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UCD Spending on Legal Disputes with Staff Increased by More than 300% Last Year Jack Power | Editor

College spent €236,859 on legal disputes with staff in the 2014/15 college year, up from €77,176 spent in 2013/14 Figures represent a “shameful waste of public funds” claims Mike Jennings of the Irish Federation of University Teachers UCD spent €236,859 on legal fees in cases and disputes they contested with their own members of staff last year. This figure represents a 300% increase in legal costs from the €77,176 spent in the previous 2013/14 academic year on cases involving university staff.

The majority of the costs are believed to be due to UCD hiring top legal representatives to contest staff claims relating to their employment contracts.

Mike Jennings, the General Secretary of the Irish Federation of University Teachers said UCD appears to be “ deliberately harsh” in dealing with claims made to the college by their own members of staff. The

IFUT representative stated the practice in UCD when faced with a staff complaint over their contract is to “reach for the chequebook and go to the most expensive lawyers in the country” to fight it.

The lengths to which UCD and other colleges go in order to contest staff claims is a “shameful waste of public funds” according to Jennings. The union representative felt the practice was a “deliberate message from the university to staff” to discourage people questioning their employment rights.

Jennings’ trade union, IFUT represents academic staff in legal cases with their universities, or in disputes with college Human Resources departments.

He said “industrial relations is about reasonable accommodation” but that colleges have “given up on reasonable accommodation”, and instead prefer to refer disputes to legal consultants and lawyers.

The sharp rise in the amount of money spent by colleges on legal cases with staff is particularly outrageous given the current funding crisis across third-level education claimed Jennings. “Colleges are dying on their feet; this is not cost effective … the sheer waste is outrageous” stated the IFUT general secretary.

In comparison Trinity College Dublin spent just €34,860 on legal cases and disputes with its members of staff in 2015, and €25,889 in 2014.

Editorial

CT.

0330 Editor Jack Power Deputy Editor & Chief Designer George Hannaford News Editor Cian Carton

Politics Editor

Oisín MacCanna Features Editor Rachel O’Neill

Film & TV Editor David Deignan Music Editor

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Niamh Cavanagh Food & LifeStyle Editor

Editorial.

R

A Students’ Union without Politics is Pointless

ecently a group, UCD Students for Fair Representation attempted to gain the required amount of signatures to call a campus referendum with the motion "The UCD Student Union should adopt a neutral stance on all political affairs". The group needed 927 signatures from UCD students, including their course, year and student number. In the first number of days the claimed to have gained 750 signatures in favour of calling a referendum, but the signatures were invalid as they did not include the course and stage of each student.

The idea of mandating the UCD Students’ Union to adopt a neutral stance on all political affairs is up there with the rational sanity of Brexit, or voting for Donald Trump to lead the United States. If successful such a mandate would inhibit the UCD Students’ Union from taking a stance on the housing crisis, or the issue of student fees. It would prevent them calling for things like more investment in education, or campaigning on any other political problem that affects students today.

The group, UCD Students for Fair Representation, have reoriented to attempt to call a referendum on campus under a different motion, that “the UCD Student Union should adopt a neutral stance on the abortion issue.” They are currently seeking students to sign a petition to call a campus policy referendum on that issue.

Students’ Unions, in particular the UCD Students’ Union have a long history of campaigning for political change in Ireland, for example in fighting for the legalisation of contraceptives. Repealing the 8th Amendment (the constitutional ban on abortion) is one of the biggest political issues facing students in Ireland.

For our Students’ Union to remain silent on such a huge issue would defeat the purpose of unionising, i.e. coming together to be a stronger voice on issues in the first place.

The idea that a Students’ Union should represent each of the political views and preferences of every single student in a college is practically impossible, and likewise is the notion that in failing that then the SU should take no political stance on that issue.

Students views differ on almost every political subject; how to

fix the housing marketing, the future funding models of higher education etc. The UCD SU doesn’t claim to be able to represent every single facet of each varying political ideology on a host of issues and topics in its lobbying strategy. Instead it decides its position and mandate, as every other type of trade or group union does, through a democratic vote.

Therefore, decisions on political policy are decided by referendum. Students can vote on a policy issue, and the option with the most votes becomes the mandated policy preference the SU then campaign on. In 2013 the UCDSU held a policy preferendum on issue of abortion. 45% of students polled voted for a pro-choice position, and 25% voted for a more limited position in line with the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013, which permits abortion in certain circumstances. 19% of students who voted at the time picked the option that would see the UCDSU hold no policy stance on abortion, and 8% voted to see the SU adopt a policy to oppose the legalisation of abortion.

Now while a Students’ Union is a representative body for all its members, the political policy stances of the Union are decided by democratic plurality, the most votes. To say the democratic mandate of the Students’ Union is invalid because it doesn’t allign with any one student’s personal ideology is simply a false claim. And the alternative would be a Union where unless it could manage to equally represent the views of every student in UCD on every issue would take no stance on anything at all.

The upcoming debate around abortion on campus will no doubt take centre stage if a campus referendum on the issue is triggered. But Student Unions are political organisations, set up to campaign as a united voice on political issues, like fees, accommodation, and through their history on issues like abortion rights. So any attempt to de-politicise the UCD SU or bind them to ‘neutrality’ on any issue, would be a step towards making our Students’ Union both irrelevant and pointless, and so should be questioned and opposed.

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*Cover Continued Ucdnews. p.04

UCD Access Centre Staff See Cuts of 60%

Politics.

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Continued Political Lethargy sees Ibrahim Halawa’s case Delayed Again

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Education Minister Richard Bruton revealed the figures of UCD’s legal costs following a parliamentary query from Fine Gael TD Jim Daly, of Cork South-West. Daly spoke to the Tribune to say the figures represented “an alarming increase in such costs.”

Daly continued to claim that “the sector is struggling to survive and yet saw a 300% increase in legal fees … I am now seeking answers as to why there was such a dramatic increase and the underlying reasons.”

A spokesperson from UCD stated in response to a query from the Tribune that the “increase in legal fees over the period is not a trend but rather relates to particular cases.”

Over the last five years the total amount spent on legal representatives defending the university against its own staff has been just under half a million euro at €453,754. The substantive 2015 legal sum of €236,859 was greater than the previous four years combined. The college spent €70,971 in the year 2010/11, €56,418 in 2011/12, just €12,331 over 2012/13, and then €77,176 the year before last 2013/14.

Alongside the legal fees UCD pays to lawyers and legal consultants, the college also employ 60 people in the Human Resources (HR) Department to deal with staff employment claims and issues. The HR Department in UCD is one of the largest in the college’s administration. The HR unit in UCD employed 64 people in 2008, dropping to 58 members of staff in 2012, before rising back up again to employ 65 people in 2013, and 60 as of 2015. This is a high level of staff retention despite decreasing state funding to the university, and comes as Tribune investigations reveal Library staff have been cut by 36% and Access Centre staff numbers are down by more than 60%.

Aside from fees UCD pay to legal consultants and lawyers in defending the university against its own staff over employment contracts, there have also been high profile cases brought against UCD on other grounds, such as gender discrimination.

In 2007 Eleanor O’Higgins, a senior lecturer in the School of Business and Law applied for a promotion to the position of Professor through UCD’s internal ‘promotion pathways’ system, but was unsuccessful. She was unsatisfied with the reasons for her rejection, and brought a claim of gender discrimination to the Equality Tribunal. But the Equality Tribunal rejected her claim, and O’Higgins then brought a case to the Labour Court on the issue, who also ruled that UCD had rebutted the presumption of discrimination on the grounds of her gender.

The business and management lecturer then took UCD, and the Labour Court to the High Court. The High Court case was heard by Mr Justice Cooke in 2013, where he ruled there was no error of law on the part of UCD or

Short Story. p.25

The third part of our WWI historical short story series

the Labour Court. The judge noted that “the arguments advanced [by O’Higgins] amount to an assertion that the Labour Court should have come to a different conclusion on the factual evidence before it”, and he dismissed O’Higgins’ appeal.

The €236,859 figure that UCD spent on legal costs last year is only in cases involving its staff. The college is also embroiled in a separate legal dispute over the construction of the new Sutherland School of Law building, which was completed in 2013. The company BAM are a construction firm who were hired

by UCD to build the new Law school; a project valued at €14 million. However, reports the Tribune have obtained from the Governing Authority of UCD from back in 2013 show the construction group escalated their claims for payment, based on additional design changes and program disruption.

Image Above Design model of UCD Sutherland School of Law.

soon.” The dispute was this summer brought to the Commercial Courts by the construction firm BAM. The Commercial Court deals with business claims that exceed €1 million.

The comparative amount spent on legal fees last year in cases involving members of staff varied across other universities. NUI Galway spent €121,515 on legal fees involving disputes with staff, while UCC amassed a €619,400 bill for 2015. Maynooth only amounted €82,069 in legal costs, and University of Limerick paid out €99,372 to legal consultants and lawyers. DCU were on the lower end of the scale, and only ran up The then UCD President Hugh Brady stated legal costs of €62,752 last year, while Trinity in UCD documentation that “the University by far spent the least on legal issues or cases is intent on resisting any unsubstantiated involving their staff at just €34,860 in 2015. contractor claims in order to ensure that the development budget is not exceeded... it is *Tribune News Editor Cian Carton also unlikely that this will be resolved anytime contributed to the reporting of this piece.

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#UCDNEWS

Minutes of University Management Meetings Show Student Issues Discussed Just Four Times in 2016

Jack Power | Editor

Jack Power | Editor The College Tribune has obtained the minutes of the University Management Team for 2016, the UMT is the key decision making authority in UCD. The minutes dating from January to May were gained through the Freedom of Information Act. Student topics that were raised at the top level of the college management included a discussion on the allocation of reserved on-campus residency places for international students in February. As well as three report presentations from the Student Experience Group in February and in March. Apart from those four points there was no recorded mention of issues affecting students brought up in the 87 summary points, over the nine meetings of the UMT. Instead the group, which is led by the UCD President Andrew Deeks, primarily focused on UCD’s global

“The group primarily focused on UCD’s global engagement strategy” engagement strategy, the university's relationship with its staff, and new courses the college will look to offer.

The UMT meetings focused heavily on increasing UCD’s academic research output, as part of the recent orientation away from teaching and towards becoming a research intensive college. In this vein, the UMT approved a change in how schools receive funding, to switch to a system that ties funding and supports to faculty “based on their research outputs.”

The other main talking point of the top level meetings related to UCD’s relationship with its staff. Strict public-sector legislation brought in after the 2008 recession limits UCD’s ability to hire new staff. Due to this in May 2016 the UMT agreed that the heads

UCD Access Centre Suffers Staff Cutbacks of over 60% in Past Six Years

of any schools in UCD must obtain approval from their college principal and college financial manager for “any proposed start-up package to new hires.” The UMT also regularly debated issues regarding the pay and titles of academic staff in UCD, and the process for promotions in the college.

Several new courses were agreed to be offered by UCD in the coming years. This will include a MA in Theatre Practice, a minor in Data Science, and a Computer Science course with Data Science. As well as a new course in Law with Irish, a higher diploma in Mental Health Nursing, and a new joint Food Science course with the South Chinese Agricultural University.

UCD management it can be revealed are looking into setting up an Irish Humanitarian Innovation Hub, that would look to engage with the “humanitarian and development fields in UCD.” The Hub would be planned as a wider part of the college’s global strategy to raise UCD’s international profile.

The UMT heard reports from various committees in UCD. The most frequent group to report to the UMT was the Global Engagement Group of UCD. The college administration has for the last number of years prioritised global engagement and spreading the international image of UCD. This effort is part of UCD’s strategy to attract more international students, as they provide a key source of funding due to the high fees (of between €17,000-25,000 a year) that they pay.

The other main business of the Management Team is to sign off on key strategy documents, like the recent campus development plan 2016-2026, and the UCD financial budget for the 2016/2017. The College Tribune has published the summary minutes of the UMT meetings from January to May online at www.collegetribune.ie.

Staff numbers in UCD Access cut from 46 in 2009 down to just 17 in 2016 The Tribune can reveal the UCD Access and Lifelong Learning Centre has suffered dramatic cutbacks in recent years due to declining funding. The number of staff the Access Centre can afford to employ has dropped by 63% over the last six years.

The Access Centre is the unit in UCD that provides support and assistance to those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds or students with disabilities. However, cutbacks in the university budget have seen staff decline sharply in recent years.

In documentation obtained by the College Tribune under the Freedom of Information Act it can be revealed the number of staff employed in the Access Centre has steadily dropped from 2009. The Centre employed a total of 46 staff in 2009, with this dropping to 28 in 2010 and dramatically down to just 12 staff in 2011. The number of staff working in Access then rose to 17 in 2012, and up again to 22 by 2014, before declining again in 2016 to just 17 employees.

The Access Centre provide a number of services for students, from financial support and to assistance schemes for students to enter college like HEAR and DARE. The HEAR scheme is where school leavers from disadvantaged socio-economic areas can get reduced points on their CAO choices. The Access Cen-

tre also provide support and outreach programmes to encourage students with disabilities to study in UCD. Current students with disabilities can apply to the Access Centre for both academic and exam supports.

The Access Centre website has several personal experiences that it shares from students you have used the centre during their time in UCD. One Access student, Amy Hassett, who studies 3rd year Science outlined her experience with the Centre. “Coming from Wexford, moving to Dublin was quite scary. Being part of UCD Access & Lifelong Learning made that so much easier because of all the supports that were made available to me. UCD Access & Lifelong Learning and DARE has really helped me settle into UCD” she explained.

Mature students who do not meet current entry requirements can also apply to study in UCD through the Access Centre, under the Open Learning pathway, which allows them to study part-time for a year and then enter a degree course.

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UCD Library Spent €30,000 Replacing Defaced Books Last Year Kevin Deegan| News Writer UCD Library is launching a new book campaign this month labelled “DontUDare” to help highlight the damage caused by students writing, highlighting and doodling on library books.

In total €30,000 was spent in 2015 replacing 1,200 books that were defaced or marked by students highlighting or doodling on the them. The DontUDare campaign aims to encourage students to take care of library books by drawing attention to the adverse effects seemingly harmless actions have caused to the book collection. It is emphasising that the printed collection is a resource not just for the current UCD community, but also future users.

The Tribune reported this September that funding to the UCD Library has been reduced over the past five years, with staff numbers dropping by over 36% and the annual spend on new books also down. By raising awareness of the effects of students marking and drawing on books, the library is hoping to reduce replacement costs in the future.

The €30,000 spent on replacing books could have been spend on buying new titles and growing UCD’s collection of print volumes, instead of going towards replacing books already owned by the library.

The DontUDare campaign is looking to draw attention to the most common ways in which students deface books, ranging from underlining, commenting, highlighting and doodling. These are the various ways in which students draw and write all over books, thereby defacing them, often without actually intending to cause any damage. Students ripping or cutting out chapters of books is also a clear and deliberate problem that results in the library having to spend resources replacing the book.

