University Express - Vol. 23 Issue 11

University Volume 24 | Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020

Express UCCExpress.ie

Elections 2020: Crowley Campaign Celebrate Conquest

Photo Credit: Rebecca Dineen

Writes Samantha Calthrop, News Editor Next year’s UCCSU have been formally elected, and are due to take their positions next summer. Here’s the Express’ election roundup of numbers, manifestos, and the results to come.

The elections for the 2020/2021 Students’ Union took place on the week of March 8, concluding on Thursday 12 with the following elected candidates: President: Naoise Crowley Communications and Engagement Officer:

Covid-19: The UCC Outlook

Page 4 News

Ross Brennan Education Officer: Eimear Curtin Entertainments Officer: Tara Coughlan Welfare Officer: Jamie Fraser Commercial & Fundraising Officer: Beth O’Reilly Equality & Diversity Rep: Daniel Kelleher Irish Language & Culture Rep: Nada Ní Chuirrín Environment and Sustainability Officer: Orlaith Geaney Business & Law Rep: David Giles SEFS rep: Aidan Sheehan

Erasmus and the European Identity

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CACCSS rep: Sinéad Roche Medicine & Health rep: Joel Rajesh The new UCCSU constitution has also been overwhelmingly voted in by the student body, solidifying the new roles of Communications and Engagement Officer, Commercial and Fundraising Officer, and Environmental and Sustainability Officer.

The incoming president Naoise Crowley is the current Welfare Officer, and ran on a strong mentalhealth-first platform; he promised a reduction of counselling waiting times to one week, two automatic deadline extensions per year, and a handful of workshop and support-related items. He’s also

Saving the Planet One Tote Bag at a Time

Page 32 Byline

pledged a library common room, a “UCC library of things”, and to expand upon the UCCSU’s establishment of a foodbank, amongst others. Naoise Crowley came in with a large first-preference vote of 40%, a result reflected in the Express straw poll published shortly before voting. Incoming Education Officer Eimear Curtin is also a familiar face, being the current Irish Officer; promises of longer Brookfield opening hours and better placement conditions for Pharmacy students are two ‘old reliables’ on manifestos, but in addition, she’s also talked about worker’s rights for PhD students and continuing the digital learning programme in UCC. Story Continued on Page 3..

UCC vs Cobh Ramblers

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Editorial

2 Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief – Ciaran Dineen (Editor@UCCExpress.ie) News Editor – Samantha Calthrop (News@UCCExpress.ie) Designer – Fiona Cremins (Design@UCCExpress.ie) Features Editor – Róisin O’Donnell (Features@UCCExpress.ie) Sports Editor – Jack Maguire (Sport@UCCExpress.ie) Opinion Editor – Elisha Carey (Opinion@UCCExpress.ie) Online Editor – Edel Lonergan (Online@UCCExpress.ie) Proof Editor - Chloe Jesse (Proofing@uccexpress.ie) Marketing Executive – Ciaran Dineen (Marketing@UCCExpress.ie) Webmaster – Jonathan Hanley (Webmaster@UCCExpress.ie) Photographers – Caoimhe Leahy (Photographers@uccexpress.ie) Byline Editor – Cian McGrath (Byline@UCCExpress.ie) (Deputy Editor) Eagarthóir Gaeilge – Hugh Ó Raghallaigh Mac Gearailt (Gaeilge@UCCExpress.ie) Food & Health - Katie Kelly (Food@UCCExpress.ie) Arts & Literature Editor – Fiona Keely (Arts@UCCExpress.ie) Gaming Editor – Jack Coleman (Gaming @UCCExpress.ie) Music Editor – Fiona O’Connell (Music@UCCExpress.ie) Film & Television Editor – Eoghan Creedon (Screen@UCCExpress.ie) Sexpress Editor – Caoimhe Battault (Sexpress@uccexpress.ie) Fashion Editor - Katie Burke (Fashion@UCCExpress.ie) Deputy Sports - Sam Curtin (Deputysports@uccexpress.ie) Deputy News Maeve O’Sullivan (Deputynews@uccexpress.ie) Deputy Features - Molly O’Rourke (Deputyfeatures@uccexpress.ie)

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

The Fight For Resilience

Writes Ciaran Dineen, Editor-in-Chief I couldn’t help but be struck by the dulcet tones of French President, Emmanuel Macron earlier this week, but the message he had for France and for the world was far from sweet. “We are at war” claimed Macron, who has imposed similar lockdown practices in his country as seen in Italy and Spain. For once it seems that the world isn’t actually split apart in the face of such uncertainty, in fact it would appear that while the enemy is currently winning, it stands alone on the battlefield.

A few weeks ago I’m sure pretty much everyone in UCC was taking COVID-19 with a pinch of salt, but it has gone on to disrupt all of our lives, some of which will never be the same ever again. I’ve spoken with quite a few people in the last week who aren’t Irish but live here and I’ve asked all of them how they would best describe us and our history as a nation. The common adjective that rolled from their tongues? Resilience.

Resilience, I think is perhaps one of our greatest strengths and over the coming weeks, months and even years, we are going to need a great deal of it. While many of us have grown up in the eye of the recession, this I feel could be our biggest test, because now more than ever, we are out of our comfort zones. In tough times we have rebounded, dusted ourselves down and made the best of terrible situations, an admirable characteristic. However, our strength comes with numbers, and we are a nation that is obsessed with coming together to face adversity, this time we can’t rely on that if we want to come out of this on the right side. Social distancing and isolation is not our forté and on this occasion, a rousing rendition of The Fields of Athenry (see Euros 2012) isn’t going to cut it. This time around, our resilience needs to be matched with our patience and while many of us won’t see some family, friends and colleagues for this time, we must remain strong and remember that our love for them is what drives us to remain resilient.

Firstly I want to thank every member of the Express family for their contributions in this Edition, which is potentially our last (but I remain hopeful). They have given a hell of a lot to put this paper together, in particular Byline Editor, Cian, and Designer, Fiona. Congratulations to all of those who were elected last week to the 2020/21 UCCSU. I wish you all the very best.

As always happy reading.

Take care, Ciaran.

editor@uccexpress.ie

Don’t Panic

Writes Samantha Calthrop, News Editor How’s everyone’s isolation going? I myself am out of college and work alike, and with rumours of layoffs, I’m not the only one. I’ve already had one friend bail out of social media for anxiety, and others cautiously asking whether or not they’re supposed to be leaving the house. Leo Varadkar himself is not 100% sure, although in his speech he mentions avoiding social gatherings. Parents have been advised not to have playdates of more than three people together, and personally? I think college students are a lot like small children, so I suppose sticking to small groups and playing indoor football is probably a safe suggestion.

In all seriousness, I know I’ve written a small roundup of current action being taken in UCC and across the country, and while that’s important work to be done, I know that this kind of thing inspires more anxiety than calm in some people. So I’d like to take a moment to tell you that everything will be alright, in case you need to hear it.

Here’s the thing about flattening curves; if all goes well with the coronavirus containment measures, everything is going to look like a huge overreaction. The goals of the current measures are not to stop a huge plague of mass deaths and suchlike, but to slow down the spread of the virus to reduce the burden on healthcare systems. We aren’t working to desparently save ourselves from oblivion, but to keep resources clear for the needy and the ill, ensuring the safest passage of the pandemic through the country as we can. With all going well, there will be a slow, seemingly undramatic spread that will follow a similar pattern as we are seeing now; there will be spates of panic-buying and worrying stories of self-isolation. And then it will pass; the number of cases will reduce, the economy will come back around.

If you need to stop seeing stories about how someone on WhatsApp heard that the government are hiding cases or Trump is suppressing testing, you should take the healthy option and do that. Staying healthy in these times isn’t just about washing your hands and keeping safe distances (although please do that); it’s also about protecting yourself from panic, misinformation, and blows to your mental health.

Stay safe out there.

Samantha

news@uccexpress.ie #uccexpress

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express Cover

story

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As for the two new positions of Communications & Engagement Officer and Commercial & Fundraising Officer, Ross Brennan and Beth O’Reilly respectively are serving as the first-ever elects. Ross Brennan came out with a strong emphasis on improving UCC’s reputation in media and with the general public, as well as general promises of regular updates and good advertisement of events. Beth O’Reilly is a familiar figure in student council and socs, and in her new role as Commercial & Fundraising Officer has promised more non-RAG charity fundraising, electable RAG charities, and notably an end to sponsorship from non-ethical companies; at the hustings she openly stated her disapproval of Deliveroo’s labour practices and her wish to replace that sponsorship with smaller, local businesses.

New Ents Officer Tara Coughlan is a veteran with the Ents Crew, and as well as a strong focus on student safety, has plans of a big open-air event, a jazz week celebration, and more on-campus, student-hub, and non-alcoholic events. Welfare Officer Elect Jamie Fraser has also promised a reduction in waiting times, with the goal of linking with external counsellors, and a strong focus on destigmatising mental health issues; UCC’s lack of a sexual misconduct policy and monthly rent payments are also problems he’s promised to tackle.

As for the new Environment and Sustainability Officer, a position previously sitting on the Equality Working Group, Orlaith Geaney has promised waste-specific bins, less litter in the forms of pamphlets and fliers, and engagement with environmental campaigns via facilitating travel; there are also plans of litter-picking and food-waste-reduction in the works. Irish Officer Nada Ní Chuirrín promised to take Irish “out of the ORB” and into the student sphere with more cultural, music and mixed-ability events as gaeilge.

Medicine & Health rep Joel

Rajesh promised better feedback on assignments and proof that student feedback on modules would be properly assessed and followed through with, as well as improving the CUH student space. New SEFS rep Aiden Sheehan has promised better communications with class reps, while CACCSS rep Sinéad Roche wants to see more training and involvement for ents reps as well as class reps. Business & Law Rep David Giles promises a review of skill-based modules to be more practical and employable. Finally, Elected Equality & Diversity Rep Daniel Kelleher is currently the LGBTQ Rights Officer in the Equality Working Group, and describes their main goal as increasing the visibility of the EWG; they want to see the position of Racial & Ethnic Minority Rights Rep filled for the first time in two years.

As for the current SU, they’ve seen their current activities interrupted by the Covid-19 action, but will sit until the end of the current academic year; the crossover period begins over the summer.

Contact details and manifestoes for all elected candidates can be found via the “SU Election Manifestos, Straw Poll and Online Voting” email from Ben Dunlea.

News

#OccupyTheQuad Suspended As SU Enter Mediation Writes Luke Watson

After 17 days of protest on UCC’s quad, the #OccupyTheQuad movement elected to take down their tents this week following the growing spread of Covid-19 throughout the country. The move came following the classification of the virus as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, and the Taoiseach’s announcement that all universities, schools and cultural institutions were to close for two weeks effective the 13th of March. The students occupying the Quad cited health and safety concerns, with UCCSU President Ben Dunlea saying, ‘It is with heavy hearts we must take down our tents and fail in our promise to the student body to remain in place until the increase was reversed and a rent freeze implemented.

We are entering a period of uncertainty and we must prioritise the health and safety of our fellow students and the community.’

The protests began following a proposed rent increase of 3% for student accommodation in the next academic year, amounting to a total increase of 19% in the previous three years. Over the course of the protests, the movement gathered the support of 7,800 students and 700 staff,

In This Issue....

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Features RSA Crashed Lives Campaign An Unethical Approach to Raising Awareness?

Page 12 Food & Health A Helping Hand for Immune Function Page 21 Music An Insight into the life of the Independent Artist in the 21st Century Page 24 Gaming How Video Games Think the World Will End Page 30

in addition to TDs, local business and the Cork City Council. Over the past two and a half weeks, the protests have seen 200 students camping on the quad on a rotational basis through severe weather conditions. UCC’s movement was joined by other movements across in the country, with students in NUIG, UCD and Maynooth all pitching tents in their respective institutions.

Progress was made by the protestors a week ago when UCC confirmed that the Students’ Union had agreed to enter into independently-mediated talks with management of Campus Accommodation UCC — the UCC-owned company responsible for campus accommodation. The talks aimed to establish “mutually agreeable proposals” to present to the board of Campus Accommodation UCC “for consideration”. The intention was for the protestors to remain in place during the talks, following their slogan of ‘We’ll freeze until you freeze’.

These talks are continuing despite the suspension of the occupation, with Ben Dunlea saying, ‘While there may no longer be visible opposition to this increase on the Quad, know that the Students’ Union’s opposition to this decision remains unwavering and we shall continue to fight against this increase in the mediation process’. The Students’ Union hopes to institute a three-year rent freeze on all UCC-owned accommodation and bring an end to the proposed 3% rent hike.

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Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

Covid-19: The UCC Outlook Writes Samantha Calthrop, News Editor

LGBTQ Society Launches Intersex Awareness Week Writes Samantha Calthrop, News Editor

UCC’s LGBTQ Society are launching an Intersex Awareness Campaign this week, kicking off with a social media poster campaign and releasing a podcast in collaboration with UCC Journalism Society.

‘Intersex’ describes people with natural biological characteristics that do not fit the traditional model of binary sex, including unexpected differences in hormones, chromosomes, gonads and genitalia. Intersex people may appear externally female but undergo a testosterone-based puberty, have external female biology but internal male biology, or people with abnormal chromosome configurations such as XXY or XYY. Covid-19 was officially declared a pandemic by the WHO on March 11, prompting a wave of emergency planning across Europe, which has been described as the epicentre of the outbreak.

Leo Varadkar announced, on the morning of Thursday March 12, that all education and childcare facilities would close until March 29 (as you probably know). He described the country as entering a stage of slowing down the virus, in accordance with advice from experts.

“The virus is all over the world.

It will continue to spread but it can be slowed. Its impact can be reduced, making it easier for our health service to cope and giving our scientists more time to develop better testing, treatments and a vaccine,” he said, formally announcing the suspension of state education and childcare.

“It is important to remember that the disease effects will be mild for the majority of people especially the young and healthy. We know that older people and those with chronic diseases are at real risk. We

have a duty as a society to protect ourselves and above all to protect others - our parents and grandparents, our family and friends, co-workers and neighbours.”

