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Shannon Connolly Editor
As one of the hottest summers on record slowly dwindles to a close, students begin returning to campus. Orientation week for returning students began yesterday, while Freshers’ Week for first year students begins September 19. Continued on page 2>> of
Delayed return for first year students for third year running
COLLEGE IS inwearingRECOMMEND”“STRONGLYTOtheoffacemasksindoorsettingson campus amidst concerns over the spread of Covid-19, an internal college email has suggested.
STUDENTS RETURNED TO CAMPUS THIS WEEK IN A SOMEWHAT normal fashion compared to previous years. Orientation for Erasmus students and postgraduates began yesterday, Monday September 5, with another Senior Freshers’ Week in full swing for returning students from next week. While this year’s Senior Freshers’ Week does not feature a campus fair as last year, events welcoming students back to campus are being
Return to campus
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indoorsmaskrecommends”“stronglyCollegewearingEvanSkidmore-O’Reilly Staff Writer Continued on page 2>>
Ahead of the start of the new academic year, Vice-Provost Orla Shiels said that the College community was “conscious of the worrying levels of circulation of the Covid-19 virus”, and that it will continue to have an impact on college life throughout the year. “It is important that we continue to encourage students and staff to follow all those familiar guidelines relating to hand hygiene, wearing of face masks and individual responsibility for managing symptoms or illness of any kind.” Regarding the wearing of face masks in particular, Shiels said it would be “helpful” if module
Life pullout Translating cultures held all week before classes begin. Teaching for returning students commences next Monday, September 12, while incoming first year students are not expected to begin classes until Monday, September 26. A delayed marking to Leaving Certificate papers has slowed the Central Applications Office (CAO) offers for secondary school students. Students who sat their Leaving Certificate this June did not receive their results until last Friday, September 2, and Round One CAO offers are not expected to be made until this Thursday, September 8. The CAO process consists of multiple rounds, where further and higher education places are offered on points accumulated from the Leaving Certificate exams. Secondary school students typically sit seven submit exams for their Leaving Certificate, however only their top six grades are used for points. Students must pass English, Maths and Irish to pass their Leaving Certificate. Returning to campus this year is the most normal of recent years, despite a delayed junior freshman start. After the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many students did not step foot on campus for over 18 months. While a majority of students returned to come in-person teaching in September 2021, a “blendedlearning” approach was adopted by FromTrinity.September of last year, Trinity adopted a two-phase approach to the reopening of campus, which differed from other universities at the time. College placed regulations in place from the beginning of term until Reading Week, however some of these regulations were extended until March of this year. In the first half of the semester, lecture capacities were limited, and maskwearing was mandatory in all enclosed spaces. Social distancing was applied in all teaching and study areas, with small classes often sitting in lecture halls, and larger lectures being held online. These measures slowly dwindled down as the Covid-19 pandemic seemed to lessen, and mask wearing was dropped on February 28. The decision to scrap masks in indoor spaces on campus
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PHOTO BY ZAHRA was taken in line with government advice, which removed the mask mandate for retail, primary and secondary school education and public transport. Colleges and universities had previously been advised by government to determine a mask mandate if it was necessary for their campuses. Face coverings are no longer mandatory outside of medical settings, however, an internal College email last week suggested that Trinity is to “strongly recommend” masks for indoor spaces in the upcoming term. Despite this, students are returning to campus for the first time in two years with no restrictions. Freshers’ Fair is set to commence as per tradition, from Monday, September 19. Junior Freshers’ Week will be in full swing for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, with no restrictions abetting society events for returning and incoming students. This is the third consecutive year that first year students will begin the academic year later than older year groups.
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Petition launched to rename the Berkeley Library after Wolfe Tone
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Delayed return for first year students for third year running
Next week, another Senior Freshers’ Week for returning students is taking place, with Trinity Ents revealing plans last month.Ina statement to Trinity News, Ents said: “We are hosting a traditional Freshers Week, but we also want the older years to enjoy their first week back on campus while the academic pressure isn’t tooDelaysheavy!”in returning to campus are nothing new for recent years, with an overall delay for all years in September 2020, to first years being delayed two weeks in September 2021. First year students will begin classes two weeks later than continuing students. Leaving Certificate points this year were inflated to cope with the fallout of Covid-19 and the sharp incline of grades after the predicted grades system. In 2020, as it was unsafe for students to sit their Leaving Certificate, students were given “predicted grades”, which were allocated by their teachers based on their previous performance. Students in 2020 were given the option to sit their exams the following November, however, many opted for the predicted grades system. In 2021, Leaving Certificate students were given an option of sitting their exams, or opting for predicted grades. Students could also sit their exams alongside their predicted grades, and opt to take the higher mark. This measure was put in place as most of the academic year has been spent online. Students who were unable to sit their exams due to Covid-19 were given the option to resit the examinations.Thisyear, Leaving Certificate students returned to a somewhat normal exam process, sitting the traditional exam in June, and receiving their results in August. While a return to normal is heavily welcomed among students, the last few years had an undeniable impact on life in College. Students returning to campus for the academic year in a normal fashion is welcome.
coordinators were to “strongly recommend wearing them in lecture settings, library and other venues where people may be in closeHowever,quarters”.it does not appear that there are plans to officially mandate the wearing of face masks at this time, in line with current government guidelines. The vice-provost warned that Covid-19 will “continue to interrupt our plans for normal functioning in the coming months”, and that additional contingency measures are being planned with regards to the delivery of lectures and other content, such as the provision of recorded or live streamed lectures in cases where students or staff cannot attend campus due to the virus.Trinity’s on-campus mask mandate came to an end at the end of February, when most national Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. In Septemer of 2020, students were notified by College that masks would be mandatory for the beginning of term. Face coverings were made mandatory for all staff and students when classes began, with teaching staff being advised to wear face visors where possible, so it will not “reduce the impact on communication”.
TRINITY
Halving public transport is only half the battle for rural students
College “strongly recommends” mask wearing indoors
forumlarighthasTrinitythe 2 >> Continued
Analysis: A trend of cultural loss in Dublin GSU President talks from front page - page 21 - page 16 - page 30- page 28 >> Continued from front page
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The National Access Plan forms part of a wider shakeup of the higher education sector in Ireland. The Higher Education Authority Bill 2022 will continue its way through the legislative process when the Oireachtas reconvenes in the coming weeks. In May, Harris published Funding the Future, a framework for the funding of higher education going forward which includes a reduction in the student contribution charge. Though reducing the cost of higher education has been a key aim of his tenure as Minister for Further and Higher education, Harris today said that he cannot reveal whether Budget 2023 will include a reduction in student fees. Harris has recently launched a meriad of funding for further and higher education across the country, alongside funding for research in STEM and AHSS areas.
Universal design for learning is a key strategy of the National Access Plan to make higher education more accessible to students with disabilities. Universal design refers to the design of a product or environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible regardless of ability or disability.
Trinity Disability Service welcomes new plan to increase access to higher education
ÓGRA
Megan Tynan, SF Biological and Biomedical Sciences student and member of Trinity ÓSF said: “In 2022, Trinity still holds onto a racist and colonialist past. One of its graduates, George Berkeley, who is a known slave and plantation owner, has a library named after him in his honour while figures of Irish republicanism go without anyThisrecognition.”petition comes on the back of calls by Trinity College, Dublin Students Union (TCDSU) for the immediate de-naming of The Berkeley Library and an announcement that they would be calling it the “X Library” in any futureTCDSUstatements.hasset a deadline of 30 September for the college to come up with a plan for renaming the library “before escalated action is taken”.Ina photo shared to its social media in May, TCDSU covered the name “Berkeley” on the library with a list of Trinity graduates the library could instead be named after.The list of names included first female President of Ireland Mary Robinson, former President and former Reed Professor at Trinity College Dublin Mary McAleese, and founder of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in Ireland Kader Asmal. TCDSU did not suggest Wolfe Tone as a new name for the library.
Launched by Trinity Ógra Shinn Féin, the petition has reached over 130 signatures Aidan Cusack Analysis Editor/ Deputy News
“Trinity’s Disability Service is delighted to see the new National Access Plan 2022-28.” It continued: “An ambition of this plan to make universities such as Trinity ‘inclusive, universally designed environments which support and foster student success and outcomes, equity and diversity, and are responsive to the needs of students and wider communities ’ aligns with Trinity’s strategic objective 1.5 ‘Increase access and ensure“Theinclusivity’.”Disability Service ethos [is] to assist disabled students to move from a transactional model of provision to a transformational and sustainable model of growth. This ensures disabled students take an active part in developing essential life skills and planning their educational journey.” The new plan notes that although previous targets for access to higher education among people with disabilities have been met, the percentage of students with disabilities still does not reflect the wider population.
The Disability Service said that “universal design is critical and it needs to be embedded into everything we do – the built environment, teaching, learning and“Whenassessment.”thishappens then we can truly say disabled students are included and belong in Trinity.”
The new National Access includesPlantargets to increase access to higher education, which includes a specific focus on students with disabilities David Wolfe Sofia Ferrari-Bravo
Petition launched to rename the Berkeley Library after Wolfe Tone
SHINN FEIN (ÓSF) TCD has launched a petition calling on College to rename The Berkeley Library to The Wolfe Tone Library, after the leader of the 1798 Rebellion, Theobald Wolfe Tone. The petition, which has garnered over 130 signatures, states: “George Berkeley was a slave owner and racist.” “The fact that Trinity College Dublin has a library in his honour is a disgraceful stain on its integrity and standing, and an insult to our diverse student body. The library should immediately be renamed.” It continues: “Wolfe Tone was one of Trinity’s greatest ever graduates and one of Ireland’s most influential historical figures. Despite this, Trinity makes no real effort to remember his legacy, and has nothing named in his memory on Liamcampus.”Kiernan, chair of ÓSF TCD, told Trinity News: “How we remember our history is a reflection of how we see ourselves in the present.” “If we see ourselves as a progressive and inclusive institution, we should be commemorating those who made meaningful contributions to academia as well as society, not those who facilitated and perpetuated injustice.”
TRINITY DISABILITY SERVICE HAS WELCOMED the new National Access Plan to increase access to higher education for disadvantaged groups, which includes a specific focus on students with disabilities. In a statement to Trinity News, the Disability Service said:
The plan aims to increase the number of new entrants with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, from 12.4% of the student population to 16% by 2028.The Disability Service added that they are determined to reach the ambitious targets of the plan: “As we prepare to move to our new home in Printing House Square, we are ready to meet these targets and improve disabled students’ experiences in Trinity that will lead to better work opportunities.”
Speaking at its launch last week, Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris called the plan “the most ambitious plan for access to higher education”. He continued: “The statistics don’t lie. It is clear those from disadvantaged areas have a lesser chance of accessing higher education than those from more affluent“Thereareas.are a number of new groups who we have never put a focus on before including those in the care system and those with intellectual disabilities. Today, that changes.”Harris added: “We want a truly inclusive third level system where neither your background nor experience has a bearing on your ability to attend or succeed in higher education.” He highlighted that the plan not only hopes to increase access, but also “for the first time ever” puts “a very specific emphasis on participation and successful conclusion of higher education.” Success of the plan will be monitored based on performance indicators in four key areas: flexibility within higher education, diversity across programmes and levels, access and participation for priority groups, and student success and engagement.
TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September News 3
Earlier this year, Harris announced Strand 4 of the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH), including funding of €12 million to improve third-level accessibility for students with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Ryan continued: “We are already seeing a significant uplift in the night-time economy postCovid and I’m delighted that we can respond to this with these new, attractive low fares, which really are hard to beat.” “This is just a taste of the overall transformation in transport we are on track to deliver in the city with developments in the pipeline like BusConnects, DART+ and Metrolink,” he concluded.
The HEA has said that this funding can be used to progress existing projects, or to create new projects in line with national strategic objectives.
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS News 4 Aidan Cusack Analysis Editor/ Deputy News Student and young adult fares will now cost €1.20, while child fares now cost €1.30 for cash and €1 with a leap card
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: “Dublin is a great, lively city to go out in at night and we have to make sure that it’s also a great city to get home in once that night out has come to an end.”
Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology coordinated the national Moving Parts campaign, a series of animations exploring consent, sexual violence and harrassment, and bystander intervention. National University of Ireland, Galway, delivered partnerships and initiatives for Further Education and Training (FET)
SIXDepartmentselectedinstitutionsEDUCATIONHIGHERwerebytheofFurther and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to receive performance funding awards totalling €5 million, in recognition of their “positive performance” in working towards national strategic objectives.Eachaward is valued at €833,333, in recognition of work ranging from access to education for under-represented groups, to issues related to domestic and gender-based violence. Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said: “It is vital that we recognise outstanding performance in higher education, and I would like to congratulate the successful institutions on their exceptional case study submissions.”Theawards will be made to Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, National University of Ireland, Galway, South-East Technological University, University College Dublin, and University of Limerick.Higher education institutions (HEIs) were invited to submit case studies to showcase “innovative initiatives that made a valuable contribution towards national strategic objectives”.
Six colleges awarded over €830,000 for “positive performance” towards national objectives
The submissions were assessed by an independent panel of experts based on criteria provided by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).Among the successful case studies is Dundalk Institute of Technology, who co-created and delivered Ireland’s first accredited programme for frontline staff on how to recognise and and respond to domestic abuse.
learners, people with disabilities and members of the travelling community.South East Technological University partnered with Tiglin to provide higher education access programmes for those participating in Tiglin addiction recoveryUniversityprogrammes.College Dublin’s UCD Energy Institute supported the decarbonisation of energy in Ireland and internationally, through the Energy Systems Integration Partnership Programme.University of Limerick worked to expand and deliver apprenticeship programmes at higher NFQ levels as part of the Generation Apprenticeship project, including the world’s first apprenticeship at doctoral level.
Adult cash fares will now cost €3, while Leap Card holders will payStudent€2.40. and young adult fares will now cost €1.20, while child fares now cost €1.30 for cash and €1 with a leap card. Dublin Bus Head of Operations, Sorin Costica, said: “The reduction in Nitelink fares is great news for Dublin Bus customers and all those who use public transport in the“Itcapital.”willhelp reduce night-time carbon emissions by encouraging people to take the bus as opposed to travelling by car.” A vast majority of students commute to and from College every day - either for short distances through the Luas, or longer journeys on Bus Eireann. Parking a car in the city centre can range anywhere from €3 to €7 an hour, and fuel prices continue to rise.
The €5 applicantsainstitutionsamongfundgovernmentmillionwasdividedsuccessfulfrompoolof18
ALL NIGHT TRAVEL FROM TRANSPORT for Ireland (TFI) has been reduced this month. TFI announced on Friday, September 2 that fares on all 13 Nitelink services would be reduced.TFIcited the growing demand for late-night transport as the night-time economy grows postCovid. Leap fares have been reduced by 33% and cash fares by 43%.A total of 13 Nitelink services depart from Dublin city centre every Friday and Saturday evening, on top of eight 24-hour bus services, with more planned to be introduced once the BusConnects network is rolled out.
Nitelink fares reduced by up to 43%
Aidan Cusack Analysis Editor/ Deputy News
David Wolfe News Editor
The adjustment was made so as not to disadvantage over 61,000 students who resultsLeavingreceivedCertificatelastFriday
“ ofthethanadjustmentsignificantneedingscoringwithgrades,oftowereAdjustmentsmadeover50%students’lower-gradesmorethoseathigherendthespectrum
ZENCHAUG/PEXELS.COMOFCOURTESYPHOTO
Foley congratulated students receiving their results, saying: “Congratulations to one and all of you. You have reached this significant milestone in your education journey and that alone is an enormous achievement.”
She added: “Throughout your school journey, each of you will have learned so much and will have developed a myriad of talents. Be proud of that. Now begins the next exciting chapter in your lives.” In a video statement posted to Twitter, Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris also congratulated the class of 2022.He highlighted the work being done to increase access to higher education: “I want you to know, in the third-level education system, we’re going to do everything we possibly can to make sure there is as many pathways there as possible.”Headded: “This year we’ve increased places by around a thousand in targeted areas where there’s particular demand. This year we’re increasing and improving student grants, and we’ll do more in the budget in the weeks ahead.” It is the third consecutive year that Leaving Certificate results have been released in September rather than August as is usual. The late release of results has meant that first year students will start college later than returning year groups.Restrictions and interruptions to schools brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic have led to alternative exam arrangements. This is the first year since 2019 that predicted grades have not formed part of the Leaving Certificate. This year, a deferred round of exams was held from June 30 to July 16 for students who could not sit June exams due to bereavement, serious injury or illness. Incoming Fresher students will begin orientation on September 19, with classes beginning for first years on September 26. Returning students began orientation or “Senior Freshers” week this week, and begin classes next Monday, September 12.
Students have been advised to fromaccommodationseek“bonafide and trusted” sources amidst a 30% increase in cases since 2019 Evan Skidmore-O’Reilly Staff Writer GARDA HAVE ISSUED AN APPEAL to students to be wary of rental scams as students across the country continue to search for college accommodation ahead of the new academic year. The warning comes against the backdrop of a reported 30% increase in accommodation fraud between February and July of this year when compared with the same period three years ago, with a 50% increase in victims under the age of Approximately25. half of all incidents occured in the Dublin area, highlighting the concern with regards to Trinity students in particular.Inapress release, Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the Gardaí National Economic Crime Bureau advised students to seek accommodation from those who are “bona fide and trusted”, and to be especially vigilant of advertisements on social media. “Be very wary of social media advertisements or where a person letting the location will only communicate via messenger or Whatsapp. You should push for direct answers and if responses are vague, disengage immediately.” Detective Superintendent Cryan continued by telling students to be watchful of “unsolicited contacts”, as well as offers from individuals who appear to be located outside of Ireland. Purported “one-time offers” should also be avoided. When paying for accommodation, Cryan said to be wary of websites requiring payment via random PayPal links, cryptocurrency or through iTunes gift cards, affirming that these methods are used by scammers to “avoid scrutiny and ensure that a transaction can not be reversed”. “If you have decided to take up the offer only use trusted money transfer systems, An Garda Síochána would recommend using a credit card. Never transfer money direct, pay cash, pay into cryptocurrency wallets.” Other “red flags” students are being urged to remember include situations where the landlord cannot show you the property in person; where contact with the advertiser is conducted solely through text message or social media networks; and when payment is demanded immediately before signing over the lease.
To fulfill this commitment, adjustments were made to over 50% of students’ grades, with lower-scoring grades needing more significant adjustment than those at the higher end of the spectrum.Forexample, 11 marks were added to a score of 0, seven marks to a score of 50, and three marks to scores of 100, in order to be consistent with results from the previous year.
Leaving Cert grades inflated to allow fairer competition for college places
OVERLeavingreceivedACROSSSTUDENTS61,000thecountrytheirCertificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results on September 2. Results were released to students through an online portal at 10am. The State Examinations Commission (SEC), the government body responsible for assessment of secondarylevel examinations in Ireland, announced that prior to adjustment, this year’s results were lower across the board than those achieved by students in 2021. Results last year were unusually high due to students being awarded the highest mark between a set of grades predicted by teachers, and the results achieved by the student in the exam. In February, Minister for Education Norma Foley promised that the class of 2022 would not be disadvantaged in the bid for college places relative to previous years, who may reapply to the college application process, and instructed the SEC to ensure “that the overall set of results in the aggregate for this year [would] be no lower than last year”.
Gardaí issue warning to students due to accommodation fraud
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TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September News 5
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“not surprising at all”
Hundreds of students who sat deferred exams or completed Hilary Term abroad last year will not be able to enrol in modules until September 14
STUDENTS
“This is very frustrating and a typical example of Trinity mismanagement. It’s a pity that such things aren’t even a surprise anymore – just expected inadequacy.The comments echo sentiments expressed last year by students who said they were “disappointed but not surprised” with enrollment issues. In 2021, module enrollment for students was delayed by two hours, as well as a number of other issues which College later explained were due to “system errors related to module capacities”.Somestudents have reported being manually checked into their modules after contacting their course administrators, in order to begin classes on time. The school of social sciences and philosophy has told students affected by the delay that it will share a schedule of all classes during week one, so that they can attend lectures before receiving their personal timetable. In some courses, students have been told that modules held places during general registration for students who were sitting resits. College has not responded to request for Teachingcomment.forreturning students begins on September 12, while Freshers’ Week for incoming first year students begins September 19. Teaching for first year students will begin on September 26. Problems with module enrolment re-occur every year, with students last year being locked out of mytcd until the following day. The year previous, the academic registry site crashed. Students continually express disappointment with College enrolment’s process, however, problems continue to rise.
David Wolfe News Editor
“Most frustratingly, I did not even receive an email from Trinity about it, and wouldn’t know at all if I hadn’t seen it in Trinity News.” Others who have not yet heard from College expressed disappointment and concern at the decision to open module enrollment late. A student who sat a deferred assessment said: “It’s a great source of stress and the college needs to recognise that a lot of students have to balance college with other things, especially work, and the likes of this situation makes things really“It’sdifficult.”disappointing above all.” Others reiterated the stress caused by the situation: “The inability to register for college until days before lectures start is stressful. Having to also choose electives at some point, as of yet unknown, makes the start of College even more uncertain.” They added: “Having to sit [supplemental exams] should not be a cause for having an incomplete first week of College, when there are surely solutions to prevent this, especially when blackboard modules have been prepared for weeks at this point. Final-year students affected by the delay expressed a lack of surprise with College administration: “Honestly, it’s not surprising at all.”
The student, who completed last semester abroad, continued: “Last year I wasn’t able to register until after classes had started either and I sort of just expect to not have a smooth module selection process anyway.”“It’sterrible that students have to expect the worst of the most basic of college services, but here we Anotherare” said: “I sent my results from my year abroad to Trinity in June, having received mine before my friends who had stayed in Dublin. It is now September and I have been told I would have to wait until after term starts to register and pick my modules.”
AFFECTED BY LATE MODULE enrolment have expressed disappointment and stress at the delay which has meant that many students cannot enrol in their modules until after teaching begins. It was reported last week that module enrollment for students who sat supplemental exams or who completed last semester abroad will open on September 14, two days after teaching begins. Students affected by the delay in some courses received an email last Tuesday, August 30, informing them of the module enrollment timeline. The email did not acknowledge the delay to teaching for these students. Many students reported not having received any notice of the delay from College. The delay means that students will not know what modules they are taking until after the term begins, or receive a timetable, with many missing classes which begin before they are enrolled in them. A senior sophister student who completed Hilary term on Erasmus told Trinity News: “Knowing what classes I’m doing before the start of term in my final year feels like a fairTheyexpectation.”continued: “The fact that module choice always seems to have the same kind of problems makes it feel like they learn nothing which is unfair on us and also the College administrator who has to deal with a flurry of emails on it everyOneyear.”student who resat an exam said: “Hearing that module selection is not available to me until the middle of the first week back is pretty disheartening, especially after just finishing my resit exam and being relieved to be able to finally move on and be excited to get back to college.” They continued: “The resit process was a stressful one in itself, and continues to be stressful as far as possibly setting me behind in coursework before I even have a chance to pick my modules.”
PHOTO BY EVA O’BEIRNE
Students express disappointment but say late module enrolment
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Sofia Ferrari-Bravo Deputy News Editor
Success of the plan will be monitored based on performance indicators in four key areas: flexibility within higher education, diversity across programmes and levels, access and participation for priority groups, and student success and engagement.
The Higher Education Authority Bill 2022 will continue its way through the legislative process when the Oireachtas reconvenes in the coming weeks.
“ We want a truly inclusivethird
Government launch €35 million plan to increase higher education access among disadvantaged groups
educationinortoonhasnorbackgroundneithersystemlevelwhereyourexperienceabearingyourabilityattendsucceedhigher
TEtoStreetsummerEARLIERANNOUNCEMENTTHISthatO’Connellbeergardenisbereplacedwitha Holiday Inn extension has added to the growing trend of cultural spaces being lost to commercial developments.Thecourtyard beer garden connects three popular establishments, all part of the Dublin social scene: Fibber Magees, The Living Room, and Murray’s.Although intentions for its closing met strong objections from publicans and the public, including a petition which has attracted over 10,000 signatures, Dublin City Council (DCC) proceeded to permit the Holiday Inn with permission for the extension. The extension will add 97 rooms to an existing 214 rooms in the Holiday Inn Express. Although the developer had previously requested a sevenstorey extension, that plan was denied due to concerns about loss of daylight for the surrounding buildings. The application therefore changed to solicit a lower six-storey extension instead, and wasFibberaccepted.Magees holds its name as one of the best-known rock bars in the country. Around since 1979, it has grown into a cultural landmark. Aslan, Bono and the Foo Fighters are all examples of musical figures welcomed on Fibber’s stage. As part of the outdoor garden, Fibber’s rock influence shares the outdoor space with a traditional music bar, and The Living Room, a notable Dublin sports bar. Nonetheless, plans to replace the cultural hub go in favour of supporting “the growing city centre business and tourism industries”, as highlighted by the hotelDCC’sdeveloper.support of this statement has demonstrated the importance placed on profit incentives in the city’s development plan, and its inclination particularly towards business and tourism initiatives.
David Wolfe News Editor
MINISTER FOR FURTHER AND Higher Education
The plan aims to increase progression to higher education among this cohort from 42% to 54% by Secondly,2028. the plan seeks to more than quadruple the number of members of the Traveller community who proceed to higher education. Currently, only 1% of those from an Irish Traveller or Roma background hold a third level qualification, compared to 55% of the general population.
