for – as you’ll see there are normally massive weekend queues, so this is definitely a place to go if you have a half day during the week. They also have a fantastic health-food store, so you can stock up after being converted to healthy eating.

Science Gallery at Trinity With free entry into their main exhibits, this is a no-brainer.

Full of interesting, quirky and ever-changing displays, this is a conversation starter for sure.

Dún Laoghaire Day There’s a fabulous market in Dún Laoghaire in the People’s Park every Sunday. Try food from around the world and then head to Scrumdiddly’s for dessert. It’s well-priced for the amount of ice-cream and toppings that you get and their new Creme Egg Pot looks unreal. Finish off by going for a stroll down the pier.

“You’re Dead! You’re Dead!”

We each said, As our imagined foes opened fire, Yet the deceased insisted that the Mortal Wounds Were but grazes.

In our sentry tree tops We awaited attack on tenterhooks Looking this way and that For Nazis and Tommies and Charlie.

In the trenches of the strawberry bed I followed my higher ranked brother As missiles and mortars rocketed over head.

We threw pine cone grenades into the hostile zone, Then described what we saw As the shrapnel pulled at flesh and bone.

The horror of twilight stole upon us And though the war was near to end We had no idea Which shadow was foe or friend.

As we waded home Through the ten tree jungle I stayed close to my brother For fear I should stumble.

And just as desperation neared Along with the enemy feared A sweet cry “dinner” Announced our Armistice.

Then we ate and slept and dreamt tactics for the morrow.

Features

10 Chocolate “Cup” Cake Recipe

by Tina Butler Ingredients 227g room temperature butter 227g dark chocolate chopped 3/4 cup plain flour 3/4 castor sugar 1 teaspoon salt 4 eggs

Shawna demonstrates the Sliquid range of lubricants.

Image: Shawna Scott

Great Scott! So Good We Did it Twice: Shawna’s Second Take on Lube

I

n Issue 7, Sex Siopa’s Shawna Scott introduced us to lube with a crash course in everything you need to know about one of the sex world’s most obvious secrets.

In this issue she’s back with a little more info on how to choose the best lube for you and arm us with the best information to make that choice. Read on to pick up some of the best sex advice you’ll ever get!

If you want to check out Shawna’s previous piece on lube, you can check it out on our website; collegetribune.ie/?p=17230

T

here’s lots of types of lubricants out there and as I’ve mentioned in a previous article, it’s a highly underrated personal condiment that we don’t talk about nearly enough. Different kinds, different textures, different ingredients, different everything, really! So before you pick one (or two) out for yourself, it’s best to know just what kind of sexy activities you want it for.

No matter what it is you pick up in the end, I always recommend getting a lubricant that’s free from Glycerin, Parabens, and Propylene Glycol. Avoiding these three can be very important, and here’s why: Glycerin is a type of sugar alcohol that’s used in many lubricants as a preservative. It has been known to throw off the vagina’s pH out of balance, something that can result in yeast infections – especially if you’re prone to them.

Parabens are found in loads of cosmetic product and have been known to cause allergic reactions.

Links between parabens and breast cancer are believed to exist, but research in this area is scant and at the time of going to print, there’s nothing conclusive.

Propylene Glycol is used, typically in water based lube, as a humectant (a substance used to retain moisture). This ingredient keeps lube slippery and helps to stop it from drying out. Unfortunately, it’s also know for causing an allergic reaction called contact dermatitis which sees the area effected become inflamed.

When you’re choosing a lubricant, there are three main types that you’ll come across - water based, oil based, and silicone.

Others do exist, but they’re much rarer in Ireland and so we’ll focus on the big three.

Water Based

Water based lubricant is what’s most commonly found on the market, and it’s what you’re most likely to find in your local chemists. What you’re likely to find here is one of the bigger brand names. It’s worth being careful here as these brands are likely to contain the ingredients mentioned above. Water based lube is a good all-rounder because it’s safe to use with all types of toys and latex barriers.

If someone isn’t sure which type of lube is best for them, I always recommend a water based lubricant as a starting point.

One common complaint about water based products, however, is that they can dry out and go tacky more easily than lubes made on another base. While this is true, you can always add a couple drops of water to the area,

and that should reactivate the lubricant. I typically would not recommend water based lubricant for anal intercourse, as the anus does not have the advantage of self-lubricating the way a vagina does.

Oil Based

Oil based lube is the thickest of the three. They can come in loads of different forms, from a massage-type oil, to a cream, or even a buttery consistency. They tend to be brilliant for things like masturbation and hand jobs. The loveliest bit about an oil based lubricant is that it’s long-lasting and absorbs into the skin.

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They tend to be brilliant for things like masturbation and hand jobs ... long-lasting and absorbs into the skin.

It’s important to note though that oil lubes break down latex so are NOT condom safe! They can be used with toys made from bodysafe materials like silicone and hard plastic, however, it’s been documented that oils cause PVC/Jelly toys to degrade and leach chemicals at a much faster rate.

Oil based lubricants can also contain sugars, especially if they’re made with coconut oil,

so it’s important to be aware of that. YES Brand lubricant is the preferred brand of the NHS in the UK and many physiotherapists here in Ireland, so for oil based lube, that’s what I recommend.

Silicone

Silicone lubricants are made from silicone oils. They’re VERY slippery and generally last the longest. While they’re safe to use with latex barriers and non-silicone toys, it’s important to remember that you should never use a silicone lubricant with silicone toys. This is because the silicone molecules have a tendency to bond with one another, something that will cause your toy to degrade If you really like silicone lube though, you can always pop a condom over your toy to protect it. The other downside to silicone lubes is that they take a long time to wash off in the shower and can also stain your sheets. Because of this though, more manufacturers are releasing silicone / water based hybrids which are still incredibly slippery, but have a much nicer texture that’s easier to clean off.

As I’ve said before, lubricant is something that every good sex partner should have in their bedside locker, so take this information and use it to help you and your partner(s) have a slippery, awesome time!

Shawna Scott is the owner of Sex Siopa, Ireland’s first and only body safe sex shop. You can check out her excellent range of products and find out more on what she’s about over as sexsiopa.ie

To Serve - vanilla ice cream and grated chocolate Directions Melt the butter and chocolate together in a glass bowl for 60-70 seconds in the microwave.

In another bowl whisk the flour sugar salt and eggs together.

Whisk in the melted chocolate mixture.

Divide the mixture among 4 large or 6 small cups Microwave for 2-3 mins on high (time will vary depending on the number of cakes, the power of the microwave and how gooey you like the cake) Let cool for 30 seconds, then top with vanilla ice cream and serve immediately.

For a variation in flavour add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the flour /egg /sugar/ salt mixture.

Equipment needed Weighing scale 1 cup for measuring sugar and flour 4 large or 6 small cups ( as these are going into microwave ensure they are suitable for same and have no metalic trimmings) 2 bowls ( one glass suitable for microwave) One whisk

The Trib ArTS & CULTUre SUPPLeMeNT

music | film | fashion | arts

Cover George Hannaford | Killiney Issue | 10 Date | 30.03.2016

Hill

2

MUSIC

Albums to watch out for Dublin Words | Kevin O’Reilly Buskers; Jacob Koobman.

Words | Kevin O’Reilly

Mogwai | Atomic | 1/4

Jacob

is halfDutch, halfIndonesian and living in Ireland‘it’s funny where busking takes you’- he explains. Before he came to Dublin he serenaded the streets of Amsterdam, before the city banned busking that is.

His set up is simple, just his guitar and his broad clear voice which he claims he has refined through years of providing backing vocals. What is striking is that while on Grafton Street he covers the likes Jeff Buckley and Tracy Chapman, he is a self-diagnosed metal-head at heart. He told me how the music that he loves to listen to, play and write is not reflected in his busking because people walking by just aren’t interest in that type of music.

He is first and foremost, he says, a drummer and he gradually taught himself guitar so that he can perform solo. He regretfully concurs that mainstream music provides his livelihood that his personal interests in music cannot. The only hint of more progressive musical experimentation that he can express while busking comes in the form of a loop pedal which he uses to add layers and reverb to his songs.

His motives for taking to the streets are for a little bit of extra money for rent or food but he also finds joy in busking; ‘personally I find it can either give you confidence or it can kill your confidence’.

He condemns a generally negative attitude

The Scottish post-rock band have a profound interest in all things atomic following a visit to Hiroshima recently.

So much so that they provided the soundtrack to the BBC documentary: ‘Storyville- Atomic: Living in Dread and Promise’. Their latest project ‘Atomic’ is a reworked composition of these tracks.

While Mogwai are the masters of melodic instrumental symphonies that are so intricate that you’d almost swear you’d heard lyrics during the song, their sound has always been grounded in the organic.

This new album proposes a more synthetic and artificial mixture of sounds which reflects the Atomic age and how man augmented nature itself to change the world. Worth the wait and worth a listen.

to busking that some performers have.

It’s no use starting the day with a downtrodden spirit before you’ve even begun; ‘you’re playing on the street, people are stopping to listen, you’re getting a bit of money, whatever! If you have a bad day, it’s because you started with a bad attitude!’.

In relation to his plans for his own music and writing it is definitely something that he wants to bring to life in the future.

Sometimes while busking he likes to try out his own stuff just for fun whether people are listening are not; ‘I just like to rock the fuck out sometimes, and people are like “what the fuck is he doing?!” but I’m having fun you know, whatever!’.

Top Left | Jacob stands for a photo Bottom Right | Jacob busking on Grafton Street in Dublin City Centre

Tacocat | Lost Time |1/4

Frightened Rabbit | Painting of a Panic Attack | 8/4

Did you know that Tacocat is the same spelled backwards as well as forwards, or palindrome if you will? Did you know that they are also a quirky punk-pop band from Seattle? Their songs are upbeat and catchy and add a light tone and clever takes on modern societal issues such as feminism and such. The album is rebellious and light-hearted and builds on punk-pop roots to create familiar but exciting sounds. The band will follow the release of Lost Time with a tour stopping off all over the states before hitting Europe and the UK. Have a listen for something a little different.

What happens when you cross Biffy Clyro with Foals? Frightened Rabbit that’s what! Returning to the theme of Scotland we await the arrival of the band’s fifth studio album. Scott Hutchinson has been the common thread throughout the band’s history since 2003 before his brother and three others joined. Apart from their long interesting history their music is also complex and innovative and their upcoming album looks just as exciting from both a musical and visual standpoint. Their songs range from placid and pleasant to passionate and angst ridden and everything in between the only downside being that as a whole they might lack consistently. Nonetheless and incredibly underrated band and definitely worth a listen.

