UCC Express Vol. 21 Issue 07

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UCCExpress.ie | Volume 21 | Issue 07| Tuesday January 16th

UCC Scientists Most Cited Globally

Page 3 - News

UCC was named the ‘most green’ Irish university for the seventh year in a row (Photo: UCC)

UCC In Top 10 Most Sustainable Universities Worldwide Michelle Beazley, News Editor

University College Cork has placed 9th in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2017. The rankings showcase the most sustainable universities across the globe.

The achievement is an increase on the university’s previous position of 12th in 2016. Established in 2010 by the Universitas Indonesia (UI), 619 universities across 76 countries were assessed for the 2017 rankings. Third level institutions were judged according to the findings of numerous independent bodies including Webometric, QS, the Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan (HEEACT), and the College Sustainability Report Card.

Sustainability is described by UI Green Metric as “meeting the needs of the present without com-

promising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The aim of the rankings, according to UI, is to highlight that “[u]niversities have the potential to demonstrate sustainable principles in their campus operations and can be a role model for the society. Their examples can provide a road map for others to follow.”

UCC’s total score of 6873 placed the university firmly as first out of the Irish universities. Dublin City University was ranked 15th in the world, with University of Limerick placing 24th. Dublin Institute of Technology was the highest ranked Irish Institute of Technology at 59th place. UCC received 7th place when ranked out of the European universities.

Universities received marks for 6 indicators: Setting and Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change,

Waste, Water, Transportation, and Education. According to the UI, these criteria were selected because they are “generally considered to be of importance by universities concerned with sustainability.”

Each criterion received different weighting. Third level institutions that wished to be considered for the rankings had to provide numerical information on their progress concerning each indicator during the year in question between July and October, and submit this data via questionnaire.

The University of Wageningen of the Netherlands was named the world’s most green campus in 2017, followed by the University of Nottingham and the University of California, Davis, at second and third place respectively.

An Interview with Ibrahim Halawa Page 6 - Features

Interview with Joe McNamee

Byline Magazine

NEWS INSIDE TODAY: 2

FROM THE EDITOR

NEWS

04 USI protest against Aramark 04 Exam scripts adjudged as personal data

FEATURES

09 New Year, New Mindset 08 An account of a night out in Limerick

GAEILGE

32 Bliain na Gaeilge 2018

BYLINE

16 Disney world domination continu 23 LGBT content in gaming

SPORT

38 Sports scholarships awarded for 2018 36 CCFC Amputee Team launched

EDITORIAL TEAM Editor-in-Chief - Robert O’Sullivan Designer - Kelly Doherty News Editor - Michelle Beazley Deputy News Editor - Molly O’Rourke Features Editor - Ciara Dinneen Deputy Features Editor - Fergal Smiddy Opinion Editor - Chris McCahill Sports Editor - Dylan O’Connell Deputy Sports Editor - Claire Jouce Photographer - Emmet Curtin Webmaster - Evan Smith

Robert O’Sullivan, Editor-in-Chief

Welcome back to college and to the UCC Express. It’s 2018, can you believe it? 2017, it’s generally accepted by now, was a pretty awful year for most, so those ‘New Year, New Me’ resolutions should be important for setting a good platform for you all.

This year is certainly an important anniversary for the UCC Express, though we’re not quite sure which one we should celebrate more. History for our publication beyond the 1980s is spotty at best, but we do know...or at least think we know… that the paper goes back to 1953, which would make this the Express’ 65th year of publication total. Before the

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this one). I’ll have plenty of time to say goodbye (hopefully), but I want to dedicate this editorial to thanking one person. This is the last edition of the UCC Express with Emmet Curtin providing photographs. Almost all of you know Emmet and have seen his work, be it at events, at society balls, nightclubs or in perspective matches’ Tinder photos (seriously, half of Cork seems to have Emmet’s photos on there). Emmet’s been on staff or providing photos to the Express for seemingly ever, and, on behalf of this editorial team and all previous editorial teams, I would like to sincerely thank Emmet for all his photos and for the countless time, effort and love he has put into this publication.

And if Emmet ever actually reads this (I never know if anyone reads these), please finally know: I’m gay for Moleman. .

Robert O’Sullivan

FROM THE NEWS EDITOR

Byline Editor - Cailean Coffey Fiction Editor - Sophie Mckenzie Gaming Editor - Tyrone Power Fashion Editor - Iris Maher Music Editor - JJ Lee Film & Television Editor - Aaron Frahill Humour Editor - Sarah Ryan Food Editor - Isabella Cosgrave Arts Editor - El Menton Staff Writers Laura O’Connor Jill Kingston Samantha Calthrop Lucas Brun Callum Connelly Eoin Doyle Kate Stapleton Eadaoin Regan

late-90s, the Express (then named ‘The Gazette’) was an SU newspaper that ran over several pages, and was mainly about events on campus. Before that it was a (double-sided) single-page newsletter, and the paper itself was made by hand-cranking a machine that some might compare to a Mimeograph. Due to the nature of the publication (and poor storage & record keeping from that time) we don’t have any paper record of these publications, just the word of the students’ union officers who worked on them.

The other important anniversary comes from the 1997/18 academic year, the first year of the Express (then The University Examiner) as an editorially independent newspaper. This would make this year as the UCC Express’ 20th Anniversary of being a full, proper newspaper. So a big (or possibly even bigger) happy birthday to this very publication.

This issue is notable as well, for a number of reasons, for members of our staff. For me this is the last semester I’ll be on the Editorial team of the Express, having been on staff for four years (including

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express

Editorial Michelle Beazley Welcome to the first edition of the UCC Express for 2018! Writing this has probably been the most work I’ve done all Christmas, and I have plenty shame in admitting that, but sure look, it’s Christmas. Or it was. Motivation has been bleak this past week (month? What year is it?).

The second week of January is always the most grim of the year.

This is an undisputed fact. The Christmassy atmosphere that lingers on into the first week of

the year is dead in the water, and there’s none of that ‘New Year New Me’ optimism that you’ll finally become your best self this year because you’ve already broken all your resolutions. You’re definitely either doing Dry January and acting smug but secretly worried about how you’ll keep it up at college, or not doing it, like me, and feeling like your withered corpse of a body probably would have appreciated it. Plus, it’s baltic out, all the good biscuits are gone, and you’ll never admit it, but you’ve actually started to get a bit bored of arsing around the house all day in pyjamas now society’s upstanding citizens have all gone back to work. This is all mixed with a substantial dose of uncertainty about whether you’ll actually be able to successfully integrate back into college life and return to the structure of study and 9am lectures.

I’ll be entering into the dreaded final semester of my college career, so I am blessed enough to couple this feeling of general unease with the knowledge that I still have yet

to materialise a concrete plan for my post-graduation life that will satisfy my entire extended family.

Excellent. That said, I can’t wait to go back. There’s Refreshers Week, RAG, and spontaneous house nights out calling my name, while the library is either being suspiciously silent on all fronts, or else I’ve gotten very good at being selectively deaf again. I have great intentions, of course, like I always do, but what the reality of my study/sleep/work schedule will be is anyone’s guess.

Sure look, that’s college. Best of luck on another semester everyone!

We’ll be GRAND.

Michelle Beazley

NEWS

ISSUE 07| UCC Express

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UCC Scientists Among Most Cited Researchers Robert O’Sullivan, Editor-in-Chief Four University College Cork scientists feature in the latest “Highly Cited Researchers” list. The Highly Cited List is produced by Clarivate Analytics for the Web of Science, and details over 3,500 of the top researchers in various scientific fields, including biology & biochemistry, computer science, ecology, engineering, neuroscience, mathematics, physics and social sciences, among others.

The list, which is compiled annually, identifies scientists whose research publications, and the level at which they have been cited by other scientists around the world, put them among the top 1% most cited in their particular field.

The UCC researchers featured in the 2017 edition all work in the area of food, microbiome and health, and are principal investigators at the APC Microbiome Institute based at UCC and Teagasc. Professor Elke Arendt (School of Food & Nutritional Sciences), Professor John Cryan (Head of Department, Anatomy & Neuroscience), Professor Paul Ross (Head of College, Science Engineering & Food Science) and Professor Catherine Stanton (Senior Research Officer, Teagasc & the Department of Psychiatry).

Prof Arendt’s research is in the area of food and health, and is related to cereals and beverages. This includes gluten free food production, starter cultures, antimicrobial agents, food structure, brewing and malting and

functional foods. Prof Cryan is currently researching topics like the neurobiological basis of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety and drug dependence. Professor Cryan’s research group is also focused on understanding the interaction between brain, gut and the gut microbiome, and how it applies to stress and immune-related disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.

Professor Ross, Head of the College of SEFS, focuses his research in food and health, and includes the development of new antibiotics and anti-infectives, bacteriophage, human and animal pathogens, and how the gut microbiota influences your health.

Prof Stanton’s research includes the nutritional aspects of dairy and functional foods, probiotic cultures, bioactive metabolite production, infant gut microbiota, and healthy proteins and fats that are produced by gut bacteria.

Fourteen scientists with links to Irish Institutes & Universities featured on the list, including academics from NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin Institute of Technology, University College Dublin and Teagasc itself. You can view the list in full by going to clarivate.com. To learn more about the four UCC scientists on the list, visit their academic profiles on the UCC.ie website.

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NEWS

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express

European Court of Justice Rules the Data Protection Commissioner.

Exam Scripts Amount To Personal The Supreme Court ultimately cited the matter as one concerning EuroData pean law, and referred the case to the Court of Justice of the European Michelle Beazley, News Editor The European Court of Justice (ECJ) have laid down a landmark ruling that exam scripts can be considered personal data. The ruling follows eight years of legal contention in the High Court and the Supreme Court by Irish student Peter Nowak. The ECJ case has been highly anticipated and attracted global attention, with the ECJ receiving submissions from seven EU states, as well as the European Commission.

Nowak, a trainee accountant and student of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland (CAI), requested to review his script for an exam he had failed four times with the aim of contesting the result, on the basis that the script constituted personal data under the Irish Data Protection Acts. This was disputed by the CAI, who refused the request.

Nowak’s subsequent complaint to the Data Protection Commissioner was dismissed as being “frivolous and vexatious.” Consequently, Nowak initiated legal proceedings against

USI Protest Against Aramark Due To Mistreatment In Direct Provision Centres

Union (CJEU).

The ECJ ruled in favour of Nowak and upheld the Opinion of the Advocate General of the CJEU that Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner was incorrect to say the trainee accountant had no right to view his examination script. The Advocate General stated that exam scripts are a “strictly personal and individual performance” and therefore constitute a “collection of personal data,” as per EU legislation. “The script is a documentary record that the individual has taken part in a given examination and how he performed,” the Advocate General explained. “The personal connection to that performance is also shown in the fact that examina-

ed refugee status, was installed as a “temporary measure” in April 2000.

People living in direct provision receive an allowance of €21.60 per person, are not permitted to work or cook, and share rooms with their families in hotel-room conditions.

Samantha Calthrop, Staff Writer The majority of Ireland’s 4,500 asylum seekers ultimately spend over The Union of Students in Ireland three years in direct provision, with (USI) have staged a protest outside of retailer Avoca on Suffolk Street, Dublin, in protest against the Aramark-owned company’s connections to direct provision centres in Ireland. Students of Trinity College Dublin also organised a boycott of the Aramark-run caterer on campus, Westland Eats, in November.

Aramark, which bought Avoca in 2015, runs three of Ireland’s direct provision centres, receiving €5.2 million from the Irish State in 2016 and €16 million before 2010, providing for about 850 asylum seekover 600 people in Ireland having ers.

The direct provision system, where spent over seven years in the system. asylum seekers in Ireland are re- The direct provision system has been quired to live until they are grant- criticised by the UN and by interna-

tion candidates often include their most important examination results in their CVs.” The ECJ, the most superior court in Europe, held that the right to access personal data under European law “may also be asserted in relation to the written answers submitted by a candidate at a professional examination and to any comments made by an examiner with respect to those answers.” The ECJ stated this applied regardless of whether or not national legislation allowed for such a right.

UCC’s guidelines for the viewing of scripts and discussion of examination results in 2017 state that viewing of scripts is available to all students. Viewings are by arrangement through contacting the student’s relevant department(s). The following procedures apply: scripts are viewable only in the relevant department(s), application forms to access scripts are to be collected from and returned to these departments, writing on viewed examination scripts is not permitted, third parties are prohibited from viewing scripts, supervision while viewing scripts is mandatory, and those wishing to view their scripts must also make an appointment with their relevant department to discuss their examination results.

tional human rights groups. There are 34 direct provision centres in Ireland, the majority of which are run by private companies.

There is no universal standard amongst these centres, many of which have come under fire for mistreatment of residents. In July 2017, residents of 50 of the mobile homes in a direct provision centre at Lissywollen, Athlone wrote a letter of complaint to the Department of Justice, complaining of poor food and hygiene c ond it i ons .

Another privately-run centre in Limerick closed down in January 2017 due to health and safety concerns. This Christmas, residents of Knockalisheen Accommodation Centre organised a Christmas

Around the Universities Michelle Beazley, News Editor University of Limerick Mary Harney, former Tánaiste, has been announced as the new Chancellor of UL. Harney’s position is honorary, and the tenure of her office will last for four years.

Trinity College Dublin A survey conducted by Trinity’s Students’ Union has revealed that over 80% of student respondents were in favour of repealing the eighth amendment. Lack of 24 hour student spaces also rated highly as a student concern in the survey.

National University of Ireland Galway Outgoing NUIG President Dr Jim Browne has controversially stated his support for an increase in third level tuition fees that would see students paying up to €6,000, double the fee currently in place.

University College Dublin Duvet recycling bins have been set up around UCD’s campus residences in a bid to reduce waste as students leave the university at the end of both semesters. The party, including a fundraiser for food and non-alcoholic drinks, only to find the ordinarily open communal space had been locked.

Speaking ahead of the protest, USI President Michael Kerrigan said, “The situation in direct provision is cruel, and people are stuck there for up to 7 years. People can’t work, people get just over €20 a week, and people have little to no access to fresh fruit, no access to self-catering or ethnic foods.

“People trapped in direct provision just have access to meals with chips almost every second day with a menu that only changes every fortnight. This will be one of the biggest shames of the Irish state since the Magdalene Laundries.”

NEWS

ISSUE 07| UCC Express NUIG Publishes Report On Binge Drinking, Consent, and Abuse In Students’ Sexual Lives Samantha Calthrop, Staff Writer National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) has published a report finding that 68% of female and 71.5% of male students binge drink at least once a month, 53% of females and 49% of males are satisfied with their sex lives, and 12.5% of females and 2% of males reported being threatened into sexual contact.

The SHAG (Sexual Health and Attitudes, Galway) Survey was one of the first of its kind undertaken, collecting data on the sexual habits of students aged 18-29 years. The online survey had 1,691 participants from the NUIG student body: 68% female and 32% male; 88% identified as heterosexual, 2.5% homosexual, 7% bisexual, 1% asexual, and 2% as other (pansexual, questioning, etc.).

“The results of this survey show the incidence of sexual violence and assault are comparable to international studies of college students, and high-

light the need for a national study of third level students on this issue.” said the main author, Elaine Byrnes, Doctoral Researcher at the School of Psychology.

“Findings on alcohol related sex consequences, particularly where students report being forced or pressured into sexual activity, highlights the importance of continuing consent education; how it is understood and communicated, and the role of alcohol in sexual decision making.”

The survey asked students to indicate their response to statements related to their sex habits, drinking, attitudes on certain behaviours, and whether or not they had experienced forced sexual contact, as well as how to communicate consent, and how to protect peers from irresponsible or harmful behaviour when it came to sex.

53% of respondents were in a relationship, 46% were single, and 1% were married/divorced. 57% were in first/second year, and the rest in third year onwards. 70% of females and 73% of males were sexually active in the month prior to the survey,

with 45% of females and 41% reporting that they had their first sexual experience at age 17 or younger. 63% of females and 67% of males were used protection last time they had sexual intercourse. 5% of all respondents had been diagnosed with an STI. One part of the survey focused on asking students to agree or disagree with a number of common misconceptions regarding rape and abuse.

21% of females and 24% of males agreed that “there is a lot of false reports to the Gardaí”, with 38% and 46% uncertain/neutral; 7% of females and 19% of males agreed that “Once a rape is reported to the Gardaí, there is a good chance the rapist will go to prison”, with 23% and 34% unsure; 72% of females and 47% of males disagree.

4% of females and 3% of males are “unlikely” to “Stop sexual activity when asked, even when sexually aroused”, with 6% of females and 7% of males neutral. 6% and 7% are “unlikely” to refuse to have sex with a partner who is drunk.

12.5% of females and 2% of males reported having experienced un-

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wanted sexual contact due to physical force or verbal threats. 16% of females and 7% of males were either certain or suspected that they had had experienced unwanted sexual contact when they were too drunk, drugged, incapacitated or asleep.

Participants who reported experiencing some kind of unwanted sexual contact while unable to give consent were given five types of abuse (and a ‘Don’t know’ option for those who were uncertain), and asked to check as many types of abuse that applied.

Of the incidents involving a person being unable to consent, forced sexual intercourse was the most common for women, being reported by over 50% in females in either case of being certain or uncertain that it had happened. The most common for males was oral sex, followed by attempted sexual intercourse; 13% and 14% of males (certain or uncertain respectively) reported oral sex, with 14% and 17% reporting attempted sexual intercourse. No males reported anal sex as the form of abuse in these circumstances, where 33% and 50% of females (certain and uncertain) did.

Drinking constituted a notable influence on the sexual habits of student respondents, with alcohol being cited as an influence in regretted sexual experiences for over 26%, neglecting to use contraception for about 25%, and having sex with someone they wouldn’t normally have sex with for 25.5% of females and 28.5% of males.

