The College View - Issue 11 - Volume XVII

Vol. XVII, Issue 11

www.thecollegeview.com

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

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Uncertainty surrounds SUSI grants for single parent students Laura Colgan Deputy News Editor @Laura_Colgan

THE Department of Social Protec-

tion confirmed that single parents in full-time education will be permitted to keep both their one parent family payment and SUSI grant from July onwards.

Changes to the one parent family payment will see single parents with children aged older than seven moved on to jobseekers allowance from this July.

Single parents already in full –time education will not be affected by these changes, a spokeswoman for the Department of Social Protection confirmed.

“All of the customers affected by the OFP reforms in July 2015 who are in education and in receipt of a SUSI grant will be able to complete their course and continue to receive both the maintenance and tuition portion of the SUSI grant, subject to the normal conditions of the grant,” said spokeswoman Veronica Scanlon.

She also said that the changes were being made as the one parent family payment was not successful in encouraging single parents to return to work.

Scanlon said, “despite the significant investment in the One Family Payment scheme over the years, the results have

INSIDE Opinion

»9

Confessions Of A Commitment Phobe

Features

» 21

The Great Debate

Features

» 24

Final year blues: relief and heartache overshadowed by fear

Gaelige Éire 2016

» 19

been disappointing in poverty terms for lone parents even when our economy was doing well.

“The best route out of poverty and social exclusion is through fairly-paid employment. The reforms aim to reduce long-term social welfare dependency among lone parents with a view to developing their skills set and assisting them into sustainable employment, whilst simultaneously acknowledging their specific caring responsibilities,” she added.

Scanlon confirmed that single parent students embarking on full-time education from 2015 can apply for a SUSI grant for fees, but will not be eligible for the maintenance component of the grant.

She said that single parents will be moved on to the back to education allowance instead.

Some 30,000 single parents currently receive the one parent family payment, of which 1,100 also receive a SUSI grant.

Almost all recipients of the one parent family payment are female, with the figure standing at 98 percent.

There has been an air of uncertainty around these welfare payment changes, with single parents in education believing that they could have been out of pocket by up to €657 per month.

When The College View approached the Department of Social Protection for confirmation regarding the SUSI grants for single parents last month, our claims were not disputed.

Many single parent students were told by welfare officials that they would lose their SUSI maintenance grant from July of this year.

A spokesman for One Family said, “we are hearing from parents about gaps in knowledge in many social welfare local offices where staff are not familiar with the impacts of the changes to the one parent family payment.

“This can lead to a provision of inadequate or incorrect information to lone parents and causes unnecessary worry and stress for one-parent families,” said spokesman Stuart Duffin.

“If a job is the route way out of poverty, then access to education is the ladder,” he added.

LEADER: Irish sporting legend, Henry Shefflin, talks to students in DCU’s The Venue on April 1 Credit DCU SU

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Wednesday 8 April 2015│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief: Michael Cogley Deputy Editor: Finnian Curran Production & Layout Editor: Gianluca Avagnina Deputy Production & Layout Editor: Mark Hogan Production Assistant: Scout Mitchell News Editors: Finnian Curran, Sharron Lynskey Deputy News Editors: Katie O’ Neill, Elaine Carroll, Laura Colgan Opinion Editor: Christine Allen Lifestyle Editor: Orlaith Farrell Deputy Lifestyle Editor: Emma Dungan Features Editor: Catherine Devine Deputy Features Editor: Jade O’Leary Irish Editor: Caoimhe Ní Chathail Deputy Irish Editor: Barry Scanlon Sports Editor: Ruaidhri Croke Deputy Sports Editors: Cian Roche, Kevin Taylor Flux Editor: Odrán de Bhaldraithe

Editorial

Deputy Flux Editor: Bryan Grogan Images Editor: Aidan Broletti Deputy Images Editor: Odrán de Bhaldraithe Online Editor: David Matthews Online News Editor: Mark Hogan Deputy Online News Editor: Kevin Kelly Chief Sub-Editor: Nicola Ayres Sub-Editors: Jordan Kavanagh, Megan Roantree, Nicola Ayres, Anna Kazadojeva, Giulia Luzi, Lisa O’Donnell, Conor Jack Martin, Aoibheann Diver, Chaitanya Brady, Aura McMenamin, Jamie Concannon, Aidan Delaney Contacts editor@thecollegeview.com news@thecollegeview.com features@thecollegeview. com opinion@thecollegeview. com gaeilge@thecollegeview.com sports@theccollegeview.com Printed By Datascope, with the DCU Journalism Society Thanks To Sportsfile, SLC, Office of Student Life

A stance and a sign off Michael Cogley Editor-in-Chief

@michaelcogley

THE first female president of the Stu-

dents’ Union in five years, a nail-biting education race and a close-run victory for Domhnaill Harkin in welfare brought the SU elections to a close.

However, before all of that came the SU’s stance on marriage equality.

On results night in Nubar, March 11, Returning Officer, Steve Conlon, summoned a roar from the attendees as a landslide ‘yes’ vote was cast by the student body.

An overwhelming result saw 2,392 of the 2,615 votes cast in favour of gay marriage. Given the fact that third level students are said to be rather liberal in their thinking it wasn’t the most surprising of results.

While The College View holds the stance of pro-gay marriage, we also encourage free speech and hope that as the referendum draws near both sides of the argument be handled with gravitas and respect.

Gay marriage is a topic that everyone has a view on. Many families across the country are split on their beliefs while others stand simply for or against.

As it stands we are just over a month away. On Friday, May 22, the country will decide which way

to vote. More locally DCU have removed their scheduled exams from that day, giving every student the chance to vote.

Despite our editorial beliefs, The College View will cover both sides of the argument without bias.

A topic like gay marriage can tend to raise a lot of aggression and frustration, especially those in favour of the change who feel oppressed by the state’s current law.

With campaigning about to go into overdrive over the next few weeks, one cannot help to hope that both sides keep it clean.

In the past we’ve seen contentious issues like abortion spill over and end up seeing more stories about the campaign than the reason for the referendum.

The significance of the referendum cannot be overstated but there is no need for campaigning to go overboard. The public need to be informed on the topic and the exact changes that are being made to the bill, but they do not need to be harassed or hoodwinked into voting either way.

On a topic like this, society doesn’t need the thinking done for them.

Thank you This is the last issue of this year’s Editorial Team and indeed my last issue as Editor-in-Chief.

I’d like to say what an enormous honour it has been to be at the helm of this paper.

Over the past year we’ve had some enormous stories, some bad, some good, come to us and looking back we hope we made the right decisions on them.

What unfortunately often goes unnoticed is the sheer workload that the team behind the paper puts in year after year.

Thank you so much to all who were involved this year. From our section editors and our production team to our excellent subs, a whole host of people involved made the paper what it is today. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you all and with our final issue now in print I hope it’s something you’re all proud of.

Thank you of course our readers, who’ve given us some terrific interaction and feedback over the year.

We hope we’ve moulded to your criticisms and appraisals appropriately.

Our new Editor-in-Chief has been appointed. From the next issue onward Catherine Devine will fill the role of Editor. Catherine has an enormous amount of experience for her age and fantastic attention to detail that makes me certain she will take the paper on to the next level.

I wish her and the rest of the new editorial team the very best.

THANK YOU & GOODBYE FROM THE COLLEGE VIEW’S EDITORIAL TEAM 2014-2015

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 8 April 2015

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News

Thirteen Cannabis referendum to be DCU expected if Students for Sensible students Drug Policy (SSDP) have their way diagnosed with mumps Finnian Curran Deputy Editor @finnc94

Chaitanya Brady News Reporter @Chai_108

DCU’S Students for Sensible

Drug Policy (SSDP) are hoping to push for a referendum to be held on campus regarding DCU SU’s stance on the legalisation and regulation of cannabis in Ireland.

Speaking to The College View after successfully hosting SSDP Ireland’s second annual conference, DCU SSDP chairperson, Dan Kirby, said that they will push for signatures for the petition.

When asked if he thought NUI Galway’s recent referendum regarding their SU’s stance on cannabis could be a catalyst for other colleges, Kirby said that they hope to accomplish the same feat in DCU. “We hope to have it started as soon as possible. Our aim is to create a platform where people can talk openly and honestly about drugs without having stigma associated with it,” he said.

Just over a month ago NUIG SSDP recently gathered 500 signatures across campus in support of the cause which forced their SU to hold a referendum on the issue. 68% of students voted in favour of NUIG SU lobbying to advocate for the legalisation of the drug. 200 signatures are needed in DCU before DCU SU can put a referendum to the student body.

Ryan Morrison of NUIG SSDP told The College View that they hoped the referendum would prove to be the motivation for other universities and student unions’ across the country to follow suite.

“This is where the politicians will have to start listening.

The colleges will act as the driving force for this issue,” he said.

Just under 100 people attend-

THIRTEEN DCU students were

John Wilson, Garda Whistleblower, addresses attendees at SSDP Ireland’s second annual conference Credit Norml Ireland

ed SSDP Ireland’s second annual conference which was held in The Helix last week. Cannabis legislation was the front running topic for the night but the

event also hosted Garda Whistleblower, John Wilson, who spoke of the failure of successive governments’ drug policies.

“Throwing people in prison

has solved nothing. Prohibition doesn’t work, and will not work.

We need proactive leadership in relation to this issue,” he finished.

USI running canvassing training on campuses nationwide

ing yes because they simply feel it is the right thing to do.

Unfortunately when out canvassing, simply telling someone it is the right thing to do isn’t enough. So we outline the reasons why a yes vote is important.” said Annie Hoey.

GIG Soc in NUI Galway are hosting the USI canvassing training on April 8th. There are further workshops being organised and dates will be finalised in the coming weeks.

No dates have been confirmed for USI canvassing training in DCU as of yet.

However, YesEquality Dublin North West are hosting a “Canvasser Training Day” in Dublin at 11am on April 11th.

Annie Hoey thinks that these workshops help to engage students that may not be

politically minded and may not have been interested in playing an active role in campaigning.

“I think the marriage equality referendum is very special in the sense that it is engaging a cohort of society that feels disengaged from the political process but feel that this is something they can get involved in and make a difference.

Nearly every student know at least one person who is a member of the LGBT*Q community and they want to see this referendum pass for them.” she said.

The USI launched their “Students for Marriage Equality” campaign on January 20th at Wood Quay, Dublin. The campaign was launched to help secure a “yes” vote in the upcoming marriage equality referendum.

Hayley Halpin News Reporter @HayleyHalpin1

THE Union of Students in Ire-

land (USI) are running canvassing training across a number of university campuses, in preparation for the Marriage Equality referendum on May 22nd.

UCC hosted the first canvassing training session on March 30th, facilitated by USI

Equality & Citizenship Officer, Annie Hoey, LGBT*Q Rights Officer, Robert Cassidy, and USI VP for the Southern Region, Martin Lynch.

In the workshops, facilitators go through why they are going out canvassing for a yes vote, they share statistics on where the opinion polls currently are, they give simple tips about canvassing and finally, they get people to give canvassing a trial run.

“Many people are vot-

infected with mumps this year in an outbreak that is affecting universities in particular, according to Dr Mary Ward from the Department of Public Health (DPH).

“It is spread by coughing and sneezing but you can also spread it through saliva by kissing. In universities there’s more social mingling then there would be with younger kids,” said Dr Ward.

Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection, symptoms are swelling of the cheek and jaw, fever and headaches.

Complications are more likely to occur with adults than children when the disease is contracted.

“The one that is often talked about in relation to students is testicular inflammation for boys, this can occur to up to 40 per cent that are post-puberty” informed Dr Ward.

Once infected the HSE advises you to attend your student health service or family doctor for examination. They say ‘there is no specific treatment for mumps’ which means over-the counter painkillers, food that requires little chewing and bed rest are what’s generally prescribed.

To avoid spreading mumps the HSE advises to stay home five days after swellings develop. With the end of term looming students could miss important classes and exams.

The MMR vaccine is part of the primary immunisation of children which is free, and is used for measles, mumps and rubella.

Students between the ages of 17-24 have been the most affected by this outbreak, the HSE maintain this is because many have not had their second dose of the MMR vaccine.

Their figures state that after the first dose you’re 78 per cent immunised which increases to 88 per cent after the second dose. Having a third dose can’t harm you.

The last mumps upsurge occurred six years ago in 2009. Last month there was 320 cases reported nationally, the majority of those were between the ages of 17-24 according to the DPH. Dr Ward said: “It’s estimated that we only get reported on a fraction of what’s out there.”

She explained this was because it relied on health professionals asking patients what college they are from and sending a report.

The college itself may make a report but this would be more common in secondary schools, who have more defined populations.

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News

Number of DCU international students hits record high Gianluca Avagnina Production Editor @GianlucAvagnina

THE amount of DCU internation-

al students reached a record number of 2,323 this year. This is an increase of around 300 students when compared to figures from 2010/2011.

Figures in relation to foreign students attending programmes in DCU have remained steady overall at around 2,000 units per year over the last 5 years.

Almost 20 per cent of this year’s global sum of DCU students is made up of foreign students, while students of Irish nationality continue to represent the vast majority (80.3 per cent) of DCU’s student population.

A document released to The College View by the External and Strategic Affairs department in DCU shows that almost half of non-Irish students are EU citizens, 3.2 per cent come from the Middle East, 2.6 per cent from Asia, 1.5 per cent from Africa, and 1.2 per cent are from non-EU European countries.

The smallest international communities in DCU consist of students from North Ameri-

ca (0.9 per cent ), South America (0.4 per cent), and from Australia and New Zealand (0.1 per cent).

These figures also show that the countries sending the highest number of students to study in DCU every year are consistently France, Germany and Spain.

A significant growth in the amount of foreign students from the Middle East (+1.3 per cent) and from South America (+0.1 per cent) has been recorded this academic year. This can be attributed to DCU Business School’s

USI hit out at safedrinking campaign Katie O’Neill News Reporter @_Katie_ONeill

PRESIDENT of the Union of Stu-

dent in Ireland (USI) Laura Harmon, has hit out at the Stop Out-of-Control drinking campaign which she believes should be “disbanded”.

The campaign which aims to promote responsible drinking has been shrouded in controversy since its inception because of its affiliation with drinks industry giant, Diageo. In the wake of wide-spread criticism, the head of Diageo, David Smith, stepped down from the board of the project and has no further decision making power.

“The next time we see the report is when it’s published, there will be no input from Diageo.”

Smith said, following his resignation from the board. However Diageo is still providing €1 million in funding to the initiative.

USI have called for the project to be abolished. USI VP for Welfare, Greg O’Donoghue, told The College View: “It’s still linked

to the drinks industry so I do believe that it should be disbanded.”

He continued: “To run an alcohol awareness campaign it needs to be completely separate from the drink’s industry.”

Diageo chief, Smith’s resignation is the fourth resignation over the past few weeks. President of DCU Brian MacCraith is among the members of the board of the campaign. He could not be reached for comment.

The Stop Out-of-Control drinking campaign was hatched in February and its intention is to curb the culture of alcohol abuse and binge-drinking in Ireland.

O’Donoghue listed the USI mental drinking campaign as an alternative resource for people looking for information on safe drinking. “We have our mentaldrinking. ie campaign which highlights the impact of binge drinking on youth mental health” he said. “We got funding for the campaign this year and we’re applying for funding again next year this is going to be an ongoing campaign going forward. It does need state investment.

That is what we’re pushing for.”

relationship with Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University in Saudi Arabia and of Brazil’s “Science Without Borders” project.

DCU’s Business School is also the faculty that attracts the greatest number of foreign students (761), in line with the trend registered since 2010-2011.

Following very closely are the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences (528), Engineering and Computing (424), Science and Health (356), and the Open Education Unit (226).

More students from urban areas awarded grants Sharron Lynskey News Editor @sharronlynskey

MORE students in urban areas

are being awarded grants for their third-level education, according to figures released by SUSI. Dublin and other counties with large urban areas saw a big rise in the number of students getting grants.

