University Volume 24 | Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th October 2020
“According to research, Ireland currently has one counsellor for every 2, 448 students— the national standard is one per 1,500” -pg7-
“I think that Irish talent inspires Irish talent. It is about seeing what is there and hoping to become that, like a circle” -pg 18-
Express UCCExpress.ie
“The person engaging in the art is themselves directing how they receive it. I believe this leads to a deeper connection with the medium, resulting in stronger emotional ties” -pg 22-
UCCSU HOLDS INAUGURAL CONSENT AWARENESS WEEK FOR UCC
Writes Maebh McCarthy, Deputy News Editor Even though campaigns, collaborations and campus activity bear virtually no resemblance this academic year to previous years’, this does not mean they are not occurring, or are anyway weakened by the shift to an online platform. In accordance with the Government’s public health advice, all activity pertaining to third level institutions are occurring in a virtual manner. UCC Students’ Union (UCCSU) Welfare Officer, Jamie Fraser, launched a new campaign in collaboration with UCC Feminist Society and UCC Fashion Society; that kicked off the beginning of Consent Awareness Week. The campaign, which made national
headlines in the Irish Examiner, was launched alongside this powerful photograph including five UCC students in clothes for college, school, work, the gym and a nightclub, standing in front of the Quad. The campaign, focusing on ‘debunking myths surrounding sexual assault’ seeks to put an end to victim blaming, highlighting the need to place the blame on the perpetrator of sexual assault. The aim of the “Not Asking for it” project is to demonstrate that clothes do not imply, determine or provide consent.
Units (SATU). One such programme, developed by UCC Law lecturer, Dr. Louise Crowley, is the Bystander Intervention Training. There were two online trainings for the Bystander Intervention programme throughout the week, as well as an interview with Dr. Louise Crowley who leads the Bystander Intervention programme at UCC. The workshop based approach of this training seeks to not only enhance knowledge and understanding, but also lead to attitude and behavioural change across the University. Upon completion of the ByThis initiative was just one element of stander Intervention training, students the Consent Awareness Week organised receive a Digital Badge accreditation. by UCCSU. Throughout the week, there was an array of events organised in con- Mr. Fraser, speaking in a powerful video junction with on-campus societies, UCC posted on UCCSU’s social media platstaff, the Union of Students in Ireland forms, explains why he took the lead to (USI) and Sexual Assault Treatment organise UCC’s first Consent Awareness
Week. He said that the number of survivors who contacted rape crisis services for counselling rose by 98% from the period of March until the end of June, when compared to the same period last year. Mr. Fraser described this as a ‘sexual assault epidemic’ in Cork. Mary Crilly, the head of Cork’s Sexual Violence Centre said that college students in Cork are suffering at the hands of abusers despite the stringent Covid-19 restrictions being in place. Ms. Crilly went on to explain that the ‘biggest myth that ever was’ is the detrimental misconceptions that many sexual assault victims come up against that ‘women make these accusations after leaving pubs while intoxicated.’ Story Continued on Page 3... Photo Credit: Alana Daly Mulligan
Editorial
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Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
Editorial Team
Are We All Okay? Writes Fiona Keeley, Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief – Fiona Keeley (Editor@UCCExpress.ie)
This is a crucial question to ask; are you okay? This is normally the space where I would write my five-hundred words of thoughts that have struck me throughout the past fortnight. Instead, this week I would like to begin by reflecting and remembering our fellow UCC students who have parted company with us this week. The tragedy that occured in Cork this bank holiday weekend is something that many of us can’t bear thinking about. On behalf of myself and the University Express team I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends who have been affected by this terrible tragedy. It is important to remember that you are never alone in any battle that you face and there is always help and support available; organisations who are ready to help you in any struggle that you feel right now is too big to handle.
News Editor – Maeve McTaggart (News@UCCExpress.ie) Designer – Fiona Cremins (Design@UCCExpress.ie) Features Editor – Elisha Carey (Features@UCCExpress.ie) Sports Editor – Liam Grainger (Sport@UCCExpress.ie) Opinion Editor – Rían Browne (Opinion@UCCExpress.ie) Eagarthóir Gaeilge – Édith De Faoite (Gaeilge@UCCExpress.ie) Online Editor – Edel Lonergan (Online@UCCExpress.ie) Marketing Executive – Fiona Keeley (Marketing@UCCExpress.ie)
I know that it is very easy for me to say please find support if you are in a dark place, but it may not be as easy to do in person. I can appreciate that. What I would say to you is, you are important, somebody cares about you, somebody loves you. The death of one of my favourite childhood authors, Sam McBratney, in the past few weeks really struck a chord with me. His words are ones that I will never forget from childhood “I love you right up to the moon - and back” I can’t pretend that everything is hopeful all the time, to live in that pretence would be a shocking use of judgment in light of the current situation at a local, national and global level. It is not acceptable to live in that bubble of ignorance, where one can forget about their role in the world but also the responsibilities they hold to it. I have been reading lots of different news literature since the Level 5 restrictions were announced to the country, different stories and opinions circling my head as my own opinion is formed and informed by different sources. Our current state of affairs are progressively invading all areas of our lives; little is left untouched by something we cannot see, but something that has become the elephant in every room. My appeal to everyone this year would be to look after yourselves and look after each other as we face down a road where the shadows are growing and we are unsure of what lies ahead. We live in each other’s shadow and this is not an easy future for anyone to square up to so it’s all we can do to lean on each other and provide support where we can. In the issue this week, Maeve McTaggert looks at the launch of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention; Liam Grainger looks at the progress of UCC Rugby since their return; and Matthew Hanrahan analyses remote working after a few weeks of working within the virtual world. All of that and much more within these pages. Until next time,
Webmaster – Jonathan Hanley (Webmaster@UCCExpress.ie)
Fiona Keely
Photographers – Caoimhe Leahy, Célem Deegan (Photographers@uccexpress.ie) Byline Editor – Fergal Smiddy (Byline@ UCCExpress.ie) (Deputy Editor) Food & Health – Maeve O’Keeffe (Food@UCCExpress.ie) Arts & Literature Editor – Imasha Costa (Arts@UCCExpress.ie) Gaming Editor – Hugo Blair (Gaming @UCCExpress.ie) Music Editor – Cathal Donovan O’Neill (Music@UCCExpress) Fashion Editor – Maeve O’Sullivan (fashion@uccexpress.ie) Film & Television Editor – Kyran Leahy (Screen@UCCExpress.ie) Sexpress Editor – Jack Wrixon (Sexpress@uccexpress.ie) Deputy Sports – Sam Curtin (Deputysports@uccexpress.ie)
Minding the gap Writes Maeve McTaggart, News Editor By the time this paper goes to print, we will be 1 week into 6 at Level 5—now exhausted by Heaney quotes and seanfhocails, no longer moved by “if we winter this out, we can summer anywhere” because we are wintering right where we summered: lockdown. We need to be here, and it’s both bizarre and reassuring that we still have a campus to write and collect stories about despite being unable to step foot on it. Being here in shorter, colder, darker days (figuratively and/or literally) is more difficult than the first, because we have cheated ourselves out of only having a first. Here are six pages of news from a campus in lockdown, hopefully it makes things feel more normal for a while—away from the eye-strain and frustration of Microsoft Teams. Online college is tough, it can be nice to see that the real thing is staying standing thanks to students, activists, staff and allies. For this week, I will share less of my own thoughts about lockdown and navigating life until December 1st - because what fits me won’t fit you, and the last thing we need is comparing how our lives in lockdown are best spent. Instead, below are a list of supports you might like to come back to over the next 6 weeks and beyond - it’s good to talk about things, how can we enjoy our summers otherwise (or our hopeful Christmas)?