MUSIC

3

Keywest Words | Kevin O’Reilly Kevin O’Reilly chats to guitarist James Lock on a busy day in Temple Bar about the band’s success and busking.

I

t’s quite unusual to see a band with two studio albums -one which reached number one in the Irish charts- still working away on the streets on a cold March day. But James explains; ‘It makes complete sense for us, busking is our record label, so it’s like busking has signed us. It gets us new fans, lets us promote ourselves and helps to fund everything.

We’ve had record deals and publishing deals in the UK and Ireland before, but this way it’s a little more hard work for us; we’ve got to be here every day, we’ve got to keep playing, but it gives us control’.

The band recently became part of a campaign to fight against the proposed council by-laws restricting busking in the city centre and came back from the UK to release a video to aid in this plight.

The reaction was great and they’ve got some results which they will be releasing publicly very soon. Busking has played an integral part of the history and formation of Keywest which originally began with the two Andrews; Kavanagh and Glover, who grew up together in Artane. The Keywest as we know them emerged when the three English members of the band

Hudson Taylor Words | Kevin O’Reilly

B

rothers Alfie and Harry were destined for fame from their musical childhood to their early days of YouTube videos and busking in town. Since then their image, talents and repertoire have grown and evolved and sent them all over the world.

Notwithstanding this, it is refreshing to see that they have not lost connection with their roots and where they started, it’s still

moved over and joined with them.

Despite the growing importance of social media in the promotion of bands and artists James cannot envisage a time when performing on the street won’t be essential for the band. He points to Passenger as an example who often performs publicly before a gig and Twitter and Facebook instantly explode with activity and the word spreads. If there ever comes a time when Keywest becomes too big for the streets it wouldn’t be because they no longer want to busk but because they wouldn’t have the time between touring and writing.

Throughout their busy schedule they have to make time to write new music. Before they play they warm up by jamming and experimenting together. Sometimes they record these new ideas, take them away and develop them further at home. (Sam, Harry and Andrew casually continued to jam together throughout the course of the interview). It’s this aspect that gives the band their unique style and defines their albums. James revealed that while their first album ‘The Message’ was recorded in a studio, they have other albums which they never developed further because they weren’t quite sure what type of band they wanted to be and whether these albums would fit with that type of band.

Their second album ‘Joyland’ however was written and crafted on the street before

Image | Joanna O’Malley just Harry and Alfie with their two guitars and their perfectly harmonising voices.

Alfie spoke about the power of busking to add a whole new level to touring and travelling; ‘it just makes it more personal, for example last year when our album came out, we wanted to go to Germany -we love playing in Germany- the crowds are so good, on par with Irish crowds! But there was nothing booked in the tour so we said; let’s just go inter-railing and we’ll try to make our ticket back, and we did it.

Four days of busking later we made it to Germany! We did it and we had a blast.

being polished up in the studio which creates a more vibrant and real collection of songs. Playing on the street for them is both an exercise in writing and a rehearsal and also a brilliant way to get over the nervousness of performing. To the band playing big shows now feels weird because they’re not on the same level as the audience and they find there isn’t as much of a connection which they can draw energy from. For this reason they prefer smaller more intimate venues like the Grand Social and the Olympia.

While the band’s home is on the streets

James lauds Spotify as the key to gaining an international fan-base since the slow collapse of CD sales. Keywest now boast a monthly listenership of over 64,000 people which is the largest rating for an independent Irish Spotify artist. He also thinks the accessible and -for want of a better word- mainstream sound of their songs has also aided their success greatly.

We also used it as an opportunity to sell gig tickets in cities like Paris where we would be returning to and it just made the whole thing a lot more special and you only get that personal experience from busking’.

Their sound is low-key, stripped-back but nonetheless refined and has a characteristically Irish flavour to it. This comes from their love of Irish singer songwriters from Damien Rice to Glen Hansard which they listened to growing up and whose song-writing styles rubbed off on them. Harry explained how covering their songs helped them to alter and adjust their own style to improve; ‘We used to always play covers on the street and if your covers can stop people in their tracks then why can’t our own songs? You say ok we got to take something from these covers, what are they doing that we’re not? It’s a good way to gauge songs, and now we pretty much only do our own stuff when we’re on the street’.

Alfie laughs at how the roles have reversed and buskers are covering Hudson Taylor songs on the street; ‘It’s the craziest thing, don’t even get me started on that man, it’s so weird walking down Grafton Street and hearing your own songs!’

Their debut album ‘Singing for Strangers’ was released early last year and reached third place in the Irish Charts. The album itself was 3 years in the making and after releasing several EPs independently they decided to accumulate their favourite songs into an album to release

professionally. The album itself is a nod to their busking days as evidenced by the title that was suggested by their sister.

The hardest part for them in making this album was sifting through all their songs and trying to find some coherence between them and trying to figure out what they wanted their first album to say.

Most of the songs are both inspired by and refined by playing live and the next big challenge for the duo is determining what direction their next album will take.

They’ve set themselves the ambitious target of six months to a year to write the next album but Alfie claims this won’t be too difficult since they have three years of mad experiences to draw on for inspiration, he continues; ‘I think our next album will be all about establishing ourselves as a duo, you know, we recorded our first album from the drums up which is the usual format’, Harry adds; ‘It’s not that the songs will be necessarily stripped back but that they’ll be built up from us so that it’s just more of me and Alfie, also what we’re writing about I think is a bit darker and asking questions of ourselves, we just want to really make it mean something to us’.

While the Hudson Taylor boys like to take it easy after touring and give themselves time and space to write they do still like to dip their feet and play a few gigs every now and then. They’ll be hitting Independence in Cork this July so make sure to get yourself down to catch the lads in action.

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FILM

The Irish at the Movies Words | Niamh Crosbie

F

rom the nostalgic dreamland to the bumbling idiot, there have been countless representations of Ireland and its people down through the years.

While most would prefer to jump straight to the stereotypical drunken leprechaun, there have also been some far more complex images of our people and our culture. If you’re feeling patriotic after St. Patrick’s Day, take your pick from some of these Irishthemed flicks and sneak a peek at what the world thinks of us – and, of course, what we think of ourselves.

Hail Caesar!

Ethan and Joel Coen (2016) Words | Ruairi McCann Ruairi McCann reviews Hail Caesar! the latest offering from the Coen brothers and an all-star cast including Josh Brolin, George Clooney and Scarlett Johansson

T

he Coen brothers, in the three decades they have been in the limelight, have always been poster boys for American independent cinema.

Their brief excursions into Hollywood being painful, as they cathartically released in their fourth feature, Barton Fink. Judging from this alone, one would not expect them to produce a love letter to the business they have always been on the fringes of, yet this is exactly what Hail Caesar! proves to be.

Set in early 1950s Hollywood, a time of red scares and biblical epics, we follow the day in a life of Eddie Mannix (Josh

The Hardy Bucks Movie | Mike Cockayne, 2013

Leprechaun | Mark Jones, 1993

Perhaps one of the most well-known and genuine representations of life in small country towns and “the craic”, The Hardy Bucks Movie sees the Castletown boys take a trip to Poland to see Ireland play in the Euros. Unafraid to make fun of the Irish people it portrays – Ireland lose the game they spend the entire movie getting to – the film succeeds in expressing the unique humour of the Irish, while still appealing to broader audiences.

While the film received mixed reviews, it’s safe to say that the Hardy Bucks are among some of today’s well-loved portrayals of modern Ireland.

Nowadays, the Irish associate leprechauns with satirical references to Irish culture (cue the incomprehensible dancing little man from The Simpsons) and with the sell-out Leprechaun Museum in Dublin city, but in 1993, the mythical being took on a much darker form. Daniel returns home to North Dakota with a leprechaun he acquired in Ireland while attending his mother’s funeral, only to find that the little guy isn’t going to come quietly. The leprechaun, played by Warwick Davis, goes on a murderous rampage in an attempt to reclaim his stolen gold.

In spite of the film’s less-than-desirable critical responses, The Leprechaun has become a cult film associated with Irishness and St. Patrick’s Day

Brolin). Head of production and fixer at the fictional Capitol Pictures, Mannix is harangued by his responsibilities, dealing with various troublesome stars, including the unexpectedly pregnant DeeAnna Moran (Scarlett Johansson) and former singing cowboy, now poorly suited drawing drama star Hobie Doyle (relative newcomer Alden Ehrenreich, in a standout performance). His biggest problem though is absence of Baird Whitlock (George Clooney), whose kidnapping from the set of the titular epic provides the main thrust of what little narrative is in this film.

It would be easy to dismiss Hail Caesar! as frothy. It lacks the underlying or overt darkness of the majority of the rest of the Coen brothers’ filmography that, along with their sharp wit, is one of the most prominent hallmarks of their work.

What this film does have though, is a consistently funny stream of set pieces (the much seen ‘would that t’were so

Brooklyn | John Crowley, 2015 Starring Ireland’s pride and joy Saoirse Ronan and based on the definitive novel

by Irish author Colm Toibin, Brooklyn recounts the tale of a young girl immigrating to Brooklyn in the 1950s, and the choices she must make between her home country and her new life. This is a moving and necessary tale of identity, and of being torn between two cultures, a crisis familiar to many, whether taking place in the 1950s or in modern times.

Brooklyn depicts a dignified version of Irish people, as strong-willed, enduring and passionate.

simple’ scene being one of the many that probably will stick out in my mind for a long while) and distinctly Coen-esque, memorable characters. The film also has a sentimental, but not overly so, heart at its centre, in the form of Mannix himself.

Unlike his real world counterpart by whom he is loosely inspired, Mannix is depicted as a largely moral figure, guilt ridden and torn between his love of the movies and a job that despite that love keeps him away from those he cares for and the prospects of a job he is repeatedly offered that would give him better pay and much more reasonable hours. Brolin does not usually play conscientious and ultimately decent men, but in this case, he does so, so well.

In the end, Hail, Caesar! is still very frothy and not the most essential entry into its directing duo’s vibrant body of work but despite that, Hail, Caesar! is still a film very much worth seeing as it is funnier and less cynical than a sizeable amount of comedies released in recent memory.