Counties with large urban populations that have seen a surge in grant awards since the 2011/2012 academic year include: Waterford (up 18 per cent), Limerick (up 12 per cent), Kildare (up 10 per cent) and Cork (up 8 per cent).

Rural areas, on the other hand, witnessed a sharp fall this year.

Counties along the west coast of Ireland, in particular, saw a significant decline in the number of students receiving grants from SUSI.

West of Ireland counties such as Sligo, Clare, Kerry and Donegal have seen some of the biggest drops in grant awards - down between 7 per cent and 17 per cent since 2011/ 2012.

No official explanation for this fall has been given by SUSI but a common theory is that it is linked to the, now more consistent, application of suitability rules provided by the single grant-processing agency, SUSI. Before the introduction of SUSI two years ago, farmers and self-employed people were more likely to get a college grant for their children.

Figures for 2010/11 show that more than 40 per cent of farmers and close to 50 per cent of

self-employed people secured a grant for their child’s college education, according to the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

Statistics for that same year show that, in comparison, just 17 per cent of students from families categorized by a “lower professional” and 27 per cent from families whose main source of income was non-manual work were awarded the college grant.

Since SUSI came into force, the overall number of grants awarded have rose by 2-3 per cent. In Dublin throughout that same time, there was a 15 per cent increase. While in Mayo, grant awards were down by 18 per cent.

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 8 April 2015

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News

DCU Drama Springs into action in the Helix Stephen Murphy News Reporter @thecollegeview

THEY’VE done a panto, a produc-

Credit DCU Drama

Grangegorman squatters set to resist eviction Aura McMenamin News Reporter @thecollegeview

THE squatters of Lower Grange-

gorman will resist eviction in six week’s time.

A High Court injunction granted last week will be sustained until May 4th, but residents have called the site their home.

“I won’t be vacating. From day one, I’ve considered this to be a political occupation. I will not leave and we will do everything we can to stop people from re entering.”

Stephen Bedford was one of the three residents representing themselves in the High Court last week. Although the date for the trial was Thursday 26th, Justice Paul Gilligan gave them 24 hours to seek legal advice.

“The judge’s opinion was decided for him before the court had begun. There was no way a judge in the current political climate would have ruled in favour of a project like this.”

The ‘project’ is a vast lot that

has been converted into a home for about 30 people. It holds three residential houses with running water, five warehouses and a large yard. The warehouses are scattered with artwork, furniture and clothes. The place is partly heated by a process called biomass heating. This involves burning trees in a small contained space, and the resulting steam is carried in tubes.

The site was occupied in August 2013 and the residents claim that their presence has benefitted the community. Some of their work includes: ‘Words in Warehouse’, a semi-regular, spoken-word, music and poetry night in the warehouse; Headspace, an art and music studio as well as a drug free area, with a juggling and circus practice space.

However, they claim there is a more serious undertone to preserving the site. In a statement released following an eviction attempt by NAMA, the squatters state that their occupation is an answer to the housing crisis, which has seen rent rise by 16 per cent this year.

“When we came here, our pri-

ority was to get a house, not a huge space. Our priority was to get a home and a roof over our heads,” said one of the founders, Julie.

Speaking with a French lilt, Julie is adamant that the state won’t provide for them: “We’re in the middle of a housing crisis. You can’t get rid of the problem by just evicting squatters or any other homeless people and just think that they’re gonna disappear”.

The inner-city Northside space lies five minutes from Smithfield luas stop. According to the young lads in tracksuits who were helping the squatters clean on Wednesday, it used to be a site for drug use.

The property is under the receivership of Luke Charleton of the accountancy firm Ernst and Young.

Charleton now manages the site following Pascal Conroy’s debt of €21 million arising from AIB loans. Charleton’s agents initiated the High Court case to evict about 30 people from the site.

tion of “A Clockwork Orange” and of Shakespearean comedy play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Now, DCU Drama are gearing up for their flagship event, their musical, which this year is “Spring Awakening”.

Directed by Maureen Ward with musical direction from Richard Coady, “Spring Awakening” is a coming of age rock musical which sees young people making their way into adulthood and the challenges and issues associated with this transition.

Themes such as sexuality, mental health, abuse and love will be explored, which promises an engaging and thought-provoking night.

Set in 19th century Germany, the original Broadway production is less than 9 years old and has won 8 Tony Awards, including one for “Best Musical”. James Keogh, DCU Drama’s secretary, says that “it’s a new musical with so much character and a very powerful story. It’s a great show for young people to see”.

Melchior Gabor, Moritz Stiefel and Wendla Bergmann are just some of the main characters at-

tendees can expect to see portrayed on the night. It takes place over Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night of this week in the Helix.

Preparations and rehearsals for this new and exciting musical are almost over as more than 50 DCU students take to the stage over the three nights.

Rachel Sheary, vice chairperson of DCU Drama, says that “rehearsals have been going great but are pretty strenuous. We began rehearsing in January so it’s been a long enough road.” Keogh paid tribute to the cast, calling them “so dedicated and talented beyond belief.

The leads especially are excellent”.

DCU Drama will be hoping to build on the success of last year’s musical, “Cabaret”, which was also set in Germany and attracted capacity crowds to the Helix.

Sheary is hoping “for an even bigger crowd this year with a musical so relevant to our age group”.

Keogh says “we’ve got three nights in the Helix so we expect a turnout of over 1,000 people. We will have sold out nights so people should get their tickets as soon as possible”.

Tickets are €10 for students and are available through the Helix box office or by contacting the cast directly.

NCAD students receive support from around the world Laura Colgan Deputy News Editor @Laura_Colgan

STUDENTS at the National Col-

lege of Art and Design garnered support from art institutions and individuals from all around the world.

Some 300 students staged a mass sit-in at the college last month, after the college’s director failed to meet them as planned to discuss their concerns for their education.

One week prior to the occupation, over 400 students issued letters of demands to director Declan McGonagle expressing their concerns.

He addressed students at St Catherine’s Church the next day, from which cameras and members of the media were excluded.

When students emerged from the meeting, they appeared dissatisfied.

Students are outraged that €104 million in funding went unaccounted for by the college.

The final year degree show, lack of resources and lack of

clarity surrounding charges are also major concerns.

Forty NCAD staff members issued a letter of support to the students the day after the mass sit-in.

The majority of the teaching staff was present at the occupation.

Staff members expressed their frustrations over lack of funding and resources on the day and blamed the college’s senior management.

Members of the senior management do not teach or partake in the day to day runnings of the college, according to students.

NCAD students have received support from artist Jesse Jones and literary critic Terry Eagleton, as well as trade union SIPTU. The University of Amsterdam, where art students are protesting and calling for the democrastisation of the institution, also issued statements of support to NCAD students.

Support has come from the University of the Arts in London, where protests are also ongoing as students claim the university is prioritising financial gain ahead of the education of its students.

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News

Irish universities rank high in research output – EU study Elaine Carroll Deputy News Editor @elainecarroll93

IRISH

universities are performing well against their European counterparts in areas of research and education according to recently published global rankings.

However, the EU-sponsored U-Multirank suggests Irish 3rd level institutions are falling behind the curve in the development of internships and other bridges to employment.

DCU performed very well in key areas of computer science well with three As, while NUIM got two As. At institutional level UCC performed particularly well with A grades in three of five key areas: research; knowledge transfer (based on co-publications with industry partners); and international orientation. Cork IT got A’s in two of the five areas, while TCD got only one in research.

versities’ strengths and weakness across different categories using an internet tool on the U-Multirank website.

More than 1,200 colleges around the world participated, up from 850 a year ago in the first U-Multirank. The organisers say it helps give students and companies the full picture, “as no single university is good at everything”.

“Students want to find the university that’s best for them, according to their own preferences, and looking for the ‘number 1’ university in the world is misleading,” said Frank Ziegele, joint project leader.

Irish colleges do well collectively on certain research measurements, with nine out of eleven getting an A or B for citation rates and five out of seven doing so for external research income. But only four Credit uccexpress.e out of twelve received an A for research publications, with six Unlike other internation- QS – U-Multirank avoids top criteria on a five-point scale that include CIT, DIT, and Mayal rating agencies – Shanghai, 10 or top 100 rankings. Instead from A (very good) to E (weak). nooth University getting a D for Times Higher Education and institutions are graded in 31 Students can evaluate uni- being below average.

Rainbow flag raised on Dundalk IT campus Andrew Ralph News Reporter

@AndrewRalph7

Further education college decision overturned in court Kevin Kelly News Reporter @thecollegeview

THE Student’s Union at Dundalk

Institute of Technology (DkIT) has raised a Rainbow/LGBT Flag on the Co.Louth Campus.

The decision was taken by DkIT’s SU as a means to advocate a “Yes” vote in the upcoming Marriage Equality referendum, scheduled to take place nationwide on the 22nd of May. Before the flag was raised, DkIt’s SU had created a petition to obtain a mandate from the student population to so.

The target for the petition was 1,000 signatures and this was exceeded by 2,000 signatures secured in a sole day.

At the flag raising ceremony, the President of DkIT SU spoke of his support for LGBT students at DkIT and the position he would be taking in the lead up to the referendum.

Brian Fitzpatrick said “Equality plays a central part in how we operate in DkIT.” He went on to say that he has “hope it will serve as a reminder to staff, students and the local people of Dundalk to get out on May 22nd and vote ‘Yes’ for Marriage Equality.”

THE Court of Appeal has over-

Credit wikimedia.org

Fitzpatrick added that “it sends out a strong message to all current and prospective students- DkIT is safe place to be different and to celebrate your uniqueness and be proud of who you are.”

The Class Representative Council (CRC) recently approved plans to fly a Rainbow Flag at the DCU SU building.

The SU member responsible for the motion was second

year EPL student, Sean Cassidy.

Cassidy said “It’s quite a significant gesture towards young LGBT people because during this referendum their identity will be up for debate and this is a reminder to them that we stand with them.”

In a recent referendum held at DCU that saw 2615 students balloted, 2393 voted for DCU SU to campaign for a Yes vote in the referendum.

turned a High Court decision that would’ve allowed the liquidator of a third-level college for foreign students to be replaced by one chosen by students of the college.

The court found that Anthony J Fitzpatrick was the duly appointed liquidator of Eden Further Education Ltd, which operates Eden College in Dublin. Close to 200 students and other creditors of the college also had their claim to recover €300,000 worth of fees disallowed as the court ruled that these were claims in the liquidation.

Eden College closed in April 2014 due to cashflow difficulties and was removed from a list of approved colleges by Irish immigration authorities.

The students were opposed to the appointment of Mr Fitzpatrick after he was chosen by the director of Eden Further Education, Fakir Mohammad Zakir Hossain, who also chaired the meeting with the college’s creditors.

Mr Justice Gerard Hogan said

that Mr Hossain was correct in appointing Fitzpatrick as liquidator because there was no method of putting a correct figure on the amount owed to the 190 students and other creditors, meaning that amount could not be included as a liquidated claim. As the student’s claims were not included, their votes were not counted in the decision on a liquidator.

Declan DeLacy was nominated by the students and two other creditors, the Revenue Commissioners and Dublin City Council, to be the liquidator for Eden College. A challenge was brought to the High Court to have Mr DeLacy replace Mr Fitzpatrick as liquidator.

Students paid Eden Further Education over €2,500 for a 52 week course but only got 26 weeks of tuition in the college. The student who brought the case to the court argued she was owed €1,386 by Eden Further Education as were other students in the same position.

The initial High Court action from the students was not against Mr Fitzpatrick but against Mr Hossain, who they say did not accept the rights of creditors when voting on liquidation.

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 8 April 2015

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News

President of NUI Galway apologises for ‘PR disaster’ Scout Mitchell Production Assistant @thecollegeview

PRESIDENT of NUI Galway,

Dr Jim Browne has spoken of his regret at the “terrible damage” caused to the university’s reputation by the controversy over its invasive occupational health questionnaire.

Last month, the university came under fire after issuing a health questionnaire to potential female employees quizzing them on their menstrual cycle. The survey was described as ‘misogynistic’ and ‘excessively personal’ by potential applicants.

“That’s something that should never have happened here and we have taken steps to rectify that,” stated Browne in an interview with The Connacht Tribune. “We were certainly not aware that it was going on.

It [the questionnaire] has been withdrawn and is being revised completely,” he continued.

Among questions included in the survey were: “Do

you suffer with any problems with your menstrual periods? Do you suffer any breast problems?” The story immediately hit headlines, therefore resulting in various speculations over its intention by many political representatives.

Browne also claimed that some politicians deliberately misled the public on the story in an effort to steal media limelight.

“There was stuff said about us by certain public representatives which was blatantly untrue. One particular representative said people were being asked these questions at interview which was never true,” commented Browne.

The original story states that the survey was an occupational health ‘pre-employment health assessment’ and was certainly not part of an interview.

Browne believes that similar PR disasters are often inevitable when involving large Credit connachttribune.ie organisations. An “[outsourcing of] assessment of staff from a medical point of view” is a ident also comprehends that regarding the format of the sur- hap but ensures its immedimajor culprit in the issue ac- greater attention in ensuring vey would have prevented this. ate correction upon redistricording to Browne. The Pres- that “sufficient care” was taken Browne regrets the mis- bution of the questionnaire.

UK students set to benefit from CAO change UCD to host 1916 commemoration conference

Finnian Curran Deputy Editor @finnc94

set to benefit from proposed changes to the admittance procedures in the CAO system.

Under the plan, which will apply to college applicants from September 2016, the Central Applications Office (CAO) points awardSTUDENTS from Northern Ireland ed for an A* grade in the A-Level who hope to further their third level exams will rise from 150 to 180. education in an Irish university are The points for an A grade

will go up from 135 to 150, while other A-Level grades will be adjusted by five-10 points.

It’s hoped that the new entry system is set to entice more Northern students to study in one of seven Irish universities as university fees across the UK are set to tip £9,000 this year while fees in Northern Ireland are expected to be just over £3,000 this year.

Under the new system, three A* grades will yield 540 points, and up to 60 further points could be added to this if the student takes a fourth A-Level. Five of the seven universities are suspected to have approved the plan while the remaining two are expected to ratify it at separate meetings this week.

It is not known whether DCU has approved the plan yet.

The move follows pilot projects introduced over the past 18 months by DCU, NUIG and Trinity College Dublin, where several hundred places were reserved for students from Northern Ireland who had taken just three A-Levels.

Currently, just under 1,400 students from Northern Ireland apply to the CAO every year and it is expected that the new admittance procedures will boost that number by 27 per cent.

Finnian Curran Deputy Editor @finnc94

UCD will next year play host to a

major conference aimed at measuring the Easter Rising on a global context.

The conference is one of at least 25 events expected to take place in UCD to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Rising.

UCD historian Dr Conor Mul-

Credit collegetribune.ie

vagh, who is coordinating the university’s Decade of Commemoration centenary coverage, said 1916 was “a relatively uncontroversial commemorative space” and that other commemorations will be more problematic.

Dr Mulvagh said: “At its worst, commemoration can be reductive, simplistic, and downright hagiographical. At its best, commemoration is a fusion of imagination, education, and new information.”

Two of the four Dublin battalions occupying the city during Easter week were led by graduates of the Bellfield campus, the 2nd and 3rd, led by Thomas MacDonagh and Éamon de Valera respectively.

Pádraig Pearse was also a graduate of UCD. The UCD programme was launched by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys.

She was given a tour of the UCD archives, which includes 450 interviews conducted by Ernie O’Malley with people active in the period from the Rising to the end of the civil war.

8

Wednesday 8 April 2015│THE COLLEGE VIEW

News

NUIG group wins ¤1m contract from European Space Agency Credit esa.int

Aaron McElroy News Reporter @thecollegeview

A research group in NUI Galway

has won a €1 million contract from the European Space Agency to create a way of correcting visual errors in space telescopes in orbit.

The objective of this group is to take the shimmer caused by the haze out of the picture taken by the telescope and correcting it to eliminate the distortion. It is hoped that this will allow them to photograph the edge of the universe.

Dr Nicholas Devaney from the applied optics research group in NUIG’s School of Physics is the principle investigator on the project and explained to The Irish Times what it is that he and the team have to correct.