The library have taken steps to publish a “Gallery of Shame” on their website, that features pictures on some of the worst cases of book defacement they have come across.

The book care campaign is set to become a bi-annual event, scheduled for every October and February. This month, there will be a special display of damaged books in the library to coincide with a widespread campaign launch featuring printed posters and postcards, social media campaigns, and a themed free library bag available in the library.

71% of UCD Students agree that Sexual Consent Workshops should be Introduced on Campus Jack Power | Editor Results from a recent survey undertaken by the UCD Students’ Union on sex and consent has shown that 71% of respondents felt “introducing consent workshops to campus was important.”

Overall 3,857 students took part in the survey, with the number who answered each question varying.

On the topic of consent 43% out of 1,454 students said they felt “asking for consent is awkward”.

When asked how they themselves convey or ask for consent with a potential sexual partner, 72% of respondents say they use “non-verbal cues or gestures” to indicate they wanted to have sex with someone.

But a large majority of surveyed students felt more information was needed on the topic around their college campus. Out of over 1,865 students 74% said providing “talks and informa-

tion sessions” on consent and sexual harassment was important. Similarly, 76% of students stated that they thought short online videos from the UCD Students’ Union on the topic of consent and other issues like sexual harassment would be beneficial.

A spokesperson from the UCD Students’ Union said that the figures were not surprising given the poor quality of sexual health education at secondary school level in Ireland. “We’re shown how to put on a condom but there’s no chat about the situation where you might need to use that knowledge” he said.

The spokesperson said the Students’ Union in UCD would be running discussion workshops on campus where students “talk about their general attitudes to sex and how easy it is, or not, to ask for consent.” Elaine Byrnes, is a doctoral researcher in NUI Galway, who studies sexual consent in the college en-

vironment. As part of her research she has run consent workshops in both UCD and NUIG. Byrnes said while workshops on consent were hugely important for college students, the perception of them as patronising classes or lectures was damaging. “There’s a fundamental difference between a consent workshop and a consent class. Class insinuates people have something to learn, and we do have a lot to learn about consent and communication”, but the name gives people the wrong idea she stated.

Byrnes’ ‘Smart Consent’ workshops she outlined are designed to be “peer led, and interactive”. “Nobody really wants to listen to me standing in front of them for two hours lecturing about consent, lecturing is not what we’re about” she claimed.

Trinity College Dublin has this year rolled out consent workshops for its students who live in campus residencies or ‘Halls’. p.5

#UCDNEWS

Students’ Union launch ‘Save our Library’ Campaign to Protest Cuts Jack Power | Editor

UCDSU will take part in a national student demonstration protesting higher education cuts, following Tribune revelations over library staff cutbacks The Students’ Union in UCD will join the national Union of Students in Ireland (USI) in a protest on October 19th to call for increased funding for third-level education.

The effects of declining core-funding to Irish universities from the state has resulted in widespread cutbacks in academic staff and services in UCD. The UCD Students’ Union are building on the Tribune’s investigative piece that revealed the UCD Library has seen staff cuts of over 36% over the last eight years.

Since the financial crash and subsequent recession in Ireland third-level institutions have seen a 38% fall

in state grants and funding.

Conor Viscardi, the SU President in UCD said the effects of this withdrawal in public funding of universities was clear to see in declining and stripped back student services. “This has direct effects in UCD on student services like the Library, the Access Centre and the Student Counselling Service. We need to reverse the trend and the only way that can happen is if we call for more money from the government” said Viscardi.

The Cassells’ report, an expert group report into the current funding situation in higher education, stated the stark decline in funding has

led to “primarily a reduction in staffing” across colleges.

Staff-to-student ratios have risen on average from 16:1 to 20:1 in recent years. These cutbacks in academic staff has also been paired with cuts to libraries and counselling

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services. The results of these cutbacks, at both academic staff and student service level the report concluded will inevitably “have an impact on learning outcomes and completion rates.”

A spokesman within the UCD Students’ Union said the SU “are calling for students to protest cuts to third level education and join the USI organised demo for more third level funding on Wednesday October 19th.”

At the same time as universities are stripping back their internal budgets and services, the demand and student numbers looking to enroll in colleges are rapidly increasing. The overall number of full time students in third-level education has increased by 25% over the last eight years. The USI and the UCDSU have separately stated that this projected increased demand on already strained and stripped back

services will not be viable in the long term without significant and immediate public investment into colleges and the third-level sector.

The national student demonstration, including the UCD SU’s ‘Save our Library’ march, will take place on Wednesday the 19th October, and will start at the Garden of Remembrance in the city centre at 1pm.

‘UCD Students for Fair Representation’ Gain Enough Signatures to call Campus Referendum on Abortion Issue Jack Power | Editor A group ‘UCD Students for Fair Representation’ is believed to have now gained enough signatures to call a referendum on campus on the Students’ Union stance on abortion.

The group needed 927 UCD students to sign a petition, and speaking to the Tribune a spokesperson for the group Donal Lynch, a second year Maths student, stated they have “got near or over 1,000” signatures.

The group must now submit their petition to the UCD Students’ Union, if it is valid then the SU are required to call a referendum, and hold the voting within 28 days of calling the referendum.

The wording of the groups petition is that the

‘the UCD Student Union should adopt a neutral stance on the abortion issue.’ A spokesperson for the UCD for Fair Representation group said they would prefer if the options in the referendum were limited to just two; to either keep the current pro-choice chance or to adopt a neutral position. But it will be the returning officer of the UCD SU who will choose the wording and number of options.

Donal Lynch of the group said that “the main thing would be to get a referendum on it, so the students could decide.” It is believed the group will be submitting their complete petition to the UCD Students’ Union in the coming days.

#UCDNEWS

News in Focus:

Being Christian on Campus Cian Carton | News Editor

The College Tribune News editor Cian Carton spoke with several of the Christian societies on campus to see what inspired students to join them, what it’s like for them in UCD, and what they get up to on campus.

So Why Did you Join a Christian Society?

The auditors of the various societies were all willing to explain what led them to join the societies they now run. Emma Martin, Auditor of UCD Christian Society (UCDCU), was a Christian before coming to UCD and so joined UCDCU to meet other like-minded Christians in order to “have fellowship with them and to encourage each other as we share the Gospel with those around us.”

Shereen Zhi Chiing Pang, Auditor of The Livingstones Society, originally joined it based on the recommendation of a senior. “Being away from home, I really needed support and encouragement, especially in terms of my spiritual growth in Christianity, and that is what I’m receiving up until today. The support received from the society eventually led to the auditor’s chains, and the chance to help others, and seeing how God blessed me throughout my journey in pursuing Med-

icine, I felt that I could use the gifts that God has blessed me to serve Him and others around me.”

Ruth Brennan, Auditor of UCD Newman Society, which promotes the Catholic faith, originally had no intention of joining a religious society when she came to UCD. She had her “personal Catholic faith and didn’t feel the need for the support of others who had a similar faith.” But she ended up joining Newman Society and attended their Youth 2000 prayer meetings a number of times and began to appreciate the role of the society. Brennan “discovered other committed Catholic young people with beliefs and values similar to my own, something that really surprised me. In semester two I always looked forward to the weekly meeting, and Newman Soc became my main society.”

Faith On Campus While there is no denying that a portion of the UCD community is rather ambivalent towards religion, the religious societies look past that issue. Martin not-

ed that the main difficulty in spreading their message “lies with the Christians, where sometimes we can be reluctant or nervous to start a conversation with other students about Christianity,” therefore they hope to “encourage and equip Christians to go out and share the gospel in a loving manner on campus this year.”

The funding to the UCD Church chaplains has declining in recent years. Back in 2006 the campus chaplaincy service employed 11 people, this has dropped to just three members of staff in 2016.

Martin stated that “we are all born sinful and the only way we can be forgiven is to turn away from our sin and accept the free gift of eternal life given to us by God when He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. This means that we ourselves can’t earn our way into heaven, it is only by the grace of God that anyone can be saved if they turn to Him, so our vision is that every person on UCD campus would have the opportunity to hear this message.”

Pang noted a similar difficulty, but offered an optimistic

view on the situation. “The work of the gospel was never easy since the beginning as what was written in the bible. And yes, it had been difficult for Livingstones to spread the message. But we claim unto God’s promises and strength in all that we do, and we trust that if we run the society according to His will, He will continue to shower His blessings on us.”

Joyce Tan, former Auditor of the Newman Society, explained how “it is less challenging to spread the message out but it is definitely hard to keep the flame of (religious) faith in students burning. As we all know there are a lot of decision-making moments for a college student and religious or faith could often be the last thing on the list.”

Tan noted they often make a “careful move while spreading the message, by just letting the students know about what we do in the society, as if a reminder for them that if they ever think of finding out more, they are more than welcome to join any of the events. Their focus is to “reach out to students

who are looking for a place for them to express their faith comfortably, to provide them the opportunity to meet with other students who are practicing the same faith, and in turn, a support network could be formed.”

Members and Activities The Christian societies organise a wide variety of events on campus. The Newman Society hosts weekly prayer meetings and invites in guest speakers on a wide variety of issues. Livingstones host a weekly fellowship every Thursday and also invite local churches’ pastors and speakers to address members once every month on Christianity and its relationship with general student issues.

The Christian Union meets every Tuesday evening at 6.30pm (with prayer from 5.30pm) for their main meeting, alongside hosting a variety of sports on the pitches every Wednesday at 5pm,

and an international cafe on alternate Wednesday evenings.

Regarding student membership, Livingstones tends to attract more international students from countries such as Malaysia, South Africa, Brazil, Germany, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The Christian Union and Newman Society have a mixture of both Irish and international students. So while the religiosity of college students may be in a period of decline, and campus for the majority of times feels like an entirely secular environment. The Chirstian societies seem driven to continue to practice and display their own faith, and leave an open door to other students who want to join in.

Image Above.

UCD’s Chapel.

p.7

Politics.

Outrage: BOI Closes accounts of Palestinian Advocacy Group Oisín MacCanna | Politics Editor

B

ank of Ireland is dealing with a strong wave of backlash this week as they controversially closed down an account belonging to a non-for-profit organisation the ‘Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign’.

The group, which has had accounts with Bank of Ireland since their foundation in 2001 stated that money raised them are used most in part to fund their campaigns, advocate on behalf of Palestine and Palestinian Rights and maintaining office costs.

It has also stated that without access to said accounts, they are left quite vulnerable and will not be able to continue to campaign without financial support. The group has made a formal complaint to Bank of Ireland and intends to take a case raising the issue with the Financial Services Ombudsman.

Since the news broke, the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has called for “political and civil society” to support their demand that Bank of Ireland reinstates its accounts closed last week with immediate effect.

The IPSC described itself as “a Palestine rights advocacy group whose main activities are organising public meetings to raise awareness of Israeli occupation of Palestine and promoting the global boycott, divestment and sanction (BDS) campaign against the Israeli state as means of securing freedom, justice and equality for the Palestinian people”.

It said that Bank of Ireland’s actions come in the wake of similar actions taken by banks against Palestinian solidarity groups promoting the boycott, divestment and sanction campaign in States such as the UK, France, Germany and Austria.

In June 2016, Bank of Ireland requested information from the group about its sources of funds and how the group spent such funds, the IPSC has said. The campaign is a registered not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. It answered the questions proposed by the bank and also sent in its audited accounts, which it said shows income of €51,000 for 2015.

In 2016 the IPSC paid one invoice of $1,200 to the Hirbawi Keffiyeh Factory in Palestine for scarves used as solidarity items.

The IPSC said that Bank of Ireland “failed to give a specific explanation of why it was closing the accounts”.

Kevin Squires, IPSC Coordinator told media earlier this week that, “Bank of Ireland’s silence speaks volumes. Honestly it’s hard to not view this as part of a wider campaign which has seen banks close accounts in the UK, Austria and France.” Kevin Squires then went on to clarify the advocacy group “in the last year or so we have had €1,200 go to Palestine to pay for Palestinian scarves, which is a tiny amount. That’s trade with Palestine. It’s not like we’re sending money to people there.” Bank of Ireland has conwww.collegetribune.ie

tinued to remain quiet on the issue, by stating it does not discuss personal accounts of its customers with the public.

Political Reaction

Both Sinn Féin Republican Youth and Ógra Fianna Fáil have condemned the decision by the bank to cease all transactions with the group.

Auditor of UCD Ógra Fianna Fáil Cormac Tighe said that an explanation was due, that the response by Bank of Ireland was “weak at best” and that “it was a bad decision without justification”.

Sinn Féin Republican Youth have also denounced the action taken against the IPSC, with Lucy Connor, auditor at UCD Sinn Féin stating “It is a downright disgrace and injustice that Bank of Ireland have closed the accounts belonging to the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign and I fully support the ongoing protests made by Sinn Féin Republican Youth in standing against the banks decision. I have no hesitation in saying that this act by Bank of Ireland is nothing short of cowardice and I encourage further protests to hold the bank to account for this.”

This comes just as Dublin City Council have passed a motion at their latest monthly council meeting opposing the ongoing use of Shannon Airport in county Clare as a staging post for United States military aircrafts. Lobby groups and politicians who oppose of use of Shannon airport by the U.S. military have been quick to highlight how transparency for what US aircrafts are carrying or transporting is prohibited to the public. Those arguing against the closure of the IPSC accounts seem to find it is one qualification of transparency for those on the side of Israel, and another qualification for those advocating for the rights of the Palestinians.

The position of the United States’ relationship to Israel has come up as expected during the on-going presidential election.

Hillary Clinton has reaffirmed her stance in support of Israel. Her statements of supported include a commitment to “prioritise Israel’s qualitative military edge to ensure the Israeli Defence Force is equipped to deter and defeat aggression from the full spectrum of threats,” “stand up against the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement,” and “cut off efforts to unilaterally recognise Palestinian statehood outside of the context of negotiations with Israel.”

In Ireland, It is unclear at this time whether or not Bank of Ireland will renege on their decision to close the IPSC accounts.

However, legitimate political advocacy for the rights of Palestinians in their on-going conflict with Israel will continue to protest cases of apparent inequalities in how each camp operates and are treated.

Waking a Docile Student Body On the Need for Protest Politics writer Ross Kearney passionately argues the case for a mobilised student body politic, that rediscovers the act of protest as a means to force government to listen to major issues facing young people today.

Ross Kearney | Politics Writer

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ith the 1916 centenary celebrations this year we were reminded of the acts of the Citizen Army and of their leader James Connolly, who was also one of the leaders in the 1913 lock out alongside James Larkin. Those protests whole part of the turbulent period in our history that eventually gave birth to the Republic. But from there the history of Ireland over the past century is not one where direct action played a regular and prominent feature of politics.

There have been some great feats and victories won through protest and ground roots action. One such example was the rent strikes of the 1960s and 1970s, which defeated the government’s increases on rent in public housing and accommodation.