The full report is available at nuigalway.ie/media/studentservices/SHAG_ Report_2017.pdf

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FEATURES THIS WEEK IN HISTORY Monday January 15th On this day in 2001, online encyclopedia website Wikipedia was launched by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. The name is a portmanteau of the words ‘wiki’ (a collaborative website) and ‘encyclopedia’ (a book o r series of books that give information on particular subjects). At the time of writing, Wikipedia is the 5th most visited website according to Alexa rankings (behind Google, Youtube, Facebook and Baidu) and has over 40 million articles.

Famous Death: Wrestler Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka (1943-2017) Holiday: Korean Alphabet Day (North Korea/DPRK) Tuesday January 16th In 1919 the United States of America ratified the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This meant that, within the year following its ratification, Prohibition would be introduced in the States. This was the result of the Temperance campaigns, and would legally prohibit the sale of alcohol. The Volstead Act set forth what intoxicating substances were prohibited, with exceptions given to substances with (amongst other reasons) medical & religious purposes. It was repealed just over thirteen years later when the twenty-first amendment was passed in 1933.

Famous Death: Evangelist & eponymous university founder Bob Jones Sr. (1883-1968) Holiday: National Religious Freedom Day (USA) Wednesday January 17th Patrice Lumumba, anti-colonialist campaigner and the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo, was executed on this day in 1961. Following a constitutional crisis in late 1960 Lumumba was deposed as Prime Minister by Joseph-Désiré Mobutu.

He was then handed over to Katangan forces, and was executed by firing squad. It is believed by many that Belgium, as well as the United States, had a part in Lumumba’s execution. His body was later exhumed, dismembered and dissolved in sulfuric

Interview: Ibrahim Halawa Robert O’Sullivan, Editor-in-Chief

The story of Ibrahim Halawa, an Irishman imprisoned in Egypt awaiting trial for four years, dominated headlines and newspapers throughout his time in prison, but particularly in the last year as his time away from home was close to ending. A month after returning home at the end of October/beginning of November, Ibrahim gave a talk in UCC to members of UCC Amnesty International Society & the Students’ Union on November 27th. The UCC Express were fortunate enough to sit down with Ibrahim before his talk, to ask about his time in Egypt, and how his adjustment back to the ‘outside world’ has gone.

UCC Express: What kept you going through the four years?

Ibrahim Halawa: As much as you know that the postponements of trials are useless, you’ve been through them so much and you don’t get a result out of them. But waiting for each trial, still, gave you the hope that ‘maybe next trial, maybe next trial’ so pushing through that was very helpful. A lot of the Irish support, knowing back there that – that visual at the airport when I first arrived back – I always imagined that, in my cell, how it was going to be, how the people were going to be there. I didn’t expect it would be as nice, if I’m honest, as much of a homecoming and beauti-

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express ful. That, for me, I always had in my head, and that I had to stay sane, I had to stay sane for my family. Reading books, talking, a lot of writing as well, that was a lot of the stuff that kept me going through prison.

Express: How has the transition been, coming back to Ireland, because it’s only been a month or so?

Ibrahim: Yeah, it’s actually very hard, people think “oh-” I get messages all the time, “oh it’s great to be home, isn’t it?” and it is great to be home, but it’s just so hard because I’m not used to a bed, I’m not used to- if I hold a glass cup, I have to be so careful because everything was plastic in prison, so for me to hold a glass cup was actually very very frustrating for me. To be from a small world, a small cell, for four years and then you’re suddenly brought out into this outside world, and you’re four years behind and you’re expected to cope with it, it’s also not very easy.

Express: Your family were a big part of the campaign, keeping it alive, how’s it been for them, particularly for your sisters?

Ibrahim: You know my sisters have actually surprised me as much as they surprised a lot of the Irish people, because it was my quiet sister that actually led the campaign, so it was very strange for us as a family. But it actually brought us together and it made us stronger as brothers and sisters and as a family. And then my mother got cancer so that brought us even closer together. So for them

to finally see a result after four years, and they’ve tried everything- at the end of the day, yes I was sitting in a cell, it was hard, but they were campaigning 24/7, trying to talk to anyone that would hear their voice. So for them to just see me walk through that airport, I saw them: they were all smiling and crying and, y’know, until this day every day my sister hugs me and she’s like “I can’t believe you’re back,” or my mom, she can’t believe I’m back as well, so it’s just a big relief for the whole family.

Express: Being here, I know we only got one side of the story, and I know it was obviously frustrating for you, but for people here it was frustrating that it kept getting delayed. It seemed like there was a “lax” approach from the government to getting you home: is that true at all?

Ibrahim: I would say that there’s a lot of people behind the scenes in the government who actually worked very hard but they didn’t find a result.

The people who were at the front, the officials at the very [top] of the government, they just didn’t want to listen to my sisters. Because my sisters knew the Egyptian system, and they’ve been through prison, so [the government] didn’t want to listen to them when they would tell them “do this, don’t do that, take the politics high, don’t keep it on the down-low” so for them to be able to not listen to my sisters...afterward the government was changed, and they listened to my sisters, and they worked as one hand. Even a simple word of reassuring my family that ever ything was going to be okay is what we got from the new government.

I’m not saying, I’m not det rac t ing from anyone who was working from behind the scenes because they all worked hard for

FEATURES

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express me, just the officials could’ve worked harder in the old government. But the new government worked hard and I’ve seen that and that’s why I’m here today.

Express: Is there anybody you want to highlight?

Ibrahim: Of course, Lynn Boylan MEP, Darragh Mackin, my lawyer, Amnesty International, Reprieve, all the amazing Irish people who really backed me up and believed in me and believed in my case.

Express: Since your return you’ve had a few interviews with like the Late Late Show, with Neil Prendeville here in Cork, and the tone has been a bit hostile. How have you dealt with that? Even the approach, like I think Neil Prendeville was asking your opinion on various things that were kind of irrelevant to your case, or Ryan Tubridy brought up the negative comments, how has that been?

Ibrahim: It’s been very stressful for me, because I’ve always done what the Irish people were always telling me to do, help others in need, so growing up that wasn’t a big issue for me, so when I did that- because apparently I did that in my country of origin, y’know my dad’s country and my mom’s country – so when I did it there, and because I got imprisoned for it, or because I got imprisoned with people who some think are from the wrong group… I did it for the right cause, it’s not the politics I did it for, I did it for the right cause.

So for me to go back and not just be able to rest from the four years I’ve been through and to have to justify everything that I’ve been through, and tell people, y’know, I’m just a normal guy, that is pretty hard for me still.

Express: That goes into my next question, you’re only back a month and a bit, and you’re only 21, 22 – do you think people expect a bit too much from you?

Ibrahim: Sometimes I feel that, and sometimes I actually feel that I have to give the people that really expect a lot from me – because they’ve helped me through the four years, and I have to do that. But sometimes I need to find my own self first in the outside world to be able to put myself in the position after four years, where I’m four years behind, so I need to fit myself in a position where “okay, this is

my track right now, this where I have to start.” I just need a starting point and hopefully I’ll be able to give people what they expect of me.

Express: I know this is maybe a hard question, but going back four or five years, where did you see yourself now?

Ibrahim: Just, graduating college, maybe having a lovelife. Just living the normal life of a normal person who’d go through college, and then graduate and then start working. The adult life. And I missed that. I missed going from the kid life to the adult life; whether it’s getting your license, or whether it’s just going out on a night out with your friends without your parent’s permission or something.

That for me, I missed all of that. But I’ve learned another whole other side [of life], which is the humanitarian side, that I would’ve never learned if you told me in any college in Ireland at that time. And it’s an experience.

There’s really two sides to it, you can’t weigh it on a scale at the end of the day, because I’ve gained things and I’ve lost things.

Express: One of the things you’ve said quite a lot since you were back was that you planned to work with the homeless. Do you have any info on that?

Ibrahim: Yeah, definitely. Walking through the streets of town, the amount of homeless people around town is insane. At every door you find a homeless person sleeping, and there’s cold weather at this time of year. Going around in the rain I think about them a lot of the time – what are they doing right now, how are they sleeping? And they all sleep in a sleeping bag which gets soaked so it’s nothing helpful at all. And for me, in prison I met a guy that said “I want to apply for my family to come and live with me in prison,” so I was like “are you insane?!” who’d want that for his family, he was like “at least here we have shelter, and food. They don’t have that outside.” And the food in prison was terrible! For him to say that...wow, he must’ve been rock bottom, man, he needs help. So I just want to help a lot of people Express: Another thing you’ve talked about is helping people who’ve been imprisoned abroad, maybe falsely.

Can you tell me anything about that?

Ibrahim: I actually want to work from two sides, y’know, because I was imprisoned falsely but also imprisoned abroad, so my family had to pay for lots of tickets, going and coming back, so it was very expensive for the family. So I said that even if there’s convicted criminals who are abroad we might as well bring them back so they can do their time in Ireland, for them to be visited by their families, see their family more often, because I couldn’t see my family more often.

For the falsely imprisoned people I’m going to study their cases, help them a lot in any thing – I felt how it is and I don’t want people going through what I went through.

Express: Anybody who might find themselves in the same position that you found yourself in...is there any advice you would give to them now?

Maybe something people can keep in the back of their heads that, should they find themselves in a similar position, that can keep them going?

Ibrahim: First thing, I’m a strong believer in God, so believing in God for me was very essential. But as a humanitarian, when you’re put in that position, I kept pushing for the next day. And eventually that next day came after four years. Just push – find something you find yourself comfortable with. Whether it’s talking to someone, whether it’s reading, whether it’s drawing – whatever you have in that position that’s available at that time, use it up. You can use a small amount of essentials in prison that really become so valuable for you, so you can use that up and make it through, because I pushed and I pushed, and I lost hope a lot of times, but I said “I will make it” so here I am today. Always look forward, don’t look back.

If you want to keep up to date with Ibrahim and his work, you can follow him on Instagram: @ibrahimhalawa_one. A special thanks to Kelly Coyle and UCC Students’ Union for their help in arranging this interview.

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acid. His death was not publicly announced until three weeks afterward.

Famous Death: World Chess Champion (and noted anti-semite) Bobby Fischer (1943-2008) Holiday: National Day (Menorca) Thursday January 18th On this day, in 1919, the Paris Peace Conference first met to discuss the outcomes of the First World War, and the terms to be imposed upon the losers.

Delegates from 32 countries attended, and its main outcomes were: the creation of the League of Nations, transferring of ownership of German and Ottoman overseas colonies, the payment of war reparations and the redrawing of national borders. The conference resulted in the Treaty of Versailles, and is regularly given as a reason for hostilities that lead to the Second World War. Famous Death: Eagles frontman Glenn Frey (1948-2016) Holiday: Revolution and Youth Day (Tunisia) Friday January 19th Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, known as the ‘Butcher of Lyon’, was captured in Bolivia on this day in 1983. Following the end of World War II, Barbie was recruited by the US Army Counterintelligence Corps, and was helped to flee to Bolivia through ratlines established by the army and the Roman Catholic Church. Having been discovered by Nazi hunters, he was eventually extradited to France in 1983. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment, and died in 1987 from leukemia, cancer of the spine and prostate, aged 77.

Famous Death: Singer-songwriter Wilson Pickett (1941-2006) Holiday: Husband’s Day, or Bóndadagur (Iceland)

Est.

8 1997

FEATURES

Be Sharp, Say Nowt – A comprehensive account of a night out in Limerick

By Fergal Smiddy, Deputy Features Editor I recently went to a gig up in Limerick with a few of my friends. The headliner was a guy called Patrick Topping, a tech-house DJ who I had naturally become familiarised with through his presence on almost every user-created Soundcloud playlist in the Republic of Ireland. The gig was set for early in the Christmas holidays, and my anticipation for it slowly grew and spread from the back of my mind as the Winter exams winded down to a close. My excitement wasn’t just for the music, though – it was for the whole affair. We had a gaff to ourselves, money saved up, and a dulling academia-induced hangover that we all desperately wanted to exchange for the excruciating pleasure of a real one.

To say that the only thing on my mind was excitement, however, wouldn’t be entirely truthful. As we hopped on the bus heading to Limerick from Parnell Place, cautionary tales from friends and family sat stubbornly in the back of my mind, unwilling to be suffocated by the warm clouds of alcohol already in my system. I wouldn’t say that I was worried, but the amount of warnings and horror stories that I had been subjected to in the days leading up to the event were hard to ignore. No conversation about the gig ran its course without a “make sure you mind yourself, Limerick can be a rough place”, or a “just be

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express

careful and don’t be talking shite to people”. Friends recited brutal tales of stabbings and ATM robberies that they’d heard from this fella or that wan. I wasn’t sure how much of it to believe; but since I’d never been on a night out in Limerick before, these stories of foreboding became the closest things I had to a perspective on the city. It didn’t bother me too much, I’d always believed that you generally only find trouble on a night out if you go looking for it – maybe a bit naïve, but it had proved true for me thus far.

The bus rolled on, and my negative thoughts had almost fully subsided by the time we stepped off in Limerick station. The night was perfect – not a whisper of a breeze and just about warm enough to allow for strolling about in a t-shirt. One more short bus trip later and we had arrived at the house.

It was a small student accommodation - suited us grand. The buzz was just building and building as the minutes rolled on, and after a quick expedition to the offie, the night started to pick up the pace. It wasn’t long before we were piling clumsily into a taxi and making our way towards the venue. From the minute we bounced out of the taxi and joined the queue outside of the club, the atmosphere was feeling good. We immediately started chatting to a group of lads, who ensured us that the sound system in this club was like nothing we had ever heard, and that we were in for

a seriously good night. Everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but people laughing and bouncing around; it seemed like the only thing that mattered to any of us was the next four hours of our lives. From that point on, the night only got better. The bouncers were more sound than I had ever experienced, unbothered by who you were or what form of ID you brought as long as it was legitimate. The club was unlike any I had ever been to.

The gated entrance sloped down to a huge Astro-Turf smoking area, which was already littered with bodies. Inside the club felt like a sort of dungeon, which was illuminated spasmodically by explosive bursts of LEDs. Tunes were blaring, jaeger-bombs were tasty, and so the night went on. Patrick Topping played an almost three hour set, above a dancefloor so packed that any sort of walking around the club became a sort of tactical mission.

I didn’t notice until much later that all my feelings of wariness that I had developed, every warning and word of caution that I had received over the previous weeks, had

completely exited my headspace about twenty minutes into the set.

It was like negative energy and negative thoughts did not exist in that particular club on that particular night. I had seriously never seen anything like it. There was not one scrap, or even light scuffle – which are almost mathematical certainties in club full of a hundred different lads who all think they’re Conor McGregor and/or Thomas Shelby after a few double whiskeys and a pint of Beamish (you know the sort). But on this particular night, for whatever reason (supernatural or otherwise), there was no hassle at all. As the night winded down to a close, I found myself smiling at the realisation that every person who warned me to brace myself for a rough night was completely wrong.

Ironically enough, it was probably the most easy-going night out that I’d been on in months. A night that reminded me of what can happen when people come together with purely good intentions – to dance, have a laugh, and enjoy the music.

FEATURES

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express

New Year, New Mindset

By Ciara Dinneen, Features Editor Here we are at that time of year again, the beginning, with a new clean slate and a chance to start afresh. Every January we witness the influx of resolutions; gym memberships spike as people vow to get fit, there’s a rise in sales of “healthy foods” (rather foods we have as a society labelled as healthy when in reality there are no such thing as good foods and bad foods) and the streets are teeming with bright eyed and bushy tailed runners in their shiny new running gear. No harm in this at all, taking initiative to make any positive changes to one’s lifestyle is admirable, but the whole “New Year, New Me” phenomenon has become, especially in more recent years, a bit of a taboo.

As a result of this influx of “get healthy” intentions, influenced greatly and pushed into a sort of boost mode by the aftermath of an indulgent Christmas holiday during which we, naturally, gain a few, many of us are left feeling guilty if we don’t follow suite in “getting our acts together” and hopping on the “get fit” bandwagon. Of course, after a few weeks of no college and indulging on our favourite festive foods, we do need to respect our bodies by replacing some of the mince pies and choc-

olate with more nutritious foods, as well as making an effort to get back to a more active day to day routine after the days spent sprawled out on the sofa enjoying your family favourite festive movies, which is a luxury you are perfectly entitled to enjoy during the holidays and should not be made feel in any way guilty about.

In terms of the guilt this time of year can sometimes leave us feeling, I find that this negative and judgemental energy is the reason for many of us not liking the month of January very much. That is why, this year, I have decided to ignore all the incentives to take on a “get healthy, get fit, lose weight” New Year’s Resolution, and instead I am going to embark on a journey of self-care, self-love and embrace the body I have been blessed with. It breaks my heart to hear my friends, or anyone for the matter, bash their own individual and unique physical features. “I hate my thighs” “I hate this awful birthmark” “I hate these stretch marks” “This scar is so ugly”. We stand in front of mirrors and seek out all of the things we don’t like about our own bodies; we use mirrors to check ourselves and fix ourselves. Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and admired yourself? Have you ever stopped for a second, before getting dressed in the morning, looked at yourself and, instead of tossing and turning into positions considered more flattering, admired the things that you like

about your own body, the little ways in which it is completely unique and different from anyone else’s?