“The basic idea is to measure visual aberrations in real time and correct them by adjusting something in the optics”, he said.

The challenge being undertaken can be simplified to thinking of the “heat haze” you can see above road surfaces on a warm sunny day. The heat causes the object to shimmer and flicker through the

haze and that makes it difficult to see any fine detail of the object.

Devaney and his research colleague Dr Alexander Goncharov will hire a post-doctoral fellowship and PhD students to

Staff set to stage second strike over NUIG merger Anna Kazadojeva News Reporter @thecollegeview

ACADEMIC staff at St An-

gela’s college Sligo are to go ahead with a second strike over issues regarding the merger with NUI Galway.

NUIG has refused to negotiate with the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, which is the main union representing St Angela’s college. The Union has called it “an affront to all established industrial relations practices”.

The planned one-day strike will involve 60 academic staff and will take place on April 16th.

Following the first strike that took place on March 10th, Union leaders raised an impasse at a meeting with Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan on March 25.

Sligo based Senator Marc Mac Sharry has again sought the Minister to personally intervene and resolve the dispute between two colleges.

In his email to the Minister, he stated “I reiterate my call to you for your personal and urgent interrvention in this case.

The entire situation reeks of

elitism and discrimination.”

Under the proposed incorporation, the staff at St Angela’s fear that they would be effectively demoted from “lecturers” to “university teachers”, and would have “little or no” opportunity for further career progression.

Following the first strike, TUI Deputy General Secretary, Annette Dolan, said “Staff at St Angela’s were left with no option but to take strike action over the complete lack of engagement by management with TUI at local or national level”.

The Union representing the lecturing staff at the college insists that regional provision of third level education must continue on the campus for existing and future students.

Ms Dolan said that there was no guarantee that the provision of Home Economics and Nursing Studies will continue at St Angela’s College.

In a statement, NUIG said merger discussions were between the executives of both institutions and not with the TUI, adding “this is exactly as it should be”.

help work on the project. They will also subcontract some aspects of the “active optics” system to the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics in Germany.

Active optics is com-

mon in technology on the ground but this will be the first time it is used in space.

Devaney said that the word active has a very specific meaning in this project.

“This is similar to the way in which our eyes are capable of focusing on both distant objects and objects close to us by adjusting the shape of the lenses in our eyes”, he said.

NUIG aims to be in top 100 universities globally by 2020 Aidan Delaney News Reporter @aidand472

NUI Galway wants to become one of the world’s top 200 universities by 2020.

Breaking into the top 200 was part of the Vision 2020, a strategic plan for the next 5 years released by the college last week.

The college currently sits at 261st in the latest Times Higher Education 2014 World University Ranking. The only Irish college to make the top 200 is Trinity College Dublin who rank in 138th position.

NUI Galway believes that due to a highly competitive global market in certain jobs, increasing its ranking will give it a better standing among internationally renowned businesses.

The president of the university, Jim Browne has said that the rankings are important to international employers and having a high ranking can help students get work abroad.

“The rankings are not a vanity issue,theyimpactonstudents”hesaid.

Speaking to The College View, NUIG Student Union president,

Credit msutoday.msu.edu

Declan Higgins said that the SU were happy with the “ambitious nature” of the Vision 2020 plan.

However, he believes that while the rankings are important, the care and support students receive is also essential to getting ahead.

“It’s in all our interests to have our university recognised on the world stage, however, there’s a lot that the rankings don’t capture. A high level of supports for students - now that’s a ranking to be very proud of.”

In its Vision 2020 plan, the college does not expect to have a large

increase in the number of undergraduates attending. NUIG currently has 17,300 students completing undergraduate courses but the strategic plan expects that that number will increase by just 1,000 by 2020.

Also included in the Vision 2020 plan, is its intention to increase its post-grad to represent 30 per cent of the student body. The university is planning to do this by focusing resources on high quality research development. In addition, the college is looking to secure funding of around 100 million euro from the EU in the next 5 years.

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 8 April 2015

9

Opinion Credit: Infinityhousemagazine.com

Confessions Of A Commitment Phobe Christine Allen Opinions Editor @AllenChristine2

“AH, I just don’t like to get feel-

ings for anyone so... when I start to - I’m gone.”

A girl I have recently befriended from college laughs awkwardly as she clarifies the reasoning behind her recent break - up.

I’m left speechless. After all, I’m the woman who for the past two years has been on the lookout for love. The girl who’s known for drunkenly reciting the now famous Carrie Bradshaw quote, in which she describes her longing to fall head over heels for another, on the night - link. I am the target audience for movies like The Notebook. I am in love with love.

In my view, at that moment, myself and this girl are miles apart. In my mind, I’m emotionally available while she’s closed off.

And so as she hugs her arms close to her chest, I feel sorry for her. After all, if fear is stopping someone from opening up to the possibility of falling in love, what kind of life can they expect to look forward to?

Two months later however, something happens that forces me to re - think my attitude towards love and relationships.

I meet someone.

Yes, after some thorough searching, (you can find me in the 2015 edition of the Guinness Book Of World Records for the longest running online dating profile), I hit the jackpot.

Having communicated initially online, myself and the girl in question decided to take things off – line. Needless to say, sparks that Nicholas himself would be proud of flew, and as she leaned over and kissed me I knew that this was the girl that I had been waiting for.

Better yet, she had no bag-

gage, no ex whom she was trying to forget, no issues about being out of the closet. Most importantly, unlike previous women that I had dated, she had no fear of commitment. She was open to a relationship and appeared to desire one with me.

And we all lived happily ever after, right?

Not so much.

Three months in, with the label of girlfriend firmly framing our relationship, I panicked.

I began to convince myself that it would all end badly, that getting hurt was inevitable and that the chance of falling in love was just a risk that at that time in my life I wasn’t willing to take.

After all, the first set of final year assessments were on the horizon – not to mention the fact that I was in the process of trying to secure an internship that would hopefully lead to future employment. Did I really want the stress that accompanied becoming romantically involved with another person?

In the end, my view of falling in love became so cynical and negative that it resulted in the cessation of the relationship.

However, not before I had displayed behaviour that in the past I had associated with ‘bad’ boys (and girls) - such as the gruffy biker Justin from MTV’s hit show The Hills.

This involved not responding to texts and being quite changeable in my moods towards her – to quote a Katy Perry hit, I was ‘Hot and Cold.’

In fact, in the weeks following our much dragged out break - up, I bumped into a friend of hers and was bluntly advised that I was a ‘headwrecker’ and would end up ‘alone.’

Post confrontation, as I sat in the back of a Taxi on Dame St, I couldn’t help but wonder when I had become one of ‘those’ types of people. The type of individual who’s emotional unavailability I

had been on the receiving end of.

The type of person that I had in the past not only harshly judged, but also urged friends to kick to the curb.

Had I gone from one Sex And The City character to another?

Was I now the female equivalent of Sex And The City’s Mr. BIG? Up until that moment I had always viewed people who could not have a ‘straight forward’ relationship (meet, date, all is great that kind of thing) as bad people.

Individuals who must clearly get a kick out of messing another around. People who derived power from keeping someone on a string.

Considering my behaviour seemed to now align with that of the stereotypical ‘headwrecker’, did this mean that I too was a bad person? Or was there a more benign cause for not only my actions, but theirs?

In order to make sense of things, I did what most of us do when in need of information regarding a problem - I Googled.

Following my search, the term that resonated with me the most was ‘Relationship Anxiety.’

Often used interchangeably with ‘commitment phobia’, it is a fear of being in a long term relationship, and a loss of not only time invested, but loss in the larger sense.

According to bandbacktogether.com, relationship anxiety is caused by many things, including insecurity about the value one can bring to a relationship, an inability to trust, a fear of losing personal freedom, a fear of getting involved with the wrong person and finally, emotional baggage.

All in all, the common theme is fear.

While I could relate to many of the above, upon reading the term ‘emotional baggage’, this struck a chord.

While emotional baggage can take many forms, the medium

that began to take shape in my mind was that which a litany of love songs have been written about - the ‘break - up.’

However, while ending a relationship can be undoubtedly painful, many of us continue to love even after we are left looking (and feeling like) the wreck of the hesperus.

And because of our apparent ability to bounce back, it didn’t occur to me that the disappointment, anger, hurt (and relief too in some cases) that I had experienced following the cessation of previous relationships had resulted in a phobia of entering into another.

Having spent a year practically envying the loving couples that had flooded my Facebook homepage, I was now walking away from that ‘connection’ that I had so often yearned for.

Post break – up, as the dust settled, I realised that I had come to view a relationship as a stressful process, a rollercoaster ride of amazing highs and devastating lows. After all, those were my experiences – (which on foot of conducting further research into the topic, I realised was in itself a large part of the problem.)

In ‘Getting to Commitment: Overcoming the 8 Greatest Obstacles to Lasting Connection (And Finding the Courage to Love’), commitment phobia expert Steve Carter outlines eight hurdles between an individual and the relationship that they deserve.

In his book, Carter deftly analyses each problem, points out self-destructive non-solutions, and explains the steps necessary to break old habits.

For example, one hurdle is blaming your partners’ shortcomings for the failure of previous relationships. Another is a continued belief that some relationships are too special to warrant the setting of healthy boundaries.

Carter advises that breaking

the cycle of bad relationships involves examining how and why we choose particular partners. He believes that this will inevitablty unearth the factors that drive us to hit the self-destruct button - in other words, the reader is encouraged to make the transition from blame to responsibility.

More specifically, he admonishes people for not finding out their potential partners history before giving their heart away, and is vocal about the decision of many couples to ignore reality, rather than pay enough attention to what is happening in their relationship.

Having read a number of Carter’s books, I have gained a greater awareness regarding the part that I played in the creation of stress in previous relationships.

Equipped now with an insight into the reasons behind their demise has also greatly increased the chances of my next relationship being a positive experience and as such, has lessened my apprehension regarding commitment.

While not condoning bad behaviour, what I have also learned from this experience is that a person’s lack of commitment towards another may more often than not be due to a number of underlying factors that the withholding partner needs to deal with. Bad relationship behaviour does not equal bad person. After all, many bad partners are great friends.

More importantly, I have also come to realise that relationships are by their very nature scary – and always will be.

As Carter states in his New York Times bestseller ‘He’s Scared, She’s Scared: Understanding the Hidden Fears That Sabotage Your Relationships.’‘Commitment is supposed to be a little scary. The fear is healthy and normal. What you do with that fear is the real issue.’

10

Wednesday 8 April 2015│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Opinion

Can We Stop With The Slut Shaming?

Lisa O’Donnell Contributor @lisa_odonnell

POSING elegantly in the banquet

hall of the Odd Fellows Mansion, Copenhagen, hand placed confidently on her hip and dressed in a floor length black gown, 20-yearold student Nikita Klæstrup instantly grasped the attention of the worldwide media when she attended the Danish Young Conservatives’ 110 year anniversary.

So why did this young woman, who is currently a rhetoric student at the University of Copenhagen, attract such interest at this event?

Was it because of her stance as an aspiring conservative politician?

Her participation in political debates? Her role as Deputy Chairperson of party youth movement, Young Conservatives?

No. The internet was thrown into a frenzy because of Nikita’s cleavage.

Nikita attended the formal event wearing a dress which had quite a risqué neckline, exposing bare skin on her waist and between her breasts. Given the fact that she is a very attractive girl, the media reported on her attire with headlines such as “Politics is about to get sexy”.

The Danish media immediately became infatuated with Nikita’s physical attributes, as opposed to her involvement in politics, with TV and radio hosts referring to her ‘side-boobs’ as opposed to her role

Credit: Popsugarassets.com

in the Young Conservative Party.

However, the attention Nikita has been receiving has not just been praise for her good looks, as she has come under heavy criticism from those who believe that her choice of dress was inappropriate and too provocative.

This situation once again throws light on the long-fought debate – If a woman wears a sexy outfit, is she displaying female empowerment, or is she going against everything feminists have fought for by sexualising herself?

This particular debate is far from straight forward.

Undoubtedly, we do live in a society where women often feel the need to sexualise themselves.

Whether they want to catch the

Let’s Keep Our Student Union A Political One Sean Cassidy Contributor @deckof52

THE attempt to build a more po-

litically knowledgeable and active student body is a positive movement. Yet more often than not, it is portrayed as the opposite.

This opposition is rarely

based on solid argument, fact or data but rather ideological bluster that doesn’t stand up against scrutiny.

There are still those who believe in and want to maintain a students’ union and a student body that is apolitical.

The reality is that the student body has consistently rejected this status quo. In 2011, a constitution was introduced that

attention of a guy, or because they think it’s a more attractive look, some girls believe that the shorter the hemline, the better. And this really is no surprise, looking at the role models young girls are now looking up to.

Singers such as Ariana Grande and US girl band Fifth Harmony first arrived onto the music scene with a wholesome, girl-next-door image, yet since hitting the big time, they are regularly seen (and are criticised for) appearing in music videos in scantily clad attire.

To simply judge these women would be completely unfair and ignorant, as more often than not, these female stars are being controlled like puppets by a management company who care removed the Orwellian bar on foot of political activity, and just recently the Union constitution further entrenched the idea that political activity is not merely a choice, but a necessity for the functional operation of our students’ union.

Those who hold the viewpoint that political activity is a necessity for the Union are quite open about this and their motivations to achieve it. It is quite a simple belief based on the vision that the more students who discuss issues, make decisions on those issues, and act on those decisions, the more likely it is that goals regarding particular issues will be

Credit: USI.ie

less about respecting females and more about how much cash they can rake in – and as they say, sex does sell.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini recently spoke out about how during her time in Girls Aloud, she was often forced to wear clothes which made her feel uncomfortable.

“The music industry is dominated by men behind the scenes, and older men too,” the singer told Stella magazine. “I mean, sexy and all is great, but you shouldn’t have to sexualise yourself to be selling music.”

Without a doubt, the sexual manipulation of women in cases such as this should in no way be tolerated, and females need to resist the pressure of exposing themselves in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable just because they are trying to please someone else, or because they think it is a vital ingredient to success.

However, those on the other side of this debate also come under an equal amount of fire, as seen in Nikita’s case. If a woman does wear an outfit that exposes too much flesh, she is branded as a slut, as someone who has nothing to offer other than her appearance, and is given the shameful title of a woman who goes against feminist teachings.

Personally, I consider this mentality to be just as disgraceful as putting pressure on women to dress in a sexual manner.

Some people say that women who wear revealing clothes are going against feminism, that they are bowing to the pressures of the

men who want to see them dress a certain way.

But believe it or not, it is possible for a woman to dress sexually because it makes HER feel good about herself, not because she wants to please someone else.

And if this is the reason a woman is dressing this way, then I think it is an inspiring example of female empowerment, as it shows that she is proud of her own body, and doesn’t give a damn about anyone else’s opinion on it.

Feminism is supposed to be about fighting for the equal rights of women, for them to have the freedom to express themselves in any way they wish. Yet when a woman dresses provocatively by choice, because it makes her feel confident, feminists are the first to tear her down. I see this as being completely hypocritical, as there is no female solidarity in slut shaming.

The fact that the topic of what women should and should not wear is even up for discussion in the 21st century is something which I quite find disappointing.

Given the fact that feminism has come so far in so many other areas, it really is a shame that our society is still debating how women should be branded based on their clothing.

Whether someone prefers to cover themselves from head to toe or wear a short, low-cut dress, it is the decision of the individual woman, and her choice is something which she does not need to justify - nor does it determine her personality or moral values.

met. The result of this process is having a more informed, engaged and empowered student body.

The activists within the students’ union and the student body which engages with this activism have delivered results.

The Union didn’t spend €10,000 on building a religious symbol on campus; the Union did get the introduction of split-payment of fees for students; the Union have introduced a free ID form for students who forget their cards during exams; the Union did get Eduroam extended to Campus Residences, and the Union did ensure that the exam timetable was altered so that students could vote in the Marriage Equality Referendum.

These are just the headline achievements. There is a plethora of other small and faculty based achievements that have occurred because of students being politically active.