The Quiet Man | John Ford, 1952 Sean (John Wayne) arrives back on Inisfree, where he was born and raised before moving to the States. However, his dreams of a peaceful new life in Ireland are shattered when he falls in love with Mary Kate (Maureen O'Hara), a beautiful redheaded personification of the typical American perception of Irishness. Sean finds that life on the island may not be as simple as he had previously hoped, as he invokes the aid of local matchmaker Michaeleen in adhering to the island’s traditions, in the hopes of winning Mary Kate’s heart and her brother’s approval of their marriage.

The Quiet Man obviously represents a nostalgic, idealistic notion of Ireland, which undoubtedly still exists in some areas of the world.

5

FILM

Films of our Childhood The Iron Giant (Brad Bird, 1999) Words | Niamh Crosbie

ith the plethora of new-fangled animated movies to grace our screens in recent years – from the frustratingly catchy lyrics of Frozen, to the delightfully colourful emotionality of Inside Out, and, of course, our favourite healthcare companion from Big Hero 6 – it can be all too easy to forget that we’re no longer the target audience for the animation genre. And with this comes the danger of forgetting where our relationship with cartoon movies began, and that there was more to it than Toy Story 2 and Beauty and the Beast.

I recently stumbled across a copy of The

Iron Giant on DVD, and upon recognising the title on the spine, I picked it up. The image on the front of the box – although I hadn’t seen the movie in years and couldn’t even recall the details of the plot – immediately sent a flood of emotions coursing through me. What happened in the film didn’t matter; it was how I felt while watching the film that was important, that had stayed with me, lying dormant, for so many years as I went through life.

When he stumbles across an enormous robot from outer space, the last thing young Hogarth Hughes expects is for the machine to become his best friend.

Upon realising its kind, childlike nature, Hogarth must defend his new companion from the United States military, who see it as a weapon belonging to an enemy nation – or another planet wishing to wage war on earth – and seek to destroy it in fear that it will turn on the human race. Perhaps the most emotive aspect of the film is the giant’s admiration of

The Stag | John Butler, 2013

Once | John Carney, 2007

The directorial debut of rising Irish filmmaker John Butler, The Stag, challenges society’s misconceptions about masculinity and gender binaries. At the same time, the film manages to weave a narrative which is not only amusing but uniquely and undeniably Irish. Featuring some of our favourite faces, including Andrew Scott, Brian Gleeson and Amy Huberman, The Stag follows a groom-to-be and his stag party into the mountains, where their peaceful weekend doesn’t exactly go to plan. Let’s just say that there may be some nudity and skin-to-skin contact involved.

The distinct Irishness of this film is plain to see in the fact that the film is marketed as “The Bachelor Weekend” in some countries.

Two struggling musicians find their paths intertwined, following a chance meeting during a busking session on Grafton Street. The two grow close; bonding over their mutual love of music, forming a relationship based on compassion and shared experiences. The film is filled with music, ranging from the sweet to the bittersweet throughout the narrative.

The film offers a romanticised, yet refreshingly honest, image of modern Ireland and the diversity it holds.

Niamh Crosbie re-visits the nineties classic The Iron Giant, directed by Brad Bird and starring the voices of Vin Diesel and Jennifer Aniston

W

“

I hadn’t seen the movie in years and couldn’t even recall the details of the plot – immediately sent a flood of emotions coursing through me

”

the Superman comics, which leads to his desire to also become a super hero. The film raises many complex themes, such as whether something which is designed to be physically huge and threatening can actually be kind-hearted and gentle – elements such as this are what lends such weight to the film as a whole, and distinguishes it from other animated films which tend to adhere to much more blackand-white moralistic standards for the

sake of their audience.

In addition, The Iron Giant uses a two dimensional animation style which will rouse feelings of nostalgia even in those unfamiliar with the particular film, as the style was much more common in the nineties and early 2000s, before animation came to be understood as computer generated imagery. This nostalgic sensation is what is important about revisiting the films which we associate with our childhoods, as at the end of the day, stories will stand the test of time and feed their way through generations, while the giddy childish feelings attached to them can only be accessed in a certain number of ways throughout our adult lives. There should truly be no shame in curling up in front of one of your favourite childhood films – it will provide a much more satisfying escape from the stresses of the real world than films formulated to relate to modern, adult life.

The Guard | John Michael McDonagh, 2011

Waking Ned Devine | Kirk Jones, 1998

Brendan Gleeson stars as a member of An Garda Siochána, who is teamed up with an FBI agent (Don Cheadle) to investigate some cocaine smugglers rumoured to have arrived in the west of Ireland. The pair’s personalities are polar opposites, with Gleeson’s character coming across as boorish, while Cheadle’s is distinctively more apprehensive. The humourous struggle of the main characters to tolerate each other in order to complete the case ensues, as one would have come to expect.

Placing Gleeson’s unrefined character next to Cheadle’s sets a clear distinction between the Irish and American stereotypes.

While produced by British filmmakers and filmed in the Isle of Man, Waking Ned Devine is set in the Irish village of Tullymore, where the elderly Ned is found dead with his winning lottery ticket. Two elderly friends set out to claim the old man’s winnings for themselves, and as you can imagine, hilarity ensues. The entire village pulls together in order to secure Ned’s fortune.

The Irish in this film resemble the leprechaun stereotype, securing a fortune and employing trickery and mischief.

6

FASHION

Summer is Coming

About Babooshka Beauty Rooms

Hair in Progress

Words | Emer Slattery

B The Saloon

abooskha is a funky salon located in Temple Bar just behind the Central Bank. Since opening its doors for business last year Babooshka has been specialising in quirky hair, nails and make-up.

Think fun colours, plaits, glitter, dreadlocks, feather extensions and henna tattoos and you’re on the right track. Festival style is a particular niche of the salon, who take both individual and group bookings for occasions such as parties, concerts and festivals. The staff pride in providing a party atmosphere for their make-overs with music and a complimentary tea, coffee or alcoholic drink. Their festival package consists of a blowdry or festival upstyle and full make-up including false eyelashes for €65 or €105 including a set of gel nails. On Tuesdays students can avail of a 15% discount off services at Babooshka.

Check out Babooshka’s social media accounts for some serious eye candy by searching for @babooshkabeauty on Instagram and Babooshka Beauty Rooms on Facebook.

Make Up & Hair

Photography: Emer Slattery Creative Directors: Emer Slattery, Órla Slattery, Amy Thomas Hair: dye by Sara Hurley and style by Evelyn Kinsella at Babooshka Beauty Rooms Make-up: Robyn O’Brien (themakeupgal on instagram) at Babooshka Beauty Rooms Nails: Sarah Gaynor (nominated for Best Nail Technician at Image Business of Beauty Awards 2016) at Babooshka Beauty Rooms Clothes and styling: Fresh Clothing Temple Bar Model: Laura Shorten Special thanks to Serca Williams at Babooshka Beauty Rooms and the team at Fresh Clothing Temple Bar for their generosity Shot on location at 1 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 and UCD campus

Nails in Progress

7

FASHION

With announcements of headline acts being dropped and tickets selling out fast for this year’s crop of music festivals, we’re getting hyped for festival season and planning ahead for this summer’s festival fashion.

Outfit 1 Net crop top €20 Black kilt €25 White Calvin Klein bra top (models own) Leather spike choker €18 Bag

Outfit 2 Below Crochet rasta crop top € 0 Black shorts €28 Long mesh cardigan €25 Velvet choker €7

8

FASHION

Outfit 3 Right Bikini set €35 Mesh dress €20

Outfit 4 Left White crochet crop top €20 Haram pants €25

Outfit 5 Right White crochet crop top €20 Levi shorts €20 Fringe blue jacket €30

Outfit 6 Yellow crochet crop top €20 Levi shorts €20 Ikat jacket €38

SHORT STORY

9

Thursday, 27th April.

Short Story Words | Cillian Fearon Illustrator | Daisy Kinahan Murphy

T

he gunfire continued through the night, with the crack of rifles echoing around the darkened city.

Mairead and her brother slept in their parents’ room that night.

Her father had insisted on it. It felt safer, but Mairead had the lingering feeling that it wouldn't make much difference if shells began to fall again. It was late in the morning before they had breakfast.

Mairead sat at the table while her mother prepared the meal, “Mam, do you think I might be able to go out today?”

“NO!” her mother said nearly dropping the kettle “But it’s alright for the men to go out, why can’t I?” Mairead grumbled.

“As long as you live under my roof you’ll do as I say.”

Her father hurried down the stairs reaching straight for his hat, “I’m going to head out to the factory.

I want to make sure that it I still have a factory to go to after the fighting last night.”

“See, he gets to go out!” Mairead exclaimed.

“No he doesn’t!” Beth shouted slamming the kettle on the table. “Jack Michael O’Hare! Don’t you even think about leaving this house. Not after yesterday.

You go out that door and you’d better hope you get shot because I’ll kill you when you come back!”

Jack sheepishly returned his hat to the hat stand, “Yes dear.”

Beth glared at both of them for a long minute before relaxing, “Now who would like some tea?”

The front door burst open and two young men hurried in with a third man slung between them. “Beth! Where is your daughter?” One of them shouted.

“What? Mairead’s right here!” Beth said putting her arms around Mairead. ”No, the other one. Damn it! Padriag’s been shot!” Mairead looked at the man between them. His face was like marble, offset by the dark claret coating his shirt.

“Put him down on the table!” Beth barked, “Jack go get Doctor Farrell.”

“Isn’t he retired,” Jack said putting his hat on.

“Yes, just hurry!” Beth said shooing him out the door. “Mairead see if your sister left anything in her old bag.”

Mairead sprinted upstairs. She could hear her mother shouting orders at the men.

She grabbed her sister’s old medical bag from the wardrobe. On coming back into the hall she found her brother standing at the top of the stairs.

“Go to your room. You can’t come down right now,” she said brushing past him.

“You’re not the boss of me,” he said sticking his tongue out, “What’s happening anyway?”

“Someone’s been hurt. Now go to your room.”

“Mairead!” Her mother yelled from downstairs.

“Go,” she hissed at her brother and ran back downstairs. The man’s shirt was open and he had regained consciousness. His face was frozen in horror, tears streaming down his cheeks. One man was holding a rag on the wound on his chest. The other kept talking to him, cradling his head.

Beth took the bag of supplies, “Mairead, I need you to go next door and see if Sarah’s

back from the hospital. We need her.”

Mairead ran outside. She saw her father rushing back up the street with a bewildered elderly man hobbling along behind him. Mairead ran three doors down and began hammering on Sarah’s door.