The water charges protest and marches represent the latest embodiment of that spirit, to change politics through mass action.

Whether you are for the recent water charges protest or against them, we must take note

and re-learn the ways of relentless protest.

The protests forced the government to revoke the charge and re-strategize.

But students of late, despite the many challenges facing them – such as a potential introducing of a loan scheme, have remained remarkably docile as a group in recent years.

The last surge of direct mobilisation from young people and students was back in 2010, over the government’s plan to hike student fees. During those protests students were often the victims of improper treatment by authorities at protests. In that case the Gardaí baton charged and used excessive force.

GSOC reported later that they had received misleading information and that they experienced unnecessary delays getting evidence from the Gardaí. It took 244 days to hand over five documents and even longer to provide head-cam footage which was regarded as inconclusive and as a result no ramifications arose from it.

As protestors these events are invaluable to the cause. They should have become tools to

Politics.

UCD Amnesty Stage Protest at Egyptian Embassy Oisín MacCanna | Politics Editor

F further press our arguments and enforce our agenda. We need to realize that we are the next generation and if we fail to rise to the challenge of keeping the government accountable that we ourselves elect, then we ultimately fail ourselves. We must make ourselves heard and push for the accountability we were promised. But since that period there has been little to no momentum from below among students, to get out and demand action on key problems and issues.

Even outside of issues directly facing young people such as student costs and the bust housing market. Our hospitals are overcrowded and understaffed, and education system is steeped in inequalities. Where is the accountability? Government is supposed to exist for the collective benefit of the people, but it seems of late like we will simply nod and complain whilst our state runs for the benefit of everyone but its citizens.

90% of students from Dublin 4 secondary schools progress to higher education, where only 16% of people from Darndale, a poorer socio-economic area in Dublin go on to study in college. We are exposed to the rent prices which have reached all-time highs.

Amongst all this we must attempt to find employment to finance ourselves through college.

We’ve been some of the champions of issues like Marriage Equality and the 8th Amendment, but from some reason we remain quiet on fees and accommodation? We do not stand up to an ever harsher and more expensive system that we must encounter on a day to day basis.What improvements could have been made to our education, the ac-

commodation, the lives of our citizens is government committed to not enabling tax loopholes for big multi-national corporations? The Dublin Bus and Luas drivers strike, while divisive, are examples of people standing up to the government for better conditions, and in most cases - winning. Take the French example, you will notice that nearly every year the French transport unions will block ports, stop air travel and block roads. Many see this as a militant and rash set of reactions, but does it work? Well yes, they get a better deal or a beneficial governmental reform almost every time. Where is our bite?

Our outrage? Why do allow the system to fail on the most basic of levels? How long will we remain docile about these rudimentary failings before we regain our bite and strive to build a better system for one another? We must stop accepting a broken and opaque system and fix it, because we are worth more.

We are students and are therefore fragmented into different groups, with different ideologies and beliefs, with different interests and skills. But we owe it to ourselves and the rest of the people to come together, to stand up and be heard. The funding crisis facing third level education, the dysfunctional housing and rental market, the casualisation of workers rights, the potential introduction of a student loan scheme. All these are issues that will have lasting consequences for us, and future students or young people.

I think it’s time we considered getting out on the streets, making our voice heard, and demanding the government properly listen to and address our concerns.

or the fifteenth time in a row, the trial of Ibrahim Halawa has been adjourned by Egyptian Courts, meaning the Irish citizen will now have spent close 1,200 days in prison without trial.

UCD Amnesty last week took part in a demonstration outside the Egyptian embassy in Donnybrook after news broke that Ibrahim’s trial would be postponed once again. It is estimated that around fifty people took part in the demonstration.

The prior adjournment of the case had put the case back from July to the 2nd of October but the case will now recommence in November. The arrest of the Irish-Egyptian citizen first came to light back in August 2013 after Ibrahim and his sisters took part in a protest against the Egyptian state, which was at this point run by the Egyptian military after a coup ousted the Muslim Brotherhood. The protest turned into a riot, at which point Ibrahim sought shelter in a nearby mosque, where he and a number of others were arrested and detained by police.

Among Ibrahim sit another near 500 defendants, and as it is a mass trial that Ibrahim is a part of, trial postponements come as a harsh reality to those that await the result. Ibrahim's incarceration has been widely criticised, with prominent members of the public citing the inequality that's associated with mass trials.

Executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, Colm O’Gorman, said earlier this week speaking to news sources that “there’s no credible evidence against Ibrahim, who faces a mass trial alongside 493 other defendants. A mass trial simply cannot meet the standards required for a fair trial as defined under international human rights law”.

“A mass trial simply cannot meet the standards required for a fair trial as defined under international human rights law” - Colm O’Gorman, Amnesty International Routine claims from international sources in Cairo assert that Ibrahim is being subject to degrading and inhumane treatment on a regular basis.

Smuggling messages out to the public, Ibrahim repeatedly claims that he has been stripped naked, beaten, denied access to medical treatment and repeatedly tortured while incarcerated. Ibrahim’s case has consistently been a roadblock for diplomatic relations, with many opposition parties criticising the Government for not acting in a more assertive manner on the issue.

Progress has been made however, as earlier this year, the government passed a motion calling

for the release of Ibrahim, and for the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to request Ibrahim be released by way of presidential decree to the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Such a decree, (Decree 140) when issued, allows for foreign prisoners to continue their detention in their home country.

Such a decree was issued in the case of Australian journalist Peter Greste who was held by Egyptian authorities.

A similar motion was passed in December 2015 in a virtually unanimous decision by the European Parliament of 577 votes to 11 calling for his release. Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan, who proposed the motion at the time, claimed it sent a significant message to the Egyptian authorities. “a virtually unanimous decision by the European Parliament of 577 votes to 11 calling for his release” The head speaker of the Egyptian Parliament however has hit out at those calling for Ibrahim’s release, after alleging that Ibrahim was involved in assaulting police officers and causing danger to Egyptian citizens. Ali Abdul Aal made the claims while addressing the parliament and stated that the Irish government’s call for his release amounts to an interference in the Egyptian judicial system. Abdul Aal also claims that Ibrahim is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni-Islamist organisation that was founded in Egypt but outlawed in 2015 in a number of countries across the world including Egypt itself for alleged terrorist activities. Darragh Mackin, the solicitor representing Ibrahim and his family dismissed the claims by Egyptian authorities by highlighting the lack of supporting evidence for the charge that he is faced with.Ibrahim’s case is one that’s been an ongoing issue in student life across UCD, with a protest being staged outside the Egyptian embassy earlier this year in which the Students’ Union, the Islamic Society, UCD Amnesty and UCD Sinn Féin Society were all represented.

Speaking at the demonstration was Students’ Union president at the time Marcus O’Halloran, who remarked that “The fact that a minor could be kept in appalling prison conditions like this for so long is unbelievable”. Ibrahim's sister, Somaia was also present at the demonstration and addressed the crowd.

This protest last year, alongside the most recent demonstration held by UCD Amnesty International at the Egyptian embassy highlights that as long as Ibrahim continues to be imprisoned, pressure will be applied to both the Egyptian authorities and the Irish Government until a resolution is brought to the table. p.9

Features.

Input Empathy Here: Can Gogglebox Change Irish Society?

Rachel O’Neill | Features Editor

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ogglebox Ireland hit our TV screens late last month and with a peak viewing of 188,000, it’s already been described as a hit. No doubt that TV3 are relishing these viewing figures, as they’re only set to increase.

For those of you who don’t know what it is, Googlebox is a reality TV show with a simple concept; people watching TV programmes and reacting to them. In a way, it’s quite meta as we enjoy watching other people watch and react to television programmes. It puts us in a sort of augmented reality where we’re not reacting to the television in front of us, but the people instead.

I’ve been watching the British version of Gogglebox for the last year or so and I can tell you small details about each of the families on it that I barely know about my own. That’s www.collegetribune.ie

one of the most magical things about it, you become attached to the families and care about their views.

While strange, it’s interesting for me to see other people’s take on modern day life. For example, Googlebox did a Brexit special after the controversial vote showing the families reacting. The wide range of reactions depending on what side of the referendum the people were on, opened my eyes to the different positions much more than Twitter or Facebook did.

For example, the father of the one of the families ran for UKIP in 2015 which put him at odds with most of the other families who were quite liberal in their views.

Taking the social media element out of a debate is quite a rarity these days. What I like about Gogglebox and how they did the Brexit special is that each person could

share their views while at the same time, giving you an insight into what something like Brexit will do to regular people.

Now obviously the people on Gogglebox aren’t always the brightest bunch but they’re varied and they’re colourful and they make for good TV. It’s for this reason that it is now Channel 4’s most popular TV show drawing in over 5 million viewers per episode. It draws you in and enables you to see the lighter side of life, which in these turbulent times is quite a relief. o what impact can Gogglebox Ireland have on our modern day society? If Gogglebox in the UK can do a special on Brexit, could Gogglebox Ireland perhaps do a special on the 8th amendment if a referendum was called? I’ve no doubt that the viewing figures for that would be huge

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given the momentum that has built up behind the Repeal the 8th campaign in recent times.

Take the first episode of the Irish version. One of the main topics dealt with on the show was the Dublin bus strikes. People have been clashing on this issue all over Twitter and Facebook but it was nice to hear people just discuss the real life effects of it. One girl based in Wicklow had no way to get to college other than the bus which meant that she would have to miss the whole day of college as a result of the strikes. Another family based in Limerick discussed the fact that the strikes while only occurring in Dublin were portrayed in a way that made it sound like the whole country was being shut down. Given the amount of people in Dublin who commute, you’d be forgiven for thinking that once Dublin Bus shuts down, so too does the rest of the country. hen we take a look at the effect of the British version, I think it’s fair to say that the Irish version has a big opportunity. So many things occur on a daily basis in our world and we’re expected to have informed opinions on all of them.

I don’t know about you but I find that part of life quite tricky. I’m not saying that I base every single opinion I have on what I’ve heard in Gogglebox but I do think people do look for guidance to inform their opinions wherever they can

find it. It’s easy to call out someone’s opinion on social media when they don’t agree with you. However, it’s much harder to flesh out someone’s thoughts and feelings behind their opinions in 140 characters. It’s also much more exhausting.

I think part of the reason that Gogglebox is so popular is the reality factor. The comments, reactions and opinions don’t feel forced. They’re offbeat, off the cuff and oftentimes they’re quite funny too. Gogglebox shows the impact of everything on the common person from sports events like the Olympics or the All-Ireland Final to political events like Brexit. It gives an insight into how different kinds of people cope with the same everyday challenges.

Do I think the Irish version of Gogglebox will have a major effect on Ireland’s future? No. However, I do believe that it’ll make us more empathetic to problems and situations that others face be it the bus strikes or water protests. But I think we could all do with a little more empathy, don’t you?

Image Above.

Googlebox Ireland runs each Thursday at 9:30 on TV3.

Features.

Surviving and Thriving in College: A How to Guide Chloe McCumiskey | Features Writer

32,000 The number of students who study in UCD

UNiDAYS UNiDays an app that allows you to save money on the things you want

400 UCD has exchange agreements with 400 European Universities & around the world

90 According to UCD there are over 90 active societies on campus

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The Rent or the Commute?

I have been commuting to UCD for the past three years now.

Many of you that are in the same boat as me will understand just how difficult it is balancing the social aspects along with the academic endeavors of college. Almost everything I do during the college term revolves around the times of my bus.

Now when I say commuting, to put it in the wise words of my Granddad, I mean getting up at a ‘completely ungodly hour’ of the morning.

My bus leaves the small town where I live at 6.30am, which means in order for me to make a 9am lecture I have to rise from my slumber a whole hour before this. Why do I do this you ask? Apart from the obvious (making sure I look half decent and don’t scare anyone with my bedhead when I eventually do get to the gates of UCD) it’s not really all that bad.

I do think that it is completely irrational and overall absurd, the fact that it takes the best part of two hours for me to get to college each and every day, but with that being said I have grown to love it. It means my day is more organized knowing exactly when I’ll be in for classes and enjoying the company of friends by having coffee during my breaks. But the best part?

Coming back in the evenings to home-cooked family meals and never having to worry about awkwardly telling your housemates to clean up after themselves. As well as this I have taken up an interesting new hobby; couch-surfing, which serves brilliantly for those all-important nights out.

George Hannaford

Vital Stats

hen you say the word ‘college’ what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Friends? Societies?

Erasmus? Alcohol? All of these words alone can be expanded into very different albeit very fun and exciting new adventures. I’ll leave it to you to decide which one you think is the most fun and exciting! I want to delve into each of these topics and give you all a little food for thought in these times of stress and increasing workloads.

We are now entering week 5 of the first semester in the concrete jungle we call UCD. The lectures are beginning to blur together, lunchtimes are filled with catching up on assignments.

Hopefully, you’re being very organised with your lectures and balancing social scenes with extra curricular activities which is more than I can say for myself! Although everyone does tell me it’s the thought that counts. Once you’ve achieved your one and only golden week, which occurs sometime around the first few weeks of first year, that’s it for the rest of the year.

There is always something happening after classes that can break up the week and allow you to relax and unwind in a comfortable social setting.

Image Above.

Under the JJ Library.

Image Left.

UNiDays, a app to receive student discounts.

Erasmus?

This year there was an option for me to go on Erasmus as there is for all of third year science. I opted not to go as I often travel to Amsterdam where I have friends and my boyfriend is studying Physiotherapy. So for me this is like a mini Erasmus trip that I like to take twice a year (when the bank funds allow it of course). Even though I would have loved to have experienced it on my own, I have made many friends here at UCD from all over the world. They come from places like Spain, Germany, China and America, not to mention all of the amazing Irish people I have met from all over the country. As well as all my other classes I am currently trying my best to learn Spanish and German, which mostly involves saying “Hola!” and also shouting German phrases randomly in a strong Bavarian accent. Why? Purely because it’s great craic.

Societies!

Societies are another great aspect that just polishes off the college experience. When you’re not up to your eyes in assignments and tutorial work, there is always something happening after classes that can break up the week and allow you to relax and unwind in a comfortable social setting. Recently the Biological society had a petting zoo, and I was just so completely in my element and in love with the amount of fluffiness in the room. All of my stresses and thoughts of work disappeared. Well, for the best part of an hour anyway.

Depending on what you’re interested in, UCD’s clubs and societies are so diverse you are bound to find something right up your street. I even remember going to Irish club a million years ago in first year, where I went with my friend to have ‘té agus craic’ for an hour every Thursday for our first semester.

I kid you not, even though it was so nerve-wracking having to speak Irish to other people you haven’t met before, it was the best fun. Learning more about the language of our heritage in a setting full of young people that wasn’t your secondary school teacher droning on about An Spalpín Fánach.