What have those that oppose political activity achieved?

The simple answer is nothing.

They did not and do not intend on achieving anything. Silence is their aim. They rely on the information deficit within the student body and they thrive on the disengagement of the student body from Union processes.

There is never a cold eye cast on those who oppose such activity and their motivations.

These people do exist and do attempt to affect their opposition.

These people exist across campus within the office of student life, the union executive and societies.

They operate in the dark and never have their arguments, actions or motivations challenged.

Well it’s time that some sunshine was let in. It’s time they had the courage to advocate for their position in public.

In the past their opposition was a mere annoyance, however it has become more dangerous.

The onset of a general election and its result will impact the higher education sector dramatically, regardless of who is elected.

While this Damocles sword does hang over the sector and students in particular, our influence on this will be defined by whether we are non-political or political and whether we are re-active or pro-active.

Locally there is still an enormity of issues that affect our students. They range from ensuring course quality assurance, equitable access to services, and provision of safe and secure accommodation - amongst a long list of others.

Fundamentally there is the belief that we are stronger as a collective unit rather than as individual students. That is the real difference between a political and a non-political Union.

the suss 8 april 2015

Get beach ready with our summer playlist

CHANNEL 4’s TEENS Real life or shock value?

arts

Picture Credit: BebencaPhotography; RollingStone; huffpost.com; musictimes.com; wikimedia.org; state.ie; dmcdn.net; mandajurkiewicz; Kim Kardashian; Twitter; guim.co.uk; Katie Shaughnessy; universityobserver.ie; thewildhoneypie.com; americansongwriter.com; cloudfront.net

12

ENDING THINGS ON A POSITIVE NOTE Kurt Vonnegut’s A Man Without a Country is a memoir comprised of the author’s greatest oneliners, the most memorable of which has a simple message: “The arts are not a way to make a living.

They are a very human way of making life more bearable.”

That is why, before sitting down to write my last editorial for The Suss, I listened to Ornette Coleman’s 1959 classic The Shape of Jazz to Come.

Jazz, especially free jazz has always given me energy, and perhaps because of the heavy subject matter often tackled in this column, or perhaps because of a reluctance to write my last editorial, I found myself scant of energy.

My mind walked with Charlie Haden’s basslines and I found myself writing an article that contained something I usually outlaw from anything I edit; a first person narrative. The free spirited nature of Coleman’s playing led to me let go and drop my self-imposed rules.

The spark felt while listening to music brought me back to Vonnegut, a literary hero of mine since I read Slaughterhouse Five at age 15. Vonnegut was a wise man, the kind of man that the world needs, and he certainly understood the importance of the arts.

I read Slaughterhouse Five because, at 15-years-old, I was bored of life in rural Kilkenny and needed to escape into something; the time traveling escapades of Billy Pilgrim were perfect for me.

It’s the same reason John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood captivated me as a child: these views into other worlds made the boring life I led more bearable.

sharp darts -Kurt Vile is working on a new album that he hopes to release in the autumn. Rolling Stone originally reported that the follow-up to Walkin’ on a Pretty Daze would be called All Over the Place, but Vile’s management told Pitchfork that the album does not have a title as yet. Vile has been recording in New York, California and Athens, Georgia with Warpaint drummer Stella Mozgawa, sound artist Farmer Dave Scher, and producer Rob Scnapf.

-A newly-released project by French arts service Culturebox features Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) covering various songs from DOOM’s back catalogue. Billed as Beyondoom, the videos feature Bey sporting a mask while covering “Beef Rap”, “Strange Ways”, “Accordion”, “Curls”, “ALL CAPS”, “Rainbows”, and “Fancy Clown”.

-Le Galaxie have dropped

8 April 2015 | the suss Kurt Vile plans to release his new album this coming autumn.

their new single “Le Club” the title track from their new album set to be released on Universal Ireland on April 24th. They are launching the album over two nights at the

“

Le Galaxie have dropped their new single “Le Club” the title track from their new album

Academy on the 24th and 25th of April before visiting venues around the country.

-Robert Burns Jr., the original

One Line

This space has often been used to point out what is wrong with the world of the arts and entertainment; that is not a source of regret. The counterproductive and ultimately pointless nature of awards season still rings true and we as a society still feel oddly comfortable handing our money over to entertainers and artists who have shown that they don’t deserve it.

Kanye is God but what’s The Suss?

If any regret does exist on my part, it is that perhaps this space hasn’t always reflected my love for everything artistic. Of course, I love the arts; I wouldn’t write about them or critique them so heavily if I didn’t care deeply about them.

Vonnegut was 100% right: a drive to work on a summer’s day is made more bearable if Chance the Rapper’s Acid Rap plays on your stereo, a walk home in the rain made better if you get to watch Annie Hall once you get home and a long flight around the world is better passed by reading Stoner.

Bill Maher comparing Zayn Malik to Dzoakhar Tsarnaev (the Boston Marathon bomber): Bill Maher is a terrible, terrible, terrible person and a mas-

Your examples may be different from mine, but the important thing is that you have examples. The arts are the greatest labour of love known to man.

You or I could be the next Vonnegut. Don’t just appreciate, participate.

Like Vonnegut said: “To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.

So do it.”

Odrán de Bhaldraithe

Arts Editor: Odrán de Bhaldraithe Deputy Arts Editor: Bryan Grogan

Lifestyle Editor: Orlaith Farrell Deputy Lifestyle Editor: Emma Dungan

Earl Sweatshirt’s I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside: Exactly the opposite of every expectation that comes with a major label rap album, Sweatshirt stands alone in the world of hip-hop.

Castlepalooza: Hercules and Love Affair are perfect headliners for that setting, but forcing free nonprofit festival Canalapalooza to change their name to Canalaphonic - not cool lads.

Shamir’s “Call It Off”: Single of the year so far? This guy can write a killer tune.

Jamie xx’s album sampler: Looks like our Jamie is shaping up to drop the

album of the year; easy, easy, hold it down.

drummer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, died last Friday night. Burns Jr. was killed in a car crash in Georgia. He was 64. Burns Jr. was a founding member of the band and drummed on their first two albums before quitting in 1974.

-Director David Lynch has pulled out of the Twin Peaks reboot. The new series is still expected to hit television screens next year, but the director says there was “not enough money offered” to keep him involved.

Odrán de Bhaldraithe Mark Hogan Stephen Keegan sive Islamophobe who hides behind the guise of being a progressive when he’s really about three sentences away from saying something like “ban Islam”.

The bible replacing every mention of God with “Kanye West” being sold online: It’s good to know that the original bible has been recovered, unharmed.

The Smashing Pumpkins releasing new music: It’s kind of admirable that Billy Corgan just keeps on keepin’ on, long after every single fan they ever had stopped caring.

The Suss’s one-line reviews section: It started out good, but lost a bit of steam at the end, kind of like Death Cab for Cutie, or every other indie band ever.

Odrán de Bhaldraithe Stephen Keegan

Earl Sweatshirt released his new album, I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Out, last week

arts

the suss | 8 April 2015

13

channel 4’s teens makes your skin crawl

and holds a “no more Page 3” debate, which goes disastrously. The show illustrates how far cyber-bullying can go with Jessica receiving tweets such as “You’re new to the school, pipe down”, “You only don’t like page 3 models because you’re fat and ugly” Teens highlights the problem of bullying in British schools. Right: Channel 4 CEO David Abraham to “I heard she cried, so gutted I missed it”.

Classmates are constantly putting each other down and retweeting mean things.

People are left embarrassed after giving their opinions as their classmates tear them apart on Twitter. One girl also talks about how the boys in her class made a list of the ugliest girls and posted it on Twitter. While it is a demeaning and downright shocking show, it porweight that instead of eating, trays how vicious classmates them to fit in. takes Nurofen to take away can be on social media.

Harry shows how imporher hunger pains.

It is odd to think tant social media is in his Channel 4 describes its that any parent would life by trying to gain friends new show as being “groundallow their child to through likes, retweets and breaking” but it’s more invabe a part of this show. hits on YouTube. He makes sive, uneasy and absolutely We see how young the videos of himself scaring his shocking. participants are when family, retweets mean comIn episode one, two teenagone boy who is being ments about his classmates ers, Harry and Jessica, start and stirs trouble online when- interviewed still has life at a new school and are teddies on his ever he can. trying desperately to make Jessica does everything she bed.

The show friends. I’m sure the TV crew can to make people not like also features that follow them around help her. She’s loud, opinionated

“

a conversation between Harry and his mother in which Harry yells “one day I will have sexual intercourse with a female”. We also see Jess buying condoms and follow her relationship with her boyfriend. The show is so invasive that it makes your skin crawl.

The show does reflect the struggles of students going through their A-Levels and the pressure to look well.

Harry messages his friend “this year is all that my future depends on”.

A group of girls share messages such as “I feel so fat” and “My mum’s 40 and she has a better figure than me”.

Like most reality TV shows, it succeeds in being shocking and appalling and it’s clear that the teens are too young to realise the impact that a show like this could have on their lives.

Channel 4 describes its new show as being “groundbreaking” but it’s more invasive, uneasy and absolutely shocking

“I’ve got a secret but you can’t tell anyone- not even a soul,” is one of the messages that is read out on Channel 4’s new reality show, Teens.

Over one million of these invasive messages and social media posts are shared on the show, documenting the lives of British teens.

One of the most shocking stories on the show is when one girl reveals that her friend is trying so desperately to lose

make or break time for villagers Since the release of Villagers’ first album, Becoming a Jackal, Conor O’Brien’s star has risen immensely. Villagers have found themselves at the centre of the Irish alternative scene, with two Mercury nominations under the bands belt, cementing their place as the most intriguing band in Ireland.

Their debut was a dark, baroque and almost existen-

Conor O’Brien

tial outing, while their sophomore effort, Awayland, was more intricate and lyrically entangled, and the band seem set to continue in their vein of alternating sounds with the release of their upcoming Darling Arithmetic on 10th of April.

The most striking thing about this album is perhaps the promotional work that Conor O’Brien has undertaken, stating in many interviews that this was to be his most honest and personal album to date as he has decided to lift off the weight of expectations in favour of a kind of confessional.

That said, O’Brien came out to the public as gay after struggling for years with his identity as both a musician and a person. This kind of

Villagers are at the centre of the Irish alternative music scene

honesty flies in the face of most promotional campaigning, as O’Brien does not seek to present himself as a person of interest but rather hopes to become more than just a mouthpiece on stage, spurting out words and notes.

Villagers, being a very artsy and performance oriented band, want a more integrated sound, with sound and body

presented to the audience, something that does indeed stimulate the imagination as you wonder how this may come across.

The album itself is quite austere and relaxed, at odds with the jumble of electronic infusions and lyrical illusions with which O’ Brien inundated Awayland. He decides to eschew the pressure to live up to the current trend in popular music, which sees

Catherine Devine

artists create songs that are increasingly complicated, but not always enjoyable or meaningful.

David Foster Wallace once said that the thing he noticed most about his students was that they wanted to get across the idea that they were intelligent more than anything else. This is certainly something that could have been said about Villagers’ first two albums. It is when an artist finds their tone that they can relax, can begin to make music that touches fans and leaves indelible marks on the memory.

With Darling Arithmetic there is the sense that O’ Brien could fail enormously or succeed by his own right.

This album could spell lift-off for a band who have consistently produced interesting music. Remember the day.

Bryan Grogan

14

easter rising centenary events to get underway in august

The Birth of the Irish Republic by Walter Paget.

Right: Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa

With Easter just over, you may be forgiven for missing the news that €22m is to be spent on commemorations for the Easter Rising in 1916 over the coming year, what

with all that chocolate going around.

The year-long tribute to the event which saw Ireland take a huge leap towards inde-

Action Bronson sings “Easy Rider”

arts pendence, will begin on the August 1st of this year, with a re-enactment of the funeral of Jeremiah O’ Donovan Rossa and will run until August 3rd of next year, with celebrations to mark the centenary anniversary of the execution of Roger Casement.

For most there may be fears that this year will mirror similar commemorations for the First World War, which ended up monopolizing news and current affairs for days at a time. Those fears may be allayed by the list of events which was released by the Irish Government this past week.

The commemorations are set to be the bedrock from which a host of educational, arts and heritage events are to be launched. One of the most

8 April 2015 | the suss interesting introductions will be a new subject, Politics and Society, which will be trialled in schools around Ireland in the coming academic year.

Perhaps more historically important though will be the exhibitions and retrospects which are bound to be a huge part of the commemorations. The National Library of Ireland is currently looking at approximately 23,000 different documents relating to the signatories of the proclamation, while the National Archives are to publish court-martial files from 1916, along with Dublin City Metropolitan police surveillance.

Furthermore another outdoor festival is set to be added to a growing list of options for music-lovers, as Glór na nGael is organising Rave-lóid

as part of An Teanga Bheo, the programme focusing on the

“

A host of educational, arts and heritage events are to be launched heritage and role of the Irish language.

Beyond Ireland, exciting things, like the contribution of €2.8m towards a three-part documentary on the rising by the University of Notre Dame, are set to take place. The diasporic element in Irish society around the world will see the United States, Argentina, the UK and Australia, amongst others, host events in commemoration of The Rising.

Bryan Grogan

the suss’s summer playlist Summer is pretty great; that shouldn’t need to be expanded upon, but we’re going to anyway because as well being seasonal playlist enthusiasts, we here at The Suss also like explaining things until people stop reading/caring/living.

Summer is a time for fun, a time to bask in the sun and forget about whatever notions you have about yourself being a tastemaker. You can just relax and listen to whatever seems like it would suit the sunny weather outside.

It would be a crime to spend time indoors making the perfect playlist for sunny days on a sunny day, so we here at The Suss decided to do the job for you while it’s still April. These songs are for listening to while you drive to the beach, for listening to while you’re at the beach and for listening to on your way home from the beach. Going to the beach is something people do during the summer!

When the sun comes out, you forget whatever abstract crap you’re listening to, grab your GAA club shorts (make sure they’re not white, for the love of God don’t let them be white) and head toward the sea, wherever that may be. You stop pretending to be some sort of original and grab your nearest Hollister t-shirt too, because it’s not actually that warm.

Having invented the seasonal playlist, it brings us great joy to wrap up the series with the best season there is. This playlist feels like the right way to go out and it is fitting that this will be the current Suss editorial team’s last issue. So, just like you on the way back from Howth or Rosslare or wherever people on the west coast go, just like Action Bronson at the end of “Easy Rider”, we will ride the Harley into the sunset.

1. Fight Like Apes - Do You Karate?

2. Vampire Weekend - Unbelievers 3. Merchandise - Little Killer 4. Toro Y Moi - Low Shoulder 5. Seiho - I Feel Rave 6. Fall Out Boy - Uma Thurman 7. Charli XCX - Body of My Own 8. The 1975 - Sex (EP Version) 9. Dizzy K. Falola - Sweet Music 10. Kendrick Lamar - i 11. Bob Marley - Sun Is Shining 12. Chance the Rapper Feat. Childish Gambino - Favorite Song 13. Florence + the Machine - Never Let Me Go 14. Main Attrakionz - Perfect Skies 15. Melody’s Echo Chamber - I Follow You 16. The Shins - Know Your Onion!

17. Big Star - September Gurls 18. Delta Spirit - Devil Knows You’re Dead 19. Action Bronson - Easy Rider Odrán de Bhaldraithe, Mark Hogan, Stephen Keegan, Bryan Grogan, Holly Brown, Chris Kennedy,

arts

the suss | 8 April 2015

Waxahatchee Ivy Tripp

and honest as the project’s previous two albums, but brings in a grounded confidence that distinguishes this EP from its predecessors, Cerulean Salt and American Weekend. Ivy Tripp is a Carrying on with the stripped contemplative and intelligent down production and low-fi analysis of the realities of the vocals that have characterday-to-day, with a level of ized their last two albums, emotional breadth that marks Waxahatchee’s third studio Crutchfield’s obvious musialbum brings a new maturity cal growth since her debut in without compromising the 2012. raw, youthful writing that has Waxahachee isn’t singing characterized Katie Crutchabout super events or stand field’s musical projects. out moments; she’s writing Since their first album, anthems for the undefined Waxahatchee has moved feelings that make up the away from its Alabama roots, impulsive and measured signed with a new record realities of life. Ivy Tripp dilabel, opened for Tegan and verts from the introspective, Sara, and headlined multiple occasionally self-deprecating international tours. Crutchlyrics that made up Waxafield’s career is on the uphatchee’s previous two alswing, and Ivy Tripp reflects bums to offer boldly emotionthis significant growth with al tracks that are as personal a new level of investigative as they are relatable. emotional maturity.