Earlier this year, Harris announced Strand 4 of the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH), including funding of €12 million to improve third-level accessibility for students with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Green party MEP and architect Ciarán Cuffe was one of the objectors to the Cobblestone’s closing, describing the hotel development plan as “an overscaled, crude and soulless monument to greed”. Cuffe continued to express the importance of the pub as a cultural space, describing it as “an extraordinary venue for traditional Irish music that has attracted singers and musicians from all over the world”. The pub’s victory over property developers therefore offers an illustration of Dublin’s struggle to maintain its cultural spaces. The protests and demonstrations that saved the Cobblestone are telling of the public’s anger towards ambitions of city development that only favour business and tourism, while neglecting the importance of culture in the form of educational, musical and social spaces.
The case of the O’Connell Street beer garden is just one example of what Dublin’s cultural spaces have been facing in recent years. Earlier this year, Trinity’s Science Gallery was forced to plan its closure due to financial difficulties in its upkeep. A decline in grants and funding led the Gallery into deficit, making it impossible for it to continue operations.Known for its exhibitions and events intended to promote science, the Gallery had been one of Dublin’s main cultural and educational centres. Former Science Gallery curator Vicky Twomey-Lee described the environment created by the Gallery, calling it “a great proponent of advocating science and tech crossing boundaries with creativity like art and design”. Journalist Maria Delaney at Noteworthy by Journal Media expressed her concern, pointing out that the Gallery’s closing might mean “no permanent space(s) for science in DelaneyDublin”.continued: “When it began, it gave those interested in science a home and enabled the growth of our community. It was where I first decided to write about science and first connected with our vibrant science communication community.” Dublin’s famous traditional pub the Cobblestone faced a similar fate in late 2021. Both a pub and a music school, the Cobblestone risked closing due to a DCC plan with aims of turning it into a hotel. After being met with street demonstrations, protests and 700 objections submitted, city authorities refused planning permission and allowed the Cobblestone to continue running.
He highlighted that the plan not only hopes to increase access, but also “for the first time ever” puts “a very specific emphasis on participation and successful conclusion of higher education.”
The plan aims to increase the number of new entrants with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, from 12.4% of the student population to 16% by 2028.Harris added: “We want a truly inclusive third level system where neither your background nor experience has a bearing on your ability to attend or succeed in higher education.”
In May, Harris published Funding the Future, a framework for the funding of higher education going forward which includes a reduction in the student contribution charge. These included a meriad of funding to be announced for the sector. Though reducing the cost of higher education has been a key aim of his tenure as Minister for Further and Higher education, Harris today said that he cannot reveal whether Budget 2023 will include a reduction in student fees.”
Analysis: A trend of cultural loss in Dublin
It is hoped that by the end of the plan, 150 members of the Traveller community will begin higher education annually, compared to 33 in Lastly,2020/21.the plan notes that although previous targets for access to higher education among people with disabilities have been met, the percentage of students with disabilities still does not reflect the wider population.
The National Access Plan, 2022 to 2028, identifies three “priority groups” for whom it aims to increase equity of access to third level education, these being students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, members of the Traveller community, and students with disabilities.€35million will be provided by Harris’ Department to reach its targets.Speaking at the launch, Harris called the new plan, the fourth of its kind, “the most ambitious plan for access to higher education”. He continued: “The statistics dn’t lie. It is clear those from disadvantaged areas have a lesser chance of accessing higher education than those from more affluent“Thereareas.are a number of new groups who we have never put a focus on before including those in the care system and those with intellectual disabilities. Today, that changes.”Thepriority group identified from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, includes specific reference those who have experienced homelessness, are survivors of domestic violence, have experience of the care system, are carers, and who have experience of the criminal justice system.
Simon Harris last week launched a new seven-year plan to increase participation in higher education among disadvantaged groups.
TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September News 7
Minister Harris called the fourth National Access Plan “the ambitiousmostplan for access to education”higher
The National Access Plan forms part of a wider shakeup of the higher education sector in Ireland.
Harris’ recent comments seem to go a step further, suggesting the state will directly invest in college-owned purpose-built accommodation, of which there is no mention in the Housing for All document.Thecomments suggest a rapid change in both tone and policy. Due to the dual crisis of housing and cost of living, pressure has mounted on the government in recent months to take a more interventionist approach, rather than to allow the situation to be resolved by market forces. In July, the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science published a series of recommendations, which if implemented, could mean one of the most dramatic changes in education policy since the founding of the state. While maintaining that philanthropic and private funding should be supported, it recommended a move towards a European-style system of thirdlevel education, where “third-level education is viewed as a State Asset and funded primarily by the Exchequer.”Itcontinued: “Future Funding of Higher Education should be based on the principle that it is a right for all citizens and a key investment in the future. Accessibility to further and higher education is crucial for all age groups, with flexible options to support part-time or online courses for lifelong learners.”
The report also recommended an end to the current 60/40 funding gap between traditional universities and technological universities, in favour of a new model of funding based on the number of students in the institution, claiming that the current model is “neither fair nor sustainable.”Opposition parties have been calling for an emergency budget to tackle the rapidly increasing cost of living since June. A proposal by Sinn Féin to introduce a €1.3bn package of measure, including one-off cash payments for low and middle income earners, giving one month’s rent back to renters, reduced fuel prices, increases in social welfare and an increase in the minimum wage, was rejected by the WithDáil.the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council just recently announcing that younger workers will have to pay increased PRSI in order to support the increasing number of retirees, the government is faced with a major dilemma in the upcoming budget 2023. So far, it has been announced that Budget 2023 will cost €6.7 bi, an 6.5% increase on last year’s budget.
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Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS News 8 TCDSU pledges planned USI
A 30% tax rate was announced, meaning an effective income tax cut for middle income earners. Minister Simon Harris has suggested that the upcoming budget will decrease the cost of college, but he has so far been unable to confirm whether or not the student contribution will be reduced from €3,000. Harris has recognised that his announcement that the state will support oncampus accommodation is a long and medium term measure, and has supplemented this measure with tax breaks for “digs”, a measure which has been criticised by, among others, NUIGSU, who called for a tenancy policy and increased regulation. The growing impatience of students and families is increasing pressure on government to deliver real change with Budget 2023. To counter the opposition parties’ generous alternative budget submissions, the government will have to live up to the rhetoric in the upcoming October budget, or face increasing discontent, in the form of potential strike action and at the ballot box. Recently, Harris said that he cannot reveal whether the student contribution fee will be cut in the upcoming budget. He said a “fair package” is needed to recognise the “crippling” costs on students. issued a list of demands to College David Wolfe News Editor
Harris mentioned that roughly two thirds of student accommodation is privately owned, while only a third is owned by colleges, suggesting that the state will support colleges in providing an increased share of student accommodation, adding that many have already been granted planning permission. Government’s Housing for All policy document, released in June 2021, outlines the intention to offset pressure on the rental market by supporting the building of oncampus student accommodation through increasing borrowing capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs).
Kate EllenHenshawKenny
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Aidan Cusack News Analysis Editor/ Deputy News Editor
IUA sets Educationout
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THE submission.investmentinhasASSOCIATIONUNIVERSITIESIRISH(IUA)setout€841millionHigherEducationintheirBudget2023
COLLEGE DUBLIN STUDENTS’ UNION (TCDSU) has pledged its support to a planned national student walkout on October 13. The Union of Students’ in Ireland this week announced its intention to organise a mass walkout of students in higher level institutions across the country on October 13. In a statement to Trinity News, TCDSU said: “[TCDSU] fully supports the National Housing
ON AUGUST 17 , MINISTER FOR Higher Education, Simon Harris, told a press conference in Trinity that he does not believe the current student accommodation policy is adequate. This was followed by an announcement that taxpayer money would, for the first time ever, be invested in “helping colleges bridge the gap and build college-owned accommodation.”
A statement from TCDSU
Analysis: Simon Harris’ comments could indicate a shift in government policy
The still’€163Investmentmillionincludedsubmission€360inCapitalandamillion‘standfund
TCDSU also called on the government to make the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) available to students, and to commit to a clear timeline on the referendum for a right to housing.
The IUA has also stated they are seeking €75 million in 2023 as a first step in a multi-annual green campus investment programme. According to the IUA, “universities should be prioritised as exemplars of sustainable public buildings, sending their graduates into the workplace as advocates for what can be Finally,achieved.”a‘stand-still’ €163 million “is also required to cover national pay awards, increments and non-pay inflation-related costs”.Minister for Further and Higher Education, Innovation, Research and Science Simon Harris has indicated that the student contribution charge in the Budget under plans to address the cost-of-living crisis Fees for thirdlevel students could fall by up to €250 a year, although Harris has been hesitant to confirm this. Budget 2023 will be created on September 27 and 28 this year. Minister for further and Higher Education Simon Harris last week launched a new seven-year plan to increase participation in higher education among disadvantaged groups.The National Access Plan, 2022 to 2028, identifies three “priority groups” for whom it aims to increase equity of access to third level education, these being students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, members of the Traveller community, and students with disabilities.€35million will be provided by Harris’ Department to reach its targets.Government has recently announced a meriad of funding for the further and higher education sector, including a €35 million plan to increase higher education amoung disadvantaged groups.
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It outlined five demands for the government, including the enforcement of rent pressure zones, the introduction of stricter legal protections for “digs” accommodation, and an immediate and drastic increase in “publicly owned and funded accommodation for students and the general public”.
Higher Education investment in Budget 2023
According to the IUA’s submission, “The ratio of students to academic staff in Irish higher education institutions is now an outlier relative to European peers.” “The current student-staff ratios challenge quality and have contributed to deterioration in the position of Irish institutions in international rankings.” They also highlight that €42 million is needed “to cover the growth in student numbers in 2022/23 in order to secure the pipeline of talent and skills required by the Government”. The student population is set to grow by 1,056 this academic year. The IUA also proposes an investment of €11 million to “cofund the participation of Irish HEIs in European University Alliances”.Itsuggested a further investment of €95 million put “in research and innovation to deliver on the agenda set out in Impact 2030”. An OECD report to the HEA on Resourcing Higher Education in Ireland found that research in the Irish higher education system is under-funded.A€360million capital package has been proposed to “provide capacity for the growing numbers, substantial digital investment and to provide a Green Campus Fund to reduce the carbon footprint of the many university campuses across the country”.
TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September News 9 pledges support for USIoutwalkout€841million
The statement went on to criticise government housing policy: “This crisis is not new, it is a symptom of decades of government policy that has prioritised investment returns over affordability and the human right to safe and secure housing.”
Walkout on October 13 and we will be asking all schools to cooperate.” “In just a few weeks, thousands of students will be arriving to start College and we worry about their safety because many of them still have nowhere safe, stable, and affordable to call home.” The statement outlined the union’s demands of both College andItgovernment.calledon College to immediately reduce rent in Trinity-owned accommodation, and to stop exploiting the crisis as a revenueTCDSUsource.also asked that College “implements a clear roadmap for supporting homeless students so that they can continue their studies,” and for it to be “transparent in their on-campus room allocations, so students have time to make informed choices and seek out alternative accommodation”.Accesstohybrid learning models was also a key demand, noting that “this is important for students with disabilities, students with caring obligations, students without flexible working hours, as well as students who are commuting long-distances or facing“Everyhomelessness”.studentneeds equal access to adequate learning materials and should not be excluded from education by the housing crisis,” it added. Lastly, TCDSU demanded that College “increases funding for the TCDSU Accommodation Advisory Service so that we can meet the needs of our students”. The statement noted that “as more and more students arrive at College with nowhere to stay”, the unions’ current policy of offering support on a case-by-case basis “will become unsustainable”, calling on College to provide more long-term solutions.
TCDSU has been continually vocal in its criticism of the accommodation crisis which is affecting students. Last September, the students’ union attended a housing protest outside the Dáil, saying at the time that “it is brutally clear that the Government needs to step up now”.
The IUA proposed an investment of €200 million in 2023 as part of a multi-annual capital investment programme to meet the infrastructure needs arising from demographic growth.
TCDSU] fully supports the WalkoutHousingNational on October 13
“
The IUA proposed a €170 million “package that will enable universities to make meaningful progress in improving student staff ratios and accordingly improve retention, quality and student services”.According to the IUA, an investment of €170 million would support the employment of an additional 730 academic posts, which would reduce the studentteacher ratio from 20:1 to 19:1.
The submission included €360 million in Capital Investment, a €163 million ‘stand still’ fund and €42 million to cover growth in studentPreviously,numbers.the Government had approved additional funding of €307 million for the higher education sector to address the core funding deficit. The IUA has said they “very much welcomed that the Government has recognised the importance of providing this as additional core funding and departing from the practice of top sliced and/or competitive funding in recent years”. They also “very much welcomed that the Government has acknowledged that other significant funding needs such as those relating to demographic growth, inflation and pay and pensions are additional to the €307m core funding provision”.
“ In
TrinityBeyond
Ethnic tobullyinglikelyofdisabledLGBTQ+minorities,andmembersstaffweremoretofaceaccordingthesurvey Aidan Cusack Analysis
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The survey contained five sections, covering demographics and work arrangements, negative acts at work, bullying and cyberbullying, bystander behaviour, anti-bullying culture and awareness of anti-bullying policies and team psychological safety and work demands. 28% of those surveyed reported “occasional” work-oriented negative acts,which meant targeting someone’s professional standing. 26% reported personoriented negative acts, which meant targeting someone’s personal standing. An average of 32.9% of the respondents reported cyberbullying at work. 33.5% reported having been bullied at work within the past three years, with 70.6% of them having been bullied for several months. In 55% of cases, the perpetrator of bullying was a senior colleague, while peer bullying accounted for 24.6% of Minoritycases.groups such as the LGBTQ+ community, disabled people and ethnic minorities were more likely to endure negative acts, bullying and cyberbullying at work.Only 20.8% of respondents agreed that the anti-bullying policy and procedures at their HEI contributed to effectively protecting all staff members. However, 64.5% of respondents indicated that they were aware their HEI had an anti-bullying policy.This survey also assessed organisational factors that may lead to bullying. Heavy workloads constituted an issue for 35.8% of respondents, while 34% indicated that their personal life suffered due to work.Over a third of respondents, 36.2% reported that they felt valued in their work. 47.6% agreed that members of their team felt they can bring up problems and difficult issues.
PHOTO BY O’BEIRNE
One third of higher education staff report bullying in national survey 55% of cases, colleague,wasofperpetratorthebullyingasenior
University College Dublin: UCDSU seeks to encourage homeowners to avail of the Rent-A-Room Relief Scheme through the Digs Drive. Over three days, the sabbatical officers handed out leaflets at LUAS stations to catch commuters on their way to and from work. According to the College Tribune, UCDSU distributed 3,000 leaflets resulting in over 150 additional rooms added to the UCD Accommodation Pad.
Maynooth University: Maynooth University has opened a €48 million tech hub on its 25th anniversary to boost its capacity and enhance its work in research and education. The facility will help Maynooth University meet the needs of its growing student population. The new 10,500 sq m building houses living labs and break-out rooms for interactive research, three large theatres and research spaces for students, academics and collaboration with industry partners.
Editor/ Deputy News
AREPORT ON THE HigherofExperiencesSURVEYNATIONALofStaffBullyinginEducation Institutions, showed that 33.5% of higher education staff have experienced bullying in the workplace.Thereport, which was commissioned by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, was conducted anonymously. It surveyed 20 publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).Atotal of 3,835 HEI staff engaged in the online survey, which covered demographics and work arrangements, negative acts at work, bullying and cyberbullying, bystander behaviour, anti-bullying culture and team psychological safety.Data was collected during the Covid-19 pandemic, the press release specified.
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Queen’s University Belfast: An Irish language residential scheme has officially launched in Queen’s University for the 2022/23 academic year. According to the University, this is a pilot scheme that will offer accommodation to 12 students who study Irish at Queen’s University. The scheme has been introduced following a series of campaigns by the university’s An Cumann Gaelach. Trinity College Dublin currently offers 30 places in accommodation for Irish-speaking students.
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS News 10
University College Cork: A UCC model aimed at educating students about sexual and domestic violence prevention has been shortlisted for the Times Higher Education “Outstanding Support for Students” Award. UCC’s Bystanders Intervention programme provides training and other resources on how to step in, speak up and support others in situations of sexual misconduct and sexual violence.
Ferrari-Bravo
Keith Conlon in a shooting incident at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane on February 22. The book of evidence in the case is expected to be served on OctoberPhelan3.was initially refused bail in March and deemed a “flight risk” by the High Court. He was later released on a €100,000 bond with a range of conditions.
PHOTO BY SHANNON CONNOLLY FOR
Simon Harris announces €28.5 million in funding for Irish research projects in STEM and AHSS areas
Phelan proceedings continue
On 25 February 2022, Phelan was charged with the murder of 36 year-old Keith Conlon. Phelan was charged following an altercation which occurred in Tallaght the preceding week, where Conlon was fatally shot. Phelan is a Fellow of Trinity and a member of the College Board. The Irish Independent had previously reported that a “wellknown legal professional” had been arrested in connection with the incident.
News Editor
Harris continued: “We want to increase the number of females participating in research and funds like this are crucial to helping us achieve this.” The 53 research projects will be funded through 12 Irish research bodies, including Trinity.
The throughprovidedfundingthe
TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September News 11
President of the Court of Appeal Justice George Birmingham said that Diarmuid Rossa Phelan enjoys the presumption of innocence and that he is a “a person of good standing in the community” who has never been convicted of an offenceAccordingpreviously.to the terms of Phelan’s bail, he must obey a 10pm to 8am curfew at a gardaapproved address, sign-on daily at a garda station, and be contactable by mobile phone at all times. Phelan had to give gardaí access to all his Irish and foreign bank accounts, and he must stay out of Tallaght, out of his properties in Wexford and have no contact with prosecution witnesses in the case. Phelan will remain on bail until his trial date, which has not yet been fixed. It is not yet known what terms of Phelan’s bail are to be Inappealed.May, the court suspended Phelan’s bail terms to allow him a “short trip” for two days with his family. Most conditions of his bail remained in place, and Phelan was required to surrender his passport, was not permitted to leave the state, join a gun club, or purchase any firearms. He was also instructed to stay out of Tallaght and his properties in Wexford.
SFIIRC ProgrammePathwaywill go towards 53 research projects across a diverse range of disciplines Sofia Dpeuty
MINISTERHarrisEducationANDFURTHERFORHIGHERSimonhastoday announced an investment of €28.5 million for 53 research projects in areas including cancer, nutrition, politics, history, literature, energy andThetechnology.funding will be provided through the SFI-IRC Pathway Programme, an initiative created to support research across all disciplines. The initiative is a collaboration between Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council (IRC). In his announcement of the new projects, Harris explained that the investment will “allow researchers to advance their work and further develop their careers towards becoming the next generation of research leaders in Ireland”. Of the 53 projects supported, 36 will be in the area of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), while 17 will be in arts, humanities and social sciencesHarris(AHSS).emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, stating how the funding will reach all areas of research “from astronomy, cancer, economics, energy to health and nutrition”.Afocus is also placed on earlycareer researchers, in support of Ireland’s next-generation research leaders.Director Science for Society, Science Foundation Ireland Abigail Ruth Freeman, highlighted how the funding will enable earlycareer researchers to “gain the essential skills and experience to develop their track record and become independent research leaders”.The programme also focuses on increasing the representation of female researchers in the higher education system.
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Law professor accused of murder:
Shannon Connolly David Wolfe Dr Lbailamendanyesterday,returnedRossaDiarmuidPhelantocourtregardingapplicationtohistermsofAWPROFESSORDRDIARMUIDROSSAPHELAN,whofacesachargeofmurder,returnedtocourtyesterday,MondaySeptember5,whenanapplicationtovarythetermsofhisbailwasheard.Phelanhasnotbeenrequiredtoattendcourtrecently,butajudgeatDublinDistrictCourtsaidhemustattendthehearingtoamendthetermsofhisbail.Phelanisaccusedofmurdering
Caroline Higgins Deputy News Editor
NUIGSU
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The letter discusses the enforcement of surroundinglegislation shortterm leases, a “National PolicyAccommodationStudentandStrategy” introductionproposesofrent caps
PHOTO BY SHANNON CONNOLLY
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS News 12
Speaking to Virgin Media News, USI Vice President for Campaigns Ross Boyd said: “It’s the worst it’s ever been and only looks like it’s going to get worse.” He continued: “We need to see significant price reductions and especially looking at rent caps and a rent freeze specifically.” Boyd also said that “ensuring that the rent-a-room scheme is only a temporary solution” was a key aim, and called for “affordable purpose-built student accommodation” to be built instead.Inastatement on Twitter, Boyd added: “Students are sick of the same old crises of high rent, high fees, high cost barriers.” He continued that the message of the walkout will be to say “enough is enough”. Recent weeks have seen numerous reports of students unable to secure accommodation for college as the beginning of the academic year approaches. Last week, Provost Linda Doyle described the accommodation issue as a “real crisis situation” and called for urgent and longterm solutions to the crisis to be implemented.University College Dublin Students’ Union (UCDSU) last week organised a “Digs Drive” campaign, appealing for members of the public to privately rent rooms to students. Members of the union stood at Luas stops throughout the day handing out leaflets urging people to rent rooms to students.
PHOTO IN A LETTER ADDRESSED TO MINISTER FOR FURTHER and Higher Education Simon Harris on September 1, NUI Galway Students’ Union outlined a number of measures they would like to see implemented in the short, medium, and long term to remedyCitingit. 90 reported cases of Galway students without permanent accommodation, the letter foresees a deterioration of the situation as more students arrive for the coming semester. With a particular focus on the impact on international students, the letter argues that these students “are being forced to decide whether to study in Galway and risk homelessness or abandon their studies and return home”. To remedy this in the short term, the letter proposes to “fully reimburse any international students that are forced to return home” and to “reintroduce learning hybrid” to accommodate students who could not secure housing in Galway.
PHOTO BY SHANNON CONNOLLY FOR TRINITY NEWS
The letter also calls for the implementation of rent caps and the enforcement of “tenancy policy for students living in digs”. In the medium to long term, the letter discusses the enforcement of legislation surrounding shortterm leases, a “National Student Accommodation Policy and Strategy”, and the introduction of “wide scale purchasing and building state-funded projects of purpose-built student accommodation”.“Inactionwill cause irreparable damage to the University of Galway and Ireland’s international reputation,” the letter argues. It concludes: “We must protect ourThestudents.”letter comes amidst an increasing student response to a growing housing crisis. The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) recently announced its plans for a student walkout on a national level in protest against the housing crisis and the effect it continues to have on students across the country. Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) last week pledged its support for the national walkout, and issued a list of demands to College and government, including the reduction of rent in Collegeowned accommodation, the reintroduction of hybrid learning, and measures to alleviate the housing crisis at a national level. Two weeks ago, USI announced that it plans to organise a mass walkout of students in colleges across the country on October 13. The national students’ union intend the walkout to be a protest against the current accommodation and cost of living crises which are affecting students.
Conor Murphy, Stormont Finance Minister “Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundation of our republic ... As I stand here, equality and democracy are under assualt. We do ourselves no favour to pretend otherwise.”
College Dublin Students’ Union will always stand in solidarity with our trans members,” the statement concluded.Lastmonth, Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin saw thousands of people take to the streets in pride and protest. The group were demanding access to services for trans and intersex individuals, including the banning of intersex genital mutilation, free GP-led trans healthcare and sex education.
In a statement on Twitter, Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin thanked all who attended the protest, stating: “Thank you all for turning up and showing solidarity against the transphobic media attacks outside [Independent.ie].”
“We heard word they hired extra security guards due to our protest,” the statement alleged. The statement concluded: “Trans people aren’t going anywhere and we will continue to fight for liberation.”
THE UNION OF STUDENTS IN IRELAND (USI) has announced it plans to organise a mass walkout of students in colleges across the country on October 13. The national students’ union intend the walkout to be a protest against the current accommodation and cost of living crises which are affecting students. Speaking to Virgin Media News, Boyd also said that “ensuring that the rent-a-room scheme is only a temporary solution” was a key aim, and called for “affordable purpose-built student accommodation” to be built instead.Inastatement on Twitter, Boyd added: “Students are sick of the same old crises of high rent, high fees, high cost barriers.” He continued that the message of the walkout will be to say “enough is enough”.
& Intersex Pride Dublin protest last week outside the Irish Independent’s office on Talbot Street.The demonstration began at midday, to protest alleged negative media attention towards the group. TCDSU attended the protest in solidarity with Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin. In a statement to Trinity News, TCDSU said: “We are attending the protest at the Irish Independent offices because trans rights aren’t up for debate.”
TRINITYattendedUNIONSTUDNETS’DUBLINCOLLEGE(TCDSU)theTrans
David Wolfe News Editor
USI Vice President for Campaigns Ross Boyd said: “It’s the worst it’s ever been and only looks like it’s going to get worse.” He continued: “We need to see significant price reductions and especially looking at rent caps and a rent freeze specifically.”
Recent weeks have seen numerous reports of students unable to secure accommodation for college as the beginning of the academic year approaches. Last week, Provost Linda Doyle described the accommodation issue as a “real crisis situation” and called for urgent and longterm solutions to the crisis to be implemented.University College Dublin Students’ Union (UCDSU) last week organised a “Digs Drive” campaign, appealing for members of the public to privately rent rooms to students. Members of the union stood at Luas stops throughout the day handing out leaflets urging people to rent rooms to students.
Vice President for Campaigns Ross Boyd outlined a number of demands including rent caps and price“significantreductions”
“ Students are sick of thesame old crises of high rent, high fees, highcost barriers ... enough is enough
In the past two months, the Irish Independent has published articles with headlines such as “The future will condemn us for pandering to the trans agenda”, “We think Ireland is a world leader on LGBTQ+ issues, but reality paints a different picture”, and “The identity question – new zealotry demands we deny evidence of our eyes”.TCDSU’s statement to Trinity News continued: “News outlets that publish these opinion pieces are directly implicated in transphobic attacks and they need to beTCDSUchallenged.”emphasised the impact of these attacks on students: “Every student should feel safe walking home. Every student should have access to healthcare. No student should have to open a newspaper and see headlines that attack their right to “Trinityexist.”