Find your niche Isn’t that what college is about? Finding your niche, enjoying your time in college or even just finding people who enjoy the same alcoholic beverage as you. All of this is definitely much more exciting and more interesting food for the soul than improving that GPA which seems to be gradually decreasing with each passing semester. At least that’s what I’m trying to tell myself until the exams come around. p.11

Towards Minimalism How much of our contemporary lives and the accompanying social media world is necessary?

Deputy Editor George Hannaford takes you through the minimalist purge of his lifestyle that saw him remove his Facebook feed, mobile phone, and even his bed and mattress in an effort to find some concrete reality in the modern world.

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he greater disconnect was not what I had expected, nor was it what I was searching for when I began taking away the luxeries. In fact the very notion that particular products and services are required for everyday life and support, I have come to realise is a great fallacy of the popular mind. In short perhaps the way forward could be to live a minimalist lifestyle, or put simply a less cluttered life - so that’s what I began to do.

Facets x2 We live in a world dominated by two facets, the former being the physical, and the latter being the virtual. Our physical lives have come to see the concept of wants as needs through commercialism and copious amounts of coffee, all of which has reached such level of complexity that it appears almost organic in nature. We buy products that are facsimiles of what we

truly desire for they reflect back an image of ourselves.

But the longevity of the joy of the purchased product holds all too briefly, marred by the conscious thought that there is always more waiting. And so the individual becomes a consistent consumer of products while simultaneously losing their own individuality. If one was to pause on the word, consumer, we render an image of a cycle depicting new and used. When people buy similar products from a multitude of shops, and follow an array of trends, where does the reality of individual thought and image fit in? Can it? Does it? How should individual expression be found in mass produced goods?

I don’t want you to start to think that I am anti-capitalist or some form of a hipster.

Instead I want to gain a key conceptual thought regarding a lifestyle choice over time.

What is key here is the length of time. There is no problem when buying products per se, but valid reasons must be established. These reasons will be based on one’s personal perceptions of quality, and overall alignment of product to self image and identity. If these two crucial elements

“I don’t want you to start to think that I am anti-capitalist or some form of a hipster”

of protocol are correct a purchase may be made. My worry and concern comes with the action of buying products without enough thought. It opens the door to a level of indifference regarding the product, resulting the lessening of time to which we remain satisfied.

The latter domain is virtual or online, which facilitates communication and mass media involvement to the individual. Today individuals are present beside me and online simultaneously. The online world has the ability to do two things. First it allows for people to manage and forge new social relations that will never appear in the physical world. And, second it allows for people to manage and maintain social relations primarily based within the physical world.

The crux of such communication is a mobile phone. Be your personal preference for Andriod or Apple, the phone is a gateway to texting, phone calls, Facebook, Messenger, Snapchat, WhatsApp and the wider internet.

However I want to think about the former use of the online world, establishing new social connections.

When I look at a friends Facebook page, depending on the individual in question the number that relates to the amount of Facebook friends they have is shocking. Some in the thousands, others in early hundreds and a few under a hundred. Those in the thousands have clearly

violated Dunbar’s Number of 150, a sociological concept that theorised the number of genuine social relations that individuals can actively maintain on a personal level is about one hundred and fifty.

On another level of contextual reasoning to be aware of, is the nature of activity based within a mass array of online social platforms, and that is the short lived quality of information generated and diffused. Memes, vines, photos, videos, attitudes, trends can change in hours depending on place, people and most importantly algorithms. The lines of code under the hood have a profound affect on what content is displayed to who, when and where. One would have to ask with such an abundant amount of information that is socially created and spread on social media sites, how much of it is predetermined and selected for my viewing? It feels that within online social environments I cannot truly choose what I should engage myself in.

My next comment borders on the dangerous for it places a subjective stance on the importance of information.

But if I am to be fairly honest with my words, a lot of socially created content that is passed around the internet, found on your Facebook feed, Tumblr and YouTube is absolute rubbish. I will leave Snapchat and Instagram for they have different socially inherent uses. The reason why I demote socially created content as

normally holding the status of Sturgeons Law, is because they are viewed once or only a few times, when scrolling down the page. They are disposable and forgettable, entertaining in the moment, and then extinguished by the next post, like an IV drip we have come to rely upon.

More When I stop to think about both the popular view of the physical and virtual worlds that people immerse themselves in I come to a startling conclusion; they are images of each other. Both worlds contain the element of more, an appetite that corresponds to imperfection found within mass consumer goods is clearly evident in Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes of fameland known as your Facebook feed.

As of current I do not use a mobile phone but an iTouch.

I only own three boxes of which contain, magazines, photography equipment and stationery. I live out of a small suitcase of clothing which mainly contains charcoal jumpers and jeans.

In retrospect, the process of simplification in my life

“I don’t use or own a mobile phone”

and the minimalist project started indirectly about six years ago when I decided to get rid of my mobile phone.

I didn’t want to pay for the credit and everyone I would need to talk to were located through Facebook chat (now Messenger). As time went by, the Facebook feed began to be of little interest to me. I began to unfollow the people who were the worst offenders of liking, commenting or posting. Three years ago a decision was made to unfollow all Facebook friends while also unfriending a vast portion of them, resulting in no Facebook news feed. As of now I was primarily based on Messenger, this was fine, until I kept viewing the names of people whom I have never engaged in conversation with and only knew them from secondary school. As of about a year ago I created another Facebook profile under a disguised name, there are under 15 friends on this account and I post nothing not even a profile picture or cover photo. It’s only use is as a proxy to those that I want or need to talk to. The old account is kept active only to Facebook creep (I’ll admit it).

Process This process has become easier and easier to maintain and enact. The incredible speed to which public wifi access has deployed itself on transport, shopping centres

“I now do not even have a bed in my room, not even the mattress” and key towns and villages is superb. Logic prevails that people are so connected in the mainframe of Facebook and internet, that I am able to messenge them and quickly receive feedback. Not having a phone only becomes a problem when meeting somebody in a place with no wifi. But I meet with people whom I trust to be online and in the correct preplanned location. If they aren’t there as expected, it turns into a waiting game, but that is the cost of no phone.

As my virtual social environment was cleared and made direct to my wants and needs, my physical environment was also reduced. I decided to follow the mindset of, eventually I will move house, and I do not wish to take all my belongings with me. This translated into a vast cleanup project over the course of at least 12 to 15 months. A stripping away of objects which were hidden from sight and counting anything that I deemed as important. Over this period of time there was an enjoyment taking back the space where my guitars once stood, or where my overbearing bunk bed grounded itself. I now do not even have a bed in my

room, not even the mattress.

I do not need a bed. Instead I use a Japanese futon inspired set up - floor bed, which can be removed quickly and easily.

This approach took several months to phase in, where some nights I would sleep on my bed, other nights using the floor bed. Along with health benefits of aligned back, shoulders and neck from sleeping on the floor, I have simplified my bedroom to a hyper-minimalist state.

Disconnect So what did it get me, ditching the phone, the Facebook feed, some of my possessions and my bed? A disconnect towards mass produced products and online pop culture

along with simplicity. I treat ramifications of industry and online pop culture more carefully than before. A blind eye perspective used to be enacted on, where there was a lack of thought towards the finished product or Facebook. Now instead I find that having less has lead to more.

Less is more. There are more independently constructed thoughts to explore, the bombardment of trend and fad is minimised. But such a lifestyle that is so freeing of irrelevance whilst allowing greater immersive experience of personal interests comes at a risk, and that is narrow mindedness stemming from too large a disconnect. There must be a sensible balance of disconnect and the people around you and I think I have found this balance.

Music.

Music.

An Interview with Dara Quilty Music editor Aoileann Kennedy sits down with radio star Dara Qulity, to talk about his new band Apella and the general state of the music scene and industry in Ireland.

Beginner’s Guide to: The Beatles The Beatles were a phenomenon, a force of nature that pop music had never witnessed before. Music writer Muireann O Shea explores how the Fab Four changed music forever. We’ve all heard the usual Beatles pop classics, but here’s a choice selection of some of their most iconic and influential tracks to really dig into and appreciate.

Help (1965)

a.

Exasperated by their label clambering for a single to accompany their second film, John Lennon wrote his most candid lyrics yet, “Help me, if you can, I’m feeling down.” There is a surprising divergence between the infectious melody and the raw emotional content, which both excites and disturbs listeners.

Eleanor Rigby, Revolver (1966)

b. c. d.

Eleanor Rigby is a vivid musical snapshot of sixties’ society. A stark set of strings guide despondent lyrics. Father McKenzie wanders his empty church, well aware that his sermons will never be heard, and Eleanor Rigby dies, anticlimactically, and is “buried, along with her name.”

A Day In The Life, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

A Day In The Life, is a kaleidoscopic jewel, the likes of which had never been heard before. Excessive drug use had disillusioned the band from mass media and, lyrically, they mock English conformity.

Come Together, Abbey Road (1969) Taken from their second last release, Come Together is an avalanche of eclectic imagery. Beautifully nonsensical lyrics, dynamic drumming and a ground-breaking bass line created an anthem for ‘flower children’ on the cusp of a new decade.

www.collegetribune.ie

ver since he took over the 98Fm drivetime slot from E he incredibly popular Dermott and Dave, Dara Quilty has become one of the most interesting voices on Irish radio. This year he has returned to his roots as a musician and has launched his new band Apella.

Apella

Some of you will be very familiar with Dara. He has been a feature of the Irish radio and music scene for several years, from his time in the band Fox Avenue and his successful tenure on SPIN 103.8 and 98FM. His latest venture, Apella, brings him together with drummer Ronan Nolan. The idea for Apella initially began as a solo project, but after seeing Ronan gig, Dara reached out. He told me he was taken by Ronan’s “loud

District 8: obsession has now borne fruit, with the completion of a 12 track album. Each song is written from top-to-bottom and draws influences from a varieties of genres, such as U2-esque anthems to Indie-Rock. He rejects the ‘pop-punk’ label, calling his music ‘contemporary rock’, but makes it clear that he isn’t “reinventing the wheel” with his music.

Radio

Dara places a lot of emphasis on the help radio time has given the group. Our conversation turned to the legislation currently before the Dáil that would require Contemporary Rock Irish radio stations to reserve 40% of their airtime for He told me he became obsessed with recording songs Irish artists. He has mixed feelings about this proposal. and decided to keep the project close to his chest. This While he agrees with the idea that Irish music has to be played on Irish radio, he puts the onus on Irish musicians to write specifically for the radio, and those who do need to be supported by the stations. He alludes to a certain attitude prevalent in parts of the industry that fails to foster and support Irish artistry, saying “There is a certain hatred of others when they are successful”.

He discusses the different attitude British and American stations have towards home-grown talent, and how there are structures in place that we simply do not have.

However, he also makes the point that the proposed legislation could exacerbate this negative attitude by forcing stations to play Irish music and therefore make the environment in certain quarters more negative, saying it’s like being forced to wear a uniform. His insight is especially interesting given his dual position as both an artist and a DJ. However, he also pointed out that this is an exciting time in the industry, mentioning artists like John Gibbons who are seeing real success. He also emphasises the enormous amount of talent found in Ireland, and pays tribute to the contribution Irish artists have made to music worldwide.Something that became very clear to me as I talked to Dara was that he deeply loves radio. While he recognises the value of online platforms, he makes it clear that for him, radio is still king. Apella is fuelled by this passion and dedication.

Combine that with song-writing talent, excellent vocals and music, it makes for a very bright future.

Apella will be playing Whelans on the 22nd of October.

Tickets are €10, more info @ www.ticketmaster.ie Dara’s upcoming Irish act to watch: SOAK

Album in Review 22, A Million - Bon Iver | CT. Rating 4/5 Adam Bielenberg | Music Writer

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hile Justin Vernon had already changed direction on his 2011 eponymous LP, which was miles apart from the raw folk of his debut ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’.

His latest album ‘22, A Million’ marks a further departure but in the best possible way.

Vernon’s greatest asset has always been his dreamy voice. During much of this record it is exposed to perfection and drenched in effects. He has always been a fond user of the vocoder but on this occasion it plays its most prominent role yet. It bends and warps Vernon’s falsetto to create an otherworldly atmosphere. There is a myriad of memorable experimental flourishes on here; the auto-tuned a cappella “715 – CRΣΣKS”, the jagged ambience on “21 M♢♢N WATER” and the muffled woodwind

Ruan McGuinness | Music Writer

on “___45___”. But Vernon isn’t merely creating noise here. He retains his knack for songwriting with some stunning melodies making up the record. “29 #Strafford APTS” could double as the oddest and most beautiful folk ballad heard all year round. Vernon’s voice sounds so submerged yet somehow so tender and the high-pitched refrain “canonize, canonize” has a real catch to it. The more straight-forward “666 ʇ” is a moment of delicate beauty, fitted with rumbling drums and finger-plucked cello.

22, A Million is the perfect example of a risk that has paid off to a supreme degree. It shouldn’t scare off too many mainstream fans who are still singing along to “Skinny Love”. At the same it is an extraordinarily innovative artistic statement, and well worth a solid listen.

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www.liilt.com

and fast” style, and with his aggression and precision while drumming. It was also fortuitous that his recording partner Joe Egan was aware of Ronan’s stellar reputation and thus began what seems to be a very intriguing partnership. The band, although new, is definitely beginning to make its mark. The song ‘We Met at a Party” is now seeing regular airplay and interest in the duo is increasing. The song was recorded two years ago, but Dara was reluctant to release it before he had completed an album. The song is an ode to his past in music, but the whole album is an evolution of his style.

The Centre of All Sounds House

n any other night of the week, there’s nothing especially exciting about the atmosphere on Francis Street, Dublin 8. But this particular Saturday night is different; it’s 10:30pm and I’m at the back of a que, about seven people deep to use an ATM. There’s a noticeable increase in the amount of people around; and everyone seems to be walking in the same direction. Toward a dingy little archway flanked by two bouncers. Although from the outside it doesn’t look like much, there’s a good reason why Francis Street is more populated than usual, there’s a show on in District 8.

Opened in 2011, District 8 has established itself as one of the most prominent focal points of the booming Dublin electronic music scene. The explosion in popularity of House and Techno specifically in the capital is evident in the international talent that play here on any given weekend.

The biggest techno DJ’s in the world frequent clubs all around the city, to increasingly larger audiences.

The venue temporarily closed in May, and after some equipment upgrades, it reopened this September; announcing its stacked list of acts for the remainder of the calendar year. Including pioneers of their respective genres like Kerri Chandler and Jeff Mills, contemporary international heavyweights like Ben Klock, and some of the best DJing talent Ireland has to offer, District 8 boasts a seriously impressive lineup.

It’s some of the very best Irish acts that I’m here to see tonight; as label mates Mano Le tough, New Jackson and The Drifter take to the upgraded stage. The 1,000 capacity venue is full to the brim by the time Mano comes on, following a stellar live performance by New Jackson. The place is pumping for two hours straight for the Greystones native’s set. The most notable upgrade is the light system, which is stunning. The sound is faultless, and the quality is certainly not compromised for volume; both are on the mark.