UCC Counselling: counselling@ucc.ie Crisis Text Line: Text UCC to 50808 Jigsaw Online: jigsaw.ie Samaritans: 116 123 Pieta House: 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 Sexual Violence Centre Cork: 1800 496 496 or text 087 1533 393 Women’s Aid: 1800 341 900
Deputy News – Maebh McCarthy (Deputynews@uccexpress.ie)
Stay safe,
Maeve McTaggart
Deputy Features – Eoghan O’Donnell (Deputyfeatures@uccexpress.ie) Staff Writer: Julie Landers
editor@uccexpress.ie
news@uccexpress.ie #uccexpress
News
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
Cover Story Continued... An in-depth study by the USI and NUI Galway, conducted earlier this year found that 29% of female, 10% of male, and 28% of non-binary students have experienced non-consensual penetration by incapacitation, force, or threat of force during their time in college, according to the USI and NUIG Sexual Experiences Survey 2020. Of those, 49% of males, 35% of females, and 25% of non-binary students never shared their story.
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Announcement of Level 5 Leaves Most Students’ Timetable Unaffected Writes Maebh McCarthy, Deputy News Editor
Following on from the rise in sexual assault cases over the past few months and the results from the Sexual Experiences Survey, Mr. Fraser outlined the work UCCSU have been carrying out. “From a union standpoint, we’ve been engaging with the national advisory committees, attending meetings on a national level, working to see the formation of a sexual misconduct policy and working with societies and various other organisations to launch awareness campaigns such as Consent Week to see cultural and political change.” There was also a strong student contribution to Consent Week. UCC Feminist Society held Active*Consent Training, as well as a Chalk exhibition for survivors of sexual abuse. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Chloe Boland, Vice Chair of the Feminist Society said “Clothes are not a justification for sexual assault, for far too long it’s been said that a person’s clothes meant they were ‘asking for it.’ This idea is harmful and untrue.” Maeve O’Sullivan, Chairperson of UCC Fashion Society said “For too long clothing has been used as an excuse for sexual violence. We say no more. What an individual chooses to put on in the morning, is not an invitation of any kind.” If you are affected by the issues raised in this article, please reach out for help. UCCSU Welfare Officer, Jamie Fraser, can be contacted on welfare@uccsu.ie or on (086) 184 2897. By texting ‘UCC’ to 50808 you can talk to a trained crisis volunteer. Cork Sexual Violence Centre can be contacted on freephone: 1800 496 496 or by text on (087) 153 3393.
For most students, their lecture timetable will be unaffected by the Government’s recent escalation to Level 5 restrictions as part of their ‘Living with Covid’ plan. This is due to the fact that Universities and other third level institutes have been operating under Level 3—lectures hosted primarily online— since the beginning of term. As previously reported in the University Express, this virtual learning experience is set to continue until at least the end of Semester One. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, alluded to the challenges posed by online learning for Semester One but highlighted that this would be reviewed by the end of this calendar year. Minister Harris said that ‘in light of experience and the progress of the disease’ a decision will be communicated to third level institutions as soon as is practicable.
UCC Students’ Union (UCCSU) are currently looking for feedback from students about online learning. In an email sent to all UCC students recently, UCCSU President, Naoise Crowley, encouraged all students to fill out the survey, to have their say on the ‘good, bad and ugly’ of online learning. Mr. Crowley explained that the more responses they receive, the clearer the picture they can form of what is working well and what could be improved. These results will then be communicated to the college, the SU President assured. In response to the announcement of Level 5 restrictions, Mr. Crowley explained that given education is considered ‘an essential service’ some classes and practicals will take place on campus, where possible. According to Mr. Crowley, UCCSU have ‘been highlighting the need for access to campus facilities the past few
weeks.’ As a result of this students still have access to the Boole Library, as well as designated study spaces on campus for the next few weeks. These include the Aula Maxima, Kampus Kitchen and the upstairs of the Main Rest. No booking is required for these facilities, which are open from 8am until 10:30pm, seven days a week. In addition to this, UCC Interim President, Professor John O’Halloran, confirmed via email that the current levels of ‘onsite teaching and learning activities will be able to continue during the new restrictions, with appropriate precautions.’ Prof. O’Halloran confirmed that teaching will be delivered online to ‘the maximum extent possible during this period of Level 5 restrictions.’
