The Hype issue 9

Vol. 1. 1.

Issue 7. 9.

21st February 2018 Vol. Issue 21st March 2018

Music

Rejjie Snow at the Olympia Edina Zejnilovic discusses the up and coming Irish hip hop artist’s performance last week.

R

ejjie Snow is an Irish rap sensation that has put Ireland on the map for rap and hip-hop.

Alexander Anyaegbunam, more popularly known as Rejjie Snow, has blown up in the past few years internationally and returned to his roots in Dublin on Monday to a packed arena filled with fans who have always believed in his dream.

The anticipation for Rejjie’s appearance was high as the crowd cheered his name to the top of their lungs. The smoke, strobing lights and amazing atmosphere must have given everybody in the room goosebumps.

It’s safe to say that audience’s age group was a strange mixture, ranging from around 16 to about 30. However, the diverse crowd highlighted that Snow’s music isn’t just aimed at a specific age group, but rather for everybody and anybody.

The night opened with support acts:

Ebenezer and Rain (MrIAmNext).

Although they weren’t well-known to the Irish audience, they still received an immense amount of support from the crowd and hyped up the whole room before Rejjie came out on stage.

When it was time for Snow to walk out on stage, the crowd was in hysterics. He greeted the big audience with his comforting Dublin accent and made everybody feel united. He kicked off the show with some tracks from his latest 20-track LP, Dear Annie, including ‘Annie’, ‘Room 27’, ‘Greatness’ and ‘Egyptian Luvr’ featuring Amine, which had the crowd singing along and swaying side to side. He then switched up the energy in the room when he performed upbeat ‘Pink Lemonade’, ‘Charlie Brown’ and ‘Bye Polar’ causing the crowd to go wild and had Rejjie showing off his best dance moves too.

The mood then changed when

he performed more relaxed melodies such as the French-titled songs ‘Desole’ and ‘Mon Amour’ which had almost everybody recording on their phones, swaying their heads about.

The sensual mood continued when he performed ‘PINK FLOWER’ and ‘SUNNY CALIFORNIA’, while couples held each other and danced together.

Mid-concert, Snow brought out the well-known and growing Irish rap group, Versatile, which was a surprise to most. Whether you love them or hate them, they sure knew how to get most of the crowd pumped, although it was clear that there were some unhappy faces.

There was a strong sense of nostalgia in the arena when Snow brought it back to 2013, and performed an old hit from the Rejovich EP, ‘Olga (1984)’.

The audience’s faces lit up as they reminisced about the beginning of Rejjie’s music career and all his first hits. The atmosphere was sentimentally thrilling for every person in the room.

Between the talented supporting acts, the vibrant crowd, the hypnotising light visuals and

Rejjie Snow’s breathtakingly soft yet powerful voice, the concert was an experience to remember. The energy sprung back and forth between the Irish rapper and his crowd, making the aura both intense and enjoyable for all who attended.

Wyvern Lingo sing of love and loss on debut album Emer Handly reviews Wyvern Lingo’s self-titled album that exceeds all expectations

W

yvern Lingo released their self-titled debut album last month, which has drawn huge attention, and rightly so. It is a brilliant album of groovy and elegant tunes.

The female alt-pop band from Co. Bray consist of best-friends Karen Cowley, Caoimhe Barry and Saoirse Duane.

The trio self-released their first EP - “The Widow Knows” in 2014, which brought them to the attention of Irish independent label Rubyworks. They have toured with James Vincent McMorrow and fellow Bray native Hozier, and a second EP “Letter To Willow” followed in 2016.

The group have described the self-titled record as an exploration of their collective experiences, both as individuals and as friends.

This is why the album plays with so much personality.

“We are three individuals whose lives are inextricably linked. We know each other inside and out and can’t lie or fake it in front of each other, so our lyrics are awash with honesty.”

The album opens with Out Of My

2

Hands, a song about someone who doesn’t want to engage in social politics because they dont think they can do anything about the problems.

Themes of political and sexual politics reappear on the album - I Love You, Sadie is a gender fluid love song.

“You know my history, at a time I might have been paranoid. When I was just

heartache of a relationship that ended badly and the struggle to find closure afterwards.

Used also discusses a toxic lover whose actions won’t hurt her because she’s already numb.

Tell Him is performed with the same brutal honesty as Hozier’s Take Me To Church.

a little girl wanted to be a little boy.”

There are touches of nineties neo soul in the passionate, jazzy Maybe It’s My Nature and the smooth, slowpaced Snow ||.

Crawl delves deep into the

The song draws you in and then surprises you with Saoirse Duane’s striking guitars for the chorus.

Fountains is an ode to missing a lover who has moved on. It has a catchy rhythm that will have you

swaying while thinking back to a lost love. “But now you’re gone, ‘cause you want someone else, and I’m left here in the dark with no possible sign of light”.

Fear, Subside and When I Can (Rubbish) make a great end to a great album. The vocals and harmonies throughout the album are just sensational.

“Music is the glue that helped Wyvern Lingo stick together.

Originally bonding over handme-down albums by Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell and Simon & Garfunkel; then starting their own thread of music,” said the band on their website, and this certainly shines through on the album.

Wyvern Lingo’s debut album is a beautiful tribute to all things personal, emotional and political.

It is a sensual, soulful, beatdriven mix that successfully combines R&B, folk, indie, and pop.

Wyvern Lingo have taken their time to craft themselves into something unique and it has paid off.

The trio are touring the album from March to September.

An exploration into post-rock

Music

Ailbhe Daly explores the music genre that is often dismissed as ‘noise’

T

ell someone your favourite genre is Post Rock and prepare to be met with a raised eyebrow and a quizzical stare. It gets worse if you tell them your favourite album is ‘The Fear is Excruciating, But Therein Lies The Answer’. You quite literally sound like you’re joking with them, and you’d nearly forgive them for thinking that.

The origins of post-rock run far deeper than most genres, in that it didn’t come to be in just one instance.

It is characterised by putting emphasis on the rhythm and melody of guitars, and not adhering to the standard verse-chorus-verse structure that most are used to listening to.

The fact it isn’t a mainstream genre may lead you to think it isn’t popular, but it is more that many tracks last well over ten minutes make them very radio un-friendly. Take Godspeed You! Black Emperor, for example. One of the most prominent and popular post-rock bands today, their first LP, ‘Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven’ is comprised of just four songs – the shortest is 18 minutes long. Yet despite this, the first track on the album, Storm, has over three million listens on Spotify alone.

While many claim the real birth

of post-rock was in the 90s, it started far before that. The combination of droning and thumping guitars is something that bands like The Velvet Underground and Fleetwood Mac flirted with in their heyday. There isn’t one specific track or moment that you can use to pinpoint the emergence of post-rock but rather a number of building blocks that were used as the foundation for what the genre would grow from.

The term ‘post-rock’ is claimed to have been coined by Mojo journalist Simon Reynolds during his review of Bark Psychosis’ album Hex, published in 1994.

An expansion on this idea happened in May of the same year when Reynolds described post-rock as using rock instrumentation for nonrock purposes, using guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures rather than riffs and power chords.”

Kentuckians Slint was formed in 1987 and their sophomore record ‘Spiderland’ would go on to be one of the albums that many hold as the first real post-rock album. Bands like Tortoise (featuring David Pajo of Slint) and Cul De Sac went on to push the genre forward in the 1990s but it wasn’t until the turn of the millennium

that post-rock really affirmed itself and found its true footing.

Icelandic Sigur Ros was one of the first post-rock bands to break into mainstream media with their fourth album, Takk. The ethereal Hoppipolla, the second single from the album, was used in numerous ads in mainstream media which led to radios picking the track up. Sigur Ros themselves continue to uphold their title as one of the most influential post-rock bands around, helped in great part by charismatic frontman Jonsi.