“Sarah! Help!” she yelled, hammering harder on the door. A few moments later the door opened. Sarah stood there still in her dressing gown.

“What?” she said groggily.

“A man’s been shot!” Mairead squealed. “ He’s lying on our kitchen table. We need your help!”

Sarah grimaced, “Wait here.” she said quietly and closed the door. Not a minute later she reappeared in the doorway in a blood stained nurse’s uniform and a bag.

She rushed on ahead of Mairead.

“Come on!” she barked as she hurried towards the house. Mairead trotted on after her. Sarah swore when she came through the front door.

The man was paler still and had lost consciousness again. Jack stood arguing with the old man, Dr Farrell, while Beth struggled to do what she could for the dying man.

“I told you Jack!” insisted the Doctor, “I’ve spent most of my career treating TB and syphilis. The closest I’ve come to

treating something like this was the odd accident down the bottle factory and that was mostly burns from the furnace.”

“Move!” barked Sarah as she shooed the men out of the way. She peeled the bloody rag away from the man’s chest. “He needs blood or he’ll be dead long before any doctor can help him. You!” she pointed at one of the men who had brought the man in, “Sit here.” Sarah opened up the bag and took out a piece of tubing and a needle.

“Beth keep pressure on that wound. We need to slow the bleeding.” She pressed the needle into the waiting man’s arm and connected the other end to the dying man.

“There are too many people in this room.

Beth I need you here, everyone else out.

Jack, Farrell, we need transport to get this man to the hospital.”

“A bottle van do?” Jack said hat in hand.

“Yes, just hurry.”

“Mairead,” Beth said quietly, “Go upstairs and look after your brother. Don’t let him go downstairs.”

Mairead went upstairs to let them work.

As she sat with her brother she found the pale face of the dying man was etched in her mind.

10

ARTS

Candlelit Tales A Once Upon a Time occasion not to be missed Words | Mélanie Brisard

Retrospective at discovering Cú Chulainn.

Through an interview Mélanie Brisard discovers what brought the four into doing what they do.

I

t’s Wednesday night, I try to slip into the packed crowd. The atmosphere is brimming with excitement and Guinness perfume, some candles are weakly flickering against the deep red, rather kitschy, wallpaper in the upper room of the Stag’s Head.

I squeeze myself between an older gentleman and a girl whose suit suggests she’s come straight from work. Just behind me there’s an old mirror where people all look like shadows and an even older clock that is not working anymore. Time, it seems, is standing still.

The whispers quiet and all eyes turn to the back of the room where, framed by fairy lights, Sorcha and her brother Aron are going to bring life back to “the wondrous tales of old.”

I discovered them last December, when they were telling the Táin Bó Cúailnge.

That was my first encounter with Cú Chulainn, something I certainly won’t forget. The pair charmed me to such an extent that I was delighted at the opportunity to see them a second time for a night dedicated to Goddesses and again for a special Easter Rising celebration.

The latter focussed on stories that define what it is to be Irish, and which may in part have inspired have inspired the revolutionary leaders.

Whatever the tale, you’ll find the voices of Sorcha and Aron slamming the words with drama: Their hands wave in the air all around them, drawing up mythical landscapes for their audience to devour.

It’s obvious that the public is captivated by the pair, each twist and turn of their tales is met with laughs, sighs and applause.

As the two weave narratives, their friends

Ruari O’Shea (Mandolin) and Daragh Kenny (Guitar) provide a live soundtrack, slowing down for sentimental moments and upholding the beat during battles.

I wanted to know more about the creative process behind these events and what brought the four into doing what they do, so I caught Aron after the show to sum it all up for me.

M A

: How did your adventure begin?

: Myself and my sister started this in November 2014. I’m a bit of an actor, and my sister works with the Bard school of mythology, she rewrote a lot of Irish myths … She wanted to get a story going,

“

That was my first encounter with Cú Chulainn, something I certainly won’t forget

”

and close to Christmas, we would just tell The Táin, the epic, the Cú Chulainn story, the saga in the Ulster’s cycle - there’re so many more! We basically had so much good feedback, and after 5 nights of that, we asked the audience: “do you want to see this as a monthly thing? Yes? All right”.

And we went on.’

When I ask him about the amount of improvisation they allow he says: “We know bits of the story but we don’t know how we are going to say it in the night exactly. We do rehearse them, but because there’re so many versions of the stories, I find really hard to stop reading them.” : Where do you guys draw your inspiration from? : “There’re amazing resources online!

Now, Lady Gregory is one of my best resources.

But the stories she gathered are so hard to read, I don’t actually overly enjoy reading them… I like to read them to skim through and pick out a detail I literally write down and note it… and as I said Sorcha has a very helpful background!”

M A

So for those of you who are curious to catch one of those magic candlelit tales, you’re in luck. Sorcha and Aron will, again, be telling those myths which inspired the Rising on March 27th (you can find the event on Facebook, search for Candlelit Tales). By the sounds of it, the pair also have a number of works in the pipeline to be looked forward to: “We’re hoping to be in a number of festivals this summer. At the Carlow Art Festival (10-19th of June) for example, we’ll be telling The Táin. We are also planning on being given a stage at Body & Soul (17-19th June) to do a set of stories with dancers and some other performers who want to join in. We’ve practised a couple of things of this kind sooner this year with the Dream of Angus Óg, to workshop the idea, and it’s beautiful, it just added again: the music keeps you listening and the dance keeps you focused, and then the story washes over you. So we’re just trying different ingredients and you know, once you opened the door to what can be added into it, it’s endless…”

Pearse’s poetry A glimpse at 1916 Words | Charlotte McLaughlin

P

ádraic Pearse’s poems reveal so much of what the leaders of the rising thought their movement was and could be. Right or wrong, Pearse was at heart an idealist who very much believed in the power of the Irish language and its ability to shape society.

He had visions, also, that a small force of Irish people could martyr themselves for our freedom, pushing others to rise up.

This bloody legacy stains the lines of his poetry.

I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge My two strong sons that I have seen go out To break their strength and die, they and a few, In bloody protest for a glorious thing, This poem called ‘Mother’ was written shortly before his execution by firing squad. He speaks as his own mother,

envisioning her sons’ deaths with quiet certainty that this was something ordained and blessed by God. The theme of the Catholic blessing of heroes resurfaces again and again throughout his work. He also reflects on the stain that has been left behind by his blood and triumphs.

Lord, thou art hard on mothers: We suffer in their coming and their going Apart from the Catholic imagery and push to martyrdom, Pearse’s voice throughout poems is conversational and puts him on par with the reader. This style of writing separates him from other poets, such as Yeats, who tend to speak with a far more pretentious voice. He proclaims in ‘Rebel’, a poem that is now frequently quoted by dissident republicans, his vision of Ireland’s republicanism:

I am sorrowful with their sorrow, I am hungry with their desire:

My heart has been heavy with the grief of mothers, My eyes have been wet with the tears of children, I have yearned with old wistful men, And laughed or cursed with young men; Pearse also had an affinity for the Irish language and built a school for it shortly after he graduated from University College Dublin. He was very much in line with the Gaelic revival of the period that thought a nation was nothing without its language.

He also published numerous short stories, poems and plays as Gaeilge – a key part of the reason why Irish is so entwined with our national identity, state and country.

‘The Wayfarer’ is probably the one poem that offers us a true glimpse of what Pearse felt awaiting his death and feeling that perhaps his cause had failed.

Of little towns in Connacht, Things young and happy.

And then my heart hath

ARTS

11

Try, Try, Try Again Tinker, Tailor Start to End Words | Emma Costello

I

n the digital age, wear extremely lucky in that we have access not only to many, many writers but also to an ever-increasing plethora of literary genres.

Like the musical world, trial, error and innovation inspire the new and exciting.

It almost seems that there’s something new every day. I was fortunate enough to come close to one of these; ‘Poetrymixx’.

Creator Eric Moseley, explains what this new genre is: “…Rule is that first the reader must read at least two poems, written by themselves or by other poets, to get a feel of what the author, or authors, are trying to express.

After getting some type of understanding,

the re-mixer will carefully select sentences of at least three combined words and place them in order to make a complete poem that is in the guidelines of both poems.

The title of the poem must contain at least one noun (if available) from each poem.

told me: These will pass, Will pass and change, will die and be no more, Things bright and green, things young and happy; And I have gone upon my way Sorrowful.

Dr Lucy Collins, lecturer in English at UCD, feels Pearse is not really reflecting on the political struggles of the day in his last hours but nostalgically looking back and what life has given him. Somewhat solemn, knowing the fate that awaited him.

The poetry and works of Pádraic Pearse can be viewed online and in the James Joyce library. Furthermore, the GPO will be turned into a museum for those who are interested in 1916.

You can spend countless hours rearrang ing poems to your satisfaction of for the satisfaction of others but it is highly recommended not to use sentences just because they rhyme but rather to use sentences that make the poem feel as if it had been written by one poet.”

“

Take this example from Moseley, com-

I believe that everyone is a poet and might not know it.

”

“Poetrymixx” is certainly an exciting way for anybody to create art. It’s as if you are the DJ and the poets are two songs on a turntable. It’s all about finding the right rhythm and flow to make the two become one fluidly.

Patrick Pearse was born on 10th November 1879 at 27 Great Brunswick Street, Dublin.

Image Below | centuryireland

bining To My Mother and The Sleeper; “At midnight, in the month of June, I stand beneath the mystic moon.

You who are more than mother unto me, In setting my Virginia's spirit free.

Because I feel that, in the Heavens above, The angels can find their burning terms of love Oh, lady dear, hast thou no fear?

Why and what art thou dreaming here?

The lady sleeps! Oh, may her sleep, Which is enduring, so be deep!

Oh, lady bright! can it be right— This window open to the night?

Some sepulchre, remote, alone, Against whose portals she hath thrown, None so devotional as that of “Mother,” poor child of sin It was the dead who groaned within.

As it is lasting, so be deep!

Soft may the worms about her creep!

Some vault that oft hath flung its black And winged panels fluttering back, Oh, lady dear, hast thou no fear?

Why and what art thou dreaming here?

My mother—my own mother, who died early, Was but the mother of myself; but you mother I loved so dearly, An opiate vapour, dewy, dim, Exhales from out her golden rim, Far in the forest, dim and old, For her may some tall vault unfold— That, o’er the floor and down the wall, Like ghosts the shadows rise and fall!

Oh, lady dear, hast thou no fear?

Why and what art thou dreaming here?