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News
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
Third-Level Students to Receive €250 Payment in Coming Year Writes Maeve McTaggart, News Editor Third-level students are to each receive a once-off payment of €250 euro in a government plan to offset the financial impact of the pandemic on young people, the Budget 2021 revealed. The fund of €50 million is to be divided amongst students who are in receipt of SUSI grants or have paid the €3,000 student registration. The Government is yet to confirm the process or timeline of payment. Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, described the fund as financial assistance for the 200,000 full-time students in Ireland who are experiencing a “year like no other” where “the majority of college will be online for this semester.” For the President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), Lorna Fitzpatrick, the once-off payment to students “is welcomed and goes some way to acknowledging the impact that COVID-19 has had on the financial situation of students and their families but it does not recognise the longer term financial pressures that students face.” Additional measures to support third-level education include 5,000 extra college places and increased access to postgraduate grants. From next year, maximum payments will rise from €2,000 to €3,000 with the income threshold for eligibility set to reach €54,240. The total allocation of €3.3 billion to the Department of Further and Higher Education in Budget 2021 was “warmly welcomed” by Jim Miley, Director of the Irish Universities Association (IUA) but still, “the Budget represents a missed opportunity for real change.” The government “needs to tackle the funding deficit elephant in the room,” Miley stated, “Ireland can only make a successful recovery if we invest now in our talent and innovation capacity.” In 2016, the Cassells report found that in order to address historical underfunding in the third-level sector
an extra €600 million would need to be invested annually from 2017, rising to €1 billion annually from 2030. Such recommendations were never acted upon by the government. By consequence, Irish third level institutions were caused to rely heavily on the €400 million in revenue generated each year from international student fees—a funding source threatened by pandemic restrictions on movement— and on exponential increases to the student contribution charge. The fee sat at €825 in 2007, now students pay €3,000 unless the cost is waived by receipt of the SUSI grant. Ireland currently has the highest college fees in the EU. USI President Lorna Fitzpatrick cited the Cassells Report as a mea-
sure of the Union’s disappointment in the Budget 2021: “This Government, like those before it, has failed to commit to a model which views and funds education as a public good.” In late September, UCC Students’ Union called on local representatives in Cork City and County councils, as well as the TDs of Cork North Central and South Central to support their campaign for greater public funding in higher education. The campaign included calls for a reduction in fees, an immediate €500 rebate paid to students and the reformation of the SUSI grant system. The Budget 2021 neglected to address the issue of fees, but pledged to assess the current SUSI grant system and halved
the payment of €500 UCCSU and student bodies across the country were campaigning for. The Union of Students in Ireland welcomed the progress made in Budget 2021, but stated that the Government “ignored barriers preventing student access to higher education in favour of piecemeal one-off funding.” The USI called for increased student access to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and maintained its stance that higher education should be fully publicly funded. The government has not yet expressed its intention of addressing either of these demands.
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
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UCCSU React and Adapt to Level 5 Restrictions Writes Maebh McCarthy, Deputy News Editor
Level 5 restrictions, part of the Government’s ‘Living With Covid Plan’ took effect in the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, October 21st 2020. With many businesses closing and people asked to only travel within 5 kilometres from their homes, only leaving for exercise and the provision of essential goods. Simon Harris, Minister for Higher Education, confirmed that all further and higher education institutions should ‘continue to deliver the vast majority of classes online.’ Minister Harris did go on to say, however, that the Level 5 measures adopted designate higher and further education as ‘essential insofar as onsite presence is required and such education activities cannot be held remotely.’ He acknowledged that this has been a ‘very difficult time for students and for those working in further and higher education’ and concluded that the position of programmes operating primarily online will be reviewed with relevant stakeholders and a position will be communicated for next semester ‘before the end of the year.’ UCC Students’ Union (UCCSU) President, Naoise Crowley, confirmed to all students that Boole Library, as well as designates study spaces on campus, will remain open
throughout the increased restrictions. UCCSU have acutely focused on supporting students throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. One such initiative that UCCSU recently accomplished was a refund of rent to UCC Students, living in UCC Campus Accommodation, who wished to return home due to a lack of campus hours or any other reason. This was seen as a huge accomplishment, which came to light on UCCSU social media platforms on Sunday, 18th October, just before the Government confirmed Level 5 restrictions were to come into force from Wednesday 21st October. On social media, UCCSU President, Naoise Crowley, said he was ‘very happy to have gotten this over the line this week.’ Mr. Crowley continued by calling it ‘the fairest and most sensible outcome given all the uncertainty and struggles many students are facing.’ UCCSU Education Officer, Eimear Curtin, expressed her congratulations to her Union colleagues who had worked on the initiative, whilst encouraging students to do what was in their best interests. Ms. Curtin urged students, in campus accommodation, to be supported in their decision to ‘be wherever you feel safest, wherever you can study best and wherever you want to be.’ In addition to this, UCCSU also launched
‘My Covid Plan’ over the past week. UCCSU Commercial and Fundraising Officer, Beth O’Reilly, took to social media to launch the plan. According to the UCCSU Officer, a ‘Covid Plan’ is a plan you set out with your housemates, around ‘what you will do if someone in the household becomes infected or a close contact of someone with coronavirus.’ Some actions that UCCSU recommend to proactively engage in, involve stocking up on some essentials in your bedroom, setting some money aside for ordering meals to be delivered and cordoning off a bathroom should someone contract the virus. Amongst these practical steps, another element of the campaign is making sure that UCC students know to call Student Health, if they receive a positive test result for the Coronavirus. In a video circulated on UCCSU social media platforms, students from a range of backgrounds in student life, concisely ex-
plain when to use one’s ‘Covid Plan.’ A point consistently underscored in the promotional video, is that a ‘Covid Plan’ is not just for when you receive a positive test result. Should you experience any symptoms, the most common of which include a temperature, cough, difficulty breathing or change in your sense of taste or smell, you should follow your ‘Covid Plan’ and self-isolate, whilst waiting for a test. If you test negative, you still need to follow your ‘Covid Plan’ for self-isolation until 48 hours after you last experienced symptoms. Should you receive a positive test result, you should let UCC Student Health know. They can be contacted on (021) 490 2311. The Covid Tracker app can be downloaded by searching https://www.covidtracker.ie/.
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Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
“Stop Exploiting Student Nurses and Midwives”: Appeal for the Unpaid Workers of the Pandemic Writes Maeve McTaggart, News Editor
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has warned the government that the “exploitation” of student nurses has been intensified by the pandemic. “Our students are being taken for granted,” INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, said. “They are facing huge workloads and risking COVID infection. And while they are doing indispensable work, they are getting no financial recognition for their efforts.”