Post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later featured a heavily edited version of East Hastings by Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Rains of Castamere from HBO’s Game of Thrones was recorded by Sigur Ros and Glaswegians Mogwai penned the soundtrack for popular show ‘Les Revenants’. As the genre itself continues to grow and change, it slowly seeps into everyday media and becomes something that you recognise without really knowing why.

Bands on both sides of the Atlantic begin to grow and create their own kind of post-rock, with the likes of Caspian, Red Sparowes and Do Make Say Think creating waves in the US while Mogwai, 65 Days of Static

and Maybeshewill were doing the same in the UK, etching their names into the great stone tablet of post-rock prominence that we know today.

Here in Ireland, we have an impressive collection of post-rock bands, many of which have made their mark further afield than just our little green island. Belfast’s And So I Watch You From Afar, Redneck Manifesto, God is an Astronaut and the now defunct Adebisi Shank are just a selection of bands from our shores that come to mind. Each band is unique in their own right but uses the same soaring crescendos, gargantuan rhythm sections and intricate guitar work to evoke emotion and assure that the hairs on your neck are grappling with gravity.

It is impossible to pigeonhole post-rock. It is a musical experience without a lyric ever needing to be uttered, one that can make you feel at peace with the world no matter what you’re going through. While this somewhat unconventional genre might be something that you never hear on your local radio station, it is something that you should try and allow yourself delve into and experience first hand.

“

a musical experience without a lyric ever needing to be uttered

“ 3

3

Film

Saoirse Ronan soars in Ladybird

Emer Handly

L by

adybird is a coming of age film about love, heartbreak, friendship and family. It is a semiautobiographical comedy written and directed by Greta Gerwig.

The film follows Christine McPherson, played by Saoirse Ronan, a quirky, artistic girl in her teens who insists on being called “Ladybird”. As she begins to learn about popularity, boys, sex and drugs Ladybird can’t help but want more than what her small town of Sacramento has to offer.

She wants to apply to art colleges in New York, to the dismay of her mother Marion (played by Laurie Metcalf) who thinks she isn’t smart enough. Ladybird and her mother have a difficult relationship. Her ‘free spirit’ attitude clashes with her mother’s controlling nature.

Beanie Feldstein plays Ladybird’s awkward best friend Julie tremendously well. She is socially anxious with self-esteem issues. The pair support each other and are as close as friends can get.

They join the school’s drama club where Ladybird falls in love with a sweet boy named Danny (Lucas Hedges). They seem to have the perfect ‘young love’ relationship, until one day she catches him kissing another boy. She is heartbroken that her first love is gay.

Ladybird’s dad, Larry (Tracy Letts) helps Ladybird apply to New York colleges unbeknownst to his wife and despite their financial troubles.

Supercool Kyle (Timothée Chalamet) has an ‘I

4

not Ladybird, and telling her mother that she appreciates everything she’s done for her, that she misses her and her hometown, and that she loves her.

Ladybird is an emotional roller-coaster that teaches you the importance of your roots. Although mother-daughter relationships an be challenging, there is nothing else that compares to the love they contain.

The age old question: Marvel or DC?

Benedetta Geddo

T by

don’t care’ attitude so, of course, Ladybird falls in love with him. They date and lose their virginity together. Well, she thinks they do, but then finds out he’s slept with multiple girls. Queue heartbreak number two.

Ladybird had begun to hang out with the popular kids, leaving Julie behind. She realises she was wrong and in a moving scene they make up and go to prom together. It’s a nice lesson about remembering who your true friends are.

The McPherson family continue to struggle with money. There is a great scene where Ladybird and Marion are talking about Larry’s depression. Marion says, “Money isn’t life’s report card. Being successful doesn’t mean that you’re happy.” Lady Bird responds, “But he’s not happy.” Money doesn’t guarantee happiness, but it can help.

Ladybird gets accepted to an art college in New York, she is ecstatic and cannot wait to start her journey of freedom. This only furthers the tensions and her mother completely stops talking to her.

In a heart-wrenching scene where Ladybird’s parents drop her to the airport, Marion realises she is being too harsh and runs in to say goodbye and makeup with her daughter, but Ladybird is already gone.

Ladybird starts her new life in New York, but it’s not all she thought it would be. In the final scene (which will have you in tears) she leaves a voice message for her mother, calling herself Christine,

here are not many rivalries that generate internet drama like the Marvel versus DC debate. Hardcore fans are ready to lay down their lives on their keyboards to defend their favourite franchise, and discussions escalate pretty fast. After all, the question is one for the ages - or at least definitely for this one. So unless your honour and happiness depend upon it, trying to establish which one of the two is doing best makes for an entertaining mental exercise and a great chance to unleash all the nerdiness possible.

The competition has by now expanded to almost every medium imaginable, each with its own creators and different interpretation of the characters. But let’s start with the silver screen - because, at the moment, cinecomics are the most talked about of all superhero-related content. And they’re also a pretty definite win for Marvel.

The main thing is, Marvel had more time than DC to expand its cinematic universe. Iron Man, the beginning of Phase One, came out in 2008. In the next five years, all the main characters had been introduced and finally assembled in 2012, with Avengers. On the other hand, DC tried to start everything up with Batman v Superman, which came out in 2016 but had its “Avengers moment” with Justice League only a year later, in 2017. With such a short time span to work with, narrative arcs are bound to suffer.

Storytelling is the second significant success for Marvel when it comes to movies - they have had time to explore every aspect of their characters, finding what makes them relatable and human.

Marvel superheroes deal with current and complex issues, but they also know when to lighten up the atmosphere with some witty banter. DC doesn’t care for witty banter, though. Its movies want to be serious and deep, following the legacy that Christopher Nolan left with his Dark Knight trilogy, but almost never succeed - because of chaotic story-lines, like in Suicide Squad, and

monolithic characters.

“Chaotic” is also a good way of describing the expanded television universe. DC’s main series, Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow and Black Lightning, air on The CW and crossover quite often - even though they’re not connected to the cinematic universe. They do keep up the bright and flashy comic book vibe, but they’re hopelessly CW dramas - sometimes too much so. On the other hand, Gotham stands by itself on Fox, with its darker and Nolan-esque themes.

The fact that one character is sometimes played by different actors makes it easier to follow only one product or the other, but it also doesn’t help in creating the sense of a cohesive universe that Marvel undoubtedly has. The “Netflix five,” Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and The Defenders interact with each other but also with the wider universe. The same happens in ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which centers around Agent Coulson, Clark Gregg’s Avengers character.

And what about the source material?

Comics are the most difficult to judge, their universes being the most expanded of all, and the lines blur more often than not - DC had its golden age in the Forties, Marvel in the Sixties. Many characters resemble and take inspiration from one another, like Green Arrow and Hawkeye. In the end, the comics remain a question of personal taste more than box office success.

The rise of film musicals

Film

Amy Donohoe discusses how popular film musicals have become in recent years

M

ovie musicals weren’t born in the last few years, but they have certainly returned to glory in this decade and seized the national spotlight in recent years.

Movie musicals are now a staple of Hollywood’s Christmas release season, with Into the Woods debuting Christmas Day of 2014, Les Misérables garnering attention on Christmas 2012 and recently The Greatest Showman making its debut December 2017.

These interpretations net a larger audience and offer opportunities to expand artistically. Into the Woods offered details in production design not possible for the stage. La La Land revived the song and dance form for a new age and hired Broadway

“they have certainly returned to glory in this decade”

talent to do so.

Only the biggest, global Broadway brands get to enjoy their moment in the cinema spotlight. The Phantom of the Opera ($154m), Hairspray ($202m), Dreamgirls ($154m) and Mamma Mia ($615m) being some examples.

Disney’s The Lion King (the company set up the first studio stage division in 1993) remains the highest standard for successful film-to-stage transmissions.

Director Julie

Taymor’s decision to use puppetry and African masks allowed the stage version to mark out its own creative territory.

It earned more than a billion dollars worldwide – even more than the film.

Les Mis isn’t studio-originated, but it’s playing the same global-franchise game.