“The minister has explained his oversight in renewing a long term tenancy with the RTB in 2019, and that his member’s interests have been declared in full every year during that period.” MicheálTaoiseachMartin, “Students do not deserve the stress and chaos caused by mismanagement. We are in need of coherent plan from College into how this will be avoided.”
Gabi Fullam, TCDSU President “news.” The Washington Post “The government does have a surplus. They need to now redistribute that back, so that individuals and families are not carrying that cost. ”
Joe Biden, President of the US
USI to organise mass walkout on October 13
“In recent months, there have been attempts to introduce an anti-trans narrative in Irish media and it is putting our students at risk.”Itcontinued: “Good journalism holds power to account. Recent articles in the Irish Independent have reported transphobic opinions as fact — and these words are carried into verbal and physical attacks on the streets.”
TCDSU attend Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin protest
TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September News Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin held a protest in Dublin over media coverage issues Shannon Connolly, David Wolfe Editor, News Editor What they say 13 TRINITY BYNEWSSHANNON CONNOLLY FOR TRINITY NEWS
Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD “While people are facing into an enormous crisis, while bills are mounting, we are in a sit uation where we can’t get any certainty from the British gov ernment in terms of an inter vention and no certainty from the DUP in terms of reforming an Executive here, which could take at least some decisions to try and mitigate some of the pressures that are building.”
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS News 14
TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September 15
The Puck Fair, an annual festival held in Killorglin, Kerry garnered close attention this year due to the treatment of the festival’s quintessential feature: the goat. Over three days every August, amongst many other festivities, a goat is crowned King of the Puck and throned — by being suspended in a cage over the crowd for the duration of the fair. This year, the festival fell during a heatwave, with temperatures in Kerry reaching over 25ºC. The heat, paired with the suspension of the Puck King, raised concerns with various animal welfare groups across the country. A spokesperson for the National Animal Rights Association (NARA) commented that “a wild animal, suspended in the air in a cage, is just unacceptable in this day and age. It’s barbaric, archaic, incredibly cruel and an absolute embarrassment to the country.” In their Goat Welfare Statement, the fair’s committee stated that they have “strict protocols in place to ensure [its] welfare and they are overseen and checked by an independent veterinary surgeon.” While the “act of torture” was temporarily ceased, and the Puck King was taken into the shade, it wasn’t long before the festivities resumed and the goat retook its cagedForposition.many, the cruelty that occurred during this year’s Puck Fair may be their first exposure to the annual festival, but it has been running for over 400 years.
“ For towns,manyitis the single year.thebusinessessupportsweekendfestivalthatlocalforrestofthe ARTWORK BY SINAOIFE ANDREWS FOR TRINITY NEWS
“ There are many
Features Dublin’s developmentstransportanddisappointmentLaraMellett-page14 The truth about Greyhound Racing in EvaIrelandDuggan-page18 Celebration of culture or pursuit of profit?
With this year’s Puck Fair making headlines due to its mistreatment of the Puck King, goalorwhetherinvestigatestraditionrevenueistheofthefestival
Trinity News
A market is also set up throughout the town for the duration of the fair, most of which holds little to no connection with the hazy significance of the Puck Fair itself. Many of the wares of the market stalls are generic, showing themselves to be money-making attempts for Killorglin’s main economic event. The Kingdom of Kerry website openly boasts about the “open-air trading” that occurs during the Puck Fair, stating that “you can literally find anything and everything from toys to jewellery, clothing and footwear to name just a few.” It is difficult to find a connection between the Puck Fair’s historical significance and the purchase of new footwear. This raises the question, which is more important to a modern-day Irish festival: tradition or revenue? This question is substantiated by the allowances made for pubs in Killorglin for the duration of the Puck Fair. Although they may operate under normal Liquor Licensing Acts, which state that pubs may only serve alcohol until 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays — pubs in Killorglin can serve until 3am on this single lucrative weekend each year. On close inspection, it seems that the Puck Fair is a thinlyveiled attempt at generating revenue for a small Irish town. This is not a singular occurrence or independent phenomenon in Ireland. There are many niche festivals held in small towns around the country which have developed into attempts to generate profits from fleeting crowds. From the Matchmaking Festival in Lisdoonvarna to the National Ploughing Championships, traditional festivals are often swallowed into attempts to make money in towns that are quiet for the rest of the year.
crowds.fleetingprofitstointohavecountryaroundinfestivalsnicheheldsmalltownsthewhichdevelopedattemptsgeneratefrom over four weekends in the month of September, creates €2.5m in revenue for an otherwise dormant town in North Clare. While the wares and events being offered at these festivals may be generic, and somewhat irrelevant to the festival at hand, at the very least it can be said to support local businesses and small communities across the country. Of course, there is a case to be made for the dilution of the tradition being celebrated at these
The fair boasts a jam-packed three-day itinerary, kicking off with a cattle fair, which the Puck Fair website states “is not organised by the Puck Fair Committee.” Events that are organised by the Committee include a variety of music performances almost hourly across three days, as well as puppet shows and bonny baby competitions, all of which could be found at any fair across Ireland.
Puck Fair Celebrations
Lara Mellett Features Editor
However, the centuries-old origin of the festival is quite hazy. On its website, the Puck Fair notes that the “origins of the fair have been lost in the mists of antiquity.” The most they can gather about its origins are references to an August Fair in some 17th-century sources. Regardless of its hazy history, the Puck Fair website makes some attempts at adding tradition and lore to the fair. Theories surrounding the significance of the Puck include the links of the Puck to the pagan god Pan, and symbols of fertility. Other stories claim that a wild goat alerted the townspeople of Killorglin to an upcoming attack by Oliver Cromwell. The Puck Fair website concludes its history page with perhaps its only definitive statement: “whatever its origins, the fair has long been and continues to be the main social, economic and cultural event in the Killorglin Calendar.” This final statement may hint more closely at the fair’s longevity, as opposed to its historical or traditional significance. With no solid cultural or historical significance, there is no limit to what can be added to the festivities, meaning that there is a somewhat endless amount of money to be earned.ThePuck Fair earns the town of Killorglin and its locals an estimate of €7m in revenue each year, and thus its lucrative nature may be a bigger impetus than historical tradition to keep it returning to the town each year. Of course, the festival centres around the crowning of the Puck King and a Queen of the Puck, but many of its festivities seem to be generic money-making schemes that simply take advantage of the crowd drawn in by the fair.
The effort made by these towns in their single busy weekend cannot really be shamed. For many towns, it is the single festival weekend that supports local businesses for the rest of the year. The Matchmaking Festival, held
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Features Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS16
The primary concern of those involved is of how much profit can be derived from their actions. This partnership demonstrates the loyalty of the relationship between the two industries.
The study found that there are approximately 35,000 moderaterisk gamblers and 12,000 problem gamblers in the country. There is a strong correlation between problem gambling and substance abuse. Problem gambling entails severe emotional and financial consequences. The survey indicated a correlation between unemployment and problem gambling. The bond between the two industries is symbiotic, they keep each other afloat.
Veterinarian surgeon Finbarr Heslin commented on the longterm effects of these drugs on the animals, saying that their blood can become “like treacle.”
On 9 February 2022, the Health Research Board published a report on gambling in Ireland.
The Government remains financially supportive of the world of greyhound racing. However, in November 2021, government officials raised concerns about the transparency and method of administration of funding. This disquiet may pose a threat to the future of the industry but, for now, it seems safe and secure.
In light of this information that has surfaced, a growing public concern about the industry has developed. With an increasing interest in animal welfare, it is not surprising that people are less than pleased at the idea that their taxes are funding this industry. The Dáil debate this year on July 14 may give rise to more discussion and a decline in support of the industry.
The truth about Greyhound Racing in Ireland
Recent debates have brought tales of abuse and corruption into the light Eva Duggan Deputy Features Editor
On Thursday 14 July 2022, Dáil debates turned to the topic of greyhound racing. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy raised questions surrounding the ethics and financial side of racing, asking his colleagues: “Why should we continue to give tens of millions of euros every single year to the greyhound racing industry? For me, the key issue is animal cruelty.” Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, took the opposing view in answering Murphy’s questions, promising that the industry was committed to improving the greyhounds’ welfare. He assured Murphy that “there is a strong commitment to improved animal welfare in this sector in the programme for Government.” In response, Deputy Murphy probed McConalogue as to why the industry continues to receive so much Government funding. Since 2001, the Government has pooled €310m into the industry. In the budget for 2022, €88m was allocated to the Horse and Greyhound Racing fund. RCÉ (Rásaíocht Con Éireann), the regulatory semistate body, received 20% of this sum, amounting to €17.6m. The industry is significantly dependent on this funding to survive. Despite concerns about the administration of funding, McConalogue stated: “I have no current plans to introduce legislation to provide a separate exchequer funding mechanism for HRI and RCÉ and the industries theyInsupport.”Murphy’s counter-argument, his first point concerned the dogs’ welfare. Secondly, he made the point that a large portion of Government funding is lost due to the low-cost sale of dogs to UK buyers. The Ministers reasoned that the industry provides employment for over 4,000 people and that around 10,000 people benefit economically from the industry. RCÉ—the statutory body which operates and regulates the greyhound racing industry—sets aside a small amount of money dedicated to welfare. He used the cultural aspect of the industry as an argument, saying that the racing industry is part of the “social fabric” of our country. Deputy Murphy went on to question whether funding the industry actually derives much economic benefit. He raised the point that, in effect, the taxpayer is indirectly funding the British greyhound racing industry. Each year, around 6,300 greyhounds are sold to the UK at a loss of almost €5,000 each. In addition, a recent report published in the Sunday Times revealed that almost half of those attending the races were people from the industry who received complimentary tickets. In truth, there is little public interest in attending the races. The Minister suggested that RCÉ would be working to increase public attendance at the races. Murphy indicated that he would be glad to see the dissolution of the industry but agreed that, in this event, jobs should not be lost. A secure transition would need to be made, guaranteeing equivalent employment for all those involved. Murphy pushed McConalogue to comment on the report from the Sunday Times. The Minister continued to emphasise the importance of the industry in providing employment. In defence of the industry, the Minister referenced the Greyhound Racing Act 2019. It was drafted with the intention of regulating the operation of the industry, with section 29 concerning the welfare of racing greyhounds. Under this section, the power to make regulations regarding welfare is delegated to “the Board”, namely the RCÉ. This shady side of the industry has come to light in recent years, but it has always been an issue. In 2019, RTÉ aired a documentary— RTÉ Investigates: Greyhounds Running for their Lives—detailing the abusive practices that have been kept a well-hidden secret. On average, the industry is breeding up to 1000% more puppies than it needs, leading to the culling of 6,000 dogs per year, simply because they are not fast enough.
fasttheysimplydogscullingleadingthanmoreupbreedingto1000%puppiesitneeds,totheof6,000peryear,becausearenotenough.
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RTÉ went undercover and investigated knackeries around the country (a slaughterhouse for animals not intended for human consumption), which reportedly euthanised greyhounds for as little as €10. This prompted a review of the issuing of licences to knackeries to be conducted. These heinous statistics do not even include the 575 deaths at racetracks since 2014. A report conducted in 2017 on behalf of the IGB (Irish Greyhound Board) was kept from the Dáil and RTÉ journalists under the Freedom of Information Act. The report acknowledged that the rate of breeding in the industry is wasteful, not to mention the cruelty it entails. Investing in the production of so many pups, only to get very little in return, seems futile.The documentary revealed that there is a significant drug abuse problem within the industry. The IGB has stated that they have invested in laboratory equipment and the education of trainers in order to address the doping issue. Despite several trainers being charged with possession of illegal animal remedies, there has only been one case of a trainer having their licence revoked by the IGB, which happened in 2015. The regulation and management of this issue is clearly falling short. Growth hormones, adrenaline, and even cocaine are among the drugs used on these animals.
In 2014, the bodies of 11 dead greyhounds were found in a vehicle on board an Irish ferry travelling from Rosslare to France. Irish Ferries stated that regretfully, they had not been notified of the greyhounds’ presence on board. The vet that examined the bodies concluded that they had smothered to death. Concealing this information from Irish Ferries suggests that the people responsible had something to hide. The conditions the dogs were left in were clearly unsafe and the lack of concern is very telling of the attitude towards animal welfare within the Anotherindustry.unsavoury association of the greyhound racing industry is with gambling. Matchbook Betting Exchange was the leading sponsor of the 2021 Irish St Leger and they are continuing their support into 2022. A matchbook spokesperson commented, “Our Greyhound betting markets continue to be industry-leading, and we now also offer competitive prices on races from Limerick, Tralee, Cork, Mullingar, Youghal and Waterford, which many other operators largely ignore. We urge anyone searching for value on their bets to check out Matchbook.com now.”
PHOTO VIA CREATIVE COMMONS LICENCE
Features TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September In July of this year, the government announced that the Metrolink, a “highcapacity, high-frequency rail line running from Swords to Charlemont” would begin construction in 2025, with the projected completion date being some time in 2035. This new means of public transport would introduce a more efficient, costeffective, and environmentally friendly option to travel around and into Dublin City Centre, making it a welcome innovation. The Metrolink’s potential to be a massive asset to Dublin City has been overlooked by the government in the past, and the recent announcement of its construction is not the first. The line was first proposed in 2005, and it took until 2018 for the government to announce that Metrolink operation was to begin in 2027. This plan was quickly condemned by the government as “unachievable”, with a more realistic projection being as late as 2032. This indicates a trend of delay with the project, signalling a low priority in contrast to its necessity within the capital. With Dublin’s public transport system calling out for major improvements, the Metrolink would provide a solution to some of the issues presented by the city’s current network. In comparison to other major cities in Europe, Dublin is totally lacking in public transport alternatives, which would be advantageous for both the environment and the community. Many other countries in Europe offer functioning and flourishing public transport systems, and the provision of metro, light rail or Lara Mellett Features Editor
Dublin’s transport developments and disappointments
Dublin’s transport network is calling out for improvement, and while the government’s promises provide some glimmer of hope, the reform for current and standing issues may have to come quicker than projectedPHOTOdates.VIA
Trinity forannouncementstheinvestigatesNewsrecentdevelopment in public transport in Dublin, compared to its aroundtransportsystemsexistingandpublicmodelsEurope.
UNSPLASH “ Both London and transportandovernightplethoraprovideParisaof24-hourlinks “ With awouldtheimprovements,outsystemtransportpublicDublin’scallingformajorMetrolinkprovidesolution
Paris has a similarly comprehensive variety of public transport to offer its population of 2 million, stretching across its 105 square kilometre area. Covering almost 227 kilometres and boasting 300 stations, the Metro is the most efficient means of transport, running every 2 minutes in peak times. In addition, there are many other travel options, including the RER Suburban Express Railway which serves Paris and the Paris region, the tramway operating throughout the city, and 64 bus lines. In contrast to these other two major cities, Dublin’s public transport system seems insufficient for its population of almost 550,000 and its 117 square kilometre area. The two lines of the LUAS cover a combined 44.5 kilometre distance, with the red line serving 32 stops across the city and the green line serving 35 stops. This limited service, in turn, pushes people towards taking the bus, making Dublin Bus the biggest public transport provider in the Greater Dublin area, providing over 136 routes. This, compared to Paris, is an impressive number, when the other alternatives to travel provided in Paris are not considered.Oneof the major issues that Dublin’s public transport system faces is the 24-hour and night time services. In recent months, a stark shortage of taxis in the area, specifically on Friday and Saturday nights, has become apparent. This shortage has been described as a “public safety issue” by Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe, as it results in long waits for people late at night. This issue clearly stems from the lack of late-night public transport options in the city. The LUAS stops operation between midnight at 12.40am, and only three 24-hour bus links run through the city: the 39a from UCD Belfield to Ongar, the 41 from the city centre to Dublin Airport and Swords, and the 15 from Ballycullen Road to Clongriffin.BothLondon and Paris provide a plethora of overnight and 24hour transport links: London’s Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights across its Central, Jubilee, Northern and Victoria lines, and its bus system boasts 123 bus routes that operate overnight, including 73 24 hour services and 50 night bus alternatives. Paris’s metro operates until 1.45am on Fridays and Saturdays, while also providing the Noctilien, a 47 line night transport service running between 12.30am and 5.30am. While Ireland’s public transport network is clearly lacking in comparison, it also seems to be on the more expensive side of European public transport. In 2022, TFI announced a fare reduction averaging 20% across all Irish transport services, but the fares still fail to compare to some other efforts made in Europe. For example, this summer Germany announced a new €9 ticket that acts as a nationwide travel pass, in an effort to combat rising fuel and living costs. These passes are valid until the 31st of August, and provide a month of cheap travel perTheseticket.transport failures within the capital are slight in comparison to the lacklustre transport systems available across the rest of the country. While buses and trains run between major cities and towns, the majority of Ireland’s population cannot depend on the public network as a primary means of transport. This means that they cannot opt for a more sustainable alternative to driving, and with rising inflation, the costefficient alternative is required even more. Even with the limited public transport available outside of Dublin, there have been many issues brought to the fore. Recently, many of Irish Rail’s intercity services have been called out for overcrowding, with travellers being left without seats on trains, or allocated a seat in a carriage that the train does not carry. It seems that the limited public transport that ventures outside of the capital cannot even fulfil even its most rudimentary of duties. Overall, Ireland’s public transport system is in need of developments such as the Metrolink in order to combat its shortcomings. It seems as though the government is aware of this, also recently announcing the expansion of the DART into a new DART+ West project stretching as far as Maynooth and the M3 Parkway in Meath, which is projected to be completed in 2029. However, in tandem with this, the failures of the current system are being seen: only over a week ago, the DART experienced a twohour delay in Bray as passengers complained of poor ventilation and lack of air conditioning on one of the hottest days of the year.
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tram, and bus services seem to be theTostandard.lookfirst at London, this city has a population of almost 9 million and an area of 1,572 square kilometres. The London Underground hits virtually all of the city, providing easy and accessible access for its population, with eleven lines covering 272 stations in 420 kilometres in length. Additionally, London’s bus network serves over 700 routes, meaning that there is no lack of available transport in any area of the city. The transport network also includes a Docklands Light Railway serving east and southeast London, as well as trams and regional trains.
Imbillicieri emphasised workers’ rights for PhD students who work as tutors and researchers as the number one priority issue of his presidency: “Seeing how they’re not given the proper recognition as workers [of which] they are deserving, given all their responsibilities, that just seems ridiculous to me. And, to the extent that they are paid, it’s a very low salary.” He added: “They’re doing a lot of very important work for the University, very important research, [and] doing this research is virtually essential to their careers, so they don’t really have an option to just take another job whilst [getting] their degree because they have to do all this work. So I think they should be compensated fairly and be given the recognition so they’re entitled to the rights that workers are generally entitled to.”
“ I think I aim to take it in a
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“I think I aim to take it in a different direction. Namely, I want to have a heavy focus on the rights of doctoral students. But secondly, when the time comes to appoint new people on the board or on the executive there, they’re also going to have a lot of say over what the direction is, you know, as president, I’m just one part of the GSU. But I think overall, I would say the direction I was going into
Asked whether these are issues that he believes the current administration of the GSU has failed on, Imbillicieri admits that his knowledge of what happens “behind the scenes” in the GSU is limited. However, he senses a dissatisfaction among postgraduate students who bring issues to the GSU which do not get resolved. “To me, that can mean one of two things,” Imbillicieri says, “One, the GSU isn’t doing enough to address these students’ problems, or second of all, the GSU is attempting to address these students’ problems, but there’s something about the administration that’s impeding the [GSU’s ability] to do so…and I think, whichever one of those things it is, it has to be addressed for the benefit of students.”
Features Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS
Imbillicieri was elected to the position earlier this year, and outlines his plans for the role in the upcoming year I had reached out to
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Having not been directly involved in student politics during his undergraduate studies, Marc Imbillicieri said that it was the potential to push for what he sees as straightforward fixes to smaller administrative issues that motivated him to run for the role of GSU President. A masters student of international politics, Imbillicieri’s experience as an international student in Dublin has shaped his plans for the union. Coming from a BA in history and economics in the United States, Imbillicieri described the process of obtaining an immigration card, a necessity for non-EU students to return to Ireland after travelling home during term breaks: “It was virtually impossible to get an appointment, I would log on to the site, and the appointments would all be booked.” He illustrated the drawn out and expensive process faced by students from nonEU countries in obtaining an immigration card, having to pay €50 to a private service to secure an appointment, on top of a €300 fee to receive the card. “I had reached out to the Global office and they didn’t do anything to help us get it, and I just thought, ‘this is so silly’,” Imbillicieri e. “The university knows which students are arriving, they know where we’re coming from, they could make these appointments on our behalf because they know that it’s necessary for us to do this… So that was something where I just thought, ‘the university has all these resources, this really shouldn’t be as difficult for us as it is.’”Other issues Imbillicieri would like to address during his presidency include helping postgraduate students navigate accommodation in Dublin, and to lobby for improvements to the student counselling service. He highlighted that the limited availability of appointments with counsellors through the service, as well as the prohibitive cost of seeking therapy outside of Trinity, makes it difficult for students to access the support they need. He added that this need is often heightened for international students who are “in a new place [where] they don’t necessarily know everybody”. Imbillicieri added that from his understanding, “the counsellors that work at Trinity are very competent, it’s just that Trinity could have more counsellors just so people could have more appointments, and that there isn’t this limit as to how many appointments each person canLastly,get.”
GSU President: Incoming sabbatical officer Marc Im beilliceri talks to Trinity News
David Wolfe News Editor
FOR TRINITY NEWS
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the I’d say the focus of the direction would be really remedying this error of the lack of recognition of doctoral students as workers.” Under previous President Gisele Scanlon, in collaboration with student campaign group Students4Change, the GSU has been active in its opposition to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Bill 2022, which seeks to overhaul the governance and funding oversight of the higher education sector. Imbillicieri said that while he is not intimately familiar with the legislation, he is “quite sceptical of it”. He sees increased control of universities by people from “the corporate world [or] the business world” as a negative move “because I don’t think universities should be run as a business”.“Ithink universities should be run in the public interest, I think they should be run for students, and so I’m very sceptical of any kind of bill that would put more control of the management of universities into, you know, consulting class sorts of people,” Imbillicieri says. “And from what I understand about the HEA bill, that seems to be what it aims to do… So I would say that the GSU would oppose the HEA bill in its current form.” He adds that this is not necessarily to say that the GSU would oppose an amended form of the bill, “but the provisions in the current HEA bill, I don’t think would be good for Trinity or really anyBothuniversity”.sabbatical positions were uncontested in GSU elections which took place during the summer. Imbillicieri believes this reflects a lack of engagement with the GSU among postgraduates, as well as other indicators: “It’s not just the fact that it was uncontested. It was the fact that so few people even voted, in proportion to the 5200, postgraduates that are on campus.”While he acknowledges there may be other factors, including age, living off-campus, and general disengagement from College life, that lead postgraduates not to engage with the union, he believes that engagement can be increased by bettering the GSU’s overall performance: “What I would do to increase engagement is I would want the GSU to actually be involved in solving issues that postgraduate students have. I think if postgraduate students can actually see the benefits coming from the GSU, they would want to be involved in it, but now, if they don’t really see what the GSU is doing for them, then of course, they’re not going to be involved, of course they’re going to be indifferent. So I think it’s a matter of the GSU actually bringing material benefits to the postgraduate community.” Imbiliceri said that “there is work to be done” in building political momentum with the union: “I wouldn’t be surprised if most postgraduate students weren’t even really aware of the GSU.” “But I don’t think the onus should be on the students to get involved in the GSU,” he adds. “I think the onus has to be on us, and on me specifically, to convince the students that the GSU is worth their attention… and the only way we’re going to do that is if we actually convince students that we are trying to address the issues they face, which I think are accommodation, rights for postgraduate workers, counselling, and engagement with the faculty.” In contrast, Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU), of which postgraduate students are also members, has a much more active membership and greater degree of political momentum than the postgraduates’ union, often using this not only to represent undergraduate students but to fight for a broader coalition of student interests. Nonetheless, Imbillicieri feels that there is value in a separate union for postgraduate: “There’s about twice as many undergraduates as postgraduates, so I think the worry in not having a separate union is that the interest of postgraduates would just be overshadowed by the undergraduates.”Hebelievesthat the issues faced by masters and PhD students, compared to those of four-year undergraduate students, are very different. “I think it’s fair to both the undergraduates and postgraduates that there be some recognition by the Students’ Union that they have separate experiences, and they’re going to have separate issues,” Imbillicieri said. “So I think the advantage of having a Graduate Students’ Union is that it can address the unique issues that are faced by postgraduate students, and that ensures the postgraduate students aren’t being overshadowed by the needs of the undergraduate students.” Imbillicieri is determined to use his time in office to make a tangible difference to the experience of postgraduate students. His policy priorities illustrate an intention to zone in on key areas in the hopes of achieving realistic but productive goals. Time will tell if he can turn around a union plagued by poor engagement and flawed administration to deliver strong representation for postgraduate students.
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Recent revelations surrounding Robert Troy and Stephen Donnelly’s failures to register rental properties on public record ingrain Jack’s belief that the Government has a “lack of willingness to implement short or long term solutions, not just in Dublin”.