Pop-up Covid-19 testing facilities are being established across the country, currently planned to be made available for GP-referred patients. While there are concerns that this will put communities at risk, the HSE have assured the public that communities should be unaffected by the presence of testing facilities.

“There is a very understandable level of concern, however, we would like to reassure the public that all National Guidance and Standard Precautions for Infection Prevention and Control in relation to Covid- 19 are being stringently adhered to.

In addition, there is no increased level of risk of exposure to the community that are in the vicinity of any such testing facility.”

As well as lectures being moved online, UCC has suffered several blows as consequence of the pandemic announcement. The #OccupytheQuad protest has concluded, while rumours of lay-

offs in UCC’s shops as restaurants have been circulating. Several employers have also been laying off staff for the two weeks and encouraging them to sign on to Jobseeker’s Benefit for the period.

Italy continues to be the worst-affected European country, with over 17,000 cases and over 1200 related deaths at the time of writing. Covid-19 is now present in every EU country, with over 22,000 confirmed cases in the continent. Several European countries have declared states of emergency and suspended schools and education along with Ireland.

The HSE and WHO continue their call for avoiding non-essential travel, with many jobs in the travel industry at a consequent risk.

On March 13, Ireland had 90 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Anyone with symptoms has been advised to self-isolate and contact their GP. Guidelines by the HSE can be found here: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/ coronavirus/coronavirus.html

Babies born with noticeable intersex characteristics are often altered surgically to appear more male or female, which has been condemned as medically harmful and unnecessary. The Declaration of Malta is a human rights declaration protecting the rights of intersex people and their natural bodies.

“Doing a campaign for Intersex awareness is very important to UCC LGBTQ society as Ireland currently does not protect intersex people from discrimination or unnecessary surgeries,” LGBTQsoc’s Political Events Officer Saoirse Ferris told the Express. “These issues are difficult to resolve when many people are not even aware of what Intersex means. We also recognise the massive overlap in issues that face the LGBTQ community and the Intersex community.”

More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ucclgbtq, or using the social media #IntersexAwareness. There is currently no support group available exclusively for Intersex people in Ireland.

News

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Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

INTERVIEW WITH NUI 2020 SEANAD CANDITATE MICHELLE HEALY Writes Maeve O’Sullivan, Deputy News Editor

are putting on their parents is crippling them, and is making them to consider dropping out of UCC; I am doing this for the health care staff who try every day to deliver quality of care to patients sitting on trolleys; I am doing this for the people who have to change their loved ones of the floors of dirty bathrooms because there are no appropriate changing facilities; I am doing this for the asylum seekers who came from countries that I myself know and have lived in, who came to Ireland wanting a better life and who are living in fear of deportation in unacceptable direct provision centres; I am doing this for people who would love to cycle to school and work, but are terrified to do so; I am doing this for your children and for your grandchildren, because I want us to pass on a sustainable Ireland.

These are some of the people that I will represent if I am elected to the Seanad.

Deputy News Editor Maeve O’Sullivan recently spoke to Michelle Healy, an independent candidate in the upcoming NUI 2020 Seanad elections.

Ms Healy comes from Bishopstown, Cork and is a graduate of UCC. Firstly, why is it you are running for this position?

I am a humanitarian, through and through.

Some people might associate humanitarianism with my former professional life, working with the United Nations across conflict affected areas of Africa and the Middle East. But I was a humanitarian long before I ever got off the plane at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi in 2007 to start my job with UNICEF. My absolute passion and mission in life is to make the world a fairer, better, safer, kinder, more equitable place for others. This started in my teenage years, when my first real job was being a lifeguard and when I spent my spare time volunteering with charities. I left Ireland to work overseas as

a professional humanitarian, and I eventually realised that my skills and experience could be put to use, at home, in my own country.

I returned in 2017 to take up a role delivering the new €17 million student services building, the Hub, in UCC. Hired as a project manager for change, I used my position in UCC to advocate for accessibility, inclusion and sustainability.

care system? Why can’t people earning decent salaries get mortgages? Why are students struggling to pay for university? Why are people still being treated differently in our country because of their gender, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic status? Why are women still unable to access abortion services in parts of Ireland? Why are people terrified to cycle in our towns and cities?

Coming home has not been without difficulty, as many returned Irish emigrants will understand.

I saw Ireland in a different way.

I saw an Ireland that was speeding ahead after the recession, and simultaneously an Ireland that was leaving many people behind.

We need people fighting for action, people who will stand up for the public good, people who will equality proof legislation, people who are looking out for marginalised groups, people who want an Ireland that cares for us all. This is why I am running.

In a country of such wealth and prosperity I ask myself questions like: Why are there more than 10,000 people without a home tonight? Why are people being treated on trollies in our health-

Who do you believe you are representing in the Seanad?

Representing the needs of the education sector are core to the role of an Senator elected via the NUI

panel, in my opinion. However just because my constituency are graduates of certain universities, I believe I have the responsibility to represent many more than that. I am representing a new modern Ireland, an Ireland that cares for us all, an Ireland with compassionate representatives at the helm.

I am doing this for the seven year old girl I met recently, who goes to the same primary school that I went to, and who was so excited to meet a women from her school who was running for election; I am doing this for the woman who looked about my age and was standing in Paul Street in town two weeks ago in tears because she would be homeless that night; I am doing this for the student who confided to the UCC Confessions twitter account that they can’t afford housing and that financial burden they

News

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

Are there any experiences that have prepared you for this role?

My life has encompassed two key elements, enacting real positive social change and giving a voice to those without one. As a teenager, following the Omagh bombing in 1998, I organised for girls from Catholic and Protestant secondary schools in Omagh to come stay with us in Cork, to join our school for a week, and tell us about life in Northern Ireland.

That was my first real exposure to a realisation that I have carried with me since - how lucky you can be by virtue of where and when you are born. Without realising it at the time, I was already a humanitarian.

I went on to study a degree in Government in University College Cork (UCC) where my drive for social activism was truly ignited by my involvement on the UCC Students Union as Projects and Campaigns Officer. After UCC I went on to study for a masters from Queens University Belfast in Human Rights Law, before launching into my in-

life.

marily Irish immigrants to the US.

With 15 years professional experience working with United Nations agencies, international NGOs across Africa and the Middle East, and experience in the higher education system in Ireland, I can bring a unique different perspective to our Oireachtas.

The right to vote for the Seanad is for NUI graduates only, what is your stance on this?

Should this rule be revised?

ternational

humanitarian

I would probably be one of the few members of the Oireachtas with substantial experience in international cooperation and emergency management, something I believe Ireland will need in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

I have outlined some of my key previous experiences below that show how my proven experience

The Seanad narrowly escaped abolition in the 2013 referendum, however the Upper House is renowned as being ‘elitist’ and ‘undemocratic’. There are sixty seats in the Seanad. Three seats are elected by the graduates of the NUI, and another three seats elected by the graduates of Trinity College Dublin. Eleven seats are filled by the Taoiseach’s nominations, and the remaining 43 seats are filled from panels and are elected by Councillors, TDs, and Senators. Therefore, six seats

“My absolute passion and mission in life is to make the world a fairer, better, safer, kinder, more equitable place for others” in delivering change; Led on the development and opening of the new multi-million Euro sustainable and inclusive Hub building in UCC. Secured and rolled-out 100 million Euros worth of funding for large complex humanitarian aid and development programmes with the UN and International NGOs across Africa and the Middle East. Rolled-out civil society engagement, health, and protection programmes in partnership with the new Government of South Sudan. Set up a relocation project in partnership with UNHCR in Lebanon, ensuring that Syrian refugees were safely relocated to Canada. Drafted successful legislation in the New York State Assembly supporting rights for undocumented workers, pri-

are elected by an electorate of 160,000 people, while the other 54 seats are elected by an electorate of around 1,000 people.

In 2015 the Working Group on Seanad Reform published a report to revitalise the Seanad, making it more democratic by extending franchise to all citizens. The recommendations from this report are still to be implemented.

It is paramount that one of the first items on the agenda of the 26th Seanad is its own reform.

It must be transformed into a democratic and representative institution, one that holds the trust and respect of our public.

Housing for students in UCC,

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and many students across the country is going through turbulent times. UCC have recently announced a 3% increase on accommodation, to which we have responded with #OccupytheQuad movement. Is such increase on students justifiable?

The pressures across Irish society currently are impacting students and their families across the board. Rents are increasing across Cork, both in the private rental market, and in UCC Campus Accommodation. Students and their families are already impacted by rising capitation fees and student charges, along with rising rental costs.

These financial pressures not only are mentally distressing for students, they could contribute to current and potential students reassessing the affordability of university. I believe we need to open up access to third level education for all, particularly for students who require financial support.

The #OccupytheQuad movement has been an incredible response by the students of UCC. They are highlighting the issue in a respectful way and I have spent a few evenings on the Quad sitting by the campfire discussing these issues with the students there, including the SU. The university sector is now receiving 40% less direct government funding in 2020 compared to ten years ago. This compounds the situation, when universities may have to prioritise different student supports and services.

Having a strong voice for education and housing in the Seanad is of vital importance, and as a member of our Governing Body, I am in a unique position to bring the voices and experiences of UCC, and other third level institutions, to the Seanad. I will be advocating for a rent freeze for residential rents, and this will include rents for students.

The UCC Express team would like to wish Michelle the best of luck with her campaign and the upcoming election.

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Features

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

INTERVIEW WITH NUI 2020 SEANAD CANDITATE LAURA HARMON Writes John Cian McGrath, Byline Editor

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express paying rent and coping with the cost of college on top of that.

I think that NUI senators need to be strong voices for students. They are representing that panel and investment in education Student support is something I will be putting on the table if I am elected.

You’ve worked extensively on fantastic campaigns, such as the Marriage Equality and 8th Amendment Referendum. Is this something that you hope to bring to the Seanad?

When I was president of the USI, the marriage referendum was happening, and I had been building towards that as Equality Officer for the previous 2 years.

My brief involved working with LGBTQ students and campaigning for marriage equality. We made a submission to the Constitutional Convention in 2012.

We held referendums in colleges across the country where they voted to support the campaign so there was a lot of build-up. I suppose I began campaigning for marriage equality during my UCC days with the LGBT society.

Laura Harmon is an independent candidate for the 2020 Seanad Election.

Born in 1986, she is a graduate of UCC. As President of the USI, Laura led the student campaign in the marriage equality referendum in 2015. Her work as an activist did not end there as she was also Head of Mobilisation for Together for Yes in 2018.

Currently she is Leadership Co-ordinator with the National Women’s Council.

Her campaign addresses a number of issues which are particularly relevant to UCC Students.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Laura this week about her, her policies and much more!

How much did your time in terested in women’s rights as well.

UCC shape the person that you have become today? As a result of my time in UCC, I ran for USI. I was of course Equality For me, I got politicised when I Officer there from 2012-14, before was in UCC. I came out as gay becoming the first female presiin college and that really politi- dent in over 20 years. From there cised me. I joined the LGBT on, I got really involved in politics, society, then began to get more leading the student campaign for involved in societies and the marriage equality, where we regStudents Union as well. I be- istered 30,000 students to vote came very interested in educa- from working closely with Stution equality and campaigning dent Unions across the country. against increases in student fees and grant cuts. I got hugely in- Aside from that, I also have a

lot to thank UCC in terms of the friends that I’ve made and the support I got when coming out and the amount of opportunities with societies and the like.

modation prices, as you can see with the rent hikes that students are facing at the moment.

I called down to the Occupy The Quad protest last week and Do you feel your time in stu- spoke with Ben Dunlea, the dent politics has shaped your UCCSU President. I completely policies today? support the actions of these students and the Students Unions Education is a big part of my policy across the country. The student platform. We have the highest stu- maintenance grant currentdent fees in Europe at the moment, ly works out at around €84 a which is scandalous. We have re- week, certainly not enough for ally extortionate student accom- students to live on when they’re

I’m currently working for the National Women’s Council and it was from there that I got involved in the referendum on the 8th amendment. I was responsible for voter registration, national tour and the get out the vote stage of the campaigns as well as working with a lot of local groups around the country.

I feel that I have high levels of campaigning experience. I was centrally involved in both of the last big

referendums and I want to bring that experience to the Seanad. I think that we need Senators that are able to mobilise people on the key issues like climate action, like housing and Seanad Reform.

Features ship of individuals born on the island of Ireland to the children of Irish citizens.

I believe that that amendment was wrong and that we need to repeal it because I believe that every I don’t think it’s enough to just say person who is born should be an that the last government refused Irish citizen. I think we need to act on Seanad reform, I think we call for a referendum on this issue should be putting more pressure to ensure that we can overturn on, even if that involves having that. At the moment, there are protests or public meetings across people in Ireland who could be the country. I would see that as facing deportation and they were one of my key strengths. I come born and raised in this country. from a campaigning and community organising background I’ve received a bit of backlash for and there’s plenty of scope for this stance, I’ve been getting quite meetings across the country. a few emails from people holding different views. Some of these Laura explained the im- have had quite racist sentiment portance she felt her back- as well, which is quite worrying. ground had in shaping I am very proud to stand over my her as a strong candidate. position in wanting to repeal that.

I think a lot of people are getting There hasn’t been a senator from behind this and I think it is a huge Cork on the NUI panel in over issue for young people as well.

20 years and I really want to represent people in Munster and Do you think the fact that people in Cork. I’m from rural student politics is so ofIreland originally, Ballyvourney ten protest focused, has which is a Gaeltacht area, so for lent to your own activism? me protection of the Irish language is something that I feel When I was involved in Student strongly about, and I don’t think politics, there was a lot of proit gets enough attention or sup- tests but also a lot high-level port. I think that there needs lobbying. We were meeting Govto be more investment across ernment Ministers frequently the board in Arts and Culture. and I am well used to political briefings and the like. I do that One of Laura’s other strong in my current role. I would cerpolicies centres around a tainly be making representations call for a repeal of the 27th to Ministers and looking to enAmendment to the Consti- sure that the right people are listution. This amendment tening to what needs to be done. limits the constitutional right to Irish citizen-

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Get To Know The Candidate!