Enjoy the journey. Embark on a fitness journey that is maintainable; one that doesn’t impact or take away from any other aspect of your life, be that work, college, your social and love life. You have to enjoy your workouts, whatever they may be; some people enjoy walking, some running, some weight training in the gym, some cardio in the gym, people can have any combination of activities that make up their fitness routine. As long as it is maintainable and enjoyable, and it makes you feel good and happy, then you’ll be set and well able to keep it up. Look forward to your workouts, and don’t let them get in the way of you living your life. A well balanced and non-restrictive routine is key. Life is too short to deny yourself your nights out with the lads, your girls night, your desert after a meal out. There is a sweet balance between being good to yourself, respecting the nutritional and fitness needs of your body, while also allowing yourself your treats and the indulgent foods that you enjoy. I am not a qualified nutritionist, nor am I a qualified personal trainer or fitness expert, so I won’t advise on specific nutritional plans or fitness regimes.

Instead I simply encourage you to educate yourself. Make sure you’re getting the information from qualified and trustworthy sources; not

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self-proclaimed Instagram fitfam members.

Learn to love your body.

Don’t just accept it, embrace it.

If you are embarking on a fitness journey, do so with appreciation for your body; don’t just accept it with the intention of changing it, embrace your body. Love and respect the body you have at all point throughout the journey; from the very beginning, throughout all the little transformations and at the end when you’ve reached the goals you set out for yourself. Be mindful of goals, though, and what I mean by this is that you cannot let your happiness be dependent on reaching your goals. “I’ll be happy with my body when...” and “I would be happy if I could change…” are toxic statements; comparing our bodies to others’ and to the pictures we see on the likes of Instagram is a dangerous game that only contributes to a negative and damaging mindset about our bodies. The number on the scales is just that; a number, and you cannot let that number determine your mood and actions every day. Let how you feel within yourself be your guide, not the number on a scale. Every time you feel down about yourself or unhappy within your own skin, remember that everyone has moments of self-consciousness and self-hate, and these moments can turn into devastatingly long periods and can really have a massive negative impact on our lives; remember that there is no one in the entire world that has the same body that you have, your body is entirely unique, and that is amazing; you body is yours to admire, embrace and show off to the world.

Est.

10 1997

FEATURES

What To Expect When You’re Drunk Texting

by Eadaoin Regan, Staff Writer

Sunshine tickles your eyelids, gently urging you to arise. Birds circle the skies outside, twittering in all their loveliness. The sound of children giggling and playing on the dewy grass outside make you smile wistfully, remembering with fondness when you used to do the same.

Just as you are enjoying this moment of reverie, the moment between deep sleep and a raging hangover, you are interrupted by a voice.

It is not loud. It is not judgemental.

But it is very, very real.

“Phone. The phone” You sit, bolt upright. Your heart pounds against your chest as panic, adrenaline and the remnants of your last forty euro you spent on jagerbombs course through your

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express veins. Your throat is dry, your head has suddenly been attacked by the world’s worst migraine. There could be monuments in its name in years to come. Your senses suddenly become gargantuan in their strength.

You are suddenly aware that you reek of that fake tan you didn’t get time to wash off and now your natural perfume is some sort of vile concoction of biscuits, tequila and shame.

Flashbacks of last night’s mortifying activity come flooding back, mostly in black and white because though you got so drunk last night you could see sounds, your ability to take heed to the flashing red warning lights of common sense was eclipsed by the 2for1 offer on vodka shots.

But you can’t focus on any of that right now!

Nor the montage of your night out which is playing to an (oddly) emotional rendition of Simply The Best. It is something to ponder later but, again, there’s no time!

There are more pressing matters at hand.

You’re not quite sure what it is that you have done to warrant that stirring feeling in the pit of your stomach but you know the cause: the fear. And you know the source: the phone.

You reach one trembling hand over to the side of the bed, the other hand pressed tightly over your eyes as though you can telepathically close the eyes of the other person at the end of that phone just by sheer will and determination.

But it is fruitless.

Slowly, you unlock your phone. You click on the relevant app that is the source of

your fear.

And there it is. Like a disappointed parent staring blankly back at you.

THE MESSAGE OF DEATH But it gets worse.

“Read at 9.02am” You let out a guttural groan, and rock back and forth. You wonder if your phone insurance covers it being lit on fire or thrown in the sea. You sit down at your desk, tear a page from your notebook and scrawl ‘I am running away, do not try to find me’ but then scribble it out because you remember you spent all your money last night, you absolute waster.

Then, go tobann, the claustrophobia begins. You whip off the bedclothes, thus inducing the dreaded hangover spins and you begin to pace. And then you wail, a workhouse wail, sinking to your knees and hoping that someone – anyone – will rush in to erase your plight. (You have no actual tears of course but you have a penchant for dramatics so the wailing helps.) You find yourself torn between what to do next. ***** Welcome to Drunk Texting 101 You can search but you will find no one more qualified than me to help you, my woeful friends. Sizing up your next course of action during times like these can be a daunting prospect. But your next course of action is DETRIMENTAL to how you will survive your hangover (lasts approx. 12 hours, though there are only short periods of severity) and absolutely CRUCIAL to how you will survive the fear (lasts approx.

4-6 weeks depending on: (a) if you get a response, and (b) the type of response received).

So here’s a handy guide for you to slot into your handbag/purse/bedside locker/ bible so that you never need to Fear alone again. A response is a rarity in these kind of situations so I would prescribe a communication ban to your recipient until the next drunk text.

The Denial “Omg hey, just saw this msg now.

Soz, that was my friends on my phone. Lol” …Honestly if you attempt to send a text like this, get out of my fictional classroom. What are we, 12?

The Discreet Denial The discreet denial is a favour-

FEATURES

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express ite of mine and quite useful for the “lengthy” texts. This is also acceptable in circumstances when you have no idea what possessed you to text a particular person. To invoke the discreet denial, simply delete the message. So what if they have already seen it? That doesn’t mean you should have a glaring reminder of your shame anytime you open your phone. So delete the message (it is absolutely VITAL you do not reread before doing this). And finally, never ever talk about it/think about it/refer to it ever again. It didn’t happen. It was all a dream.

Feel better yet?

Of course you do!

The Blocker Listen, I’m all for a bit of dramatics here and there but unless you have started a war it is really not necessary to block the person just because they didn’t text you back. And besides, you’ll only re-send a friend request next time you’re drunk so why not save yourself the double serving of shame?

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The Teacher’s Pet Ok so it has, again, been several hours. But wait. What’s this? They have responded? Oh sweet merciful lord!!!! They’ve responded!!!!

“Haha bit drunk I see”.

And they don’t think you’re a nutjob! Wedding bells ring in your ear.

You see the toasts being made by your future husband, as he tinkles a silver spoon of the champagne glass ‘And it all started with a drunk text’ to guffaws of laughter from the crowd. You see your parents wipe a tear from their eye, so proud that someone has taken on their daughter for the drunken Shakespeare she thinks she is.

Don’t be so naive, you absolute melter. They absolutely think you are a nutjob. This is a pity text.

This is not a window to start a 24 hour long chat that you twirl your hair and chat to your friends about later. If you have to respond with something, keep it brief and close ended. But best not to respond at all. You know you. You will end up trying to be over-funny, over-friendly and you will absolutely overdo it.

You may as well leave an apple on his desk for when he comes in in the morning.

The Dead Horse It’s been several hours. And there’s The Confessor still no response to your message. But This is my personal favourite and has honestly? Did you really expect one? seen me through a lot of hard times

dration) and wield your phone with a laugh and let them see your dirty work for themselves. Let them slag you to high heaven (that is your penance) until it is time to invoke what we learned from The Discreet Denial and delete the message. Warning: do NOT let your friend read the message out loud or you will be back to square one.

No. Of course you didn’t. But what do you do anyway? You send another message along the lines of “hey sorry about that, don’t know what I was at last night” (you might also possibly include the monkey with hands covering eyes emoji). Look, stop kicking a dead horse. Don’t send another text.

Again, just leave it until your next night out. You’ll have plenty of time to re-shame yourself then.

(*wipes tear*). And no, I am not saying go to a priest.

“Bless me father for I have sinned, it has been three weeks since my last drunk session. I have committed a sin and continued to drunk text”.

Seven Hail Mary’s won’t fix this. Feck it, twenty won’t. But talking to your friends will. Own your shame! You can do it. Waltz into your friend’s house with a slush puppy (for the hy-

Finally, some parting words of hard won wisdom. Regardless of what you choose to do, it’s important to remember, it’s only a drunk text. As long as you aren’t being a nasty heap o’ shite in your messages, just chill out. Laugh it off, get out for a walk in the fresh air with your friends, put on loud music or a comedy to block out the shame and get on with things. Keep yourself

busy and in several weeks’ time, when the fear starts whispering it again, ignore it. We’ve all sent them, we’ve all received them.

And for any of you smug few who haven’t drunk text? Trust me. You will. It is a rite of passage. And at least now, thanks to me, you will know what to expect when you’re drunk texting.

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ISSUE 07 | UCC Express

For and Against: Should Irish citizens abroad have the right to vote in Presidential Elections

By Chris McCahill and Lucas Brun

Early in 2017 the then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny, speaking in Philadelphia, announced a referendum on whether to grant citizens abroad the right to vote in presidential elections. Here we consider the arguments For: There are practical reasons why citizens abroad should be entitled to vote. Some say that these people will not be affected by their choice, and therefore, should not have voting rights. But this cannot be said of all expats. Some people are temporary emigrants, who will face the consequences of Irish politics when they fly back. Why couldn’t they be able to voice their opinion?

This of course shouldn’t be the main focus of the argument. Citizens abroad should have the right to vote as a matter of principle. If the logic states that you should not being eligible to vote because you will not face the consequences, then this shows a very troubling view of the act of voting. It paints voting as an incredibly self-serving, individualist, and egotistical act. But voting is not meant to be selfish. Voting should not simply be seen as something you do in order to serve your own interests.

Voting serves to set about a common vision that is beneficial to the entire community. Voting for the protection of minority rights when you do not belong to a minority, voting for the rights of workers as a business owner, voting for the abolition of student fees as a pensioner, are considered to be the right things to do, and isn’t seen as problematic. So why is allowing an expatriate to try and improve the life of their compatriots such a hot topic? Calling an expatriate citizen selfish for voicing an opinion, and for helping make decision that will affect their family, their friends, and fellow citizens, is a little too easy.

To determine whether citizens should have the right to vote, we should also look at it from the side of the state, not just the citizen. The state has the responsibility to cater for all of its citizens. One does not surrender their citizenship as soon as they travel across the border. A person is Irish regardless of where they are, and they are still inherently linked to the state. Being a people, a nation, is something that transcends territory. The state cannot forget its citizens, and it has a duty to protect and uphold the rights of all its members. Embassies are not only established to serve as a diplomatic link with the host country, but also to maintain a safety net and serve the citizens of its country. Is it not paradoxical to set up institutions abroad to protect and serve your own people while calling them ungrateful and unworthy of all of their rights as citizens?

Questions will be raised, of course, if this is adopted. Such as how this will be done. Will we follow the French model and have new constituencies representing expatriate Irish people and polls in embassies, or follow the US model of mailing-in your ballot straight to the state? But these questions will find an answer, and all that should matter in the coming months is to decide on how we define citizenship and nationhood.

Against: There are numerous reasons why Irish citizens abroad should not be able to vote in presidential elections. These mainly revolve around the practicalities and obstacles involved in the implementation of such a proposal. Firstly, consider the numbers: the numbers of Irish diaspora swelled massively during the economic downturn following the crash in ‘08. According to the OECD, it is estimated that approximately one in every six Irish born people are currently living abroad. More specifically Joe McHugh, former Minister for the Diaspora, has confirmed that around 1.8 million Irish citizens living abroad and 1.87 million people living in Northern Ireland, would be eligible to vote if the referendum passed. Providing millions of Irish citizens scattered across the globe with ballot papers would surely be an unworkable proposition. Furthermore, when considering this, include the cost, according to the government, the estimated cost of holding the initial referendum (if passed) would be approximately €19.4million, after a register of voters was established. Subsequent votes would then likely cost as much as €21 million. There are far better uses for such funds, especially given current crises in homelessness and housing and healthcare.

Furthermore, if such a referendum were passed and voting rights extended, then for presidential elections there would be nearly as many voters outside the country as in it. Voters who would not have to live with the consequences. Granted the stakes in Irish presidential elections are quite low, relatively speaking, as the position is mostly ceremonial; a figurehead with limited powers. The vote could then be skewed by voters abroad who will not have to live with or deal with any potential consequences of their decision. One could also pose the question: why would an Irish person, who could have been living abroad for decades, know enough or (more accurately) care enough to vote in a presidential election, which have little enough impact on the people living in Ireland, and even less on the people living outside of it?

Finally, this proposal has not been fully or seriously considered, or thought through properly. There appears little appetite or demand for such an extension of voting rights, and there is a lot of confusion and a lack of concrete proposals over how it will be implemented, and how it should be best organised. This is the crux of the issue, perhaps this referendum was proposed too soon without the proper thought beforehand, which is essential before moving forward with any referendum.

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Editorial

14

14

Happy new year and welcome back!

Obviously, as it’s a new semester, the majority of you should have a pretty calm month or two, free of assignments and tests until, all of a sudden, around March you’ll have 2 assignments due and 3 in-class tests in a week. Now, this is probably where you expect me to plead with you to stay on top of your work, go to lectures, try get some work done every day and that it then won’t be such a big shock when you actually have things to do, and I normally would, but after a few years here, I know that’s not going to happen, and that anything I say will go in one ear and out the other. So enjoy your first, few, stress-free weeks, you’ll need it later.

Over the holidays, it’s been nice to have to do nothing. Personally, there was no deadlines, nothing had to be read or researched and I pretty much had the freedom to do whatever I want, but unfortunately, for some reason I can’t really explain, having so much free time made me feel uptight and unable to sit still, and that is for one simple reason.

The fact that I had nothing to do meant that there was so many things I could do, and choosing between what to do was very difficult.

Choosing what to watch on Netflix is even becoming more difficult. Over study week and during early December, I was adding things to my to watch list, and by the time exams had finally finished my list was 20 items long. When it came to actually choosing what to watch, I usually had to use IMDB to check each show’s rating to choose which show had the best rating, to use my time most wisely. Even then though, I still felt as though I might be missing out on something that I’d enjoy, and

could be my favourite show if I gave it a chance. The possibilities were endless.

The same with music, books, film, football matches and for some reason every YouTuber I’m subscribed to decided to upload a ‘Top 10 of 2017’ video, the majority of which were over thirty minutes long.

As content becomes so accessible, and so easy to make, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep on top of it, and for some people it’s beginning to have negative effects. On Netflix particularly once a series drops, it always seems that as soon as you’re getting into one show, another ‘Must-Watch’ appears and makes you rush through the first show just to see it, leaving the book you’ve been intending to read for the last year dormant on the shelf. In a world full of distractions, when does continuous content become too much?

We have a wonderful semester lined up here at Byline and the Express, with interviews from the likes of food critics, musicians, actors and designers planned for the next five issues. From all of our writers, welcome back, we’re sorry it’s so early!

Cailean Coffey Artist credit for inside page: Credit: Emmet Curtin Staff member Facebook.com/photoemmet

HOROSCOPES

Horoscopes With Mystic Greg– Issue Seven

Aries (Mar 21st - Apr 19th) I’m really sorry, I know this is tough, but it’s time to give up on [MALE CELEBRITY]. It’s getting awkward how much you stan [MALE CELEBRITY], you know what they did. Lucky gender of the week: Not men anyway, the rest have done less shitty things.

Taurus (Apr 20th - May 20th) - While trying to invent a new slang word to impress all your friends you accidentally just create new racial slurs. Can’t take you anywhere... Lucky phrase of the week: Fetch (we can make it a thing).

Gemini (May 21st - June 21st) - I’ve been reading some other astrology blogs, and apparently you’re bad news just all the time. Fuck, man. That’s rough.

Lucky concept of the week: Self-love, treat yourself.

Cancer (June 22nd - July 21st) - What the hell is Quorn? Is it cow? Is it pineapple? Seriously, what the fuck is it? Lucky food of the week: Quorn chicken burgers, they are seriously *mint*...wait, are they made from mint?!

Leo (July 22nd - Aug 21st) - You will become intensely jealous of your girlfriend’s da because his wife (your gf ’s mam) is a ride. Don’t worry Janet, just wait 20 years, sorted. Lucky psychoanalyst of the week: Freud.

Virgo (Aug 22nd - Sept 22nd) - Take it easy on the gym. No matter how good the gains, a six pack isn’t worth a torn groin. Lucky workout of the

with mystic greg

week: One that involves the groinular region that gives you a six-pack.

Libra (Sept 23rd - Oct 22nd) You haven’t seen Father Ted, The Simpsons, Friends, Seinfeld, The Wire or The Sopranos, but you have seen Baywatch Nights? HOW?!. Lucky show of the week: Baywatch Nights, f ’real, that shit is crazy.

Scorpio (Oct 23rd - Nov 21st) Your New Year’s Resolution of shifting more feens is admirable, but foolish. We don’t shift anymore, granddad, we eat ass.

Lucky word of the week: Anilingus.

Sagittarius (Nov 22nd - Dec 21st) - You’re a good bean, a charming friend and a wonderful person. I hope you’re having a good day, muchacho. Lucky people of the week: your friends for knowing you.

Capricorn (Dec 22nd - Jan 20th) - A work friend you fancy will come on to you after a latenight shift. It may be against labour laws, but get ready to pull a back-to-back shift. Lucky pub of the week: The Abbey Tavern.

Aquarius (Jan 21st - Feb 19th) - Look, it doesn’t matter how tangentially related to Michael Collins you are, people do not owe you for getting us our independence from the Brits. Lucky concept of the week: actual genealogy, you’re not related to the Big Fella you liar.