Many students who have secured beds in the city are having to work long hours to make ends meet, limiting opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities, whilst those who have been unable to secure accommodation are resigned to long commutes and inflexible public transport. “The sparse, infrequent times for my transport back to my hometown often clash with any clubs and society events which really put me at a disadvantage socially,” said Morrissey. “I was a member of five clubs and societies last year and could not attend a single event for any due to relying on public transport.” Similarly, Ryan lamented that her prospects of attending society events and college nights out will be hampered by her present situation.
The knock-on effect of the crisis on students’ college experiences has recently been echoed by Provost Linda Doyle, who has said that it risks eroding university life in Ireland. The students we talked to shared that sentiment.
“It’s been extremely challenging”: Trinity students tell the tale of the student accommodation crisis Students speak of the difficulties in Collegecrisisandaccommodationsecuringtheimpacttheishavingonlife
Evan Skidmore-O’Reilly Staff Writer
Having recently arrived in Dublin from Scotland, Jack Boag starts a Masters degree in Modern Irish History this month at Trinity. Having friends in Dublin who could key them in on the “tips and tricks of the rental market” didn’t shield Jack from the effects of the ongoing crisis. “It feels like a warped situation where supply is nowhere near where it needs to be to meet demand, which means on a fundamental level it’s a sellers market and that’s a chronic issue that takes a long time to six since the only solution is simply to build moreBoaghomes.”saysthey have received no support from College to date: “As an incoming international student, I would expect at least some form of help from them, especially because I can’t fill out any of the bureaucracy to properly enrol without having accommodation.”
As students in Trinity and elsewhere in Ireland return to campus this month, there is one topic dominating the conversationaccommodation.Exorbitantcosts of rooms and apartments, a severe supply shortage and a number of delays in the provision of new accommodation has resulted in a perfect storm of misfortune for students across the country, with many resorting to desperate measures in hopes of securing a place to stay. From images on social media depicting long queues of students queuing to view lone apartments, to reports of UCD students requesting to sleep in tents on campus grounds, there is no shortage of horror stories that tell Ireland’s student accommodation crisis. With the USI planning to organise a mass student walkout from colleges across the country over the crisis on October 13, Trinity News spoke to a number of students on their experiences in trying to secure accommodation and the impact the crisis is having on their student lives. “It’s been extremely challenging,” expressed Junior Sophister Early and Modern Irish student Aimèe Morrissey. “I have been searching for accommodation since May and cannot find any within a distance to College that would justify moving.”Thealternative Morrissey faces is long commutes, a dilemma confronting many Trinity students from near and far: “I’m commuting one-and-a-half hours each way to and from rural Wicklow to college, with only three trains a day to and from both stations. Often these trains are completely overbooked and many people are left standing withoutCaoimheseats.”Ryan, a Senior Fresh Biological and Biomedical Sciences student, was one of many who had expected to have moved into new accommodation units in Ardee Point, before it was announced that its opening had been pushed back to the beginning of October due to construction delays. “They emailed us one week before we were due to move in saying the building wasn’t ready and that we could either take a voucher for their company or move in on October 1,” said Ryan. She added that her and her friends, many of whom are from rural Ireland, were thus left with nowhere to stay for the first month of college: “All other student accommodations are booked up… We even contacted hotels and they couldn’t accommodate.”
Last month, Minister Simon Harris conceded that the current student accommodation policy was “inadequate”, pledging that the Government will use taxpayers’ money to help thirdlevel institutions “bridge the gap” in providing college-owned accommodation. However, students appear to be as of yet unconvinced that an end to the crisis is near. “It will take quite some time to even half solve this housing problem,” Ryan estimated.
“Families, as well as students, are feeling the effects of the housing crisis and I think it’s partially due to the lack of housing policies in place.” She believes that government hasn’t followed through on promises relating to housing and accommodation over the years, a belief with which Jack concurs: “Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael somewhat felt that their lack of interest or care in fixing the broken system at the last election.”
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The IRFU’s decision to exclude transgender women from rugby would contribute to an alleged takeover of women’s sport. This could not be further from the truth, given that this decision only affects two players. The idea of transgender women dominating women’s sport on a global scale is also far from reality, and trans gender and cisgender women tend to be on an even playing field in demonstrated examples. Regardless, for these two players, this decision presents a tremendous setback. With the transgender community facing some of the highest rates of men tal health challenges, exclusion from support systems such as sport and clubs can be detrimen tal. According to a study pub lished by the San Francisco De partment of Public Health, “high transgender-based discrimination was significantly associated with greater odds of PTSD, depres sion, and stress related to suicidal thoughts.” Transgender women all over the country have now lost an outlet they may have clung to. LGBTQ+ youth, who all too often face ostracism and exclusion from peers or family, find support through other communities. LGBTQ+ students are already underrepresented in sport, so to then be pushed out of these communities would draw a clear line as to where the IRFU and the rugby community truly stand on inclusion. Exclusion from a support system like this could be a slippery slope of further mar ginalisation for the transgender community as well, with the per missibility of this decision giving way to other clubs and schools allowing similar exclusionary policies.Ifear that from this decision, further sports could see trans gender exclusion and as a result transphobia as a whole will see a nod of approval and uptick. Already, looking at Twitter and other public forums, transphobic remarks are beginning to spread in light of the IRFU's decision. Hateful remarks are aplenty upon searching for the IRFU policy change on Twitter, with transpho bic remarks such as urging trans gender women to play with other men making up a large amount of the discourse. This decision permits more free transphobic discussion, greenlighting unac ceptable online abuse and hatred towards transgender athletes. Potential human rights viola tions are also embroiled in this decision. The Equal Status Acts prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity. While it permits different treatment when reasonably necessary, a blanket policy is nothing of the sort. By offering no route for transgender women to participate in the game, other than a paltry offer to assist on the sidelines, a barrier to par ticipation is clear. Since its beginning, women’s sports teams have held their ground as a force for social change. In the United States and Australia, women’s soccer teams fought for years to ensure equal pay, with the NWST even filing a wage discrimination lawsuit against US soccer to ensure their own pay parity. Athletes like Sim one Biles have also made a stand for important causes like mental health within their sport. Fundamentally, this decision only serves to harm women’s sport. It was ignorant of the per spectives of transgender women players and the LGBTQ+ com munity as a whole, demonstrates no flexibility by discriminating against transgender players through an outright ban, and defies core principles of both the IRFU and women’s sport as a whole: diversity and inclusion.
Nina Crofts Contributing Writer
FAI and Basketball Ireland, are in the process of reviewing their policies in terms of trans female participation.Aprevious policy held by the IRFU used testosterone levels as a measure for transgender wom en to compete. A first step in a transgender woman’s transition typically involves testosterone blockers and oestrogen injec tions. Effects of this can include a change in lean body mass, strength, and fat distribution. As a result, many sporting bodies, including the National Women’s Basketball Association and the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States, allow trans gender women to play if their testosterone levels fall below 5-10 nanomoles per litre. The nature of IRFU decision being a blanket policy with no potential route in as previously afforded, speaks to a larger issue of exclusion and ignorance in the rugby community’s treatment towards the transgender commu nity, particularly as they continue to preach diversity and inclusion, even portraying themselves as LGBTQ+ allies through their par ticipation in Pride month events. In many cases, hormones are not a major player in an individual’s athletic ability. Instead, it tends to boil down to one’s own fitness and skill
The IRFU has contributed to the rise in transphobic policy and given into bigotry. The IRFU should reverse this policy if they wish to show true commitment to the integrity of women’s sport and diversity.
Amid rising transpho bia and againstdiscriminatoryincreasinglypracticestransgender people in Ireland, this latest setback for transgender women is yet another decision driven by ignorance. The IRFU’s (Irish Rugby Football Union) ban on transgender women participating in contact rugby is a dangerous and discriminatory step back for transgender women in sport. Rugby was the first interna tional sport where a governing body barred transgender women from participating, with World Rugby first making this policy in 2020. With transphobia on the rise all across the world, it likely won’t be the last. Other sports’ governing bodies, including the
Fearmongeringmaking. spread by anti-trans rhetoric claims that the inclusion of transgender women
Thelevel.decision comes with very little input from the transgender community. The Emerald War riors, Ireland's first LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby team, issued a statement against the IRFU’s poli cy, calling on them to work closely with both the rugby and the trans gender community within their decision
PHOTO BY EVA O'BEIRNE FOR TRINITY NEWS
Comment There is no reason to delay renaming the Berkeley EditorialLibrarypage27 Progress only stops when we do AbbypageCleaver22 TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 22 March
women and, with a noticeably decent rate of advancement, it is certainly shaping up to not be the last. It is easy to get wrapped up in the positivity of progressive changes, however, being aware of failures and unmet promises has proved to be just as important as celebratingAbortionsuccess.becoming legal in Ireland was among the most notable steps forward for the country concerning women’s rights and showed a remarkable change in attitude in, what has historically been considered, an extremely conservative country. In 2018, the success of the referendum in favour of overturning the Eighth Amendment was a moment of pride and relief for a lot of women, with The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 officially being signed into law on the 20th of December that year. The new legislation permitted abortion requests up to 12 weeks of pregnancy — as long as a threeday waiting period took place — as well as abortions due to a pregnancy putting the woman’s life at risk and in cases of fatal feotal abnormality. The service is free of charge. However, should you have been fortunate enough to never have had to avail of the service, you may not be aware of the myriad of challenges that are still in the way of those seeking an abortion in 2022. The reason I want to introduce this into conversation is, firstly, to shed light on a conversation that ended in the public eye too soon. The widespread discussion of abortion should not have ended once the referendum had passed and been left to pro-choice groups to keep watch on. But, for the majority in Ireland, it did. Naturally, those who were not directly affected by the decision allowed the topic to slip to the back of their minds. Of course, conversations like this resurface occasionally as news flows in on the topic from other countries, such as the Roe v. Wade ruling in the United States. This ruling sparked discourse on abortion in Ireland again, with anti-abortion protests being organised in Dublin in alarming speed after the news arrived here. Supporters of the pro-choice movement in Ireland expressed outrage at the decision and were very sympathetic to those affected. There was an outpouring of love and support from Ireland, a country that sets an example in supporting its women’s rights to bodily autonomy by law. However, while resparking such an important conversation is critical, in cases of comparison such as this one, we tend to focus too much on what we have done right and overlook things that need to be Theimproved.problems with abortion services in Ireland were highlighted as recently as this April, when the Director of the NWC (National Women’s Council of Ireland), Orla O’Connor, highlighted them to the Oireachtas Health Committee. A major issue the NWC presented included the fact that only 7% of GPs are registered with the unplanned pregnancy service that provides abortions to the general public: an HSE serviced called My Options. Not only does this limit the options of where a woman can go for an abortion, as the likelihood of her regular GP being registered with My Options is less than a 1 in 10 chance, but it also presents a significant obstacle for women in rural Ireland who are even less likely to have a GP in their area, nevermind their regular practitioner. Some of the other concerns raised were ones that contributed to the aforementioned issue, such as GPs reporting that they do not feel supported enough by local maternity units, with only 10 maternity units in Ireland providing abortion services at the time of the meeting. Many specific system failures “ within our abortion system continue to exist despite the awareness of them. The flaws in the abortion system not being criticised more widely represents a harmful social pattern in the way we seem to advocate for progressive growth.
Meaning that, not only will contraception be more affordable for women, but waiting lists for fittings and removals will not be too Improvementsextensive.are being seen for sure. This is one of many wins in recent years for Irish
Comment Comment Tuesday 6 September TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September
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Pushing for change and making breakthroughs in changing legislation cannot be where the fight ends; it is only half of the battle. Following through includes criticising and revising what has happened so far and then more discussion once flaws are identified, to make continuous and concrete improvements. Importantly, this conversation has to remain in the public consciousness for necessary amendments to be made quickly, and to ensure that it is not just up to representative groups to try and convince both the government and the public that they should still care. I am not trying to suggest that the free contraceptive scheme has failed before it has even begun. My point comes down to the fact that to fully take advantage of the opportunities we are given in any space where politics can truly improve our lives, we have to follow it through properly and do our best to stay socially aware. The new scheme will likely be a huge success, and will improve the lives of many young women. What is important is that we pay attention to the positive impact as much as we look out for unexpected obstacles, such as the fact that there might be high demand for the scheme in places in Ireland that are not fully equipped to keep up, as what we are seeing with abortion services in rural Ireland. As progress is made in our country our role does not end when changes are made, but when they are followed through. We owe it to ourselves to celebrate the idea of positive changes, but also to be aware and critical of the real-life implementation of them, and recognize that progress only stops when we do.
As the new academic year looms ever closer on the horizon, returning students are faced with familiar tasks: module enrolment, registration, and fee payments. These are the annual, slightly tedious jobs that must be completed in mid-to-late August so September can operate as smoothly as possible. However, for tens of thousands of young people, nothing can be done until the long, torturous wait for the release of this year’s Leaving Certificate results is over, setting their college schedule back weeks. For the third year running, the SEC (State Examinations Commission) has confirmed that the Leaving Cert results will be delayed, issued on Monday, September 2, rather than the traditional date in mid-August. For the classes of 2020 and 2021, this delay was an irritation, albeit an understandable one. Both of these year groups’ exams were heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with accredited grades being used to calculate points for the vast majority of the class of 2021, where calculated grades were optional, and the entirety of the class of 2020, who did not sit a traditional Leaving Cert at all. This year, however, approximately 63,300 sixth-year students sat the traditional exams in a return to pre-pandemic normalcy. So if our exams have returned to normal, why not our results? Norma Foley, the Minister for Education, and the SEC have listed several reasons for this delay. Firstly, they claim that many exams had to be deferred due to Covid-19 infections, family bereavements, and illnesses. As a result of these deferred sittings, they maintain, many papers cannot be marked until a later date anyway, and thus the results will be delayed. However, the deferred examination system first took place in 2019, and results were available at the usual mid-August date. The SEC has not released any figures on the number of students who sat deferred exams this year. Still, considering that it can only be a small fraction of the total sixth years and that the deferred timetable ended on 16 July 2022 — leaving an entire month for corrections — the excuse appears weak.The far more likely explanation comes in the form of the SEC’s second reasoning for delayed results: the lack of examiners available to mark the papers. However, it is important to note that this is not even remotely a new issue. Articles decrying the shortage of examiners to correct state exams get published every year in our national papers during the run-up to exams. Considering the timetable for the Leaving Cert was released in February, the SEC had many months to implement provisions to combat these obstacles. Gary Gannon, the Social Democrats’ Education Spokesperson, highlighted how it is “difficult to understand how merely holding deferred exams for a small minority of students could contribute to any delay. Further, the SEC has known about a shortage of examiners for quite some time. It is worth asking, what has the SEC actually done to address this perennial issue?” Is it any surprise that we have a shortage of examiners in this country when there is little to no incentive to apply for such a position? Teachers must be willing to sacrifice their summer holidays or other seasonal work to mark scripts for abysmal pay. Examiners receive a flat fee of €223.93, plus a per-script rate that ranges anywhere from €6 to €35, depending on the subject and the level, with an additional €6 per script introduced as an incentive in 2022. On average, an examiner can expect to be paid between €3000 to €6000, again depending on the type of script they are correcting. However, up to 56% of earnings are taxed, so take-home pay often does not compensate for 26 days of almost full-time work correcting papers. Many teachers have also criticised the fact that payment can take weeks or even months to come through from the SEC. The cost of living crisis doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, and as we quickly approach what will be a difficult winter for many, can we blame teachers for seeking to teach grinds or EFL courses during the summer months instead of marking the exams? The writing was on the wall for delayed Leaving Cert results weeks before the SEC officially announced it. Teachers who noticed that the training conferences for marking certain subjects had been scheduled for as late as mid-July recognised this was a warning sign that results would be delayed once again. These conferences are usually wrapped up by early July, and so it begs the question: if the SEC knew early on that the results would be delayed, why not work on alternative solutions rather than plan for the least-desired outcome?According to Cork Red FM: “in 2019, 244 post-graduate master’s in education students and 97 non-teachers corrected the exams, out of over 3,000 total examiners” — so there is a precedent already for the SEC to expand their pool of possible examiners, and thus combat the shortage they are facing. However, in order to ensure a long-term resolution to this issue, the solution cannot simply be to increase the size of their workforce but to improve pay so that teachers will seek out these jobs instead of the SEC having to desperately beg people to apply each year. Whilst ASTI (Association of Secondary Teachers) secured a pay increase in 2021, it is clearly not substantial enough to deal with the rising inflation in our economy. Teachers’ and students’ unions in this country need to continue pushing for better conditions, not only for the examiners correcting the exams but also for the students who sit them. While exam results are out on September 2, the CAO (Central Applications Office) first-round offers will not be released until September 8. This timeline leaves students mere days to finalise accommodation arrangements before the beginning of the academic year. In the midst of a student accommodation crisis, this uncertainty is wreaking havoc on prospective students’ mental health, causing undue stress during an already anxiety-inducing time. The most frustrating element of this delay is that the reasons cited by the government have been problems for many years already, yet no adequate solutions have been attempted. The SEC has a mammoth task ahead of them next year to ensure that all exams run smoothly and that results are out on time. This is a task that must be risen to. The consequences of yet another year of inaction would be unacceptable in a country that is desperately trying to prove to its young people that they are valued and supported by the government, despite a lot of evidence to the contrary.
Being awareof failures or successcelebratingimportanttohaspromisesunmetprovedbejustasasthe “Abby Cleaver
Comment Editor
Progress only stops when we do, and the pattern shows we stop too soon
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Many steps forward have been taken for women in Ireland in recent years. Conversations about gender inequality, from areas as farranging as female opportunities in STEM, our right to bodily autonomy and sexual violence against Irish women, are ongoing, with slow but notable changes taking place along the way. Such change has been undeniably positive, with one significant example being the decision this year to include a free contraception scheme for women between the ages of 17 and 25 in the 2022 Budget, as secured by the Department of Health. Coming into effect this August, the target age group for this scheme was based on those who tend to have the most barriers to contraception; students and young women at an age where they are less likely to be completely financially independent yet. The benefits of this scheme’s implementation are invaluable; breaking down obstacles around effective contraception for young women including accessibility, education, and cost. With cost arguably being the biggest hurdle to be knocked down by this decision, women availing of the opportunity can potentially save hundreds of euros on contraception over the course of a few years. The scheme includes the cost of prescriptive contraception, the fitting or removal of various long-acting contraceptives, and a maximum of two consultations per year with a GP or other doctor, in relation to finding a suitable contraception method. The methods of contraception that are available through this scheme are various contraceptive pills, IUDs, the bar, and contraceptive injections. The scheme also importantly covers the cost of training and certification of medical professionals to fit or remove contraception.
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The SEC is running out of excuses for late Leaving Certificate results Eve Conway Deputy Comment Editor
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Trinity’s administration issues need to be addressed - again
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PHOTO BY EVA O'BEIRNE FOR TRINITY
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BY SALLY Ni THUAM FOR TRINITY NEWS
Abby Cleaver
Ask any College student travelling from Donegal, and they will tell you that the Bus Éireann service from Letterkenny is delayed more often than not and regularly overbooked, with Expressway services remaining expensive despite the government’s new measures. A student return ticket from Letterkenny is €26.50, with an extra €5 charge for luggage if you have more than one bag. To put this in perspective, the return train from Castlebar to Heuston Station, a journey of similar distance, is €17.60, with no additional baggage charges, more leg room, and no risk of road traffic delaying or disrupting the journey. As a result of the inconsistency of Bus Éireann services that run in Ulster, many students opt to use private buses rather than state-subsidised transport. Private bus companies charge more and operate with reduced frequency in comparison to state-owned companies, and yet are increasingly popular with many rural students who have become disillusioned with the substandard quality of Bus Éireann.Eventhose who live in counties with rail access to Dublin are at a disadvantage compared to other European countries.
Comment Comment Tuesday 6 September TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September
In a 2017 report on European Railway Performance conducted by Boston Consulting Group, which compared 25 EU countries, Iarnród Éireann ranked last in both intensity of use and quality of service. With inefficient bus services, sparse railway networks and no underground system in the country — is it such a surprise that people still rely so heavily on their cars? Ireland is also at a disadvantage compared to our European neighbours due to our college fees—some of the highest in the EU—and the ever-increasing cost of rent in our capital city. For rural students forced to spend more and more money on either private bus services or petrol for their cars, many are being priced out of Dublin, and potentially of their dreamWhencolleges.announcing the cut in public transport fares, Eamon Ryan said that his goal was to “make public transport more attractive for young people, so that using public transport could become a habit of a lifetime”. While the fare reduction is a worthwhile initiative that will benefit a huge number of people, there is no denying that this is just the tip of the iceberg. If the government wants to seriously tackle climate change, and if they want to make immediate impacts on the lives of those living in rural Ireland, then a serious overhaul of our country’s entire public transport system needs to take place. Students from rural communities don’t just need reduced fares, they need consistent bus services that operate reliably. They need Iarnród Éireann rail networks to operate in their counties. When the DART network was built in the mid-Eighties, the Irish government recognised a need for the scaling-up of public transport in this country. After decades of rail lines closing down, the DART provided some hope that we had begun to move toward a better future. Where has that desire to improve our public transport gone? Or did it ever only exist in our capital, as the rest of the country was left neglected? For years, the government has made Dublin its priority in industry, business, education, and healthcare. Therefore, while it is incredibly disappointing and infuriating that they continue to do so with regards to travel, it is unfortunately not surprising. The 50% fare reduction is an excellent initiative that will help thousands of young people across this country. However, without directly addressing the lack of infrastructure that still exists in towns and villages across this country, rural students will remain heavily dependent on cars and sub-standard, outdated services. who
live in counties with rail access to Dublin are at a countriesothercompareddisadvantagetoEuropean
Halving public transport fares is only half the battle for rural students
Eve Conway Deputy Comment Editor
Between rising fuel prices, the looming threat of climate change, and soaring inflation, there has never been a more costly time to rely on a car. Many European countries find themselves scrambling to promote public transport to combat these issues. Germany introduced their 9-euro-ticket initiative, allowing month-long, affordable rail travel on all local and regional routes. Similarly, from September onwards, Spain is to make select short and medium-distance train journeys entirely free of charge. Ireland has sought to find solutions as well, but in doing so, another problem has reared its head.Wanting to encourage public transport use is an admirable goal. For Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, it has been a cornerstone of his Green Party’s policy whilst in government. When the budget for the upcoming year was unveiled in October 2021, it included in Ryan’s words an “unprecedented and quite radical” public transport fare cut for young people. Since 9 May 2022, students and young people aged 19-23 have enjoyed a permanent 50% reduction on all transport subsidised by the state, which includes Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, and the Luas. For many students, this was extremely welcome news, as catching the bus or popping on the Luas to head into college each morning has never been cheaper or more accessible. However, for a large demographic of students, the commute to college is as stressful as ever.According to the latest available figures gathered in 2016 from the Higher Education Authority, 52% of Irish students who attend Trinity College come from county Dublin, with a further 27% hailing from the rest of Leinster. So, the vast majority of Irish students enrolled can, and do, avail of the myriad public transport links available to them. However, for the hundreds of students who travel home each weekend to rural communities across the country, the weekly commute back to
Comment Editor
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Dublin is an unnecessarily long and stressful journey plagued by a lack of amenities and decades of government underfunding. In Ulster, the counties of Fermanagh, Tyrone, Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan are entirely devoid of active rail lines. This is a result of decades of line closures throughout the twentieth century, which reduced the length of railway tracks in Ireland by nearly 1000 kilometres in the half-century from 1925 to 1975. This leaves students from these counties wholly reliant on bus services to travel to Dublin each week — a situation that many feel is more trouble than it’s worth.