Mano Le Tough is a personal favourite of mine, so I’m likely biased, but every other person I spoke to were in consensus that it was a serious night, in an improved incarnation of District 8. Even fellow act New Jackson himself, who spoke to say “[That was] the first time I played at District 8 and I loved it, felt like a proper rave. Lot of high faces out there but it looked like it was the music as much as the drugs, which was refreshing. Looking forward to the next one.”

As House and Techno continue to reach new heights in Dublin, the scene is expanding in both size and quality. With a consistency of world class lineups, and its new fairly impeccable sound and light systems, District 8 definitely feels like it can be the legitimate epicenter. p.15

Fashion.

Minimalism: Less is More?

Anna Graham| Fashion Writer

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inimalist fashion is nothing new. The iconic Coco Chanel said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.” I come to wonder what she would have thought had she lived long enough to see the bold patterns of the 70s, the neon 80s, and the layers of accessories of the 90s. Though minimalism has remained in its various forms since then, it is of recent becoming a cult lifestyle. Is minimalism truly the superior way of dressing, or does it take the fun out of individualistic expression?

With the accessibility social media allows us, it has given rise to almost a competition of who can be the most ‘minimal’. A fad that is gaining traction is the Capsule Wardrobe. Fashion bloggers will compete in extremes of who can survive the season with the least items of clothing- that means no cheeky trips to Penneys! The reasoning behind what can be seen as a non-sustainable system does actually have some rationality.

When we are not spending money buying trend items that we’ll get a few wears out of before they’re last season, we can invest in good quality basics that will not only look better than their cheaper counter parts, but also last longer. Minimalism is not only good for your wallet, but the environment too.

People who adapt responsible buying don’t contribute as much to the waste problem we have in the world. A lot of what it comes down to with minimalism is convenience. You know what clothes you have, you know what combinations work, and that you’re comfortable in everything. While it might be a pain when you’re dying for the floral bomber jacket on sale on ASOS, you’ll spend less time staring at what you have, complaining you’ve nothing to wear.

With these benefits in mind, we have to ask ourselves what fashion is to us. I, for one, consider what you wear to be a personal expression of who you are as an individual. I wonder what sort of Effect having such a limited scope of possibilities has on your creativity. Does eliminating a choice open up your mind to concentrate on further creative outlets, or would you become stuck in a rut, the monotony of your outfits infecting the rest of your life?

This writer is in favour of wearing what makes you feel good.

However, I would urge you to reflect on why you are living the fashion lifestyle you are. I would hope we could all find a happy medium, where we are being responsible shoppers, but still have the freedom to have our clothes reflect us as a person.

Model - Ailbhe Keenn Photography - Susan McGing

The Return of Yves Niamh Cavanagh | Fashion Editor

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he most incredible part of Paris Fashion week this year was the moment when the YSL symbol descended in front of the Saint Laurent headquarters. It was a fantastic introduction to the Spring/Summer 2017 collection which was Anthony Vaccarello’s first season with the brand.

Vaccarello brought back everything that was great about Saint Laurent. The eighties feeling of puffed sleeves and plunged bustier dresses paired with sky-high heels. Liquid gold dresses and asymmetric tops gave the vibe of sexy 70's rock and roll. But it wasn't all nightlife nip-slips, the classic YSL smoking suits were featured in the collection.

Velvet, Denim, and Leather were the highlights of fabric used this season with the daring layering of a leather and denim jacket. This was an ode to the old YSL but updating it for the modern Saint Laurent women. Vaccarello's years studying sculpture allowed him to structure his pieces with the women's frame in mind. In an interview with Vogue, he described his idea of what the Saint Laurent women should be. "She has a lot of respect for the past, but she’s not dressing like she’s stuck in the past, she’s dressed for now."

Vaccarello had previously worked on a capsule collection with Versace back in 2014 and made his eponymous readyto-wear debut back in 2009. But Vaccarello had to give up his line to take on his new venture with Saint Laurent.

Was the sacrifice worth it? Going by Vaccarello's inaugural collection, it certainly was.

Yves has finally returned home.

Retrospective:

Michael Kors Spring 2013 Campaign George Hannaford | Deputy Editor

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mong the blocks of varying hue and bold stripes came Mario Testino’s idea of what an American fashion campaign should very much look like.

Taking graphic minimal shape located within architectural design and crossfading a 60’s mod crew ethos all over, Michael Kors created an intriguing collection of modernity.

Fashion campaigns involving models, Simon Nessman and Karmen Pedaru, shot by long term photographer for MK, Mario Testino, first appeared as spreads in February of 2013. Taking place in Los Angeles, the simplistic backdrop of primary colour blue was worked respectively against the colour block nature of the pieces in question.

A sophisticated high roller theme was incorporated into the campaign by use of juxtaposed primary colour red and yellow cars. Not to mention a black helicopter followed by a crisp shirt collar wearing pilot. All round high reflective sunglasses polished off the shoot leading towards an iconic image of the Californian way.

LifeStyle.

Travel: The Experience of Spending a Summer Volunteering in the Sundarbans Missed the deadline for applications for UCDVO? Anna O’Duffy takes a look at SUAS’s summer volunteering opportunities, and shares her own experience volunteering as a teacher in the Sundarbans, a region between Bangladesh and India.

Anna O’Duffy | LifeStyle Writer

SUAS

is an education development charity whose primary focus is on changing lives through learning. The organisation offers volunteering opportunities in both Ireland and internationally. SUAS’s summer volunteering programme offers third-level students the option to work as a teaching assistant for 10 week period in Kolkata, the Sundarbans (an area in rural India), Dehli. For 2017 there will be the option of a six week programme in Zambia and Kolkata. Participants will be required to attend three training weekend workshops prior to departure, in preparation for what is a demanding yet incredibly rewarding venture. Application for SUAS’s 2017 volunteer programmes close at midnight November 16th 2016.

To submerge you into the world of what the summer for me was like I’ve pulled together an excerpt from my travel diary from the time: Over a week has passed since I landed in Kolkata airport, after a very, very long journey involving three flights and increasingly interesting on-board meals as we inched closer to India.

What a week it has been. I have already experienced two extremely different parts of India. Firstly: Kolkata. The heat hit us like a wall as we stepped into the noisy hectic world of Kolkata. The bus that transferred us from the airport to our accommodation was somewhat different to Dublin Bus, there was a door but it was permanently tied open. The walls were adorned with intricate and beautiful artwork, beads, images of Gods and pretty handwriting that reserved certain seats for ‘women”, ‘handicapped’ and ‘elderly’. These signs are strictly observed. From our own SUAS bus we could only gape at the local bus as it flew by us.

The bus ride was an onslaught to the senses, smells, sights and lots of sounds bombarded us and we tried to take it all in. The driving is absolutely insane: no indicators are used and there’s no road markings, yet I only observed one near-accident while I was there for 3 days. You feel surprisingly safe despite the swerving and the incessant beeping. There must be some sort of general accepted form of communication by horn in Kolkata, but to us it just sounded like thousands of angry drivers all beeping at once.

We enjoyed three days in Kolkata, making sure we had everything we needed before we headed onwards.

The main thing to get was an Indian sim card: simple you might think, walk into a shop, ask for a sim, top it up and you’re ready to go. Not in India. Passport photos, passport, visa, a local referee and your father’s name were all strictly required before they would begin the task of filling in a very long form.

The coordinators of the Sundarbans and Kolkata teams organised a scavenger hunt for us around Kolkata. The idea terrified me: crossing the street in Kolkata alone is an ordeal, you have to step out and wait for cars to allow you to cross. Even getting a taxi with a driver who will agree to fare per the meter was far more difficult than I imagined, and this was one of the tasks. Bonus points were given to teams who succeeded, turns out if you just point at the black box with numbers and say ‘Meter, meter’ until they give in ,it can be done. However, we all really enjoyed the day and it made us more confident taking public transport around Kolkata. The same morning we had a Bengali lesson which was (quite) helpful when looking for di-

rection. If the people of Kolkata were already staring and pointing at us white people as we walked calmly down the street, they were astounded when tens of SUAS volunteers started sprinting through their streets. Some laughed while others looked horrified: running in the humidity in Kolkata is not really done so we looked pretty crazy.

After three days we said goodbye to the comforts in Kolkata of air conditioned cafes, street lights and supermarkets as we hopped on another bus to the Sundarbans.

The Sundarbans is a beautiful place, really green and quiet and calm. Despite the numerous insects, frogs and even snakes who also live here, I am growing to love this place. We are staying near a tiny village, where the locals and the shop owners are gradually getting to know us. They are all very warm and welcoming. When getting a tour of the village, we were given chai on two occasions. Chai is a sort of very sweet tea sold by local stall owners. I felt bad at first as they wouldn’t accept payment but our team has already been a source is regular business for the stalls so we are making up for it for sure. The fruit is gorgeous too, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat a mango at home now as the ones here are so sweet and juicy.

We live beside thirty or so young boys who are in a shelter programme for children of child labour backgrounds. When our bus pulled up outside our camp they came running over hell for leather. I was stunned and a little apprehensive, and nervous as to what they would think of us. We were all greeted by a handshake and ‘Your name is?’ as we got off the bus. Soon they were dragging us by the hand to show us where they lived, their school, and the field they play in.

We have now settled in, and are slowly but surely getting to know all the boys and learning their names (which is quite difficult as they keep changing their names). Bakul who is like a caretaker of the house, provides our meals and water for us and is such a character. He has defrosted slowly and now we get the odd chuckle from him while he puts our lunch and dinner on the table! He has very little English, but seems to pretend to not understand us when we refuse extra helpings of rice.

The school I will be teaching in with my teaching partner is a government school but was closed this week. So instead we have been helping the young boys with extra English classes twice a day. In the morning, 6.30-8.30 when they have study time (insanely early for primary school we think!) and again at 6.30-8.00 in the evening. We are working on phonetics with them so that they will be able to sound out words instead of just recognising them from memory. They are so keen to learn, it is fantastic. It’s a lot of fun if quite tiring.

We play with them in the afternoons, and their favourite game appears to be thumb wars, which I’m not very good at. They are brilliant children, full of energy, enthusiasm and affection.

In the past week I have observed that there seems to be two speeds in India: painstakingly slow, such as getting a sim, getting decisions from people, ordering food etc. The other is neck-breakingly fast: the driving and the children. The interesting mix I feel will ensure time here is never dull.

More of Anna’s insights and journals from her summer in India are available on her travel blog: http:// cailintharlear.blogspot.in

Eating the Rainbow:

The Science Behind the Colours of Food Food & Lifestyle editor Ciara Landy takes you through the science behind the colours of immunity-boosting food groups and fruits.

Dublin City Lifestyle Happenings…

There is always something to do in Dublin City. Food and LifeStyle editor Ciara Landy has selected three interesting happenings that are coming up to check out.

Red

Red fruits and vegetables are coloured by a natural plant pigment called lycopene.

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce the risk of cancer and keep your heart healthy.

Examples | Tomatoes, Red Peppers, Strawberries, Raspberries, Watermelons

a.

Purple | Blue

The plant pigment anthocyanin is what gives blue/purple fruits and vegetables their distinctive colour.

Anthocyanin also has antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage and can help reduce the risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease.

Examples | Beetroot, Red Cabbage, Berries, Purple Grapes

Orange | Yellow

Carotenoids give this group their vibrant colour. A well-known carotenoid called Betacarotene is found in sweet potatoes, pumpkins and carrots. It is converted to vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy mucous membranes and healthy eyes. Another carotenoid called lutein is stored in the eye and has been found to prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness.

Examples | Carrots, Pumpkins, Pineapples, Oranges

Green

Green vegetables contain a range of phytochemicals including carotenoids, indoles and saponins, all of which have anti-cancer properties.

Leafy greens such as spinach and broccoli are also excellent sources of folate.

Examples | Spinach, Asparagus, Avocados, Broccoli, Green Apples.

Run in the Dark Dublin

The Bernard Shaw Flea Market

On Wednesday November 16th, the annual “Run in the Dark” 5 and 10 kilometre challenge will be back on the streets of Dublin. All proceeds raised will go directly to the Mark Pollock Trust, supporting research for a paralysis cure. So it’s a great way to get active for a good cause. To register see www.runinthedark.org

The Bernard Shaw flea, takes place every Saturday from 1pm-6pm at the Bernard Shaw Restaurant and Pub, Richmond Street. The market features vintage clothing, jewellery and other gems on display, as well as pizza and drinks to accompany any of your finds.

b.

White and Brown

White fruits and vegetables contain a range of healthpromoting phytochemicals such as allicin (found in garlic) which is known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. Some members of the white group, such as bananas and potatoes, are also a good source of potassium.

Examples Cauliflowers, Mushrooms, Bananas, Dates, Ginger

The Parkrun

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Looking to improve your fitness? The Parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9.30am in Marlay Park. The free timed run allows you to track your increase in fitness week by week, with results and times from the previous week’s participants posted online. The event is free of charge although registration is required. For more information see www.parkrun.ie

p.19

Film.

Behind the Scenes in The Room Where It Happened Film and TV editor David Deignan takes a look at cult phenomenon The Room, a bizarre film which is universally loved – despite being one of the worst movies ever made.

2003

Film In Review

Captain Fantastic DIRECTOR: Matt Ross CAST: Viggo Mortensen, George MacKay , Samantha Isler

Jack Roulston | Film Writer

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eep in the wilderness of NorthWest America, a devoted father, Ben (Mortensen) is forced to leave his technology-free haven and enter the “real-world” with his children as they travel cross-country to attend their mother’s funeral. A prospect that poses emotional and physical danger for the family (the former being their awkward interactions with “normal families” and the latter being the threat of arrest from their grandfather, who is dismissive of Ben’s method of parenting and blames him for loss of his daughter).

Whilst the frame of the narrative is rather grim, the film doesn’t dwell on the grief too much (except in two profound moments) and manages to be sweet, funny and thoroughly life-affirming. The film rather cleverly uses the idea - Is technology ruining our children? –and flip-flops both sides of the fence in an interesting way. It explores the pros and cons of living in this survivalist mentality free from tech and TV. We see Ben’s oldest son propose marriage to a girl he has just met because they “made-out”, a moment that is funny for the audience but also slightly heart-breaking, highlighting the real emotional crippling this isolated upbringing can have. However in a moment earlier in the film we see Ben’s children are far superior in intelligence and “world-knowledge” than it www.collegetribune.ie

first seems as his sister challenges his methods of home-schooling over her own view of sending her rather sheltered children to a “regular school” .

Captain Fantastic calls to mind another classic indie road-movie which also gained its attention from The Sundance Film Festival, Little Miss Sunshine. Whilst having a comparable narrative and a similarly excellent ensemble cast, this film is still entirely its own beast. While each of the child actors put in brilliant performances (a rare occurrence in films that feature so many kids), this remains Viggo Mortensen’s show.