Pisces (Feb 20th - Mar 20th) You will make a massive change in your personal life, and it’s for the better. Yes, it’s time to stop singing the n word when doing karaoke, Gobnait. Lucky wrestling organisation of the week: The NWA.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Review: Debbie Tung’s “Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story” El Menton, Arts & Literature Editor

I don’t know how many of you would be familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality test (you can take it for free at 16personalities.com), but to those of you who are, I fall under their category, ‘The Mediator’, or INFP (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Prospective). You can actually learn a whole lot about me simply by typing those four letters into a search bar, but this is a book review, not speed-friending, and the only thing I want to talk about right now is introversion.

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World is a graphic novel about the struggles Tung faces due to being an introvert in an extrovert’s world.

The art isn’t anything overwhelmingly complicated, but instead compiled of soft grey tones and simple yet expressive characters. Because of these wonderful visuals, before you

even read a word, your mind feels relaxed. One glance at Tung’s Instagram (@wheresmybubble) shows she is capable of hyper realistic styles, capturing movement in cities especially well – but the doodle style chosen for this book, in my opinion, is more than a perfect fit. The only fitting way I can describe how it made me feel is to imagine it as a cup of tea for the brain.

Soothing, warm, and much needed.

Had Santa Claus not brought this piece to my attention, however, I would not be writing this review today. It was a pleasant surprise in my stocking this Christmas, and I enjoyed it so much that before my family had even begun to eat breakfast, I was close to finishing the whole thing. I positively devoured it. It was as if Tung and I were twins, separated at birth, destined to find each other despite the cruel twists and turns of Fate— Everything, down to keeping a book in a bag for company, mirrored my thought patterns, my feelings, and my general way of being. I simply could not believe how eloquently she had voiced some of my innermost feelings in just four short panels.

The novel doesn’t exactly have a plot – it follows Tung’s life over the span of about two years,

during a period where neglecting the introverted side of herself became debilitating for her.

There are snippets on dating, college parties, job interviews, dreaded phone calls, flashbacks to primary school, and an extensive amount on comfy clothing and good books. (Spoiler alert: it’s a happy ending).

Tung reveals towards the end of the novel that, having taken the Myers-Briggs personality test, she was an INFJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Judgement), a personality type that makes up less than one percent of the population.

Upon discovering this, she turns to her husband and exclaims, “Do you know what this means? I’m not weird after all! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with me! I’m completely normal!!!”

This quote, in particular, struck a chord with me. It was a revelation to find out that I was not alone in this exhausting experience; I feel terrible for avoiding socialising, and I feel terrible taking part in socialising. When I want to see my boyfriend, I don’t often want to speak, but sit in comfortable silence or relax together, me reading in one corner, him playing video games in the other. I’ve even found it impossible to keep up part-time work during the college year, because the amount of time I spent around people was becoming detrimental to my mental health.

Being an introvert can make you feel like a total an utter freak, even when you know you’re introverted. I took the Myers-Briggs test years ago, and there are still weeks where I can’t understand how I’ve burned myself out so terribly just by seeing my beloved

1515 friends.

Here’s the thing, though: when you’re an introvert, it doesn’t matter if you’re out on the lash with your favourite person to ever exist across all of time and space, eventually, you’re going to be so incredibly sick and tired of them that you may well just pass out then and there.

Tung, in less than 200 pages, made me feel understood in a way that I hadn’t been before. I took the book and shoved it into my boyfriend’s hands, watching, on the edge of my seat, as he read it. Some parts made him laugh and point accusingly at me, when he recognised strange things I do for seemingly no reason. Other parts made him double take, or quietly squeeze my hand in his own.

“Oh,” he mumbled. “Oh.” Quiet Girl in a Noisy World is the ultimate handbook on how to understand yourself, or someone else, as an introverted person. Maybe you’ve got a super quiet friend, or significant other, or sibling, that you’ve never been quite able to figure out – chances are, Tung will explain everything. Even for those who don’t consider themselves bookworms, I would highly recommend picking Quiet Girl up; its simplicity in both its art and its language make it super accessible and relaxing to page through. It definitely earned its place as one of my favourite reads of 2017.

Film & TV

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Movie Recommendations I watched a load of things during the time off like Bridge of Spies, Mad Max: Fury Road, Groundhog Day – it’s a long list, but the one recommendation I have for you all is Mr Robot. Season Three left me in bits by the end, absolute magic, if you haven’t or gave up half ways through season two, do yourself a favour and watch the newest set of Christian Slater and Rami Malek hacker goodness.

New To Netflix Brooklyn Nine-Nine season four was just added, and you can never get enough of Andy Samberg (well apparently you can because no one saw Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), but the new season is great!

Just Out You smell that? It’s award seasonnnnnnn!!! Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Darkest Hour are out right now, and “Oscar-bait” The Post is out at the end of this week. Awards season is a gift that we get once a year, so enjoy your right to be a film snob!

Person of the Week Guillermo del Toro – It’s rare that you see an awards show turn off the music after trying to get someone off the stage, but this man managed to turn them all down

No Gods, No Kings, Only the Mouse Aaron Frahill, Film & TV Editor 2017 came to a close with one of the most notable acquisitions in entertainment history, with Disney seeking to acquire 21st Century Fox. In an industry that Disney have stomped through for the last decade and transformed through buying big franchises, the question has to be asked: will we have Marvel and Star Wars films shoved down our throats ‘til we’re dead? It would be silly to think this acquisition had anything to do with how inevitable the continuation of major cinematic universes is, but about the power Disney will now have over not just the silver screen, but every screen around the world.

When it comes to big businesses, coincidences don’t exist – Disney pulled all their content from Netflix (US) and then acquired the company with one of the largest competitors to Netflix. 21st Century Fox are the joint owners of Hulu in America (it’s not available in Ireland), along with Disney and Comcast, which streams shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Seinfeld, The Office, Parks and Rec, and so on. The Disney acquisition now gives them the controlling shareholding position over Hulu, and a foothold to challenge Netflix’s rule over your Sunday nights. Competition isn’t bad in the streaming service market, because there aren’t many stiff rivalries, with Netflix still being a few feet ahead of everyone else.

Even here in land, we feel the effect of Mickey Mouse’s grip over entertainment as Disney now seem to be in a position to take over Sky. I’m sure nothing major will

Ire-

change immediately here, as Europe is in a more complicated position, but this move shows a shift from Disney having a little influence over what we watch at home to controlling what’s on every screen in our houses. We’ll likely see the expansion of Hulu into our country in the near-future, so between cinemas, TVs, and anything that can stream video, Disney will be there.

Anyone who loves their comic book movies will likely be screaming at my pessimism over the deal, because the X-Men will finally get to star alongside our favourite heroes like Iron Man and Captain America. From a movie-goer perspective, it’s great that the divides that kept them apart are about to be broken, and we will get to see some collaborations that were left to the comic book pages in the past become reality now. It’s the cost of this happening that leaves me with a sobering sensation in the face of indulgence with the poten- t i a l for comic book movies n o w.

Disney shifte d their strat-

egy in relation to filmmaking/distribution over the last decade, with quality being a defining factor over quantity, with minimal risks. Disney released around 12 films in 2017, while Fox had its hand in over 30 films – the main thing to consider in this is that Disney had the made the most money compared to all its rivals, but using less films. Fox on the other hand took gambles with smaller films, especially through its Fox Searchlight branch. Film is about new experiences, being unique, and displaying creativity – Fox has facilitated this over the years, as Fox Searchlight helped make films like The Shape of Water, Battle of the Sexes, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which are all in distinct contention this award season.

This acquisition could still be stopped by the US government, but in the likely scenario that it isn’t we face a possibly bleak situation where Fox are twisted to fit the Disney business model – where money is all important and will always trounce taking creative risks so to further the industry. Disney has followed this formula of mass appeal to all ages in order to maximise how much money they make off their films, and it leaves me deeply worried where Fox fits into their plans when it comes to film industry. If there was ever any doubt that Disney were one of the largest conglomerates in the entertainment world, this acquisition has confirmed it, and left us without doubt that Mickey Mouse will be invading our homes in the near future.

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FILM & TV Editor - Aaron Frahill Review - Manhunt: Unabomber Cailean Coffey, Byline Editor Manhunt: Unabomber was originally created by the Discovery Channel to air across their networks in August of 2017. Following its original run on The Discovery Channel, Netflix quickly leapt in and bought the rights to the show and streamed it to the masses in December of the same year, but for some reason (possibly due to the launch of Black Mirror Season Four two weeks later) failed to hype the release enough, making many users unaware of its availability or existence. Despite its subdued debuts on the streaming service, “Manhunt: Unabomber” is everything you could want from a binge-able show, perfect for the holidays.

Manhunt: Unabomber spans eight episodes, roughly 45 minutes each, and tells the true story of James (Jim) Fitzgerald, an FBI detective from the Behavioral Analysis Unit who is recruited in an attempt to capture the notorious Unabomber, a terrorist who mails hand-crafted bombs across America, and has killed 3 people using mail bombs. Fitzgerald uses the letters the Unabomber posted to the FBI, Press and others in an attempt to put the pieces of the crime together and identify the man responsible. Using spelling, phrasing, language and template of the letters sent, as well as the Unabomber’s own manifesto, Fitzgerald develops the field known as forensic linguistics to track and catch the perpetrator.

The series, directed by Greg Yaitanes (previously directed episodes of House, Lost, Prison Break and Grey’s Anatomy), stars Sam Worthington

(Avatar) as Fitzgerald and Paul Bettany (The Avengers) as Ted Kaczynski, inverts the traditional “Who-Dunnit” narrative that many detective shows follow by naming the Unabomber in the first three minutes of the series, and showing Ted (The Un a b o m b e r ) in jail within the first fifteen minutes.

This leaves the viewer slightly confused – I mean, we have the criminal and we have the crime, what more do we need? What we quickly learn is that we need is a guilty plea, and we only have 48 hours to get it.

The series is a character analysis from the off, looking at the reasoning behind the capture, the tools and theories used to convict and start a criminal lawsuit, and, in one of the seasons highlights, procuring a search warrant with nothing but language as proof. The series looks at the results of Fitzgerald’s obsession with the Unabomber case, and what he had to concede to catch one of the most dangerous terrorists in US history. Paul Bettany delivers one of the standout performances of the show as Ted Kaczynski, successfully showing the intelligence of a man who

almost single-handedly brought the FBI to its knees. He portrays Ted as understandable, misunderstood and, eerily, somewhat relatable, a criminal you can both respect and fear at the same time. On a whole, the series is perfectly paced, with 8 episodes and roughly 8-hours of playtime, perfectly suiting the show, with there never being a point where the story feels rushed and never truly feeling dragged out. There is rarely a scene wasted, with the dialogue explaining everything the viewer could possibly need to know in order to understand the twists and turns of the plot.

The real Jim Fitzgerald himself has marked the show as 80% factually accurate.

While the plot centers around Fitzgerald and his use of language as his weapon, it’s the scenes featuring Ted that demand the most praise. The chemistry between Worthington and Bettany provides the crux and axis to which the show revolves. The series as a whole examines the way in which we view technology and its power over the human race. It makes us think twice at every traffic light and wonder what we’d do without our smartphones. It’s as much an examination of this generation as it is of Ted Kaczynski, and as the series heads towards its close you’re left to wonder whether Ted’s theories on technology are truer now than ever before and, if possible, the serial killer we’ve spent the previous 8 hours trying to hate was right.

Expertly directed, perfectly paced but questionably cast at points (could a more experienced actor have done a better job than Worthington did in his portrayal of Fitzgerald?), Manhunt: Unabomber is a hit that has slipped under the radar, and one that is well worth the weekend it will take to complete.

3.9/5

MUSIC

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Classic Album of the Week Sonic Youth – Goo (1990) Kim Gordon and Co effectively kick-started the grunge movement long before it was cool.

Brutish guitar licks and Gordon’s breathy, snarling vocals gave the band a violent tone, one that’s beautifully encapsulated on this record. Single ‘Kool Thing’ is 4 minutes of in-your-face, post punk brilliance.

Tackling the Touts

Callum Connelly, Music Writer With their tougher than most upbringings and criminally expletive lyrics, this decade well and truly belongs to the “internet rapper”. This generation has seen an insurgence of young men and women using the internet as a pathway to fame, and I can only applaud them for it. YouTube and SoundCloud have shot these unknown youngsters into the realms of B-List celebrities where they will comfortably reside for years to come.

It’s important to try and understand our society’s sudden admiration for these somewhat lyrically gifted artists, and what it is about modern culture that has allowed them to flourish.

First things first – SoundCloud. The hipster rap platform where early discoveries of now worldwide artists are made. Perhaps the greatest success

Thank you Dolly Parton Albums to Look Forward to in 2018 **note – no dates have been confirmed but these albums are 90% confirmed for the new year** Arctic Monkeys (TBA) Hozier (TBA) Jack White, “Boarding House Reach” Vampire Weekend (TBA) Frank Ocean (TBA) My Bloody Valentine (TBA) Liam Gallagher Quote of the Week Liam on U2 Frontman and our favourite export, Bono.

“You see pictures of Bono running around LA with his little white legs and a bottle of Volvic and he looks like a fanny.”

Robert McDonnell – Music Writer When I was growing up I didn’t know there was actually music that you could listen to that wasn’t radio Pop music or what my parents played by way of their shiny disks.

Trips with my mother involved listening to copious amounts of Classical music, Lyric FM. Drive Time.

Going to school that was it, that was all I heard, that and the news. “When you drive you can listen to the music you want to listen to”. I didn’t really mind this for the most part, in fact, I enjoyed listening to and learning about the various pieces and composers.

Driving to school with my dad was a totally different kind of ordeal, between the years of 2004-2009 the only C.D. that he had in his car his “free with the Sunday world” copy of Dolly Parton’s Greatest Hits.

“Your favourites and more”. Well after about a week of listening to Ms Parton’s nineteen eighties’ smash hit “nine to five” on repeat every afternoon I could sing every word of the song. This is actually something I did once during my tenure as a secondary school student, having characteristically underperformed in a sci-

story to come from the site is that of xxxtentacion, an artist widely regarded as the most controversial rapper in the industry. During a lengthy stint in prison for assault in 2016, the rapper’s production team released the track Look at Me! , a track that is devoid of much emotional appeal, is unapologetic of its low production value and features heavy use of auto tune. It’s important to remember that this man, real name Jahseh Onfroy, was only 17 at the time. Yet, despite the almost unlistenable quality to the song, it garnered over 100 million streams on SoundCloud, and a further 110 million on Spotify when it was re-released.

It’s an oddity that music our parents would likely spit upon, and that critics sentence to the depths of musical hell, resonates so much with the youth of today. I would estimate that at least 50% of the people reading this would

have heard Look at Me! in some form or another through its use in the memes that define the culture if our generation. Is it the foul mouthed, rage-driven aspect of such music that appeals so much to us as a generation?

In such a self-deprecating society, it’s possible that we identify far more with the themes of this music being made by artists of a similar age to ourselves than with the critically-acclaimed singers and producers who are many years our elders. I would recommend anyone to listen to the current and former “Internet Rappers” like xxxtentacion, Lil Uzi Vert or Rich Chigga and not find a piece of music which they can relate to. In a sense, it is feel good music for the very fact that it speaks to the sources of anguish in our lives. Whichever way it’s examined, we must commend these young men and women for using their own initiative to propel themselves to fame, regard-

ence test, (analytics has never been a strength for me) I struck a bargain with the teacher.

If I sang the all of Dolly Parton’s nine to five in front of the whole class she would change my grade to something slightly more parent pleasing.

I forget the exact context of this bargaining, but I assure you it did occur, ask anyone. Well I’m not what you would consider an overly extroverted person (I’m about averagely verted), definitely at the time of my performance I was a more little unsure of myself than I am now. Puberty will do that to you. I expelled a long contemplative “eeeemmm” in my squeaky voice while my fellow scholars showered me with such words of encouragement as “Ara go on t’f*ck” and “Sure tis only ourselves here”.

That was all it took.

I stood up in front of the whole room, perspiring out of every possible orifice and crooned my way through the country and western/pop crossover hit. The room erupted with applause, truly I was a god among men at this very moment, my classmates showered upon me their adulation, so much adulation in fact had been showered that returning to my desk was akin to a sub aqua mission. This made it really embarrassing for me

when I, distracted by all the adulation, tripped on my own bag and fell right into the outstretched arms of the classroom skeleton. As I lay on the greyish lino of the science room floor I wondered if the respect I had gained from my performance would in some way negate the embarrassment which was now due to me. Unfortunately this was not the case and whole room erupted into laughter.

I don’t hold this against my fellow classmates however, it was a classic slapstick moment on my part and had I been in their position I’d have probably enjoyed watching it.

That was the first time I ever performed in front of an audience. Since then I’ve performed to full rooms of people with my band. I didn’t know I was a singer, Thank you Dolly.

Music- JJ Lee 1919 music Editor - JJ Lee Oasis or Blur - The Battle of Britpop JJ Lee, Music Editor

With the Gallagher brothers occupying much of the word count in music sections columns globally in the past six months or so, it’s somewhat imperative to examine what propelled the be-fringed, irritable Manchurians into the public eye. Back in a magical time referred to as “The 90’s” the weekly Top 40 charts actually meant something (Jesus Christ, imagine that?). For a prolonged period in 1995 the two Britpop behemoths of Oasis and Blur duked it out to secure the coveted number one position in the UK Charts. The duel between the two bands has become somewhat legendary, mainly due to the massive egos involved and alleged bad-blood between the two iconic groups, but what actually happened?

Everything effectively came to a head in August of ’95, with both bands releasing brand new singles on the same day in an effort to oust one another and secure their position at the top of the ladder. Blur had faltered their way through the early 90’s with the release of debut album ‘Leisure’ in 1991 and follow up ‘Modern Life is Rubbish’ in ’93. Neither records achieved huge success, but the groups’ third studio effort, ‘Parklife’ marked a monumental turning point in the fortunes of the Damon Albarn fronted outfit. The hit-soaked LP brought commercial success to the squeaky clean Southerners, with singles like ‘Girls & Boys’ and titular track ‘Parklife’. The album debuted at number one on the British Album Charts, staying on the

chart for a grand total of 90 weeks.