A clinical placement coordinator for students, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Students are being supervised by a dwindling number of staff who are all under massive pressure too. All of it combines to undercut their learning experience. So many workplaces would be lost without students. We’re relying on them to not only learn, but to put in massive work. Not paying them is cheating them, in my view.”
“They do not have the protections provided to employees. While most third-level students are advised to stay off campus and study online, nursing and midwifery students have to attend very dangerous workplaces to fulfil their learning objectives.”
In March, a HSE scheme was set up in order to pay student healthcare workers for their contribution during the pandemic. This scheme is no longer operating. The INMO met with officials from the Department of Health to discuss the issue, but the organisation said no progress was made at this event.
Before their final year internship, most student nurses and midwives receive no payment or an allowance of €50.79 per week. Student healthcare workers experience a loss of income while working for the HSE, the INMO has explained in the past. In order to work, many must lose paid part-time work.
working separately for the HSE,” Aontú leader Peadar Toibín explained, “thus the hours they worked did not count towards their degree – they could not be included as placement hours.”
forego part-time jobs to work during the pandemic, the assurance of sixweeks accreditation for clinical work carried out during the pandemic, the extension of SUSI to include placement periods outside the academic calendar, the reception of relevant Opposition parties have called for the travel and support expenses to stureassessment or renewal of the scheme, dents placed more than 40km and the and the compensation of students for implementation of a fair and sustaintheir work on the frontline. Action aside able model of pay for student healthfrom interactions with trade union care workers. groups has not been taken, nor has the issue been publicly addressed by the current Health Minister. UCCSU did not receive a response from the Minister or from the Department of Health. On September 8th, UCC Students’ Union publicised a letter sent to the Minister for Health at the time, Simon Harris, which Days after the release of the INMO documented the Union’s “dissatisfac- statement which called for the govtion with the perilous conditions faced ernment to “stop exploiting student by student nurses and healthcare work- nurses and midwives”, a spokesperers.” Signed by UCCSU President Naoise son on behalf of the Department of Crowley and Welfare Officer Jamie Fra- Health told The Irish Times that the ser, the letter asked the Minister to im- department expects to complete a plement a series of provisions to correct revision of Student Nurse Placement “the unreasonable burden” on students Supports “in the coming days.” Such working for the HSE without pay. was said on Friday 16th October.
The HSE scheme announced in early March was welcomed warmly by the INMO and healthcare students alike but in late September, TDs began to question the government and current Health Minister Stephen Donnelly about the realities of the programme. “In order to avail of the scheme students had to cease being students on placement and begin The letter recommended the following: the remuneration of students who must
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
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First Ever Framework to Address Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention is Launched Writes Maeve McTaggart, News Editor On World Mental Health Day (October 10th), Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris launched the first National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework to support students’ wellbeing. The report is preceded by a foreword where Minister Harris accounts for the mental health impact of “a year like no other.” “For students, it has been remarkably tough,” the Minister says. “Many milestones have been missed. Many events cancelled. The normal college experience upended and the support of lecturers and friends moved online. Covid-19 has brought so many challenges for students, their studies and their mental health.” The framework comes amidst the backdrop of increased Covid-19 restrictions, where social interaction is limited to one person meeting another outdoors or certain vulnerable groups constructing a support bubble to maintain care and interaction. Mental health concerns continue to be cited by many senior government officials as reason to avoid Level 5 restrictions. The top stressors for students exist independent of the pandemic, the report finds: “Academic pressures; exam and assignment stress; transitions in and out of higher education; financial burdens; managing jobs and academic work; social and cultural pressures that include family, friends and intimate relationships; social media.” Minister Harris notes that “some students will face greater challenges than others including those in the LGBTQ+ community, international students, asylum seekers, mature students.” Concern for student wellbeing has been widespread since the publishing of the 2019 My World-2 Survey, which found that almost 60% of those 18 to 25-year-olds surveyed in Ireland were classified as outside the normal range for both depression and anxiety. In 2018, the HSE recorded suicide as the leading cause of death in young people, with sep-
arate research stating that on average, to mental health services, she began.” 131 young people under the age of 30 die by suicide in Ireland each year. “The Framework launched by Minister Harris certainly encompasses The framework refers to the increase in the changes that need to be made to students presenting at college counsel- improve this, however, the Budget ling facilities and health services in the 2021 commitment of just 1% of the last five years, stating that institutions overall health budget does not realand individuals must strive to improve istically reflect that change which access to, and the resources going to, men- the Framework seeks to implement.” tal health support on campus. According to research, Ireland currently has one SÁMH raised the issue of telehealth, counsellor for every 2, 448 students— and accessing UCC Counselling Serthe national standard is one per 1,500. vices through phone as a mark of progress - but one which must go further. Speaking on behalf of SÁMH, a UCC society active on campus for raising “There is a lot of excellent rhetoric cirawareness around mental health, care culating about mental health, suicide and suicide prevention, chairperson prevention and seeking help during Aleesha Wiegandt told University Ex- the pandemic, but we need to ensure press about her concerns. “Undoubted- that this conversation is paired with ly, the Covid-19 pandemic has truly ex- the presence of preventative counselposed the dire need for increased access ling services, not just crisis phonelines.”
UCC Counselling Services have moved to remote working for the duration of the pandemic, with appointments taking place online through Microsoft Teams and through the phone. It is an adaptation that mental health services across the country have had to make to continue care amidst Covid-19. Jigsaw Cork has migrated to online platforms, telehealth and video call, as has Pieta House. The conversation around mental health has been amplified by the imposition of Level 5 lockdown restrictions across the country. Supports remain available, most virtually. Students are encouraged to utilise UCC Counselling Service and the textline 50808, an anonymous free support service accessed by texting UCC or HELLO to 50808.
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Features
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
Remote Learning: A Re-evaluation of the Process Writes Matthew Hanrahan
After a summer of uncertainty for students and staff as to what University learning would look like, for many once the 2020/21 academic year began, that uncertainty remained. On Friday 25th September, the Minister for Higher and Further Education announced that all third level colleges would not open for at least 3 weeks. Later, UCC extended this for the remainder of semester one.
The announcement caused consternation for both staff and students, coming the weekend before the start of the academic term, after preparation primarily for a blended learning teaching model.
Over the course of that weekend, timetables were changed, and lecture content had to be reorganized. Student experience of remote learning varied greatly. For
some, it was an inconvenience. While for others, it was wholly inadequate.