Which is enduring, so be deep!

Heaven have her in its sacred keep!

The wanton airs, from the tree-top, Laughingly through the lattice drop— My love, she sleeps! Oh, may her sleep, As it is lasting, so be deep!

I pray to God that she may lie Forever with unopened eye, That, o’er the floor and down the wall, Like ghosts the shadows rise and fall!

Some tomb from out whose sounding door She ne’er shall force an echo more, Oh, lady dear, hast thou no fear?

Why and what art thou dreaming here?

Therefore by that dear name I long have called you— And fill my heart of hearts, where Death installed you.”

If you’re interested in seeing more of Eric Moseley’s work, you can download the first edition of ‘Poetrymixx’, in which he mixes the works of Edgar Allen Poe from Amazon now.

Date | 30.03.2016 Issue | 10 George Hannaford | Killiney

Hill

Cover

The Trib music | film | fashion | arts

ArTS & CULTUre SUPPLeMeNT

“I take great satisfaction in being forced to join the SU and pay SU membership.” some UCD students, possibly

UCDSU forces you to be a member and to pay membership. No other type of union does this – only SUs You have a constitutional right to disassociate from every type of union If you want to disassociate from UCDSU or find out more go to:

www.leaveyoursu.com

“I wholeheartedly support forcing my fellow students to pay my wages.” every UCDSU officer, almost certainly

Business

12

The Ireland Funds Launches Business Plan Competition Worth €16,000 Adam Hetherington Business Editor

T

he Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition 2016, which opened for entries on Monday, March 7th, is seeking innovative business ideas from Ireland’s early stage entrepreneurs. Now in its fifth year, this competition invites students and recent graduates from Ireland and Northern Ireland to submit their business ideas for a chance to win €10,000, whilst two runners up will receive €5,000 and €1,000 respectively.

“The Idea behind the business plan competition is a way to encourage entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial students to really think about what ideas they have in terms of business, how they’re going to sell those ideas, what they’re going to do to make those ideas a success, and how they would pitch that to potential investors and customers” said Caitriona Fottrell, Vice President and Director Ireland, The Ireland Funds. “[The competition] is about helping entrepreneurs to grow that spirit, that passion and that energy they will need to have when they go out into the real world and have to make their ideas a reality and a real business.”

While many students entering the competition come from business degrees Fottrell encourages that “we’ve seen [entrants] come from everywhere; from engineering to geology to medical students. Obviously we’ve had more business students then the rest, but there isn’t a subject stream that hasn’t shown up at some point … We had one incredibly odd, but totally engaging pitch from geology students last year.”

While only two of the past five winners are currently still

“

The Idea behind the business plan competition is a way to encourage entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial students to really think about what ideas they have in terms of business, how they’re going to sell those ideas, what they’re going to do to make those ideas a success, and how they would pitch that to potential investors and customers pursuing their initial idea, the first winner of the competition, Lukas Decker, has developed has continued to develop his business proposal, receiving over €2m from high-profile investors. The venture, Coindrum, is backed by Declan Ryan (co-founder and former CEO Ryanair) and Hostelworld co-founder Tom Kennedy, collects passengers unwanted departure and foreign currency coins and turns them into vouchers redeemable at duty-free outlets.

The competition was established as a result of their founding donor Bill McKiernan’s involvement in the equivalent competition at the Harvard Business School. According to Fottrell, Bill McKiernan “has always been clear that [the competition] is about the pitch and the entrepreneur rather than the idea itself.”

At the final on June 22nd, which will be held in the Google offices, a panel of leading entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from Ireland and the US will review the finalists’ business plans and select the winners.

“While the decision is made on the pitch for the panel on the final day we have tried to offer more than just that opportunity for the students who get involved in the process” said Fottrell. “We offer two specific full days of training for 20-25 plans that make it through the initial process … one is around the business structure of the plan, and the other is about the pitching.”

“We have a semi-final, where we put 14 plans in front of that panel, and depending on their strength between 5 and 8 plans will go through to the final panel in June.” While there are three main winners, Fottrell maintained that “there is an opportunity for all of them to expand their personal and their business networks on the day through the final.”

The competition is open to undergraduates, post-graduates and recent graduates (within two years of graduation) in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Existing startups are eligible to enter, as long as the applicants themselves meet the above criteria. Applications can be submitted online at www.theirelandfunds.org/bpc by April 7th 2016

US President Obama and Cuban President Castro in Havana. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Thaw in US-Cuba Relations ushers Change in Capital Bill Horan Business Writer

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The tourism industry in the island nation has already begun to feel the impact of the thaw in relations and has actually felt the strain of the increased traffic

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t has been reported that since Barack Obama arrived in Cuba in a move to continue rebuilding ties between the USA and Cuba that Priceline Group has agreed to make Cuban hotel rooms available on Booking. com, thereby becoming the first US travel agency to strike a deal with the nation. The deal comes on the back of another US hotel firm, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide agreement with the Cuban government to manage and market three hotel properties in the city of Havana.

These deals, along with the visit of President Obama bode well for the Cuban people, who have suffered through five decades of frosty relations

between their government and the US government. When the trade embargo was placed on Cuban goods by the US government, it struck a major blow to their government as many of the famous cigar companies were forced to relocate to other nations, in order to continue to export their product to America. Now, thanks to the work of President Obama, and the Cuban President, Raul Castro, there is hope that Cuban economy may be able to develop and become more autonomous from the government.

The tourism industry in the island nation has already begun to feel the impact of the thaw in relations and has actually felt the strain of the increased traffic, with prices for hotel rooms having surged since 2014, many of which are booked out months in advance. In 2015 Cuba received 3.52 million visitors in 2015, up 17.4% from 2014. The number of visitors travelling to the USA from Cuba rose by 77% to 161,000. However, at present it is still technically illegal for tourists to travel to Cuba from the US it is possible through the use of “general licenses” for purposes such as religion, family visits and sports. Though, if the last 15 months are anything to go by, it might soon be possible for US citizens to travel freely to Cuba, and vice‐versa, can only stand to aid the development of the Cuban economy.

Innovation

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Idea boards at a UCD Innovation Academy event.

Image: UCD Innovation Academy

Undergrads Find Solutions to Food, Sport, and Accomodation Problems on Campus with Innovation Initiative Jack Power Politics & Innovation Editor

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ntrepreneurial Endeavour’ is an elective module offered by the UCD Innovation Academy to students, which aims to foster creative thinking, problem solving and an entrepreneurial mindset. The College Tribune sat in on one of their classes that focused on identifying problems on campus, and deriving potential model solutions. The problems ranged from transport, accommodation, food options, seating, to retail opportunities, money management and sports engagement.

Fergal Brophy, an entrepreneurial specialist working for the Innovation Academy, is one of the leaders of the module.

He laid out the problem-solving activity the students were undertaking. “Students work on these initiatives in order to practice entrepreneurial thinking whether it be for-profit, a social cause or a community venture.

They ideate, undertake customer discovery to identify problemsto-be-solved, prototype and experiment with solutions, work on business models and pitch.”

Lack of diverse food options on campus was a key problem that two groups of students attempted to come up with prototype solutions for. The dearth of vegetarian, healthy, or alternative food choices was identified as a pressing problem in UCD. Under a Freedom of Information request submitted by the College Tribune, it can reveal the catering company for the Main Restaurant in the Gerard-Manley Hopkins building obtained the tendering license with a commitment to provide a “variety of menus”.

The official UCD report into grading their proposal found they put forward a “very good selection of food offered”, but that it “would have liked more details in terms of specifying each category of food and providing the proportion of food that is sourced locally.” However the Main Restaurant, among

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ing solutions to the problem of food options on campus drafted an idea based on providing students the food they want. Their idea; ‘pop-up munch’, would be a space where UCD invites various food providers from town to come in to UCD. They argued they could bring in popular food options such as burrito brands,

the real time information as to how full the gym was, and a progress counter that allowed students to keep track of their own activity against goals they set themselves. The platform would have an option to interact with your friends or classmates in finding players for a 5-a-side game, or a partner to head to the

Their idea; ‘pop-up munch’, would be a space where UCD invites various food providers from town to come in to UCD. They argued they could bring in popular food options ... that would be otherwise be unavailable on campus other food outlets in UCD has since been critiqued for its lack of diverse food options. Students in the Endeavour class working on brainstorming potential solutions also were critical that on campus it is companies with more money and resources that get allocated tendering licenses, rather than food that is suited to or desired by students.

The ‘Deal Mobile’ was one imagined initiative by a group of students, which would be a roaming food van that provides student-orientated meals that included healthy vegetarian options. They envisioned the Deal Mobile making timetabled stops at different areas on campus

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that would be otherwise be unavailable to students in UCD on to campus for a day. Their plan saw students voting online for which outlet they wanted each month, and outlets being pitched against each other to provide the best deals in order to secure the guest spot on campus.

Other problems included student engagement with sports in UCD. The student’s prototyping a model to combat this problem came up with a UCD Sports Connect App. The App they said would primarily be an integrative platform that combined student’s lecture timetables with data available on UCD sports or gym classes, to allow students to

gym with.

Money management was another problem a group of students were tasked with troubleshooting. The students conceived of a savings and expenditure mobile app, ‘Checkbook’. Users would input the wages they received, and log in any anticipated expenditure such as rent, nights out, new clothes etc. Students could then set a target amount of money to save each week or month, and update the app on their expenses as the month went on. The app would keep students updated on how close or far they were from reaching their monthly targets, and it could be used to budget for larger targets like a

Opportunities for students to volunteer for charity were theorised as another gap in the college experience. Students came up with the idea for a ‘UCD Charity Link’, as they found current opportunities for students to volunteer are oversubscribed throughout the day, to cater to each of UCD’s dispersed faculty buildings.

The second group research-

manage and fit in sports or exercise around their busy schedule. The app would have a ‘Gym Tracker’ that could give students

summer holiday or J1. The theme of developing apps was a commonality between many groups, in addressing problems with ac-

commodation and rent students devised a Find a Flatmate app, ‘Bunkie’. The Tinder of the rental market, it would allow students to search for flatmates who would be compatible and share similar interests or lifestyles.

Opportunities for students to get involved and volunteer for charity was theorized as another gap in the current college experience. Students came up with the idea for a ‘UCD Charity Link’, as they found current opportunities for UCD students to volunteer are oversubscribed. For example, competition for places on the UCD SVP Soup Run are always hotly contested on a first-come first serve basis. The students therefore came up with a platform where eager students could sign up with their email, and then charities and NGOs would be encouraged to tap into this reserve of UCD volunteers and link in with the campus to run events.