Looking forward to a new academic year in Trinity, we are already at that point of the summer where we have to make degreeshaping pathway decisions, with module option choices not too far away. As a new year begins to take shape, an age-old problem rears its head - a frustrating and unnecessary problem that unfortunately should come as no shock to the seasoned Trinity student. Of course, I am referring to Trinity’s infamously poor administration services. Year after year, this aspect of college life plagues all Trinity students, many of whom rely on it for support, causing unnecessary stress, frustration, and, in some cases, encounters with the administration service that produce more questions than answers.Amajor source of Trinity's communication problems seems to stem from poor structures of communication within the college itself. As a student in a joint honours (JH) course, I know all too well first-hand how little communication seems to relay between different schools and even between departments within the same school. Overall, JH students experience far too much hassle because their two subjects' departments fail to communicate, ranging from minor inconveniences such as nearly-overlapping assignment deadlines to more pressing matters like timetable clashes when rescheduling classes. Every year, this adds needless additional stress for JH students to get our timetables correct, our essay due dates reasonably spaced, and to find the right person to ask for even the smallest of questions, a struggle that leads a lot of us not to ask them at all. Sending one email and being directed to another person, then another person after that, soon makes a simple silly query into a protracted ordeal that costs a lot more work than it was worth. Trinity’s administration services have taught us to expect this as standard.Currently, whether you are retaking a module assessment or not, you may have noticed changes in times and dates to essay deadlines and exams already, causing problems for students who have holidays booked or need time off work to sit these reassessment papers. These changing times are far from the only issue; but the dizzying amount of change taking place in such short periods of time forces students, already stressed while they are studying to pass the year, to deal with other unnecessary problems that should not be in their way. This, paired with Trinity’s notoriously slow email response times, ensures that these potential issues are not being amended efficiently enough for students to focus on what they should be doing - preparing for their exams. This is just one ongoing example of the negative impact that Trinity’s inexcusably inadequate administration systems has had on students every singleErasmusyear. inquiries and applications were a nightmare this year across multiple schools, leaving students to hunt down information for themselves that should have been readily available from the college. Applying for Erasmus is a complicated venture in itself, but not having the support of readily available college-specific information represented another easily avoidable obstacle for students considering a year abroad. With such onerous amounts of paperwork, it is already too easy for problems to pile up, making the lack of appropriate assistance from Trinity as unnecessary as it is frustrating. For an institution that prides itself so heavily on international relationships, Erasmus exchanges should be fully encouraged, not impeded through bureaucratic negligence. During my interview with an English student who accepted her first choice of study in the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich, the comparison of college administration and communications was immediately abundantly clear. While English Studies students here in Ireland ask each other in group chats when we are meant to make our module selections, UEA has already asked their students and Erasmus applicants to submit their choices. She described the website as being much easier to navigate and even “a bit nicer[looking]” than Trinity’s. The communication between UEA and their students, she said, is clear and efficient: “If you have a question, they answer emails by the next day or you can book in for a face-to-face chat on MicrosoftTeams if you want.” She also noticed that they send a lot more email reminders and check-ins than Trinity, for example, when she forgot to fill in part of her VISA application, they emailed her to follow up and get it sorted as quickly as possible before her arrival in the UK. She also mentioned how organised they are even in areas such as visiting student accommodation. Not only has she already been granted a room reasonably soon after applying, but she also received an email letting her know that there will be group chats set up for her and all of her flatmates even before moving in. Clear communication and support from a university like this naturally helps to ease the pile of student stress that comes with registering for a new academic year, especially when that includes moving to another country and university.Ontheother side of things, last year, I had a conversation on the LUAS with an international student that proved to be eyeopening for both of us on our first days. He told me he was concerned that Trinity was not giving enough attention to their international students, as he is going in for his first day with no timetable, while the meeting point for his group had already been changed twice. Since I was also going in with half a timetable that did not indicate which lectures were online or in-person, I reassured him that, far from being singled out, he was simply getting the full Trinity experience. At least we can live in the comfort of knowing that there are no special privileges going to anyone, even the unsuspecting international students arriving from universities with presumably better information exchange systems. Over the last couple of years, Covid-19 only further exposed the scope and significance of these issues within Trinity. In a year where students showed far more understanding towards administration setbacks because of the pandemic, the fact remained that communication between the college, staff, and students could not have been more important. We experienced timetables with incorrect information that were not updated even after times or venues were changed. Simple but recurring problems caused stress and inconvenience for countless students, such as “face-to-face” lectures with no venue attached, slow updates from lecturers regarding course material for those who contracted the virus, and classes where a lecturer had to isolate without any replacement or adequate notice for rescheduled lectures. Choosing to stay under harsher restrictions than other colleges in Dublin may or may not have been the right decision for Trinity, but nevertheless the tedious trickle of sparse information offered by the college was undeniably unfair, especially for hopeful students eager to get back to campus regardless of the resultingUnderlyingdecisions.allof these administrative issues is the sheer amount of unnecessary confusion and stress that it causes students on a yearly basis. At this point, these issues are so entrenched and consistent that we have come to expect them, whereas anything better or more efficient than the absolute bare minimum is seen as a rare shiny bonus. We can only hope that this year sees improvement, even though, in all likelihood, it will probably be more of the same. Returning students will joke about how bad it will be again this year, secretly hoping that things will be smoother, while frustrated Junior Fresh and exchange students will quickly get on the same page.
Content warning: This article contains details of enslavement and a discussion of systemic racism. Calls to rename the Berkeley Library began in February of this year, when a petition and campaign was launched by students. In 2020, College themselves stated they were to consider renaming the library, pending an investigation. Shortly after, Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) voted to support the campaign, mandating the union to lobby College to change the name. At a Council meeting, the motion noted that the name is “inappropriate” due to George Berkeley’s “pro-enslavement beliefs and actions”. At the time, the petition to rename the Library, which is one of Trinity’s seven libraries, had over three hundred signatures. At the time of publication of this article, the petition has reached 581 signatures.GeorgeBerkeley, the Anglican bishop of Cloyne, is Ireland’s most celebrated philosopher, and one of Trinity’s most infamous alumni. Berkeley is known largely for his contributions to defending idealism. His “Treatise” is largely studied in philosophy courses, and remains a cornerstone for many metaphysic theories.
Two weeks ago, TCDSU called for the immediate denaming of the Berkeley Library. The union announced that they will be referring to the library as “the X Library” in all future communications, and issued an open letter to a Provost Linda Doyle calling for the immediate de-naming of the Berkeley Library. The letter outlined September 30 as a deadline to provide a plan for action to be taken, “before escalated action is taken”.Given the severity of revelations in recent years, there is no reason as to why College should be dragging their heels on this particular issue. Especially considering Trinity themselves were the first to mention renaming the Berkeley in 2020. Considering the quick action College has previously taken in renaming the Schrödinger theatre, a lack of insight into College’s decision on renaming the Berkeley is astounding. The lack of any announcements to rename the library, or an update to how the investigation into Trinity’s colonial past is progressing, is opening College up to legitimate criticism. This issue desperately needs to be addressed.
As an English student, I often encounter difficult subject matters, due to the nature of thoroughly engaging with literature. Whether this be colonialism, racism, sexual assault, or any number of other topics, it is essential to engage with these complexities. It is important to approach them not just individually as many novels we study embrace these head on, such as Bernardine Evaristo’s Girl Woman Other, or Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (both of which are part of modules with blanket trigger warnings), but also holistically, as any work must be considered within the context of its society. This is unfortunately necessary, as such gridlocks are cornerstones of the world we live in. Part of the understanding of these delicate topics also comes with the understanding that they do not just exist theoretically, and that real people are affected by them. Thus, trigger warnings. Trigger warnings have become a hot topic in the media in recent years. Conservatives have moved on from the days of Mary Whitehouse, where they wished to ban “video nasties”, leading to the creation of the Video Recordings Act of 1984 in the UK, resulting in all video releases now being age rated. Age-ratings are warnings for content that may be upsetting to certain audiences, in this case children. They were championed by the precursors to the modernday anti-trigger warning crowd. This irony seems to be lost on them.While age restriction has been used as a form of censorship in the past (for example, Midnight Cowboy, a movie that was given an X rating by the MPAA in 1969 for its “homosexual frame of reference”), no one would argue that disallowing children to watch Kill Bill: Vol. 1 constitues meaningful censorship to the work. Trigger warnings are even less restrictive than this, simply informing people who may be unaware of topics they will encounter that may be upsetting. To my mind, there are three groups of people affected (or not) by trigger warnings. The first group are the people to whom the knowledge of potentially upsetting or triggering content within the work will not change whether they were going to read or watch it, and their approach to the text is unchanged. So, this group is not affected by trigger warnings, as whether they are present or not does not affect their engagement with the text. The second group are those who may have had negative experiences that have led them to be wary of certain topics. For this demographic of readers, knowing that they might encounter these topics beforehand could allow them to adequately prepare themselves. Perhaps though, without the warning, they would have gotten to the triggering subject matter and be unable to finish watching or reading, due to being triggered by the upsetting content. A trigger warning has meant that someone who otherwise could not have engaged fully with a text is now able to. This is the ideal scenario. The last group of people are often straw-manned by reactionaries, with the opposition to trigger warnings either implying or explicitly saying that these people are cowardly or weak. The people in this group are the people who, due to the objectionable nature of the content, would not be able to safely engage with the media. People who, when they see a trigger warning for police brutality before a movie will not watch it, or forced outing of LGBT+ people at the start of a book will not read it. A lot of the backlash this group faces, from what I have seen, comes from a belief that these people are refusing to engage with these works due to a moral opposition to the content, rather than choosing to avoid certain content as a self-preservation measure. This is a partwarningsstringentisothereatingfortotrigger”ittomakingthusofwarningsThisWarriormay“unreasonablebeenofissuedifficultdealsknowingrelivewouldtransphobictransSurelyitbeingmanythatandstoriesmanymisunderstanding.fundamentalForexample,LGBT+peoplemaywantthatexplorehomophobiatransphobiatobetold,storiesregrettablyarearealityforinthecommunity.However,therealityofmanypeople,maybetraumatictowatch.itisagoodthingthatapersonwhohasexperiencedviolenceinthepastbesavedfromhavingtotheirexperience,bysimplybeforehandthatabookwithrelatedsubjectmatter?Onethingthatmakesittotalkaboutthisisthewaythemeaningtheword“triggered”hastwistedrecentlytomeanragethatonefindinaSocialJusticecringecompilation”.tiesintothepointoftriggercomingfromaplacemoralcondemnation–andcensorship–asopposedtotheworkmoreaccessiblepeopleaffectedbytheissuesexplores.Thefactthat“aisapsychologicaltermrefertotriggeringstimulusthosewhosufferfromPTSD,disorders,phobias,andmentalhealthconditionscompletelylostonthemostopponentsoftriggerTriggerwarningsarenowofthesideoftheculture
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Kate Ní Bhriain-Olwill Contributing Writer
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The petition notes that schools in America, a university, a residential college at Yale and a city have all been named after George Berkeley, alongside being remembered in Trinity with a library, gold medal awards and a memorial window in Trinity Chapel.Thepetition came two weeks after the Schrödinger lecture theatre was renamed, due to Erwin Schrödinger’s history of sexually abusing young girls. In 2001, a Yale research team, after thorough investigation, found significant moral problems with both the man himself, and the views that he held. The report in which the following discoveries were made, was made to call on Yale to address its dark past. Between 1728 and 1731, Berkeley purchased between three and five enslaved people to work at his plantation in Whitehall, a plantation in Rhodesia Island. He drew up plans for the “Bermude Scheme”, a scheme he proposed to fill with kidnapped Native Americans. Berkeley was vocal about his pro-slavery beliefs: he argued that enslavement was justified as it “enabled the conversion of enslaved Africans to Christianity”, and actively denied the possibility of freedom through religious conversion. This opinion was applied in supplying a legal basis for the continued enslavement of people, the petition campaigning to rename the library states. While some may claim that Berkeley’s beliefs were “of a different time”, contemporaries of his strongly condemned the slave trade. Two of which were Francis Hutcheson and Edmund Burke. In February 2021, Trinity announced that they were to begin a two-year investigation into its links with it’s “colonial past” and with slavery. At the time, then Provost Patrick Prendergast said that it had been influenced by “debates that arose from the Black Lives Matter movement”.Following the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests in the summer of 2020, Trinity spoke of its renewed “institutional commitment” to address systemic racism at a structural level. In June of 2020, College announced the creation of a Black Studies elective module, in response to a petitionCollegelaunched.toldthe UK Times in November 2020 that it was considering changing the name of the Berkeley Library, but a decision had not been made.
Berkeley was an established academic, and his theories will likely be studied whether students wish to learn them or not, but that is absolutely not a reason to memorialise a man who participated in the slave trade. No one individual has a right to be memorialised with a statue or a building or a library, and especially figures who encouraged and participated in the enslavement of men, women and children. As rightly argued by the TCDSU in recent weeks, why delay the process of renaming the library? College has already made commitments in recent years to addressing its colonial past, and has seen a turn-around of less than a week when it came to addressing significant problems with these figures for students. There is no reason for a delay; College should address this with the utmost haste, and any delays set a horrible precedent to College optically and internally. The delay to renaming the premises already sets a precedent - any delays are worsening an already horrific situation.Thereare many figures immortalised in Trinity, who simply should not be. The issue of George Berkeley simply remains one of the most horrific immortalisations of a figure on campus. As College continually seems to delay any kind of action towards rectifying this they are neglecting not only students' needs but an insurmountable number of people affected by systemic racism throughout the course of history. It is the opinion of this paper that the Berkeley Library should be renamed, and with the utmost haste. This is simply a “nobrainer”. The fact that Berkely is a historical figure does not warrant him being immortalised in this way. We have a duty to remember these figures in condemnation not celebration. It is simply wrong to celebrate and honour figures like George Berkely under the pretence of “historical importance”. The harm caused by systemic racism has spanned centuries, and continues to affect people to this day. Berkeley will undoubtedly continue to be studied, and he will not fade from existence simply because there is no longer a library in Trinity named after him. However, we still owe it to those affected by systemic racism to listen and appreciate the significance of renaming the library. Right now, his name is simply letters on a wall, yet the significance of taking it down cannot be overstated. Any delays to the processes to rename the Berkeley should face serious scrutiny, and there is no reason the library cannot be renamed in the near future. With recent announcements from TCDSU calling for an immediate “de-naming” of the library, and referring to it as “the X Library” in all future communications, Trinity News has decided to take similar measures. From this issue on, whether writers want to refer to the premises as “the Berkeley Library” or “the X Library”, will lay entirely with the author of that piece. For news purposes, the Berkeley will be referred to as such, with an immediate succeeding line explaining the library being referred to as the X Library, and why. For the rest of the news piece, the library will simply be referred to as “the library in question” or “the premises”.Berkeley owned enslaved people and he defended the slave-trade, providing the basis for the legal justification for slavery; he does not deserve to be remembered and imortalised in this way. He certainly does not deserve to have a library named after him.
NEWSTRINITYFORO'BEIRNEEVABYPHOTO
Editorial: There is no reason to delay the renaming of the Berkeley 27 In defence of trigger warnings on university reading lists
Comment Comment Tuesday 6 September TRINITY NEWS TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September
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“ Given revelationsseveritytheof in recent years,there is no reason as to why heelsdraggingshouldCollegebetheir
war that includes manufactured controversy around censorship, especially in a university setting. Watch Fox News’ poster boy, Tucker Carlson and you’re likely to encounter his “Campus Craziness” segment where he decries the apparent prevalent left-wing authoritarianism on college campuses. Of course, this war against alleged censorship is not unique to America. On August 9th, The Times UK published an article entitled “Censorship on campus: universities scrap ‘challenging’ books to protect students.” While this claim of censorship has been debunked, most prominently by journalist Thomas Colson (@tpgcolson) on twitter, who showed that after making 300 FOI requests to universities, only two books had been removed, one of which was replaced with a better fitting text. This obviously is not substantial enough for an article, so they padded it out with the claim that universities “have applied trigger warnings to more than 1,000 texts.” This, paired with the purported claim of book banning, is obviously supposed to create an association between trigger warnings and censorship. The fact that they are actively being studied in those very universities is surely enough to dismiss that claim. Trigger warnings are not censorship, but an act of a functioning society that cares about its people. They allow people to prepare themselves for uncomfortable situations in the best cases, or to stop themselves from being hurt in more extreme scenarios, much the same way flashing lights warnings protect photosensitive people, peanut warnings protect people with nut allergies, and age ratings protect children. Any backlash towards them is manufactured by grifters to further a divide that ultimately, is meaningless.
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stuck in my...again!head Lauren Vrbanicpage29
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28 Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS Scitech
A look at Murphy’s ice cream Róisín Ferguson Deputy SciTech Editor
Murphy’s Ice Cream is located on Wicklow St, just off Grafton St. They are open seven days a week, and provide their ice cream in dine-in and takeaway
Oops - that song just got
Since opening in 2000, Murphy’s Ice Cream has become quite the popular spot to pick up everyone’s favourite sugary delicacy. With new and unique flavours being introduced into the menu every couple of months, there is a lot of experimentation with different flavours and quirky tastes. While some flavours have come and gone, others have stood the test of time — some over 22 years — and have managed to stamp their name onto the Murphy’s brand as well as the menu. The flavours range from sweet to salty, to fruity and fresh, to alcoholic and aged, from bitter to light, and from strong to rich. There really is something for everyone at Murphy’s Ice Cream. But with great flavour power comes great flavour responsibility, and that couldn’t be more true when it comes to choosing and creating new flavours of ice cream at Murphy’s. With flavours such as chocolate whiskey, Dingle gin, Irish brown bread and many more, there is certainly no lack of taste bud creativity. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the importance of temperature control in food preservation, and investigate what it is that keeps Murphy’s flavours alive and well even through adversity. “Cause you’re hot and you’re coldThe…”most important factor to consider when it comes to preserving any type of food product, but ice cream in particular, is temperature. Despite attempts made by Willy Wonka in his infamous chocolate factory, ice cream maintains its reputation as the sweet treat gone in a matter of moments, melting down faces and fingers — or for those unlucky enough to drop their precious scoop, all over the floor. At Murphy’s, a lot of time is spent observing and recording the correlations between quality of ice cream and temperature. Dramatic and frequent fluctuations in temperature can have adverse effects on the taste and texture of the ice cream. Therefore it’s highly important that these fragile factors are controlled and regulated in order to preserve a product that is not only safe to eat, but also undeniably nice to eat. In each of the Murphy’s shops across the country, ice cream is stored in 6 litre containers placed in large fridges and freezers. In order to encourage a slower defrosting process, ice cream is rotated from cool storage freezers to fridges at a slightly higher temperature and then to scooping containers for customers. What makes Murphy’s Ice Cream so unique is the commitment to a product that oozes with quality. Natural, fresh, locally sourced ingredients are the values summarised in the catch-all phrase: “Ice cream that knows where it comes from.” The lack of artificial flavourings, colourings, stabilisers etc. is what makes the ice cream so delicious, but also mandates temperature control as an absolute must. In order to preserve the flavours and tastes, it’s important that the ice cream is kept safe and sound at frostbite freezing temperature. Ice cream that is left to sit out in the open, uncovered, fully exposed—naked even—will begin to lose its flavour slowly but surely. One of the first things a customer might notice when they enter one of the many Murphy’s establishments around Ireland is that the ice cream is covered with silvery metallic lids, so as not expose it to bright lights or contrasting higher temperatures in the air. Only when the ice cream is being scooped are the lids opened to reveal the pops of colour and flavourful fragrances that whet the appetite and satisfy eagerMurphy’seyes. Ice Cream owner and co-founder, Sean Murphy, speaks about the temperature tampering that occurs with the 0.5 litre tubs of ice cream that are sold in select supermarkets around the country. If there is a constant opening and closing of freezers, or if freezers in supermarkets are not maintained at a high enough standard, there can be a constant fluctuation in temperatures resultings in an unwanted pattern of defrosting and refreezing. As the ice cream melts and then solidifies again, the sugar contained in the dessert melts into the water component of the milk, bleeding out into the ice cream base itself resulting in a discoloration of the ice cream and a squishiness that appears in the texture. This bleeding is what causes the ice cream to change its freezing point. So, whilst the ingredients of the ice cream remain the same, the chemical organisation of those same ingredients
Food preservation and ice cream that knows where it comes from
PHOTO COURTESY OF PEXELS
‘Earworms’ to get you through term“ManicMonday”
“The Fox” Ylvis, 2013
An intoinvestigationtheworkings of fireworks
TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September SciTech 29 PHOTO COURTESY OF LIVE.STATICFLICKER.COM
When a catchysong gets stuckin your head,this creates a notimpossibleitinsituationwhichisnearlytohave a reaction to it
Everyone’s had those moments where you listen to a catchy song on the radio and then can’t get it out of your head! It involuntarily just keeps replaying over and over and over again - sometimes just the same riff on repeat, which drives you crazy! This phenomenon of having a song stuck in your head is referred to as “stuck song syndrome” or, more commonly, an earworm. However, unfortunately, calling pest control won’t get rid of this pesky bug. Unsurprisingly, it’s been noted that over 98% of the Western population have previously experienced this annoying phenomenon.Anarticlepublished by Jakubowski et al. in the American Psychological Association Journal in 2016 explained that faster, more upbeat songs that have a simple melody that one can sing were the best candidates for becoming earworms. Specific unique sounding intervals or the steps to get from one note to another also increase the ability for a song to get stuck in one’s head. Emotions, recently hearing a song, and word associations are all associated with stimulating the earworm. Stuck song syndrome can also be referred to as a “cognitive itch”. Essentially, when a catchy song gets stuck in your head, this creates a situation in which it is nearly impossible not to have a reaction to it. Think of it as an itch that randomly comes up on your leg - no matter how hard you try, you just have to scratch it to make it feel better. This same thing happens in the brain. The song will stimulate that itch and your brain is obligated to scratch. This causes the looping of the song in yourInterestingly,head. musicians are more likely to have earworms, as repetition is an integral part of their practice. Therefore, their brain is more likely to keep repeating melodies. An increase in the prevalence of distressing earworms has also been reported in individuals suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Since the nature of earworms is involuntary and intrusive, it can become an obsession, which can be stressful and upsetting for these individuals. In these situations, medications such as antidepressants can be used to reduce obsessive thoughts, thereby quieting the earworm. Although annoying, earworms can potentially have benefits, including boosting creativity by putting the brain in a calm and focussed state and hearing something different every time the song repeats itself. Earworms can be frustrating to deal with, however, trying to resist the looping song can actually cause the opposite effect that you’re looking for - making the earworm (and probably you) scream louder! This is known as the “ironic process”. So how do you get rid of an earworm? Try listening to the song that’s stuck in your head. Alternatively, people participating in a British study have reported a few “cure tunes” which help eliminate earworm. Some of these “cure tunes” include Happy Birthday and Karma Chameleon by Culture Club. Overall, earworms can be a pain to deal with, but just know this natural phenomenon will eventually pass. In the meantime, I think Karma Chameleon just got stuck in my head…
“ Do you ever feel like a paper bag?science of fireworks
“Never gonna give you up” Rick Astley, 1987 “Baby shark” Pinkfong, 2017
Oops - that song just gotstuck in my head…again! The science as to how songs get stuck in our heads
Róisín Ferguson Deputy SciTech Editor
“Don’t stop believin’” Journey, 1981 “Eye of the tiger” Survivor, 1982 “Poker face” Lady Gaga, 2009 “Call me maybe” Carly Rae Jepsen, 2012
The Bangles, 1986
With the arrival of the infamous Freshers Week and plenty of ceremonious academic year beginnings, it’s important to start with a bang - a loud and colourful one at that! I’m talking about the bang that lights up the sky on a low-light night, sprinkling glitter everywhere, as if God had taken up arts and crafts and went a little crazy with those sparkly tubes of paint. So how exactly does it all work? In the most basic sense, fireworks are a sort of mini explosive that depending on their design and on their resulting journey in the sky, will create a multitude of beautiful effects. The explosive material itself is a type of pyrotechnic star that is primed with black powder and put into a firework- ready for blast off! Originally invented in China, fireworks used to consist of bamboo branches that burnt ferociously till a loud banging noise. This startling sound was let out from the growing pockets of air in the plant’s stems that would eventually succumb to the energetic power of the red hot flames.Nowadays, fireworks essentially take the original idea of exploiting air pockets, but instead adding an extra twist by playing with the electromagnetic spectrum and metal salts. This conjures up a beautiful range of colours and by playing with the pyrotechnic stars to create miraculous looking effects such as the chrysanthemum - inspired fireworks.Whathappens inside a firework when you set it off? Each fireworks display is an intricate and alternating dance between fuses and charges. Fuses will enable the chemical component of a firework to reach a charge. It is the reaching of this charge that will trigger an important and noticeable action of the firework. Setting off a firework begins with lighting the fuse. This fuse is central to igniting what’s called the lift charge. The lift charge is what propels the shell of the firework into the sky. Contained within the shell is a chemically creative mixture of pyrotechnic stars. Upon being propelled into the sky, the shell will travel higher and higher upwards until it reaches a certain height. At which point the timed fuse will activate the burst charge. It is only upon reaching this charge, that the stars held within the shells will explode into the sky, leaving a colourful showcase trailing behind it. Within the space of one or two minutes, the firework’s magic has been ignited and enjoyed. These mini explosions may not be of the same scale as warfare bombs, but the excitement they evoke is quite the catalyst for an awestruck wonder.
Lauren Vrbanic SciTech Editor
The
PHOTO Food & Drink Editor
F1:
30Formula
BY TRINITY NEWS “ Tuesday 30 November | TRINITY NEWS Sport championshipHurlingrundown Séaghan Ó Domhnalláin page 32 Katelyn Davis
StudentFormulais the world’s largestand EngineersMechanicalInstitutionruncompetition,motorsportuniversityestablishedmostbytheof
Trinity talks to Trinity News about their recent success at Silverstone
Crossfit returns to Trinity Sport
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July. Backed by the motorsport industry’s leading engineers and academics, it aims to inspire students to compete with a singleseaterFormulavehicle.Trinity, the College’s first motorsport organisation, was founded in 2017 to design and create a fully functional racecar. The team is interdisciplinary; Engineering, Computer Science, Business and Arts students all come together to help realise this dream. After securing an impressive second place in Formula Student Concept Class in 2019, Formula Trinity decided to make a postCovid return and compete as first-time participants in Class 1 and FS-AI. The unmarked path to building the team’s very first car was“We’vesteep. had a lot of setbacks in the run-up to getting this car onto a track.” says Lucy Daly, Formula Trinity’s Chief Operating Officer. “Currently, our biggest challenge is resources. We are sponsor funded and we don’t have a fixed workshop, meaning we need to get a bit more creative than other teams when it comes to manufacturing.” Adam Holmes, the Chassis Structural Lead, also mentioned the logistics of building the car were more complex than anticipated: “Something we’ve learned the hard way this year is that you can’t just go off and do what other teams are doing because it doesn’t work well when you don’t have the time to do thoseDespitedesigns.”these issues, what keeps the team motivated is their dedication to their roots. Lucy Daly’s introduction to the team echoes an enthusiasm for motorsport shared across the fiftyperson strong team: “In TY I was a part of an F1 in Schools team and really enjoyed the experience, so in my first year of college when I saw Trinity had a Formula Student team, I decided to join.” Keith Ahern, Powertrain Lead, discovered the team through Trinity’s open day: “I found that Formula Trinity was taking what Engineering students were learning in the lecture theatre and applying it directly to an interesting, practical project of a formula style car.” Walking through the Copse tunnel to the garage, underneath the track where Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc went wheelto-wheel in a high-speed battle just three days earlier in the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, sparked a vigour within the team. Late nights and early mornings under a hot sun brought a feeling of camaraderie between the university teams. UCDFS, our Irish counterparts, finished 11th overall in the Concept Class.