It led second year Commerce student, Michael Hand to write to the Commerce course coordinators to express his disappointment at the delivery of a number of his modules. Hand told University Express that “there was no clarification whether certain lectures would be delivered live or by recording” and “other modules where they [the pre-recorded lectures] were not uploaded according to the timetabled lecture.” Second year Commerce class rep, Andrew Heafey also chimed in, saying that for certain modules with pre-recorded lectures, it was “difficult to plan because it was hard to predict when a lecture was going to be uploaded.”
Economics modules “it is important to wrap your head around one thing to understand the next. [In a pre-recorded lecture] you can’t turn around and ask a question. If you miss one jump, everything after it is lost. If you have a question it might be three or four days before a live meeting with the lecturer.” While Heafey said “understanding it might be harder because you need that live talk to convey certain ideas.” UCC SU President, Naoise Crowley described reports he received of cases where “all lectures [were] uploaded at once, or some modules where only lecture slides were uploaded.”
While it’s clear that Hand and Heafey both felt as though remote learning impacted their ability to keep up with the curriculum, it’s worth pondering what other parts of the college experience were lost in this move to online learning. Both Hand and Heafey said that pre-re- No more casual chats between classes, no corded lectures did not work as well for meeting for coffee, no studying in the certain subjects. Hand said for some library or eating in Main Rest. Studying
from home can certainly be a solitary experience for some students who find themselves confined to their bedroom desk for hours at a time.
SU President Crowley acknowledged the current reality for some students, saying “What is the college experience? It’s all isolation at the moment.” When asked how this issue could be tackled, he said “Departments need to organise events [...] there’s more to online learning than lectures.” It’s also important to note that the benefits of online learning, in terms of flexibility and access, are undeniable. Students suffering from mental health difficulties feel as though their prayers have been answered with the new remote learning model. Classroom environments can be very stressful for some students and the move online caters to that, allowing them to take lectures from the comfort and familiarity of their own home.
Features
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
A number of questions on remote learning and remote learning policy were put to the Cork University Business School UCC. They had not responded to these questions, at the time of publication.
followed by a live session where possible.” in
There is a question here to be raised as to whether this is an acknowledgment by the University that pre-recorded lecture-delivery is inferior to the live teaching model. Indeed, had the 2nd The question then turns to why has this year Commerce module delivery been happened? Why do some students feel entirely in real-time, Hand and Heafthat their courses were not adequately ey may not have been so disappointed. prepared for online learning? Could there have been a lack of coordination between UCC and individual schools? The broad picture of the move to reWas the preparation inadequate? mote learning is complex, and the variance in student experience of online learning can be explained by the fact On whether there was sufficient that individual departments will have preparation for online learning, to apply online policies differently to Head of School of Society, Politics, suit the module and the type of teachand Ethics, Dr Don Ross said “The ing. According to Digital Engagement University required each School to Officer with the School of English, prepare a plan for each of three con- Miranda Corcoran, “there are some tingencies, to be driven by Govern- university guidelines. However, the dement decision: blended teaching livery of modules online is mostly up with 1 metre minimum distancing to the discretion of each department.” between students required; blended teaching with 2 metre minimum distancing between students required; The problems with online teaching or all teaching online. [Option] are not found with the discretion that three is of course the contingency schools have to set policy to their own we actually got, at the last minute.” circumstances. The School of English, the School of History as well as the Schools of Society, Politics and Ethics So, if both schools and the University all provided information on detailed were aware and instructed to prepare policies on the mode of delivery for for the possibility for online learn- lectures, tutorials including when and ing, then the question is in the detail. when not recording was appropriate. Dr Ross emphasised that within his School there has been “close coordination on Guidelines for the delivery of online all modules. At no level - University, learning exist at both a University School, or Department - were lecturlevel and at a school level. These in- ers simply left to “make the best of it” clude recording lectures in short seg- on the basis of such resources as they ments interspersed with activities to had.” Further, Dr Ross said that “Heads allow students to respond to prompts of Schools have held regular meetings in the lecture; promote student en- throughout the Covid-19 crisis to make gagement and collaboration by em- sure that best practices are shared.” ploying group work tactics; and keeping all reading materials for lectures phone-friendly. A UCC spokesperson Despite this, gaps exist in the applicawrote “The welfare and needs of our tion of policies. For example, whether students are central to all our efforts pre-recorded lectures are released at the in UCC, and with that in mind the Of- time or before the scheduled lectures fice of the Vice-President for Learn- was mentioned as a specific guideline of ing & Teaching (OVPLT) has provided the English department, however, was an online resource for educators to not mentioned by other departments help them adapt to delivering teach- contacted for this article. This was one of ing remotely and to maintain the high the issues faced by Commerce students. standard of lecture delivery.” This resource contains “a combination of pre-recorded (asynchronous) and live Similarly, whether lectures can be (synchronous) teaching is strongly replaced entirely with links to othrecommended. Ideally, pre-recorded er online content is not addressed content is created for your students
most
departmental
guidelines.
However, the guidelines themselves are not the only issue. SpunOut Senior Content Producer, Hannah Byrne said that the problem may lie with the application of guidelines. “It took a long time for Universities to decide their policies. So, there are inconsistencies within remote learning. One lecturer might have a different approach from another, which can add challenges for students.”
It is clear that departments planned for blended learning, it is not that they had no plans, rather they had to change their method of delivery over the course of the weekend before the start of term.
n an email obtained under a Freedom of Information request, dated 28th of August 2020 sent by the Learning, Teaching and Academic Affairs Director at the Irish Universities Association, Lewis Purser to the Head of Higher Education and Further Education and Training Policy at Department of Education and Skills, William Beausang stated “[T] he Universities are working to ensure that students have as much on campus experience as possible. [...] High-level working groups have been established in each University to oversee planning and communication of important information to students [...]” However, it concludes that “all timetables will be subject to change in light of Covid-19 and public health guidelines development.”
Just over a month from the beginning of term, the IUA was set for a blended learning approach, however, the IUA was at least cognisant of the fact that their ability to deliver on this was based on Covid-19 and prevailing public health guidelines.
While it is clear that a level of contingency planning happened, the problem laid with the fact that the adjustment to wholly online learning happened over one weekend. With the announcement that UCC will continue offering remote learning until at least the end of semester one, when can UCC students’ and staff expect an answer about semester two?