Two students, Roz Fraser of Commerce International and Kevin Brennan who studies Politics and Sociology spoke on the projects the students had come up with. “I think it’s better that students are trying to come up with ideas rather than the faculty and the management in UCD. It would be really cool if the University could take some of the ideas on board and actually run with some of them, because some of them were really good.” Fergal Brophy too felt UCD could have a lot to gain from listening to student’s ideas and tapping into innovations such as these. “Like all organisations, UCD should always listen to their users in order to better understand problems and solutions.”

Politics

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Balloons released as part of a ‘Lipdup’ video produced to promote UCD Societies’ rebrand in 2013.

Still via UCDLipDub, YouTube, Natasha Waugh

“Bureaucratic” Society Recognition Process Stifling Student Engagement in UCD Jack Power Politics & Innovation Editor

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he UCD Society Recognition Committee is the group that presides over any applications made by students to set up a society. The applications process requires would-be-societies to gain 30 signatures of support, put forward a constitution, a year plan, and find a member of university staff to act as a senior treasurer. They are then called before the Society Recognition Committee who review their application and decide if it warrants society status.

However, the average waiting time between submitting an application for society status and being called before the Recognition Meeting ranges upwards from a number of months to a full year. This protracted delay in sorting or processing society applications has had a suffocating effect on potential student engagement and hampered attempts to set up societies.

One third year Neuroscience student Conor Duffy spoke of his experience trying to set up a Humanist society. “I applied last year, late March early April.

I only heard anything from it or about any progress with it this November [7 months later].”

Conor outlined however that by this time the early momentum and drive behind the society had begun to dissipate, and as a result he withdrew his application.

“The problem with us was that we got a lot of different people from a lot of different subjects, so we all would have had quite different schedules. So when nothing was done, people started coming up with different com-

mitments. It’s quite a long time to ask you to hold off and keep it on hold. The process seems to be a bit bureaucratic, in the sense that it can take such a long time.”

“Fresher’s Week is key for a new society to try and get new members. So getting a Recognition Meeting before then and getting the process so that applications can be processed in time would allow the summer for preparation too. Not having a Recognition Meeting before that was a bit of a problem. I understand that UCD is a bigger university, there’s more stuff to deal with, there’s probably more applications coming through, so you do need to recognise that.

It is a difficult procedure, but it does seem to be taking too long.

What I will say that is its probably not intentional on UCD’s part, obviously they do want try to make sure the societies that are set up are well. A quicker application process I think would definitely help people engage with establishing new societies.”

The backlog or delay in processing applications it seems lies in the fact the Societies Recognition Committee only meets twice a year, traditionally in November and in February/March. In contrast the Trinity Central Society Committee meets weekly during the term. In outlining their process Liam Hunt, Secretary of the Trinity CSC stated, “the Executive Committee of the CSC meets weekly during term time to conduct its business. As part of that business at our meetings, we consider proposed society applications on a rolling basis as we receive them.” The practice of assessing society applications as they come in reduces the waiting time to a number of weeks at

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The backlog in processing applications seems to lie in the fact the Societies Recognition Committee only meets twice a year ... In contrast the Trinity Central Society Committee meets weekly during the term. Outlining their process Liam Hunt, Trinity CSC Secretary stated, “the Executive Committee of the CSC meets weekly during term time to conduct its business. As part of that business at our meetings, we consider proposed society applications on a rolling basis as we receive them.”

most, and plays a part in Trinity’s active college atmosphere. In comparison the UCD bi-annual Recognition Meetings leave society applications waiting from a number of months to a year, and thus has had a stifling effect on any potential vibrancy or interest in setting up new societies on campus.

Eoghan Murphy, the Chair of the UCD Societies Council laid out the current situation in relation to pending society applications and revealed that there are “four applications currently pending”. On the frequency of meetings, he stated they are only required to hold one meeting per semester, and it is the discretion of the Recognition Committee to hold further meetings after that.

“There have been two meetings of the newly constituted Recognition Committee, which sits as a sub-committee of the UCD Societies Council. Meetings are constitutionally obliged to be scheduled once per semester.”

Murphy made the case that unlike in other colleges or universities UCD seeks to take an active role to support and help grow societies when they are recognised. “Once recognised as a constituent member of the UCD Societies Council, each student society receives the benefits of full-membership; there is provision for a single-status only, and there are no “provisional” status societies, as may be found in other institutions. It is important to acknowledge the contribution that our student societies, and their officers, make to the University and its community, and the supports that the University provides in developing those students and their activities.”

This apparent quality control

aspect of the UCD process attempts to ensure that when a society is appropriate for membership and it can add something to the college community then it is properly funded and supported.

Four new societies were granted recognition in the November Recognition meeting this year, and previous new societies set up last year include Harry Potter Soc and Sinn Fein UCD. The quality therefore of societies looking to gain recognition in most cases then is not so much the question, and when applicant societies do get a meeting with the Committee many are granted society status. The reoccurring theme then lies in the lack of regular or frequent meetings to process applications.

The perception of setting up a society by many students has come to be that it is not an easy road. Several students who were successful in setting up societies in recent years, and others who had attempted to set up societies without fruition stressed that one must play by the rules of the Recognition Committee. Most students involved in the process who spoke to the Tribune on this issue did so with warily, and many highlighted a wish not to criticise the Committee on the record. The result of this has meant the slow and bureaucratic process of setting up a society has gone relatively unquestioned, primarily because those who are involved in the process are wary or impotent to speak out for fear of it reflecting negatively on their pending application. Student engagement on campus as a consequence has suffered in UCD.

Politics

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Wreaths laid outside Maelbeek Metro Station in the wake of the Brussels bomblings.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

In the Wake of Belgium Bombings: “All Lives are Important” Charlotte McLaughlin Politics Writer

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Paris and Brussels hit us that much harder because they are closer and are part of this European Project of ours. Most people reading this have or know someone who has visited to the Capital of Europe

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urrent estimates are that 31 people have been killed and 300 wounded in Brussels last week, according to Al Jazeera.

Daesh has apparently claimed responsibility for the violence, as a response for the arrest of Saleh Abdeslam who carried out the Paris Attacks.

On the ground though, Belgians are beginning to recover.

Speaking to the College Tribune, Belgian student Antoine Smeets said “It’s just absolutely scary, I never thought this could happen in Belgium”. Antoine, who is currently studying politics in Brussels, went on to say that social media had helped him to locate most of his family and friends. He added, “It’s a really strange feeling. But we need to go on with our life anyway.”

Many on social media have reacted to the events by noting the

lack of coverage of the attacks in Turkey and Iraq. It has been a key theme since the Paris attacks that we give disproportionate coverage and attention to events from Western rather than non-Western countries.

Brid Smith TD, of the Anti-Austerity Alliance, said it was a shame there was a lack of notice of other victims of terrorism and war. Speaking in Dáil Éireann, last week, she said “Our thoughts also need to be with the people of Istanbul and one that has gone completely gone unnoticed by most people on the planet is Baghdad last month.” Smith said “All lives are important regardless of whether they’re in Brussels or Baghdad” and called for “countries [to disengage] from parts of the world that they have no business in being in”.

If we look at some of the

international news outlets such as the BBC, Al Jazeera, France 24 and CNN, they initially had a parity of coverage between Belgium and other attacks in Turkey.

The BBC has also provided lots of easy guides on the Kurdish and Daesh situation in Turkey at the moment. But when we look towards the top stories that people click on, Brussels dominates.

Paris and Brussels hit us that much harder because they are closer and are part of this European Project of ours. Most people reading this have or know someone who has visited to the Capital of Europe, and our culture is so much akin to those in France and Belgium than those further east.

This feeds into why we look towards and are more affected by news like this. Terrorist attacks in Turkey or Baghdad and their death tolls don’t register the

same impact, and are viewed as removed, and on the “other” side of the world. Attacks on Paris and Belgium, and previously in London and Madrid strike at the heart of the world we know.

Public opinion and individuals themselves may however gain from seeking to understand the world we don’t know, and this starts by sympathising with the people who suffer for attacks further afield and by viewing violent attacks on innocents in Turkey and Baghdad as just as grievous as those on our own doorstep.

All lives matter whether they are in the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso or Jarkarta, where bombings and shootings have taken place during the last few weeks, but they will always be harder to bear the closer the country is to you.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael: An Inherent Recipe for Instability?

Mark White Politics Writer

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hether we like it or not, the newly elected Dáil has been left with two options.

The path forward lies in either a majority coalition consisting of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, or a minority government where a plurality of either party’s TD’s will be propped up by fellow Oireachtas members. In both instances, the strength of the government is weak.

The favourable international high-tide that buoyed Ireland’s nascent economic recovery is beginning to ebb, as we are now beginning to see deflation in emerging markets, a slowing Chinese economy, and falling oil prices. In the scenario of an economic crash akin to 2008, the Irish government will have the need for swift and effective decision making. But even in

dealing with pressing issues within Ireland, the homelessness and housing market crisis, the future of Irish Water, and the future funding of higher education – decisive and pertinent action will be required. Policy outcomes and government’s response will suffer if the political point scoring and animosity that has characterised Fine Gael and Fianna Fail’s relationship continues when they sit down to govern together in some sense.

The arrangement into a Fine Gael or Fianna Fail minority government would have inherent weaknesses, and be prone to collapse at any critical juncture.

Notably it would also have a corresponding minority in the Seanad. The Seanad can delay legislation for 90 days and would seriously impede any quick policy response. Fast forward to a protracted period of worldwide economic crisis and the deficiency of a minority government really

starts to take shape. Should the EU take an even harder hit and fail entirely, the need for efficiency would be all the more apparent with the collapse of the ruling minority a real possibility.

An alternative to this, is a situation which neither party seems to want, but which increasingly seems the most viable and effective option in a crisis environment, the formation of a coalition. With a grand coalition, Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin would have to find a way to cooperate while simultaneously responding to potential economic difficulties.

In the immediate and most technical sense a government such as this would have a majority, but still the potential infighting both party fears. New legislation would struggle to even make it to the Dáil floor. A system of rotating Taoiseach’s and equal number of ministries has been suggested as a solution for this type of coalition, but ministers Leo Varadkar and

Simon Coveney have both voiced their scepticism to such a plan, highlighting the problems such a deal will have in finding a consensus on decisions.