The Oscar-nominee plays a character that is so fiercely intelligent and stubborn in his views that no-matter whether you differ in opinion on his parenting style, you can’t help but admire him - we truly believe he has his children’s best interests at heart.

With its sweet indie soundtrack (including a rip-roaring cast cover of Guns N’Roses’ Sweet Child O’Mine), an expertly executed final act, which if handled wrongly could have turned this into a very dark, twisted film. As well as heart-warming meditations on familial love, parenthood and growing up and a great “best of both worlds” ending , Captain Fantastic is definitely one of the must-see, feel-good (with exactly the right amount of bitter-sweetness) movies to hit theatres this year.

was a year of significant events in the world of cinema. Peter Jackson concluded his Lord of the Rings trilogy with The Return of the King, a film that would go on to claim all 11 Academy Awards it was nominated for. Johnny Depp made his debut as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, giving birth to an iconic character and cementing Depp’s movie-star status.

The Wachowski’s released the second two films in The Matrix trilogy, both financially lucrative but less critically lauded than their predecessor. To say that The Room, the debut feature from * deep breath * writer, director, star, producer and lone financier Tommy

Wiseau, slipped under the radar upon its June release is something of an understatement.

Entertainment Weekly infamously labelled The Room (not to be confused with Lenny Abrahamson’s Oscar nominated Room recently in 2015) ‘the Citizen Kane of bad movies’ and Wiseau ‘the Orsen Welles of crap’. Watching the film, it is easy to see why. The Room is a terrible, muddled monstrosity of a movie. It features five separate sex scenes and dialogue that the BBC thought ‘could have been translated by computer from another language.’ The film includes a cavalcade of beyond bland characters whose decisions rarely, if ever, make any sense and plot threads that are brought up and then

instantly dropped, never to be mentioned again. There are plenty of bad films made, but perhaps none have managed to do quite as many things wrong as The Room does. Why on earth, then, has a film which was in cinema for a mere two weeks – one early review compared watching it to ‘being stabbed in the head’ – managed to become such a sensation almost 14 years later?

The answer, those questions begins with Wiseau himself. Little is known about the man behind The Room. His age is as uncertain as his place of birth, with IFC.com likening his accent to ‘Borat trying to do an impression of Christopher Walken playing a mental patient.’ He financed the film entirely out of his own pocket and even paid

Film.

The Tribune got the chance to sit down with one of the key men behind The Room Greg Sestero, who went on to pen a book The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, about his role behind the scenes in the now cult classic.

Q

Thirteen years on from The Room’s release the film has attracted a feverishly passionate fan base for itself. When you first read the script, all those years ago, could you ever imagine the effect that it would go on to have on your life?

I knew the Room script was a unique piece of art, but I never in my wildest dreams could've expected to be speaking to fans in Dublin 6,000 miles from home.

Q

to keep a notorious single billboard up in Hollywood advertising the film – at a cost of $5000 a month. For five whole years. Yet how exactly he obtained his vast personal fortune remains shrouded in mystery. Some of the film’s cast were worried they were involved in some sort of money laundering scheme funding organised crime.

Wiseau, for the record, has attributed the origins of his ‘savings’ to selling Levi Jeans and leather jackets out of a warehouse in Los Angeles.The events that unfolded behind the scenes were just as bizarre as those that occur on-screen.

Greg Sestero, long-time friend of Tommy, plays Mark in the film and revealed the director, who has hinted that he may be a vampire, fired two entire crews and multiple members of the cast during the six month long shoot. For example, Sestero – who was also Tommy’s line producer despite having no idea what that involved – only took on an on-screen role after the director took the decision to replace the original Mark the night before shooting began.

While these ingredients should not logically mix together to make an enjoyable movie, in this case they really

do. Screenwriter Michael Rousselet was one of those to see the unintentional hilarity of the film in early screenings.

‘I was calling friends before the end saying “You have to come to this movie.” When the film ended its theatrical run, Wiseau found himself inundated with e-mails from fans, as a campaign began to bring The Room back. They succeeded, and the film is now shown at fan screenings around the world. Fans engage with the movie - dressing up as their favourite characters, hurling plastic spoons at the screen and shouting along to the action.

Greg Sestero is the author of The Disaster Artist, a behind the scenes book in which he describes The Room’s production and, perhaps more significantly, tells the story behind his friendship with Tommy. The man responsible for the film is painted as being lonely but also endearingly earnest and steadfastly loyal to his best friend. Perhaps this is why his creation has managed to capture the hearts of so many.

Audiences are attracted to the film because of its many mistakes. The Room is, at its core, awfully sincere. It’s also sincerely awful.

I always saw my experience with The Room and with Tommy as a unique tale of friendship, and a very surreal take on the American dream. I wanted to give the audience a chance to look behind the curtain.

Q

Q

T

aika’s Waititi’s follow-up to the delightful What We Do in the Shadows does not disappoint.

When troublesome, orphaned teen Ricky Baker (Dennison) is taken in by foster parents Hec (Neill) and Bella (Te Wiata) he thinks he might have finally found a place that he can call home.

However, following a series of ludicrous events, both Ricky and Hec end up on the run through the wilderness of New Zealand, unwitting subjects of a nation-wide manhunt.

What follows is a delight of a story that thrives on the interplay between reluctant foster father and son as they attempt to survive in the wild

Q

Despite being torn apart by critics upon release the film has since cemented its status as a cult classic. Are there any other cult films that you have a particular affection for?

My affinity for cult films usually reside with well received ones like Star Wars, Back to the Future, The Big Lebowski. But I’ve definitely come to appreciate the bizarre medium too. My favourite offbeat movie is Johnny Suede.

Q and find their way back to safety. The intensely lovable raggamuffin that is Ricky Baker owns the story perfectly in what is a very easily loveable film.

The film is peppered with encounters with an increasingly wacky cast of characters – including a questionable clergyman, a psychotic child services worker and a hilarious turn from Flight of the Conchords’ Rhys Darby that we won’t spoil here. It moves along at a lightning pace until it arrives at its unexpected conclusion.

With its really inventive cinematography and a bouncy soundtrack, this off-kilter comedy is easily one of the highlights of the year so far.

The skewed success of The Room has resulted in fan screenings in numerous nations around the world, including here in Ireland. Have you had the opportunity to do a lot of travelling because of the film?

One of the great benefits of The Room’s surprising success has been my opportunity to travel to many countries around the world like Australia, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and of course Ireland. Such great culture and people. So had it not been for the film, perhaps I would’ve never had these experiences.

DIRECTOR: Taika Waititi CAST: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rhys Darby

David Deignan | Film & TV Editor

You’ve called The Disaster Artist a ‘non-fiction novel’.

How did you find the experience of writing a book?

And would writing be a medium you’d like to return to in the future?

I found the experience of writing a book a very rewarding experience. I got to work with a great co-writer (Tom Bissell) and I learned a lot about storytelling. Writing was my first passion so it was nice to get back in touch with it. I’m definitely going to continue writing in the future.

Film In Review

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Your behind the scenes book has allowed audiences to appreciate the film and, in particular, the man behind it in a much deeper capacity. Did you purposely set out to show people that Tommy and his film are more than just a joke?

The Disaster Artist is currently being developed into a feature length film by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Franco – have you gotten the chance to see any early footage?

I have - the film is fantastic. James Franco plays Tommy with such heart and humour. The cast is amazing and I can’t wait for it come out next year.

Q

Dave Franco is playing you in the movie – it must be sort of surreal seeing yourself being portrayed onscreen like that?

Well I actually always envisioned the story as a film, so it was more exciting than surreal. But I must say it was therapeutic. It validated all the ups and downs of the last 13 years. p.21

Arts & Events.

Event in Focus:

Feminist Film Festival Holly Lloyd | Arts & Events Editor

T

he Feminist Film Festival will take place from 18th-20th November in the New Theatre, Temple Bar. Now in its third year in Dublin, the FFF aims to shed light on any lack of acknowledgement or misrepresentation of women who take part in the production of films.

The festival wants to take the opportunity to express a wider vision than that of the stereotypically portrayed female characters in mainstream film, and by showing certain films at the festival, they hope to show the role of women in everyday life and what they go through. In general the aim is to show the reality of women which is often lacking in the portrayal of women in cinema.

All profits raised by the festival will be going to the charity Sasane, an organisation first set up in Kathmandu in which survivors of human trafficking aim to stop its growth and create more awareness through education, community outreach, and businesses and paralegal training. The money raised for this will be matched by the Planeterra foundation, doubling the money that will go towards Sasane.

The film festival provides a wealth of research and statistics to back up their claims that women are significantly underrepresented in the industry. For example, in the top 2000 grossing films in the last 20 years, only 13% of editors were women, while just 10% of writers and 5% were directors were female. Electricals and cameras were on average 95% male run, and overall crew amounted to 75% male. In front of the screen, women accounted for only 29% of main characters and 30% of all speaking parts. Most female characters are often younger, have a significant marital status and there is often less focus on occupation in comparison to the male characters.

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘othered voices’, to truly capture women's voices in cinema instead of visual objectification. If you can’t make it to the festival but would like to contribute you can donate to the Feminist Film Festival on their website. This festival is an opportunity to take a fresh look at film and also a chance to see something different to the depiction of women in the mainstream industry.

In The Loop; Holly Lloyd Discovers Upcoming Picks in and Around Dublin

a.

Bad company

b.

Rock band ‘Band Company’ are set to play the 3Arena on October 14th. The band set up in 1973, and will be bringing their ‘Swan Song’ tour to Dublin. This one is highly anticipated by their large fanbase, and as they as know for their incredible live sets. Tickets begin at €57.70, somewhat pricey for students but worth it for an authentic rock and roll experience .

The Last Siren This experimental opera will come to the Project Arts Centre as part of Dublin Theatre festival on Saturday October 15th. Composer Ian Wilson has taken inspiration from the Greek mythology of sirens to create an opera starring Lauren Kinsella, acclaimed Jazz singer. It tells the story of a woman who believes she is a Siren, lamenting the loss of her sister. This one could be an interesting and exciting alternative to the classic opera repertoire, with tickets at €20.00.

c.

Mick Flannery

www.collegetribune.ie

October 22nd Mick Flannery will be taking to the stage at the Olympia theatre. Mick Flannery is known for his extremely personal, beautiful lyrics, so the this fully seated concert will really amplify the intimacy needed, and allow his music reach its full potential.

Highly recommended. Tickets are available from €29.

d.

Review:

Cathy Davy

Swan Lake / Loch na hEala

Cathy Davey will be playing the Button Factory on 21st October to launch her new album ‘New Forest’ which was released earlier in September. Her alternative Rock sound has been a firm favourite with Irish audiences for many years.

It’s been six years since her last album, so people are welcoming this quirky new album. Tickets available for €18.

e.

Holly Lloyd | Arts & Events Editor

W

Wilde Stories On October 22nd, a celebration of Oscar Wilde’s works will take place at the Meeting House Square, Temple Bar (just down the side of the IFI). A radio series has already been created of the stories which can be found online, however the live event will be a true amalgamation of all mediums used and really bring the works to life. Oscar Wilde is probably best known for his play ‘The Importance of being Ernest’ and his book, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, but he also wrote a book of children’s stories, ‘The Happy Prince and other Tales’ in 1888, which are the focus of this festival.

Composer Michael Gallen has created a new suite influenced by the stories and Felicity Clear has created artworks.

f.

slantmagazine.com

Arts & Events.

My Head is a Cinema On 27th October, In-Spire Galerie will host an event which explores the human condition using two mediums, visual (paint and canvas) and spoken word (poetry). The event will be produced

by Dino Notaro who will use his dark humoured poetry, and Sofia Monika Swatek, international painter and art curator. It will explore how we look at ourselves and our relationships – definitely an interesting one.

hen one hears ‘swan lake’, the immediate thought is that of Tchaikovsky's score and classical ballet. Michael Keegan Dolan's new production quashes the idealistic swan lake, and brings something darker and absolutely beautiful.

Walking into the auditorium of the Belvedere college O’Reilly Theatre, we are greeted by a man on stage (actor Mikel Murfi) in his underwear with a rope around his neck circling the building blocks that weigh it down.

The story centres around Jimmy, (Alexander Leonhartsberger) a 36 year old man from Co Longford living with his mother Nancy (Dr. Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM) and coping with depression after the death of his father a year ago.

The story of Jimmy’s depression on stage runs parallel to the dark story of Fionla (dancer Rachel Poirier). Her own tragedy is played out on the set through the eyes of the young parish priest, who upon falling in love with the girl attempts to force himself on her. The drama of the priest’s monologue heightens, as does the fantastic musical accompaniment when he is caught in the act by Fionla’s three younger sisters, the priest then curses the girls, turning them into swans.

Mikel Murfi is exceptional, as he filters into different roles to fully paint the picture of the story, such as the priest, a radio DJ, the narrator, and a parish pump Longford TD. These transitional scenes are extremely comical and interject scenes of humor into the darker tone of the performance. A particular party scene involving the male dancers dressed as women is executed brilliantly, with fake cigarettes, booze and cake adding to the reality of it. These comical scenes are needed to lift you from the dark underlay of the piece, such as Jimmy's depression, his obsession with his father's shotgun, and the reason why the four sisters were turned into swans.

The four sisters (dancers Rachel Poirier, Carys Staton, Molly Walker and Anna Kaszuba) movements are achingly beautiful, and the use of swans wings on their arms while they dance adds to the haunting beauty. A particular duet with Jimmy and Fionla is lovely to watch, as they display uncertainty to touch at first yet by the end melt seamlessly into each other's movements with total trust.

They cleverly managed to work all change of setting into the choreography, meaning there is no interruption in the piece, such as the use of black plastic to represent the lake.

I cannot fail to mention the band, Slow Moving Clouds who played live throughout the entire production. Their music had a traditional Irish sound, but folky Nordic elements brought it to a darker place when needed. The piece ended in a celebration of white feathers throw across the entire stage, perhaps symbolizing a happier, peaceful Jimmy and Finola. Swan Lake/ Loch na hEala is an absolute treat, and a credit to Michael Keegan Dolan and his new company Teac Damsa. A piece full of comedy and pain, a gorgeous a thing to watch. p.23

Gaeilge.

Teach 7 Merville

Úsáid do theanga!

Pléann Erin Nic an Bhaird saol na scéime i dTeach na Gaeilge UCD

LÁ NA GAEILGE

Erin Nic an Bhaird | Scríobhneoir Gaeilge A léitheoir, a chara,

11 Deireadh Fómhair

An bhfuil cónaí ort i Merville? B’fhéidir nach bhfuil, ach seans maith go bhfuil cairde agat ann, nó gur fhreastal tú ar chóisir tí nó dhó sa Chearnóg Dearmadta nó ‘Forgotten Square’ faoin am seo. Ach dá siúlfá tríd Merville riamh, bheadh tú fiosrach maidir le Teach 7. Leis na mballaí ildaite agus na Gaeilgeoirí craiceáilte, cad é an craic leis in aon chor?