How do you wind-down?

Going for walks and meeting up with friends, the usual.

Nothing too interesting!

Tea or Coffee?

Tea What would you recommend from Netflix?

I watched the stranger recently, and I thought that was really good!

Cinema or Movie Night at home?

Cinema Favourite Book?

Wuthering Heights Favourite Album?

Fleetwood Mack, Rumours Dogs or Cats?

Dogs

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Features

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

Features

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5 Must-Sees For International Students

The Coronavirus, The Truth

Writes Chloe Jesse, Staff Writer

Writes Róisin O’Donnell, Features Editor ‘Covid-19’, the ‘coronavirus 2019’ or simply ‘the coronavirus’ is the newest illness to worry UCC students. Are we ready for it? Probably not if the recent Mumps outbreak is anything to go by. The virus has officially entered Cork and as of the 8th of March is lurking in the Bons Hospital (sitting between main campus and the technology and medical buildings). As of the 9th of March, UCC has been quiet on the issue. The flood of weekly update emails changed to the same response the University officials have on the ongoing protest on the quad: this is dangerous. Although it has been said by many medical professionals that we should not jeopardise our mental health by allowing the anxiety about the virus to overwhelm our daily lives, it is important to be alert and be safe. Not just for ourselves but for others as well.

thing that should not even exist.

The coronavirus was created in a wet market in Wuhan, China. Wet markets have more in common with the meat and fish markets of the middle ages. The markets harbour animals stacked on top of each other in cages and living in each other’s waste. When it is time for them to be bought, usually by upper-class Chinese people to eat, the animals are slaughtered in their living spaces. These animals can include illegal animals and other animals such as dogs, bears and even peacocks. This is where the SARS virus originated, from the bats of the market.

And low and behold, the bats of Wuhan’s wet market are the beginning of the creation of the coronavirus. Reportedly, waste, blood or fluid along with virus DNA trickled down from the bats onto pangolins. Never heard of that animal or even seen it at the zoo? You’re not alone. It looks like the product of an armadillo and an anteater. It Attitude is the first step in this. is not even legal to ‘harvest’ and The coronavirus is not just eat. This animal was then eaten by the colds or flus that we have a person, creating a toxic cocktail. seen before. The attitudes are usually caused by the spread According to the Wildlife Conserof misinformation by the me- vation Society, “poorly regulated, dia wanting a catchy, clickable live-animal markets mixed with headline and social media post- illegal wildlife trade offer a unique ed opinions by ordinary peo- opportunity for viruses to spillple and even the government. over from wildlife hosts into the human population.” It is shocking This can include gems like these: to think that a person deciding to “The only reason the corona- eat something can send a ripple of virus sounds so lethal is be- death and disease across the world. cause of the media, they never mention the people who But who’s to blame? have recovered from it which is over 60 thousand people.” The wet markets are not an acciAnd like this: dent or an underground practice.

“Reminder that out of these Their invention and practice were 120,000 coronavirus cases, encouraged by the Chinese govonly 48,000 are active, mean- ernment and written into their ing that the majority of cases are wildlife laws. The laws call wildeither recovered or dead. Scare- life a “resource owned by China” mongering of the highest level.” and allows it to be exploited for profit. This facilitates a way of living and upper-class eating habits.

We cannot devalue the lives of the sick and elderly, it does When the virus erupted in China, not matter how low the per- China was slow to take action. The centage is. People’s lives are first 20 victims of the virus could being cut short from some- be linked to the Huanan Sea-

food Wholesale Market. Medical professionals were silenced. The power of social media showed the outside world how bad the coronavirus actually was, and that China could not contain it or properly care for its infected population. It is important not to blame the Chinese as a whole. So far, the Chinese population has suffered the most in fatality rates. Over night, it looked like the ordinary lives of Chinese citizens resembled something closer to apocalypse fiction.

For now, Italy dominates the headlines along with the latest infected numbers. This and the controlled flood of information has helped China slip away from total blame. So far, China has not offered compensation or even an apology for the lives its careless actions have taken. It is a virus that shouldn’t even exist.

As I write this article in a computer lab, I overhear a student saying they ‘would not mind getting it’ [coronavirus]. While another reads out the symptoms wondering if he has a cold or the virus.

something that is out of your hands. We can’t just think of ourselves, especially when the people we love the most can be at risk. For me, it’s my terminally ill mum and my granny who reads every issue of the Express. We need to protect ourselves to protect others.

Death and sickness, especially in this form, are not pretty.

No one deserves an end that is preventable by washing your hands and self-isolation.

So please, for the sake of those on campus that are in danger or have loved ones in danger and even yourself:

Wash your hands.

Change your clothes before you sit down at home.

Avoid touching your face with your hands. If you must itch do it with a sleeve or tissue.

Forget hand sanitizer and masks (masks are not effective against the virus), nothing is better than soap and water.

Avoid close contact with those that are showing signs of sickness.

So, what can we do to protect our- DO NOT come to the universiselves and, more importantly, the ty or use public transport if you vulnerable? Don’t be these peoare not well. ple, the virus is no joke. No cure And ring your GP or student exists, a vaccine will take around health if you are showing sympa year to create and your immune toms. system is your only friend in this; Don’t wait.

As an international student at UCC I find the environment is generally very welcoming of both visiting and erasmus students. Other than the occasional, “did you vote for Trump?”, (I did not, just so we’re clear), I haven’t gotten much flack for being a foreign student from the States. In terms of support for international students, and things to do and see around Cork City, there are many opportunities available.

Whether or not you are just starting to relax yourself into the Irish scene or want to begin making more friends on campus, here are 5 things to know which may help you do just that.

some solace in knowing you are not alone in your homesickness!)

Rearden’s Bar. Live bands play every night, and not just jazz! Live DJs, swing bands, rock and roll and blues bands are also popular.

immensely popular during the Saint Paddy’s Day celebration in March and people from all over the world attend. Last year 2. Coffee Shops I met several people from New Perhaps a bit of a cliche for the York, Boston and the midwest studious pupil, but the amount 4. The English Market of the United States who had of coffee shops around Cork is In the States, not many landmarks traveled to Ireland just for incredibly convenient. I often like the English Market exist. It Paddy’s Day to visit Cork. joke and say that each building is the most popular covered food in Ireland is either a pub or a market in Ireland, and it has been The task of adjusting to life in coffee shop. Cafes give you a nice serving fresh and local food since a different country can be a environment to do homework 1788. The ground floor features daunting one. Anywhere you and go for chats with new friends. resident vendors selling fresh and go things are done differently, One of the nicest coffee shops organic foods, including meats, and having to adapt to new in Cork is located in Fitzgerald breads, fruits and vegetables, and ways that every day tasks are Park called “The Natural Foods all sorts of handcrafted sweets. One performed can be stressful, Bakery” and they boast quite a of my favorite places to get coffee, especially when simultaneously delicious chai latte, as well as Coffee Central, is in the English faced with homesickness. The sandwiches. If you are feeling a market as well. On the second same can be said for adjusting bit overwhelmed in your new life floor is the renowned Farmgate to college life in a different in Cork, it is sometimes good to Cafe, where you can enjoy coffee country. Coming to Ireland 1. UCC International get out of the house and distract and lunch, or grab-and-go snacks from the United States I was Students’ Society yourself in these environments. from the Sandwich Stall or Maki lucky enough to be moving to a This is a great space for Sushi Rolls. Definitely a must-see place where the main language incoming foreign students to if you are from out of town and spoken is still English, but the 3. Cork Jazz Festival meet each other, both from looking for some Irish culture.

Irish way of life still differs within and without Europe. The If you love music and dancing, greatly from my Oregon one society hosts social nights, pub then this third one is for you! at home. That being said, 5.

An Bróg crawls, and quiz nights, as well The Cork Jazz Festival, which Irish for “the boot”, the Bróg is the Irish are known for their as national trips throughout originally started in 1978, is an quite easily one of the most, if not kindness and are always up Ireland. My first year in UCC annual music festival held in Cork the most, popular pub to go to for for a good bit of craic. Getting I attended a movie screening in late October. Almost every pub early twenties and college students. out and socializing after with the society and there was a in town has some sort of a musical It is known for hosting different your initial move, although social night planned in Galway event on for each of the four nights events each night, including beer difficult at first, is key to that same year. It is a great space of the festival; all day long. The homesickness pong Wednesdays, Monday quiz overcoming for like-minded people who most popular venues include such nights and the occasional live during your first year. I hope love traveling to get together places as Crane Lane Theater, The band playing music that ranges these five suggestions for and socialize (and you may take Oliver Plunkett, Deep South and from jazz, ska and punk. It is also getting out can help you!

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Features

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

RSA Crashed Lives Campaign An Unethical Approach to Raising Awareness?

Writes Molly O’Rourke, Deputy Features Editor

The Road Safety Authority invests significant funding into running television and radio campaigns every year. One such campaign is ‘Crashed Lives’, a road safety campaign featuring true life case studies in which people speak about the consequences of a crash or about the loss of loved ones in road collisions and how it has changed their lives forever. These advertisements feature a number of different road safety issues, including drunk driving, speeding and more recently, unaccompanied learner drivers.

by unaccompanied learners face a fine and penalty points. According to the RSA website, in 2017 there were a total of 3,951 penalty point notices given to unaccompanied learner drivers. The RSA is working alongside An Garda Síochana to reduce the number of accompanied learners on our roads; and to make sure that no unaccompanied learner can create an unaccompanied hole in someone else’s life. Three months after the amendment passed (on December 22nd 2018), the Department of Justice claimed over 700 cars had been seized from learner drivers. The new laws In 2018, the laws surrounding were put into place to combat the unaccompanied learner drivers widespread disregard for rules changed. The ‘Clancy Amend- around learner drivers. At the ment’ states that unaccompa- time, the Irish Times published a nied learners who are caught report that estimated more than by the Gardai will have their ve- 125,000 learner drivers, who obhicle seized. If they do not own tained a learner permit between the vehicle, the car is liable to 1984 and 2016, have never taken be seized, and the owner is also a driving test. The RSA have been subject to a fine of up to €1,000. aware of the number of drivers These new laws exist alongside ‘rolling’ their licenses, whereby the previous legislation, where- they renew their permit each year

to avoid passing the driving test.

the pieces of his broken family.

The RSA worked alongside Mr. In the current Road Safety Strat- Clancy to produce a new televiegy 2013-2020 there is an action sion and radio campaign highstating the need to “reduce long- lighting the dangers of learners term reliance on multiple learner driving unaccompanied. The permits by introducing measures advert first aired in December to ensure that learners sit a driv- 2018 and continued into 2019, ing test before they can obtain a however the RSA received nusubsequent permit”. According to merous complaints about the statistics, 35 of the 47 fatal crashes campaign from members of involving learner drivers between the general public. The ad2014 and 2017 involved unaccom- vert features Noel Clancy repanied drivers. That is a shocking- membering the aftermath of ly high statistic. These laws will the collision, against the backact as a strong deterrent and force drop of his home in Kilworth, those who might consider lending Co. Cork. His poignant words their car irresponsibly to an unac- spoken over the image of the companied learner to think more L-plated car speeding towards seriously about the consequences. the camera, are a hard-hitting combination. The ad certainly The amendment to the legislation doesn’t underplay the devastatis named after Geraldine and Lou- ing loss endured by Mr. Clanise Clancy, a mother and daugh- cy; shots of the river the car ter who were tragically killed in fell into are shown as Noel deDecember 2015 when their car scribes his wife and daughter’s was struck by an unaccompanied bodies being ‘blue and purple’. driver in County Cork. Noel Clancy, husband and father to the vic- Airing numerous times over tims, was left behind to pick up the Christmas period, the ad

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express prompted debate from Kilworth locals and others, who felt it was too harsh on the driver, a Ms. Gleeson who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Some people took to social media to describe the ad as being ‘in extremely bad taste’, while the RSA confirmed that they received 10 emails complaining about the advertisement. The main cause for complaint was that the ad was ‘inappropriate and unfair on the other driver’.

The ad became a topical issue at the time and was debated on RTE’s Liveline Programme for several days. Responding to the criticisms, the RSA stated that they were “very conscious of the need to be aware of the impact of the tragic incident on the immediate families, the community and all whose lives are touched by incidents on our roads. Therefore, in developing the campaign, the RSA consulted with all parties concerned.”

Despite pleas from the Gleeson family to stop airing the ad, the RSA told the Irish Examiner that it would be failing in its public service remit to now pull back from plans to run the campaign again. Prior to running the advert, the RSA had consulted with Ms Gleeson and her family, along with their solicitor.

I personally remember seeing the ad on television at the time,

thinking how awful the situation was and I felt overwhelmingly sorry for Noel Clancy. It hit home that this father had lost his child and his wife at the same time. The image of him sitting alone at the kitchen table was heart-breaking: this once noisy, bustling family home now empty of laughter.

Watching the advertisement, not once did I think of Ms Gleeson and her involvement in the incident. The scenes of the car speeding towards the camera show only the L-plate on the windscreen, an ominous warning that it could be anyone behind the wheel of the car. Most of us would have driven unaccompanied on our learner permits, whether you were popping to the shop for a loaf of bread or collecting your parents from a night out; we all did it once. We were just the lucky ones who got away with it. I never considered the weight of my actions as I drove unaccompanied, not once did I think about the risks involved. After seeing the Crashed Lives campaign however, I can safely say that if I were to learn to drive again, I would not get behind the wheel unaccompanied.

Features

support for the new campaign. I personally think that real-life examples are extremely effective.

We were all warned about the penalty points and the potential fines, yet we still broke the rules.