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Features
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
The Amazon Instinct - Should it be this natural to us? Writes Eoghan O’Donnell, Deputy Features Editor Offering access to unlimited quick free-delivery, a free streaming service and discounts on thousands of products daily, Amazon has focused its target on placing the student at the forefront of its business interests. Handing out an initial six-month free subscription, with a discounted student subscription cost thereafter, you may have seen some people you know promote this new deal on their Instagram stories. Prime Student is exactly what it is: primed for the student and this new offer is aimed at easing the student’s descent into their hopedfor lifetime of Amazon loyalty.
almost anything can now be found on Amazon; quite often for a price lower than can be found on the high street.
Although an undeniably good offer - especially for the student who may be reluctant to purchase items due to shipment costs, or those not able to afford Prime Video to binge Criminal Minds - it comes across as something which is almost too good to be true. Luckily, for the consumer, there’s little to no catch: but is such an accessible service placing more strain on workers who are notoriously known for being overworked? Is a service like Amazon and its Prime feature, offered to us through startlingly white websites, hiding the degraded conditions its workers are suffering through? Is Amazon, quite simply, too easy a shopping instinct for many of us?
Over the years, Amazon has come under fire for the treatment of its workers. Recently, Amazon’s workplace ethics were examined by Californian officials: it was reported by workers inside its warehouses that adequate time was not granted to employees to ensure social distancing measures were capable of being adhered to. The reason? Employees were under immense pressure to fulfil their hourly packing rate. An ongoing issue throughout the years is employees feeling as if they are being treated like robots by the conglomerate: the GMB - a general trade union in the United Kingdom - reported that 80% of members of the union at Amazon suffered injury as a result of working under high-pressure at Amazon.
Amazon, founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos initially functioned as an online bookstore, hosting a range more books than would be readily available in any independent or chain bookstore. It took Bezos almost seven years to get Amazon out of debt, and in the process of doing so, Bezos ruthlessly devalued almost every product available on the service: mass availability of products on Amazon drove down the prices of almost everything and prioritised the consumer gaining the most amount of products for as little as possible. Although advantageous for the consumer, the importance of the worker also devalued with the rapid upscaling and extreme growth in popularity Amazon experienced over the years. Offering scopes of products beyond just books,
In order for the large service to function as efficiently as it does, a mass amount of workers are required to fulfil each step of the consumer’s online order. As of July 2020, Amazon employs over 1,000,000 workers ranging from minimum-wage warehouse workers to more well-paid advisors. Amazon’s warehouse services almost buckled under the increase in online orders over the initial lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hiring an extra 175,000 workers to cope with the increase in demand from the public.
Being overworked is also a major issue for certain employees of the American company. Workers in warehouses in the United States made barely enough to clear the federal poverty line - which might partly be one of the main reasons Bezos is one of the richest men in the world. There are frequent reports of people working 12+ hour shifts, as well as documented evidence of machine trackers warning people of when they are working too slow for the company standards. In her essay on scammers of the modern age, Jia Tolentino refers to a time in which Amazon, instead of installing air-conditioning units which would prove costly during a Pennsylvanian heatwave, instead parked ambulances at the doors of the warehouse to cater to those who collapsed from the heat; purely because it was more cost-efficient for the company to do so.
A company so focused on the consumer and their satisfaction interestingly takes little to no interest in its many workers: those who are, essentially, the backbone of the company. Exacting so much human effort in such short spaces of time comes at a great cost: you only have to question if a worker collapsing from exhaustion is worth having 65p Reese’s Cups delivered to your door the next day. It may seem harmless - even fun - having the capability of getting such goods delivered in such little time, but the further you delve into the functioning of a corporation like Amazon, the more cruel the conditions seem to be for those trying to survive in a harsh capitalist world. But, the temptation of such ease is often too much for the everyday person, and who wants to be shamed - or shame anyone else - for using a service which is so often so convenient?
While staying clear of Amazon entirely may not be the first thought to jump into your mind - it is worth considering shopping more local, and supporting those smaller businesses struggling in these current times. In fact, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME) reports that “€10 spent locally is equivalent to generating more than €40 of benefit to the local community in terms of employment.” Although many local businesses in Ireland are now shut due to recently implemented Level 5 restrictions, it is worth checking which local businesses are operating online and how you, as a member of the local community, can support them. You can source great quality products from Irish SMEs on Guaranteed Irish Gifts or view a list of Irish retailers published by The Irish Times here.
Features:Careers Corner
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
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Volunteer For Your Career Writes Elisha Carey, Features Editor
Who doesn’t love a random act of kindness? One frosty night last Winter I was walking past Fitzgerald’s Park on the way to the Mardyke and I came across a lady who’d been locked into the park (it’s a common enough occurrence, it has happened to me twice before.) I had ABBA blasting through my earphones and I nearly didn’t stop. I felt shy and kind of embarrassed: what if she meant to be in the park after hours? Maybe she’ll think that I’m being nosy if I approach her and ask if she needs help? Maybe it’ll insult her? Nope. She was definitely, well and truly stuck. We brainstormed together and quickly devised a plan wherein she’d hop the fence, using my shoulder to descent. Once freed, she told me she was glad that I stopped and now, nearly a year later, I’m still riding on the high of that random act of kindness, nudging my friends every time we pass the park to remind them of my heroics. Bottom line is: doing things for others makes you feel good and volunteering is one of the best ways to incorporate random acts of kindness into every week. I’ve done my fair share of volunteering: going on walks with the cub scouts, planting trees at the Manch project and playing card games with the residents of my local nursing home and nothing beats those warm fuzzies you get from getting involved in worthy causes.
and that you have developed the essential skills that they need. Volunteering is also a low-stakes way to explore potential career paths and network with interesting people. Oftentimes, volunteering can even turn into a paid position. There are countless ways to volunteer and thousands of organisations across Ireland who are actively seeking new volunteers. It can get overwhelming trying to decide where you might want to devote your time. You can browse volunteering opportunities on StudentVolunteer.ie or Volunteer Ireland to find what organisation may best suit you and vice versa. You can even be rewarded for your volunteering work through the Volunteering Pathway of the UCC Works Award!