The pressures to form a government are increasing and with potential crisis never far away, stability is a key necessity. A grand coalition is the lesser of two evils as its parliamentary majority provides at the very least, a stable platform to initiate coherent governance fi the two parties can do business. Instability and political stalemate have caused a 20 per cent unemployment rate in Spain, how would continuing inactivity at home play out in the international market, or in an event of future challenges to the country?

Ultimately responsibility lies with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to finally get past their differences and form a working government and ensure our lasting economic recovery.

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Policy outcomes and government’s response will suffer if the political point scoring and animosity that has characterised Fine Gael and Fianna Fail’s relationship continues when they sit down to govern together in some sense.

Gaeilge

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Taillí Uisce – An fiú an conspóid é?

Pléann Gearóid Óg Ó Greacháin an conspóid a bhaineann le táillí uisce.

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eagnach coicís ó bhuail an 32 Dáil den chéad uair agus níl aon chomhartha againn ar an rialtas atá i ndán dúinn. Le tamall anuas, luann chuile páirtí na fadhbanna is mó atá ag an tír faoi láthair; easpa dídine, géarchéim sa chóras sláinte agus cánacha! An rud a chuireann ionadh orm ná gurb iad táillí uisce an bunphrionsabal atá ag Fianna Fáil maidir le tacú le rialtas. An cáin is conspóidí le gairid (mar gheall ar an gcaoi uafásach gur bunaíodh ‘Uisce Éireann’) ach an rud is suntasaí ná gur cáin an-ísle iad na táillí seo. I ndiadh gach agóid, gach díospóireacht, gach feachtas

baghcatála agus gach geallúint chun deireadh a chur leo is é an t-uasmhéid go bhféidir íoc as ná €260 in aghaidh na bliana.

Cloistear go minic faoi “cearta uisce” ó thosaigh an díospóireacht seo. Tá an ceart seo bunaithe ar an riachtanas a bhaineann le huisce ach an gciallaíonn sé sin gur cheart go mbeadh uisce saor in aisce?

Caithfimid íoc as bia agus gearrtar CBL (VAT) air ach níl an conspóid céanna ar “chánacha bia”. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil an ceart againn uisce a chur amú mar tá an-chuid uisce curtha amú de bharr nach bhfuilimid ag íoc as. Chomh maith leis sin, tá an ceart ag na daoine a bhfuil ag obair sa chóras uisce airgead a thuilleadh as a gcuid oibre.

Tá argóintí ag teacht go láidir ón eite clé gur cheart fáil

réidh le táillí uisce agus filleadh chuig na húdaráis áitiúla.

Bhuel is léir nár cheart cúram chóras uisce a thabhairt ar ais chuig na húdaráis áitiúla toisc nár éirigh go maith leo cheana!

Ní hamháin sin ach deir chuid is mó den na páirtithe gur gá airgead a infheistiú i seirbhísí poiblí ach ní cheapann siad gur mithid dúinn uisce a chur san áireamh. B’fhearr liom íoc as uisce agus gan a bheith buartha faoi fhrídíní san uisce ná droch-uisce a bheith agam saor in aisce. Is gá dúinn dul i ngleic leis na poill sna píoba timpeall na tíre. An iad na táillí uisce an t-ábhar is measa atá againn in Éirinn i gcomparáid leis an ngéarchéim sa chóras sláinte agus easpa dídine?

Rás UCD Seol ríomhphost chuig: rasucd@ucd.ie Sínigh suas ar líne/Sign up online https://form.jotformeu. com/60682980354361.

Bí páirteach san imeacht Facebook/Join the Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/ events/913329428783979/ Ag 10.30am Dé Sathairn 16ú Aibreán 2016 a thosóidh an seachtú RÁS UCD- Rás Bóthair 5 ciliméadar.

Má chláraíonn tú ar líne beidh costas: €12 ar Mhic Léinn, €15 ar dhaoine nach mic léinn iad. Geobhaidh an chéad 500 a chláraíonn ar líne mála bronntanas agus t-léine cuimhneacháin.

Oifigeach na Gaeilge Tofa Gearóid Óg Ó Greacháin Eagarthoir Gaeilge

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oghadh Eoghan Mac Domhnaill mar Oifigeach na Gaeilge ar Aontas na Mac Léinn don bhliain acadúil 2016/17. Bhí Mac Domnaill tofa le 85% den vóta i rás gan iomaíocht. Is Muineachánach é Mac Domhnaill agus é ina mhac léinn eolaíochta sa dara bhliain. Tá Mac Domhnaill anbhainteach le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ar champas le dhá

bhliain anuas. Is Scoláire Bhord na Gaeilge faoi dhó é agus tá sé an-ghníomhach leis an gCumann Gaelach.

Roghnaíodh é mar Ionadaí na Chéad Bliana anuaraidh agus bhí sé mar Leas Reachtaire an Chumainn Ghaelaigh i mbliana.

Chomh maith leis an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn, bhí Mac Domnaill mar Comhordaitheoir Cónaithe d’Aontas na Mac Léinn agus Cisteoir do Shinn Féin UCD le bliain anuas.

I ndiaidh fhógra an toraidh dúirt Mac Domhnaill:

“Go raibh míle maith agaibh, gach aon duine a chaith vóta ar mo shon sa toghachán. [...]

Deanfaidh mé mo sheacht ndícheall sa phost agus tá súil agam nach ligfidh mé síos sibh.”

I measc na rúin atá ag Mac Domhnaill ná go mbeidh an Ghaeilge bainteach le gach feachtais de chuid an Aontais.

Tá sé ar intinn aige níos mó imeachtaí a chur ar fáil do bhaill an Aontais i nGaeilge le béim mhór ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge níos mó a eagrú chun freastal ar gach duine sa choláiste. Ina theannta sin tá sé dírithe ar deiseanna fostaíochta Gaeilge a chruthú leis an aontas.

Is imeacht dhátheangach (Gaeilge/Béarla) faoi leith é Rás UCD, atá oscailte do gach duine, beag beann ar aois ná cumas.

Deonaítear na táillí iontrála chuig Saorálaithe Thar Lear UCD (www.ucdvo.org).

Cuirfear ceapairí agus tae agus caifé ar fáil tar éis an rása agus beidh fisiteiripeoirí ar fáil chun suathaireacht a thabhairt.

I measc na gcatagóirí aoise tá faoi 20, sinsearach (idir 20 agus 40), os cionn 40, os cionn 50 agus os cionn 60. Bronnfar duaiseanna foirne chomh maith le duaiseanna don chulaith bhréige is fearr.

Bainfear úsáid as slis leictreonach chun am críochnaithe an rása a fhíorú i gcás gach lúthchleasaí.

Cúrsa comhréidh tapa a bheidh ann.

The seventh Rás UCD 5K Road Race will start at 10.30 am on Saturday 16th of April 2016.

Online entry fee is €12 for students, €15 for non-students.

There is a free t-shirt and goody bag for the first 500 people who register online!

Rás UCD is a unique bilingual event through Irish and English.

The event is open to everyone, regardless of age or ability. Registration fees are donated to UCD Volunteers Overseas (www.ucdvo. org) There will be sandwiches, tea and coffee provided after the race and physiotherapists will be available to give massage.

Prizes include fastest Junior (under20), Senior (aged 20 to 39), Over 40, Over 50 and Over 60 (for both male and female in each age group). There will also be team prizes and a prize for best fancy dress!!

Electronic chips will be used to verify the finishing time of each participant. The course is flat and fast.

Sport

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in asssociation with

The “I definitely didn’t steal this feature from a popular website” Ireland Football Ladder Neil Ryan Sports Editor 1. John Walters: The man possessing the arse almost single handily kept the German’s at bay in Lansdowne went from an ineffective reminder of Trap’s Ireland to easily our best player in the space of a single campaign.

Effective on the right of midfield as well as upfront the Stoke man carried our main threat throughout the entirety of our qualification. Will be sorely needed in games against both Italy and Belgium where Ireland’s defence will certainly be under siege.

2. Robbie Keane:: Ireland’s greatest ever player, the goal record speaks for itself, is an absolute certainty for the plane and will surely enjoy a few minutes off the bench in a game that we need to win. This will probably be the Tallaght man’s last rodeo as old father time hasn’t so much crept up on him as grabbed him by the throat and thrown into a nursing home.

3. Seamus Coleman: The Donegal man has developed into one of the best full backs in the world and will undoubtedly need to perform at his best to cover for his defensive partner’s deficiencies. His quality on the ball and delivery into the box will be important assets for Ireland throughout the tournament.

Unlucky to miss out the last time round he will surely be looking to make up for lost time. A good performance could also lead to a transfer to a club challenging for more than Everton. He’s at an age where if it’s going to happen, it’ll have to be soon.

4. James McCarthy: When McCarthy came through the ranks at Hamilton Irish fans around the world could see a bright future, an Irish man who could pass the ball. Such was his quality that he was used as a stick from which to beat Trap for his lack of trust in the Glaswegian. The midfielder never really developed into the man that we all assumed he would but as a defensive midfielder he is golden. His calm assured passing and great positional play will be the base from which we base all of our play.

5. Glen Whelan: I have flip flopped more on my opinion of

Whelan than Bertie did with bank accounts. Constantly considered synonymous with the dearth of quality in Irish Footballers the man may quietly have become one of the best defensive midfielders in England. He has a fantastic knack of standing in the same place for the entirety of the game and the footballing brain to realise that that is both an asset and a skill. Won’t take many of the plaudits but when he plays well we don’t concede.

6. John O’Shea: The Waterford man will be the most experienced of the realistic match day squad in what will surely be his last tournament. Always tries his best for Ireland and that’s all that you can really ask of him. He is coming off his worst season as a professional however and we can only hope that he doesn’t bring his poor form with him. As O’Neill has shown with Keane he isn’t afraid to drop players that aren’t quite up to it any more.

7. Wes Hoolahan: One of the most naturally gifted players in the squad his repertoire of tricks and flicks generally brings out a far greater performance in his teammates. His age and fitness is a worry for O’Neill though, can he play every game in the tournament? I would imagine not. He will need to be at his creative best to get Ireland out of the group.

With him making noises as if he will call a day on his Ireland career he will hope to end it on a high.

8. Jeff Hendrick: Responsible for one of the moments of the campaign against Georgia he will be tasked with the more dynamic of the midfield role. He will need to be aggressive in attack and defence and like many in the team a good performance in the championship will lead to a transfer away from the Championship.