The consequences seemed so foreign, so distant, so insignificant, that we decided they didn’t really matter. Statistics and reports do little to quell our determination to drive. Yet now, with this new wave of campaigns from the RSA, we see the real, human consequences of our actions. Previous campaigns show the death of 4-year old Ciarán Treacy, who was killed in a collision with a drunk driver. These poignant advertisements serve as important reminders of the power we have over other people’s lives when we get behind the wheel. Surely reminding people of these risks is more important, more productive, then giving simple warnings of the legal consequences. The ‘Crashed Lives’ campaigns do not highlight the aftermath of the accident for the driver; we do not see Ms. Gleeson appearing in court, nor do we hear about her sentence.

No, instead we see the devastating effect of the accident on those This campaign has raised a lot of who are left behind, those whose questions about the ethics of us- loved ones were taken from them. ing real-life case studies for mar- As Noel Clancy said in his victim keting purposes. Despite the neg- statement, “Whatever sentence ative commentary and criticisms, the defendant is given ... will pale the RSA stated that there has been into insignificance compared to a significant amount of positive the life sentence we are living”.

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These campaigns are not issued to target the driver, as some people argue. They are not intended to cause further stress and damage to the life of the person behind the wheel. They are used to prevent another driver from getting into a similar situation, to prevent another family from being torn apart by loss. The personification of tragedy serves to provoke an emotional response in viewers, to remind learner drivers and their parents of the consequences; that they are still only learners, that anything could happen. Noel Clancy was willing to work alongside the RSA to highlight the damage caused to his family, to showcase how his life and the lives of his other children have changed forever. I doubt that the ad will still be seen ‘in bad taste’ if it has the intended result; saving lives and minimising the number of unaccompanied learner drivers on our roads, drivers who pose a risk to other road users. So, while some may have been offended by the latest RSA campaign, the authority had good intentions and were serving a greater good; thus, we must endeavor to support them in their mission to save lives on Irish roads.

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Opinion

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

Erasmus and the European Identity Writes Elisha Carey, Opinions Editor

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than in miles”Tim Cahill

Before leaving for Erasmus I had this crazy irrational fear that I would make no friends.

Zero. Absolutely nada. I had it all planned out in my head as well. I’d arrive and politely converse with people during forced socialising at orientation and then I would spend the rest of the four months under the covers in my bed facetiming my boyfriend and wishing I was at home. I was so convinced that I wasn’t going to make any friends that along with packing an ungodly amount of books, I also packed little presents for myself to open so I could cheer myself up when the lack of friends got just a bit too much. I had thought this out.

I partly justified the conclusion of making no friends with this idea that I couldn’t possibly get on with “Europeans.”

“The culture on the continent is just too different” I whined to just about anyone who would listen to my mad theory, “they’re not going to like me.” “We’re just too different.”

I couldn’t have been more wrong…

I’ve had just over a month now to marinate in my thoughts about living in the Netherlands and what the Erasmus+ programme has and is yet to offer me. While reflecting, as cliched as it is, I’ve come to conclude that the best thing Erasmus has given me, is my amazing set of new friends.

I’ve made the best friends from all corners of the globe and in the past month, as well as growing remarkably close with each other, we’ve also grown a lot as people. I feel more “adult” than ever. I’ve bought a clothes horse, learned how to cook Greek and French dishes, learned about and tasted countless wines and cheeses and have racked up over 100km cycling around this beautiful Dutch town. I’ve been thinking about what Erasmus is, what it means to me and how best to express these thoughts.

The Erasmus programme is the European Commission’s hugely successful and popular study

abroad scheme. It all started with the simple idea of an Italian professor and politician, Sofia Corradi, who spent over 20 years campaigning for a European-wide university exchange programme.

Corradi herself had been on an exchange to Columbia University in the US, after which the University of Rome refused to recognise her degree. The programme was officially launched in 1987 when it sent 3,224 students abroad, to and from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. Since 1987, the Erasmus initiative has changed the lives of more than 10 million participants. Not only is the programme a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students but it concretely contributes to the recognition of a European identity within each of the participants.

Erasmus has reminded us that not only are we Irish, Greek, Croatian or French but we are also all European and those two identities live in harmony. Before embarking on my Erasmus journey,

I never really gave any substantial thought to my identity, neither as an Irish nor European person. I was just me. Erasmus has given me the space to think not just about what it means to be Irish but what it means to be European too.

We form an identity when we feel a sense of belonging to a certain group or community.

Ireland being an island, I know that at times it feels as though we are somewhat removed from Europe and as a result do not have the same share in a European identity as say someone from France or Luxembourg. Our norms in Ireland are more British than we care to admit. We grew up watching British TV and movies, following British football clubs, reading Tracey Beaker and Harry Potter and idolising British celebs. This has served to dilute our European-ness. Potentially giving us less of an interest in European affairs than our continental counterparts. But

Opinion

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express Erasmus has shown me that we can participate in a European identity in much the same way as those on the continent because we have more in common than first meets the eye.

pluralism and equality between men and women on the forefront of their national agendas. In this way, making friends on Erasmus is easy when the base-values of your countries are all the same.

The importance of non-discrimI appreciate that from an out- ination and equality have been side perspective, it would enshrined in us by our Europeseem as though there are lit- an roots, it makes us accepting of tle to no commonalities be- each other, no matter our differtween Member States. With ences. While the values set out in 512 million people, 24 differ- the treaties are legal and someent languages and a whole what non-human, they form the host of complex histories and basis of the values we share with cultures-it seems impossi- those we are on Erasmus with. ble that we could uncover any But what really connects us as common ground. And is there Europeans extends beyond the even such a thing as a Euro- confines of what’s been set out pean identity? Can we develop for us in the treaties. Our true a sense of belonging towards values transcend law and reason. what critics define merely as They’re human and natural. We an economic free market zone? all want to learn, to love, to build careers, to settle down, to have Such critics seem to for- kids and give them the same opget how the EU came about. portunities that we had as well.

The EEC as it then was, was birthed from a need to peacefully negotiate our differences out of solidarity and mutual respect. Such a venture seems, to me at least, to imply a sense of belonging. A common identity is rooted in shared values, shared experiences and shared objectives. The Union is founded on a joint set of values as set down within the treaties. All Member States are expected to put freedom, tolerance, non-discrimination,

In my group, we share anecdotes of our upbringings over salads and sandwiches in the canteen every day. Some things seem almost universal: grandmothers will try to fatten you up every chance they get, your parents may not like your significant other (and may inadvertently try to poison them!), everyone’s worked for minimum wage in a job they don’t even like, stayed up all night to finish an assignment, had their first kiss and first heartbreak. These are the things we bond over. They’ve

brought

us

closer

together.

I mean, of course we have our differences too. It’s what keeps things interesting. Night-time brings sangria-driven arguments over whose country has the best food or health care system. My friends won’t stop calling me a leprechaun although I’ve told them countless times that leprechauns are more of an American myth than an Irish one. I deeply distress them when I announce my height in feet and inches rather than centimetres (they can have that one though, I don’t even know why we do that.)

Erasmus has also reminded me of the countless perks of being a European and an EU citizen. The right to live, travel and work anywhere in the EU means there are endless possibilities for me once I graduate with my law degree.

Erasmus is a place where this absence of limits is so clearly felt.

We feel as though we can do anything we set our minds to. Travelling to Berlin one weekend and Prague the next. Europe is ours to explore, it’s just for us to decide what we’re going to wear when we snap those all-important Instagram pictures. I never thought the freedoms Europe offered even really applied to me. But they can be seen in action in even the most mundane of places. You go to any supermarket and there will be Spanish ham alongside Irish

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milk and butter and authentic Italian pasta. At home I never fully understood the significance of this: how the founding fathers of the EU fought hard for our right to eat French cheese with Bulgarian wine by the canals of Amsterdam , to live and work in Germany if our heart desires only to one day change our mind and up sticks to Greece instead. Europe is a gateway to endless opportunities and Erasmus is the ultimate taster of this.

We live in very uncertain times.

I myself am unsure of what is going to happen day to day, for the moment I’m returning home to Ireland. But as we navigate these unchartered waters I rest-assured in the knowledge I have made 7 amazing friends for life and uncovered a newfound appreciation for my European heritage, that just wasn’t there before. I love Europe and I love Leiden. These cobble streets and pretty canals have quickly become home and in as much as they’ll stay with me, I leave a part of me with them as well. I think on Erasmus, we don’t just cross physical borders but mental ones too and I am beyond grateful for my attitude overhaul and my new little European family.

BYLINE Gougane Barra

by Fiona Cremins, Designer

Editorial

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Kind of surprised that I am still writing this given the extenuating circumstances this week, but here we are. Another issue of the Express and another Byline! First and foremost, I hope you all are keeping yourselves safe and well in the midst of all that is going on. I spent a chunk of last week campaigning in the Students Union elections in that Pikachu costume, pictured, and despite the fact my campaign didn’t get the result that we wanted, I’m happy to say that it was a great experience with some great people.

Gaeilge

Hugh Ó Raghallaigh Mac Gearailt

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Calraí agus Biachlár Scríobhann Hugh Ó Raghallaigh Mac Gearailt, Eagarthóir Gaeilge

Aside from that, this has been quite the odd week. Without speculating on our current, there’s a chance that I may have actually attended my final lecture. For my time in UCC to end with an email saying that the college would be closing at 6pm that night was a strange and rather anti-climactic. Its been a hell of a time and I’ve been reflecting on my time here. It’s been a really amazing time for me, and I think the biggest thing that hit me was that I’d also possibly hosted my last event as Netsoc Chairperson. Netsoc and The Express have been really fantastic for me, both becoming a huge part of my life and I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do without them next year, wherever I may be.

This week’s Byline is as excellent as usual! While it is slightly shorter due to our Seanad coverage on two excellent candidates, we still have an amazing round up for you. Fiona Keeley’s Arts & Lit sections is as insightful as always, while I always love any article to do with Video Games in other media, so Eoghan Creedon’s article really piqued my interest. I also think that Fiona O’Connell’s music section is really important given the events that have come in the past week and the importance of supporting Ireland’s independent artists. This is a pressing issue so please do check it out to learn more!

I am absolutely sickened at the lack of sport entertainment on at the moment. I had really gotten into the groove of following MLS (US Soccer League) online over the past few weeks so struggling to fill the gap that its left. Along with that, I am of course absolutely gutted that Cork City FC have also had to call out their matches meaning I’ll be absent from Irish Football Fan TV for at least a few weeks. Its no secret that City are in a bit of trouble at the moment and the fact that the turnstiles are shit will only hurt the club even more. If you’ve ever seen anyone walking around in a bit of Cork City gear and liked the look of it, go support the club and purchase some for yourself!

Another edition down and another spiel of my inane ramblings. Cheers again for checking us out!

Contributions and complaints can make their way to John Cian McGrath byline@uccexpress.ie

Tá an Aire Sláinte, Simon Harris, tar éis conspóid mhór a chur chun tosaigh le déanaí. Le fada an lá, cheistigh muintir na tíre seo na buntáistí agus na míbhuntáistí a bhaineadh leis an méad calraí atá i mbéile a thaispeáint ar na biachláir sna bialanna ar fud na hÉireann. Díospóireacht oscailte a bhíodh i gceist, ach níor chreid éinne go dtiocfaidh aon rud as i ndáiríre. Mar sin féin, ní haon ionadh é gur d’ardaigh tairiscint an tAire seo, chun an smaointe seo a chur ar bhonn reachtúil, aird an phobail. Leis seo, bheadh ar úinéirí na bialanna líon na calraí atá i ngach aon béile a thaispeáint dosna custaiméirí ar an mbiachlár. Is é mo thuairim phearsanta féin gur smaoineamh seafóideach atá i gceist. San alt seo, leagfainn amach na cúiseanna ina choinne.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, cuireann an rialtas agus an údarás sláinte phoiblí an iomarca béim ar an mbia agus an tábhacht a bhaineann le dul ar aiste bia dhocht.

Tuigim go maith go bhfuil fadhb ann i láthair na huaire leis an

sláinte agus an murtall agus go bhfuil gá ann daoine a mhúineadh faoin tábhacht seo. É sin ráite, ní dóigh liom gur ascnamh sláintiúil é chun an míthuiscint seo, go bhfuil calraí go dona agus go bhfuil orainn go léir srian dícheallach a choimeád ar ár n-aistí bia, a chur ina luí ar dhaoine. Ní spreagtar saol sláintiúil, ach in a ionad bíonn greim mífholláin ag an mbia ar an phobail. Is rud simplí é an bia agus chaithfeadh deireadh a chur leis an seafóid seo go léir faoi bhia shláintiúil.

De thoradh an gcultúr nua seo, tá neamhord itheanta á fhulaingt ag an-chuid daoine inniu. Cuireann an rírá seo faoin sláinte agus na calraí go mór le tinneas tromchúiseacha ar nós anoireicse, búilime agus a leithéid. Tá freagracht orainn go léir, an rialtas agus an údarás sláinte san áireamh, smaoineamh ar na daoine atá ag fulaingt de bharr an oibseisiún seo leis an mbia. Cad mar gheall ar an buachaill óg atá díreach tar éis teacht amach ar an taobh eile den tinneas, nach bhfuil ceart aige

dul chuig an mbialann agus béile deas a fháil dó féin, gan an eolas seo go léir faoin mhéid calraí atá ina bhéile a phláigh air? Ní hamháin go bhfuil an reachtaíocht seo thar a bheith neamhthuisceanach, ach braithim go bhfuil sé beagáinín maíomh chomh maith.

Téann an tairiscint seo díreach in aghaidh an chócaireacht. Bíonn ar na chefanna an bia a bhlasadh agus é a athrú fad is atá an béile a cócaire acu. Ciallaíonn sé seo go mbíonn orthu braon is breise den ola a chur isteach uair amháin nó níos mó siúcra uair eile.