Cén sort slua a bhfuil cónaí orthu in Árasán 1, le péire buataisí feirme i gcúinne amháin agus cláirseach galánta sa chúinne eile? An é sin aghaidh Dubhglas de hÍde atá ag stánadh amach ón bhfuinneog in Árasán 3, agus cé hé an fear ag seinm giotáir ó mhaidin go hoíche in Árasán 4? An mbíonn léacht ar bith aige? B’aoibheann leis an duine ón taobh amuigh fáil amach cad go díreach a mbíonn ag dul ar aghaidh in Árasán 5 – dubh le daoine 24/7 agus ‘Merville FM’ á reáchtáil acu, ag cur le fuaimrian bríomhar an champas.

Ach ní hamháin stráinséirí a bhfuil ceisteanna acu faoin teach speisialta seo. Tá dháréag ‘céad blianers’ úra fós ag dul i dtaithí le saol na scéime. Gaeilgeoirí ó gach cearn den tír agus ó gach réimse den ollscoil… téarmaí ar nós ‘póstaeracht’ fós nua dóibh! Níl tuiscint acu fós ar chruatan an tsaoil: bheith i do dhúiseacht roimh éirí na gréine, thíos ar an tslí dála gan ach ‘hoodie’ corcra chun foscadh a thabhairt ó na gála gaoithe agus tú ag fanacht ar an bhfocal óir sin… “Go!” le cead do phostaer a chrocadh faoi dheireadh. Tá trácht cloiste acu ar an gConradh… ach tá siad go fóill le pionta a dhoirt orthu féin agus iad ag rince ar na mbord go ‘C’est la Vie’ nó ‘Stacey’s Mom’; tá siad go fóill le casadh ar dhuine éigin ó scéim chonaithe Coláiste na Trionóide agus na focail draíochtúil sin a rá leo, “Ar mhaith leat an shift?”. Sular thosaigh siad amach ar saol na hollscoile, níor thuig siad go mbeadh rudaí i bhfad níos práinní le foghlaim ná an t-eolas a thugann na léachtóirí dóibh – An dtaitníonn tae le gach duine sa teach? Is fiú an ceacht seo a fhoghlaim de ghlanmheabhair roimh aon rud eile! Agus dár ndóigh, ní rud éasca é bheith i do mhic léinn scoláireachta nuair is gá duit dul i dtaithí le “Gaelgeoirí” Dún na nGall agus brí a bhaint as frásaí dothuigthe mar “lah-hoor i nee a shart”.

B’fhéidir gur duine ón taobh amuigh thú atá fiosrach faoi Teach 7? Buail isteach, mar sin, agus glac chugat féin gach eachtra is gach deis, mar is ait mac an saol agus is áit ait í an scéim.

Ach dár liom, is í an áit is fearr ar champas.

“Ár dTír, ár gCultúr” Cultural Expo Global Lounge, 12-2

Ceolchoirm sa Chlubtheach FionnRua óna 20:00

Lá na Gaeilge Sophie Osborne | Eagarthóir Gaeilge

B

amháin.

eidh Lá na Gaeilge ar siúil inniu, Dé Máirt 11 Lá Deireadh Fómhair. Beidh an lá lán le himeachtaí Ghaelacha chun deis a thabhairt do chách Gaeilge a labhairt ar fud an campus. Tá casadh difriúil ar an lá i mbliana toisc go bhfuil téama ‘Ár dTír Ár gCultúr’’ ann, le béim níos mó curtha ar chultúr na tíre seachas an teanga

Beidh tús iontach leis an lá sa Tholglann Domhanda UCD ag mean lae (thíos staighre i bhoirgneamh na bialainne). Beidh siamsaíocht á eagrú ag na cumainn eagsúla ann; Amhránaíocht ó mhac léinn scoiláireachta Theach na Gaeilge UCD, ceol traidisiúnta ó TradSoc, léamh filíochta ó LitSoc agus dar ndóigh damsha Gaelach ó Dancesoc. Beidh Ard Mhéara BÁC, Brendan Carr agus Uachtarán UCD, an tOllamh Andrew Deeks i latháir ag ceiliúradh Lá na Gaeilge le hAontas na Mac Léinn chomh maith.

Chun deireadh spleodrach a chur leis an lá beidh banna ceoil den scoth, Fionnrua ag seinnm ceoil bheo thíos staighre i mBeár na Mac Léinn ó a hocht a chlog. Is banna ceoil dátheangach iad a bhuaigh ‘UCD Battle of The Bands’ anuraidh. Ansin is dócha go mbeidh slua ollmhór ag dul ar aghaidh chuig Club Chonradh na Gaeilge ar Shráid Fhearcair go dtí uaireanta luatha na maidine!

Is é Eoghan Mac Domhnaill, Oifigeach Gaeilge Aontas na Mac Léinn, atá i mbun na hócáide agus dúirt sé gur ‘’deis iontach mhaith atá ann (Lá na Gaeilge) do chuid Gaeilge a chleachtadh, a fheabhsú agus craic a bheith agat le teanga agus cultúr na tíre’.

www.collegetribune.ie

Short Story.

October 10th, 1916.

Dear Mother,

Short Story Part 03 Cillian Fearon | Short Story This week Private Keegan suffers the horrors of the WW1 front at Ypres, including the new tactic of the rolling barrage. Follow his story as he goes over the top, and bears witness to the awful consequences of gas and shrapnel on the troops.

Today we are holding the second line. If there is a breakthrough we will force our way forward as fast as possible. But it is not a lingering threat as the likelihood of a breakthrough is small. While we cool our heels in the thick slop of mud and worse, we are treated to a near endless stream of dying men on their way to the field hospital beyond our position. I am reluctant to share such words of horror with you but I fear that if I do not write them they will drive me mad.

A recent barrage from the Germans rocked our boys terribly. There were shrapnel shells which exploded with the devastation of a hundred hand grenades. The ball bearings and sharp metal fragments tore through flesh and bone. The horror has intensified here in a way that I could never have imagined but a few short years ago. The Krauts used gas. Many men had become used to the dense fog streaming across the battlefield. Some of the new men were not so swift.

A wounded man was carried past us this morning. He was a boy, likely less than 18 years old. He was a Scot I think, it was difficult to tell from his shredded uniform. He had failed to reach his mask. The sickening yellow foam that must have poured from his mouth still lingered on his cheek. He tried to claw at his throat. I had before seen men tear out their own throats in the vain attempt to draw one last clear breath. This boy had tried to do the same, yet it was in vain. His hands were but bloody stumps likely torn away by the shells. He still tried to reach his throat. His eyes screamed where his voice could not. He will be dead before the night.

After this I sat in my trench and had breakfast, but even the trench itself stank of death. The boards at the base of the trench gave a light spring with each step. All the soldiers knew what the it was. Months before their trench had been in the front line and had been visited by death many times. The dead could not be removed. They could only go beneath the trench.

I find that of late I wish for death. The threat of it is almost too much to endure. We charged the line earlier in the week. There are a great deal fewer of us now. We stood ready and waiting for our turn. We listened to the constant pummelling from our guns. Then there is an eerie silence before the sharp blast from the officer’s whistle. I launched over the top to a cacophony of noise. They have been trying a new tactic to shield us with the shell barrages. It is to be timed perfectly. It was not. We fired upon by our own men. We had no option to turn back. You had to attack the line. If you turned around, you faced the officer’s revolver.

If you can imagine hopscotch but spread over a hundred meters of mud, in which the mud explodes every second, it might give you but a glimpse of the horror we endured. I saw three men die ahead of me. Three friends of mine. They had fought with me through Loos and Ginchy.

One second they were ahead of me then they were not. I fell into the hole where they were. It was more horrible than I can describe. There were parts littered among the mud and the blood, but not enough to make any one man. The shelling intensified and I am not ashamed to say that I lay there waiting for death. It felt better to die among my friends than in the open with the whiz-bangs.

But Death decided there had been enough souls claimed. I woke to find myself lying in a dark wet hole covered in blood that was not my own.

It was night time and quiet on the line. I could hear voices nearby speaking German. I could barely believe that I had gotten so close to the other line. I stood bolt upright. They saw me and I saw them. I was covered in blood and mud. I stood in the open and turned my back to them and walked back to my trench. They did not fire on me. They saw that I was not worth killing.

The others were surprised when I dropped back into our trench.

Dear old Pvt Mullins nearly ran me through with his bayonet. The Lieutenant gave Pvt Hall, who was on look out, a stern talking to as if I had been a German raiding party they would have all surely perished. Would that I could perish.

With Love, Pvt. Peter Keegan.

p.25

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The Turbine

Turbine.

A lway s S ati r ical - O c cas ional l y H u m ou rous

Belfield Barber Restaurant Review

UCD Tops Latest ‘UCD World University Rankings’

Karl O’Reilly | Turbine Editor

Karl O’Reilly | Turbine Editor

Tubrine Rating: 1/5

T

I expect that it will be news to exactly none of your ears to hear that the Belfield Barber is the worst restaurant on campus. The experience has certainly come to rank highly among the grave misfortunes of my life, alongside some events that it would be inappropriate to mention here.

As an on-off restaurant critic, I often struggle to fall back into old routine. I forget small things, like how many items of cutlery to hold at any one time, or the fact that a long wait should not prompt me to leave on the grounds that ordering ‘didn’t work’. Yet, I am always adamant to give restaurants their fair shot.

I began this evening with an open mind. I was even so generous as to pardon a few preliminary hiccups. I forgave them the comb that was sitting in my glass of water - taking it upon myself to sip delicately around it, rather than complain. I forgave them the long, oversized napkin that they endeavoured to fasten around my neck, as though I were some crude infant to be bibbed. Do they not know it is the hallmark of civility to fold a napkin across one’s lap?

By the time that the menu came along, I had been rendered ravenous by the sum of my small grievances.

The underside of one eyelid was flickering with images of piping hot vegetable broth, the other with stew. Yet, upon glancing at the meal listings I was upset to find that no item rang the bell of familiarity.

After rejecting out of hand such items as the ‘child cut’, and pondering my own despair asking if there was a meal choice for the non-corrupted person, I eventually settled for the ‘short back and sides’, the only decent sounding option on the list.

For the menu’s lack of detail, I had assumed that the sides would consist of either a salad or some chips. Therefore, you might understand my surprise when my lap became promptly decorated with my own hair.

In short, I implore none of you to go there. The Belfield Barber represents a complete subversion of the restaurant genre, but in a way that is not at all impressive.

his month, Ireland’s colleges made significant gains in their ambition to colonise the lower sections of the world university rankings.

While I am confident that U.C.D. will benefit from my not restating its own rating here in print, I will allude to it by saying that we are lucky that no medals were disbursed, as we’d likely have come away with neither a gold nor a silver, but with one made from mayonnaise.

While the officials of our college have levelled the blame at a shortage in third-level funding, this does not seem wholly accurate. Surely it has more to do with the eccentric and syphilitic spending habits of our college administration. For example, the height of the average classroom on our campus does not exactly scream prudential. Though it is a moderately well-known thing that humans rarely rise up over seven feet in height, our college continues to insist that all rooms maintain a circa three foot gap of well-you-never-know space between the highest scalp and ceiling. What hefty sum in perimetrical paint and plaster might we have salvaged there, had a decent effort been made?

(I will not even begin to reflect on the great wasting that goes on inside our lecture theatres, where the distance between floor and ceiling near resembles the eternal expanse of our universe, and where the multitude of steps explains why the

title of faculty with the lowest collective body fat percentage has returned to U.C.D. for the fifth year running.

Fortunately, U.C.D. has been quick to devise a solution to our reputational bruising, and the publication of the U.C.D. World University Rankings 2016 is forthcoming. The subversive innovation of this table is to celebrate all of the characteristics of our college that are on other tables despised and penalised for being grim. (Traits such as our likely being the most scabrous student body going, or the fact that the centrepiece to our college is an infamously toxic lake.)

Needless to say, this method shall attain for U.C.D. the number one ranking and for as many years as we should like, it is likely that we will persist to perch atop it, chirping as happily as a bird on a bobbing branch.

Yet while the durability of the table has not being questioned, there is some doubt over its ability to be viewed internationally as credible. This is because when the judging criteria are applied to other colleges, the expected chart-toppers, such as Oxbridge and M.I.T., altogether fall out of sight, leaving the top places to be occupied by more obscure institutions, such as the ‘Dino High School’ and ‘Colaiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education’. Such a table is unlikely to prove convincing on the world stage.

p.27

Supporting Partnership and Realising Change Closing date Friday 28th October

Up to â‚Ź1000 funding available for projects that help to make UCD a better place to learn, work or live!

Apply now at www.ucd.ie/sparc

www.ucd.ie/sparc sparc@ucd.ie UCD Career Development Centre www.collegetribune.ie

Tech.

Resident Evil 4:

A Game for All Generations

Two Upcoming Events For the Techie in Dublin Jack Power | Editor

Conor McGovern | Tech Editor

Zeminar: ‘A Life Changing Day for Generation Z’

T

his October 11th – 13th in the RDS the ‘Zeminar’ summit will take place. The summit is aimed at young people between the ages of 15 and 20, and will have a host of talks and speakers on how young people can live enhanced lives.

Speakers scheduled to give talks over the three days include Bressie, Annie Hoey (President of the Union of Students Ireland), Mark Little (founder of Storyful), among other bloggers, influential social commentators,

E

arlier this year Capcom announced that they were going to release a remastered version of Resident Evil 4 for Playstation 4 and Xbox One. Coming twelve years after its initial release, the little boy inside me cried out with joy. As a twenty two year old it has been a long time since I’ve been excited for a video game let alone a remake.

That’s the beauty of Resident Evil 4, it is not just a video game it is an experience, an experience that first made me love video games.

In 2004, the name of Resident Evil and Capcom were practically untarnished and still felt fresh and original.

Nowadays however, the Resident Evil franchise is nothing more than another gaming series with no imagination and agonising repetition.

It is startling to see a once dominant franchise fall off such a big cliff, especially after the creation of such a

masterpiece like Resident Evil 4.

Resident Evil 4 certainly can make the claim for most polished and revolutionary game of the 21st century, as it set the benchmark in so many areas. Precision aiming, useful quick-time events, advanced responsive AI and the over shoulder camera which you can find in every third person game these days.

You play as Leon Kennedy a police officer turned secret agent, who has been assigned to investigate the disappearance of the U.S. President’s daughter last seen in rural Spain. Leon who works alone travels throughout the Spanish countryside, unaware of what is waiting for him.