Tom Hooper, the movie director has taken extreme care to strengthen the iconography of the

West End’s longest-running musical ever – down to finding, in 10-year-old Isabelle Allen, the young girl used on the iconic posters. The musical rounds off the symbiotic loop that has been developing between screen and stage, one of the newer branches of the entertainment-industrial complex.

And then, there’s successful musical movies for kids such as Coco, Moana, Beauty and the Beast and upcoming live-action Aladdin.

We’re in a revival in popularity of Disney’s animated musical division and its songs.

When Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez began writing Frozen’s hit “Let It Go,” they had no idea it would become one of the most globally recorded Disney songs of all time.

“For us, ‘Let It Go’ was just solving a problem for a story,” AndersonLopez explained. “And then it became something far different than that. It almost doesn’t feel like it belongs to us anymore. It feels like it belongs to the singing little girls and all of the people who have taken it and made it part of their lives.”

Disney’s remake of Aladdin is set to be a full musical like its animated counterpart. However, we won’t only get to hear the songs we know. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the songwriters of the recent musical hit The Greatest Showman revealed that they helped write two new songs that will be included in the film next year.

The Greatest Showman’s success shouldn’t be surprising. The film is proof that old-fashioned values work well, right down to Jackman’s star power in getting the project off the ground. It offers a genuine rush of spectacle and wonder, particularly when we get to watch Zendaya swing around a circus on a trapeze.

To quote the film, “it’s fire, it’s freedom, it’s flooding open”.

There’s eye candy for people of all persuasions, there’s Instagram royalty (Zendaya), and there’s a duet between Jackman and Efron. The

film is an old-time musical built on traditional lines, but it also pays tribute in its music to current trends.

Its smooth power-pop soundtrack has found its way to the top of the charts in many countries worldwide.

The film continues to bring in audiences, and since its release on Dec. 20, The Greatest Showman has grossed more than $160 million domestically, making it the fourth most successful movie musical of all time — just below Chicago, and above La La Land, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia, and Enchanted.

The Greatest Showman’s music — catchy numbers by Evan Hansen and La La Land team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul — has been a marvellous influence. The soundtrack hit Number 1 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart in January and stayed for two weeks.

Now, three months after the film’s release, it’s currently the top album on iTunes.

The songs’ lyrics are simple and effective. “This Is Me” (notable lyrics: ”Look out cause here I come / And I’m marching on to the beat I drum”) already claimed the Golden Globe earlier this year for Best Original Song.

The Greatest Showman also offers the promise of Old Hollywood-style escapism. It asks for no moral negotiation. The movie is a story about a determined man who dreams big and wants everyone to feel special. In many ways, the film itself a perfect representation of Barnum’s work: to delight and distract.

Fans appreciate a film like The Greatest Showman in some way critics don’t. The movie seems to say, can’t you enjoy a good old song and dance?

5

Theatre and Art

Legally Blonde brings glam to the Bord Gais Michelle Townsend reviews the critically acclaimed film turned musical

I

n 2001, Reese Witherspoon captured the hearts of many with her portrayal of Elle Woods in the hit movie, Legally Blonde. It’s a timeless tale - fast forward seventeen years later and its message of girl power is still relevant and more inspiring than ever, proving that the story of it has never gone out of fashion. This current touring production of the musical adaptation, which recently stopped off at Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, is a total breath of fresh air.

Legally Blonde tells the story of Malibu girl Elle Woods, a sorority sister who enrolls in Harvard Law school in an attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner and prove to him she is serious and more than “just a blonde”.

With innovative staging and set design, cleancut choreography, hilarious one-liners, and songs that will be stuck in your head for days, the story is brought to life and developed even further on stage, easily making it one of the best shows to arise from the era o f modern musicals.

Rebecca Stenhouse takes on the role of Elle Woods like a duck to water. Her vocals are a masterclass that any singer can learn from, and her stage presence oozes passion and confidence.

Taking on the role of Elle can be daunting considering how renowned Reese Witherspoon is for it, but Stenhouse has reinvented it for the stage maintaining all of the character’s important attributes and injecting little shots of her own personality into it.

Rita Simons, having left Eastenders at the start of 2017 after playing Roxy Mitchell for ten years, has taken her new venture of playing hairdresser Paulette Bonafonte under her wing. Paulette is loud, hilarious and has a heart of gold - Simons has ditched her east London image and embraced this new persona with ease. Her flirty relationship with postman Brendan left everyone laughing out loud, and her performance of the song “Ireland” went down particularly well at the Dublin performances.

The rare moments whereby the audience were not laughing or beaming meant that they were collectively saying “aaaawwww”. Not only does Legally Blonde have a fantastic cast, it has two super talented dogs - Bruiser the chihuahua and Rufus the pitbull. The cute canines added an extra dimension of emotion to the show, making it all the more appealing.

The songs in this musical are catchy, fun and meaningful, perfectly capturing the right emotion that both the cast members and the audience should be feeling. “Omigod You Guys” makes you feel excited, “Bend And Snap” is completely tonguein-cheek and “Legally Blonde” exudes a sense of inspiration and empowerment.

Overall, there is virtually nothing you can fault with this musical.

L e g a l l y Blonde hits the mark - it’s hilarious, it’s inspirational and it’s heartwarming.

It’s rare to feel all three of those qualities at once but this incredible production manages to do just that. It’s a wonderful musical that will leave a long-lasting and positive impression on any audience member that will stay in their hearts long after they have seen it.

Behind the artist: Sarah Bahbah

Aine O’Boyle takes a look at the instagram artist who has gained a huge following

A

rtist and photographer Sarah Bahbah embraces a style of coming-of-age art that appeals to the Instagram generation through narrative images of self-expression, portraying an overall message of female empowerment.

The 25-year-old Palestinian native grew up in Australia and moved to Los Angeles where her most recent series, F*ck Me, F*ck You, is being exhibited. This series explores the mindset of a young, independent and empowered woman of the twenty-first century, dealing majorly with the themes of self-love and expression of female sexuality.

Bahbah experienced a huge breakthrough in the industry in 2014 following the exhibition of her series, Sex and Takeout. Since then she has developed a huge fan-base, boasting a following of 441 thousand on Instagram. Not only has she developed a cult-like following, brands such as Topshop and Capitol Records have been taken in

by Bahbah and the message she is presenting to the world, looking to collaborate with her on creative projects.

Bahbah uses subtitles on much of her artwork to convey two major themes: transparency and indulgence. She remains true to her emotions, exploring all aspects of womanhood from love to heartbreak, indulgence, regret, longing and 6 sexuality, thus spreading a universal message of

empowerment to women worldwide, inspiring them to embrace their own femininity.

Society has always had a tendency towards suppressing and shaming aspects of female sexuality and social conditioning has taught women to disregard many of their emotions. However, Bahbah’s is doing exactly the opposite, she is

“she is breaking the barriers of what society perceives as the acceptable behaviour of women” breaking the barriers of what society perceives as the acceptable behaviour of women, preaching a message of self-love and praising the indulgence of the human spirit.

Many of her images leave a person feeling like they have just witnessed a still shot from an indie

film or a cult classic, showing that even though her art specifically appeals to the Instagram generation of millennials, it has a timeless and classic nature.

Context need not be applied to each individual image as it is a narrative in its own right.

Several famous faces such as Dylan Sprouse, Neels Visser and Cailin Russo have featured in Bahbahs work, each person seemingly playing a character with a narrative built around them. In the most recent series, F*ck Me, F*ck You, Sprouse features in what appears to be a tale of unrequited love.

The artwork focuses and concerns itself with conventional beauty. It can be argued that perhaps Bahbah need diversify in the future, but then perhaps that may compromise the image she is trying to present to the world of the type of artist that she is, what her signature style is and what she represents.

Bahbah herself is representative of the changing nature of art and the various platforms that are now available for artists to get their name out there.