work Club. The Homework Club is an outreach programme whereby UCC students volunteer at various secondary schools around Cork City to help junior cycle students with their homework. The Homework Club initiative hopes that not only will these students benefit from the additional academic support, but perhaps the experience may encourage them to progress to third level education where they may not have considered it before. My friend greatly enjoyed her time working with the students, saying “ My time with the UCC PLUS+ Homework Club has been enriching and transformative” she also cited the CV-enhancing aspect of the experience and the career benefits she drew from it “As a volunteer, I improved upon many transferable skills. I was able to improve The UCC Works Award is a professional my organisational skills, effective comskills development programme which munication and interpersonal skills.” demonstrates that you have engaged in and developed professional skills through extra-curricular activities Having the UCC Works Award on your and work experience. After engaging CV, as well as the digital badge indicates in the experience, UCC Works Award to employers that you have developed candidates are asked to reflect on the skills they developed and how best to articulate these skills to employers. The candidate will then prepare a Reflective Report and update their CV before receiving the award at the formal UCC Works Award rewards ceremony. You can be rewarded for your volunteer work through the Volunteering and Community Engagement Pathway of the UCC Works Award by completing a Not only does volunteering feel great minimum of forty hours of unpaid work and do great things, it’s also great for in an on or off campus organisation. your career. More and more, employers are looking out for volunteering on candidates’ CVs. Volunteering I chatted with a friend of mine who reshows employers that you’re passion- ceived the UCC Works Award after volate, you spend your time proactively unteering with the UCC PLUS+ Home-
the competencies that they need for their business and that you embrace responsibility. Generally, it is graduates with lots of extra-curricular experience on their CVs who get shortlisted for roles. As well as this, the Award opens up tons of great opportunities for networking and strengthening your communication skills. Make sure you stay connected with those you meet along your volunteering/UCC Works journey and keep them updated on your job search. And don’t forget to have fun; the volunteering experience is as much for you as it is for the organisation you’re working with. What an amazing opportunity to try your hand at something you’re interested in in a low-pressure environment. Your future you will thank you!
Applications for the UCC Works Award 2020-21 are now open!
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Opinion
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
A Question of Class Writes Andrew Duffy
You are probably sick to your molars of reading about lockdown. What once felt surreal, almost dreamlike in occurrence has now permeated our everyday lives and melted into the backdrop. Like a wallpaper with unprecedented socio economic repercussions. A suitable analogy is the opening scenes of Shaun of the Dead in which the titular Shaun, charmingly protected by Simon Peg, goes about his daily, life work, socialising and above all else living while TV screens (Shaun is aptly employed in an electronics shop) display the increasingly bleak news of the viral outbreak emerging. This is akin to how many in our generation have responded to the climate crisis and to the later stages of the pandemic. The crisis is there and it’s existence is amplified by an increasingly all-encompassing pseudo-Orwellian news apparatus that denies any sentient being a moment of respite from the latest ‘breaking announcement’. Like Shaun we are aware of the pending danger of the virus itself but we continue to live day to day as there is
quite frankly little choice at our disposal. The current health crisis has fused into the background noise and for many people who aren’t frontline workers it will be viewed as such unless it personally affects them. The culture of individualism that has emerged since the 1980s compounds this crisis by leading most people to avoid systematic understanding of issues in favour of individual explanations and approaches to life, the organisation of society and disruptive events such as the pandemic. This creates, what the journalist Chris Hedges describes as, a culture “fixated on undulated hedonism”. By which the satisfaction of an individual, of the ego is all that life should be geared towards. As Margert Thatcher put it “There is no such thing as society, there are only individuals and families. “ The Celtic Tiger comes into play as the single biggest economic event of our generation. Before the pandemic, the “boom” was an unprecedented event in Ireland post-independent economic history as it finally signalled that prosperity, upward mobility and the chance to raise one’s family in a manner more comfortable than one’s upbringing was finally in our grasp. The 2008 crash was the 7:00 AM alarm to that blissful dream. What followed was an unscru-
pulous regime of austerity for the many and socialism for the very few. The banks that caused the crash, under the absentee parenting approach to regulation instated by political parties were rewarded with bailouts. A lovely fiscal parachute to cover their losses, after all we would want a genuine free market wouldn’t we? Meanwhile the working class picked up the tab. The cuts to public services, regressive taxation and the loss of stable, decent paying jobs in the following years were overseen by the government of the day. The uptake in employment from 2015-2019, that parties obsessively proclaim from every hilltop, was a complete sleight of hand in terms of material impact on the working class. The metrics by which job creation is measured are deeply flawed. For example, those who work a mere hour a week are considered employed. An increasing plurality of new jobs are in the gig economy. While promoted under the colourful banner of ‘be your own boss’ and ‘flexibility’ of employment, zero-hour contracts essentially means work when the company needs it and whenever they demand, not according to any fixed schedule
or any of the protections workers movements have literally fought and died for over the last 100 years. This Faustian bargain, on the part of bureaucratised trade unions and establishment parties, began with the 1990 Industrial relations act which neutered the union movement in Ireland. This means that our age bracket find themselves in the most unregulated and undemocratic work environment in nearly 100 years. Under 30s find themselves on the front lines of our present crisis, if not delivery workers and retail staff then as one of the thousands of unpaid interns in our health service. When you were struggling to make ends meet day to day before Covid-19, then the stress of work is supremely heighted by the real possibility of becoming infected and then infecting others with a potentially life-threatening virus. The decision to reopen mid-summer and forgo the four-phase opening plan has been shown as a serious and dismal mistake. The trajectory of cases since September has committed our society to a shotgun marriage with a second lockdown. Already underway is the collapse of
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
our underfunded and overstretched health service. It’s constitution is a wholly separate human tragedy and secondly an economic disaster of severe magnitude. The defunding and asset trip of a public utility is a key component of full privatisation. This has already been witnessed with health infrastructure in states such as Nigeria, Chile and Indonesia. The Irish health service has been under assault since the late 1990s, partly due to the influence of private health moguls such as Dennis O’Brien and Larry Goodman; both of these characters represented monopoly capitalism. O’Brien has shares across print, television and online media in the twenty-six county state. Goodman owns shares in the cluster producing meat factories and both are profiting from the ever expanding private healthcare industry of this Island. We have an obligation to oppose and remove a government so blatant in its favour and subservience towards wealth-sodded parasites. The combination of a rushed reopening, the inaction of the government on funding our health service by expanding track and trace and regulating nursing homes, and the mere existence of direct provision centres, squalid meat factories and