Nach mbeadh sé an-dheacair an bia a ullmhu chun stádas ard más rud é nach mbeadh siad in ann é seo a dhéanamh a thuilleadh toisc go mbeadh orthu an méad calraí atá ráite acu a úsáid gach uair, gan aon calraí breise. Tuigim an fearg atá ar chefanna ar fud na tíre dá bharr. Roghnaigh siad an gníomhréim seo chun bia deas a ullmhú, níor chaith siad na blianta ag scoileanna cócaireachta chun sláinte an phobail a chinntiú, is é sin freagracht n t-aire sláinte.

Leis an gcultúr chúiteamh faoi lán seoil in Éirinn inniu, ní gá a rá ach go mbeadh na cúirteanna báite i gcásanna. Is iomaí cás a bheadh faoin gcúirt nuair a thiochfadh chun solas nach raibh na huimhreacha cruinn mar gheall ar líon na calraí ar na mbiachlár.

Seans ann go gcuirfidh daoine an milleán ar na bialanna agus iad tar éis titim chun meáchain agus go mbeadh cúiteamh a lorg acu dá bharr. Cinnte is cosúil gur ráiteas áibhéalta é seo ach, is oth liom a rá gur fíricí na beatha atá i gceist.

Mar fhocail scór, tá súil agam go raibh an cheart againn le blianta anuas nuair a cheapas nach dtiocfadh aon rud as an gcomhrá faoi na calraí ar na mbiachlár.

Cinnte tá gá ann daoine a chosaint ón otracht, ach ní freagracht na bialanna atá ann. Tá sé díreach chomh tábhachtach daoine a chosaint ó chaidreamh neamhshláintiúil le aistí bia agus calraí, chefanna a chosaint ón éagóir agus na cúirteanna a chosaint ó éilimh áibhéalacha.

Food and Health

Editor: Katie Kelly

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Party Food

A Helping Hand for Immune Function

Writes John Barker, Head Chef

Writes Katie Kelly, Food and Health Editor

21 Alternate Greens Writes John Barker, Head Chef What did we ever do before LA glamorised the avocado, which is now a source of great misery for the humble small avocado farmers of Mexico?

I’ll remind you what we did: we overcooked cabbage, boiled the life out of kale and smothered our peas with ketchup, and I can imagine nothing worse right now. So, in the effort of reclaiming our native greens and in the spirit of St. Patricks season, here are a few simple recipe for the perfect green side dishes.

Sautéed Spinach -Take 3 cloves of garlic and blitz with 100ml of olive oil.

-Wash spinach and shake dry.

-Heat a pan, and add 2 tbsp of the garlic oil that you just made.

-As the flecks of garlic begin to brown, add the spinach and toss quickly for a minute or two until the spinach is cooking.

-Plate up and sprinkle with sea salt. Yummo!

Perhaps second to my love of food is my love for a good party, particularly if I’m hosting. From the quippy poetic invitation message, to the decorating of the house and right down to the deep clean in the days after (usually unable to face it the following morning): I love every single part of throwing a bit of a soirée for my wonderful pals.

It’s an intentional gathering with the purpose of making memories, forming new bonds and bringing the ‘friends of a friend’ closer into the circle; in other words, ‘glorified pre-drinks’. Honestly though, when you realise your true friends and value every opportunity to just hang out, it becomes so much more than just a night of drinks that you can hardly even recall the following morning.

With this realisation, comes effort. Considerations of space, a theme, a time and date and of course food all pop into your mind in the week beforehand, and all adding up collectively to the perfect recipe for stress. So, there is always added benefit

from planning ahead, and this is easily done in the case of the food.

Have a few recipes or go to snacks that you can prepare in advance and fall back on in a hurry. Things that can adorn circulating trays at a party, or that you can equally bring as your contribution to a dinner party are exactly the kind of recipes to keep in your back pocket; the ultimate snacks.

Sweet or savoury, any small bites will elevate your gathering and hopefully having compliments hurtling your way for the evening.

Biscuits: Having a biscuit that you can churn out in a flash is the lifesaver of the situation, because once you have a biscuit, you have 100 different options. Pop your savoury ones alongside a selection of meats, dips and cheeses, or top your sweet one with a small blob of whipped cream and a berry. Very simple but so impressive.

Savory: 100g cold butter (cubed) + 100g plain flour + 100g parmesan. If you have a mixer just put them in and whizz to a dough. If

you don’t, then rub the three ingredients together until crumbly and then knead them into a dough. Roll your dough into a log, wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Take out the dough and slice the log into discs of about 1cm thickness. Lay on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes at 180 degrees.

Allow to cool and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Sweet: 170g plain flour + 60g sugar + 100g soft butter. Once again, with a mixer whizz everything together until a dough is formed, if you don’t have one then your hands are just as effective. Rub the ingredients together until crumbly and then knead into a dough. It will seem like they will never come together but persist: they will. With your ball of dough, roll it onto a floured surface to 3mm thickness and then cut your desired shapes: small rounds for canapés, or maybe you want a substantial biscuit.

Whatever you choose, once again

on they go to a parchment lined baking tray to bake at 180 for 12 minutes until golden brown.

Shot Pots: Shot glasses are the perfect vessel for a delicate little canapé. I keep these sweet: who wants a shot of soup at a party? But anything that you can pour or pipe, will sit beautifully in these and reusable plastic spoons can be picked up in most discount stores for convenience. Layer some banana, toffee sauce and cream and you have an instant banoffee pot. Or my personal fave: the lemon posset.

500ml cream + 160g sugar + juice of two lemons. Bring the cream and sugar slowly to the boil, remove from the heat and add the juice of two lemons, mixing well.

Then simply fill the glasses ¾ of the way up before putting them into the fridge to set for 30 minutes. You can fill bigger glasses for a dessert situation, just allow a longer setting time, and if you do, serve them with a few of the above biscuits and fresh fruit: yum.

From the Christmas Cold and Fresher’s Flu to the mumps outbreak and the fear of Covid-19, the past few months have highlighted how vulnerable our health can be and how important our immune systems are. Nutrition has a key role to play in the functioning of a healthy immune system and certain nutrients are needed for it to function normally. As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure, so filling your diet with sources of these nutrients now may be beneficial and may stop you from having to reach for the flat 7-up in weeks to come!

Vitamin C Vitamin C is an antioxidant and participates in a number of different chemical reactions in the body, known as redox reactions.

It is involved in regulating different parts of the immune system, such as certain types of white blood cells that are involved in the immune response to infections. Foods that are high in vitamin C include fruit such as kiwis, oranges and blueberries,

along with vegetables such as peppers, cabbage and cauliflower. Some herbs also contain vitamin C, like parsley and chives.

Vitamin A Vitamin A plays a number of different roles in the immune system. It is involved in the regulation of cell cycles and so it plays a role in the maintenance of healthy skin, which is the body’s first line of defence against infection. It also has effects on a number of white blood cells that are involved in immune system’s response to infection. There are two main forms of vitamin A in our diet. Retinol is found in animal sources such as milk, eggs and oily fish such as tuna and herring.

Beef liver is a particularly high source of retinol. Carotenoids such as beta-carotene are found in plant foods and can be converted to vitamin A in the body.

Such foods include spinach, kale, sweet potatoes, peppers, mangoes, melons, carrots and papaya.

Think of brightly coloured fruit and vegetables if you’re searching

for some carotenoids in your diet!

Zinc Zinc is required as a catalyst for approximately 100 different enzymes and is needed for the development of certain white blood cells needed for the functioning of the immune system. Foods that are high in zinc include shellfish and red meat, such as beef and pork. Oysters are a particularly high source of the mineral.

Milk, dairy products, peas and beans also provide some zinc.

Selenium Selenium is involved in the immune system in a number of ways, including regulating the cycle of different cells and reducing inflammation. Foods high in selenium include fish such as tuna and sardines, meat and poultry, nuts, milk and dairy products.

Brazil nuts are particularly high in the mineral, with one Brazil nut providing an adult’s recommended daily amount of selenium!

Pea Smash -Bring a small pot of water to the boil and add 500g of frozen peas for three minutes.

-Strain the peas, add 100ml of olive oil, zest and juice of one lemon and salt and pepper.

-Mash everything together and adjust seasoning to your taste.

(Suggest adding ricotta, feta or some other delicious cheese) Kale Crisps -Preheat the oven to 130.

-Take one bag of kale: wash, dry and pick leaves in bitesized pieces.

-Rub one tbsp olive oil into the leaves until all are glossy and lightly coated.

-Bake on a baking tray for 10 minutes, mix and bake for a further 10.

-Remove from the oven and allow to cool until crisp. Store in an airtight container.

Cabbage -Bring a pot of water to the boil and add 1 tbsp salt.

-Halve the cabbage and remove the outer leaves and core from each half.

-Finely shred each half and add to the boiling water.

-Blanche for five minutes and strain. Add 1 tsp butter, salt and pepper.

-Stir and serve.

Film & T.V.

The ‘Last of Us’ TV series gets the greenlight. Yay? Writes Eoghan Creedon, Film & TV Editor

Its official, The Last of Us is getting its very own TV series. HBO are set to take on the seemingly impossible challenge of adapting a video game to the screen, and their selection of video game is contentious to say the least.

The Last of Us is a video game which was released back in June 2013. From its initial release to present day, The Last of Us is consistently regarded as one of the, if not the greatest video game of all time. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world which has been plagued by an unknown virus that sees the infected morph into fungus infested, brainless, cannibalistic monsters. Just picture zombies with giant mushrooms on their heads, except genuinely frightening. Throughout the game you take control of Joel, a man who has lost all he once had and has to fight tooth and nail just to live to see the next day. He is reluctantly paired up with a teenage girl, Ellie, who has proven to be immune to the virus and is seen as a ‘cure’. The two must fight and scavenge their way across apocalyptic America in order to bring Ellie to a medical research centre in the hopes of producing a cure to save what very

little of the population remains.

Hopefully that little synopsis didn’t spoil the game too much for you. If it did, get over it. You’ve had almost seven years to play the game.

For years there has been talk of a film adaptation, and for quite some time it seemed to be going ahead. Film plans were initially announced in 2014, only a year after the game’s release. However, come 2016 any talk of a film adaptation seemed to have died down.

The announcement of The Last of Us TV series put the final nail in the coffin of fans seeing a The Last of Us film. At least for now that is.

As mentioned up top, HBO will be taking the reins of this project. They will be working closely alongside Neil Druckmann, who is the director of The Last of Us (Yes video games have directors too. At least the good ones do that is). Joining the team as a chief writer will be Craig Mazin, who is the creator of the hugely successful Chernobyl. The series which depicts everyone’s favourite nuclear crises took the world by storm in 2019. Chernobyl originally aired on HBO in the United States. Clearly, Mazin already

Editor: Eoghan Creedon

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has a successful history of working with HBO. A series based on one of the greatest video games of all time, being written by the game’s original director and creator of one of the most successful TV series of all time, created by and aired on one of the most successful and powerful TV networks of all time; it would be safe to assume that The Last of Us TV series is in good hands.

Video game fans will be unfortunately all too aware that video game adaptions to the screen have a dogshit history at best.

Mention the names of any of these video game adaptations to a gaming fan and they just might cry, vomit or partake in a pathetically disgusting combination of both: Assassin’s Creed (2016), Alone in the Dark (2005), Super Mario Bros. (1993) or one of the 89,000 Resident Evil films (2002-the end of humanity as we know it).

For a fan, upon hearing the news that one of their favourite games is getting a screen adaptation they should be overcome with a sense of elation and excitement. However, video game fans have been burned simply too many times in the past, so that now when they

hear that one of their favourite games is receiving a screen adaptation, they question life as they know and curse God for allowing this unforsaken tragedy to occur.

Fans of The Last of Us have the right to be cautious about this news. The Last of Us is considered as the Gospel, the Bible, the Holy Grail of the gaming world.

The last thing fans want to see is some money hungry, Hollywood hacks take a shit all over their beloved possession just to make a quick buck. I’m not particularly religious, but I know taking a shit on the Bible is in poor taste and would be considered sacrilegious by a large population. Gaming fans reserve the right to wary. They deserve the right to be outraged if yet another one of their cherished works of art is demoted to ‘just another failed video game adaptation’.

However, the future does look bright for The Last of Us TV series. Normally the issue with video game adaptations is the fact the script is written by a team of writers who have never played the video game they are supposed to be adapting for the screen. The Last of Us TV series has the benefit of having the game’s director in the

hot seat. If Druckmann doesn’t like something in the script, if he sees something that he feels doesn’t suit the world of The Last of Us, its not going to be taken out. He invented the world of The Last of Us. He knows the characters inside out. We won’t see Joel or Ellie do something in the show that completely contradicts their characters from the game.

Dare I say it, we’re safe in the hands of Druckmann and HBO. Is there a need for a The Last of Us TV series? No, of course not.

But, with the likes of The Walking Dead still on the air and still sucking ass, are people going to tune in to what is on the surface another apocalyptic zombie show?

Fans of the video game will obviously know that The Last of Us is so much more than just a game where you kill zombies. The game pulls on you heart strings with the ever-changing relationship of Joel and Ellie. The game leaves you breathless with some of the greatest graphics and scenery gaming has to offer. The game will make you shit yourself with some of the truly terrifying and gro-

tesque horror sequences. However, general audiences won’t know this. If someone has never played The Last of Us and doesn’t know that the game contains all of these compelling components, why on earth would they tune in? The HBO seal of approval will only draw in so many people. At least with a series like Chernobyl, almost everyone who watched had some degree of prior knowledge of the events the show depicted.

That is most certainly not the case with The Last of Us. General viewers will be wondering why should they tune in for what seems to be a better version of The Walking Dead? There could very well be the situation that the content of the series is truly remarkable, but not enough people will view it.

At the time of writing, the show currently has no actors attached to any roles. Some names have been thrown about for the two leads, but nothing has been confirmed. Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman has been mentioned quite a lot. He would fit the physical profile of Joel, and there is no doubt that he could pull off the

performance of Joel. It is Hugh Jackman after all. Kaitlyn Dever has been tipped for Ellie by several sources. The young actress is best known for her lead performance as Marie Adler in Netflix’s 2019 hit: Unbelievable. Similar to Jackman, Dever has an uncanny resemblance to the character model of Ellie.