9. Robbie Brady: Tasked with being one of Ireland’s great creative hopes for the tournament, from left back, he will need to improve his delivery. He has the ability to fit in at the no.10 role that might be his eventual position for both club and country. He is one of the most gifted members of the team but it is difficult to imagine that he would be playing at left back if we had a secure defensive alternative.

10. Richard Keogh: His high number on this list is simply because I think that he has a nailed on place in the starting 11. Has never really performed poorly for Ireland but his lack of club form should see him lose it to one of his more talented teammates.

11. Daryl Murphy: Has never really impressed for Ireland yet found himself starting the last few games of qualification. His club form with Ipswich last season was fantastic but he has simply not been good enough for Ireland. Usually the first time I notice him is when he finds himself hooked for Long.

12. Shane Long: Has simply been too good off the bench for O’Neill to start him though I hope for the love of God that I’m wrong.

Whenever I find myself feeling sad a simple Google of Shane Long Germany puts an almost pornographic smile on my face.

In international football his pace is more important than at club level. The simple threat of him running in behind shoves the defensive line back about ten yards probably making him the most effective defender in the squad.

Has the terribly annoying curse of just not baking himself to shoot as often as he should.

13. Ciaran Clarke: Will certainly be one of Irelands starting defenders for years to come. He has a knack for leaving his club form at the door and, as previously mentioned, has always put in a fantastic performance for Ireland.

With good performances in training he might take Keogh’s place.

14. Darren Randolph: Darren continues Ireland’s tradition of having incredibly talented goalkeepers. When called upon against Germany in undoubtedly the biggest game of his career to date he was absolutely fantastic.

Assisted in one of the biggest moments in Irish sport and has really grown into the jersey. He needs West Ham to continue their run in the FA Cup to ensure that he gets as much experience as possible.

15. Rob Elliot: Easily the best player in Newcastle’s possibly doomed season. O’Neill recently spoke favourably about his playing position in relation to

Randolph. Will definitely get a chance on Tuesday. Has been unfortunate with injuries when it comes to Ireland but he will be an able deputy of Randolph in France.

16. James McLean: Recently said that he suffered a collapse of confidence after a disappointing Euro 2012. His speed and tenacity in attack of the bench mean that he will probably be the first sub used.

17. Stephen Ward: After barely playing for Burnley at the start of the season he has forced his way back into the team. Was great against Germany but it was evident that he didn’t have match fitness yet.

18. Harry Arter: He is having a fantastic season for Bournemouth dominating the midfield for the classy outfit. He was unfortunate to find himself injured for these internationals but he will be looking to lay claim to a starting position post Euro 2016.

19. Shay Given: Ireland’s best ever keeper is sadly past his best and you would imagine that this will be his last involvement in the squad. Hopefully he gets a chance for a fond farewell after the tournament.

20. Cyrus Christie: An able deputy for Coleman the young full back will be there for experience and not much else.

21. Aiden McGeady: His performances at the start of the qualification campaign made it seem like he was finally fulfilling some of his immense potential.

His goal against Georgia was a thing of beauty and his rekindled relationship with O’Neill seemed to return him to some of his early Celtic form. Unfortunately, he failed to maintain that form for the rest of the season. His loan move to play more football is working but he still seems to lack confidence. If Judge had been capped earlier you would imagine that he would take his place in the

squad.

22. David Meyler: The Corkonian is in fine form this season and will prove to be a benefit to the squad for his tenacity off the bench.

23. Shane Duffy: A very good season for the Blackburn defender means that he should certainly be in the squad but the man himself seems rather pessimistic about his chances of making it into the squad.

24. Marc Wilson: His lack of playtime at Stoke this season should mean that he finds it difficult to get back into the first team but his ball playing ability in defence is fairly uncommon throughout the team. His experience will help some of his more callow teammates.

25. Stephen Quinn: The redhead midfielder failed to take the chance that he had against Switzerland on Friday losing the ball regularly in the opening exchanges of the game. Might still make the plane due to his versatility.

26. Adam Rooney: The striker has been scoring for fun up in Scotland and still hasn’t gotten his chance for Ireland. Will probably not get one.

27. Jack Byrne: The young midfielder has played very well this season on loan in Holland and will look forward to coming back to Man City next year and playing for Pep. The young Dubliner has tried to make a name for himself but will probably need to do his time in the U21s.

28. Chris Forrester: His audition on live TV in the FA Cup certainly got him the attention of Irish audiences and the news that Everton will scouting him definitely seemed plausible. Will hopefully move his way up the ladder soon.

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Duffy shows Ireland what they’ve been missing Neil Ryan Sports Editor The preparations for Euro 2016 got underway in force on Good Friday with Ireland taking on a diminished through injuries Swiss side. Martin O’Neill decided to experiment with a 4-4-2 under new personnel with Duffy getting only his second cap alongside debutante Judge.

Both Championship players could argue to being Ireland’s best performers at club level this year with Judge being the best player of the Championship season thus far. With him stationed out on the right and away from his preferred no. 10 position. O’Neill was perhaps enticed by Leicester’s performance this season and hoped to emulate their direct style of play with

Long’s pace and Doyle’s strength. Leicester this year have N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater splaying the ball with accuracy up to Vardy and Mahrez, something that Meyler and Quinn were unfortunately not able to do. With these players both auditioning for first off the bench then Meyler proved the surer hand in possession, Quinn being dispossessed several times in the first twenty minutes of the game.

Duffy was the real standout player however. Dominant in the tackle, strong positionally and vocal in defence he added a surety and leadership to his more experienced colleagues that has been lacking from Ireland’s defence since Richard Dunne retired. He had the self-belief to demand that Brady swung a corner

towards him that seemed destined to go short and the determination to rise highest over the Swiss defence to head the ball towards goal where his defence partner Clarke was waiting to meet with a predatory header to give Ireland the lead.

Clarke, as he had shown previously against Bosnia, seems to be able to turn into a different man when he wears the green. Here he put in a performance of utmost quality with one goal saving tackle against Embolo typifying a performance where he seemed able to block any Swiss attacks or cover any of his teammate’s mistakes. Clarke must now focus all of his efforts onto the Euro’s, a performance like his recent Ireland ones should convince scouts that perhaps others are blame for the malaise currently

affecting his Villa team this season.

With both Clarke and Duffy playing superbly in a partnership with each other you wonder what might have been if Duffy hadn’t gotten such a horrific injury and such a young age. On his showing here tonight he won’t be in the championship for much longer.

Another player brought in from the cold was Kevin Doyle. Getting his first chance in some time the Wexford man was clearly in the mood to make an impression. He was willing to put his body on the line, throwing himself around with vigour and throwing himself into Klosse getting one of the, certainly most vulgar, injuries I have seen on a football pitch.

As far as the game went Doyle’s injury seemed to

remind everyone what was at stake. The tackles stopped flying, the passes were less snappy and Ireland were a lot less proactive. For O’Neill and Keane, the injury to Doyle must have been worrying simply as we have very few options up front.

Daryl Murphy showed once again that he couldn’t be relied on to hit even the close proximity of the target.

Still they will take solace in a win against higher ranking opponents, always the bug bear of Irish teams and now something that is happening with greater frequency. I would take an incredibly boring win for every game in the summer.

They would too I’m sure.

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Future Champions Sigerson Cup Team 2016 Sigerson Cup Winners University College Dublin have seven representatives in the football team, including captain and 2015 Footballer of the Year Jack McCaffrey.

Five players from runners-up Dublin City University have been included, along with two from semi-finalists University of Ulster Jordanstown. Daniel McKenna flies the flag for Trench Cup winners Dundalk Institute of Technology.

1. Philip O’Donnell (DCU/Donegal) 2. Ryan Wylie (UCD/Monaghan) 3. Kevin Feely (DCU/Kildare) 4. David Byrne (UCD/Dublin) 5. Michael Fitzsimons (UCD/Dublin) 6. Conor Moynagh (DCU/Cavan) 7. Jack McCaffrey (UCD/Dublin) 8. Liam Casey (UCD/Tipperary) 9. Niall McKeever (UUJ/Antrim)

UCD Mountaineering Club Hosts Climbing Intervarsities, Winning Overall Competition

Saoirse Sheehy Ariff Sports Writer

CD Mountaineering Club hosted the climbing intervarsities with great success recently and Saoirse Sheehy Ariff gives us her diary of the event.

“This year’s climbing intervarsities were hosted by UCD Mountaineering Club. Over 200 competitors from 15 different universities makes it the largest climbing competition in Ireland.

Following this we held the finals.

The top 6 male and top 6 female climbers went into isolation as the routes were being set. Both male and female climbers would have to complete ridiculously difficult routes in front of a huge crowd.

UCD’s Ciarán Ó Scanláin comfortably beat the other five male competitors to win the finals.

Meanwhile Niamh Hebblethwaite also of UCD finished second in the female finals, narrowly beaten

by Hannagh Hayes of UCC.

Saturday was devoted to bouldering in Gravity Climbing Centre in Inchicore. Dublin based clubs arrived early in the morning while the rest arrived in the afternoon. After everybody had finished climbing we held a dyno competition, where competitors jump from one set of holds to one hold that gets moved further away after each round. This was won by TCD’s Darragh O’Connor.

Sunday, held in Awesome Walls - Finglas, consisted of top-roping for the freshers and leading for the seniors. Each competitor would complete 2 qualifying routes and then 10 finalists were selected in each category to climb one final route. Like the day before a huge crowd gathered to watch. Conor Foy of UCD narrowly defeated Cormac Roche also of UCD to win the

U

fresher male category. Niamh Hebblethwaite was again pipped

by Hannagh Hayes. While Ciarán Ó Scanláin once again coasted en route to victory.

Rory Sullivan, former UCDMC Captain, was tirelessly working away calculating the scores and as a result of a strong showing by UCD in all categories we won the overall competition.

Conor Foy & Cormac Roche finished 1st & 2nd respectively in the Male Beginner category.

Niamh Hebblethwaite finished 2nd in the Female Senior category.

Ciarán Ó Scanláin finished 1st in the Male Senior category.”

10. Colm Begley (DCU/Laois) 11. Kieran Hughes (UUJ/Monaghan) 12. Daniel McKenna (DKIT/Monaghan) 13. Paul Mannion (UCD/Dublin) 14. John Heslin (UCD/Westmeath) 15. Shane Carey (DCU/Monaghan)