Waxahatchee’s signature On Ivy Tripp, Waxahatchee low production, electric guitrades in the stereotypical tar-charged composition is love, loss, and spite stories as intentionally ragged as the so often tied to the female lyrics it backs. There’s a very rock genre for lyrical windDIY, 90’s garage aspect to the ings through life’s often album that further grounds uneven ground. Ivy Tripp sets the track in its grungy, rock an album-long tone of noroots. The album is expertly nonsense honesty with its first organized, mixing catchy, track, “Breathless”: “I’m not hook-driven tracks with trying to be a rose/ you see those whose lyrics poetically Katie Crutchfield A.K.A Waxahatchee

me how I wish I was/ but I’m not trying to be seen”, paving the way for Crutchfield’s chronicling of the vague white spaces between life’s extreme highs and pitfall lows. This is particularly pronounced in median tracks such as “Stale

by Noon”: “I could stop praying for everybody, I’m just wasting my time/I’ll read your philosophy and get a new lease on life/I get lost, looking up.”

Ivy Tripp is as contextual

mander away from traditional song structures to provide a compilation as complex and surprising as the experiences it depicts.

Ivy Tripp is a grungy ode to the unstable and unreliable in which Waxahatchee combines eloquent stream of consciousness with simplistic musical backings to offer a deeply accessible album with significant emotional depth.

Katelyn Harrop

Death Cab for Cutie Kintsugi

15

as we see it

Gibbard’s difficulties being with a star of Deschanel’s calibre. “Was I in your way, when the cameras turned to face you?” Gibbard asks in the chorus over a steady drum and synth beat. Gibbard’s It’s been four years since take on moving on isn’t exDeath Cab for Cutie released actly optimistic either, as the the divisive Codes and Keys, song concludes: “And I guess which marked a departure it’s not a failure we could from the alternative rock help, and we’ll both go on to group’s typical sound. Now get lonely with the boys from Washington someone else.” are back with their eighth stuThis dio album, Kintsugi. mournful, Sound aside, the core of melancholy each Death Cab song has vibe is apparent always been lead singer Ben on tracks such as Gibbard’s earnest vocals and the sparse “Hold clever songwriting. Whereas No Guns,” on the lyrics were less personal which on Codes and Keys, on Kintsu- Gibgi Gibbard lets listeners in bard again. Obvious lines of think- sings ing will attribute this to his “My divorce from actress Zooey love Deschanel. why The album’s opener, “No do you Room in Frame” alludes to run?/My hands hold no gun” over a simple, almost inaudible guitar strum.

That’s not to say that this is an album full of sad, slow ballads. The melodic, entrancing record has its more upbeat moments, such as “Everything’s a Ceiling” and “Good Help (Is So Hard to Find).”

One of the album’s standout moments is “The Ghosts of Beverly Drive.” The catchy track sees Gibbard taking a more metaphorical approach

“

Gibbard’s songwriting has evolved as he has aged with the band, no longer singing about the troubles of adolescence

Death Cab For Cutie. Above: Ben Gibbard

to loss this time: “If you let me be your skyline, I’ll let you be the wave/that reduces me to rubble but looks safe from far away”, he sings over a jangly, clap-along beat.

Gibbard’s songwriting has evolved as he has aged with the band, no longer singing about the troubles of adolescence. Now his music reflects an older, more mature musician looking at the world through experienced eyes.

On “Ingénue,” Gibbard returns to the theme of being young, this time from a different perspective. He sings to what might be a younger version of himself, telling him to “take all you can from the mouth of man/and escape from this town before your sand runs out” over a loop of “la la la” vocals.

This is the last Death Cab album with guitarist and producer Chris Walla, who announced he was leaving the band after Kintsugi’s recording.

The album’s title alludes to a Japanese art technique that involves putting broken pottery back together with precious metals. This is especially appropriate; Death Cab for Cutie has put together some beautiful music from the hard times, both personal and professional.

Ilana Kruger

lifestyle arts

16

the american apparel controversy American Apparel is just as famous for its clothes as it is for its controversial advertisements.

They featured amateur models, some of whom were employees of average height and weight, half-dressed in the company’s products and posed in sexually suggestive positions. Often, their private parts were barely hidden.

the most annoying sayings about leaving college For some of us the end is nigh, and while this is all very exciting it is also rather annoying – here’s why; “Oh my God finished college already what are you going to do now?”

I don’t know. I have less than no idea. I will probably sleep a lot more and continue to do

more or less exactly what I do now until my mother gives out to me.

“You finish college this year don’t you? Does that mean you’re available to work more hours?”

No. No it does not mean that.

I did not go to college and graduate so that I could work more hours in this shop. Let me go!

“Finished college now missy you’d want to start paying rent.”

But Moooommm isn’t the joy

This is all going to change, however, after an email was leaked stating that: “The company is going through a rebranding image so will be shooting models moving forward. Real models. Not Instagram hoes or thots.”

The term “thot” is an Internet slang acronym for “that ho overthere.”

The email has gone viral.

From Facebook to Instagram, models all over the world are calling the company out on the offensive language used.

“I’m really disappointed you get from me being here payment enough?

“No sorry this student card is out of date.”

You’re seriously going to do this to me? I’m not even finished a wet week and you’re taking away my student discount.

This is an outrage.

8 April 2015 | the suss in the new AA CEO. Go create your own brand from scratch.

Don’t try to change a brand that stands for so much....” was a tweet from international model Jessie Andrews.

Similarly, another wellknown model Megan Fay, posted that “My goal with modelling has always been/ will be to promote positive body image & inspire people to love themselves. Nothing can change that.”

On the other hand, American Apparel are desperately trying to cling onto their clients by ensuring them that they had no involvement in the email.

The company took to its Facebook page to apologize on March 24. “This is American Apparel, always has been and always will be. We love all our models, all shapes, and sizes. #welovediversity #weloveyouall!” a caption of a picture featuring two curvy models read.

The email was sent by PhotoGenics Media for an American Apparel casting call and since the leak, PhotoGenics have assumed all responsibility for the email, claiming that American Apparel had nothing to do with it.

Many critics find this hard to believe. Since the introduction of the company’s new vice president, Cynthia Erland, and chairwoman, Colleen Brown, many insiders believe that the company is turning a huge corner in terms of their rebranding.

The new effort to cut the over-the-top sexuality includes orders to airbrush nipples out of online ads for sheer lingerie. The company also wants to hire leggier models to replace the firm’s signature amateurs, insiders Does this mean I don’t get two for one Wagamamma’s anymore?

“So what can you do with that degree now?”

Well. To be totally honest with you I didn’t really think I’d get this far so I’m not entirely sure yet.

I’m going to stick it on the fridge for now I guess.

Show it to my gran maybe.

said. In the process, some have griped that a new kind of nastiness has creeped in.

At a recent meeting, Erland announced the change by telling as many as 30 employees she didn’t want models who were “too short and round,” the sources said.

Many of the employees have spoken out about how wrong and unfair Erland’s comments were, suggesting that the company may not be in total agreement with the new direction it seems to be heading in.

“

Many of the employees have spoken out about how wrong and unfair Erland’s comments were, suggesting that the company may not be in total agreement with the new direction it seems to be heading in This is not the only controversial case surrounding the LA based clothing manufacturer in recent months.

American Apparel ousted its founder and now-former CEO Dov Charney last December amid allegations that he acted inappropriately toward his employees. Charney has been facing lawsuits and accusations of sexual harassment for years. Paula Schneider replaced Charney as CEO in January.

Carina Canavan “God you’re a real adult now it’ll be time for the wedding soon!”

That would be a fine yeah if I had an other half of any sort but sound, thanks for pointing that out – really appreciate it.

“It seems like only yesterday you were starting school.”

Well it wasn’t yesterday Aunty Margret, it was about seventeen years ago now but thank you for the clichéd statement.

Emma Dungan

lifestyle

the suss | 8 April 2015

17

chocolate chip delight

Creating the perfect contoured look can be tricky

the perfect contour Contouring has become one of the beauty world’s most popular trends in recent months with the release of Kim Kardashian’s contouring selfie, but most of us are baffled when it comes down to successfully recreating the look ourselves. Other celebrities who are now fans of the contouring method include Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna. While they look like glowing goddesses, it is safe to say that most of the time when we try to contour we end up looking worse than when we started. Here are some fool-proof steps to creating the perfect contour:

1) Get two different colour foundations, one light and one of a darker shade. If you don’t feel like splashing out on two expensive foundations simply use a light-coloured concealer – they will both deliver similar results.

2) Apply the lighter colour down the bridge of the nose, under the eyes, on top of the cheekbones and in the centre of the forehead to highlight the areas.

3) Blend around the edges with a soft foundation brush.

This is the most important step because it will create that smooth, airbrushed finish

that we want to achieve.

4) Next, apply the darker colour in the hollow of your cheekbones, down the sides of the nose and along your hairline and temples. If your forehead is on the larger side, applying the darker colour 5) Gently blend around any harsh edges to create a smooth finish and ensure that there are no streaks or sharp lines.

6) Finally, set the look with a translucent powder to lock it into place. Good luck!

Method:

Shirley Donlon 1) Preheat the oven to 190°C.

what to wear: festival If you find yourself in my position, and you’re staying in the Emerald Isle this summer, it’s time to make preparations for the best part of the season; Festivals.

We lust for the days of ever-changing weather with wellies and tents, and for it to be socially acceptable to wear a floral headband. While our festivals may not rival Coachella or Lollapalooza, they are certainly are a rite of passage and what better way to show up to EP or longitude than rocking the perfect outfit and attitude. Here are your festival wardrobe staples for next season.

Crochet No surprise here, the crochet top is commonly a popular favourite with avid festival goers that include Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens.

Versatile and cute, the crochet top can be worn with just about anything in your festival wardrobe. Word to the wise, make sure you wear it on the first/second day; no one likes a grubby crochet top four days in.

Fringe Nothing says festival more than a chic black fringe top. Avoid opting for pastel colours as you can end up looking like a 6 year old on holidays. Style with simple denim cut offs or a black maxi skirt.

Hair Wraps You’ve reached the third

There are few things in this life better than warm chocolate chip cookies washed down with a glass of cold milk (preferably Donegal Creameries milk). Cookies are so easy to make and they go down a treat with everyone. Here’s a recipe for cookies that’ll tickle your taste buds.

Ingredients: 8 oz butter 5 oz soft dark brown sugar 5 oz granulated sugar Pinch of salt 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 large egg, beaten 8½ oz plain flour 7 oz milk chocolate chips

day, and if you’re feeling lazy and not looking forward to the communal showers, pack some dry shampoo and restore life to your hair with a funky hair tie. It’ll hide the greasy monstrosity that lies beneath.

Parka Face it, we are in Ireland and most likely you will experience hail, rain, sleet and sun during your weekend so be prepared. Rather than choosing a cheap and uncomfortable rain-coat from Penneys (which will never fit back into that little bag again) try bringing a parka jacket. It’s warm and comforting and for those nights when you’re sleeping on the wet grass, it’ll be your life saver.

Orlaith Farrell

Line 2 flat trays with greaseproof paper.

2) Beat the sugars, salt, vanilla extract and butter in a large bowl with wooden spoon until smooth. Add the egg and beat again.

3) Sieve in the flour and fold in until a dough begins to form.

4) Add in the chocolate chips and mix again.

5) Spoon the dough onto the trays.

6) Bake for 10-12mins. Allow to set in a tray then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

7) Serve moderately warm with a glass of cold milk.

Aoibheann Diver

lifestyle arts

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roz purcell suit collection hits stores Dubbed the ‘eat-clean’ domestic goddess as well as former Miss Universe, Rozanna Purcell is splashed across every magazine, newspaper and website as of late. Her latest accolade involves fashion design.

The Tipperary beauty announced her suit range, Scribe by Roz, at the VIP Style Awards in 2014 and after 12 months of orders, the collection will hit stores this month.

Purcell revealed that her collection will be featured in one of Ireland’s most luxurious and popular stores, House of Fraser in Dundrum Shopping Centre.

“My suits are finally going into House of Fraser so obviously they are all custom-fitted so it’s a three day service they do in house at House of Frazer in Dundrum,” she told Indpendent.ie. “I’m hoping to expand my colours to red, Jennifer Aniston wore that deep red and I loved that and I want to do navy blue. It’s launching on the weekend of the 9th, 10th and 11th of April.”

The collection has already become popular with Irish celebrities such as Sarah Morrissey and Fair City actress Vivienne Connolly, who are fans of Purcell’s laid-back, elegant look.

Roz has stepped out on the red carpet numerous times, adorning perfectly-fitted suits that enhance her beautiful features.

Orlaith Farrell

Roz Purcell has launched a new suit collection

Kylie Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Kylie Jenner. That’s all the world is hearing over the last year, and honestly, who could blame us? At only 17 years old, Kylie’s rebellious yet somehow mature persona is taking the world by storm.

With a 25-year-old rapper of a boyfriend, an alleged nipple piercing and lip surgery, as well as an abundance of racy Instagram pictures, what’s not to talk about?

Kylie’s Instagram seems to be at the centre of all this controversy. With low-cut tops, barely-there bikinis and kneehigh boots, it’s clear she’s not one to shy away from the camera. With captions like “Help me take off my balmainnnnn sweatttttssss”, it’s very clear where all this attention sparked from.

We can only wonder where Kylie’s mother stands behind all these seductive selfies and I can’t help but question what

8 April 2015 | the suss

oh kylie, no my own mother might say if I had an Instagram account quite like that. But even more importantly, we can only wonder why 17-year-old Kylie Jenner herself desires to be so controversial in the first place.

Kylie Jenner (right) with sister Kendall last month

Each to their own, but I clothing has lessened and her can’t exactly say I ever wanted uploads have increased, in a tattooed rapa rebellious per boyfriend, response to who is not the public’s only a father, insults. After but an enorall, you know mous 7 years what they say, older than haters are our Kylie herself. motivators.

FollowSo when ing in the does it end? footsteps of How long is it her infamous before Kylie sister Kim, it takes this badappears as girl rampage if negative one step too comments are far? Only time not enough to will tell, but stop Kylie’s Instagram storm for now let her take a selfie. of racy pics. If anything, her Aoife Marnell

“

Following in the footsteps of her infamous sister Kim, it appears as if negative comments are not enough to stop Kylie’s Instagram storm of racy pics

mantalk: it’s not me, it’s you

T

he last thing you want to do or that you will ever have to do in a relationship is break up. Actually, sometimes you really want to break up. Sometimes you get back together and make “We were on a break!” jokes.

How do you dump someone without leaving them down in the dumps? There really is no good way but there are plenty of bad ways.

Start by avoiding anything you have ever heard on TV. “It’s not you, it’s me.” “Let’s just be friends.” “We aren’t at the same place in the relationship.” If you really want to tell the person you had no interest in the relationship, fire ahead with the clichés. Full disclosure, I’ve only ever had one break up and I went with the “Let’s be friends” line. It

didn’t go down well and we weren’t friends afterwards.

I’m more in favour of slowly ignoring the other person until they break up with you.

Doesn’t make you the villain but you will not end it on good terms.

I am proud to say I’ve done a little research on this topic.

By that, I mean I asked a few of my friends on the best and worst ways to show someone the road out of a relationship.

The general consensus is to be honest with just a bit of sugar coating. Tell them exactly why you want to break up. Well, unless the reason is like a little line of hair they have on their lip or you’re getting more annoyed with every word that comes out of their mouth. Or they’re too needy.