Her own Instagram bio reads ‘You’ve probably seen my art on someone else’s account’, meaning that that through using platforms such as Instagram, artists are more susceptible to plagiarism.

by

Ciara O’Loughlin

A

Analysing gender politics in Almost Love

lmost Love, despite its title, is not a romance novel. It is not an easy read.

Louise O’Neill has written an incredibly raw depiction of how obsessive love can lead to devastation. It is a comment on gender politics in relationships and how many women allow themselves to be used. It is about giving up everything for love when love isn’t even present.

“You’d be so much prettier if you smiled, as if a performance of joy was the price Sarah had to pay for existing in a female body in a public space”.

This novel is not fast paced but it is a pageturner nonetheless. You will become almost as addicted as our protagonist Sarah is with her unrequited love.

Sarah Fitzpatrick is a 24-year-old art college graduate who moved from the country up to Dublin to work as an art teacher in a prestigious private school. The plot oscillates between ‘then’ and ‘now’.

In the ‘then’ portion we follow the relationship between Sarah and a man who is one of her students’ fathers, Matthew Brennan. He is twenty years her senior and meets her only for sex. He is a powerful and rich man which seems to fuel Sarah’s obsession. She knows that he doesn’t love her. She knows that he doesn’t even respect her.

Despite this, she risks her job, her friendships, her family and herself to be with him.

“All I ever wanted was for him to say that I was enough. If he said it, maybe I could believe that it was actually true.”

Unlike the ‘then’ chapters which are told by Sarah, the ‘now’ is told in the third person. Her obsession has taken over every aspect of her life that she is completely detached from her own story.

She is living with her boyfriend Óisin whose mother is a famous artist. She has given them an apartment rent free with its very own studio for Sarah to use.

She complains about not being a ‘real’ artist but doesn’t use the studio.

Sarah belittles her boyfriend, betrays her friends and ignores her widowed father. Like O’Neills bestselling novel ‘Asking for it’ the main character is extremely unlikeable, but that doesn’t mean that their story doesn’t deserve to be told.

‘Asking for it’ is a novel about a teenager who had been raped at a party. In this, it is clear who is in the wrong. In ‘Almost love’ we dislike Matthew.

He is arrogant, selfish and clearly a user. However, the lines are a bit blurred on if he can be blamed.

When we learn about Sarah’s past struggles it becomes apparent that Sarah’s obsession is a form

Books

of escapism. She knows it herself too, she knows that she allowed him to use her.

“Sarah was afraid that he might have broken her and he was afraid that she might have been the one who asked to be broken”.

This novel will force you to think and will not allow you forget Sarah’s story for days after finishing it.

Irish authors to keep an eye on

T

Sarah Barrett discusses those who are making a name for themselves in the Irish literary world

he Irish literary community was recently devastated by the loss of the brilliant award-winning author Emma Hannigan after her battle with cancer. Emma was an ambassador for Breast Cancer Ireland and a very popular novelist who wrote The Pink Ladies club and The Summer Guest. Emma’s latest novel called Letters to my Daughters is currently sitting at the top of the Irish Bestsellers book chart. The book itself details the complicated bonds between women and their mothers, and how happiness comes in many forms.

Emma will be fondly remembered and leaves behind a legacy through her captivating works.

From publications to novels about growing up in Ballymun through the face of adversity and immense loss, to the satire Gospel according to Blindboy Boatclub and an intelligently written novel about two Irish students

who make an unexpected connection, here is a selection of Irish Authors worth keeping an eye on.

Sitting at the top of the list, Dublin GAA star Philly McMahon, a Ballymun native. The Choice a book written by Philly with Niall Kelly. The book is about Philly’s brother John that struggled with addiction, it details Philly’s earliest memories of childhood in Ballymun and notes the changes in both his and his brother’s lives, and what pushed them on to very different paths in life. Inspirational, vivid and very moving. The book last year won the Eir Sports Book of the Year Award. Philly is definitely one to keep an eye on displaying talent on and off the field.

S e c o n d l y, Dave Chambers [aka Blindboy Boatclub], one half of Irish hip-hop comedy duo the Rubberbandits.

The bag-men shot to fame after the release of their rap video Horse Outside went viral. Blindboy has turned his creativity and eye to writing and released The Gospel according to Blindboy. A genre-defying array of short stories and visual arts that explores contradictions at the heart of Modern Ireland. Filled with laughter and hilarity, the book itself will shock and delight readers. Blindboy’s writing career has just begun and no doubt he will continue with his success.

26-year-old novelist Sally Rooney debuted last year the enjoyable Conversations with friends. Sally debuted her first novel and was met with critical acclaim. The book is about two college students from Dublin who cross paths with a married couple and spark an unintentional connection.

The book stands out for its emotional complexity.

Poignant, contemporary and an engaging read.

Sally already destined for success in the literary world has won the Sunday Times/Peters Fraser & Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award. She also won Europe’s number one debater when she was an undergraduate at Trinity College. Make sure to keep an eye on this talented lady.

Pen to paper, the above-noted authors Philly, Dave and Sally are most certainly going to be rising stars in the writing world. All noted author’s books are available online for purchase and in Eason’s stores nationwide.

7

Health & Beauty

Frisky Business

Sex shops have evolved from seedy backstreets to bustling high streets, encouraging the country to talk honestly about sexuality and the politics that comes with it.

Adam Daly

W

by

8

hen sex shops first popped up in Ireland in the 1990s, they were met with protests and pray-ins, like when Utopia first opened in Limerick.

But despite these demonstrations organised by the Solidarity movement, the sales figures suggested that the store held a wide appeal to the general public.

In the book, Occasions of Sin: Sex and Society in Modern Ireland, Diarmaid Ferriter says the these shops on one level represented the normalisation of sexuality but to others this was very much a threat to the very moral fibre which held our society together.

However, since then, sex shops have moved on from back streets and men in trench coats to open conversations about how to have good sex, with retailers such as Sex Siopa.

The online store is owned and operated by Shawna Scott, who started it to provide the kind of shopping experience she personally wanted and couldn’t find in Ireland.

She wanted a shop that sold only body safe sex toys and was welcoming and inclusive to people of all body types, genders, and sexualities.

In an interview with Beaut.ie, Scott explains the importance of talking openly about sex in order to have the great sex lives we all want, with toys

playing a role in that. ‘’On an individual level, we need to be able to communicate clearly to our partners what kinds of stuff we like and where our boundaries are. I think that sometimes that can be difficult for women with male partners, because we’re so socialised to put their needs ahead of our own. But like anything, practice makes perfect and the more you talk about sex, the easier it will become to talk about sex,’’ Scott said.

In the past, it was once illegal to hand out condoms, so it is easy to see how far the country has come when Trinity College’s Students’ Union is offering discount vibrators for its ‘Deal of the Week’.

The deal allows Trinity students to purchase a ‘Butterfly Pink’ vibrator from online retailer Playblue.ie for a discounted price of €15.

TCDSU Communications and Marketing officer, Úna Hartly said that their SU wanted to promote positive sex and take shame out of the equation.

“By choosing to have a vibrator as a deal of the week, we’re just saying ‘Hey! We know you have sex!

Here’s a way of making it a little more exciting’,” Hartly said.

While promotions like TCDSU’s can be seen as a positive move for healthier sex lives, Sex Siopa’s Shawna Scott says that a double standard remains for men and sex toy ownership.

Scott wrote in her blog on sexsiopa.

ie that the misogyny that once held women back from enjoying themselves and exploring new avenues of their sexuality is now keeping men from doing the same. ‘’We need to give ourselves permission to own our sexualities and allow our lovers to own theirs, no matter what gender they are. Pathologising men for doing something that is celebrated in women stems from the same sexism that women have suffered for millennia, and it needs to end,’’ Scott said.

A product for men that Sex Siopa carries is the Tenga Egg, a compact and disposable masturbation sleeve.

A toy they highly recommend for “folks who travel a lot and need something discreet to throw into their luggage” According to Scott, Sex Siopa is pushing for a better acceptance and celebration of human sexuality and believes that the Repeal the 8th Campaign is the next logical step of social evolution in Ireland.