Blur had arrived, the group had unknowingly transitioned from an artsy, left of field alternative band into a pop-sensation effectively overnight.

Elsewhere in the UK, an up-andcoming ensemble named Oasis were in the throes of a heady gestation process. The group, under the dictator-like stewardship of older Gallagher brother, Noel, created an inherently raw, simplistic tone and sound.

Gallagher constructed a simple, formulaic Oasis blueprint for success, consisting of predominantly open chords, fused with subtle distortion and drenched in a nonchalant, f**k off attitude. In May of 1993, the band were scouted by well-known label owner Alan McGee during a gig in Glasgow. McGee immediately presented the band with a contract and in April 1994 the group released their first single, ‘Supersonic’. The band dropped their much-lauded debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’ in August of the same year. Controversy permeated every aspect of the bands existence as constant aggro between the Gallagher brothers led to gigs being cancelled mid-set, stage walk offs and full on violent confrontations. This element combined with the groups hedonistic lifestyle led to Oasis becoming the perfect foil to the far more wholesome Blur.

Thus led to what is now known as ‘The Battle of Britpop’ in August in 1995. The tabloid press gleefully latched onto proceedings, presenting it as a class war. The chic, left-wing sensibilities of Blur pitted against the northern, grittiness of Oasis. The lines were drawn and the trenches were dug. Oasis had scored their first number single of April of the

same year with the now renowned anthem, ‘Some Might Say’ and some were indeed saying that they held the aces in the run up to D-Day. On the 14th of August Oasis released straightforward rock number ‘Roll With It’ whilst Blur dropped the inherently poppy ‘Country House’.

In hindsight, it’s rather ironic that this hotly contested skirmish revolved around two of the lesser singles from each group. Punters flocked to their respective highstreets with the furore becoming the focal point of that evening’s 10 O’Clock news. Blur outsold Oasis by a margin of around 58,000 copies but in typical Oasis fashion, the brothers Gallagher did not take the news easily. Claims were made from the Oasis camp that issues with the barcodes on the CD sleeve prevented some sales from registering properly whilst also stating ‘Country House’ sold better as it was cheaper at £1.99 compared to Oasis’ £3.99 single. The press absolutely lapped up the spiel horsed out by the Gallagher’s whilst Blur revelled in their victory. Noel Gallagher even went as far as to say that he hoped Blur vocalist Damon Albarn and bassist Alex James would “catch AIDS and die” the following month.

So yeah, it was all taken in good sport really.

As the old cliché goes, Blur won the Battle, but they didn’t win the war.

Following their first number one single, Blur released their fourth LP, ‘The Great Escape’ to rave reviews.

However, Oasis unleashed the effervescent ‘(What’s

the Story) Morning Glory?’ a month later, a record which propelled them to international stardom and 2 nights at Knebworth in ‘96. The rowdy Manchester group broke America with hit singles like ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’.

Oasis would ultimately be crowned Kings by the British media.

The Battle as it was, was nothing more than a beautifully concocted media storm intended to feed the tabloids.

The two hottest tickets in town were exploited in order to sell front pages to punters who predictably lapped it up. The rise and championing of Oasis ultimately signalled a change in British society, the groups continued popularity saw a sharp rise in what we now refer to as ‘lad’ culture.

The working class man was now the poster boy of a nation. In 2017 however, it is the almost cerebral, culturally aware work of Albarn and Blur which stands the test of time and has acutely influenced a plethora of indie and alternative acts since the 2000’s.

Oasis or Blur was realistically a matter of substance versus style, and for the better part of a decade the Gallagher’s had everyone hoodwinked.

Hindsight is 20/20 however, and it’s plainly evident that Blur have, after all, won out.

Interview

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A Conversation With: Joe McNamee Caoilean Coffey, Byline Editor Joe McNamee is one of the leading food critics in Ireland. Joe, a Cork-based food critic for the Irish Examiner, Food For Thought magazine (FFT.IE), has previously contributed to the McKenna Irish Food Guide and is known for his expertise in both the business and political aspects of the food industry. Cailean Coffey sat down with Joe to discuss everything from his development as a writer, his previous job as a graphic designer, his love of food, the rising level of obesity in Ireland and the problems with the governments muted response.

BYLINE: Growing up, was food and cooking an important part of your life?

JOE MCNAMEE: Hmm, was food and cooking an important part of my family life…. No. My mother is an incredible woman, multi-talented, had several careers and she’s something quite special but she’s a bit of a war criminal in the kitchen, it wasn’t her forte. I discovered food when I left home, when I started working in restaurants.

BY: How did you become involved in writing?

JOE: I suppose I’d always been interested in writing. We grew up without a television until 11 so I read ferociously, I would have read a couple of novels a week and it was one of my stronger subjects.

I studied English in UCC before dropping out to become a pop star, a work in process obviously.

But I think I would have always, even as a songwriter, I would have written. Then in the late 90’s someone knew that, even though I’d never fully trained, I had a substantial background as a professional chef in my previous life, and he asked me to write my own take on Anthony Bourdain’s book ‘Kitchen Confidential’, which had just come out at the time, to see if it fit my memories of a professional kitchen. And that was my first professional article really. It evolved from there, began getting more commissions and more work. I would have had a broad interest and interest in the arts back then so I was doing an awful lot more arts writing. I would have written about music and film in particular, and I would have done a lot of interviews. Doing interviews with people has always been a strong suit of mine, I seem to have the

ability to make people want to talk.

I briefly edited a local listings magazine, a big, glossy colour production but unfortunately that didn’t last. I’d been working all along as a graphic designer, that’s what I’d trained as, so I was working in my own business but got burned on one particular contract so that effectively ended the business, so I went and worked at an advertising agency for a year and that completely killed off any lingering passion I had for graphic design, so I just went into Tim Vaughn, who was the editor of the Examiner at the time, and asked for a job subbing. He would have been familiar with my writing at that stage, I would have been writing quite regularly for features and the arts pages, so he said yeah and then after a year, two years, a job came up and I became Deputy Arts Editor. This was just in 2005, when Cork was becoming the (European) Capital of Culture, so I was brought on specifically to engage with that and it just continued on from there.

I took time away from journalism when my father died, but I’d kind of continued to write creatively, a few small things, but

then I got back into writing but I actually started to concentrate specifically on food. Part of it was because when you’re writing features, you’re given a subject and you become a sort of dinner-party expert for all of two weeks when you’re researching the piece. I personally find it very important, when writing about something, to write about it with knowledge and to fully understand the topic.

It becomes quite stressful, actually, when you’re given a subject because you don’t want to seem a fool So I often spend a lot of my time researching. After a while I realised I was putting in a lot more effort into researching a topic than its paycheck merited, so I decided to specialize in food. I would have written about food many times in my career but I decided to start turning down commissions that were offered to me and just concentrate on food. It was only a matter of months of refusing before the offers stopped coming in and I was fully concentrating on food. I was writing for numerous publications also, though the Examiner was my bread and butter. I was offered the opportunity to become an associate editor for the McKenna’s guide, the Bridgestone’s guide, which was a great honour and that further cemented me as a food writer. Nowadays, I write more about the politics of food and the policies involved in food production and consumption.

While there is a smaller potential readership and fewer interested parties, it allows me to take a deeper look into the issue of the world and of this country.

BY: What’s the difference between writing about Art and writing about Food?

JOE: See with food, I start with an extensive knowledge base, so I can go in with a confidence and knowledge of my surroundings while at

Interview by Cailean coffey

the same time I’m always, always learning. When I was in my early and mid 20’s, I was quite possibly the greatest chef that’s ever lived, in my own head of course, and then when I got to my 40’s I realised how little I actually knew, and I realised it’s always about learning. At a point, I went back to college and did a BA in Culinary Arts which was designed for senior chefs, the practical modules were supposed to hit Michelin Star standard cooking. Food is one of the most important aspects of our lives and you’re always going to be learning, but at the same time, you’re always going to be learning, you know, when it’s a food based commission that education gives you the opportunity to attack the subject with a huge level of confidence, and therefore go more in-depth with the subject. You cut through the fat much easier when you know and truly understand what’s going on in a kitchen and in the business.

BY: You worked in a professional kitchen for ten years, as you’ve previously stated. Once you left the kitchen, was it always your intention to come back and look at it in a journalistic way?

JOE: No, no, I never ever thought that I’d ever end up describing myself professionally as a food writer, it was just something that I kind of fell into. I started working in restaurants at the age of 15 parttime and that was nearly a means to an end, to finance the weekend’s drinking – food was an afterthought. It was only when I was

easily accessible, and restaurants are so easily accessible, that people, especially students, are losing the ability to cook?

JOE: Losing the ability to cook or never really having it? I was a bit flippant about my wife and my mother, they are both women who have professional careers, but an awful lot of that came at the expense of time at home, in the kitchen, learning to cook.

Now saying that, I think cooking is an essential skill and one that all children should be taught in around 20, 21, I had this girlfriend primary school rather than secthat no matter where we were, ondary school. It’s a fundamental she had to cook a Sunday roast. life skill. There’s only five things No matter where we were in the we can’t live without: air, water, world she’d find a way to make a Sunday roast. So, after a few weeks sleep, shelter and food, and yet food is diminished to maybe 10% of that I said I’d take over the cooking, and, while she did a great or less of our spending, which has decreased from about 50% a job, I was doing a better one and hundred years go, and then the I became far more interested in the minute details of it. After that, amount of time devoted to it: a lot of people spend ten minutes or it wasn’t my full-time job, but for money I’d start doing cooking jobs less total a day in their preparation and I started actually paying atten- of their food, which I think has a tion to what I was doing. I worked hugely negative impact for our physical and mental health. under all sorts of chefs, learning different things and I spent close BY: What are your thoughts on to a year, six months maybe, working under Seamus O’Connor, Ireland’s increasing obesity levels?

Do you think there’s a big divide who is the chef proprietor of The between what people see as Ivory Tower, which is an iconic healthy food and what they see as Irish restaurant, and I learned a tasty food? huge amount from him. This was JOE: Unfortunately, I have to plonk just before he opened the Ivory Tower and we worked in a kitchen myself in with the obese people here, so I’m basing this off persontogether and he persuaded me al experience. So much of what we that I could take over after him do around food is a sort of Fausonce he’d gone. Food has always been – since my 20’s – has been an tian bargain that we have traded important part of my daily life, and food, our knowledge of food and our preparation of food for conveI’m the type of person who wakes nience. We want the convenience, up in the morning thinking “Ohh, what am I going to cook for dinner the time for leisure purportedly. today?” I married someone like my We go to the supermarket once a week, as it’s the easiest place to mother, another wonderful woman who shouldn’t really be allowed go, but we never truly know where near a kitchen. But to answer your the food is coming from, how it’s processed, how they’re produced question, I never thought I would and it’s more and more we surbe writing about food. render these controls over our BY: You brought up the interesting own nutrition and dietary health, the more we have problems with point, that both your mother and obesity. Obesity is just one acute your wife shouldn’t be allowed symptom of this trade-off. Up to near a kitchen, do you think that in this age where takeaways are so the industrial revolution, most

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people, barring the kings and the queens, would have played some part every day in the preparation of their own food. Most people will have done growing or had something going on, but then the industrial revolution demanded workers and there was no time to do anything else, and for the firsttime farming was becoming fully professional, that’s really when farming became industrialized.

BY: Do you think there’s anything extra the government can do to combat the issue?

JOE: I could spend the next two days telling you things the government could do, and pointing out things they haven’t been doing, and things the government have been doing that are completely counter-intuitive. But there is a new program, a new Health department report released relatively recently, looking at a more concerted aspect of the problem and it’s the first admittance that there must be an interdepartmental strategy effort. That’s a very important aspect because while one department may be doing something very good, another could be doing something that has a completely negative effect, and asks for the absolute opposite.

But, as this funded and run by the health department, there’ll be people in Education looking at it and thinking ‘That’s going to cost money and we don’t have money so we can’t do it’, I don’t see a great enthusiasm across departments. To be perfectly honest, I hold the belief that a state-prevention will never really do anything if it’s reactive, if it can become pro-active then it’s a completely different beast, and to achieve that we need a public outcry and public movements outside of government. The government seems much more interested and occupied by trying to aid and nurture the agri-food industry and is less interested in servicing the need of its citizens and that’s always going to be a problem.

GAMING

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Upcoming Releases The Inpatient The Inpatient is a psychological horror game developed by Supermassive Games (Until Dawn, Hidden Agenda et al) and published by Sony Interactive. It is a prequel to their 2015 horror game Until Dawn, set 60 years before the events of the first game. It must be played with the Playstation VR headset, and will be released in North America on January 23rd, and in Europe on the following day.

Dragon Ball FighterZ DB FighterZ is a fighting game developed by Arc System Works (Double Dragon, Guilty Gear, BlazBlue et al) and published by Bandai Namco.

The game will be based on the famous ‘Dragonball’ anime & manga franchise, and it received positive feedback since its announcement.

Dragon Ball FighterZ will be released worldwide on January 26th, and in Japan on February 1, on PC, PS4 and XBox One.

Monster Hunter: World MH: World is the latest in the long running action-RPG series developed and published by Capcom.

According to press material, ‘MH: W’ presents a first for the series in that it will allow four players from across the world to play the game in an online co-op mode. Monster Hunter: World will be released worldwide on January 26th on PS4 and XBox One, with a PC release to follow (note: the game is a PS4-exclusive in Japan).

Byline’s Top Games of 2017 Jack Douglas, Gaming Writer

of the first Yakuza game, and follows up a bit more on the previous year’s surprise hit Yakuza 0. The only reason it didn’t make our list is because while As we come into 2018, it’s the perfect it only came out in the West in Autime to look back on the gaming land- gust of 2017, it was initially released scape from the past year. There were in Japan in January of 2016, so it was a some lofty highs, some shattering lows and a lot of creamy middles, but overall 2017 was a good year for gaming: the Nintendo NX became the Switch, VR took-off in a great way, indie games received a new lease on life, and the SNES Classic was a darling unit (if you could get hard case to make. your hands on one). Before we get into our top games for the year, we 5. Dream Daddy have some honourable mentions.

Probably the most ‘controversial’ enLooking across different ‘Game of the try on this list, in that I don’t know if Year’ lists after writing our top five, we this will be on any other list. Dream noticed some games that were fairly Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator is common (if not consistent) entries just that, a dating sim where you woo in lists that didn’t make ours. For the most part, it’s really simple, but they are absent here because we didn’t get a chance to play them. Persona 5 has really taken the world by storm, exceeding its likely place as an unspoken classic to become truly great.

Some lists have this taking the top spot, but it’s seldom out of the top five.

Nier: Automata is a game I hadn’t really heard anything about, but reviews and word-of-mouth have reserved its spot at the top of my ‘to play’ pile. I’ve never been the biggest fan of horror games, but what the people at Capcom did with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, must be commended. Changing the formula of the previous games to make something new but still making it like the much-loved original? Fantastic. Sadly I didn’t get a real chance to play it fully, as I only picked it up in the January sales. The last honourable mention isn’t one I’ve seen on a lot of lists, and there may be a good reason – Yakuza Kiwami is a remake

other fathers and daddies. Produced

by Game Grumps, this is a must-buy on Steam if you want a fun, relaxing queer time.

4. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Another surprising hit, Wolfenstein II was one of the break-out shooters this year.

Known mainly for its ‘controversial’ political elements, it was great to sit back and play a wonderful, classic FPS. 3. Sonic Mania Speaking of classic gameplay, Sonic Mania was the game we all wanted from the likes of Sonic 4 and Generations. A game made from passion, and love, and it really shows.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild The complete antithesis to Sonic Mania, Breath of the Wild was an awe-inspiring experience. Completely different than any other Zelda game, really, it showed that Nintendo can really do anything.

Breathtaking.

1. Super Mario Odyssey This may be controversial, as most pundits have Zelda ahead of Mario this year, but Super Mario Odyssey is simply the most fun I’ve had with a game in years. If you could take the concept of ‘pure joy’ and distill it down into a game cartridge, what you’d get is Super Mario Odyssey.

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gaming Edittor - Tyrone Power a surprising detail about Birdo’s life: “He thinks he is a girl and he spits eggs from his mouth. He’d rather be called “birdetta.” Birdo, at least in Zach Stevens, Gaming Writer Super Mario Bros 2, is a trans woman. In later games & publications Despite the fact that we’re in the this was changed & retconned, but year 2018, it can still be incredibly as recently as Super Smash Bros. hard to find positive portrayals of Brawl her gender was given as “inLGBTQ+ characters in our video games. While queer characters have been in video games for decades, with the earliest appearance being (according to Wikipedia) an unnamed lesbian artist in Infocom’s 1986 game Moonmist, it still seems surprisingly uncommon even today. Why is that, though?