What I’m trying to say is this: avoid pointing out any glaring personality flaws the person has because its bad enough to get dumped, worse to get dumped on. How would I do it? I’d be honest and say “Look, I don’t really want to go out with you anymore. Hit the road [insert

girl’s name here]”. There’s no good way to break up but it’s worse to drag things out until you hate each other. Because I have experience with that and it’s not fun.

Partly because someone hates you but mainly because you’re still stuck in the relationship that you don’t want anymore.

Chris Kennedy

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 8 April 2015

19

Gaeilge

Éire 2016 Caoimhe Ní Chathail Eagarthóir Gaeilge @caoimhechats

LE Luan na Cásca 2015 imithe

uainn, tá cuid mhór daoine anois iomlán dírithe ar an chéad Luan Casca eile a mbeas á chéiliúradh sa tír seo.

Luan na Cásca 2016. 100 bliain ó Éirí Amach 1916. 100 bliain ó cuireadh tús le gluaiseacht na saoirse a bhí mar chúis leis an Phoblacht ina bhfuil muid anois inár gcónaí.

Rinne muid ar fad staidéar ar Éirí Amach na Cásca agus muid ag freastal ar an scoil agus cuireadh béim mhór i gcónaí ar an tábhacht stairiúil ar leith a bhain leis agus leis an mhóiminteam a d’eascair uaidh.

Tá aithne ag gach mac máthair ar a leithéid de Phádraig Mac Phiarais agus ní thiocfadh an oiread tionchar agus spreagadh a bhí ag an dream sin ar thodhchaí na tíre a shéanadh.

Tá 100 bliain beagnach imithe anois ó léigh Mac Phiarais Forógra na Saoirse amach lasmuigh de Ard-Oifig an Phoist, ag léiriú mian muintir na hÉireann a bheith saor ó dhian-chumhacht na mBreatannach.

Leis an chomóradh ag tarraingt orainn go scioptha, bhí

sé in am don rialtas clár an chéiliúrtha ‘Éire 2016’ a fhoilsiú.

San iomlán, tá 40 mórimeacht fograithe acu don bhliain seo chugainn. Ceann de na himeachtaí ba shuntasaí ná fáiltiú stáit i gCaisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath do dhaoine muinteartha iad siúd a ghlac páirt in Éirí Amach na Cásca, imeacht atá chun fáilte a chur roimh suas le 5000 duine. Beidh a leithéid de mhórshiúl ó Chaisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath go Cearnóg

FOCLÓIR Forógra = Proclamation mar chuid lárnach an chéilúrtha.

Maidir leis an Ghaeilge, rinneach cáineadh mór gur fágadh ar lár í sa dréachtchlár comórtha a foilsíodh i mí na Samhna. Rinneadh maslú uirthi fosta leis an aistriúchán uafásach, nó an easpa aistriúcháin ar shuíomh ‘Éire 2016’.

Le seoladh ‘Éire 2016 : Clár Comórtha Céad Bliain’ an tseachtain seo chuaigh thart, dúradh go mbeadh an Ghaeilge mar snáithe

Scríbhneoir @SineadMcCool_

LE

Gradam na gCumann críochnaithe do bhliain eile agus BICS ag druidim níos congaraí, caithfidh muid súil ar shaol na gcumann agus na deiseanna a cuirtear ar fail dúinn mar gheall ar imeachtaí éagsúla na gcumann. Tá na cruinnithe gineáralta bliantúla ag teacht aníos agus ceann de na cinnithe is fearr go féidir déanamh ná rith ar son coiste.

Ag tús do shaol ar an gcoláiste, cloiseann tú i gcónaí daoine ag cur béim ar na gcumainn agus an tábhacht a bhaineann leo maidir le d’fhás agus d’fhorbairt thar na blianta. Ní haon bhréag é sin; idir scileanna, taithí agus eolas a ghnóthaíonn tú, bíonn seans agat tú féin a ullmhú don shaol tar éis na hollscoile agus an taithí sin a úsáid mar bhuntáiste agus tú ag lorg post.

Thar an craic agus spraoi a ghabhann lena beith páirteach i gcumann, foghlaimíonn tú scileanna de gach saghas tríd a bheith ar choiste; ó cheannasaíocht agus comhoibriú, go heagraíocht agus airgeadais, beidh tú níos muiníneach as tú féin de bharr an taithí

fáiltiú stáit = state reception

Tá aithne ag gach mac máthair ar a leithéid de Phádraig Mac Phiarais agus ní thiocfadh an oiread tionchar agus spreagadh a bhí ag an dream sin ar thodhchaí na tíre a shéanadh Parnell ar Dhomhnach na Cásca agus imeacht mór in Halla na Saoirse chun saol James Connolly a chéiliúradh ar siúl chomh maith.

Chun an chúig bású dhéag i bPríosún Chill Mhaigheann a shonrú idir an 3 agus 12 Bealtaine, beidh sraith searmanas ar siúl, ag comóradh na tírghráthóirí sin á gcuireadh chun báis.

Deir stiúrthóir an chomóraidh go mbeidh an Forógra, na sínitheoirí agus an brat násiúnach

den chomóradh agus ‘An Teanga Beo’ mar ainm ar an chuid sin.

Beidh sé suimiúil faire amach d’úsáid na Gaeilge anois i rith na bliana. Shílfeá go mbeadh sí le feiceáil chuile áit, le dátheangachas go forleathan ach ní thiocfadh ach buaile faoi thuairim a dhéanamh. Leis an rialtas seo i gcumhacht agus an seans go dtiocfadh rialtas úr teacht isteadh idir seo agus an bhliain seo chugainn, tá sé deacair le rá

Saol na gCumann Sinéad Nic Chumhaill

tírghráthóir = patriot

seo ag deireadh na bliana.

Ar choiste cumainn, bíonn ról a oireann do gach éinne.

Má thaitníonn dearadh leat, tá post an oifigeach caidrimh poiblí go hiontach duitse, agus más breá leat a bheith i gceannas ar ullmhúchán agus eagrúchán, oireoidh oi-

figeach siamsaíochta duit.

Seasfaidh an taithí go léir leat nuair a chríochnaíonn tú do chéim. Sampla de seo ná Niall Mc Nally, iar-mhac léinn atá anois ar camchuirt le ‘Lord of the Dance - Dangerous Games’. Tar éis córagrafaíocht a dhéanamh ar an ngrúpa

San iomlán, tá 40 mór-imeacht fograithe ag ‘Éire 2016’ don bhliain seo chugainn Credit: Tuairisc.ie

an mbeidh an tús áite sin tugtha don teanga. Ar ndóigh, tá sé tuillte go hiomlán ag an Ghaeilge. Bhí seisear amach as an seachtar a shínigh an Forógra mar bhaill de Chonradh na Gaeilge agus caithfear a rá go raibh an Ghaeilge

mar chuid ríthábhachtach dóibh agus iad ag iarraidh stát neamhspléach a chruthú.

Beidh le feiceáil ach in aineoinn láithreacht nó easpa na Gaeilge cinnte go mbeidh ‘Éire 2016’ ina chéiliúradh ollmhór.

FOCLÓIR ceannasaíocht = leadership ar camchuairt = on tour riosca = risk

Thar an craic agus spraoi a ghabhann lena beith páirteach i gcumann, foghlaimíonn tú scileanna de gach saghas tríd a bheith ar choiste.

Seasfaidh an taithí cumann go léir leat nuair a chríochnaíonn tú do chéim.

Credit: Nicola Leddy

rince gaelach le DCU Dance, chuaigh sé ar aghaidh agus tá sé anois má chuid de thuras domhanda le Michael Flatley.

Chuaigh grúpa ó DCU Dance chuig an 3Arena chun an seó i mBaile Átha Cliath a fheiceáil agus chonaic siad láithreach an obair dhian agus grá a léirigh Niall don damhsa, a bhí aige agus é in DCU agus níl aon dabht gur choimeád sé é.

Sampla eile ná Big Shot, a mbeidh ag taisteal chuig na Stáit Aontaithe i rith an tsamhraidh tar éis tosacht ar stáiste The Venue. Ceoldráma é a scríobh iar-mhac léinn

Lauryn Gaffney agus a chur DCU Drama ar siúl. Anois tá an criú agus an foireann aisteoirí ag taisteal chuig an San Diego Fringe Festival ar feadh cúig lá. Éacht ollmhór atá ann agus léiríonn sé an oiread ratha gur féidir baint amach mar gheall ar shaol na gcumann.

Tá sé tábhachtach an seans a thógáil; bain triail as rudaí nua, bí muiníneach asat féin agus tóg riosca. Téigh ar son post ar choiste. Beirfidh sé deiseanna iontacha duit. Beidh sé mar an cinneadh is fearr a dhéanfaidh tú riamh i rith do chuid ama ar an ollscoil!

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Wednesday 8 April 2015│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Gaeilge

Áisiúlacht na Gaeilge - nuair a oireann sí duit Barra Ó Scannláin Leas-Eagarthóir @barryscanlon

“TÁ an fear sin iontach ait,

nach bhfuil?”

Tá sé déanta againn uilig, labhraíonn muid cúpla focal Gaeilge agus muid ar shiúl i dtír eile agus eachtrannaigh ar fad timpeall orainn. Nach iontach an rud é go bhfuil Éireannaigh chomh bródúil as a dteanga féin go dtugann siad leofa í thar saile? Nach deas an smaoineamh é go bhfuil ár gcroí istigh inár dteanga dúchais an oiread sin nach dtig linn bheith ar shiúl uaithi ar feadh i bhfad? Nó an é go labhraíonn muid í le nach dtuigfear muid, le go dtig linn bheith ag cúlchaint faoin bhean atá ag caitheamh cuaráin is stocaí?

Den chuid is mó, is amhlaidh atá fíor, cé nach maith linn é a admháil. Amanna tá an Ghaeilge ina háis dúinn, lucht a labhartha is lucht a tacaíochta, ach na laethanta seo is cosúil go bhfuil níos mó daoine ag baint leasa aisti ar mhaithe le teacht as an tsáinn ina bhfuil siad.

Le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge chonacthas na mílte daoine ag baint úsáid as a

gcuid Gaeilge, agus ar Lá na Gaeilge sa Dáil bhí teanga na nGael in úsáid fiú ag an rialtas féín. Deirim “fiú”, mar, aineoinn stádas na Gaeilge mar phríomhtheanga reachtaíochta na tíre seo, is beag gnó a dhéantar as Gaeilge sa Dáil sa

CAITHIM an iomarca ama ar

líne, níos mó ná aon rud eile i mo shaol. Nach mór an trua é nach bhfuil níos mó le dhéanamh agam ná a bheith ag breathnú ar fhíseáin ar YouTube nó ag caitheamh mo chuid ama ar Facebook!

Níos minice ná a mhalairt, bím ag breathnú ar na suíomhanna siopadóireachta.

Déanaim saghas anailís orthu agus mé ag iarraidh an praghas is ísle a fháil astu.

Bíonn sé níos éasca an rud ceart a fháil ar líne mar nach mbíonn an mhéid cheart ar fáil sna siopaí sa cheantar an t-am ar fad.

Sin an fáth go gcaithim an chuid is mó de m airgid ar shuíomhanna idirlínte in ionad sa bhaile mór. Is rud andainséarach domsa é mo charta creidmheasa mar gheall

thar saile = abroad reachtaíocht = legislation ciontóirí = offenders

Ghaeilge sa chás seo, díreach mar go raibh sé oiriúnach dó?

Ar na mallaibh bhí scéal i mbéal an phobail faoi Rómánach a cúisíodh le tiomáint ar meisce i gcathair Bhaile Átha Cliath. Scaoileadh ar bannaí é, ach ó cuireadh tús

Le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge chonacthas na mílte daoine ag baint úsáid as a gcuid Gaeilge, agus ar Lá na Gaeilge sa Dáil bhí teanga na nGael in úsáid fiú ag an rialtas féín lá atá inniu ann. Ach ar an lá seo áirithe, baineadh leas aisti mar áis, nuair a d’fhreagair an Taoiseach ceist de chuid Mick Wallace as Gaeilge, agus dhiúltaigh sé labhairt as Béarla leis. Is doiligh tuigbheáil cad chuige a mbeadh seo ina drochrud, ach is iomaí cáineadh a fuair an Taoiseach dá bharr, fiú ó chainteoirí Gaeilge.

De réir an Aire Eamon Ó Cuív níl “meas ar bith aige ar an Ghaeilge”. An raibh sé i gceart tús áite a thabhairt don

leis an chás cúirte sa Chúirt Dúiche, tá dlíodóir an chúisí ag déanamh nach seasann an ciontú mar gheall nach raibh na torthaí ón anáileadán i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla, mar is ceart de réir na reachtaíochta. Ó tháinig an cás seo chun tosaigh tá níos mó cásanna á gcur ar atráth de bharr an “lúb ar lár” seo. Suimiúil le feiceáil go dtig leis an Ghaeilge bheith Baineadh leas as an Ghaeilge mar áis, nuair a d’fhreagair an Taoiseach ina háis do chiontóirí. Is maith ceist de chuid Mick Wallace as Gaeilge, agus dhiúltaigh sé labhairt as go bhfuil sí úsáideach do rud Béarla leis Credit: Olearyanalytics.com éigin ar a laghad.

Gafa le Siopadóireacht ar Líne Áine Marie Ní Mhainicháin Scríbhneoir @Ainemonk

FOCLÓIR

nach mbíonn orm ach an uimhir a chur isteach sa bhosca chun táirgí a cheannach.

Tá sé ró-éasca am a chailleadh agus tú i do shuí ar an tolg agus do ríomhaire oscailte ar an mbord nó ar do ghlúine. Bhuel, i mo thaithí féin, ní féidir liom m’aird a dhíriú ar aon rud seachas YouTube nó ar

shuíomh siopadóireachta nuair a bhím ag lorg éadaí nua.

Ceannaím chuile rud ar líne, ní amháin éadaí. Bím ag lorg smideadh nua ar líne. Tugaim faoi deara go mbíonn níos mó roghanna ar líne. Tá a fhios ag mo chairde go mbím ag labhairt faoi na rudaí is saoire atá ceannaithe agam ar líne

B’fhearr liomsa a bheith i mo shuí i mo sheomra féin ná a bheith ag troid le daoine eile sna siopaí chun an mhéid cheart a fháil sna díolacháin Credit: Huffpost.com

FOCLÓIR suíomhanna = websites táirgí = products díolachán = sale

Níos minice ná a mhalairt, bím ag breathnú ar na suíomhanna siopadóireachta go minic agus iad ag iarraidh na rudaí céanna a cheannach chomh luath agus is féidir!

Ar bhreatnaigh tú ar shuíomh River Island le déanaí?!

Tá díolachán ar siúl muna bhfuil sé feicthe agat! B’fhearr liomsa a bheith i mo shuí i mo sheomra féin agus mé ag dul tríd na táirgí go sciopadh ná a bheith ag troid le daoine eile sna siopaí chun an mhéid cheart a fháil sna díolacháin.

Is aoibheann liom rudaí a fháil sa phost. Tá sé cosúil le bronntanas a fháil ó do chara (ach cheannaigh tú féin é!) Bím ag tnúth go mór leis an rud a

fháil ó mo bhosca phoist in Campus Residences agus rithim ar nós na gaoithe (nílim ag pléidhcíocht, seans gur fhaca tú mé..)

Tá sé chomh úsáideach suíomhanna cosúil le Aldi.ie agus Tesco.ie a úsáid chun eolas a fháil faoin ‘Super 6’ nó rudai a bhíonn le cheannach ar phraghas níos ísle ná a bhí riamh cheanna. Tá bealach chun do liosta siopadóireachta a chruthú ar shuíomh Tesco agus is féidir leatsa claoí le do bhuiséad má chéannaíonn tú do chuid bia ar líne.

Is iomaí buntáiste a bhaineann leis an siopadóireacht ar líne.

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 8 April 2015

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Features

The Great Debate “Marijuana should be legal in Ireland” What do the students of DCU think about the legalization of weed?