It is unfortunate for the original character actors of Joel and Ellie from the video game. Both Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson give sublime, captivating performances over the course of The Last of Us. Both are set to return to the upcoming, long awaited sequel The Last of Us 2, which is set to be released on the 29th of May 2020. I say it is unfortunate for these actors as they will more than likely not reprise their roles for the TV series. This is mainly down to both actors’ ages. Troy Baker is only 43, whereas Joel is a man in his late 50s. Ashley Johnson is 36 years of age, whereas Ellie is in her early to mid-teens. Having the two original actors reprise their roles for the live action adaptation simply wouldn’t make sense. It would be closer to being portrayed as a romantic relationship rather than the father/

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daughter relationship explored in the video game. It truly is a shame as both actors are simply phenomenal in The Last of Us. We still get to see them take up their roles in the upcoming sequel, so things could be worse.

The series has no confirmed release date yet. However, with no confirmed lead roles as of now, it is safe to assume that we won’t be seeing a The Last of Us TV series until around late 2021, or even 2022. At this point, all fans of The Last of Us want is a good representation of the game onto the screen.

Hell, that’s all any video game fan wants. Even for someone who doesn’t like The Last of Us game, they will want this to be a success story, just to put an end to the rotten string of failures video game adaptations have.

Fans of the game will be tuning into HBO in the masses whenever the series does eventually air. I personally will be right there with them. I think I speak for every The Last of Us fans when I say, please for the love of Christ HBO, don’t fuck this up.

Music

Unpaid Gigs, Promotional Hacks, and Spotify An Insight into the life of the Independent Artist in the 21st Century Writes Fiona O’Connell, Music Editor

In past editions over the course of the year I have delved into topical issues in the music industry such as the use of personas, the move to streaming services, and the rising influence of the music collective. I have tried to capture the trends in terms of the way we as a generation consume music as well as how that has shaped the way artists now release music. The likes of streaming services have allowed for independent artists to put their music into the public domain, almost entirely for free without need for a label or any straight, white fully-suited men indoctrinating them with what sells and what doesn’t. As a result, it appears that the life of the independent musician has changed drastically in terms of ease of access and how they choose to promote their music in comparison to the traditional means of posters and radio play. In light of this realization I figured it best to talk to those in the know. I sat down with some of my favourite up-and-coming musicians in Cork city; Laura Duff, Étáin Collins (étáin), Niamh Ní Mheara, and Tom Fraser (public gardens), to pick their brains on their current experience of the

Editor: Fiona O’ Connell

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music industry, the growing concern around the general public’s attitude towards (and lack of regard for) the arts, and whether the good outweighs the bad in terms the new ways in which we discover and consume our music from the artist’s perspective.

Initially I was keen to get to the bottom of the Spotify debacle – for the independent artist at a starting point in their career, is Spotify a good thing? What sort of challenges does the artist face in the uploading of their original music to streaming services like this one?

T: Personally, I feel the platform itself works for my music because I tend to pack a lot of detail musically into a shorter time span than the usual pop song.

It fits the way people consume music through these streaming services - instantaneous gratification. However it is also such a vast sea of content. A multi-pronged approach is definitely needed. If you just put up stuff into the void of these services, it’s hard to be heard. That’s the problem with democratizing it - you’re competing with far more people.

L: Of course Spotify and other online streaming platforms have their downfalls, especially in financial terms, but the promotion that goes hand in hand with features on Spotify playlists can be really effective for independent artists. I do think we, as independent artists, can benefit from both digital and physical though. With radio play, some stations have dedicated programmes for indie music, some of which are directly linked to programming live shows, like the T.I.L.T series by Totally Irish 98fm. I think all platforms are moving along with the times, and it’s up to us to make the most of them all.

The use of Spotify to establish oneself as an artist is certainly a selling point for artist uploading their original music to the streaming platform. But what about the money (or lack thereof) – Is the newfound ease of releasing music to the masses outweighed by the fact that these streaming services offer very meagre financial profits for independent musicians?

N: To make any kind of profit

from your work you first need to develop a following and a listenership, so while yes the lack of financial stability or profit is certainly off-putting, I still think the opportunities that Spotify and other global streaming platforms offer to unsigned independent artists is extensive and certainly something to be grateful for. We need to get our music heard at the end of the day. É: I think if you’re in music you’re not in it for the money! I think having access to streaming services and the ability to release your music so people can hear it is far more important than however many cents you may earn from it (at this stage at least).

With the rise of social media comes an entirely new way of promoting and publicizing oneself and their lifestyle. For musicians I wondered whether the likes of Instagram stories and musician pages on Facebook have taken over as their primary mode of promotion over the likes of flyers and stickers, or radio-play and reviews in print media.

L: For my first release, I got lots of coverage over both digital and physical platforms. In terms of self promotion, Instagram was definitely the biggest one for me.

With online blogs, Nialler9 was hugely helpful, and is really accessible for independent artists. I think it’s all about knowing your audience, and knowing what writers to approach depending on your work.

T: The idea of self-promotion is one that causes me a lot of discomfort. I don’t really do it unless I have anything new or interesting to put up. I find Instagram is the easiest as I can put up new art and visual graphics I’ve created or clips of songs as a form of self-promotion.

N: Staying in tune with the Irish music circle helps considerably.

We are a very small nation and it so happens that the music community is even smaller, if you like what another Irish artist is doing then show your support.

Share their stuff and promote them as much as you can because by helping others get their music out there you’ll find the favour is often returned and new opportunities tend to present themselves. É: I think the best promotional tool you have is the one you’re trying to promote. Getting out and gigging is the best way to be heard and to grow connections.

I was curious to see what these artists’ opinions of artist collectives were. Is it too much of a stretch to say that they are in some cases, replacing the traditional role of the label in their acting as a promotional body and attaching a known name to a group of artists?

T: I don’t know if replacing is the right word. I think it’s certainly a case of strength in numbers.

Given the sea of content that is out there, bracketing oneself under a family name or banner that is easily remembered trusted by a legion of music-lovers is of huge benefit to small artists.

However when there’s that much money involved, it’s not going to be changed by a few boys in their bedroom. É: There is still a huge amount of power and money associated with established record labels, but I think independent music collectives are contributing huge-

ly to the D.I.Y music scene. I think they offer the opportunity of a much more organic creative process to artists without the pressures of the business side of traditional labels taking prominence.

This group of singer-songwriters, instrumental composers, and electronic musicians greatly contribute to the ever-flourishing music scene here in Cork city and so, I felt obliged to ask this lovely bunch what their experience of the Cork music scene to date and whether they have felt the sense of community and collaborative energy that other musicians have cited as central to the draw of Cork City as an artist.

N: As a musician working in such a small city it’s likely you’ll know (at least on a name to name basis) the majority of other musicians and artists working around you and that definitely makes it easy to get involved in events or collaborate with others, that is if you’re willing to put yourself out there and make those kind of connections.

L: Since moving to Cork nearly five years ago, I have immersed myself in the Cork arts scene. I met all of my lovely bandmates in Cork through college, and have played countless shows here since. I have always found it to be such a community oriented scene, whether it’s venues or fellow artists. Folks like The Roundy, Quarter Block Party, Angry Mom Collective, Teletext Records (only to name a few) are so facilitating and supportive of independent artists.

There’s such a huge network of artists in Cork, I feel very lucky to be a part of this community

As a group of up-and-coming artists I wondered what the musicians’ thoughts on unpaid gigs were. Is it a flat out no or consideration in terms of what kind of exposure they could gain from a certain slot?

N: I strongly disagree that a musician should not be paid if they are performing at a profit based event. They are providing a service the same as the catering company or the bar at the venue so why should they not be

paid for their work? I think that expecting a performer to work for free for these kind of events shows both a lack of respect and appreciation for all of the musicians who work extremely hard at their trade and take it very seriously. I this is a very important issue in Ireland as many people disregard the amount of work and preparation that working musicians put into their sets.

Furthering from this point, I wondered what the artists’ thoughts on low attendance figures at gigs were. The notion that a gig of smaller artists is only worth attending if it’s free is absurd and detrimental to the progression of the up-and-coming musician surely?

N: If people are willing to pay a tenner to go to the cinema on a week night then why not pay something towards a gig run locally in their community? Particularly when it is providing live performances from local musicians – surely that’s as good a form of entertainment as any?

T: The meaning of live gig is the experience so if its a small artist, there’s a very small cohort of people who are going to spend money regularly on what effectively is a chance. A slightly larger cohort of people will proactively look for cultural events to attend. It all comes back to the brand idea.

Label nights like Teletext Records or Hausu normally do well in terms of on the door ticket sales. A lot of that is because even if the listener only knows one person on the bill, they trust the banner they are associated with.

It’s all strength in numbers. É: I think the value that music has can often be overlooked, but a world without music or any art form would be soulless. I think it should be acknowledged as a necessary occupation. However, I also believe that art should be widely and freely accessible to the public, and not reserved for an economically advantaged hierarchy. With that in mind we return to the never-ending uphill battle - more funding for the arts!

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Photos

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

UCC Students Union Prospectives Campaigning 2020

By Caoimhe Leahy, University Express Photographer

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

Photos

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REVIEW

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UCC Musical Theatre Society presents Legally Blonde Writes John Cian McGrath, Byline Editor

Photo Credits: UCC MTS

This year, UCC Musical Theatre Society hosted a production of the show ‘Legally Blonde’, which follows the girl who appears to have it all. Her world is flipped on its head when her boyfriend dumps her so he can start getting serious about his life and attend Harvard Law. The show took place over the weekend of March 6th – 8th and featured a large cast of UCC students across a variety of courses! The show blew its audience away with the high standard across the board, from the production, choreography and music to the performances on-stage.

Caoileann Nic A Bháird shone as Elle Woods with a truly confident performance. Her experience in leading roles no doubt lending itself to this one as she stood out in each and every scene. Nic A Bháird has previously had leading roles in The Pirate Queen, Bring it On and

Hairspray and it was telling as she gripped the audiences attention throughout the production.

Her supporting cast are deserving of excellent praise too, as each and every one displayed fantastic chemistry with the lead. Particular praise must go to Luke Maziarek (Emmet Forrest) and Omar Sallam (Warren Huntington III), who act as rival love interests for Elle, and Jude Donegan who plays Elle’s confidant and hairdresser Paullette Bonafonté. Donegan’s performance brought a real sense of energy to the stage and, along with Paullette’s love interest Kyle (Dillon English).

A show can only be as good as its antagonist, in this instance a pair of them. Hayley O’Connell Vaughan’s performance as Elle’s rival provided plenty of tension on stage, coupled with the presence of

Patrick Cleary’s Professor Callahan. Both offered a real domineering presence on stage, while also looking like they had a fun time with their role. Across the board, the performances were hugely impressive from all involved.

While of course those performing took centre stage and much of the plaudits, regard must be given to everyone behind the scenes, particularly Director Mary Condon O’Connor. This was her directorial debut, but her hard work and effort ensured a stellar and smooth production.

The intricate costume design was also incredibly impressive, lead

by Express Deputy News Editor and Fashion Society’s Maeve O’Sullivan whose attention to detail did not go unnoticed. The other aspect of production which really stood out was the choreography, organised by Emily Byrne and Kirsty Keating. The

show featured intricate and welltimed dance numbers which all seemed to go off without a hitch!

Overall, the show was wildly entertaining and deserved each of its standing ovations across the three-night run. UCC MTS has continued in its reputation in producing incredibly high-quality productions far above and beyond the budget and means which it is provided. UCC MTS has mastered making the absolute most out of each and every aspect of its production and the college itself, seen for example by the collaboration with Fashion Society for its costume. Overall, the society, it committee and all involved in the production of this show deserve huge praise and support for their hard-work and commitment in providing such an entertaining spectacle for UCC Students and the people of Cork.

Gaming

Editor: Jack coleman

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How Video Games Think the World Will End A Post-Apocalyptic Comparison Writes Jack Coleman, Gaming Editor

still seen as the biggest threat to the United States. Metro 2033 has a similar background, except “World War III” wasn’t started by major superpowers but rather by a nuclear war between Iran and Israel. This obviously dragged other states into the conflict, such as Russia which is where the game takes place. It seems more likely that if there were to be a nuclear war in the modern-day, then it would be instigated by smaller states as in Metro rather than the world’s superpowers.

Naughty Dog’s critically-acclaimed 2010 hit The Last of Us takes a completely different approach to the apocalypse. In late2013 in the game’s world, an infection rapidly began to spread around the United States with devastating results. The Cordyceps Brain Infection comes from a fictionalised version of the real-world fungi genus Cordyceps.

The fungus enters a human host and quickly establishes control over their body, rendering them hyper-aggressive and incapable of rational thought within two days of infection. The events of the game take place twenty years after the outbreak of the infection, and society has all but collapsed. Sur-

The world is in the midst of a very serious pandemic, as the COVID-19 virus is spreading at an unprecedented rate across each corner of the globe. No industry has been spared the fallout of the coronavirus, and gaming is no exception. Large-scale events like the iconic Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) have been cancelled, and weekly esports events such as the League of Legends European Championships (LEC) have been suspended until further notice. There are prudent measures, and though the economic consequences may be severe, the general health of the population rightfully comes first.

Though, far from an “apocalypse”, it does get one thinking about potential doomsday scenarios that could cause society to collapse.

This type of speculation on the part of game writers has led to the creation of some of the most atmospheric worlds out there. But how could we potentially reach an apocalypse scenario? Every game has a different opinion.

When many gamers think of the post-apocalypse, Fallout is often the series that comes to mind.

Created by the now-defunct development studio Black Isle in 1997, the original Fallout takes place in a Southern California devastated by nuclear war. In the mid-21st century, the world was plunged into a global petroleum shortage prompting various resource wars over oil and uranium. In 2066, China invades Alaska, prompting the United States to occupy Canada in order to contest the area.