“I understand that it is going to be a much more difficult, emotionally draining campaign than the Marriage Referendum, but as it’s something that affects me and half the population, I’m going to do whatever I can to support it.”

Author Louise O’Neill says that feminism in 2018 can’t be spoken about without mentioning the referendum on eighth amendment, which she sees as a time of reckoning. ‘’I think this country has a long

chequered history of policing female sexuality and bodies. The church and state conspired to do that and the eighth amendment is the direct descendant from the mother and baby homes and the Magdalene laundries,’’ O’Neill said in an interview on the Late Late Show.

O’Neill’s new book, Almost Love, explores the power dynamics of the main character Sarah, who becomes embroiled in a toxic love affair with an older man, Matthew. She becomes increasingly infatuated with him and goes to extreme lengths to win his affection and prove herself worthy of him. ’When they’re having sex, I think she prioritises his pleasure over her own and I think that’s what a lot of young women do. The male orgasm and male gratification is definitely prioritised and seen as more important, which is obviously, I think, very wrong,’’ O’Neill said.

While sex toys are predominately used to spice up relationships and for personal pleasure, they can encourage an open conversation about sexuality and hopefully balance sexual politics, like the dynamic in O’Neill’s book.

And the power of her business is not lost on the Sex Siopa founder.

“I’ve always seen Sex Siopa as the kind of business I could use to promote social change in areas that I really care about – for me that’s sexual rights and freedoms,’’ Scott said.

Health & Beauty

There is more to contraception than the pill When it comes to contraception, most girls opt for ‘the pill’ even though there are numerous other options out there. The question is are they being informed of the other contraceptives,or is there a tendency to just take the ‘easy’ option?

by

Helen O’Neill

F

or women, deciding to use contraception can be a big choice to make at any age.

But for younger girls, lack of education can mean that sometimes they are not aware of all the different types available to them.

While Minister for Health Simon Harris announced plans to provide free contraception in Ireland if the eighth amendment is repealed, many women are uneducated about the types of contraception they can avail of.

In Ireland, 79 per cent of women are not aware of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCs) even though they are one of the most effective types of contraception.

You do not have to take them every day and they are highly regarded by doctors and nurses, according to a study by MyContraception.ie.

The pill is the most discussed form of contraception for women in Ireland, yet there are many more types available which may be more suitable for individual users.

Other contraceptives include the coil, injectable progesterone, the implant, the patch, vaginal ring, the female condom, natural methods, diaphragms/cups and the intrauterine system (IUS).

Midwife at the Rotunda Maternity hospital, Mary Dwyer, said that the possible introduction of free contraception in Ireland would be a great way forward for parental planning.

“Being a midwife, the first

time someone talks to us about contraception is after they’ve had a baby and they don’t want to have another one quite so quick so that’s when we talk about it. I was a practice nurse for a while and to be honest with you, most of the GPs dealt with the contraception issues and like you said it would be to issue a pill and they would offer the combined pill if there were any problems, but there were loads of different varieties that they could have offered them and they didn’t.”

Young girls are often told that for females, the pill is the main form of contraception. It’s true. In fact, it’s currently the most widely used contraceptive method in Europe, with a 24 per cent share, followed by the male condom with 23 per cent.

According to Dwyer, most young girls just aren’t educated enough about contraception and fear plays a big part in being misinformed.

“Most people are probably too scared to go to their GPs unless they get around to the conversation with their parents. Unless they have an open relationship with their parents, they’re too scared to go to their GP until they’re 18 and even then some won’t,” Dwyer said.

“I think the health clinics that offer contraception, like in England where there are ones that you can go to from the age of 16 and they’re open and everything is free, something like that would be ideal here.”

The NHS provides free and confidential contraception clinics which provide consultations. Most

forms of contraception are free through the NHS. These clinics serve both men and women and people who are under 16. The lack of these clinics in Ireland mean young women often don’t seek out information from their GPs, as that would mean telling their parents.

A study carried out by The College View on over 100 young adults found that when asked if they were told about other forms of contraception other than the pill when they were young, 80 per cent of those questioned said they

“

Young girls are often told that for females, the pill is the main use of contraception.

“

weren’t. This compares to just 20 per cent who said that they were informed about all of them.

When questioned further about how they were informed about alternative contraception to the pill, one female DCU student said that she had to seek out the information herself rather than being taught about it.

The only side effects of the pill many girls are educated about are mainly the physical ones. It isn’t

until after some women suffer from the excess hormones affecting their mental health that they are told about alternatives.

And even though the pill is the main form of contraception for most women in Ireland, approximately 60 per cent of users do not take it properly according to MyContraception.

“I don’t think young girls are advised enough about it because even people who are on the pill, they don’t realise if they’re really really sick, that the pill has no effect and then they get pregnant and they blame the fact that the pill didn’t work. Whereas the fact is they weren’t actually covered by the pill because they had been sick so there’s a lack of education there too,” said Dwyer.

According to Dwyer, contraception in Ireland goes in phases of popularity and for some women, they don’t even realise that hormone based contraceptives just don’t work for them until after the fact.

“When you think about it, you’re pumping so much hormones into your body and it can’t be really good for you. I have to say there was a phase there where the marina coil was huge, an awful lot of people were doing that.

But if you can’t do hormone therapy then any kind of contraception isn’t really good for you.”

Whether it’s through your GP or sex ed lessons in schools, most girls in Ireland are not being adequately informed about the many types of contraception available to them and which types may suit their body and 9 mind.

Food

Grub Guide: Dada Restaurant

Edina Zejnilovic travels Dada Restaurant on South William Street for a taste of Morocco, with its Moorish-style dining and delicious,spice-infused dishes.

D

ublin City is full of hidden gems and is now also home to many different ethnic cuisines. Going out to eat should be an experience, rather than a chore.

It’s important to break out of your comfort zone once in a while and try something new, something unique.

Transport yourself to Morocco at Dada Restaurant with its Moorishstyle dining place and its delicious, spice-infused dishes.

Not many people would pass through South William Street unless they specifically needed too. The hidden location is less than a five-minute walk from busy Grafton Street and it adds perfectly to the eccentric feel of the restaurant. Just down the street from the popular bar/club ‘Pygmalion’, the location is perfect for an escape from the busy streets of the city. The opening hours range from 4pm to 10.30pm on Saturday and Sunday and 5pm to 10pm on weekdays.

From the exterior to the interior of Dada, you are exposed to the beautiful culture and rich heritage of the Middle East, Southern Spain and Northern Africa all combined in one.

The wooden tiled flooring, Moroccan lanterns, dimmed lighting and intimate seating offers a beautiful interior. The sultry, middle-eastern atmosphere is the perfect setting for couples or for a first-date.

Reservations may be required on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings as it can get very busy during this time. Otherwise, it’s unlikely that you will get a table without a booking.

The restaurant also offers an intimate bar downstairs, ideal for parties and celebrations. Ziryab bar offers a cosy atmosphere, in tune with their

10

upstairs Moroccan décor and is open for group bookings every night of the week. The name of the bar was inspired by an incredible Iraqi singer, composer, musician and teacher named Ziryab, also known as Pájaro Negro (blackbird) in Spanish.

You haven’t truly tasted the depths of Mediterranean cuisine unless you have eaten at Dada Restaurant. The menu provides a variety of dishes to choose from. As I had visited for Valentine’s Day, I received a shared platter of different appetisers from the menu to try. The platter included the grilled aubergine pate, saffron marinated chicken kebab, fried spinach, fried chicken liver, hummus and salad on the side. Each appetiser was extremely delicious, but I would recommend the succulent chicken kebab or the grilled aubergine pate.