To all motorsport fanatics, the tarmac at Silverstone is hallowed ground. Since the inception of Formula 1 in 1950, it has served as a legendary race track hosting megastars of the sport. The British Grand Prix is the pinnacle of the global motorsport calendar, but Silverstone is a place of pilgrimage all year round. It was here, with the track still hot from Sunday’s extraordinary racing battles, that FSUK (Formula Student UK) descended onto the NationalFormulaPaddock.Student is the world’s largest and most established university motorsport competition, run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. In its 24th year, the event hosted 130 university teams from 30 countries as they raced to compete during the week-long competition in Trinity has the right formula
Ellen Kenny page 31
“I think my favourite part of FSUK was how supportive and helpful other teams were to each other,” Lucy says. “There was really an atmosphere of people who just wanted to learn and help other teams do their best in the competition. We have a great team here in Trinity, so we also had a great time camping together for the six days in Silverstone.” The team was a unanimous standout in the competition’s focus on diversity and equality. Racing Pride partnered with Aston Martin to present Trinity with its Diversity and Inclusion award and a trip to Aston Martin F1. Throughout the year, the team has worked tirelessly to promote and welcome diversity and inclusion to their ranks. A quarter of the team identifies as female, with a further 2.4% as non-binary. As the highest percentage of female trackside staff in F1 stands at 9.8% in Alfa Romeo, Formula Trinity is focused on bridging this gap, starting at College level. A recent addition to FSUK is FS-AI. It challenges teams to develop artificial intelligence systems for self-driving cars. After a conscientious effort was made by Formula Student to meet the demand for Autonomous cars, Formula Trinity Autonomous
“ “ What keepsthe dedicationismotivatedteamtheir to their roots I think
Classes will take place at the Centre Ancillary Hall of Trinity Sport
Crossfit returns to Trinity Sport
“Each week provides structured programming scaled to your ability level and tailored to guide you through the fundamentals of strength, conditioning, gymnastics andCrossFit,callisthenics.”short for “crossdiscipline fitness”, is a strength, conditioning, and overall fitness program consisting mainly of a mix of aerobic exercise, callisthenics (bodyweight exercises), and Olympic weightlifting. Hour-long classes typically consist of a warmup, a skill development segment, the high-intensity “Workout of the Day” (or WOD), and a period of individual or group stretching. CrossFit is focused on “constantly varied high-intensity functional movement.”
“Whether you want to learn the fundamental movements of CrossFit, get fitter and stronger, help us build a community or start your journey to a healthier lifestyle, we are here to help with our dedicated coaches and guided sessions,” Trinity Sport explains.
TRINITYFORMULAOFCOURTESYPHOTO
refocused in 2020 towards a new direction. This section of the team programs their autonomous driving system into a competition standard ADS-DV (Autonomous Driving System Dedicated Vehicle). As the first Irish FS-AI team, they are steadily growing their base and research to reach level 5 vehicle autonomy. Competitions outside Formula Student helped build their determination and teamwork in the run-up to July. “Most of us joined the team after competing in the virtual Grand Prix,” Sam Walsh, Head of Autonomous Business Operations, says. “We then went to Prague to compete in F1Tenth which helped build a strong bond within the team, and it played a huge role in ourThesuccess.”Autonomous business presentation team of Daniel Flood, Katherine Hardgrave, Sean Larkin and Sam Walsh picked up the winning trophy for the Real World in AI presentation. They also passed the Autonomous demo, marking the Trinity team as noteworthy recipients of the Allan Staniforth award for Best Newcomer to FSUK. “I think going forward the team is in great shape and will be viewed at FS-AI next year as a serious contender to win the Dynamic Driving Task.” Sam says. While the Internal Combustion team achieved a rolling chassis, the loud hum of the car’s Honda CBF600 engine remained silent for the week as the car did not make it past judging standards. However, this was not enough to defeat the team, only spurring them to get the wheels rolling for next year. The team’s main goal is to pass Scrutineering — a rigorous process on the third day of the competition where the car is inspected for rules compliance before being allowed to race in the dynamic events. Only 14 of the 75 Internal Combustion cars completed Scrutineering this year. “Seeing Betsy (the car) on the Pit Straight at Silverstone is still something that makes me emotional when I think about it,” Adam says. “All the blood, sweat and tears that went into a piece of scrap, you’d be up at 3am wondering what’s the point? It was so surreal.”Andwhat does Betsy 2.0 look like at FSUK 2023? “She’s going to be a stunner. Betsy is going to be simple, she won’t have too many shiny bells or whistles — and she’ll have a shorter chassis!” Keith Ahern says. “I’m personally hoping for a red chassis but haven’t got the lads on board with that just yet.” Lucy smiles.The team is revving up to next year’s competition and will be looking for new recruits on their Instagram and LinkedIn (@ formulatrinity) in the coming weeks. Adam Holmes notes the key trait the group is looking for is passion.“Passion is the most important factor. You can have all the money and facilities, but if you don’t have that drive and talent to create the spark, you’re at nothing.”
The safety of CrossFit has been called into question since its invention at the start of the twentieth century. Critics have accused CrossFit of promoting inappropriate levels of intensity around dangerous movements while hiring unqualified individuals to become CrossFit trainers.By2005, five “CrossFitters” were hospitalised due to rhabdomyolysis, a condition caused by overworking that leads to muscle breakdown, vomiting, confusion and kidney failure. CrossFit founder Greg Glassman said these hospitalisations speak to “the utter and complete absence of challengers to CrossFit workout performances.”RoryMcKernan, host of the CrossFit Games, also said the workout can lead to “EIUL”, which stands for “exercise induced urinary leakage”. In 2008, CrossFit were sued by a man in Virginia who claimed EIUL caused him to urinate until he bled. However, according to the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, the injury rate of CrossFit is similar to that of other intense exercises such as powerlifting or gymnastics. Surveying 255 athletes across CrossFit gyms in South Florida, they found that the overall rate of injury in CrossFit athletes was 2.3 per every 1000 hours. In 2000, Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai launched CrossFit and opened their first gym in Santa Cruz, California, in 2001. The number of CrossFit-affiliated gyms quickly grew. There were 13 gyms in 2005, 8,000 gyms in 2013, and by 2018, there were 15,000 affiliated gyms around the world. The Covid-19 pandemic forced 20% of CrossFit gyms to close worldwide. More gyms cut their association with CrossFit when, on June 6, 2020, founder and CEO Glassman tweeted, “It’s: FLOYD-19” in response to a tweet from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington that states, “racism and discrimination are critical public health issues that demand an urgent response. Glassman also hosted a Zoom call with CrossFit gym owners where he propounded conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and claimed that George Floyd had been killed as part of an elaborate cover-up of counterfeiting unrelated to racism. Glassman stepped down as CEO following theseTherecontroversies.arecurrently 12,500 CrossFit across the world, with the majority based in the United States.
Sport TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September 31
Ellen Kenny Assistant Editor Fitness regime CrossFit has returned to Trinity Sport this semester and will offer a free class to all Trinity students. According to an email sent by Trinity Sport, they will hold CrossFit training every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 5.05pm to 6.05pm. Classes will take place at the Centre Ancillary Hall of Trinity Sport, which can be located on campus at 43 Pearse St. Trinity students who present a valid student ID can attend one free trial session with Trinity Sport. Students can then sign up for weekly CrossFit classes for €60 a month. Depending on the classes available, the average cost of CrossFit in Dublin ranges from €120 to €200 a month. Trinity Sport is providing CrossFit sessions in collaboration with The Workshop, one of the newest CrossFit Gyms in Dublin City Centre that also offers personal training, corporate & group Training and yoga.
Ferns overcame the 2019 champions St. Martins of Murntown to claim their first Senior Wexford championship 3 weeks ago in Wexford Park. Ferns have added a senior title to their five junior title (last won in 1958) and six intermediate titles
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS32 PEXELSOFCOURTESYPHOTO
GAA: Kerry, Carlow and Wexford hurling championships completed (last won in 2007), as well as two junior football titles won in 1952 andAs1993.Ferns wing back Patrick Breen reminded everyone after the match “we’ve never won a senior title but we’ve lost a lot of finals”. A late rally from St. Martins threatened to force Ferns to wait for their historic first title. Late in the game, a foul on Daithí Watters resulted in St. Martins cutting Ferns’ lead to one point. However, Johnny Dwyer hit a point from a sideline cut 5 minutes into injury time to keep Ferns’ one point lead. “We won’t be short of a few parties tonight in Ferns, I can guarantee you that,” Breen said after the final. I’m sure they weren’t. Elsewhere p, 2019 winners Causeway beat Ballyduff in a match that saw the first time a referee was mic’d up in a GAA match, with viewers of the live broadcast on TG4 being able to hear everything the referee said. While Ballyduff managed to come within one point of Causeway in the second half, Causeway held on, with an injury-time goal by Brandon Barret keeping Ballyduff at arm’s length. In Carlow town, St Mullin’s beat Bagnelstown Gaels by 17 points to claim their 28th title. Having being runners up to the Leinster final in 2019 and losing last year’s Carlow County final, hopes will be high for the historically strong St Mullin’s club. Wexford SHC: Ferns St. Aidan’s 1-20 – 0-22 St Martin’s Carlow SHC: Bagnelstown Gaels 0-11 – 2-22 St Mullin’s Kerry SHC: Ballyduff 0-16 – 2-15 Causeway
Séaghan Ó Domhnalláin Sport Editor Ferns win first senior title while St Mullin’s Bagnalstownbeatby 17 points
TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September TRINITY NEWS Creating community on campus again page 4 A love letter to my body page 11 LIFE Navigating the aisles page 7 Love in all its’ forms
PHOTO BY EVA O’BEIRNE
FOR TRINITY NEWS sectionPullout
In the Greek language, there are seven different words for the concept of love. Something about that in itself is so poetic; there are so many ways to feel love that they couldn’t contain it in one word. In this life we have so many different, vast relationships. We experience a wide variety of love in all of its forms. We never experience the same love twice. I believe that understanding the different examples and displays of love within our lives helps us to understand ourselves. Depending on our age, life experiences, backgrounds and many other factors, we all consider a different type of love to be the most significant in our lives. For a newly wedded couple, romantic love might be the most important; for parents of a newborn, they would say that the love for their child holds the highest value in their life. If you were to ask a 70-year-old what comes to mind when they hear the word love, it is highly likely that their answer would differ from that of an 18-year-old. Our lives are a patchwork of the love and relationships we give and receive.
what it Accordingmeans?to Google, those who lack self-love strive for perfection because they need to be something other than themselves (they dislike themselves after all). They lack assertiveness and boundaries because they don’t accept themselves and doubt their own judgement. They endure toxic relationships because they are seeking love from external sources (given that they cannot produce it internally). These characteristics are what you could use to describe Dolly Alderton’s 20-year-old self in Everything I Know About Love. She places value on her weight, believing if she is skinnier she is more lovable. She would rather spend all of her money on a four hour taxi halfway across the country than let a night out come to a natural end. And at the age of 21, she believes that “when you fall in love with the right man you will feel centred, settled and calm.” However, by the time Alderton is telling us what she knows about love at the age of 30, she believes that “it is no one person’s job to be the sole provider of your happiness. Sorry.” The difference across these nine years of lessons? Self-love.
As she realises that all she ever needs and ever has needed can be found within herself, she says: “I am a just-pulled pint with a good, frothy head on it…. I am the warm-up act, the main event and the backing singers.”
“ Although it may
Philautia: Self-love, by Ruth Brady Self-love is a word that we are all familiar with, but do we know Will BeReal last?
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS2 Table of contents Life staff DeputyFoodDeputyStudentDeputySocietiesDeputyEditorSexDeputyArtsLifeLifeEditor-in-ChiefEditorDeputyEditor&CultureEditorsEditor&RelationshipsEditorEditorEditorLivingEditorEditor&DrinkEditorEditors Shannon Connolly Ella Sloane Ella MaileEoghanKatelynEmmaJulieRubyElisaCatherineRiaEmmaOonaElenaBleu-KielyMcCroryKauppiLuedersWallsGroganEcksteinTopalianFrischRouineDavisConwayMonteiro The joys 3amRendangofat lovin’Summer The ups downsand of J1 - page 15 - page 6 communityCreating on campus again - page 4 page 12 page 13 Translating Cultures with Frank Wynne- page 8 Ria RuthMollyWallsLongstaffBrady
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The contrast of the lack of self-love found in the early stages of the story compared to this realisation at the end allows readers to evaluate themselves and the Philautia in their lives. Although it may not be a not be
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton encompasses every type of love that there is to feel. In her memoir, Alderton tells a first-person story that spans from childhood to the present day, showcasing a variety of stories about love, lust and heartache. The TV adaption is based on this novel, where we meet Maggie — Dolly’s televised counterpart. We go on a journey with Dolly (book) and Maggie (TV show) as she experiences different types of love over the years. A story of a girl in her 20s, we watch her grow and value different types of love at different ages. She engulfs herself in many relationships, giving an insight into the interconnectedness of human life. We see her relationship with her family, the importance of friendship, the role that sex plays in the life of a young adult, and the experience of falling in and out of love. It is a great example of love in modernity, and we can examine the ancient types of love through it.
While the book places emphasis on the importance of self-love when compared to all other types experienced, the TV show leaves us hanging. We last see Maggie in the series in a place of despair as friendships and love falls apart. It suggests that she will be spending time alone and that a period of isolation, in which she discovers self-love, may follow. It is not, however, explicitly mentioned.However, page 305 has one of the most touching paragraphs in the novel. An ode to oneself, it highlights the inner, overarching, self-fulfilling brilliance that is realised by Alderton in what she refers to as a breakthrough. It is a life lesson that should apply to all, a quote that can be torn from the book and pinned above your bed.
The seven types of love: ‘Everything I Know About
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prominent theme throughout, the last chapters of the book show that it is something that has been there all along, in between the cracks of the chaos. It took her years to achieve genuine self-love. It took therapy and heartbreak and constant reinventions of herself (three months of celibacy, attempts to quit drinking, a dating app, a new city) to find her way home to herself. It is potentially the hardest love to unearth — because you have to find it for yourself. But, once you crack it, as Alderton says about the unconventional types of love she explored: “You can carry it with you forever.” Storge: Unconditional Love, by Molly Longstaff Unconditional love is love without expectation. With the strings that so often entangle and complicate romantic love expunged, Storge could be regarded as the most powerful love of all. Entering the remarkably relatable realm of Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love, a facevalue analysis may suggest that Aldteron’s story centres around the protagonist’s journey to find true love. However, when we delve a little deeper it is clear that the consistent, subtle demonstrations showcasing the supreme power of unconditional love are really at the core of her work. The chaotic Maggie (loosely based around Alderton in her 20s) attempts to navigate adulthood in a modern world where unconditional love is apparently severely undervalued. At 24, she possesses the unfortunate total self-absorption that so many modern young adults fall victim to. Maggie adores her friends wholeheartedly, yet she consistently chooses self-serving paths which often inflict negative outcomes on those she is closest to. Maggie’s self-indulgence is seen quite viscerally when, after several manic months, she returns for a visit to her family home. The frustration of returning to a totally familiar yet simultaneously unfamiliar setting that is so specific to those who have moved in their late teens or early 20s feels painfully real at this moment. Swamped by warm embraces and luxuriant welcomes, Maggie immediately rebuffs these affections. Her mother is seen desperately attempting to appease her yet is harshly rejected by Maggie’s foul expressions and sulking body language. After a few days where her parents’ love is quite literally thrown back in their faces, Maggie’s resentment accumulates in an angry outburst where Maggie declares that her parents’ unconditional love is the source of all her problems and flaws.This moment felt painfully relatable to me, a student who has often returned home in a foul mood, wielding hurtful comments towards parents who I am lucky enough to continually receive unconditional love from. Yet despite Maggie’s misconduct, her parents are not swayed in their adoration of their daughter. Yes, their hurt is palpable, but there are no breakups, blocking or berating as would occur within the confines of romantic love. Looking at vividly executed examples of Storge in Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love, the romantic ventures of Maggie seem to pale in comparison. Although unconditional love from family is often overlooked and neglected, its unwavering nature causes it to be, ultimately, the most potent. “
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TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September 3
A true display of our darker Irish history
PHOTO BY SALLY Ni THUAM
About Love’
Elena McCrory discusses key pieces in the
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An allegory is defined as a story, poem or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. Keating’s Allegories of Change at the National Gallery’s Milltown Wing (Room 15) is a fitting display of the most emblematic Irish paintings of the 20thMarkingcentury.the conclusion of Decade of Centenaries, which encompasses the period of 1912 to 1922, this display of nine pieces by Irish artists Seán Keating (18891977) and one by William Orpen (1878-1931) vividly isolates us into our country’s past. Running until 27 November 2022 with free admission, Allegories of Change centres around An Allegory (1924), a painting that famously commented on the nature of the Irish Civil War. Supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023, its importance cannot be overstated. Keating’s Men of the West (1915), War of Independence (1921) and Homo Sapiens: An Allegory of Democracy (1929-1930), to name but a few, are also showcased. A piece regarded by many as the focal point of Keating’s career having established the artist as one of Ireland’s most significant painters, An Allegory was
received by the National Gallery as a gift by Sir Alec Martin in 1952. Its incredible symbolism and realism echoes cries of political upheaval and tension. The work was first exhibited in the Royal Hibernian Academy’s annual show in 1925. Although it is naturalistic and extremely beautiful the disconnection between the six adult figures featured is powerful when viewed in person.Viewing the piece in 1925 in Dublin would have been a very different experience from seeing it today. The painting was inspired by the events of the Civil War in 1922-23, which ended with Ireland’s signing of the Treaty for independence against Great Britain. Despite the hopeful symbol of the mother and child that Keating places in front of a tree, the years to come would include the forming of an anti-Treaty group, and civil war would again violently prevail. This strengthening divide is represented in the painting by the two men on the right-hand-side of the piece. Keating’s incredible way of portraying motion is captured as both men dig a grave. One wears the military uniform of the former Irish Free State, while the other is in more casual attire, and sports garb of the Irregular Army. Two men from the same country dig towards each other. The grave is covered in our National Irish flag. Everything from An Allegory’s figures, setting and motion to its landscape is drenched in meaning. Even the oak tree that stands behind the mother and child, a pairing that could also symbolise mother Ireland, is denotative in an Irish sense. Keating included a red oak to connect the tree to ancient Irish mythology and legend. The roots symbolise the long entangled web Ireland found itself in at the time. Physically, these roots are extremely difficult to dig up, adding further connections to the work’s allegorical messages. Keating paints himself in the piece as well. He was 35 at the time, and is shown as the figure slumped against the oak tree. His expression is grim, and he glowers at me from inside the frame. Previously unheard of in the realm of art history, especially in conservative Ireland, was the concept of painting for the purpose of sending a personal message. Still highly allegorical, the painting was one that depicts a fed-up and deeply affected Keating. His utter rejection and perhaps unwillingness to accept what had been witnessed during the war is portrayed grimly. The closely connected Men of the West, painted prior to An Allegory, conveyed the terrible outcome of the 1916 Easter rising, which took place in the year of its making. Keating shows men at arms, preparing to fight in the uprising, set against a background of the Aran Islands. A beautifully bright, romanticised depiction of the event, this piece is better viewed in person. Keating paints the men as a vision for the Irish people to aspire to, a new type of man who will fight for the right to independence.Keating’swork shown alongside Stillorgan-born William Orpen’s The Holy Well (Nude Pattern - The Holy Well) makes for an interpretive and extremely engaging exhibition. The Holy Well was painted while Orpen was an official war artist in 1916. Perhaps, in creating this work, he drew closely the horrors he witnessed at this time. Curated by Dr Brendan Rooney, Keating’s Allegories of Change unites two important artists, both desperately trying to make sense of the most transformative time in Irish history.
PHOTO BY RIA
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Creating excitement (and fostering accessibility)
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS4
experience. As Ents officer, Lynch wants to replicate this feeling and foster it on a larger scale. Covid restrictions greatly affected every aspect of college life, and Lynch believes that it caused a rift within campus culture. In other words, there is a lack of intermingling that previously, because of a traditional Freshers, did not happen. This could be a potential danger for those in their first few years of college: “if there isn’t that buzz (around campus), people stick in their closed-off groups, and that can lead to people feeling isolated,” says Lynch. In his opinion, the key to avoiding this is to create excitement going back into the first week of college.
provocative writing and skilful production transporting the audience into Malachy’s mind. The play ran from August 8 to 18 in Smock Alley Theatre following its sold-out run at The Hope Theatre in London.Theplay sees Malachy take an approach similar to stand-up comedy as he explains the twentyfive pieces of life advice that he has learned until now. At the age of 25, he has found himself living at home with his parents, working in a call centre for a bin company and single. He explores many of these life situations through anecdotes of his family members, his friend Pauline and his work managers. Malachy appeals to his audience as he explores themes relatable to many young Irish adults: fears of the worsening housing crisis, stagnating in a customer service role and coming out as gay to family members. With the progression of the play, his relationship with the audience becomes more transparent and honest, allowing cracks of reality to seep into the dialogue rather than his solely defensive version of events.Defining himself as an upbeat and fun person, Malachy claims to want to keep the tone of the conversation light. However, as more serious matters become inescapable, the impact of these issues on him becomes clear. He is determined not to dwell on the recent death of his brother, yet Malachy is forced to process what has happened as it becomes an unavoidable presence in his life. An emotional and engaging direct narrative, the audience cannot help but be engrossed as Malachy processes all that he has experienced and lived through. Written and performed by Conor Burke, Everything is Grand marks another outstanding production by Burke. The play marks Burke’s fifth production to be brought to life, receiving support from the Dublin Fringe Festival as part of the Fringe Lab 50 programme. Burke’s witty writing, which blends together light-hearted banter and serious themes, was further brought to life by his emotive acting style. The play is directed by Lesley Conroy, an alumnus of the Samuel Beckett Centre, and light and sound is by recent Lir Academy graduate Aidan Cooney. Produced by Lisa Nally, the creative team have gelled together flawlessly to create a show that moves beyond the borders of the stage. With subtle use of lighting and sound, the audience is transported into the different atmospheres and settings used in the play. If Burke’s play is any indication of the direction Eruption Collective intends to take, the new production company will have a very successful future ahead of them.
Emma Lueders reviews
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An emotional performance that mirrors the fears of our generation
Though not fully disclosed, it is rumoured that there are going to be many events during the first two weeks back on campus. Ents recognises that lectures will be starting in this period, but believes it is important to centralise the excitement of being back at college before the stress of assignments and lectures takes over. The plan is to host a number of oncampus events during the week to encourage more community, and in order to “build a buzz up” over being on campus again, Lynch reveals: “the Ents team has been working hard over the summer to ensure that similar activities to those during last year’s Senior Freshers week can take place, even without Covid grants.” However, Lynch believes this year’s Senior Freshers will be different, and there will be more emphasis on accessibility and socialisation. As mentioned in his campaign, he believes society and Ents events need to move away from being alcohol-based, and plans to promote this idea during Senior Freshers week. Events will be more relaxed, and will be centred around mingling throughout campus during the day. Ents also hopes to incorporate more outdoor spaces for those still affected by Covid, and to create events that are accessible to all. “The word accessibility has been thrown around a lot in previous years, but it’s important to take it and run with it.” Lynch has plans to collaborate with different societies on campus and on a national level in order to ensure future Ents events are more accessible and accommodating. He has expressed interest in working with the Mature Student society to arrange events that are more flexible time-wise. Lynch believes that the schedules of younger students shouldn’t be the only ones taken into consideration when organising events. “All events should be accommodating and inviting to all,” he says, “it’s key to fostering a sense of community.” Club night on the first day of classes Ents has also planned a club night featuring a prominent Dublin DJ on the first day of classes. Lynch cites his nostalgia for traditional, pre-Covid events as incentive to hold this event: “I had a proper Freshers with club nights and I’m so grateful for that.”
Renewing community spirit
Creating community on campus
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Eliza Eckstein sits down with Ents Officer Max Lynch to
Lynch cites his experience with societies as the reason for wanting to be Ents officer, and provide a year full of activities for all students. Having experienced a traditional Freshers in first year, Lynch joined some societies with which he has stayed for years. He explained that the sense of community within these societies allowed him to meet more people and create a reliable foundation for his college
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While socialising in nightclubs may be rather different from daytime events, it is a traditional aspect of Freshers, and it also allows for people to bond over fun times and nice tunes. Club nights are also recently taking on more significance in the advent of many Dublin nightclubs closing, and nightlife in general seeing a deterioration. While it is not Ents’ responsibility to keep nightlife running, it is good to see that such events are helping maintain some of Dublin’s nightlife culture. Societies Fair will not go ahead Unfortunately, Senior Freshers week will not see the return of a societies fair. While Lynch agrees that societies are vital as an introduction to campus life as a way to find and create communities, the CSC has not planned for such an event to take place. A Senior Freshers fair is not in the jurisdiction of Ents, however Lynch is hopeful that the events Ents has planned will be enough to generate “real buzz” on campus.
PHOTO BY JOE MCCALLION
Starting college is as monumental as getting married or having your first child. It is one of those events that you will remember for the rest of your life. As we all gear up to start at Trinity, here’s a snapshot of the excitement, nerves, and plans that four incoming first years are currently experiencing.
“Being from the North, this dream was quickly shut down from an early age by almost every adult I knew. I was very strongly encouraged to study in the UK.”