Finnian Curran Deputy Editor @FinnC94 PRO

THERE’S always been a stigma

surrounding somebody who smokes marijuana. I find it hard to engage in a debate with somebody about the positive uses of marijuana without being labelled as a “pothead”, “stoner” or a piece of “ganja garbage”.

But I am in favour of legalising marijuana.

Tobacco kills nearly 6 million people worldwide every year.

Alcohol is responsible for half of patients admitted to A&E departments across the country each weekend. Can you guess how many recorded deaths worldwide are a result from the use of cannabis? Zero. Let that sink in.

Cannabis culture is on the rise across Ireland. Recently, 68% of students in NUIG voted in favour of their Students’ Union lobbying for the regulation and sale of the plant. A study carried out by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction reports 25.3 per cent of Irish people have smoked cannabis at some stage in their life. So that’s about one in four people who have smoke cannabis.

Medical marijuana is also growing in popularity, and legality in the United States.

Nine year-old Charlotte Figi has proven to be the catalyst for this surge. When Charlotte was three months old, she had her first epileptic seizure. She suffered from horrendous seizures multiple times a day, sometimes they would last hours.

At their wits end, Charlotte’s parents turned to medical marijuana,and a specific compound of the plant, cannabidiol, or CBD

Aoibheann Driver Contributor @Aoibheanndiva as it’s more commonly known.

Scientists believe the CBD quiets the excessive electrical and chemical activity in the brain that causes seizures. At this stage Charlotte, now 5 years old, was having around 400 seizures a week and she can neither walk nor talk.

Her parents, along with health care professionals, decided to administer her with two dosages of cannabis oil in her food every day. By the time she was 6 , Charlotte, began to thrive. Her seizures only happen two to three times per month, almost solely in her sleep. Not only is she walking, she can ride her bicycle too. She feeds herself and is talking more and more each day.

By legalising and regulating the sale and cultivation of cannabis, the exchequer should also expect to receive a huge boost in revenue. In America, Colorado and Washington both legalised cannabis at the start of 2014. The cannabis industries in both states are very organized and regulated, which is crucial to their success.

The results economically of this? In 2014 alone, Colorado’s legal marijuana industry generated over $76 million in state tax revenue, over $700 million in total economic activity, and a surge in tourism.

Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Ruaidhrí Quinn and Leo Varadkar, to name a few, have all admitted to smoking cannabis.

It can add countless benefits to the economy and the healthcare industry in Ireland. So, why is it still illegal?

“It can add countless benefits to the economy and healthcare industry in Ireland.”

— “Vulnerable and impressionable young people do not need to add drugs to the list of worries and stresses they are already expriencing.”

AGAINST

WEED is everywhere. Just go to

any college house party or walk down some back street in the city and you’ll probably smell it.

And yet cannabis is illegal in Ireland. The issue of whether or not it should be legalised is becoming more and more discussed in recent times.

I believe it should remain illegal. Although there may be some health benefits, it is still a drug that can be harmful if it is overused.

Weed is well known for being ‘the starter drug’. It tends to be the first one people try, because it’s so widely available, it’s cheaper than other drugs and the effects are relatively milder.

But of course, drugs lead on to more drugs. Cannabis is an addictive drug and if a person continues to use and enjoy it, they are more inclined to try other, more dangerous drugs.

Most people try smoking weed in an attempt to experience the famous ‘high’ or to fit in with their peers. Yes, college is a time for experimentation; a time to try new things but why not just join a club or society instead?

There is a reason weed is currently illegal.

Using cannabis obviously has a negative impact on your health. The desired, short-term high can soon be replaced by anxiety, paranoia, loss of co-ordination, memory loss and an inability to concentrate.

Cannabis can also cause more serious health conditions including respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and chronic

bronchitis. It can also cause psychological problems which may lead to depression, which in turn may lead to suicide.

Is this really something we want to encourage? Suicide is a growing issue in our society, especially amongst young people.

Vulnerable and impressionable young people do not need to add drugs to the list of worries and stresses they are already experiencing. Of course, there are plenty of young people using drugs, but legalising cannabis would send out the wrong message; that drugs are actually okay to use.

Chris Luke, a consultant in emergency medicine at Cork University Hospital says that young teenage males that smoke cannabis a lot can permanently lose up to 10 IQ points. He also says that 10 per cent of users experience psychiatric illness.

In my opinion, the only acceptable reason for smoking pot is to help reduce nausea for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Medicinal marijuana isn’t as harmful, because a doctor will prescribe the correct dosage and there is little chance of overdosing.

It is claimed that it helps with relaxation and stress reduction but there are other ways to do this. Exercise, chilling out with friends, getting more sleep and eating good, nutritious foods seem like much better options.

Credit: Google images

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Wednesday 8 April 2015│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Features

Final Year Reflection: Thx Fr Th Mmrs Jade O’Leary Deputy Features Editor @JadeOdette_

THE CAO system in Ireland is a

strange one.

It seems insane that at seventeen and eighteen years of age, we are expected to choose a college course that will (ideally) pave the path for the rest of our life.

At eighteen I couldn’t decide which member of One Direction I found most attractive*, never

With summer fast approaching, many DCU students are ready to say goodbye to the college years. Jade O’Leary reflects on important memories and experience. lectures, Moodle (soz LOOP) and the Henry Grattan building will be a thing of the past. I never thought this would upset me, but d’ya know what? In years to come, I reckon I’m going to be

irony.)

College is a time of highs and lows. We learn a lot about ourselves as people, as we are finally let loose on the world without our parents’ supervision for the

sential’ items such as fluorescent hair scrunchies, hand sanitizer, novelty socks and a 5,000 pack of bobby pins.

We discover that cooking is actually not that easy and takes

It seems insane that at seventeen and eighteen years of age we are expected to choose a college course that will (ideally) pave the path for the rest of our life mind decide on a university and a course that would essentially mould my future career. In the end I slapped down Journalism at DCU ‘cause I was “good at English and stuff”.

Luckily, it all worked out pretty well. I somehow made it to final year unscathed.

By the end of this month,

Credit: www.publicbroadcasting.net

strangely nostalgic about all of the mental breakdowns that occurred in the Mac labs, as I frantically tried to make the deadline for a project I should have begun weeks previously.

LOL, students. We never learn. (Pause to appreciate

first time. Our diets, our bank accounts and our general life decisions all become poorer as the first semester progresses.

We learn that we are not good at budgeting when we get our first grant payment and blow it all on booze/in Penneys on ‘es-

up a lot of valuable studying (cough, Netflix, cough) time. Serious kudos to moms everywhere for whipping up home-cooked meals every night of the week when you can just stick a pizza in the oven for twenty minutes…

When we go to college, we

realise who our ‘Tru frendZ R’. It is doubtful that many of us can hold a hand up and honestly say that we haven’t grown apart from at least one person we were close to in secondary school. The years spent in third level education are formative, we grow as people and discover new things about ourselves, so it’s natural that you might not gel as well with some of your old school pals as a result. But while we may lose old friends, we also gain new ones, who make 9am starts and four hour lectures just a TINY bit more bearable.

Shout out to my JR huns.

Peace emoji.

Our stint in university also allows us to find ourselves…in some serious states on a night out. We get away with drinking during the week, showing up to class hungover and sleep deprived, and basically just acting the drunken twat in general.

Once you graduate, that privilege graduates along with you.

You and your liver both need to grow up and get a job, for real.

Conquering public transport is a big deal when you live outside of Dublin and the surrounding areas. My first few days of college left me hella confused as to why the bus never seemed to stop at my bus stop. Turns out you have to press a button if you want to get off on the Dublin Bus route.

Thank you countryside Bus Eireann, for automatically stopping at every stop and NEVER PREPARING ME FOR THE REAL WORLD. Oh, how mature and full of wisdom I am now, three years later.

When I look back on my time in university, for the most part it will be with great affection. I’m a lot different now than I was at eighteen, but if I were to fill out a CAO form knowing all I do now?

I don’t think I would change a thing. *For anyone who was wondering, after much deliberation, I deemed Harry the fittest 1D member. Obvs.

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 8 April 2015

23

Features

Forever Hungry Aíne Marie Monk Contributor

SOME people adore shop-

ping, others enjoy sport and many enjoy makeup, but I, Áine Marie Monk, am a self-confessed foodaholic.

Be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner time, I may be seen consuming a mountain of cereal and milk. No food is left uneaten in my house if I have anything to do with it!

Now, as I attempt to adopt a healthier, more balanced diet and lifestyle, I have begun to notice more and more advertisements for food and the dreaded deals offered by fast food outlets.

One cannot simply stroll by a deli without marveling at diet destroying deals such as a chicken fillet roll (with three fillings, might I add...) for €1.99. How can they offer such an Irish institution at an outof-this-world price?! It must be some sort of sorcery....

I must bypass the brilliance of the EuroSaver Menu.

How can six McNuggets be only €2?! That’s a whole lot

Boasting some of the cheapest prices on the menu, fastfood and confectionary are difficult to resist. Aíne knows the struggle better than anyone. cheaper than buying the meal (why isn’t anyone talking about this? Or even setting up a price-comparison site).

The next obstacle in my quest to become fit and healthy is the cheap-as-chips menu displayed upon the door of chippers across the capital.

Why would I bother to slave over the stove when I can step over the threshold and take up an offer of €5 for a pizza and a drink or even a kebab and chips for €5 (if seeking the early-bird menu and opting to eat before 5).

My Fitness Pal and I aren’t on the best of terms these days as he/she appears to get great joy out of popping up out of the blue and resting upon the notifications bar of my phone. I am never offered a kind salutation or word of encouragement, just a notice that I had not logged my breakfast or lunch and to do so. How could I log my 3 bowls of cereal, two apples

and a banana when I know it would upset the app itself?

I think that in this case, for now, denial is best!

Despite Aldi’s super 6 offers, I find it terribly traumatising to dodge the dreaded sweets aisle.

Sure, I could just eat the bag of marshmallows on the way home, the exercise will cancel out the calories for sure!

The biggest challenge of all is to go to Dealz and exit the shop having only bought cleaning products and no confectionary.. I am always tempted by the promise of 12 Kinder bars for €1.49.

During the time it has taken me to write this, I have eaten a bowl of Tesco’s Own Brand Cereal (I have dubbed it the ‘Special K of students’) as well as a Vanilla Muller Light.

I suppose it could be argued that these foods are not awfully unhealthy, but as with most thing in life, everything in moderation.

Credit: Dailynews.com

Do people still read literature?

Glen Murphy Contributor

@MurphyGlenJR

THIS modern age provides us

with so many convenient amenities such as mobile phones and tablets its easy to forget about the humble book. The mechanical printing press was first invented in China in 1040 AD and later the moveable mechanical version was created by Johannes Gutenberg in Germany in 1450. It’s widely accredited as being the most important invention in history because with it books became far more commonplace and it made it far easier for poorer people to become literate.

Now, however, it could be said that many young people just don’t care for reading. For example, I recently travelled on a very crowded train from Dublin to Newbridge. The carriage was full of people of all ages all with their own way of passing the time. Of the dozen

In a world filled with technology, even the elderly couple on the train are checking their Facebook feed. or so young people I could see none of them were reading and were instead listening to music (still a good thing depending on their taste in

music) or just staring at their phones. Even the elderly group sitting at the table across from me had their smartphones out checking Facebook! Being

Credit: Library.com

the only one in the carriage reading I felt like some sort anomaly.

Terry Pratchet’s wonderful Raising Steam kept me entertained for the 45 minute journey but I was still left wondering if any students still care for any form of literature these days. Does the average teenager or student really care for reading as much as they do Geordie Shore? Well I think we might just be able to say yes on this occasion. The classic works of the great J.R.R. Tolkien still remain eternally popular in this age as they were 50 years ago. The first edition of The Hobbit only had a run of 1,500 in 1937 but I’m sure C.S. Lewis’ son giving it a sparkling review may have helped it gain popularity. Of course the movies of Peter Jackson have helped keep Middle Earth alive in the 21st century but the books themselves and Tolkien’s other work such as

the Silmarillion will endure for many years to come.

In DCU the Book Society help students to get back in to proper reading habits after the textbook overload of the Leaving Certificate. With 115 members the society is helping keep reading (of any genre) to fore of student’s minds. Reading is after all the best way to train your brain and improving your memory. The society chooses a book to read every two weeks and the members then meet up to discuss it.

Think of them as modern day Greeks debating writing, minus the togas. The society even organizes table quizzes to test its members literally knowledge. The next one takes place in Matt Weldon’s on Thursday April 9th. We must remember how important books can be in our lives. As a method of escape or a lifeline in hard times a book with a great story can’t be replaced by a Kindle.

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Wednesday 8 April 2015│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Features

Final year blues: relief and heartache overshadowed by fear Ana Kazadojeva Contributor

IT’S true that students in their

final year feel either relief and heartacher as they complete their degree.

There are those who absorb that fresh breeze of releif when the time of sitting in lectures has almost come to an end.

Other’s, to whom college has become much more than an

In the last few years of her college experience, Ana looks into the fear of leaving the DCU bubble. that you get when you watch a horror film, or going on a roller coaster. No, in those cases you know that the movie will end, the ride will finish sooner or later, allowing you to go back to normal.

This is the kind of fear where evry inch of your body tenses up and the only ques-

The fact that your family and friends are always keen to ask about “your plan for the future” doesn’t make it any easier institution sigh as it is almost time to say goodbye to some of the most wonderful people.

Inevitably, every single one of these student’s share one thing: Fear. Not the kind of fear

tion you need an answer to is: “What’s next?”.

It’s only as the second semester kicks in, that it all becomes very real. Everyone knows that they will graduate

sooner or later, but don’t think about it. Hoever, it’s sooner than later that it becomes the only thing you think about, ever.

The fact that your family and friends are always keen to ask about your plan for the “future” doesn’t make it any easier.

All of a sudden you don’t realise when you begin to view comlete strangers by whether they are employed and successful. Subconsciously you ebgin to think of various routes of how you could get there. And just a tiiiny bit, you can’t help but feel a little jealous to those who’ve already made it, while you siy alone in an empty mac lab at 10pm trying to finish a project that isn’t even marked.

Really, it is the factor of the unknown. There are so many things we hope to do after college: travel, meet new people, go to festivals. The possibilities are endless. But the summer isn’t and neither is our scrappy bank account.

The thought of this brings us back to our initial question which very few of us can actually answer. That, inescapably,

Credit: Deirdre O’Sullivan

results in the usual internal PANIC. There are of course the lucky ones who know exactly what they would like to do and where they would like to do it.

However, most of us genuinely don’t have a clue. And that’s okay, life is all about trial and

error. a big part of it is about making mistakes so that it takes us where we are supposed to be It might take a little longer for some, but we will all get there. Afterall, we’ll have our big fancy degrees to get us started.

Beauty school knockout Fionnuala Jones Contributor

I lowered my eyes and cowered.

My black eye was old, but my bloody nose, newly fashioned, was beginning bruising red and yellow. She managed to get my mouth as well - her skilled hands leaving an even bloodier gash. I attempted to straighten myself, before looking up. Then the flashbulb went off.

Behind the scenes at Cork College of Commerce, I was relishing in being a model for the Make-Up Artistry class of 2015. The class were practising makeup looks in the run-up to their final portfolio evaluation in two weeks.

Make-Up Artistry is a one year diploma course in the college, which allows students to work as a make-up artist for theatre, film, fashion, special effects once qualified. Throughout the course, students learn specialised makeup effects, fashion and media makeup, period makeup, as well as customer service and the business

of makeup.

For my first look, student Megan Stack decided to rough me up a bit. My backstory? I had been involved in another drunken brawl, and had been hit head-on in the nose and mouth, adding to my previous black eye. Starting first with the latter, a variety of purple, yellow and green powders are used to mimic bruising and swelling.

“These are my favourite kind of looks to do,” she said, “Special effects is so much more fun than the stuff we do for glamour shots. I’ve only just started taking to smokey eyes and that.”

Around the room, other looks underway include a girl-to-boy transformation, a high fashion look involving spray-painted wire and a 90s grunge look.