For the main course, I ordered spicy kofta meatballs tagine with tomato sauce and egg, served with a side of tasty bread and a glass of sauvignon blanc. I have to say these were some of the tastiest meatballs I have ever eaten. The thick tomato sauce acted as a beautiful dip for the meatballs and bread, while the egg cracked on top gave the dish that extra bit of flavour. Other dishes ranged from fish, lamb, and chicken. All of their dishes are dairy free, apart from the desserts. There are also many gluten-free and vegetarian options available, providing customers with various dishes to choose from to suit their dietary requirements.

After the two courses, I ordered the white chocolate and berry cheesecake and received a complimentary Moroccan mint tea. The mouth-watering cheesecake did not disappoint and the refreshing mint tea was the

perfect way to end the meal.

When entering the restaurant, I was greeted and seated by the manager of the establishment. His warm, friendly smile set the scene for the rest of the night and experience. He was extremely accommodating and made sure his customers were comfortable.

The waiting staff were not any different either. They tried really hard to ensure the satisfaction of each customer, even though it was such a busy night. They managed to keep on

“

The wooden tiled flooring, Moroccan lanterns, dimmed lighting and intimate seating offers a beautiful interior. The sultry, middle-eastern atmosphere is the perfect setting for couples or for a first-date.

“

a friendly face while under pressure to clear off tables before the next couple arrived. They were non-intrusive yet very kind and helpful, which is something very important when eating out.

The only downside was that after the first-course was served, the service got slower and slower. However, I wouldn’t hold this against them as it

seemed to be one the busiest nights for the restaurant.

The prices aren’t the cheapest but it also isn’t the most expensive you’ll find in the city. Nonetheless, the cost makes it the perfect place to splurge for a special occasion and it will not disappoint. If you plan on having a two or three-course meal, expect to pay about €25 to €35. However, if you’re early enough, you can choose from the Early Bird menu from 5pm to 6.30pm, which includes a two-course meal for €19.95 and a three-course meal for €22.95. The Early Bird prices are very reasonable and perfect for just about anybody wanting to treat themselves.

Overall, the Mediterranean cuisine, sultry atmosphere, ethnic décor and attractive pricing combine together to make Dada Restaurant the ideal place for dinner if you are looking for something a bit unusual and unique.

Ratings Location: 7/10 Venue and Atmosphere: 9/10 Food: 9/10 Service: 8/10 Value for Money: 7/10

Food

Going gluten-free - an intolerance or a fad?

While ‘going gluten free’ is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, for some people this is not a choice or fad diet, but a reality and solution to a painful disease.

By Katie Gallagher

A

gluten-free diet isn’t just a fad for most, in fact it is the only option for those who are coeliac and gluten intolerant.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale, a combination of wheat and rye which helps the likes of cereal, bread and pasta to hold their shape.

It can also found in some products, such as lip balm and in the glue on the back of stamps and envelopes.

It is perfectly healthy for anyone else, but for people with coeliac disease, a gluten intolerance or dermatitis herpetiformis causes serious reactions and damage to the body.

However, today, with numbers of those avoiding gluten rapidly rising and gluten free sales soaring globally, it is apparent that some people are going ‘gluten free’ as if it’s the new diet craze to join in on or a healthier lifestyle to adapt. But this isn’t true.

“People who are sensitive to gluten may feel better, but a larger portion will derive no significant benefit from the practice. They’ll simply waste their money because these products are expensive,” said Dr Leffler, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

In actual reality, the lifesaving diet is the solution to a disease and not just the ‘new cool eating disorder’, in the words of Jennifer Lawrence.

Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014 indicated that some 1.76 million people in the U.S.

had celiac disease. Meanwhile, the same report estimated that 2.7 million people were following a gluten-free diet without having celiac disease.

Why? “If it isn’t for health reasons, I’m not too sure why anyone would choose to follow a strict gluten-free diet - there are so many delicious gluten-filled foods out there,” said 22-year-old Amy Mulvaney, who was diagnosed with coeliac disease this time last year after months of crippling pain in her stomach and severe bloating.

Likewise, 23-year-old Ollie who suffers from ME/CFS and coeliac disease said, “Trust me I’d love to eat a good slice of ‘normal’ bread if I could.”

Amy, who is a journalist at EVOKE. ie and blogger at WhatSheDoesNow. com, said the biggest drawback for her is cravings, admitting that she struggled not being able to have all the baked goods and regular pasta and pizza at first.

“I gave into my cravings a few times last summer and it was the worst thing I ever did as it gave me a taste of the pie (literally). I found it really hard to get back on track then, but once the pains and swelling began, I realized how important it is for me to follow a strict gluten-free diet,” she said.

Ollie explained that while she is thankful that the availability of GF products in shops helps adopt the lifestyle change, she often feels that those who adopt the GF diet for nonmedical reasons often negate the

seriousness of illness like ME/CFS she said. and coeliac disease.

However, after it was discovered “I understand going gluten-free is that Alexandra should have been a very popular trend at the moment, given a test for coeliac after seeing her but I would always say to be cautious recovery, she was advised to return to unless you’ve been diagnosed. Often, eating gluten for several months in ‘free from’ food is packed with lots of order to carry out the test. sugar and other nasties to make up for “I flat out refused. No way was I the missing gluten - don’t stop yourself going to put my body through that from eating wholesome nourishing again to have my diagnosis. I know foods just for the trend,” she said. my body and I know that whatever Dr. Daniel A. Leffler, who is I have means I am unable to break director of clinical research at down gluten,” she said. the Celiac Center at Beth “While I don’t know 100 per cent Israel Deaconess Medical if I am a coeliac or not, I know that I Center in Boston, said in a suffer immensely if I consume gluten report “It’s a gigantic burden and so for me eating gluten free is for those who have to follow not a choice,” Alexandra explained it.” while expressing caution to those “They get frustrated when they who choose to lead a gluten-free life hear how wonderful this diet is,” he because they think it is ‘healthier’. continued.

But, for those who suffer from Alexandra, founder of The Gluten this, it is not trendy. And in some Free Suitcase has been gluten-free cases such as the controversial post

by The White Mouse Café where for seven years now, after suffering they issued that customers ordering from sickness while living in South anything gluten free would have to America. present proof that they are coeliac, is “I couldn’t have anything to eat it is evident that those choosing to go without being sick afterwards. I gluten free for no medical reason are wasn’t absorbing any nutrients, I was damaging the reputation of the coeliac drastically slim and my hair was falling and gluten allergy community and out - to list but a few of my symptoms,” making restaurants more complacent she explained. about crucial issues such as crossHowever, when she returned to the contamination.

UK and was advised to try avoiding “I’m always a bit apprehensive gluten she said that it changed her when I’m asking if something is glutenlife. free, as I think there’s a misconception “I gained weight, my head stopped that being gluten-free is just a fad,” hurting, my skin cleared up and my Amy admitted. social life changed as I no longer was “For some people it may be a spending most of my evenings unwell. choice, but for many other people - it I now have a full, healthy head of hair,” isn’t,” she said.

11

International Women’s Day around the world

Travel

Benedetta Geddo explores the different ways International Women’s Day was celebrated around the world this year.

I

n Dublin, the message for International Women’s Day hung from the tail of an aeroplane circling above the Gardens of Remembrance, where the annual pro-choice march was gathering. “Support women.

Repeal the 8th.” It was an unusual treat for the demonstrators, one that remarked the fact that this march was not like the others that came before it - for the first time, there’s a vote in sight.

“We do not have millions and millions of euros, but we do have you, and that’s all we will need to win this referendum,” said Sinéad Kennedy, secretary of the Coalition to Repeal the 8th. Speaking to the crowds before the start of the march, she urged everyone to campaign even more and to make these final months count.

“This Amendment came at the end of our second wave of feminism,” added Catriona Crowe, historian, Head of Special Projects at the National Archives of Ireland and proud feminist.

“Its consequences are a testament to this country’s extraordinary talent of creating an English solution to an Irish problem,” she continued, referring to

12

the many women that travel to the United Kingdom each year to have a legal abortion procedure there.

Abortion rights are one of the major issues that feminist movements campaign for today, and certainly the most important in Ireland. Everywhere around the world, though, International Women’s Day was a chance to highlight other essential battles that still need to be fought.