Unlike your typical brain dead zombies that we and Leon have become so used to, he encounters a more sinister and cunning foe, brain washed by a new virus (Las Plagas) which has been released by a despicable cult leader. With his fire power, martial arts skills and his

witty one liners it is up to Leon to save the day.

What makes Resident Evil 4 so good is not necessarily just gameplay, it’s a whole lot more. The sounds, character development and visuals immerse the player fully, making every jumpscare organic and iconic. Every boss battle is challenging but fair with the player being forced to adapt and learn from your previous failed attempts. The overall gameplay is superb, with the new aiming system and smoother camera angles creating a more dynamic and enjoyable gaming experience.

It is odd to say but, while playing you become genuinely terrified for Leon’s life.

With the game being released on August 30th the critical responsive were as expected with the only real issues being frame rates.

However, this should not put off any new or old gamers as Resident Evil 4 is and will forever be a masterpiece.

and social entrepreneurs. For example Independent Senator for Trinity College Lynn Ruane, Fr. Peter McVerry of the ‘Peter McVerry Trust’ that help the homeless, and Colm O’Gorman of Amnesty International Ireland.

The event will be broken down into 8 small ‘Mini Zeminar’ stages. The Main stage for the headline guest speakers, the Wellbeing Gym where workshops will take place on physical health and wellbeing. The CEO ‘Boss It’ hub will be open to give stu-

dents and young people career and exam preparation advice. Clubs and national youth organisations will also get a row of stands in the RDS, to display their organisations and engage young people in discussions about what they do, and how they could get involved. The final ‘mini Zeminar’ workshop that could be worth checking out is the ‘Activation Zone’ which will put on science and technology exhibitions.

Dublin Tech Summit 2017

T

he Dublin Tech Summit will take place on February 15th and 16th at the start of next year. The Summit will very much be looking to fill the gap left by the Web Summit following its move to Lisbon last year.

It is to be hosted in the Convention Centre along Grand Canal Docks, the heart of the dynamic and growing tech and innovative business scene in the capital.

The Tech Summit has not gone for the high-profile well

know guest speakers many opt for, and instead looked to stack their line-up with successful people from the global tech and start-up scene.

For example, the founder of AdBlock, the managing director of Yahoo UK, a story veteran from Pixar studios, and high level employees working in UNICEF, Microsoft Ventures, and Forbes.

The Summit will look to incorporate one of the most valuable aspects of the Web Summit, an opportunity for start-ups to rub shoulders

and network with senior tech investors. The Summit is launching StartUp100, where one hundred start-ups will be given the chance to set out their stands and meet prospective investors at the Summit.

Tickets for the Tech Summit are pricey and start from €280, and the Tech Summit does not advertise the opportunity to volunteer at the event; which was a handy way students could get themselves into the Web Summit free of charge last year. p.29

Sport.

Retrospective: Best and Worst Irish Performances Against the

All Blacks

Connor Lynott | Sports Editor

With the latest installment of the Ireland versus New Zealand fixture taking place next month, Sports editor Connor Lynott takes a look at some of the best and worst memories of the fixture in recent history, as Ireland still search for a first victory over the most feared side in rugby.

Munster 12 – 0 – New Zealand October 31, 1978 Ireland have never beaten the All Blacks in professional rugby, but the Munster side have done so, back in 1978.

Before one of the greatest games in the history of Irish and Munster rugby, the All Blacks had dominated the Northern Hemisphere tour. In contrast Munster had played very few games at very mediocre standard so expectations among the Munster faithful were low on the day as a result. The only source of hope was that if the day was to be rainy and windy, Munster could use their home advantage to adapt to the conditions better than the visitors. As it turned out, the day dawned dry and sunny, conditions that through this day compliment the running style of the 2015 Rugby World Cup Champions.

The most famous try in Munster history came on 11 minutes. Bowen latched on to a kick before beating two All Blacks before offloading to Cartillion , who with an open try-lne in front of him who wasn’t going to miss. The theme of the game thereafter was for New Zealand to retain the lion’s share of possession, but all attempts to make inroads by a Black shirt was stopped by thunderous Munster tackling.

The icing on the cake was delivered when a brilliant grubber kick deep into the All Blacks’ 22 was too much for Wilson, who fumbled the ball and conceded a five metre scrum. From there, a pinpoint pass off the deck was caught by Ward, who split the posts with a dropgoal to send the Munster crowd into ecstasy.

Ireland 22 – 24 All Blacks November 24, 2013.

It was gripping, it was draining and it was dramatic. The 2013 showdown in the Aviva stadium was the closest the Irish side have come to beating the world leaders. But somehow, when it looks certain that Ireland would make history, the the All Blacks managed to roll back the stone and rise from the dead to deny Ireland. Even in this land of tall tales and poetic minds such a finish was beyond the wildest imagination.

Not only did New Zealand manage to preserve their unblemished record with a last longrange move of the match deep into overtime, there was still the little matter of a conversion from wide out from Aaron Cruden needed to nail the victory. He missed it, only for referee Nigel Owens to rule that two Ireland players had charged prematurely.

Cruden did not waste the gilt-edged chance of redemption, sending the ball between the posts. He sank to his knees, as did the whole of Ireland, as if Cruden’s boot had landed in their collective solar plexus so painful was the blow.

For the second day in succession a New Zealand rugby team had managed a resurrection shuffle. Cruel, so cruel.

Recalling the game, so many moments stand out, a panorama of the improbable and the commendable. There had been a television match official ruling on a possible forward pass for the decisive try from Ryan Crotty, a passage that started with a penalty to New Zealand 60 metres out with 27 seconds remaining. There had been a fluffed penalty miss from an easy position from Jonny www.collegetribune.ie

Sexton with six minutes remaining, a crucial, crucial factor in the eventual outcome.

Ireland were on their mettle from the kickoff, ripping in to New Zealand. It was a dizzying opening with tries from Conor Murray, Rory Best, who broke a bone in an arm, and a 75-metre breakaway romp from Rob Kearney threatening to tilt planet rugby on its axis.

Slowly, though, they were reeled in.

Beauden Barrett’s arrival galvanised New Zealand. Ben Franks trundled over in the 65th minute, Sexton missed, Crotty struck and an entire nation headed into the night to drown sorrows.

There was majesty in the sweep of the play, thunder in the tackle, fumbles as well as flourishes, all breathlessly relayed, not one Irish jersey ducking their responsibility.

It was all there, played out to a raucous backdrop. And even after the crushing late winning try form the All Blacks, the Fields of Athenry rang out eerily and proud around the stadium, a fitting tribute to the Irish players who left all of themselves out on the pitch. Heads now turn to November 5th and the next chance Ireland will have to settle the historic old score.

Image Right.

Above:The All Blacks, perform the Haka Below: Ireland in Green.

All Blacks 60 – 0 Ireland June 23, 2012.

Ireland’s heaviest defeat of all time and arguably the death knell of Declan Kidney’s career as Head Coach. After being pushed close by Ireland in the second test of that summer, the World Champions played with the ruthlessness of a team bent on proving a point. They scored four tries in the first half and five in the second on one of Irish rugby’s darkest days.

The famous offloading skills of Sonny Bill Williams were on full show as he combined with Aaron Cruden to put Sam Cane over the whitewash after seven minutes. In a devastating spell, that opening try was accompanied by two more in the first 25 minutes.

This Irish side had consisted of players like Jonathan Sexton, Cian Healy, Brian O’ Driscoll, Sean O’ Brien, Kevin McLaughlin and Mike Ross who had won a second successive Heineken Cup that year. However, they looked like a team that was spent and demoralized after throwing the kitchen sink the previous week.

The rampage continued and a knock on from Brian O’ Driscoll told the story as New Zealand broke clear and a sweet pass to Ben Smith allowed the latter to go over unopposed. The deflated faces at the final whistle told the feelings of a nation as Ireland surrendered meekly off the pitch.

Sport.

Dublin Retain All-Ireland against Mayo in Replay Clash Connor Lynott | Sports Editor

A

pulsating All-Ireland final replay eventually swung Dublin’s way this evening in Croke Park as Mayo suffered another heartbreaking defeat.

Dublin were clinging to a one-point advantage deep in injury-time when Cillian O’Connor, who was flawless all afternoon from placed balls who sized up a free on the left wing into Hill 16. However, O’Connor’s kick tailed to the left and that proved Mayo’s last scoring chance to force extra-time.

It’s a sweet victory for Dublin and further hardens the great credentials of the dominating team. For the fourth time in six years, they have lifted Sam Maguire and became the first team since Kerry in 2007 to retain the All-Ireland senior football crown.

Diarmuid Connolly and Lee Keegan – the two players who had dominated the speculations and pre-match chat both found the net in this All-Ireland final replay.

Keegan’s was a terrific finish in the 18th minute but he was shown a black card before halftime. Dublin’s inspirational defender Jonny Cooper also saw his involvement ended early due to a first-half black card.

Connolly’s goal was a critical score in the 39th minute from a penalty spot after Mayo netminder Robbie Hennelly was shown a black card when he fouled Paddy Andrews after spilling a Paul Flynn delivery. The goal set Dublin up to shoulder Mayo off the podium with their edge in accuracy and fitness.

Both freetakers were on form with Dean Rock shooting over seven placed balls along with two early efforts from play, and O’Connor hitting 0-9 from frees before that crucial late miss.

Dublin, who were in front 0-10 to 1-6 at the break, were grateful for the input of their substitutes. Bernard Brogan swung over a point, Michael Darragh MacAuley brought superb energy to their midfield play, but the young Cormac Costello was their most valuable addition from the bench with a priceless

0-3 haul.

Ultimately Dublin deserved this success with players like Michael Fitzsimons and Ciaran Kilkenny having outstanding games to end outstanding seasons. They improved significantly on the first final matchup with Mayo, this time starting well with their four points without reply from the throw-in.

Their composure and ability to emerge successfully from what was a physical battle surfaced again. Even after the blow of shipping that goal to Keegan, Dublin outscored Mayo 0-4 to 0-2 for the remainder of a fractious first-half.

Mayo were typically resilient and combative but after Connolly’s goal, they could never draw level or forge ahead in the second-half on the scoreboard. Diarmuid O’Connor, Patrick Durcan and Kevin McLoughlin all nailed excellent points but the scores did not flow freely enough for the Connacht side.

Three times they cut the deficit to a single point, the last of those occurring when O’Connor struck over a 74th minute free. But they were a shattered bunch by the final whistle after not managing to force extra-time and feeling the pain of defeat once more.

Dublin look like a team on the cusp of a prolonged period of dominance in Gaelic football. Truly a side and team that has come of age and developed on from their 2011 All Ireland win. Kevin McManamon also had an outstanding game for Dublin, his own personal development this season has mirrored the Dublin sides own growth. From a burst of talent to score the winning goal in the 2011 final from his squad role as largely an impact sub. He has since become a staple and spine for the Dublin sides attack, and a much more rounded package.

The sheer wealth and depth of talent in the side, and the quality of football and upwards only fitness levels in the Dubs team could see them become an unbeatable force, like Kerry in their heyday. The demographics only be-

hind the ever growing Dublin population has produced a conveyor belt of young and minor players fuelling the powerhouse that has become the Dublin team.

The real test will come next year, how Dublin fair in attempting a three-in-a-row challenge, with targets on their back as the team to beat will the next formidable hurdle for the unit. The squad have the quality to beat any side and lift an All-Ireland on final day,

but it takes a different level of class and endurance to move on to the next level of domination and speak in hushed tones about the legendary five in a row, as Kerry have done in the past, and as have Kilkenny in the hurling. While September’s final against Mayo showed that this is truly Dublin’s year, it remains to be seen how well they can maintain their mental and physical quality to make it Dublin’s decade.

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Students’ Promotion Dreams Bolstered After Late Winner Against Shells Eoghan Brennan | Sports Writer

Match Score

UCD 3 Shelbourne 2 www.collegetribune.ie

UCD

left it late in Belfield on Friday night as a 92nd minute winner secured a 3-2 victory against Dublin rivals Shelbourne. This puts the Students’ four points clear of Cobh Ramblers in 4th place and just a point behind Drogheda in second.

As the race for a top three finish and a place in the promotion playoff heats up ahead of next week’s vital clash away to Drogheda.

The game looked set to end a stalemate as the second half petered out towards a 2-2 draw before substitute Ryan Swan popped up in the box to break the deadlock.

UCD started the game the better of the two sides as the pace and skill of wingers Cathal Brady and Kieran Waters troubled the Shelbourne defence early on. UCD’s domination in the opening phases was nearly rewarded just past the ten minute mark when the ball broke out to midfielder Greg Sloggett but his shot was cleared off the line by Shels defender Jack Tuite.

After this Shelbourne found their feet in the encounter as the UCD midfield went missing on occasion. Shels’ midfield had time and space on the ball while the partnership between Reece McEnteer and Adam Evans down the left flank caused UCD trouble on more than one occasion. It was however UCD who got the breakthrough after 20 minutes as

Shelbourne once again failed to clear a UCD attack. Gary O’Neill’s shot could only be parried by the visiting keeper before striker Georgie Kelly reacted quickest to slot the ball into the empty net.

Shelbourne’s width continued to cause trouble for UCD as crosses were being whipped in well from both flanks. The Shels break came just past the half hour mark building on this good period of play. A drilled cross from right full back Lorcan Shannon broke to Adam Evans at the back post who kept his composure to slot past Niall Corbet in the UCD goal for a deserved equaliser.

Students player Daire O’Connor was soon forced off and was replaced by Jason McLelland whose energy, along with the strength of Kelly up front, wreaked havoc in the Shelbourne defence. The visiting North Dublin side were lucky to make it to the break still level. However, immediately after the interval UCD’s good play was rewarded as a beautiful inswinging delivery from a corner picked out defender Liam Scales at the back post, for the easiest of headers from 6 yards out to make it 2-1.

This then opened the game up, with the quality of the sand-based pitch at times making the game scrappy, despite both teams best efforts to pass the ball around.

A spell of good Shelbourne play eventually

led to a cross from the left flank which UCD could only clear as far as Dylan Kavanagh.

The Shels man who made no mistake with a great low strike from the edge of the 18-yard box past the despairing dive of Corbet in the UCD goal.

UCD now needed to chase the game in search of a winner and introduced veteran striker Jason Byrne which gave the home side a noticeable boost. Several good chances went begging for both sides to take the lead and the game looked like a certain draw until substitute Ryan Swan popped up at the back post. Swann exploited a rebounded into his path from a Maxi Kouogun shot, and he had the simplest of finishes to secure the home side took all 3 points. Cobh Ramblers have a game in hand against Cabinteely to keep pace to within a point of the Students after this win. As teams head into the final weekend of fixtures next weekend, UCD will need a win against second place Drogheda to ensure they keep their spot in the promotion playoffs.

Cobh Ramblers should keep the pressure on UCD with a win in their final game agaisnt bottom of the League Athlone Town. UCD will play away to Drogheda United in what will be a must-win finale, this Saturday October 15th.