With the end in sight, the students were surprisingly pessimistic about the future. While Megan would prefer to work with special effects on stage or screen, she admitted that jobs are scarce and “it’s all about

who you know”. Another girl, Casey, said she only wanted to work on counter for luxury brand MAC Cosmetics.

“I won’t get there for a few years though,” she said, “By the time we finish, I’ll be too young to work on counter. I’ll have to freelance initially. But even at that, I’ll still be starting out

young, with no client base. It’s a vicious circle.”

With the course costing almost €1,800, I asked the girls about the recent surge in DIY beauty and YouTube makeup gurus, who, through online tutorials, have enabled men and women alike to apply makeup like a pro.

Credit: Google Images

“I think it’s fantastic,” Megan said, “at the end of the day, makeup is just a hobby for some, and not everyone is interested in doing it as a career.

Those videos are great learning tools. But you’d never be able to learn the likes of postiche and the business of the industry through a YouTube video.”

On celebrity makeup trends, such as the HD full face Kim Kardashian is renowned for sporting, Megan said, “That kind of look photographs really well, but if you were to look at her in person, it would just look trowelled on, which is never a good look. You should still be able to see your skin let it breathe. The focus should be on colour-correcting, not covering.”

With my makeup complete, I stood before the photographer and engaged a pose-off that would rival Tyra Banks’ glory days. Having been told to sad and sore for my first shoot, I was now encouraged to play with the lapels of my leather jacket, smile, and look away into the distance.

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 8 April 2015

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Sport

A refreshing Irish approach but O’Neill’s side are still lacking Ruaidhrí Croke looks at Martin O’Neill’s new strategy and determines if we have what it takes to beat Scotland in June Ruaidhrí Croke Sports Editor @Ruaidhri_Croke

UPON the release of the Irish

team sheet before last week’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland a general feeling of optimism began to grow among pundits and fans alike as it was clear that Martin O’Neill was looking to take all three points from the tie.

It was a feeling that hasn’t been encountered in Irish football in a number of years. Giovanni Trapattoni would never have set out a team that included a left winger at full back as well as a playmaker playing off the striker, especially not against one of Europe’s best teams – a team that beat world champions Germany 2-0 only six months ago.

It was refreshing to see a change in the philosophy employed by the Irish national team but it was a change that ultimately did not work. Robbie Brady struggled in the unfamiliar position of left-back, faltering to allow Slawomir Peszko in for the opening goal.

In the second half it was a different story and certainly Ireland did play well. However, it was not a new philosophy or a

refreshing change in tactics that The history of our national earned Ireland a draw. No, it was team is littered with ‘never give in’ those faithful old Irish footballing 1-1 draws that give everyone a lift allies – persistence and spirit. and keep our hopes up but, ultimately, only paint over the cracks.

Indeed Shane Long’s goal was the epitome of a late Irish equaliser – a beautiful scuff off the underside of his boot that spun over Lukasz Fabianski and into the net.

It wasn’t quite up to the levels of scrappiness achieved

by Niall Quinn’s toe poke against The Netherlands at Italia 90’ but it will be remembered in a similar bracket.

But a goal is a goal, and they should be taken any way they come. On the second half performance Ireland undoubtedly deserved a draw.

Few expected a victory over Poland and therefore it is a good point for Ireland. Now the focus must turn to Scotland at home in two months’ time.

Without a doubt June’s encounter is the make-orThere are plenty of reasons for Martin O’Neill to employ a similar break match of this qualifystyle against Scotland in June Credit Sportsfile ing campaign. A similar team

Shane Loong celebrates after netting Ireland’s late equaliser Credit Sportsfile

to those who took the field last week would certainly be welcome as Scotland will not be up to the standard of Poland.

What is needed is for the midfield combination of Glenn Whelan and James McCarthy to up their game. Both players struggled last week, McCarthy is particular continuing to live up to his reputation of a £14 million Premier League midfielder.

The pair were chasing the ball for much of the game meaning that Wes Hoolahan was left to feed on scraps for the duration. If we are to beat Scotland and keep our hopes of qualification alive McCarthy and Whelan need to see more of the ball to be able to supply Hoolahan, therefore allowing the Norwich man to create the openings.

Under Trapattoni the complaint was that the ball bypassed midfield too often as it was lumped long to Jonathan Walters or perhaps Kevin Doyle. That is not the case anymore as O’Neill has employed more of a passing style.

Despite this however Whelan still looks afraid to play a pass forward while McCarthy seems to go missing for large parts of the game.

Shane Long probably does deserve his chance up front but it is very difficult for O’Neill to drop Robbie Keane. Yes Keane isn’t what he used to be but his experience is vital and his goalscoring record is nothing short of sensational when you consider that he has played for a mediocre international team all through his career.

If Hoolahan can be supplied with more of the ball he will create the chances for Keane to finish. If you were left with a choice of whether to have a chance fall to Robbie Keane or Shane Long during a vital game it’s really a no-brainer who you would choose to finish.

Ireland do have the quality to beat Scotland, but only if it used correctly. If Martin O’Neill uses that quality in a similar way to how he did last week then they will certainly have the best possible chance.

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Wednesday 8 April 2015│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Sport

DCU GAA stars excelling at college and inter-county levels Garrett Lavin Sports Reporter @CVSport

THE road to senior inter-county

football is a long one and DCU’s men GAA team in recent years has found itself possessing some of the best footballers in the country. In 2012 the Sigerson Cup winning side could have been seen to be better than most of the inter-county panels in the country.

Possessing players such as Michael Murphy, Paul Flynn, James McCarthy and number of other players who were not only established senior players, but would be considered

amongst the elite in the country.

This year, however, DCU very much used the academy to their strengths with no stand out names as of yet. There were some players who were making waves at U21 and minor grades but not the stand out names of senior football at the minute.

A number of thee players were already regular starters for their county panels before this year’s Sigerson campaign but this year has seen some of the lesser known players come of age.

Stephen O’ Brien for one has been the fulcrum in the Tipperary midfield for the past two seasons and has established himself as one of the up and coming midfielders in

the country. Alongside Colin O’ Riordain from UCD they form one of the youngest and most exciting midfield partnerships in Gaelic football.

Other players such as Conor Moynagh, Conor McGraynor, Tom Flynn, Davy Byrne, Donie Smith and Mickey Quinn have all found themselves as established names in their respective senior panels.

College football has also found itself as a useful tool for county managers to assess their players as the level of competition has become immense and it finds some of the country’s best young footballers facing each other week in week out.

This alone gives young play-

ers the platform to impress and further aid their development.

Players who are on the fringes of their senior sides are given another opportunity to impress and it often bares fruit. The majority of DCU’s players this year have found themselves staring in their senior sides.

Niall Murphy has found himself staring in midfield for Sligo in recent weeks, his first long run in the side since he broke into the panel three years ago. Enda Smith has risen to national prominence after a number of impressive performances for DCU and Roscommon at both U21 and senior football.

Rory Connor and Eoghan O’ Connor are now well established

in the Louth senior side after breaking into the side last season.

Diarmuid O’ Connor also looks like following in his brother Cillian’s footsteps and becoming a stalwart of Mayo football after a successful league campaign and Conor McHugh continues to be tipped as a Dublin star of the future.

This year has seen DCU’s young players come of age both for DCU and for their respective county sides. Even though they may not have the number of allstar awards they show a huge amount of potential and there is no doubt they will be the names everyone talks about in the coming seasons.

Strength in numbers the key as DCUfm retain Bill O’Herlihy Cup Ruaidhrí Croke Sports Editor @Ruaidhri_Croke

CELTIC versus Rangers, Man-

chester United versus Liverpool, River Plate versus Boca Juniors, Real Madrid versus Barcelona, and so on. These are the answers that toll off the tongue of any football fan when asked what the biggest and most hotly anticipated derby in world football is.

However, in an Irish university located between Ballymun, Santry, Glasnevin and Whitehall there is a rivalry that goes above and beyond any of the previously mentioned.

A rivalry so great that it is played in honour of one of Ireland’s most revered broadcasters, despite the fact that he barely knows of its existence.

The match in question is, of course, the annual Bill O’Herlihy Cup between DCUfm and The College View.

A five-a-side match played in early April each year, 2015 saw the sixth instalment of the famous contest as The College View donned their traditional red to take on the green of DCUfm. Played out in the bubbling cauldron of emotion that is AstroTurf pitch number five at the back of the DCU Sports Centre, this year’s contest had everything that makes a derby just that – tough tackles, spectacular goals, heated

The DCUfm team celebrate their victory Credit: Cáit Ní Cheallacháin

emotions and a tense finish.

The action didn’t quite reach the dramatic levels of last year when, on a beautifully sunny day, DCUfm won out in the most dramatic fashion as Cian Roche (also deputy sports editor of this newspaper) slotted home the winning penalty to ensure the cup remained in the DCUfm studio for another year.

This year Roche would again don the green of DCUfm despite

the fact that his other employer – The College View – was severely outnumbered and therefore underdogs from the start.

While DCUfm had encountered a wave of interest in the match that saw them arrive at the pitch with 27 players, The College View had to make do with just nine men, one or two of whom were considered questionable in terms of their contribution

to the newspaper this year.

The opening few minutes saw a tight affair unfolding as neither team could grab the initiative. However, that changed midway through the first period as DCUfm broke the deadlock before streaking into a 3-0 lead.

The College View managed to pull one back through Ruaidhrí Croke shortly before half-time, but they would go into the break 5-1 down.

Things needed to change for the print folk and change they did as they stormed out of the blocks in the second half to reign DCUfm back in and level the scores at 5-5, to the delight of the large crowd that had gathered.

DCUfm still looked in control however as the abundance of fresh legs introduced began to take its toll on the waning College View side.

Harry Sunderland and Mark Kelly were particularly impressive at the back for the defending champions while Garrett Lavin put on an inspired display in goal, saving shot after shot.

Despite The College View’s best efforts they could never quite catch DCUfm and eventually the victory was sealed as Croke felled Sunderland in the box, giving away a penalty and suffering the wrath of referee Aidan Geraghty’s yellow card at the same time. Sunderland duly stepped up to slot home the penalty and give the radio station a deserved 10-8 victory.

It was DCUfm’s third O’Herlihy Cup win in a row, a feat never achieved before in the competition’s history. It leaves them on a total of four trophies while The College View remain on just two. With almost all of The College View team finishing up at DCU this year the pressure is well and truly on those coming up through the ranks to claw back that deficit when next year’s contest comes along.should be on colour-correcting, not covering.”

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 8 April 2015

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Are Ireland ready for World Cup glory?

Aidan Delaney Sports Reporter @CVSport

IT’S just over two weeks since

the country let out a sigh of relief as the final whistle blew in Twickenham which meant Ireland were 6 Nations champions. The game, and whole day in fact, will go down as one

of the most nerve-racking and exciting in Irish sporting history. But two weeks on, when the nerves have settled and the excitement has died down, what does it all mean for Irish rugby?

It’s the first Irish team to successfully defend the 6 Nations title since 1949 and they’re being strongly tipped to take the World Cup

by storm. However we must not get ahead of ourselves because there’s a lot to be done before September 18.

To go forward, you must first go back to see what brought you to this position.

That’s why it’s important for Joe Schmidt and his backroom staff to study every tiny detail of the 6 Nations. It was clear going into the tourna-

Sport ment that there was a plan for every game that was pulled off the majority of the time.

Generally Ireland stuck to their guns and bar a slip up against Wales, it worked.

These plans came to be thanks to hours and hours of studying the opposition and knowing their strengths and weaknesses. As you play the same opposition time and time again, you start to feel their rhythm and see the game the way they see it.

One of the main criticisms of the 6 Nations is that the tournament is held so often the teams know each other so well. Ireland won’t have the same knowledge of the Southern Hemisphere teams, which could cause them problems.

That means it’s up to Schmidt and his players never to take their eyes off the teams that come next. “Taking it one game at a time” is a favourite cliché among coaches but, for Ireland, it’s one they should stick by.

With the tournament the best part of five months away and only four internation-

al games in that time, the club game is going to be significant. The Irish provinces are somewhat struggling at the moment in relation to their usual lofty expectations.

Connacht are the only team to come on leaps and bounds since last year while Ulster and Munster and drifting aimlessly from game to game. Leinster still have a foothold in Europe but with a tough away day at Toulon ahead, their European dreams could be coming to an end.

It’s in the interest of the whole country that the provinces have a strong finish to the season. There’s a lot of rugby to be played but if the teams can go on a winning run and stay injury free, then it’ll set up the national side for success.

One positive is that there is time. Now is the time when these problems can be identified and fixed. If we keep playing as we are doing, then there’s no doubt we can take a few scalps, and maybe even go all the way.

DCU Ladies make up O’Connor Cup All-Star cast Continued from back page

Cian Roche Deputy Sports Editor @cian_roche

-ly over the past three years.

“It’s amazing that we got four out of 15 All Stars in the O’Connor Cup, which is a good representation and yet we still lost an O’Connor Cup. “I thought we were definitely going to get some All-Stars because we got to the final and we do have a good calibre of player throughout the team.

“This year I feel the quality of ladies football as a whole was on par with the men.

Earlier this year The College View reported that the GAA were by far the largest recipient of clubs in terms

of funding and the academy have benefitted immeasurably because of it.

However, McEnaney believes that the academy has played a huge role in the GAAs success this year.

“The GAA academy were fantastic throughout the campaign, they left no stone unturned for us.

“They really supported us with everything we went to them with and they really got behind us.

We were looked after, we stayed in a five star hotel down in Cork.

“Everything outside of the game was perfect, that includes management, nutrition and the backroom staff.

It’s just unfortunate it didn’t go quite to plan on the pitch.

Despite the enormous suc cess of the men’s team, fears

Laura McEnaney in action for DCU at this year’s O’Connor Cup Credit Sportsfile that the ladies achievements would be overshadowed were quelled through fair and equal representation in terms of equipment time and resources afforded to all panels.

“Nutrition and dieting was very important during the season, we were well fed after every match and training session.

“If you went to any other college in Ireland, there’s no way you would get that.”

Looking forward to the 2015/16 season, there is already a good basis of players and sys tems in place to maintain the success that placed DCU at the fore front colleges’ football.

But even considering the plethora of experience within the GAA community, McEnaney believes it’s too early to know how next year will shape up.

“There’s obviously a great calibre of player there. We know

there are six or seven experienced players leaving this year.

“The main consideration is, you don’t know who you’re going to get. We can only prepare with what we have at the moment, the rest remains down to whoever is brought into the squad.”

Trophies, titles and most importantly success will be the legacy of the All-Stars and panel members as the GAA look forward to 2016.

Sport

INSIDE

THE COLLEGE VIEW

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

www.thecollegeview.com

Pressure on Ireland to make France 2016 Read more on page 25

DCU Ladies make up O’Connor Cup All-Star cast

Laura McEnaney was among four DCU players to win O’Connor Cup All-Stars this year Credit Sportsfile

Cian Roche Deputy Sports Editor @cian_roche

AS another year draws to a close, the DCU GAA community will look back on this season as one of the most successful in its history.

February finished with the DCU men securing Sigerson Cup

glory in dramatic fashion, after a campaign which saw them dump out tournament favourites UUJ in the opening round.

Meanwhile, the ladies enjoyed their own success by capturing the Lynch Cup and the O’Connor Cup squad had to settle for the runners-up position.

There were more reasons to smile as the three

DCU ladies were bestowed the honour of all-star in the O’Connor Cup competition.

Ailbhe Clancy, Sarah Rowe, Lorraine O’Shea and Laura McEnaney made up the DCU contingent of the All-Stars, and McEnaney reckons the plaudits were a fitting reflection.

“It’s nice to get some recognition at the end of the year

and this year it was based on the entire campaign and not just the championship weekend.

“It’s a fair reflection on the effort that people put in throughout the year and throughout all the different games.

“But at the end of the day, it is a disappointment. I’d much rather have an O’Connor Cup than an All Star.”

Whatever about individual merits for players involved in higher education GAA, one thing is certain - the quality of gaelic games, in particular football, has grown enormousContinued on page 27