While some great milestones were achieved this year, like women in Saudi Arabia being finally allowed to drive and the massive impact of the #MeToo movement, true equality is not yet a reality.

In France, the Tour Eiffel lit up with

a neon sign proclaiming that: “Now we act”. At 3.40pm women took to the streets to protest pay inequality, not just in Paris but in other major cities as well. The time was not random - if an average work day starts at 9am and finishes at 5pm, and if women earn 9 per cent less than men at the same job level according to The Economist, then women work for free the last hour and a half of the day. And on this International Women’s Day they used that hour and a half to protest and make their voices heard.

Gender pay gap was the key point in the marches that took place in Southern Europe as well.

Spain and Italy both saw manifestations aimed to denounce inequality in the workplace, and also the massive issue of genderbased violence, which is still widespread in both countries.

University students and feminist collectives organised general strikes in both Madrid and Barcelona, following the motto of “Si las mujeres nos paramos, el mundo se para,” meaning if women stop, the world stops.

In Italy, the organisation Non una di meno (not one less), took charge of the marches that stopped the country’s biggest cities, Rome and Milan.

In Rome, the focus was on sexual harassment Rose McGowan and Asia

“

While some great milestones were achieved this year, like women in Saudi Arabia being finally allowed to drive and the massive impact of the #MeToo movement, true equality is not yet a reality.

“

Argento, two of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers, spoke to the crowds and marched alongside the thousands of women that travelled to the capital from everywhere around the country.

“It’s time for a new movement, #WeToo. We have to unite our voices in a single cry that will be impossible to ignore,” said Argento in a video posted before the start of the march on Non una di meno’s social media.

On the other hand, Milan’s marches concentrated on gender pay gap - it only makes sense, since Milan is Italy’s economic capital. The route of the protest was long, and touched several important places around the city, like the headquarters of the National Institute of Social Prevention which deals with handling the salaries of all state employees.

“The atmosphere was tense, almost as if we were all anticipating a fight,” said Margherita Brambilla, Social Media Manager for the Bossy Project, an Italian website dedicated to fighting inequality in all its shapes and forms. In fact, Non una di meno’s views could be considered a bit extremist, and their protests have always sparked debate. This time, though, the march went on as planned, reminding Milan and the rest of Italy that the problem of gender pay gap is one that needs to be addressed, and soon.

And what about America? The day passed in relative quietness if compared to the rest of the world, but it was definitely not forgotten. The conversation about #MeToo and the Time’s Up movement continues to go on online, and it’s not likely to stop anytime soon.

In the end, this International Women’s Day marked a shift in the air. The atmosphere is different, and change really is on its way, from the referendum in Ireland to the just finished awards season in Hollywood.

But while there is a lot to celebrate for, there is also a lot to fight for still. As Catriona Crowe said at the end of her speech, “Feminism is our birth right, and the new wave of Irish feminism we have today will set things right.

Praise be.”

Travel

How to give back this summer by volunteering

Niall O’Donoghue shares expert tips on how to make the most out of volunteering this summer.

T

his summer, whether you only have two hours a week to juggle with a work-placement or want to travel abroad, volunteering allows you to give back to communities, engage with new cultures and meet new people.

DCU RAG chairperson Seanie Germaine focuses on local community involvement during the summer, maintaining a fulltime job whilst volunteering with his local GAA club.

“It’s not that much when you put it into numbers” Germaine said, who estimated that various voluntary projects at the GAA club took up less than five hours a week when incorporated into his schedule.

For DCU students who want to volunteer this summer, Germaine broke the process down practically: draw up a list of areas that you’d be interested in, find out how many hours you have to give, and get in touch with DCU Student Volunteer Coordinator Ruth Lynam and organisations such as studentvolunteer.ie.

“Things won’t come to you; you’ll have to search them out,” Germaine said.

Germaine encouraged students not to hesitate and to try out volunteering, saying “if you’re having an absolute terrible day or things just aren’t going your way, if you just get down and give an hour of your time... you’ve made a difference in their lives, definitely it’s a feel good-factor.”

Experience with volunteering can also positively impact your CV for prospective employers according to Lynam, describing it as a “green light for an employer, showcasing this potential employee has pushed outside their comfort zone, gone the extra mile and all in the name of helping others.”

Over 47 per cent of all volunteering hours in Q3 2013 were carried out by those aged 45-64, with the 15-24 age

bracket contributing just 6.9 per cent of total volunteering hours, according to a 2015 CSO release.

For Anne Drumm, Assistant CoOrdinator of the special needs social group Remember Us, it’s important for students to volunteer at a local community level in Ireland.

“I think it’s important [for students to get involved] because, first of all, we’re a social group for young people with special needs and I think it’s nice for them to interact with people their own age group” Drumm said.

The Balbriggan based organisation are scheduled to host a six-week summer camp this year and are expected to start on the ninth of July.

Drumm repeatedly expressed that involvement from students is “absolutely important”.

“I think that the rewards are amazing, just, y’know, giving their time over, and absolutely you go home energised after working with special needs people” Drumm said.

International:

Some volunteering organisations

offer students the opportunity to volunteer internationally.

Project Abroad, an organisation based in the UK, offers projects dependent on each volunteer’s area of interest; for example, students of law or medicine can do short-term internships overseas by shadowing a professional to help bolster their CVs, according to Bethany Evans, Director of UK Marketing at Project Abroad.

Despite describing parttime summer jobs as “fantastic opportunities”, students can develop “soft skills” like presentation and build confidence on volunteering trips as well as helping local communities, Evans said.

“Some people do come back and, I know it’s fairly cliché, then they say they’ve grown as a person, and some of them had never been outside of the UK or outside of Ireland.”

Evans started out as a volunteer in Africa involved with human rights and building volunteer work.

“You can hear stories in the news, and you can see things, but actually to go out there and experience it yourself

and actually help others, whether it’s for a couple of weeks or a number of months, it’s fantastic.”

The allure of international volunteering for Evans was “going out there and feeling like you’ve put two weeks that you may have just put on a holiday to real use and helped communities. It sort of opens up your eyes to the world outside of home.”

However, Lynam warned students to research thoroughly before engaging in ’volunteerism’, the process of volunteering just to get away for the summer.

“Not all organisations conduct themselves in an appropriate manner whilst ‘volunteering’ away, particularly when working with vulnerable communities” Lynam said.

DCU are attempting to up the support given to DCU students looking to volunteer internationally, partnering with organisations such as studentvolunteer.ie to develop a systematic international volunteering framework in DCU, according to Head of Civic Engagement at DCU Ronaldo Munck.

Munck said that DCU are trying to encourage peoples’ mind-sets to move away from an “old fashioned” model of volunteering.

“Student volunteering should have a much greater profile in DCU than it does” said Munck.

“We’re trying to get away from the old fashioned idea [that] volunteering is because you’re an incredibly good person and you’re committing a day a week... no, just whenever you get a chance and however you want” according to Munck.

For DCU students who wish to volunteer abroad, DCU will call together “all interested parties” to try create international opportunities for students this summer, hopefully working nationally with studentvolunteer.ie.

However, Munck said that he didn’t think funding would be forthcoming for the establishment of an international volunteering office in DCU, noting that such an office had been established in UCD with a small number of staff members.

13

Fashion

How to ball hard, Ladies Ball tips and tricks:

With ball season upon us, Gabija Gataveckaite tells us how ladies can turn out on a student budget, without breaking the bank

A

t universities, springtime means one thing: ball season. Whether it’s the Yule Ball, Gatsby Ball or just a faculty ball, it’s time to whip out the finest frocks and hit the dancefloor. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds- finding something to wear on a student budget is half the battle. Terrifying memories of frantically choosing a debs dress may reemerge with even more terrifying price tags.

Never fear, there are plenty of options available for all budgets, no matter how big or small. Buying, renting, the wonders of online or ditching a gown altogether can be just some of the options available, all at a lower price point.