In 2016 the ‘Siege of Dragonspear’ expansion for the PC game ‘Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition’ contained a minor character called ‘Mizhena’, who, through dialogue with the player character, reveals that they are a trans woman determinate.” While Birdo’s gender (i.e. someone who was ‘born a boy’ status was present in almost all lobut ‘became’ a woman). This rev- calisations, the same could not alelation was met with outrage from ways be said about Final Fight’s Poisome corners of gaming fandom, be- son. When localising the game to ing called everything from ‘pushing North America, the Japanese devela political agenda’ to ‘SJW pander- opment theme believed that her staing’, and the writer of the expansion, tus as a female enemy character the Amber Scott, received harassment male proonline. Was it ‘LGBT tokenism’ as t agon ist some said? Well, as Amber put it w o u l d herself: “I get to make decisions f i g h t about who I write about and why. m i g h t I don’t like writing about straight/ p r o v e white/cis people all the time. It’s not c o n t r o reflective of the real world, it sets up v e r s i a l s/w/c as the ‘normal’ baseline from in the which ‘other’ characters must be S t a t e s , added, and it’s boring.” Simply hav- so they ing LGBT characters isn’t a political wrote her statement in itself, the same way the as a ‘nemere existence of LGBT people in w h a l f ’ society isn’t itself inherently politi- or pre-op trans woman. While this cal. did nothing to help her inclusion in While Moonmist is the earliest the American port of the game (she known example, a more famous and her palette-swap Roxy were reearly example of an LGBT character placed with generic male thugs), her in video games comes from 1988’s gender identity has been ambiguous Super Mario Bros 2, and one of its ever since. While Capcom have nevvillains: Birdo. Birdo’s the egg-spit- er officially had an official position ting mini-boss you know and fear, on Poison’s gender, various statethough you may remember them ments from people who worked on better as “pink, alternate uni- games, or even some in-game deverse girl Yoshi” from various Ma- scriptions lead to people believing rio-themed sports games. The man- that she was either a pre/post-op ual of Super Mario Bros 2 revealed

Positive LGBT Content found in the strangest of places

trans woman, or a man who crossdressed as a woman. Yoshinori Ono, producer for Street Fighter IV, said in an interview: “Let’s set the record straight: In North America, Poison is officially a post-op transsexual woman. But in Japan, she simply tucks her business away to look female.” Either way, Poison is another example of an LGBT character’s identity being changed or altered in localisation.

There’s a lot of space for inclusivity when it comes to RPGs and the ‘blank’ player character. The Mass Effect series contained many samesex romance options, as well as the (essentially) genderfluid Asari aliens, which meant that your character can truly have whatever sexuality you want, really. This is a bit more common than I would’ve thought in RPGs, but generally the same-sex love interests are random NPCs with little story to them. In Mass Effect these characters are major characters with deep, immersive backstories. And the way these romances are handled, as perfectly natural, normal things with little fanfare, is exactly what you want.

In fact, if it wasn’t for some public controversies relating to the Asari, I doubt a lot of players would even realise that their Commander Shepard could be gay, or bi or pansexual, if they just willed them to be.

Talking about things that flew under the radar, one game this year really surprised me with how in-depth, subtle and supportive its inclusion of LGBTQ+ players was, and it really did come from the most unlikely of places: South Park - The Fractured But Whole. Responding to (mild) criticisms that the player character in the first game in the series, The Stick of Truth, could only be male, the developers (and Matt Stone & Trey Parker themselves) completely revolutionised the concept of gender

Retro Game of the Week Grim Fandango Grim Fandango is a classic PC game developed & published by LucasArts in 1998, and, with the rather lacklustre reaction to 2015’s Broken Age, belongs to the virtually dead point-and-click genre. Grim Fandango is a fun, beautifully looking game inspired by the Mexican celebration of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. It’s currently available on virtually every platform (with the notable exception of most Nintendo or Xbox platforms) as it can be bought right now on PS4, PSVita, Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android. The game was remastered in 2015 for the PS4 re-release, and I can say that, having played the original and the rerelease, that it is a faithful, reliable port of the late-90s classic. & sexuality in role-playing games.

You get to a point where the school counsellor asks you about your gender and sexuality, though it’s fairly basic at this point. As soon as you leave the school, a group of ‘rednecks’ start trouble with you because of your identity. I had picked a somewhat queer character, so this wasn’t outside the realm of imagination, but this event happens regardless of what you pick – even if you’re a straight, cisgender man.

Later in the game the counsellor calls you back to the office, and asks you some more in-depth questions, after which he says what he thinks you identify as. If you say that he got it wrong, then you have a nearly endless list of options to choose for your character’s sex, gender and sexuality. And I was gobsmacked.

As much as I love South Park, it had just come off the ‘PC Principal’ season, and I was not hopeful or even expecting something like this in The Fractured But Whole. But the South Park team took what games like Mass Effect did, and took it to the nth degree, showing the rest of the gaming world how it should be done.

fashion

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Top Winter Coats to Invest in:

By Iris Maher The Camel Coat I don’t think it has ever gone out of fashion. It is incredibly popular, hence most high street shops will have a variation of one to suit all price points. As an added bonus, the colour of this coat will match the vast majority of your wardrobe.

The Aviator Jacket Zara brought these jackets to the forefront this winter season with many shops following suit. These jackets are perfect for everyday wear, as they can be dressed down, you can even throw one over an oversized hoodie.

Puffer Jackets An extremely popular choice this year. They come in a variety of colours and lengths.

Faux Fur Coats and Jackets Another style to make a triumphant return this year.

Previously a style worn to occasions and events, the fur coat is now being worn everyday.

Tartan/Check Coat Similar to the camel coat, its a style that does not go out of fashion.

The 75th Golden Globes: The #TimesUp Movement uses Fashion to Demonstrate their Cause.

By Iris Maher, Fashion Editor

This year’s Golden Globes gained far more attention than usual due to the political stance taken on the red carpet, and the movement #TimesUp. Those attending were encouraged to wear black to support #TimesUp. Eight actresses, Michelle Williams, Emma Watson, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, Shailene Woodley, Amy Poehler and Emma Stone, arrived accompanied by activists like Monica Ramirez, Tarana Burke, Saru Jayaraman, Marai Larasi, Rosa Clemente, tennis legend Billie Jean King, Ai-jen Poo and Calina Lawrence. Times Up is an organisation that aims to help victims of sexual assault and also offers legal aid. Their website, timesupnow.com, states; ‘The clock has run out on sexual assault, harassment and inequality in the workplace. It’s time to do something about it’.

The movement was highlighted through the wearing of black to the 75th edition of the award show. Black is usually worn by men to the event anyway, so many men wore pins with the slogan ‘Times Up’ to convey their support. With so few not wearing black, could it be safe to argue that many just followed the ‘trend’? In terms of fashion and the designers, all that changed was the colour. The usual luxury fashion brands were still chosen by the stars.

Perhaps unusually, only one fashion house is known to have made a substantial donation to the Times Up movement; Calvin Klein. Although Marc Jacobs did offer a statement on

the movement; ‘We wear black to join with the voices of ALL women, particularly women of color, LGBTQX women, disabled women and all other women who have been disproportionately affected by sexual violence...TIMES UP on discrimination, harassment and abuse’.

(Tracee Ellis Ross wore a dress

by Marc Jacobs).

Recent years have seen the rise of people using fashion to protest, as we saw with the use of feminism in luxury and high street fashion. This particular protest occurred on a large scale, as all of today’s top celebrities engaged in the movement, though one could argue that the male participation was lesser, as black tie is traditionally worn to such events. Almost all in attendance wore black, save for three; Blanca Blanco, Barbara Meier and president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Meher Tatna. Although their choice not to wear black was not of a political nature. As president of the association that holds the global globes, Tatna stated; ‘My mom and I planned this together a couple of months ago, it is a cultural thing...When you have a celebration, you don’t wear black. So she would be appalled if I were to [have] worn black. And so this is, for my mom’. She further said she was ‘standing in solidarity with all

these other women’, and also displayed the #timesup badge on her outfit.

Nikki Ogunnaike, senior fashion editor for Elle, wrote that the conversation changed on the red carpet. Usually those in attendance are asked who they are wearing, now most were asked why they were wearing black. Ogunnaike made the point that who they choose to wear was important, as many of the prominent fashion houses are led by males. She argued; ‘This Golden Globes broadcast would have an opportunity to highlight the few womenswear brands that are actually run by women’.

When asked why they wore black, many celebrities centred the conversation around themselves, rather than using it as a platform to express the issues at hand. The attention brought to the cause is great, but as with fashion, trends rise and fall fast.

Was this action great enough to invigorate change? Or did it just offer privileged celebrities the chance to “feel” involved?

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FASHION Editor - iris Maher London Men’s Fashion Week: colourful prints and artistic Autumn Winter 2018/2019 makeup.

By Iris Maher, Fashion Editor Trousers seemed to be the item of choice for many deLondon Men’s fashion week signers this fashion week. This was held from the 6th of Jan- item of clothing, in terms of uary to the 8th, showcasing men’s fashion, tends to be designers collection for A/W subdued and plain. This year 2018/2019. we saw a switch from the foVivienne Westwood’s show cus being on the jumpers/twas not a show at all, instead a shirts to the bottoms. Striped video was created displaying tracksuit bottoms, which have her latest collection. The video been a key trend in women’s had themes of war, as models fashion, has now moved to spoke of being a part of her mens. This change was evi‘army’. Westwood’s clothing is dent at shows such as Oliver always adventurous, and this Spencer and Astrid Anderson. year is no different. Following Another style item seen was her theme of war, the clothes the cowboy hat. The hat was were often green. There was teamed with sportswear enlots of tartan, oversized suits, sembles (tracksuits) and over-

sized coats at Astrid Andersen.

Luxury sportswear is still leading the way for mens fashion.

Recent fashion weeks and showcases have been focused on gender fluid clothing, showing that the fashion world has changed course.

Many of the shows this week embodied quite traditionally “masculine” styles. These were evident at the shows of; Tonsure, Edward Crutchley, and John Lawrence Sullivan. Although, Oliver Spencer sent female models down the runway in “mens fashion” with heels. Models featured in Spencers show included Daisy Lowe, Catherine Hayward and Jade Parfitt.

Anticipation for the brand “What We Wear”’ was immense, as singer Tinie Tempah designed the latest show.

The runway show was filled with elegant and tailored sportswear in muted colours.

Tempah stated that; ‘Sportswear is always going to be in my DNA’.

Famous faces spotted attending events at London Men’s Fashion Week include; Rita Ora, Liam Payne, Idris Elba and Jim Chapman.

H&M Apologizes Amidst H&M in the past, has cut ties collection would be released and we apologise to anyone this with the retailer. He stated on later this year. A statement is- may have offended…It’s obviRacism Accusations

By Iris Maher, Fashion Editor

The global and popular retailer H&M have issued an apology after they were accused of racism. The accusations arrived after an image of a young black boy wearing a hoodie with the slogan ‘coolest monkey in the jungle’ written across the front was used on their website. The image soon went viral across Twitter.

In reaction, singer The Weekend, who has collaborated with

twitter that; ‘Woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo.

I’m deeply offended and will not be working with H&M anymore’.

The image has been removed from their website and H&M vows to remove the hoodie from its stores. Another singer, G-Eazy, has also decided not to work with H&M. It was only announced in early December 2017 that he would be collaborating with them and a clothing

sued on both his instagram and twitter accounts said that he felt uncomfortable allowing his name to be associated with the brand; ‘Unfortunately, after seeing the disturbing image yesterday, my excitement over our global campaign quickly evaporated, and I’ve decided at this time our partnership needs to end’.

A spokesperson for the store has said; ‘This image has now been removed from all H&M channels

Topshop Fake News Jeans The white letters are on a back- ular in daily and online life.

By Iris Maher, Fashion Editor

Fashion gets political once again. The high street retailer Topshop are cashing in on Trump’s rhetoric. The shop has released jeans with his infamous slogan ‘Fake News’ written in a down the outside leg.

ground of red solid column.

Online reaction to the jeans is mixed, some are bewildered by the move while others adore them. Many twitter users, while making fun of the item, admit that they also like them. The use of the phrase ‘Fake News’ is becoming more and more pop-

Teen Vogue’s Elizabeth Logan argues that it may be problematic, as society begins to normalise Trump’s behaviour; ‘...the more we normalize the undermining of journalism, the more we are susceptible to being misled by, well, actual fake news’.

ous that our routines haven’t been followed properly. This is without any doubt. We’ll thoroughly investigate why this happened to prevent this type of mistake from happening again’.

A similar controversy occurred in January 2016, when H&M apologised for s striped scarf that was deemed to be a copy of a Tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl.

Although, one could argue that it is a marketing move by the retailer as on the European/ Irish Topshop website, the jeans are currently out of stock.

Will we see other phrases from the U.S President being used to sell clothes?

They are retailing at €64/£46 online and in selected stores.

Humour

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Headlines Weather: Wet, and not in a good way.

Religion: Church apologises to the gays after recent discovery of stunningly handsome man named Steve in the original copy of Genesis.

College Life: UCC student body collectively brace themselves for returning holidayers wanking over “aprés-ski”, whatever the fuck that is.

Television: TV3 to be rebranded as Virgin in 2018, is reportedly getting a lot of shit about it from ‘the lads’ Home Living: Priced out of College Road? Experts suggest that Donegal may be the new commuter town for UCC students.

TV Listings: RTÉ2, Monday @8PM: First Dates Ireland returns and with it, my soul.

Top 10 Pieces of Bathroom Graffiti In UCC

UCC campus?”

Boole Basement, ladies’ An excellent frontier for discussion, Samantha Calthrop, Staff Writer to which only one solitary reply has been made: “Nugget porn”.

University is a time of personal deA work in progress. We await the velopment, a time of reflection and continuation with baited breath. a time of learning. We learn everywhere in university. We learn in our 7. “Fair weird a room full of lads shitlectures, of course, but we learn the ting and pissing together” same amount in different social circles, new situations, unique challenges, and most importantly, in the toilets.

There are few of you whose hearts and bottoms have not been touched by the contents of the toilets. UCC’s lavatories have a rich history of insight and debate, a mantle gravely passed from year to year, generation to generation. The brave, the wise and the lonely take pencil to wall and create masterpieces. Every bit of graffiti in UCC is a masterpiece- but here’s a celebration of some of these magnificent pieces Boole Basement, Mens’ that will touch our soul and haunt A piece that reminds us to question our pisses for a long time to come. everything; an examination of the simplicity and absurdity of the mod10. “Something vulgar, Something ern world. obscene” Boole Basement, mens’ 6. “My bf says he loves me but he’d A thoughtful deconstruction of the find me more attractive if I were genre of bathroom graffiti, an underthinner” stated piece that breaks the art form “All lads with small willies say that” down to its bare essentials. ThoughtStudent Centre, ladies’ ful, simple, and reflective.

Along with several other comments along the lines of “Dump him”; an 9. “My plants don’t need no stats! empowering piece examining gen#LetPlantsBePlants2k17” der roles, body image, and solidarity.

Butler Building 1st Floor, ladies’ A commentary on the juxtaposition 5. “Do you ever feel so alone?” between the wild beauty of nature “Yes I do right now!” and the clinical construction of the “me too lets start a group chat” study of botany.

Boole Basement, ladies’ Most of UCC’s bathrooms have at A short story about the hardships of least fifty different statements per isolation, the emotional struggles of cubicle, but the Butler Building’s layouth, and the power of unity. dies’ upstairs features only two. My two personal curator’s choice pieces, 4. Small changes to help the environposition #9 was a close call between ment (Collaborative piece) this and the only other piece of grafKane Building, Ground Floor, ladies’ fiti in the other stall of the pristine A collection of conscientious advice bathroom, “Continental breakfast is from many student contributors.

NOT real breakfast!”

Thoughts include, “Switch to roll on deodorant”, “Say no to straws & oth8. “Discussion Time: What’s the er one use plastics”, “Don’t bring any weirdest thing you’ve overheard on more children into this world”, and

“Only shower once a month.”

An essential piece, both artistically and practically, for the modern era.

3. Just the complete lack of any graffiti whatsoever in the Western Gateway bathrooms Western Gateway Building What do the computer science students DO in there?

2. The Abortion Debate That Takes Up An Entire Wall Boole basement, ladies’ The famous, shining jewel of UCC’s toilet facilities. Known to all, contributed to by many, this heated, intelligent, startling debate on the 8th Amendment has taught us all a little about our fellow students. BECAUSE IT’S ILLEGAL TO MURDER! Is surrounded by comments, angry, supportive, thoughtful and touching; “Savita was murdered by the 8th.”, “The core of the argument is women’s rights”, and many heartbreaking and touching anecdotes of the lives of people touched by the 8th amendment, along with other contributions, like “Voldemort was just misunderstood” and, enigmatically, “Women!”

1. “You can’t spell biscuit without CIT” Food Science Building, Ground Floor, mens’ Understated. Elegant. Profoundly true.

Nothing more needs to be said.

To the artists of the above- if you are out there, somewhere, reading these words, know that your contributions will live on in the cubicle walls of our hearts forevermore. To those of you who sit by and simply watch the evolution of the graffiti as it grows, join me in applause to the thinkers of UCC that bare their souls as well as their privates in the bathrooms, enriching the experience for all. And may we all take a moment to think upon the deep questions, the shallow questions, and the stories all around us in the stange old world we live in every now and again. Don’t forget to give a shit, while you take a shit.

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HUMOUR Editor - Sarah Ryan McGregorism Named Ireland’s Hottest New Religion Callum Casey, Humour Writer

Following the meteoric rise of world renowned man-wrangler Conor McGregor, a cult-like worship has sprung up around Ireland, and today that cult has been officially recognised as Ireland’s main religion.

At a ceremony this morning the young disciples of Saint McGregor turned up in their droves. Fuelled by their love for a muscly man who punches other muscly men for a living, and an unhealthy amount of piss-coloured energy drink, they lined the streets and waited anxiously for their saviour to arrive.

“He’s one of us really,” one fan shared with the Express as he waited, “He’s down to earth you know? Money hasn’t changed him. He’s just like us and he’s proud of it-.” The statement was cut short by Mc Gregor tearing through the crowd with his solid gold Lamborghini, killing at least ten people. This only made the crowd cheer harder, what a cheeky scamp.