After a prolonged land war, the United States repels the Chinese and pushes them out of the forty-ninth state. However, this leads to a full-scale nuclear war and after the first warhead is launched, all major cities in both countries are destroyed within two hours.

Each instalment of the series starts similarily, the protagonist enters a world of radiated horror where the majority of life they encounter is savage and hostile. But as always, the true horror is not the swarm of giant scorpions but rather your fellow humans who will attempt to deceive and take advantage of you every step of the way. How likely is Fallout’s prediction of the apocalypse? The United States and Russia were dangerously close to nuclear war during

the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, thankfully cooler heads prevailed and disaster was averted. Black Isle unintentionally correctly predicted the rise of China, with the Chinese becoming a world superpower in the early 21st century.

With volatile states like Iran and North Korea developing nuclear weaponry, a Fallout-like situation isn’t as unlikely as it seems.

An even earlier take on the nuclear holocaust is Interplay’s Wasteland which actually inspired the Fallout series, with the original being released in 1988. In Wasteland, it’s the Soviet Union and the United States which engaged in nuclear war in 2088. This makes sense, as the game was developed during the tail end of the Cold War when the Soviet Union were

vivors either live in policed heavily-quarantined zones or take their chances in the wild as nomads, constantly living in fear of being attacked by infected humans.

Can an infection such Last of Us’ Cordyceps Brain Infection exist in the real world? The closest real-world equivalent is the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis which uses spores to infect carpenter ants.

Once the ants are infected they enter a zombie-like state, leaving their natural habitat and climbing the plant to bite on the underside of its leaves, staying immobilised until their death. No plant-borne infections are known to have this effect on humans, making a Last of Us type doomsday scenario unlikely for now.

Id Software’s Rage offers an alternative scenario for the destruction of society. In the world of Rage, Earth is hit by a giant asteroid, wiping out most of humanity and devastating the landscape. A military force known as The Authority quickly seizes control of Earth’s remains, acting as the series’ main antagonist in the process. The asteroid that strikes the world of Rage is based on the real-world 99942 Apophis,

an asteroid that is set to fly near Earth in 2036. Is there a chance of this asteroid hitting the globe?

Scientists in 2004 believed there was a 2.4% chance of Apophis hitting Earth, giving it the highest-ever rating recorded on the Torino scale (impact hazard scale for near-Earth objects). However, additional research has since emerged that confirms the impossibility of the asteroid striking the planet. As of now, no asteroids have a Torino level greater than zero, making an asteroid-induced apocalypse unlikely for now.

We also have the typical zombie apocalypse angle so common in popular culture. A common trope of these types of settings is that it is often unexplained how the zombie apocalypse began such as in State of Decay or DayZ. Other franchises offer their own explanations on how a zombie apocalypse could occur. In Dead Rising, genetically engineered wasps implant their parasitic larvae into humans, causing them to turn into archetypical zombies whose only purpose is to infect others.

Dead Island features a native neurological disease called ‘Kuru’ which infected the party-goers on the tropical island of Banoi, trans-

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forming them into zombies. The zombie apocalypse in Dying Light is caused by the Harran Virus, a mutation of rabies which transforms the infected into a zombie-like state. Is a zombie apocalypse possible in the real world?

There are currently no known neurological diseases which give humans zombie-like symptoms.

Clearly there are several post-apocalyptic scenarios explored by various video games, stretching from nuclear war to the Earth being struck by an asteroid. No matter the scenario, these games share similar themes, such as those of human selfishness and self-regard. However, these games contain many positive themes. They tell stories of communities coming together in a time of extreme crisis to try and rebuild. They emphasise the importance of relying on your fellow man and building relationships, such as that of Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us. So, amidst the isolation that the coronavirus will induce, why not sit back and try one of these fantastical worlds? And in the process, try to absorb some of the positive messaging. You don’t need all that toilet paper.

Fashion

Editor: Katie Burke

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Saving the Planet One Tote Bag at a Time Writes Katie Burke, Fashion Editor

If you haven’t heard about the damage caused to our earth by global warming, where have you been? Every day we seem to be inundated with new statistics or reports on how our planet is doing and what daily practises we all have are causing the most destruction. The fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, gets a bad name thanks to its constant promotion of excessive consumption. According to an article in The New York Times, more than 60% of fabric fibres are now synthetic which find their way to our water systems and can harm our wildlife, while many barely worn items find their way to landfill thanks to their lack of durability and the reliability for consumers that there will always be something new on fast fashion sites to replace items.

Thankfully, there seem to be an increasing number of small businesses making a name for themselves, with sustainability at the heart of what they do. One such business from our lovely county of Cork is Maisey Bags, which is a sustainable tote bag business, created by Maisey Clark-Mann.

For Maisey, the business came

to life around mid-December out of necessity after plans to travel to America fell through.

Not wanting to stay between the lines, Maisey turned to her creative side when she found herself unemployed and needing something to fund the expensive Christmas period. “Not willing to get a job that left me feeling unfulfilled, I turned to sewing which has always been a huge part of my life - since about 14, when I got my first sewing machine and began figuring out how to sew”.

Sustainability is a huge factor for Maisey when it comes to choosing materials as, like many others, she’s conscious of the negative implications fast fashion can have, so she decided to keep her business in line with my own ethos and use only scrap materials or pre-loved garments with the help of public support. “At the beginning I used old clothes and materials I had collected throughout the years but as time went on and demand grew, I began to find materials in charity shops and have received donations from friends and strangers alike.

I really wouldn’t be in the position I am now without the generosity of the people surrounding me and their willingness to help a sustainable business”.

For Maisey, as far as aesthetic goes, the bags are a reflection of her own sense of style – “every bag I make is a bag I’d wear myself and I try not to stray from this even when doing commission pieces”.

She tries to keep them funky and functional and each bag usually comes with a story, while her favourite tote bags to make are the patchwork ones as, for her, the pattern matching process is always fun and it’s often an organic process of piecing a bag together.

At the moment, Maisey been using the app Depop (@maiseyclarke) as a platform to sell her bags, but she has also branched out and is now stocked in various businesses across Limerick and Cork. With more stockists to be announced soon, you can already find Maisey’s pieces in Spice Vintage Limerick, The Time Travellers bookshop and other craft shops in West Cork. Again, com-

munity spirit has been a huge part of the making of Maisey Bags, with selling at markets being a great success and an amazing place to network with likeminded people who care about our planet. Skibbereen farmers’ market or the monthly “Sustainable Fashion Dublin” market are two such places you can find Maisey selling her bags. Alternatively, you can find Maisey on Instagram @ maiseyclarkmann, and you can purchase through her business Instagram, which is @maiseybags.

Hoping to branch out into hats and other accessories for summer 2020, Maisey Bags is a great initiative by a home-grown talent.

Already receiving commendation for her work, having won Best Designer at the recent fashion show run by UCC’s own fashion Society, it seems this is only the beginning for Maisey and her business. Refusing to alter her ethos for anyone, Maisey is leading the way in terms of proving that small fashion businesses can be successful without causing further stress on our environment and can still be interesting and creative additions to our wardrobes.

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Arts & Literature

Editor: Fiona Keeley

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Characters That Put Cork Literature On The Map Writes Fiona Keeley, Arts & Literature Editor

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The Significance of The Arts Council Writes Fiona Keeley, Arts & Literature Editor ‘This production was supported by the Arts Council’, it is a line that many of us are used to hearing after an arts program or documentary on our television but have any of us stopped to consider the significance of what the Arts Council does for the arts in Ireland. Arts is subject that has a wide range of topics from music to literature and many more in between. On the Arts Council’s website there is a list of the wide range of arts supported by it in the country.

In the winding roads of Cork City there is a place that illuminates local literature contributors that lived during the last few centuries. The Munster Literature Centre is nestled in Douglas Street, in the house that was the birthplace of Frank O’Connor.

Founded in 1993, the Munster Literature Centre collides past with present as you walk through the doors bringing writers from the 17th Century right up until the 20th Century. This curious clash of perspectives creates a well-rounded view of the literature Munster has produced across the centuries. Two famous names in literature in Cork, Munster and Ireland are Séan Ó Faoláin and Frank O’Connor. These famous personalities lived at a time when the social and political life in Ireland was in a state of great change and many would say in tremendous uncertainty. This state of change filtered into their work to give us the poems, novels and translations that they left behind for 21st century readers.

Born on February 22, 1900 in Cork as John Francis Whelan, Seán Ó Faoláin went on have an astounding career in the arts in both Ireland and abroad. Casting your mind back to 1900, the Gaelic literary movement had already begun its journey in Irish society.

There was going to be some tough

years ahead for Irish society, not just those involved in the arts. It was quite apparent by the 1910’s that Ireland had reached a turning point. John Francis Whelan, as he was known then was quite disturbed by the brutality from the opposing side during the events of 1916. He changed his name to Irish and started to become involved with those arranging the Rising. This involved him even more in the Irish socio-political life of that day, allowing him to make his contribution but also inspiring ideas for works that he would produce in later years.

Séan Ó Faoláin is most remembered for the four novels he produced during his career in the arts. His first novel success that allowed him to write full time was Midsummer Night Madness and other stories (1932). A collection of stories that surrounded the events of 1916-1921, an area of life that Séan Ó Faoláin excelled in writing about. It describes life in Ireland amidst the conflict of 1916, civil war and the character searching for their own identity.

The success of Seán Ó Faoláin’s other novels, A Nest of Simple Folk (1933), BirdAlone (1936) and Come Back to Erin (1940) allowed him to keep writing and all drew on his past experiences. Outside of novels, Seán Ó Faoláin also wrote short stories, biographies,

essays, and travel work during his literature career. Besides writing, Seán Ó Faoláin excelled within the arts. He practiced his craft on a public stage by founding the literary periodical The Bell in 1940 and he went on to edit the journal for the next six years. Contributors through the years included Elizabeth Bowen, Flann O’Brien, Patrick Kavanagh, Frank O’Connor and Jack B. Yeats. It was a liberal voice in a censored world.

Which brings us nicely to our next individual. Remembered for his poems, novels, and plays Michael O’Donovan became famous under his pseudonym Frank O’Connor. Born on September 17, 1903 in the very house that the Munster Literature Centre resides in today, he was raised in poverty and enlisted in the Irish Republican Army at age fifteen.

It was here that he met Seán Ó Faoláin for the first time, but it would not be the last time these two characters paths would cross.

Still going by the name Michael O’Donovan, he published his first poems in An Long, a Cork republican newspaper. Cork remembers him fondly as a librarian of the city library but fearing for his safety, he adopted the pseudonym Frank O’Connor to keep his work as a poet separate from his library work. Frank O’Connor, as

he was now known to the literary world enjoyed powerful success with his work Guests of the Nation (1931) which used what seemed like trivial incidents to illuminate life in Ireland. During the 1930’s Frank O’Connor spent time in Dublin and in 1935 he was appointed as the Director of the Abbey Theatre. At that point, the Abbey Theatre had been open for just over thirty years, so still within living memory for many people in Dublin. Here Frank O’Connor wrote several plays, and his biography of Michael Collins called The Big Fellow. Crab Apple Jelly his collection of short stories published in 1944 showed O’Connor in a ‘sweet and tart mixture’ as the name implies leaving the reader in the no man’s land of both laughter and sadness. At this stage O’Connor’s popularity was growing in America and his short stories appeared in New Yorker magazine from 1945-1961.

These two Cork writers were contemporaries of their time and have left us to enjoy their literary work years after their demise. Places like the Munster Literature Centre preserve not only works but the essence of writers, and true testament to the value of celebrating the finest in Munster’s literature writers.

The Arts Council was established in 1951 with a defined vision to encourage public interest in the arts and to provide an agency to fund, develop and promote arts in Ireland. The Arts Act which was published in 2003 outline the functions of the Arts Council as a body that engages in the promotion of arts; assists in improving standards in the arts and works to stimulate the public interest in the arts. This was a huge mandate to deliver on and during the last seventeen years the Arts Council have worked towards each of their goals to the tune of this Act in the backdrop.

Part of the job of the Arts Council is to represent the artist on a public platform. In 2016, the Arts Council published their ‘Paying the Artist’ policy. The vision of ‘Paying the Artist’ centres around artists receiving fair remuneration for their contributions of artwork. As the document online illustrates, remuneration extends beyond a pay rate. It talks about extending fair remuneration under the non-cash incentives and benefits, not simply rate of pay.

Outlining things such as compliance with best practice in the arts industry provides a background of good practice for people who want to employ artists today.

‘Paying the Artist’ is a part of a much wider Arts Council strategy called ‘Making Great Art Work’, a strategy started in 2016 that will extend until 2025. The document iterates the Arts Council’s mission and vision but also their five key areas of engagement that they es-

tablished under this new format of thinking, arranged in a circle. At the centre of this circle is the artist, and public engagement. Then surrounding these two priorities are Investment Strategy, Spatial and Demographics Planning and Developing Capacity. These five priority areas for the Arts Council form the basis of ‘Making Great Art Work’ and as the document proceeds it develops distinct goals based around these five priorities.

Some exciting news that came from the Arts Council last week was the appointment of their new director, Maureen Kennelly.

A former member of UCC’s governing body, she has enjoyed an established career in the arts over the last few decades and has made contributions to the artistic posts she has filled throughout the country. Ms Kennelly

wide experience stems from her complete immersion in the arts where she has curated the Cuirt International Festival of Literature in Galway, Mountains to Sea DLR Book Festival, and the All Ireland Performing Arts Conferences in Belfast and Derry. In 2013, she took up the role as director of Poetry Ireland, an organisation that facilitates the reading and encouragement of poetry throughout the island.

Professor Kevin Rafter, chairman of the Arts Council spoke of the appointment “[Kennelly] brings huge experience to the role of director as well as a passion for the arts and the work of artists. She is an experienced leader in the arts sector.” [Irish Times] Funding the arts in Ireland falls under the remit of the Arts Council and is hugely significant for all

those who organise and choose to take part in these festivals. In Cork this year they will be supporting different festivals that will be happing in our city. Cork World Book Fest which celebrates the written word is one of these festivals. Similar to the ethos of the Arts Council this festival seeks to promote literature, and during the festival there will be scheduled events throughout the city. Cork International Choral Festival which will take place at the end of April, will also receive funding from the Arts Council. Funding events like these are a prime example of the necessity of the Arts Council. As people, we seek to express our own individual character and through events like these we can be empowered to do just that.