BY JOE MCCALLION FOR TRINITY NEWS
Ruby Topalian discusses precollege emotions and plans with a few of her fellow classmates as they prepare for this new chapter
Though a new addition to the TCDSU, Lynch hopes to bring his experience and fondness for creating a space that everyone feels comfortable in to his role as Ents officer. Using his experience of being on society committees pre- and post-Covid, there is hope that Lynch will be able to foster the environment he believes was lacking for many students during their first few years of college.
However, when the time finally came to head off to college and Sherrard had chosen the University of Edinburgh, she was given some life-altering news. Two days before leaving for Scotland she was accepted to Trinity College Dublin. “This is when I decided that I couldn’t let my childhood dream, which had been buried as the years went by, be buried any longer.” Now, as she prepares for her time as a student at Trinity, Sherrard is keen to explore the different societies that the school has to offer: “I am particularly ecstatic to get involved in the fashion society. Studying literature but having probably admittedly read even more Vogue than actual books over the years, it really feels like the one for me.” As far as emotions go, Sherrard is feeling a multitude of different things at this time. “I feel a great mixture of fear but also excitement of the unknown. I am also really looking forward to the feeling of a fresh start.”
Aryan Chandhok, Warsaw, Poland Studying Engineering Aryan grew up in a household that was constantly moving due to his father’s job as a business director. Today, at just 17 years old, he has lived in Poland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and was born in India. So when it was time for him to apply to university, virtually no location was off the table. When he asked his parents for their opinion, they recalled a fabulous trip they had taken to Dublin ten years prior. “They said it was one of the best cities they’ve visited in Europe.” So when Chandhok discovered that Trinity has one of the best engineering programs in Europe, it was a no-brainer. Now that he is packing up to move in a few weeks, the excitement (and nerves) are setting in, “I’m excited for the entire university experience. I’m a bit nervous in case I have forgotten something, like some kind of submission or registration document… But socially, I’m usually pretty confident when it comes to making friends.” Going to college is not only an opportunity to learn and make connections but it is also a time to take risks and experiment. Chandhok intends on doing just that through entrepreneurial pursuits and is considering joining Trinity Entrepreneurial Society. “I am planning on starting up a business so I am hoping that it takes off by the time this year ends.”
Ciana Myers, New York & Kerry, Studying English Literature Ciana Meyers was born a dual citizen with an Irish mother and an American father but lived in New York for the majority of her life. During the summer, she would fly to the West Kerry Gaeltacht in Ireland and live with her grandmother. Here, she fell in love with her family’s musical traditions and studying in Ireland felt like a fairly obvious choice for her. “I’m going into English Literature so I couldn’t ignore Trinity’s reputation, especially in the humanities. It’s an interesting one as well because Trinity has a different history from that of my people, as someone with family from the Gaeltacht.” As a creative writer and published author of her own poetry chapbook titled, Earth-hued Harmony (Ceol ón gCré), Meyers is also incredibly connected with the natural world and its ability to positively affect her writing. “I was jumping up and down when I found out about the Trinity hiking society…I’m not gonna lie and say that I’m a big outdoor guru but I really love the idea of being distracted and consumed by forces that are greater than myself.” Though Meyers cannot wait for the experiences ahead of her, on Saturday, 20 August, 2022 three weeks before move-in her life changed in an instant when her grandmother’s home in Ireland burned down. She lost all of her belongings. “My feelings are really complicated if I’m honest. I am really looking forward to movein, meeting new people and kind of socialising, distracting myself, and investing in me. I’m looking forward to new scenery…it’s a real newThesebeginning.”fourincredible students are part of the incoming class of 2026. Their excitement and enthusiasm for what is to come represents what we’re all feeling at this time. I also had the privilege of interviewing incoming first years Matthew Kurt, Jayna Rohslau and Sloane Walsh for this piece and they too could speak to the complicated emotions that come with starting college. To all of my fellow classmates, this is going to be a journey and I can’t wait to embark on it with all of you.
campus again Pre-College Craziness: Sitting Down with the Incoming Class of 2026
Eloise Sherrard, Derry, Ireland Studying English Literature and History of Art and Architecture When Eloise was a “wee girl” she frequently visited Dublin with her grandmothers. To her, Trinity always looked like something out of a fairytale. Eloise explained that subconsciously, she knew that it was the place for her but getting there seemed impossible.
Dusk Boyd, Charleston, South Carolina Studying Music As a musician, Dusk Boyd endured a rather unconventional college admissions process. Like many others who wish to study music at the collegiate level, they had to work tirelessly to audition and prepare portfolios for music schools around the world. They were admitted to many of their top choices including NYU Shanghai and the University of South Carolina. However, when Boyd came to Dublin in the Autumn of 2022 to tour University College Dublin, they found Trinity. All of a sudden, Boyd knew where they needed to go. “I applied from our hotel room, the day before the deadline and I got in.” Boyd is not shying away from getting involved with a large variety of societies. “For sports, I’m either doing track or rugby. I don’t know how to play rugby but my dad is Australian and he played when he was younger…The DU film society sounds cool, Cumann Gaelach sounds fun as well..the Chapel choir – I used to sing at my church’s choir and that was always a joy.” With all of these cool options in mind, Boyd is also wary of overcommitting. “I feel like especially with my first year, this is sort of just a preliminary list of ‘here’s what I’m looking at’... I’m also looking at what things will connect me with people of similar interests.”
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TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September 5
Moving on from the pandemic
Next, we come to my favourite dish, the rendang daging. Sinewy hunks of beef are slowly simmered in a bath of coconut milk until all the liquids evaporate. At least fifteen ingredients make up the spice base and the cooking time alone can take up to seven hours. Infused with clove, star anise, and the most important ingredient— time—this moist, spoon-tender, caramelised beef dish can only be described as heavenly.
Finally, a series of assertive nods tells the waiter that I want more broth on my rice, a couple more pieces of meat, and some perkedel kentang (potato fritters) on the side. The exchange is fleeting, as he quickly scribbles down my order before moving on to the next customer.Ijoin my friends inside the restaurant to devour my drunken meal. Sterile white lights and kitsch decor — think motivational Pinterest quotes laid over stockimage backgrounds — are the typical markers of a high-quality Padang restaurant, but tonight everyone is too engrossed in the food to make any insightful comments. Every so often, the silence is broken by an occasional slurp, the clatter of cutlery, or one of my friends expressing their appreciation for Pondok Duo midmunch. Each and every morsel of food offers a new taste sensation, I discover different combinations of flavours and textures until my very last bite. Full to the brim, I wash my meal down with es teh tawar (unsweetened iced tea), the perfect way to end a long night. Several months later, I am back in Dublin. As I stumble home after a heady night out, I scan the dark and shuttered restaurant windows, longing for the familiar. While Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam have all exported their culinary presence to Ireland’s shores, Indonesian cuisine remains painfully absent from the Dublin food scene. Though I have noticed rendang on the menu of several takeouts, in my heart, there is no substitute for the authentic Padang experience. I have also tried recreating this dish myself, but nevertheless, I have always been short of a few key ingredients.
Originating from the Minangkabau, West Sumatra’s largest ethnic group, Padang cuisine is known for its fiery spices and generous application of coconut milk, a combination that has made it my firm favourite. Each dish carries strong Indian and Middle Eastern influences due to its geographical position along the Maritime Silk Road. Padang restaurants are ubiquitous throughout Indonesia, an institution that comprises an essential part of Indonesian nightlife, embodying centuries of indigenous culture. At long last, I reach the counter. Finally, time to assemble my plate. Shielded behind a protective screen, the waiter starts off by scooping a generous portion of plain white nasi (rice) onto the centre of my plate. Billowing steam from the rice cooker and bubbling cauldrons of stews and curries fill the background ambience. The smell is entrancing, the air is hot and heavy. I stare greedily at the display of colourful gulai (curries) served in large glass dishes, slowly deciding which delicious combination I am craving on this occasion. In Pondok Duo, the dishes are not labelled, so I simply point at the dish I want to communicate with the waiter behind the glass. Tonight, I keep things simple. Alongside my rice, I get terong balado — stir-fried aubergine in a traditional Padang balado sauce combining tomatoes for a sweet and sour tang, chillies for a kick of spice, as well as coconut oil, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, and shallots for those crucial additional boosts of flavour. The aubergine is bruised and tender, pairing perfectly with thePondokbalado.
I exit the club. Drunkenly slipping in and out of coherence, my gurgling stomach eventually grabs the attention of my ringing ears. I have to get something to eat. Out of all the late-night culinary delights that my home island has to offer — street pizza, the allegedly fresh convenience store sushi, the fried chicken stall down the road — I find myself naturally gravitating towards Pondok Duo (in English: Two Hills), a traditional Padang restaurant open 24/7. It is a bit out of the way, but it serves the island’s best rendang daging, a succulent, spicy, coconut-based braised beef dish.As I stand in the parking lot, peering eagerly through the restaurant’s window display, I am warmly greeted by high-stacked plates of assorted gorengan — traditional deep-fried tempeh, tofu, and vegetables, similar to Japanese tempura. Tantalising aromas of coconut, chilli, and ginger waft under my nose. My stomach gurgles turn into growls as I join the queue of late-night diners, waiting for my turn.
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS6
As a whole, Indonesian cuisine incorporates a sprawling variety of dishes from over 1300 ethnic groups, resulting in utterly unique and complex flavours passed down through centuries of diverse cultural development. However, the archipelago’s culinary fare is poorly documented. The survival of these recipes has long relied on oral tradition, often in endangered indigenous languages or regional dialects. In Indonesia, food is not only celebrated for its taste — it is a medium to communicate cultural identity, playing a vital role in traditional celebrations and modernThroughoutceremonies.its history, Indonesia’s bountiful natural resources ensured its importance in the spice trade, a lucrative market that subsequently introduced many foreign ingredients and influences to the archipelago’s cuisine. Chillies, for example, a fundamental ingredient in Indonesian cuisine, were imported by Portuguese colonists from South America. Nutmeg and clove are well-known spices indigenous to Indonesia, while the country’s equatorial climate was favoured by Dutch colonists for vanilla, cinnamon, and pepper plantations. All of these ingredients have since established their roles in celebrated Indonesian dishes.
Duo’s gulai nangka muda is another favourite of mine, a turmeric and coconut-based Indonesian jackfruit curry. There are many variations of gulai across the islands, but the Minangkabau version has a lot more chillies than a more conventional Javanese gulai would, hence its deep red colour. Nangka muda (young jackfruit) has a fairly neutral taste but serves to absorb all of the curry’s flavours during cooking — the result is a soft, broth-filled bite of jackfruit.
Culture Through Food: The Joys of Rendang at 3am
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TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September 7
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Eoghan Conway gives a guide to fresher students on where to look, what to buy and what to avoid when it comes to shopping for Sfoodoyou have finally done it, moved out of home. You have been given the ultimate freedom. No more nagging from Mum or hassle off Dad, you are the master of your own destiny. At the same time and often at your own dismay, you are now your own full-time chef, cleaner, shopper and carer. For many, moving out is liberating, but pretty quickly the freedom to eat Coco Pops for breakfast seven days a week loses its appeal. Unfortunately cans of Pratzky, instant noodles and pesto pasta can only sustain you for so long. The challenge of cooking and shopping, for many, can be a rude awakening. Your stocked pantry and fridge from home, which you may have taken for granted, are now replaced by bare presses and bank balances. Like everything you will find in college, there is a certain knack to it, food shopping included. Knowing where to go, what time to go and what to buy is a learning curve. Nonetheless, it’s a worthy skill to have. When it comes to communal kitchens and student dorms, space is often a premium. A shared shelf in a fridge might not always be sufficient, but you have to work with what you got. My first piece of advice is to buy little and often. You don’t want to be that culprit whose twenty-day-old lettuce is oozing its lovely juices onto your flatmate’s slightly greying chicken. Long gone are the days of the big shop. This also helps to minimise food waste. There is nothing worse than dumping a load of food you had intended to make a delicious dinner out of. Try to know where to store certain goods. Any veg that’s been cut or peeled is going to go bad quickly, so that avocado you were saving for the next night’s dinner is best to use for breakfast instead. Storing the majority of fruits on the countertop is no problem. Always keep meat in the fridge and don’t forget to put the milk back in the fridge after breakfast. It’s the simple things but if done right they can make all the difference.Ifyouadopt little and often as your key mantra, shopping local should be the second port of call. Local butchers, fishmongers and grocers might seem intimidating at first but oftentimes cheaper cuts of meat and fish can be more rewarding, flavorful and cheaper than even Tesco’s finest range. Skirt steak, sirloin chop, red mullet and even flash frozen fish are all good places to start. Local green grocers will be more willing to help a hungry college student come the end of the day when the produce isn’t as fresh but your belly is still as empty as ever. On the topic of frozen, the freezer is going to be your best friend. Frozen fruit from the likes of Lidl and Aldi are a solid investment and are only a fraction of the cost of their fresh counterparts. They are perfect in smoothies, acai bowls or even just as an addition to some porridge to jazz up a dreary morning. My own favourite use for the freezer is for preserving some home-cooked meals or the loot from the latest raid of the family fridge after a weekend at home. Nothing beats a home-cooked meal or discovering a relic from a previous kitchen raid that needs to be defrosted. Dinner for the next two nights sorted. Cheers Mum and Dad. If the freezer is your friend then tinned and canned goods should be that odd acquaintance you have. The one you call in times of need, or the one who you ask to Revolut you that sum of money you let slide after a night out. Pantry essentials such as coconut milk, beans, legumes and soups are all super versatile and last forever. There is more to canned goods than spaghetti hoops and spam. Tinned fish such as tuna, anchovies and sardines are all very tasty and definitely shouldn’t be shied away from. In the likes of Spain and Italy, conservas as they are referred to, are gobbled up as if they were a delicacy. Don’t be afraid to rock the boat and try some tinned goodness. One word of advice however, don’t be the one to leave used tuna tins around where you are living, you are only offering an all-you-can-eat buffet to the flies. With regard to the stench, it’s probably not the best way to make friends with all your new flatmates either. Finally the best times to shop, as you can imagine, are late in the evening. Nothing is as good as seeing the applying of fresh stickers and the possible notso-fresh goods. But not so fresh definitely doesn’t mean second rate, it means savvy shopping. The Marks and Spencer’s Food Hall on Grafton Street offers great discounts past six in the evening or so. For those lucky to be living in Halls, Big Tesco in Rathmines, as it’s commonly referred to, has their reduced products in the back right hand corner of the store.
Too Good To Go also offers some serious steals at retailers such as Fresh, Centra and Shuppa. The Trinity mecca that is KC Peaches also offers some seriously cheap and even more seriously full plates of food between six and seven in the evening. Membership of DU Food and Drink Society has its own perks: discounts in Chimac, Pablo Picante and the Pitt Bros to name but a few. Don’t be too daunted by the chore of cooking and shopping for yourself. It doesn’t take a master chef or connoisseur to whip up some lovely meals. A well-stocked pantry and somewhat fresh fridge usually does the job. If all else fails and you’re not in the mood to cook, The Buttery’s vegan sausage rolls and chips are always good bang for your buck.
PHOTO BY WIKIMEIDA COMMONS
Navigating the Aisles: How to be savvy and shrewd when it comes to grocery shopping
Translating cultures
I had assumed that when you speak language,inyouwritingsayingarelanguage,inwhenlanguageanotheroryouwriteanotheryoueffectivelyorwhatwouldyourown Anastasia Fedosova in literaryaboutwithconversationFrankWynnetheworldoftranslation
Award-winning
“ to the Festival d’Angoulême (an international comics festival) as an interpreter. “This was madness,” recalled Wynne. “I’d never done any interpreting. And there I was having to interpret in both directions.” As this happened to coincide with the brief period when mainstream British publishers were interested in graphic novels, Wynne developed some connections and began to work as a publisher’s reader. Wynne’s job consisted mainly of creating reader’s reports, which would include a book synopsis and the publisher’s reader’s prediction of the book’s popularity if it were to be translated to English. His reader’s report of Dominique Sigaud’s L’hypothèse du Désert led to the publisher asking Wynne to do a translation sample, and afterwards to translate the whole book: “That was the first book that I translated.”Intheearly 2000s, Wynne was asked to translate a book by Michel Houellebecq, for which he had written a rather mixed reader’s report, saying that “it
literary translator and writer Frank Wynne is one of the most versatile and skilled creatives in the field. Having spent over two decades living in France, the UK, and South America, Wynne has encountered diverse cultures and interacted with many voices that have enriched his work. Wynne works with French and Spanish languages, translating texts from or about different regions, including Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Lebanon, Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Peru and Central America. Among the authors whose work he has translated are Michel Houellebecq, Frédéric Beigbeder, Ahmadou Kourouma, Boualem Sansal, Claude Lanzmann, Tómas Eloy Martínez and Almudena Grandes. Trinity News spoke to Wynne about his life spanning continents and cultures, and the development of his career as a literaryWynne’stranslator.emergence into the world of literary translation can be seen to coincide with the end of his time in Trinity. Like many other young Irish people, Wynne moved to Dublin from his hometown in rural Sligo, hoping to obtain a degree in English and Philosophy. However, there were other things in the cards for Wynne — after breaking up with his then-boyfriend and his difficulties growing up as a gay man in 1980’s Ireland, he decided to cut his studies at Trinity short and move to Paris. Wynne notes how he “had never been to France. I had not studied French at university. I had never spoken French at all.” But his heart was set on a fresh start and soon he would arrive in Paris with €200, no job, and no place to stay. These first couple of nights in the French capital would inspire his stay of over three years, where Wynne would begin his career in literary translation.InFrance, Wynne discovered his natural aptitude for languages. Within half a year, he was fairly fluent in French. He began to recognize his interest in translation while working in a Parisian bookshop: “I became fascinated by something that hadn’t particularly occurred to me. Like a lot of people who are monoglot, I had assumed that when you speak another language or when you write in another language, you are effectively saying or writing what you would in your own language, you are just using different words. The moment you learn another language, you discover that this is completely untrue.” He began doing small pieces of translation for government agencies, consisting mostly of economic reports. His interest in literary translation would continue to grow during his move to South Kensington in 1987, with his discovery of bandes dessinées. Bandes dessinées, which translates to drawn strips in English, are popular comic books that have deep roots in Franco-Belgian pop culture. “Even now, when we talk about graphic novels, none have the breadth and the scope of those that you will get in France, where the artists are creating what are effectively visual short stories,” said Wynne. He began translating bandes dessinées, which would earn him an invite
“ The success of read‘Youcopyhimapproachedoffact,Wynne.famous,’waydidAtomisednotinanymakemesaidInafriendhisoncewithasayinghavetothis!’
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS8
PHOTO BY NICK BRADSHAW FOR LITERATURE IRELAND
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“ was a very important novel, good at slaughtering sacred cares of 1960s liberal French politics, but was also ugly and likely to be criticised.” The novel was published under the title Atomised and took its place on UK bestsellers lists. “Your average book in translation sells about 5000 copies, 10000 including paperback sales,” Wynne said. “Overtime, Atomised has sold just under a million copies.” The following year, the novel won the 2002 Dublin Literary Award. The success of Atomised “did not in any way make me famous,” said Wynne. In fact, a friend of his once approached him with a copy saying ‘You have to read this! This is an amazing book!’. However, the book’s success did push Wynne to the forefront of French translation in the eyes of publishers. At this point, he decided to devote himself fully to literary translation. He left London for South America, where he spent the next decade, and soon started translating from Spanish. This year, Wynne’s translation of Alice Zeniter’s novel The Art of Losing won the Dublin Literary Award. Dealing with the Algerian War of Independence, the novel follows three generations of an Algerian family from the 1950s to the present day, exploring themes of loss, roots, and identity. Written by a third-generation Algerian immigrant, the book attracted Wynne’s keen interest in literature that centres around Francophone diaspora: “Because it is the story of a young woman discovering the story of her family and the country that they came from, it is a way into Algerian history that many such novels would not do. It doesn’t assume the reader is familiar with the origins and the course of the Algerian war, it doesn’t take things for granted.” The Art of Losing, alongside a number of other novels translated by Wynne, demonstrates the importance of cultural elements within literary texts. “The most basic element of translation is meaning. But it’s also the least important. Technically you can do that mechanically with a dictionary,” explained Wynne. “But you also need to be able to recreate the cadence and rhythms of the original language, the humour, the wordplay, the bathos… Part of that means that you will need quite a lot of cultural references, because there are words or phrases that in the original language resonate with people because they, let’s say, are part of a nursery rhyme, or because they’re emulating the title of a famous novel, or it’s a three-word quote from a poem,” he continued. “As a translator you need to know these things.” The way the language is spoken is structured differently depending on the dialect. This includes the register, intonation, cultural references, and many other nuances. Wynne emphasised that “having a sense of the culture and being prepared to explore that culture while you are translating in every single book is absolutely crucial to what you are doing.”
TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September 9
“Translation thrives on curiosity about all aspects of translation and culture,” he added. “It’s crucial that you spend a lot of time reading in your target language. In part, this is where our voices come from.” Wynne summarised: “Basically, what will make you a good translator is understanding at least one other language, and being able to write in your own language. If you cannot write prose in the target language, if you cannot recreate a sentence that not only has the words, but also the music of the original sentence, then you will never be a translator. All the theory in the world won’t get you there.”--
Speaking about translation studies, Wynne acknowledges their usefulness, saying that such a degree will “give you interesting critical tools to use while you are translating.” He added that it would be helpful for students to be taught more about the practicalities of the publishing world. However, “in and of itself, translation studies cannot make you a translator.” Understanding different critical concepts shapes the way one works. So does one’s life experience and reading material. “If I translated The Art of Losing next year, or if I had translated it 10 years ago, the text would be different from what it is now. Because we are the sum of everything we have experienced, and everything we have read, and all of the voices that we have in ourAthead.”themoment, Wynne is working on six novels in French and Spanish, and hopes to add Arabic to his repertoire one day. There are quite a few titles on his translation bucket list, including a short novel by Algerian author Rachid Boudjedra and a new translation of Louis-Ferdinand Céline’s Journey to the End of the Night, described by Wynne as “the finest novel of war ever written by anyone in any language.” He added, “one of the people who used to be on that list was Patrick Modiano. I spent 12-15 years trying to get publishers in the UK to publish Modiano. And then one day I woke up and I got 11 phone calls that morning, because of course Modiano had just won the Nobel Prize.” Wynne highlighted that a novel in translation is essentially one’s performance of the author’s words. “Eventually, the text in the target language belongs more to the translator than to the author.”
PHOTO VIA TRINITY NEWS
The most basic element
It is the largest of the three islands and is further out, a 60 to 90-minute ferry journey from Naples. It offers a middle ground between Procida and Capri. It is not as cheap nor as quiet as Procida but it is still neither as expensive nor as busy as Capri.
One of the main attractions on the volcanic island is the thermal spas. The Nitrodi Nymph Park located on the island states it is the oldest spa in the world. The Ischia Beach Club is a great option too. The beach club hosts impressive views on luxurious grounds similar to those of Capri at a more affordable price. If one of your main ambitions is to bathe and relax by the sea, Ischia may be the better option for you. It has a wider selection of beaches and swimming spots compared to the other two islands in the gulf of Naples.
Dreaming of a sun holiday andasaestheticallyaspleasingthoseInstagramTikToktravel
reels you have saved? Wishing the destinations were budget-friendly so that you could see the location with your own eyes? As students, it can be extremely difficult to travel and still make the most of it. Sometimes, it is best to go beyond the typical destinations, somewhere less polluted with tourists. Somewhere that doesn’t offer extortionate prices but still guarantees similar amenities.
Alternative holiday destinations in Greece, Italy and France
Vogue has even declared the city as potentially prettier than Venice. It can be seen as a 2-in-1 destination, both as a canal city break and a lakeside holiday. There are a range of activities offered at Lake Annecy. If your ideal day is by the water, there are many watersport activities that you can do, such as kayaking and paddle boarding. Lake Annecy is one of the largest lakes in Europe and regarded as the cleanest too. It has clear blue waters, which makes it a popular spot for swimming. Annecy is considered real competition for the Italian Lake Como and Lake Garda. With all this being said, the hotspots in Greece, Italy and France are popular for very good reasons. One can’t deny the richness that their scenic views, cultural heritage and famous landmarks behold. However, overpopulation and pollution have created an unpleasant atmosphere in many of those places; in Venice for example, the unpleasant smell of waste can be overwhelming. Tourism needs to become more sustainable to avoid other places meeting the same fate. With a more balanced approach, the jewels of these places can be rediscovered once more. Until then, you might want to consider the few alternatives mentioned, beautiful in the same as well as different ways.
The cheaper Mamma Mia fantasy Want to lose yourself in an odyssey of all things Greek? Your first thought of the Greek islands may be the famous photographed location named Little Venice on the island of Mykonos. It could also be the village of Oia in Santorini with the white-washed buildings and blue-capped church dome roofs. Prices for accommodation and food are at a staggering high here. It becomes quite a challenge to explore these locations on the limited student budget. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to fulfil your Donna Sheridan fantasy in one of Greece’s best-kept secret locations!Lindos is a white-washed Emma Rouine examines studentfriendly alternatives to the European sun holiday village tucked into the southeast corner of the Greek island of Rhodes; it offers countless rooftop restaurants that give an impressive view of the acropolis towering over the village. Nearly every restaurant and bar holds an impeccable view, an important prerequisite to watching the sunset with some pita bread and tzatziki perhaps, even a shot of Ouzo too if that takes your fancy! Meanwhile, during the day, you can find yourself strolling through tiny shops that fill the streets or lying by one of two beguiling beaches — either Pallas Beach or the more scenic St. Paul’s Bay. It is a perfect replica of the islands of Santorini and Mykonos in many ways. It is easy to get to Lindos, both Ryanair and Tui operate direct flights to Rhodes from Dublin airport as of now.