McGregor left his car illegally parked on the massacred plebs and climbed the steps of St. Patrick’s cathedral to make his speech. He ripped the

microphone from the stand that was set up and began to pace about, like he really needed a piss or something, and soon began to ‘call out’ St. Patrick.

“You’re nothin’ but a big pussy, Patrick! Meet me in the octagon and I’ll show you there’s still a few snakes left in Ireland…These pythons!” The soon-to-be saint then ripped off his suit that costs more than your college tuition to reveal UFC’s trademark Reebok shortshorts and, in a moving display, put a statue of St. Patrick in a headlock.

Thus the ceremony was complete.

The Catholic church is having a tough time adjusting to the change, according to one priest; Father O’Reilly, from North Dublin, said: “It’s been strange alright. I’m not sure I like having an eight-sided cage in my church, but what can you do? The orders came straight from Rome…I mean Las Vegas, sorry. I do like the new uniforms however, much more flattering than the weird

white dress things,” O’Reilly stated, looking visibly pleased with his new garb, consisting of a sickly neon Tapout shirt and shorts mandatorily worn several sizes too small. The seventy-eight year-old priest’s parishioners looked less pleased.

The Irish public have similarly been hesitant to accept McGregor as their new patron saint. “I’m not a fan, no,” said Martina Cleary, a recent widow, “Myself and my late husband were waiting for the six one, all ready for the angelus then, bam, that ruffian came on.” Mrs.Cleary is referring to the new Angelus, which involves McGregor gurning and calling the viewer a little bitch for a minute straight. It has tragically

been fatal, being the cause of death for many unsuspecting pensioners in the last few weeks.

The young men of Ireland however have taken to the new religion like a skinny sixteen year-old to a McGregor branded protein bar (only €7.99!!!). “It’s fucking great, man!” one teen exclaimed, his eyeballs vibrating after his seventh can of Monster that day, “Being a complete antisocial prick is now protected as a religious activity, all because Conor does it!”

The Express tried to reach Saint McGregor for a comment but we were told we needed to pay an extra pay per view fee for the interview.

Operation Two Birds One a tan in Wicklow. Everybody wins. Varadkar and co. were confident At of the time of writing, the temThe people of Ireland have been early this week at the opening of a perature has dropped again. The Stone Callum Casey, Humour Writer

After months of debating, planning and ducking the question, The Irish Government, today revealed their plan to deal with the growing homeless crisis.

“Sick of people freezing to death on our streets?” The Taoiseach asked outside the Dáil earlier this month, “Sick of wind and rain and having to wear extra layers? Don’t worry, I’ve solved both!”

Varadkar went on to outline what the Government have dubbed: “Operation Two Birds One Stone.” The government were going to speed up Global Warming in Ireland to a point where homeless people wouldn’t even feel the cold anymore, and you would be able to get

ordered to stop any recycling immediately, and all TDs were asked to leave all lights and electronics switched on in all of their five holiday homes. Top consultants have said Ireland could reach highs of thirty degrees in January, if the plan is successful.

Charities such as Focus Ireland and St. Vincent De Paul have been ordered to stop handing out blankets and sleeping bags, and instead give out sunglasses, shorts, and breezy Hawaiian shirts, getting the homeless citizens of Ireland ready for the sun.

The Express contacted Danny Healy Rae, newly elected Minister for the Environment, for a comment on the matter, but, unfortunately, we couldn’t understand his thick Kerry accent.

newly converted soup kitchen in the renamed Costa Del Salthill.

“I think we’ve solved it, we really have. Look at them. They’re loving it, no one is freezing, they’re all getting tans. What more could you want?” The Taoiseach said as he handed out free Margaritas and Choc Ices instead of warm soup to the hungry, sunburnt crowds.

The public, initially sceptical, sunburnt and wary of the new-found vitamin D in their systems, seemed finally be warming up to the idea.

One resident of Salthill, had this to say, “I think it was a great idea, really was. It’s nice to have a bit of sun, lovely. Oh, the homeless people?

Well it’s nice to see them all dressed up. Those shirts really liven up the streets, makes me feel a lot better when I ignore them, you know?”

hole in the ozone layer has caused an orange alert storm every two days and the sea levels around Ireland have rose so much, every coastal county is currently under water. Thousands of homes and polar bear corpses, have been washed out to sea on one of the many flood waves that are battering our towns and cities.

In a statement broadcast from the official Fianna Gael emergency submarine, The Taoiseach said, “Look, no one could have seen this coming. It was just such a surprise to all of us. At least we got a few weeks of sun. Also, has anyone seen Danny?”

Reports say minister Healy Rae was last seen floating around south Kerry on a raft made of Turf screaming at the sky and cursing the “Fairies”.

Fiction

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FICTION Editor - Sophie Mckenzie

On Air Engine on, wings ready, Earphones in, eyes heavy, Lights dim, voices hush, The whirring begins, a most ominous buzz, It picks up pace, making up ground.

Baby’s starting crying, no peace to be found, Faces are still, illuminated by phones, Books sit unread, all alone, Papers are rustled,Feet are shuffled The voice on the intercom somewhat muffled The pace is set, the pilot is ready, Lets hope this is all calm and steady, You feel the rush, something pushing you back, Cars turn to Beatles,the world seems flat, You rise above the clouds, home becomes a blur, The journeys just beginning, the engines roar becomes a purr Anon.

food

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FOOD Editor - isabella Storey Cosgrave

Small changes for healthi- The less cooked the vegetable is centrate juices as they’re much er things. You can still have the the better it is for you because less healthy due to their sugar flavour layers but you use less er eating Isabella Storey Cosgrave, Food you haven’t gotten rid of as many of the vitamins and minerals Editor through cooking. So, where you Welcome back after winter can eat raw or not boiled grey. break and whatever holiday This is easy to do with things you celebrate during it (if any). like crudités, cucumber slices You’re into a new semester and and fresh fruit snacks.

I’m sure there was at least one Also, you can cook vegetables family member who mentioned in advance and keep them in the freshman 15 while looking the fridge and they’re normally at you pointedly over break. good for two days or so. Frozen We’ve all been there, it’s okay. vegetables that cook fast are just However, you might want to as good for you as fresh ones, do something about it, which and it’s usually cheaper and easmeans we’re all about healthy ier to get a hold of. (well, healthier) eating. I’m not Root vegetables like carrots and going to list a whole diet of turnips are also carbohydrate strict rules or “10 best ways to and sugar heavy like potatoes, flavour your lychee and ostrich so be careful adding them in to reduction so you enjoy eating things. it for breakfast, lunch and din- There are enough vitamins and ner” because I don’t think that minerals in potatoes that all you many people are going to stick need to add to hit all the dietary to them for more than a week, requirements you need is butter. not to mention that they’re not So, it is technically possible to necessarily very feasible for a survive on a diet of mashed pocollege student’s budget and tatoes but the last time we tried time. Instead I’m going to give that well, it didn’t end so well... you a bunch of small tips that but when you’re really strapped, are a little easier to maintain, a bowl of buttery mashed potaeven in college. You might not to is healthy and handy. try any of them, or you might Hydrate, you fools do a bunch of them, but if they Probably one of the most overget you thinking about it even looked thing with healthy eatwhen the weather improves, ing and snacking is that people don’t realize that they’re thirsty, then that’s something.

Note: these are only small tips. so before you grab a snack mayIf you plan on making huge be try and drink a big glass of changes to your diet, it’s advised water and see if that helps ease you consult a medical profes- the need to snack?

Also putting lemon or fruits, sional. or dilutes/cordials like MiWadi Fruit and Vegetables You shouldn’t eat from just one in water, because sometimes it vegetable family - like Brassica gets boring to drink so you get (cabbage, brussels sprouts, cau- dehydrated. People I’ve spoken liflower, kale, rocket, and oth- to have said that this was a big ers) or Peppers or Nightshades help to them in not wanting to (tomato, aubergine etc) - be- snack as much. cause you won’t get as much va- Breakfast Use fresh juices, not from conriety.

levels.

It pays to take a look at the amount of sugar in your cereal, as you might be better off making yourself toast with butter and jam or a small fry in the morning.

I hate to say it, but instant coffee isn’t good for you. If you’re a regular coffee drinker and have money left after Christmas, pick yourself up a small cafetiere to make yourself French press or an espresso pot. If you don’t drink it that often and are sticking to buying it, cutting out flavour syrups almost halves the sugar in it. Cutting the cream off the top helps too.

Using honey in your morning porridge or similar is better than sugar, unless it’s raw cane sugar.

Try to make your own muesli or granola, because it’s quite easy, and most store-bought ones have a surprising amount of sugar.

Cooking Use extra virgin olive oil or butter instead of sunflower or vegetable oil. I mean real butter, not margarine or spread. I’d always go for olive oil if you can and you can get it in most shops nowadays.

Whole grain is better than white because white flour and rice gets bleached which reduces its health values.

When cooking pasta, half way through throw in some broccoli, spinach or semi defrosted frozen peas or corn or whatever. It’s an easy way to cook vegetables and get them in to your diet.

Baked is healthier than fried in terms of meat, eggs, potatoes, and a wide variety of oth-

grease when baking or under an oven grill than in a frying pan.

Sesh Healthier Try adding a vegetable topping (never fruit, don’t trust the pineapple) to your pizza or get a kebab and eat all the salad that’s in it. I honestly don’t know how to make a 3 in 1 healthier so maybe look at like a stir-fried noodle or rice dish instead. The way I see it is if the vegetable still has its natural color then it’s got to be good for something.

Use fruit juices, the fresher the better, instead of sodas for mixers. These juices have less concentrated sugars and more vitamins and minerals. Plus, you’re halfway to a cocktail that way.

Other tips Don’t just do a calorie restrictive diet, look at where the calories are coming from and are you hitting the balance of carbohydrate, protein, and fats that you’re supposed to.

Low fat foods add more sugar to make up the flavour so you’re cutting one demon out and replacing it with another.

If you can go organic, it’s got less dodgy chemicals in it, obviously. I know it’s not doable with most things but things like organic milk have maybe 20c in the difference nowadays so there’s not much of an argument you can make against it.

The food pyramid has changed since you learned about it in Primary and junior cert Science, so you need to be aware of this and just look it up when planning your diet.

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ISSUE 07 | UCC Express

Punk Rock Sex Work - An Interview with Jane Way Robert O’Sullivan, Editor-in-Chief The following interview was published in February of last year as part of the Sexpress Magazine. It was the most-read article across UCCExpress.ie in 2017. For more from the Sexpress, or to read the interview in-full, go to Sexpress.UCCExpress. ie. For more from Jane Way you can follow them on Twitter, @JaneWayXYZ. Starting off on a bit of a generic question, but how & why did you get started in sex Work?

I got my start in amateur porn with an ex-FWB, and it kind of evolved from there. Escorting came after, and it’s been the saving grace in my life as a queer genderfluid person living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Before sexwork, I studied pharmacology and mortuary sciences, then I was unemployed and on and off welfare.

I struggled with addiction due to my chronic pain and mental health issues. Sexwork allowed me the ability to support myself and my family and friends without burning myself out. I can finally take care of myself and do a job I love. Now I’m in the works on some major pornography projects and providing companionship that’s mutually beneficial, and I couldn’t be happier.

31 and uplifting community of people that sexwork has afforded me, and the impact it’s had on my life and my health is priceless.

my femme appearance and target markets. Sometimes, we as non-binary people, have to work under the guise of cis-ness to make a living. It’s a survival technique. But my most cherished clients and co-workers respect the fuck out of me, and even Being a ‘​punk rock beauty’ do you use my proper pronouns (which think the ‘Do It Yourself ’ punk-rock are they/them) in my reviews and philosophy helps when it comes to such. It’s really heartwarming. For sex work? every disrespectful person that’s given me shit for who I am, whether it I think it definitely does! Our com- be queer, genderfluid, or alternative, munity very much has a DIY ethic, there’s ten more that love, support, and we routinely do things respect, and pay me. to keep each other safe outside of regular channels because of stigma You have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and legalities in some a long-term illness that can cause countries. Whether it’s a safecall, a frequent safe space to work, offering refer- dislocations and can be debilitating. ences, or working together to make People with disabilities generally are films outside of mainstream chan- seen as almost incapable of having a nels on our own, together, I see a lot sexuality - do you see your sex work of DIY punk ethics in the sexwork as a way to reclaim your sexuality? community.

You identify as genderfluid; have you faced any discrimination or negativity, both within the industry and from clients, because of your gender identity?

Oh absolutely. There have been vari-

What’s one aspect of sex work that you didn’t foresee or expect before getting into it?

If I’m being honest, I didn’t foresee being this empowered by it.

Even when I was doing it for survival, which I guess I still am at this point (in terms of that if I didn’t do this work, I wouldn’t be able to support myself), I didn’t expect to stumble upon the most supportive

ous providers in the Toronto & others scenes that have publicly and/or privately shamed me for who I am, but I succeed regardless. Especially because I often ignore a bulk of misgendering that happens to me in my work due to

clients or coworkers.

Do you think that people with disabilities are underrepresented in porn, or is there just too much of a grey-line between representation and fetishisation?

I do think they are in mainstream porn, but there are a lot of folks doing really great things for representation of disability in porn.

Lyric Seal, off the top of my head. I was interviewed for an article alongside them, and they’re doing amazing stuff. At the end of the day, we’re people, and we’re sexual people, and we’re not going away.

Because of the general lack of queer / genderfluid / disabled role models, especially when it comes to sexuality, do you feel pressure to be moreso out and outspoken about your life and your Absolutely I do! And a lot of sex- work? workers are disabled, either physically, mentally, or both. This work allows us to take care of our- It’s not so much a pressure I feel, as selves, and for me it totally has an obligation to use my voice and helped me reclaim my my platform for those sexuality as a disabled person. I get who may not be able to. I feel comfortable and safe enough doing so, therefore I must, to the best of my ability. I’ve had so many people come to me and tell me that they appreciate how outspoken I am, and that I inspire them. That alone is the reason I’ll never shut up.

For anyone reading this who may be nerdy, queer or who may identify with you in any way- do you have any advice for them?

Be yourself, be loud, be proud, but don’t worry if you aren’t in a position to be. I was quiet, and remain quiet on some things to this day, because I need to be able to get by and survive, and that’s OK. You don’t have to be the face of the rebellion; just beto have the sex I want to have and ing you is rebellion in itself, and make the art I want to don’t beat yourself up for doing what make, where previously that power you have to do to survive in the enhasn’t been afforded to me. Trust vironment you’re in. me, we as disabled people are just as sexual as you, and just as capable- just ask any of my

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ISSUE 07 | UCC Express

Bliain na Gaeilge 2018 Alexandra Philbin

Athbhliain faoi shéan ‘is faoi mhaise daoibh go léir, a léitheoirí! Bliain nua atá againn agus is ionann é sin agus go bhfuil ‘Bliain na Gaeilge’ linn. B’fhéidir go bhfuil sé mar rún na hAthbhliana ag cuid agaibh feabhas a chur ar bhur gcuid Gaeilge nó b’fhéidir go bhfuil suim agaibh níos mó faoi stair na teanga a fhoghlaim. Cibé rud atá ar intinn agaibh maidir leis an teanga, is cinnte go mbeidh rud éigin ar fáil daoibh an bhliain seo. Ach cad a bheidh i gceist go díreach le ‘Bliain na Gaeilge’, cén fáth go bhfuil sé á ceiliúradh anois agus conas gur féidir libh páirt a ghlacadh?

Ceiliúradh na teanga atá i gceist le Bliain na Gaeilge.

Tacaíonn na heagraíochtaí éagsúla a oibríonn ar son na Gaeilge agus an rialtas léi. Cuirfear béim ar cúig réimse: tábhacht athbheochan na Gaeilge agus a tionchar sa stair go dtí an lá atá inniu ann, imeachtaí éagsúla a bheidh eagraithe i rith na bliana, méadú ar úsáid na teanga agus íomhá phoiblí na teanga, spreagadh na Gaeilge sa tír agus ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an obair a dhéantar anois ar son na teanga, agus tábhacht na nGaeltachtaí. Tá an bhliain dírithe ar dhaoine le líofacht sa teanga, daoine le cúpla focal nó a thacaíonn leis an gcúis, pobal na Gaeltachta agus pobal an diaspora. Roghnaíodh 2018 mar bhliain na Gaeilge toisc gur cuireadh tús le hathbheochan na Gaeilge 125 bliain ó shin, sa bhliain 1893, nuair a bhunaigh Dubhghlas de hÍde, Eoin Mac Néill agus a gcomhghlacaithe Conradh na Gaeilge.

Cuireadh tús le Bliain na Gaeilge le heisiúint leagain ‘Auld Lang Syne’ as Gaeilge agus is féidir libh éisteacht leis an amhrán ar YouTube anois. Amach anseo, beidh idir imeachtaí áitiúla agus imeachtaí móra timpeall na tíre ar fáil daoibh. Ceann de na himeachtaí is mó a bheidh á eagrú ná ‘Beo!’; mórshiúil i gcathair Átha Cliath ar 3 Márta chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar bhunú Chonradh na Gaeilge agus ar an athbheochan. Is féidir libh eolas a fháil ar na himeachtaí áitiúla go léir atá eagraithe go dtí seo ar an léarscáil atá ar fáil ar ‘Peig.ie’. Táim cinnte go bhfógrófar imeachtaí nua i rith na bliana ar an suíomh sin chomh maith, so bígí cinnte go gcoimeádann sibh súil ghéar air!

Guím séan agus sonas oraibh go léir don mbliain nua agus tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh an-sult as Bliain na Gaeilge.