The first way to ball on a budget is to simply wear the old graduation dress that’s been hanging at the back of a wardrobe for years, untouched and only worn once before. Nobody at college will have seen it yet and it’s a wonder what some new shoes and accessories- like a new clutch, or some statement earrings, can do to an outfit. Swap dresses with a friend and style it up for a fresh take on a beloved gown- and no-one will ever know.

Renting a dress can also be an option.

However, most boutiques in Dublin hire dresses for two days maximum and prices can range from €150-€250, so for a university ball, it’s probably not worth it. Keep in mind that the dress has probably been already worn and may not be in perfect condition. A better idea is to buy a dress and then sell it on- through sites like Depop, The Nu Wardrobe or even through friends for a bit of extra cash.

If you decide to make a purchase in the end, remember there’s no need to splurge.

Online is your best friend, so don’t neglect the magic of online shopping and spend time sifting through sites. It’s best to do this a month or two in advance of the ball, just in case returns or alterations need to be made.

For less than €100 or even as low as €50, amazing things can be found. Don’t forget to use your student discount and keep an eye out for sales- Asos sometimes offers even 20 per cent off occasion wear for students.

14

Is it a dress? Is it a plane?

Of course, there’s no rulebook that says girls can only wear floor-length evening gowns to a college ball. Step outside the box - girls can wear suits too. When picking a suit, look for a good fit, a cropped pant and a colourful pattern. This way, standing out in the crowd is a guarantee and there’s no chance of anyone wearing the same outfit as you. Accessorise with a black stiletto court shoe and some jewellery. The common dilemma with suits is what to wear underneath- a good idea is to try on a number of things and see which fits best. A bandeau or a cropped top should do the trick.

A suit is not the only alternative out there.

Choose a two piece: a minimal top and a statement skirt with a flattering heel. Go wild when choosing a skirt- it can be a layered tulle skirt, ballerina style, or a straight-cut all the way down to the ankle. Check out high street classics like Zara or H&M to see what’s out there.

On trend:

Keep trends in mind when choosing a pattern or accessories. It’s springtime, so a good floral design can do wonders. If you opt for a debsstyle dress, choose a trendy fit- fitted, flared and backless is the most sought-after shape right now. In terms of materials, runways have seen silk dresses from the 90s making a comeback, with thin spaghetti straps that almost seem to flow around the body. Sheer materials like chiffon and tulle have been a huge trend- a calf-length sheer dress is best styled with a nude-coloured mini dress underneath.

The best accessories to choose, no matter what outfit you go for, are usually the classic court shoe, with a high heel and a pointed nose, or a timeless two-strap shoe. Throw in some light pumps into your bag for when your feet grow sore of stilettos.

A clutch, just big enough to carry your phone and your pumps, should match the accessories- be it gold, or metal. Small-town boutiques usually sell gorgeous clutches in every shape, size and colour and sales usually mean they’re being sold for a tenner or even less.

Whatever you wear, however you decide to accessorize- remember to have fun, because there’s nothing better than a college ball to finish off the year.

Fashion

without ballin’ out Black tie for the cheap guy: Whether you fancy a formal tuxedo or laid back tweed look this ball season, Alison Rothwell covers it all in her style guide to suit your pocket.

E

veryone loves a black tie event, it’s like the debs all over again, except you don’t have the awkwardness of having to bring a date. DCU has some stellar black tie events coming up over the next few weeks. But for guys it’s not as simple as wearing a traditional black tuxedo, a black bow tie and white shirt anymore, but it doesn’t have to be something that will break the bank.

The sold out A&F ball is one of the bigger black tie events coming up over the next few weeks on the DCU events calendar.

Suit company ‘Collar and Cuff’ based in Phibsborough, Dublin 9, are offering students attending the ball €50 off all suit rentals, and 10 per cent off all products in store. They are the official sponsor for the Dublin Senior Footballers and have a lot of modern looks available, variations on the classic tuxedos, and a variety of tweed, and coloured suits. They can be reached through their website collarandcuff.ie.

To rent, or to keep:

The first decision is whether you’re going to rent or buy your suit. A standard tuxedo can be rented for as little as €59.95, and a three piece suit can start from €69.95. The quality you get when renting a suit is very high, but suits can be can bought in high street stores for almost the same price as renting. Very popular and affordable stores to rent from around North Dublin are Love Suits, Suits You and Dorian Black. Renting can be a great option if you’re strapped for cash, and need a suit quickly without having to put too much thought into it.

The only issue with renting is you need to take good care of the suit as they can add charges on if there any major problems when returning it. So be careful for deposits and added charges for dry cleaning etc. If you are a one off suit wearer, renting is probably the option for you.

High street stores have recently brought ranges of affordable suits into stock. In recent years Primark have expanded their men’s formal wear. They have a huge range of colours and styles. They also stock their suits in size height, so you can tailor your suit to fit your exact measurements. They carry a lot of accessories for very reasonable prices, all under €10.

Another excellent place to get good quality suits at high street prices, is Topman, and they offer a 10 per cent student discount.

From asking DCU students, the most popular affordable high street stores among them are Topman and River Island. River Island do not offer a student discount, but they do stock very original looking suits. Their style is a lot of patterned items, focusing very much on the patterned shirt to accompany a suit. An unusual brown check suit can be bought for €168, which could be paired with a coloured shirt. This is a typical style coming from River Island, which is becoming a popular choice for black tie events.

“

The classic tuxedo is such a timeless look.

It’s reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour and you can’t really go wrong with it.

“

Channel the right inspo:

With the popularity of the show Peaky Blinders starring Irish actor Cillian Murphy, every guy who watches the show fancies himself as a Peaky Blinder. The show is set in 1918, and the stars are constantly in tweed suits. Tweed has become a huge trend, and places like Primark have spotted the interest in it. They have a Donegal tweed range

by Molly & Sons with a two-piece suit coming in at €160 (€210 if you add in a waistcoat).

A very popular, more casual choice is to go for a blue or grey suit. Buying a blue or grey can be a good investment, as it’s more versatile and can be worn to a lot more locations than the traditional tuxedos. If you were going to buy a suit, it would be worth the investment to buy one of these. They can be worn in the workplace, dressed down without a tie or dressed up with a dickie bow. This style of suit allows for a bolder choice when it comes to accompanying colours for shirts, and accessories.

The classic tuxedo is such a timeless look.

It’s reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour and you can’t really go wrong with it. If you are looking to make an investment in a tuxedo, a great place to get quality reasonably priced tuxedos is Marks & Spencers. Their men’s formal wear department is huge. The staff is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, with the clothes still being reasonably priced for the quality you’re getting. They have a lot of styles to choose from, and hundreds of shirts. If you know your exact measurements, you can order your suit online and collect in store, or have it delivered.

15

EXPOSURE

Trixie: Everybody tells me it’s cool to be a cat. Image Credit: Mark Carroll

Locked in Love: Couples show their love with their initials on locks Image Credit: Fionnuala Walsh

Elbow: “Someone tell me how I feel - it’s silly wrong and vivid right”.

Image Credit: Niamh McKeown

Berlin: The Holocaust memorial in Berlin, which is made up of almost 3,000 concrete slabs. Image Credit: Sarah O’Neill

The Fool on the Hill: Day after day, alone on a hill, the man with the foolish grin is sitting perfectly still. Image Credit: Kyle Ewald

Image Credit:

Page 1: Stranger Things; Page 2: Rejjie Snow, Wyvern Lingo; Page 3: Pinterest; Page 4: Deirdre Kelly, Lady Bird; Page 5: The Greatest Showman; Page 6: Sarah Bahbah, Legally Blonde; Page 7: Gospel According to Blind Boy, Almost Love; Page 8: Sex Siopa; Page 9: Getty Images; Page 10: Dada Restaurant; Page 11:Getty Images; Page 12: Washington Post; Page 13: Evan Carroll; Page 14: Pinterest; Page 15: Pinterest.

16