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

Sports

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An Interview with Gordon Elliott Writes Jack Maguire, Sports Editor As the final hurdle is jumped of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, it was a successful event for Irish trainers who once again claimed the Prestbury Cup. Gordon Elliott is one of Irelands best known and admired horse trainers. He maintained his great form, finishing the festival as the most successful trainer alongside Willie Mullins. I spoke to Gordon before Cheltenham about his own experiences as a jockey, and his time as a trainer.

The racing life began for Gordon Elliott at a very young age. Having worked with Tony Martin from the age of thirteen, Gordon went on to take out his amateur rider’s licence at the age of sixteen.

“I got into racing from a young age, going point to pointing with my uncles, Martin Pipe was always my inspiration” Being a jockey takes serious commitment and hard work. As well as the hours spent training on the track and over hurdles, a common difficulty for jockeys is maintaining their weight.

The weight limit from jockeys usually ranges from 49-54 kg.

“I really enjoyed being a jockey and winning races, maintaining my weight was the hardest part. I was always interested in the training side so once I gave up riding it was then the next progression” Elliott enjoyed great success as a jockey riding 46 winners, perhaps his biggest win being the Punchestown Champion Bumper on board King’s Road trained by Nigel Twiston-Davis in 1998. His other notable victories as a jockey include two at the Cheltenham festival and five wins in America.

Many jockeys choose to enter the world of training when their racing days are over.

Gordon was always keen to get into training. He has a

passion for winning and he certainly hit the ground running when he began training in 2006.

In 2007, Gordon Elliott became the youngest ever horse trainer to win the Aintree Grand National with Silver Birch. At this stage, Elliott had trained five winners in Britain before he had any winners at home in Ireland.

Unfortunately, Elliott narrowly missed out on the National Hunt trainer’s Championship in the 2016/2017 season. Despite this, Elliott matched the record for the number of winners in a season set

by Willie Mullins in 2012/2013 with 193 winners. When I asked Gordon what he enjoys most about training, he said that “training winners is the best part”. Gordon reached the milestone of 1,000 winners in 2017 when Moonday Run won at Punchestown.

The Cheltenham Racing Festival handed Elliott several big wins in his training career. His first winner there coming in the National Chase Challenge Cup with Chicago Grey in 2011. Don Cossack gave Gordon his first Cheltenham

Gold Cup win in 2016. Elliott won the top trainer award at the festival in 2017 and 2018 with six and eight winners respectively.

In 2018, Elliott broke the record for winners in a season with his 194th winner coming on 25th of March. He went on to become the first trainer to reach 200 winners in a season on 2nd of April 2018 when Portnablagh won the Cork and Waterford Mares pointto-point INH flat race in Cork.

It was not until 2018 when Gordon Elliott achieved his first success in the Irish Grand National with General Principle. The Famed, Tiger Roll raced to success in the 2018 Aintree Grand National earning Elliott his second victory in the worlds most prestigious chase. Davy Russell saddled Tiger Roll in 2018, and Elliott felt he was the best man for the job again in 2019. Elliott and Russell made history in 2019 when Tiger Roll became only the sixth horse in history to win back-to-back titles. “I think Tiger Roll winning his second National was my proudest moment”.

Such is the plethora of world class horses that Elliott has trained, he could not pick the best. “its very hard to pick one, as I have had so many good horses in my care”.

Some of Elliott’s big horses include; Samcro, Mala Beach and Bless The Wings.

Gordon’s personal favourite horse is no surprise given the success he has brought him over the last couple of seasons. “I think Tiger Roll is my favourite”. Elliott favours the big races, his horses perform on the big stage. “I love Aintree and the Grand National, but Cheltenham and the Gold Cup is also a favourite of mine”.

Gordon’s stables have been going from strength to strength over the past few years, and there are no signs of him letting up. With the Aintree Grand National on the horizon, it promises to be an exciting few months for Elliott and his world class horses.

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Sports

Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

Sports

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Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020 | University Express

Five Sports Documentaries To Watch Over The Next Few Weeks

UCC vs Cobh Ramblers Writes Jack Maguire, Sports Editor

Writes Sam Curtin, Deputy Sports Editor With the outbreak of covid-19 leading to schools, childcare centres and colleges closed.

One would hope that this is a perfect time to stay on the couch to watch the sport at the weekend. Unfortunately, this is not to be the case with every major sporting event in Ireland and the UK postponed until at least March 29th.

However, this could be the perfect time to delve into the endless possibilities when it comes to sports documentaries. There has been a real surge in quality in recent years with the rise of Netflix, Amazon and even the RTÉ player which gets plenty of bad press (most of it deserved) but when it comes to sporting documentaries, it holds its own. Here are five to keep you busy over the next few weeks.

Sunderland ‘til I die – Netflix Sunderland ‘til I die is an 8 part fly on the wall documentary which follows the club during the 2017/18 season where they have just been relegated from the premier league. It features interviews from the players, management and supporters throughout the campaign which sees the clubs fall into dire straits in the championship. It is an excellent documentary which perfectly depicts the highs and lows of a club in a city where football is everything.

Season two has also been confirmed to be released on April Fools Day which follows the club during the 2018/19 season.

The Boys In Green RTÉ Player When I get asked what decade would like to have grown up in besides today, I would have to say the 90s and the subject of this documentary is the reason why.

The Boys In Green is a new two part documentary which looks back the Jack Charlton years

in charge of Ireland. It documents the humble beginnings when he took over in late 1986 to the highs of Euro 88 and of course Italia 90 where Ireland reached the quarter finals of the world cup. The series features interviews from the players and media personalities who were around at the time and features iconic moments such as Ray Houghton’s goal against England in Stuttgart, the penalty shootout against Romania and of course, Eaomonn Dunphy throwing his pen across the studio after Ireland’s 0-0 draw against Egypt. A time when the nation held its breadth, hold yours now and you won’t be disappointed.

Icarus (2017)Netflix This is one for the purists.

The documentary follows director Brian Fogel as he attempts to unearth the dark secrets in the world of sports doping. An amateur cyclist he attempts an experiment in which he takes performance enhancing drugs in order to see if he would improve his re-

sults and also to see if would get caught. Without giving any spoilers, what starts out as an experiment, it quickly turns into a geopolitical thriller when he meets a Russian scientist with a complicated history to say the least.

Born To Run: The Kenyan Secrets – YouTube What soccer is to Brazil, rugby is to New Zealand and what running is to Kenya. This documentary narrated by former Irish world 5,000 metre champion Eamonn Coughlan, follows some of Kenya’s top athletes leading up to the 2012 London Olympics under the tutelage of Cork man Brother Colm O’Connell who is the main man behind the country’s extraordinary success in the sport.

Despite having no prior coaching experience. Eaomonn Coughlan takes a trip out to Kenya to meet O’Connell ‘the Godfather of Kenyan running’ who is a missionary, who left Ireland for Iten in 1976 to teach geography and has stayed ever since. It may be a few

years old but it is still a very relevant and fascinating watch.

Philly McMahon: The Hardest Hit Not so much a sporting documentary but rather a sportsman on the search for answers.

This documentary follows All Ireland winning Dublin footballer Philly McMahon who travels around Ireland meeting those affected by drug addiction. There is a personal connection here for McMahon, his brother tragically passed away as a teenager due to drug abuse. McMahon delves into the lives of those who have been effected similarly and how we can prevent more people from following the same path. An emotional but important watch for everyone.

These are just some of the documentaries out there to sink your teeth into over the next few weeks. Remember you can stay entertained while staying safe!

The EA Sports Cup kicked off last Tuesday night, with Cobh Ramblers making the short journey to the Mardyke to take on UCC. the first chance appeared in the opening minutes when a UCC corner was met by Matthew McKevitt in the box, but his effort was cleared off the line.

After 10 minutes of play, the game was relatively even with possession changing feet often.

UCC were very well organised in the opening stages, pressing high and using the space very well. The students came close again a minute later when Gordon Walker, who was my Man of the Match, found space on the right wing and whipped a cross in which was turned away for a corner. It remained balanced throughout most of the first half, very free flowing with the referee keeping the play moving. The key chance of the first half came around the half hour mark as the ball came into the UCC box and slipped past Arthur Nganon in goal. The ball fell to Cian Leonard in front of

goal but James Sheehan showed his strength in getting back to clear the danger. On 40 minutes, Rian O’Sullivan’s ball across the box from the right wing was met on the volley by Matthew Mckevitt, but his strike looped up and was claimed by Paul Hunt. Down the other end, Pierce Philips tested Nganon with a fierce shot from the edge of the box, but it was well saved by the UCC keeper.

The sides went into the half time break tied at 0-0. Cobh Rambler’s Cameron Harison made way for Conor Drinan at half time. Soon after the restart, Adam Foley found space in the UCC box and unleashed a powerful shot which went just wide of the post. It was evident from the opening minutes of the second half that Ramblers were more settled and organised, moving the ball better and attacking with more freedom. After the hour mark, UCC had a great chance to take the lead when Daniel Pender unleashed a shot from just inside the box, it rebounded to Gordon Walker who struck it again but it was well saved by Hunt. Minutes later, David Hur-

ley hit a great strike from the edge of the box for the visitors but it was well saved. 8 minutes from time, a well hit Ramblers free kick from around 25 yards was saved

by Nganon. The closing minutes of the 90 saw several chances for both teams with Cian Leonard and Jack O’Sullivan going close for their respective sides. After a close fought game, extra time was required to divide the Cork sides. Tensions rose as the 30 minute period commenced, and tackles became harder. The deadlock was finally broken after 100 minutes of play. A goal mouth scramble saw the ball fall into the path Cian Leonard who knocked the ball into the net to give Ramblers the lead. UCC would have to fight hard to turn it around under sustained pressure from Cobh.

Half time extra time arrived with the visitors one goal to the good.

5 minutes after the restart, UCC rose to the occasion when Owen Collins beat the Ramblers defence and unleashed a sweet shot with his left foot into the bottom right corner from 20 yards out. A fantastic goal to level the sides once

again. With both sides pressure rising in the final stages, some fantastic defending from Rian O’Sullivan and Gordon Walker ensured this first round tie went to spot kicks. UCC were up first, and James Sheehan saw his penalty saved by Paul Hunt. Penalties from Leonard and Philips put Cobh 2-1 to the good after Jack O’Sullivan pulled one back for UCC. Daniel Pender and Rian O’Sullivan both scored their penalties for UCC as well as Adam Foley for Ramblers. Dave Hurley was next up for Cobh, an excellent save from Nganon kept the two sides on level terms. Owen Collins was unlucky with his penalty as Paul Hunt guessed the right way and parried the ball to safety. Charlie Lyons stepped up to seal the deal for Cobh, and he remained cool to slot home the winning the penalty. A very close game overall with both sides having a few decent chances. Cobh Ramblers progress to the second round.

University

Volume 24 | Issue 11 | Wednesday 18th 2020

Sports

UCCExpress.ie

Torch Ceremony Held In Greece As Doubts Cast Over Games Writes Sam Curtin, Deputy Sports Editor The traditional lighting of the Olympic torch was held in Olympia, Greece in the past week, however a cancellation or postponement due to the coronavirus fears has put the games in doubt. The Olympic Games, which is due to begin on July 24th to August 9th would be the first Olympic Games to be cancelled since the Second World War. Japan has been significantly effected by COVID-19 with schools currently closed until at least the end of March. There are currently roughly 700 cases with 7 deaths so far although this does not include 696 cases on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship were 7 people have died.

Amid speculation that the largest sporting event in the world could be cancelled, the IOC released a statement saying “The many measures being taken now by authorities all over the world give us confidence keep us fully committed to delivering Olympic Games that can bring the world together in peace.�

However, not only is the world in chaos at the moment but are the Olympic sports where numerous qualifying events have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19. One of Tokyo’s main sporting events every year, the marathon was limited to just 200 elite runners to ensure that they had an opportunity to secure a qualifying time for the event in August. Not only will completing the necessary qualifiers be difficult but now the sporting calendar has been thrown into chaos.

Could the virus be eliminated in time for the Olympics? The WHO are currently saying that the COVID-19 epidemic could last until at least June which

could spring hope for the games to go ahead. However, most athletes have not even qualified yet with no definite date yet for qualifiers to resume due to the unpredictable nature of the virus. Not only will completing the necessary qualifiers be difficult but now the sporting calendar has been thrown into chaos.

Other events major events that appear to be in doubt are the European Football Championships which are being held in 12 cities across Europe which is the last thing that is needed now with mass, integrated movement greatly discouraged at this moment. Reports suggest the championships could be postponed until next year.

Could this be an option for the Olympics? Possibly, however it is more complicated than the football as athletes around the world have been specifically designing their training schedule to peak for the games that only occur every four years. Asking athletes to wait another 12 months could be detrimental to them financially (many Olympic athletes are still amateurs) having made enormous sacrifices to reach the pinnacle of their sport.

Is playing the games behind closed doors an option? This possibility is being discussed but the idea of Olympics being held without fans is unthinkable considering many fans have already booked flights and tickets for the event where over 600,000 thousands

people are expected to travel. Tokyo would also lose out massively on a financial level if there were no fans visiting the city and the wider country would undoubtedly experience a similar hit economically having already spent 26 billion dollars on hosting the event.

At least if the games were delayed for 12 months, the country would eventually see an economic boost which will be much needed in the aftermath of the coronavirus.

For now, the Games are due to go ahead and we will know a lot more about the impact of the virus and the readiness of not just Tokyo but the world, to host an event of this magnitude. One positive is that the Japanese authorities and the IOC have time.

The clock however, is ticking.