BY EMMA ROUINE FOR TRINITY NEWS
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“ As students, it can traveldifficultextremelybetoand still make the most of it Relaxation is at the forefront here; there is no need to worry
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The economical Italian getaway Why head to the overpriced Capri when you can find a very similar destination that allows for a cheaper budget? Avoid the most popular island in the gulf of Naples and have a look instead at the two surrounding islands — Procida and DependingIschia.onthe ferry, there are as few as 30 minutes between Naples and Procida. The main snapshot of Procida are the multicoloured pastel buildings that line the street at the port of Marina di Corricella. The impressive architecture is just as aesthetically pleasing as those you would get in Capri. Relaxation is at the forefront here; there is no need to worry about squeezing through swarms of crowds in the heat of the day. Experience traditional Italy with the lack of moneygrubbing tourist traps. This is potentially Italy’s tranquillity at its finest.Another alternative is Ischia.
The French alternative to Venice
The potential proposed city tax to be imposed on people entering Venice is just a sheer highlight of how tourist-populated this Italian destination is. The canal city has become so over commercialised that the essence of the place has in ways been buried underneath. Similar jewels can be found further afield that haven’t been polluted with backpackers and honeymooners alike. One example is the city of Annecy which has often been coined the “little Venice of France”. It is situated in southeastern France just under an hour’s drive from Geneva, Switzerland.Hereyou can enjoy the cobbled streets that wind through the old town. There are an array of markets that take place throughout the week such as the old town market, the farmer’s market and most importantly the Sunday market where a variety of produce are sold on the streets and canals. It is much easier to get a taste of local life in this canal city than it would be elsewhere.
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Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS10
Content Warning: This article discusses body-image problems, issues surrounding weight and relationships with food. The idea of haslikespreadconsciousnessbodyhasthroughsocietytheplagueandinfectedtheminds
Eva Duggan explores the peace that comes from finding love within yourself ownrecognisingandyourdivinity
LARRAGY FOR TRINITY NEWS
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every waking moment thinking about it, and left no room for anything of value. Coping with weight-gain was unbearable in this instance; the only tangible element of my sense of self was no longer there. When I started to explore my soul, I had the profound awakening that my body was the least interesting thing about me. The outlook society has on weight gain does not correlate with how natural and essential it is to our health. It seems, from the profile of women chosen to be the face of fashion brands and the media, that we are being encouraged to maintain our teenage bodies throughout adulthood. High-fashion models are glorified and presented as what we should aspire to be, despite their frame being the product of unhealthy habits or simply genetics. Why should we cling on to our adolescent bodies when this contradicts our biological needs? Comparing your current size to how you were as a teenager can be emotionally challenging; the change embodies a frightening sense of instability. You have to find consistency in the fact that your body will change — your weight will fluctuate and shift to different parts of your body, because that is what it is designed to do. Altering how you look at weight gain is critical in the process of accepting it. The extra weight you might have is simply what you need to see out your human experience. With it comes the ability to enjoy your life and connect with others. Food is a language of its own that transcends across the world. When you can’t find the right words, food can be an expression of love. A cake baked for a relative’s birthday, a meal prepared for a grieving friend, trying new restaurants and cooking with loved ones. These are all ways of communicating unspoken love. To have this language spoiled by guilt and shame would be such a waste.Itis tricky, because although finding empowerment in your own self-image is an introspective journey, there is part of us that will always seek external approval. The solution to this is to recognise that approval of something so superficial as looks is worthless. Equally, so is disapproval — it does not deserve to carry any weight in your mind. Judgement of others is a self-portrait, we see what we want to see. From this, we build our own version of people inside our heads. This version is more us than the person it represents. So choose carefully from whom you seek approval, because it may not be for the right reasons.
A love letter to my body
of many. Our fixation on what we deem to be the perfect body is proving to be detrimental to our mental health and almost impossible to shake. The way in which we view our bodies has become very superficial over time; we have been conditioned to only respect them depending on their appearance.Ihaveonly recently learned to value my body as a gift, a precious vessel that will carry me through life, allowing me to experience love, joy, pain and pleasure. To value your body based on its appearance feels as precarious as a house of cards. One of the most beautiful capacities of the human form is its ability to change and fluctuate to withstand time and other adversaries. It is more logical to find satisfaction in the characteristics of our body that are not temporary. The gift of the senses, being able to exchange energy and emotions with others through touch, creating art with our hands, healing from injuries, the ability to procreate if we wish, and simply being facilitated to go through life. These are some of the special capabilities bestowed upon us by our bodies. They stay with us until our dying days, and are not contingent on our size or shape.Having been raised by a generation so obsessed with diet culture and weight loss, it is no wonder that the youth of the world are wrapped up in its toxicity. Adults like to blame social media, but in reality, the damage was done long before we were introduced to Instagram and TikTok. From the time I learned how to read, I became aware that the ultimate achievement was to lose weight. Fragments of memories come to mind; reading an article on tips for a flat stomach in a trashy magazine in the dentist’s waiting room, comparing stomach rolls in the playground at school, standing in front of a mirror at age seven and sucking in my ribs until you could see my protruding bones, stepping on the scales in my Granny’s bathroom every week and feeling my heart sink when I saw the number go up. As a child I promised myself that I would never let myself weigh more than six stone. I made this pact with myself after hearing a story of an old relative, hailing her as a hero for remaining six stone in her old age. One of my favourite books I reached for was my mum’s copy of The BodyShape Bible, which I pored over, fixated on figuring out what my prepubescent body looked like. Thanks to media such as the TV programme the Biggest Loser, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and many more, this perspective has transcended into adulthood and survives another generation. The modern influencer culture perpetuates the idea that the prettier you are, the more love and attention you are worthy of. I thought that feeling desired and needed was the remedy to all ailments, so I chased a version of myself that I thought might be palatable to men. In my mind, femininity meant small and dainty. What it meant to be a woman was defined by fragility and a need to shrink myself until I took up the least amount of space possible. Once I lost weight and started receiving attention from boys, I thought I would feel like a woman. This momentary validation was fleeting, and left me feeling emptier than I ever had before.Seeing our bodies change can be an affront to our sense of control and identity. When you hit your early 20s, women often experience a second puberty and may notice a shift in their weight. This phase is regarded as something to dread and conversations surrounding it are often accompanied by warnings or advice on how to prevent it. Empowerment comes from reframing how we view our bodies and adjusting the narrative surrounding it. One of the most important steps you can take in healing your relationship with your body is to explore your identity outside of how you look. In chapters of my life when I have been tormented by insecurity and hatred for my body, I was consoled by the knowledge that my body is entirely extrinsic to who I am. I took the time to develop interests and identified certain characteristics that I liked aboutBeforemyself.Islowly became conscious of this, there was a period of my life where I felt that my body was all I had. I spent
“ “ To value your body based on its houseprecariousfeelsappearanceasasaofcards
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TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September 11
While BeReal saves us a lot of precious time, this lack of attention pull is limiting the app’s success. It’s a risk the app’s creators seem willing to take: high authenticity paired with minimal usage to replace fakeness and addictive usage. However, it is not without reason that the other apps are so addictive. They play on the engagement with the human ego, the biggest player in social interactions — especially virtual ones.BeReal both succeeds and fails at boosting the ego. On the one hand, saying that you use BeReal because it’s real is another way of saying that you want to be authentic. You are above social media’s general fakeness by using an app whose social stratagem is to not allow any virtual editing.
On the other hand, the lack of possible adjustments risks leaving the ego unfulfilled. In my opinion, this would be the most likely cause for the app’s eventual lack of popularity. TikTok and Instagram are more appealing due to the fact their content can be carefully filtered, edited and adjusted.
socialcatchamight’vetelevisionbeenhugenettoconsumers,mediais an exacting sieve. As corporations have targeted us through personalised advertisements on Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat throughout the years, we’ve similarly started to market ourselves to our friends, family, and followers — as interesting, mysterious, funny, beautiful, whatever we feel we should appear as. Aesthetic worship, social media marketing and our culture’s reliance on technology have slowly replaced self-expression with self-obsession. However, consumers have been craving originality and creators are building new platforms to appease them. The app BeReal is spreading like wildfire among students because of its refreshingly real marketing ploy, which risks a descent into an easily worn-out novelty once you uncover what it really is: a desperate reach for authenticity catered to a generation that doesn’t know what real is Whileanymore.Ibelong to Generation Z and regularly use many of these apps, I simply can’t get behind BeReal. Social media isn’t real, and it never will be. Although I argue this point ad nauseum with my friends, they won’t budge. During a recent discussion about BeReal, one of them noted that: “It’s just more authentic as an app. Look at TikTok and how fake and damaging it is.” She is right to acknowledge TikTok’s drawbacks — it not only takes time and attention away from students’ studies, but can make us feel deeply insecure about features we cannot change. Nobody I know has lost more time to the app’s wide range of algorithmic entertainment than students. Anytime you’re bored between classes, papers and important assignments — TikTok fills the gaps. It’s perfect, clean escapism. Escapism which BeReal cannot offer. By keeping it to a two minute picture-taking time allotment and a no-editing policy, BeReal minimises the pitfalls that Tiktok so eagerly promotes.
BeReal touts the fact that it is filterless, but when one has such limited control of the viewer’s experience of what you post — the experience is less satisfying, sometimes even anxiety-inducing.
track of our own journey and that of others. We are looking for distraction and inspiration. I can understand why BeReal is huge right now, but I doubt it can last. Social media is most consumable when it validates us, humours us, or allows us to escape. Even the toxicity of TikTok, with filters that show you how yellow your teeth are, or how asymmetrical your face is, it all shines a light on you. What’s wrong with you, how you can measure up, or why you’re above the standard. Whether it elicits bad or good emotions, self-focus can be wholly addictive. Especially for youth like ourselves, you is the most interesting, entertaining, and largely unknown topic there is. I say this to reiterate the point that the human ego must be fed, and BeReal cannot sufficiently feed it. While it can satiate our need to be seen authentically, that’s only one of the ego’s numerous and inherentBeReal’sdesires.one-trick-pony ability is insufficient to fully consume our attention; it will begin to fade from this social media zeitgeist in due course. While it’s fun in the moment, it’s an ironically small shred of authenticity that’ll be washed away in the seas of content that TikTok and Instagram generate daily. BeReal may seem original and fun to us now, but let’s be honest; aren’t Instagram and Snapchat stories painting a prettier, more elaborate picture? The only way to be real is to get off our phones, and until we understand that, we’ll be seeing our life through these shreds only.
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While I admire BeReal’s creators for marketing against the norm, we’re all aware that social media isn’t real. More importantly, we don’t want it to be real. It would ruin the fun. Social media as we’ve known it is a distraction from reality, offering us moments of peace that don’t resemble our everyday. I repeat: social media will never be real. That’s part of why it’s entertaining, and a huge part of why it’s so successful. BeReal is no doubt an interesting new player in the field, but to assess the durability of its popularity among students, we should have a full look at what the app offers us. Taking into consideration what media philosopher Marshall McLuhan once posited: If the medium is the message, then how does BeReal communicate to us? The app’s structure inherently connotes distance between you and your friends. With the app’s largest feature being two daily pictures, unedited and based wholly on a person’s randomly timed daily trajectory, the only truly social aspect is adding comments and reacting to BeReals. Isn’t texting your friend even briefly more worthwhile than exchanging these randomly taken pictures? Maybe it’s fun enough to hold a tiny shred of someone’s day-in-thelife moment, both unedited and unplanned — after all, it’s fun to exchange our everyday lives. Yet what you share on BeReal is not as significant as the other content that other apps allow us to share, even if none of it is real. While BeReal’s endeavour is insipid at worst and hopeful at best, it’s managed to repackage another natural thatunconsciously,ourselves.charactersconstantly,inyes.andtodistributeDidwithmostpossiblyreturningitself.intomundaneexperience—sharinghumangenerallymomentstogether—awatered-downversionofPost-pandemic,despitetocampus,arewelongingtoshareeventheinsignificantofmomentsoneanother?Perhaps.socialmedianeedawaytoourhumdrumactivitiesallourfriendsinanexplicitshamelessform?ProbablyAsstudents,weliketostandthelimelight.WeareevolvingdevelopingourandtryingtoidentifyWhetherconsciouslyorweseekplatformsallowustoexploreandkeep
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Anastasia Bruckner discusses why BeReal may be-too real to maintain our Wfascinationhere
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS12 Will the hype around BeReal last among students?
TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September 13 Summer lovin’
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However, as a wise woman once said, do it for the plot
An insight into the life of a Trinity student as they explored their sexuality this Ssummerettingoff
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on my first university summer as a single woman, I decided that I was going to have a peaceful and healing summer, focusing on myself before heading on my Erasmus year. The past academic year was full of disappointments and as much as failure is needed for all of us to learn and grow, they still hurt. This summer, I was planning to keep my head down and enjoy what time I had left in Dublin with my friends. I did not consider the dangers of three double vodka red bulls. I am a 21 year old trapped in the body of an old man, and I try every night to get my full 10 hours of sleep. My friends, however, are youthful maniacs who are eager to go out. Every. Single. Night. As a last resort on a night out, we ended up in a club on Camden, where I found myself in the arms of two separate men (and I won’t lie — I thought they were the same person in the darkness). To cut a long story short, the one whose name I caught ended up being the one I brought home. What followed next led me to consider the effects of pornography on young men and brought forward a feminist rage fromAfterwithin.thewholly unpleasant experience, I shook my head, changed my sheets and vowed to myself to not do THAT again. This promise did not last long. By the next Big Night Out, I had dusted myself off and was ready to brave the night once more. At this point, my promises of celibacy and only sleeping with people who respected me had long been forgotten in a haze of Love Island-infused horniness. My friends and I headed out after a day of celebrating pride and after a much-needed pit stop in DiFontaines pizza takeaway (trust me on this recommendation) we ended up in a gay bar. Here I promptly embarked on my tour de force of Dublin city’s biggest gathering of the LGBT+ community. I then had my first proper gay experience and despite a sizeable age difference (try 17 years) between us AND the fact that it turned out that she was living on the same street as me — it was nice and validating to finally resolve 20 years of uncertainty and confusion. When one of my best friends returned home the next week, we went out to celebrate. Being a Monday night, we weren’t expecting anything too interesting, but in order not to cut the night too short (and oh I should have…) we ended up in the type of place that selfproclaimed “Dublin Creatives” haunt. About an hour in, my dear chain-smoking friend, having gone through half a pouch of Amber Leaf, decided to ask strangers for spare cigarettes. Given the bar we were in, they only had to turn 10 metres to find a suitably lonesome-looking man in the corner. They made polite small talk with the stranger until suddenly they shouted out, ‘Oh my god! You’re in [name redacted]?!’ Immediately inviting him over to our table, he picked the seat next to me, and I could see how the evening was going to unfold. For a man in a mediumsuccessful band, famous among indie arts students and TikTok users, he was fairly dull and pretentious, mansplaining my own culture to me and not asking me a single question about myself. I passed yet another mediocre evening, albeit this one in a nice hotel. However, as a wise woman once said, do it for the plot. Right in the middle of it all, through a combination of Hinge dates that went better than expected and random encounters at bars, I met some truly lovely individuals that I really did connect with this summer. Intimacy was easy and kind with them; we laughed, they made me breakfast, we promised to stay in touch despite the ocean that would soon be between us. Unfortunately, my ever-looming Erasmus did cut off some of these budding romances prematurely; but hey, maybe it will be a good thing, going away with no strings attached, or baggage (aside from the monster of a 30 kg I am currently lugging around the airport). An old adage that my granny swore by — “what’s meant for you won’t pass you by“ has always stuck with me; I just need to breathe and remember that ultimately I will end up where I’m supposed to be. In the midst of all of these stories of regrettable hook-ups and bad decisions, I did learn a thing or two. Clichéd as it sounds, the most important person to love in your life is yourself. I am, believe it or not, an idealist at heart and despite my seemingly anti-romantic stance at times, deep down I do think fondly of finding “the one”. Each and every time that I meet someone new, I let my imagination run away with me and I conjure up nighttime fantasies of three kids, a dog and a house by the sea. Unfortunately, my 37 year old neighbour already had a house in Dublin. Bridget Jones is my ultimate comfort film, and I have an especially soft spot for a good enemies-to-lovers trope. Despite ultimately having a summer of meaningless sex, I found a softness and patience for myself that was not there before. I allowed myself to explore my sexuality. I took care of myself and said kind things to myself in the mirror; I felt good about who I was and my place in the world, even if things the day before had not gone exactly to plan. I now leave Dublin with a newfound appreciation and love for myself, which I think would not have come as easily if I had spent the summer beating myself up for past romantic mistakes. The “hot girl summer” that I had was liberating in that I accepted that I am now ready for a new year, with new mistakes and love and everything in between.
I would spend too long getting ready and drink too much wine, only for them to become unreachable in the hour before meeting. “They must have tested positive,” I told myself. Covid was a bit of a hall pass when it came to dating. I wouldn’t like to use the excuse of catching Covid to avoid a date myself, because that’s bad karma. However, I do sometimes wonder how many of the “caught covid“ texts were truthful… oh to be a fly on the (Disclaimer:wall.meeting up outdoors in small groups was all legal at this point, I wasn’t breaking any laws, I promise). Luckily I wasn’t bold enough to go on dates with many TCD lads. I’m glad I had both some common sense, and hope that the pandemic might finally end, in which case I’d be avoiding people I’d matched with in the library for the next three years. I still walk around Dublin, see a familiar face and wonder if it’s someone I matched with. I like to keep myself on my toes. There is no such thing as ghosting (properly) in Dublin. There is a very high probability that one day, or night, you will bump into said “date” on South William Street or the smoking area of a techno night. Two options if and WHEN this happens:1)Look beyond Hold your eye-line just beyond them, in which case they may think you’ve missed them entirely. God forbid they tap you on the shoulder or something. I feel like that’s never happened before, but if it2)does…RUN!The“knowing” nod So you’ve spotted the date and eyes have locked. I always think it’s good to smile and give a knowing nod — but only if the sex was good. Otherwise, crack a joke and make them a mate. It’s like “oh yeah we had fun,” and I acknowledge that. It’s common courtesy. I see no point in being rude.When I’d been on dates in London and they hadn’t worked out, there was a certain grieving period. They went off into the night, probably never to be seen again. You have to go out of your way to see someone again in London. It’s not as easy as running into them in Dunnes. And be prepared for an hour’s trek and a spenny Uber home if the date goes well. You also have to make peace with the fact that if they don’t want to see you again, you probably won’t be seeing them again. Obviously, if they’re in your friend group and you share a local, this doesn’t count.
“ I think that’s why lockdownduringsoPeopleNormalwassuccessful— a perfectly timed insight intowhat it’s like to connect deepsomeonewithonalevel
Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS14
The ups and
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Dating in Dublin: Bye For Now
A Trinity student explores the reality of dating in the small city Igrew up in London, where Tinder was deemed to be a quick way to die or a trek out to a suburb you’d never normally go to. I would never previously have dreamed of signing up to a dating app, but when I moved to Dublin I was desperate to meet new people and the pandemic was getting in the way of me finding my Connell Waldron. So I decided to make Tinder my bitch: push notifications on. Things to avoid: tight jeans, GAA sweaters (in the first pic), Coors Light, holding their aunt’s baby, an action sport shot (hurlers’ delight), Trinity College Dublin (don’t shit where youTheeat).tip is to move off the app as quickly as possible. Now I was going on dates at least five nights a week. That’s including all the time spent on serial ghosters and pen pals. We all remember how desperate for human interaction we became during the pandemic. I think that’s why Normal People was so successful during lockdown — a perfectly timed insight into what it’s like to connect with someone on a deep level. Dating during the pandemic differed depending on personal levels of comfort, but I personally found myself busy on the app. Submit an essay to Turnitin, straight on to the swiping saga. I wanted to find a really cool, edgy, Prazsky-drinking artsy dude. Turns out those types don’t hang out on Tinder much, even during a pandemic.Sometimes we would even get to the date in the diary stage.
A phrase I’ve adopted for dating in Dublin is “Bye for Now’’: there are endless possibilities of you meeting again. It’s quite difficult to hide in plain sight in Dubs. You see the ghosts of your past on the steps at Pav Friday, or strolling down South William Street. Also, once you’ve found out any information about them, you learn what kind of events they’d be likely to attend. And, hopefully, if you went beyond the initial texting phase, you may have a thing or two in common. There are certain variables that need to be kept in mind; sudden death and moving to Australia may disprove my hypothesis. But for the most part I think I’m right: dating in Dublin is a “Bye for Now,” to be almost inevitably followed up with “Hello Again.”
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Julie Frisch speaks to Cat Grogan and Ella-Bleu Kiely about their insights to the popular work and AprogrammetravelJ1:anopportunitythatmayjustchangeyourlifeifyouletit.Adegreeofbraveryandpatiencearetwoprerequisitesneededtosucceedinbreakinggroundbecausetheapplicationprocessisnobiscuit,andneitherisfindingyourfeetacrossthepond.TheJ1studentprogrammeallowsyoutoexperienceAmericanculturethroughasummerworkplacement.YouareeligibletoapplyfortheJ1visaifyouareofanynationalitystudyinginIreland,anIrishorNorthernIrishnationalorresidentstudyingintheUnitedKingdom,oranIrishorNorthernIrishnationalonErasmusabroad.Youmustbeatleast18andatthemost30bythetimeyouaretravellingtotheStates.TheprogrammeaimsatgivingyouthinIrelandtheopportunity
There is a very
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Kiely confirmed that research and organisation are crucial in making sure you have fewer problems once you arrive in the city of your choice. Make a list of all the tasks you need to take care of and don’t be shy to reach out to people. Your travel agency doesn’t always facilitate the process. Both Kiely and Grogan organised their trip through USIT and neither of them felt supported in times of stress. A serious lack of communication and delay in responses caused a lot of worries for many students this year. Hence, it is important to choose your agency well by looking through the reviews and getting in touch with them beforehand to settle any uncertainties. When asked about how much time the whole application process took her, Grogan replied: “I started thinking about doing a J1 during the Christmas holidays and I was definitely applying for my job in early February. I then started my visa application late February. I’d say definitely start as soon as you can!” Knowing what you do not want to work as and what your salary requirements are as well as preferred working hours can help you make your decisions. In addition, Kiely highlights that it is important to know where you want to live. A safe neighbourhood not far from work isn’t always simple due to how difficult it is to secure your accommodation from abroad, but you should do your best to fulfil these conditions because it makes your life so much easier when you arrive.Other matters that require you to be proactive and patient are your finances and your phone. You will need to dedicate time to setting up a bank account once you are in the United States .“It’s hence very important to have a float”, highlights Grogan, “because if you can’t access your Irish account for some reason, you have to make sure you’re not stranded with no money.” Kiely dwelled on the importance of getting your SIM card unlocked before you leave Ireland because you have to get an American one once you arrive. She mentions that she was without service and 3G her first week in San Diego, and that this could have been prevented if someone had told her to settle things with her phone company in advance. To round up our list of admin tasks, getting a Social Security number when you are in America is something that you need to prepare for too. “Adapting where you have to adapt, getting up to speed with the American way of life” are things that Kiely saw as incredibly exciting and challenging at the same time. The two College students agreed that there are tangible cultural differences between Ireland and America. To make things less uncomfortable at the start, Grogan recommends doing J1 with a friend. “There are enough challenges like that, I don’t think you need any additional ones by doing it all on your own with no one to confide in the first few days. It’s different from travelling through Europe on your own because working and taking care of admin makes you burn out faster. Having someone to talk to and rely on is more important than I would have realised.”Themost important thing is to be convinced of your decision because, after all, you are going to live on another continent for a few months. You need to be comfortable going into the experience because challenges and surprises are inevitable, so you need to feel ready to dedicate the money and the time to the experience. For all it’s worth, Kiely and Grogan could not recommend doing a J1 more. The fun, growth and independence guaranteed will make your trip worth it, however difficult the process seems at the start.
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TRINITY NEWS | Tuesday 6 September 15
to develop their characters by working full-time in America, and two things you need to get there are a strong will and the ability to manage difficulties on your own. Although coping with indispensable admin responsibilities and establishing a new life in the United States is tough, the experience is incredibly rewarding. Speaking of her time with friends in the States, College student Cat Grogan revealed: “There are many moments that I catch myself thinking, I really like what we’ve become, I really like what we are doing here and what I am doing here. If you are going on a J1, you are going to have a lot of those moments.” Grogan worked as a sailing instructor in New York during the summer and is convinced that the fun she had while doing so was worth all the stress.“The utter independence that you have navigating situations and relationships while finding yourself in a working environment is incredibly freeing,” sheTheadds.application process, however, should not be underestimated. Finding a job, reaching your agency when there’s a problem, getting your visa in time and taking care of administrative tasks are issues that put an enormous pressure on J1 students in the time leading up to theirElla-Bleudeparture.Kiely, who worked as a waitress in San Diego this summer, found that getting a job was the most time-consuming part of the application process. She described securing work through USIT, an Irish travel agency for students who want to work and travel abroad, as extremely stressful and chaotic.
“They release the jobs on the portal 5-6 times over the course of six months and people need to try and secure an interview with their preferred employer on a first-come-first-serve basis.” If you choose to go through USIT, you need to pay a little more for them to set you up at work, otherwise you can find and secure a job on your own. Kiely highlighted that: “a lot of the places open to students only start hiring closer to summer because they have staff during the year. It’s important not to get too disheartened when you get rejected.” Planning in advance can be difficult, but it simply reinforces the importance of being on top of your deadlines.
and downs of J1
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Tuesday 6 September | TRINITY NEWS16 Sudoku SUDOKU BY EHHBOOKS.COM