10 Focail - Mobile Phones & Social Media Fón póca - Mobile phone Féinphic - Selfie Clicmhealladh - Click bait Cuimilt faoi dheis - Swipe right Cuimilt faoi chlé - Swipe left Ubhmeathán - A Twitter troll Cluiche saorimirt - Freemium game Haischlib - Hashtag Sponcán - Tinder Bróintr - Grindr Thanks to @TheIrishFor on Twitter for some translations

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PHOTOS

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express

Photos courtesy of Emmet Curtin Photography

PHOTOS

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SPORT

Amputee Team Launched Dylan O’Connell- Sport Editor

Cork City FC have unveiled their newest addition to the ranks of the Rebel Army with their launch of the Cork City FC Amputee Team at a press event at the Cork International Hotel.

The launch was attended by members of the Board of Management, Club Staff and First Team coaching staff, along with representatives of the FAI and some of the players recruited for the side so far.

Cork City General Manager Paul Wycherley commented: “I’d like to welcome the Cork City FC Amputee Team on board. When we look at the ethos of FORAS and the community side of the club, we truly are an all-in-

ISSUE 07 UCC Express clusive club at Cork City FC. We are Football for All clubs.” expanding our underage academy sides, and the women’s team are soon Kevin Cahillane, who will coordito be brought under FORAS.” nate the team along with fellow Irish international Dave Saunders, told “We won’t stop there though, and the launch: “We had our first trainwant to try and be even more inclu- ing session in the COPE Foundation sive. It has been a great year for the in Montenotte last Thursday night, club, and now we welcome the Am- and we would like to thank Terence putee Team on board. They have our McSweeney for his help in arranging support, and we wish them success in that. It was great to see seven playtheir season ahead!” ers turn out, of which four were new faces to the game. We are hoping the Nick Harrison, FAI Football for All association with Cork City will get us Development Officer, said: “This is more players and that having a local the next step for the amputee game team will encourage people to come in Ireland. It will give players of all out and give it a go. With the new naabilities the opportunity to train and tional league coming, it is great to be play regularly at a local level. We see a part of it and we are hoping we can the team eventually catering for not be successful and win another league only adult males, but also ladies and title for Cork!” children too. In Cork, there is now, as well as the Amputee team, a blind “Amputee football was founded in team, a powerchair team and five Ireland 2012 and I got involved in

2014 and, in the same year, we travelled to the World Cup for first time in Mexico. Since then, I’ve 27 caps; the last few of which were when we finished 6th in the European Championships last October, which guaranteed us qualification for next year’s World Cup. From other countries, we see the national league as being the next step in breaking into the top tier of countries.”

City boss John Caulfield said he was delighted to welcome another team to the club, saying: “We are all delighted to welcome the lads on board, in what is another positive development for the club. We look forward to seeing how they get on, and we can assure them that our management and players will be right behind them.”

SPORT

ISSUE 07| UCC Express

Around the grounds

has also had spells at Rochdale (on loan) and Exeter City, prior to signDylan O’Connell, Sports Editor ing for St. Johnstone, and he now reAnother New Black Belt for UCC joins John Caulfield’s side on a twoyear deal.

Taekwon-Do Club Siobhan Ladden was successfully graded for her 1st Dan Black Belt with Grand Master Trevor Nicholls on Dec 2nd. Siobhan is also the Captain of the UCC club and is continuing her training schedule and preparing for the Open Martial Arts Intervarsity that is scheduled for the end of January. The Open Martial Arts Intervarsity is open to Karate, KungFu, Kickboxing, Taekwon-do and other similar striking arts.

The event is co-hosted by the UCC Karate, Kickboxing and Taekwon-Do clubs, and will be run under compromis e rules.

a success.”

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the other attacking players at the club. There is a massive challenge ahead, but it is an exciting challenge for a guy like Graham to see if he can cement his place and score goals.

There are huge expectations on all of the front players this year; the challenge for them is to handle playing in front of 5,000 plus and be able to deliver every week.”

Commenting on the news, City boss John Caulfield said: “We are delighted to sign Graham. We have been working extremely hard over the Speaking after he finalised his move, last while to identify players who fit Cummins told CorkCityFC.ie: “I the profile we are looking for, and am absolutely delighted to be back who are prepared for the challenges at City; I spoke to John a couple of ahead.” weeks ago and I was eager to come back, but after speaking to him, I was “I spoke to Graham a number of Former UCC boss Awarded so excited at the thought of coming times and, from my point of view, Former UCC coach turned Cork City FC boss John Caulfield last week received the award of, “Personality of the Year” from the Sports Writers Association Ireland.

The Taekwon-Do Int e r v ar s it y is scheduled for the start of March in NUIG and back. Everything he said was so pospromises to be a fun weekend away itive and I am coming back to the best team in the country. They have for all competitors and supporters. just won a double and I want to come back and win trophies at City. It is Cummins Re-signs for Champions something I spoke to John about; I Cork City FC are delighted to an- am very ambitious to come back and nounce the signing of Graham Cum- get some medals.

“The last game I played for City was mins from SPL side St. Johnstone. the last time I won a trophy, and I The striker returns to City, having am coming back to win titles again. left the club for Preston North End I don’t want to come back and just in January 2012. In his final game in play games, I want to be winning his first spell at the club, Cummins’ trophies. From speaking to John, the 94th minute winner, his 24th goal of club has come on leaps and bounds that season, secured the 2011 First since I left, so I am really, really excited to be back. I am going into a club Division title for the club.

I know, but into a new environment In addition to Preston, the attacker at the same time. The main thing for me is to win trophies; I want it to be

it was about trying to get him here in January. He was still under contract and I know his club wanted to wait until the summer, but we didn’t want to wait and, to be fair to Graham, he had the bit between his teeth that he wanted to get it done. There have been negotiations over the last couple of weeks; Tommy Wright, the St. Johnstone manager, who I was dealing with, was great to deal with and we managed to agree for him to come to us in time for pre-season, so he will be ready to compete with the other lads for the start of the season.”

the President’s Cup.

The award, for the former UCC boss, rounds off an excellent season for Caulfield, who masterminded Cork City’s quadruple of success in 2017 with the Rebel Army winning the league title, the FAI Cup as well as the Munster Senior Cup and

John Caulfield managed UCC Soccer from 2011 to 2013, where he guided the club back through the ranks, winning the Munster Senior League First Division, before going on to mastermind UCC’s first Collingwood Cup victory in 15 years at the college. He also oversaw the development of number breakthrough players at the college including former Cork City FC and cup winner Michael McSweeney, as well as current Irish international Daryl Horgan.

“He is in the prime of his career and With the trophies glistening, attenhe has a great opportunity here now. tion now turns to next month’s openHe is under no illusions as to what is er against Dundalk at Oriel Park. needed in terms of competing with

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SPORT

Sports Scholars Honoured Dylan O’Connell- Sports Editor

UCC honoured sporting excellence with the presentation of sports scholarships to 62 students last month.

Director of Sport & Physical Activity at the University, Mr Declan Kidney, bestowed the honours, as part of the UCC Sports Scholarship Scheme, at a special ceremony in the Mardyke Pavilion.

A total of 14 sports are being recognised from the college: athletics, basketball, camogie, Gaelic football, ladies’ Gaelic football, hockey, hurling, rugby, sailing, ladies’ and men’s soccer, table tennis, and tennis.

Following on from a hugely successful year for the University’s soccer teams, the sport will come under the spotlight with the presentation of UCC Soccer Development Awards to six students. A further nine UCC Soccer Club players will receive soccer scholarships, with four female players also among the awardees.

An additional 19 students are receiving Munster Council GAA bursaries; these were to be presented by Mr

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express Gerry O’Sullivan, Chairman of the Cork City Women’s FC captain CiMunster Council of GAA. ara McNamara, along with Daniel Pender and Shane Daly Butz – two The strength of the senior and U20 players who made a major contriburugby team is also reflected in the tion to UCC’s Collingwood Cup and awarding of 15 scholarships to UCC Munster Senior League success in Rugby Club, who play in the All-Ire- 2016/’17. land Division 1B. Michael J Dowling also continues to The UCC Sports Scholarship Scheme support hurlers through the Michael is well-established within the Univer- J Dowling Hurling Scholarships. This sity, and provides a range of import- year’s recipients include Waterford’s ant supports as well as acknowledge- Conor Gleeson and Mark O’ Brien, as ment of the recipients’ dedication to well as Tipperary senior intercounty their sport. In addition to financial player, Michael Breen. support, scholars also receive access to a qualified exercise physiologist This year, Greenstar/Panda have and physiotherapist, and academic come on to sponsor a number of GAA support where required.

Scholarships. They include Cork senior camogie player Chloe Sigerson, Reflecting on this, Declan Kidney and Cork senior intercounty hurlers said: “UCC are delighted to support Mark Coleman and Darragh Fitzstudents in their endeavours to fulfil gibbon. Conor Ryan receives his first their sporting ambitions, while at the basketball scholarship. In addition to same time giving priority to their ac- assisting UCC Basketball Club in the ademic studies.” colleges league and intervarsities, he is part of the UCC Demons SuperUCC is delighted with the contin- league squad. Lesley Ann Wilkinson, ued support for scholarships from Hayley Linehan and Hannah McCaIrish Assistant Soccer Manager Roy rthy are also among the awardees.

Keane, who supports a number of They play their club basketball with soccer awards. Recipients of the Roy UCC Glanmire, and all won the NaKeane Soccer Scholarships include tional Senior Cup with the club earli-

er in the year. Liam Manning receives his first sports scholarship award for his performances in sailing. He was part of the UCC team that recently retained the Irish Team National Racing Championship, and he was a crew member with Fionn Lyden – a UCC Quercus Scholar who won the ‘Champion of Champions’ at the All-Ireland Irish Sailing Championships, held on Lough Owel some weeks ago.

Cork’s All-Ireland senior camogie success is reflected in the awarding of scholarships to Orla Cronin, Meabh Cahalane, and Chloe Sigerson. Sean Powter receives a Gaelic football scholarship. He has only recently returned from Australia, having been a member of the Irish team who played the Aussies in the Compromise Rules Series. Cork’s young hurling sensations of the summer, Mark Coleman and Darragh Fitzgibbon, also receive scholarships. They hope to lead UCC to Fitzgibbon Cup success in 2018.

Rugby player John Poland, meanwhile, receives his scholarship following his recent transfer from Cork Constitution.

The UCC Sports Scholarship Scheme ceremony follows the recent Quercus Gala, during which seven talented students were acknowledged for their sporting prowess.

Welcoming in the new Quercus scholarship awardees at last week’s event were former Munster rugby player Cian Bohane, Tipperary hurler Paddy Cadell, Cork camogie and ladies’ Gaelic football player Hannah Looney, hockey goalkeeper Hannah Humphries, Kerry senior Gaelic footballer Robert O’Donovan, and rugby’s Jack O’Sullivan.

SPORT

ISSUE 07 | UCC Express ...continued from back page.

As the first half wore on, City dominated the possession, with Conor McCormack sitting firmly back in midfield, controlling distribution comfortably.

Cobh, however, were not without their chances, as Kevin Taylor burst down the right wing, well passed Rowling, to tee up Beineón O’Brien Whitmarsh who, faced with the awkwardness of the height, tipped it towards goal, but Mark McNulty gathered well and keeping it at 1-0.

City spurred on, regained possess ion and pushed forward, with Griffin breaking through but his shot was easily picked up by Hunt. City finished off the half well, with a quick break from

Inter-County rivals team up with Electric Ireland to launch sponsorship of the GAA higher education championships Dylan O’Connell - Sports Editor Footballers, Sean Powter (Cork) and Jack Kennedy (Tipperary), and Hurlers, Kyle Hayes (Limerick) and John McGrath (Tipperary and All Ireland Hurling Minor Winner in 2012), are best known for the rivalry that exists between them when lining up against each other for their respective counties.

a set piece outwitting the Cobh Ramblers midfield; with the ball falling to Gary Buckley facing goal, he fired the ball hard but straight into Hunt’s hands. City pushed with an excellent chance to double their lead, as McLaughlin blasted it well from twenty yards out, only for the left back’s shot to scrape the crossbar on the way over.

Cobh closed off the half with winger David Hurley on into space to fire well wide.

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O’Riordan was taking no chances, clearing it for the Ramblers. Cobh’s best chance of the half fell to Darren Murphy from twenty yards, who rounded a free kick well round the wall to graze the crossbar.

Fleming, Ben O’Riordan, Christopher McCarthy, James McSweeney, Kevin Taylor, Darren Murphy, Stephen Christopher, David Hurley, Beineón O’Brien Whitmarsh, Cian Leonard.

Booked: Kevin Taylor.

Overall the Rebel Army won the match and the bragging rights as they beat county rivals Cobh Ramblers 1-0 in an entertaining affair at St. Colman’s Park. Next up for the Champions is another friendly against UCC In what was a sleepy second half, both on Wednesday night (17th of January) sides emerged rotated with Cork City at the Mardyke Arena, while the Ramintroducing Karl Sheppard and Danny blers travel to the capital to take on Kane, while Cobh Ramblers emptied Shamrock Rovers. their substitute bench. City picked up where they left off, with Conor Mc- Teams: Carthy swinging a corner in, but Ben Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt, Charlie

Cork City FC: Mark McNulty (Jacob Marsen, ‘60), Aaron Barry, Jimmy Keohane, Conor McCormack, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling (Danny Kane 45’), Jarib Gerkondani (Karl Sheppard ’45), Shane Griffin, Conor McCarthy, Colm Horgan, Sean McLaughlin, Garry Buckley.

Subs not used: Steven Beattie, Kieran Sadlier.

Booked: None.

Electric Ireland, as part of their First Class Rivals campaign, will shine a light on the contribution these unlikely alliances provide to the compelling nature of the Electric Ireland Higher Education Championships that are amongst the most sought after titles in GAA. Between now and the finals, Electric Ireland will showcase the importance of rivalries in creating great competition and ensuring players fulfil their potential.

To follow their stories, follow #FirstClassRivals

Hayes and McGrath are also both students at the University of Limerick whilst Powter and Kennedy study at University College Cork. Over the next few weeks each of these players will put their traditional rivalries aside in an effort to win the coveted Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups, which are part of the Higher Education Over 7,000 students take part in the Championships sponsored for the Electric Ireland GAA Higher Edufirst time this year by Electric Ireland. cation Leagues and Championships that commence in November and The four players teamed up with culminate in the Electric Ireland Electric Ireland to launch its First Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup Finals Class Rivals campaign in support of being held on the 17th February in Electric Ireland’s sponsorship of the Trinity’s Sports Grounds Santry and Higher Education Championships. on the 24th February in Mallow reThe campaign celebrates the unique spectively. trait of these historic GAA competitions that sees team composition, Before any talk of finals can begin, unlike in club and county Champion- after UCC’s dual semi-final loss in ships, determined by place of learning 2017, focus is primarily fixed on next not place of birth allowing traditional month’s Sigerson opener against the rivals to form the most unexpected of winners of Garda College or Athlone alliances.

IT, while UCC hurling will face local rivals CIT and UCD as they hope to capture the Fitzgibbon Cup for the first time since 2013.

Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Electric Ireland said, “In GAA, it’s all about your place of birth. School against school, parish against parish, county against county. It’s all dictated by where you come from. That is until you get to the Higher Education Championships. The third level team is different with traditional rivals taking to the field as teammates. These rivalries and unexpected alliances are part of the reason the Higher Education Championships are so captivating. Over the coming weeks, we look forward to seeing some of the best the country has to offer take each other on in what will be a fantastic HE Championship.”

Referee: Graham Taylor.

Commenting on the launch, University College Cork centre-forward Sean Powter said: “UCC has a great tradition in the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup but it is now four years since we last won and the squad is really focused on trying to put that right. Playing in this competition allows me not just to represent the university but even more importantly to get to know players like Jack, both as a person and as a player. This pushes me on, drives me to get the best of myself so as not to let my friends down whilst giving me a unique opportunity to learn from some quality players that are normally on the opposing side of the pitch.”

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UCCExpress.ie | Volume 21 | Issue 07 | January 16, Tuesday

Cork City saw off local rivals Cobh Ramblers to win their first game of the pre-season (Photo: Doug Minihane)

Cobh Ramblers FC 0-1 Cork City FC Dylan O’Connell, Sports Editor

signings and players on trial, including Irish under 21 international Dany Kane with the Rebel Army as well as Norwegian underage international Garib Gerkondani. A young Cobh Ramblers side also bore Denzel Fernandez, Kevin Taylor and Adam Mylod, all tried and tested from the under 19 National League and Cork City FC’s adventures in the UEFA Youth League.

As far as derbies go, Cork clubs Cork City FC and Cobh Ramblers have been starved of local clashes of late, with the City vs. County playing out in the annual pre-season friendly between the Ramblers and the Rebels.

Saturday’s game, despite the preseason cobwebs and muddled surface, proved to be a competitive affair, Cork City FC grinded out a 1-0 win to kickstart their preparations for the 2018 season. Energised and recharged, Cork City dominated the opening play with Both sides came in fresh from both standout performances from Jimmy the offseason and a number of new Keohane and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling.

From the whistle Cobh fancied themselves for the upset, seizing position from the whistle, with Charlie Fleming crossing it for David Hurley inside the City area, but new boy Aaron Barry clearing the line. The early setback spurred City on, with Sean McLaughlin setting up Shane Griffin on the left hand flank, but difficult surface prevented Griffin from taking control, and the ball fizzled out of play. With five minutes on the clock, a set piece from Shane Griffin swung into the box, and in the resulting chaos for control up stepped Sean McLaughlin, who buried the chance past Paul Hunt to make it 1-0 to the vis-

itors. The old cliché in football is that scoring leaves you vulnerable, but this was not the case for Cork City, who pushed on, recharged from the goal, with Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Colm Horgan and Loughlin. City launched well into the area late in the half, but failed to connect with the head of Jarib Gerkondani in the centre.

Continued inside...