an increasing population of homeless people should be at the forefront of public anger. The decisions made at the pressure of lobby groups such as Ibec, a business membership organisation which has associations with some of the companies who operate direct provision centres and the meat barons have endangered the prospect of our entire economy and most of all, working-class people, a group which young people constitute importantly in this state. These actions constitute murder by neglect. In totality we are presented with a fork in the road. We can continue to accept the world as it is and end up as scapegoats for the duration of the pandemic and the carousel of local and national lockdowns. We will also inherit an economy and health service in tatters. This will diminish or even deny our chance to secure decent pay and working conditions, the opportunities that we can pass on to our children, the chance to grow old with dignity and health and our very physical safety from this virus and future pandemics. On the other hand we can take this crisis as an opportunity to reevaluate the world that existed before and accept that normal wasn’t working. We don’t have to settle for a two-tier health service unequipped for both pandemics and the
Opinion seasonal flu. We don’t have to be forced in unaffordable and unsanitary housing overseen by a parasitic landlord class. We don’t have to accept that work comes without worker input, without decent pay, minimum hours or health and safety protections. This crisis has dispelled old notions about our workplaces, education and social lives. More and more of us can see that the means by which we organise our economy and political system really is just constructed by people and can be deconstructed and rebuilt in a better way if we have the will. We do not possess the time to consider anything less. For my own two cents, if you are working you must join a union. A good example is UNITE for workers in the retail and hospitality sectors. The union also offers community memberships for people who are unemployed. Another crucial step is to join a tenants union if you rent. CATU is a national organisation for tenant organising and is crying out for young members. There are many grassroots organisations, stocked with passionate, determined working class young people. These groups organise in defiance of capitalism, in refutation of the undulated hedonism that Hedges outlined. Organisations such as the Connolly Youth Movement are leading this fight. You don’t have to rely on electoralism and representa-
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tives to address the issues facing us. We are running out of time to wait for the election cycle in the hope that those who enter the club can serve the electorate in good faith. The politics of movements is the way forward. As witnessed in the recent successful resistance to a US sponsored coup in Bolivia, by the Black Lives Matter Movement this summer and environmental organisations such Extinction Rebellion direct action yields results. Actions that construct a new approach to politics are building blocks of a different system of demeocratic organization that is not confined to ticking boxes every 4-5 years. To wrestle control of our lives and the direction of our society and indeed our very planner from those who would sacrifice the innate worth of human life on the altar of profit we need to organise not just in reaction to the suffering of today but in the active pursuit of a kinder more human tomorrow. Orson Welles said we are born alone, we die alone, it is only through our connections with others that we create the illusion, however fleeting that we are not” Lets rage against the dying of the light, together.
BYLINE Vol. 6 Issue 4
BOO!LE
Editorial
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CW: Covid.
Writes Fergal Smiddy, Byline Editor A few issues back, I made somewhat of a promise that Byline would be a Covid-free publication for the 2020-21 academic year. As you will find out if you choose to keep reading, I am about to blatantly break that promise, and wanted to give you the option of skipping over this week’s Editorial if some misanthropic pandemic musings aren’t something you’re up for reading right now. I won’t hold it against you, believe me. The day on which I am writing this Editorial - October 22nd, 2020 - marks the official beginning of the Republic’s second state-sanctioned coronavirus lockdown, and the official end, evidently, of many an altruistic tether in our society. I spent last night - the last night - eating dinner on Princes street, a lively and welcome slice of European dining culture ushered in to Cork city as a lonely positive consequence standing tall in the pandemic’s otherwise burning trail. I ate some of the best pizza I’ve had in a long time (fair play to Oak Fire) and had a class night which left me feeling uncharacteristically continental. But undeniably, there was something about the whole evening which just felt a little bit weird. The street was packed for a start, and that definitely had something to do with the lurking - though easily ignorable - ominous vibe that stuck under me for the night. I was surrounded by smiling, happy faces splayed out metres apart across the pavement in their groups of two-to-four, drinking merrily as though it were the last days of Pompeii - one final blow-out before the whole place goes under. I suppose this isn’t a reaction that I can blame anyone for having. If you tell a city full of people that tomorrow, their city - or at least, all that they love about their city, all that makes them yearn to live - will cease to be, then of course they will lend their final hours of ‘normality’ to a fit of desperate indulgence - sure, what else should they do? What else can we do? It wasn’t the city-wide pouncing on the limitations of our country’s Covid restrictions that bothered me, however - it was something deeper-set; something underlying the broader ideology of what we were all doing there on that street; something between the cracks of that grin-littered pavement that was threatening to come up and bite. It was this: the frivolity of it all. That shamefully obvious but unspoken collective feeling that the pandemic - and its ensuing restrictions - are just impediments to our lives rather than very real parts of them that need to be dealt with and respected. We keep talking about ‘the new normal’, but I would hasten to say that we are yet to leave the old normal go. Our country’s current situation is dire, and a shift in the public ideology is the only way to truly pull us from the gutter. Covid is not something that is happening to us; Covid is simply something that is happening - its effect on us is purely coincidental. Until we can see past ourselves and view this virus for what it truly is not just how it relates to us - we will never truly beat it.
Fergal Smiddy
byline@uccexpress.ie
Gaeilge
Eagarthóir: Édith de Faoite
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Díthocsainiú ó na Meáin Shóisialta scríobhann Emma Nic Aoidh Tá andúil agam sna meáin shóisialta. Níor chaill mé insta post le bliain anuas, seolaim na céadtaí Snapchats achan lá, agus níl mórán difríocht idir mo leathanach Twitter agus dialann pearsanta an gnáthdhuine. D’fhill mé abhaile go Tír Chonaill an tseachtain seo agus le’m chuid meabhairshláinte ina praiseach, ghlac mé an chéad chéim chun biseach a chuir orm féin; d’admhaigh mé go raibh fadhb agam. Mhothaigh mé mar dhúnmharfóir agus na haipeanna ag crith romham ar an scáileán, agus bhí géarchéim coinsiasa agam nuair a chuirtear an cheist ‘Delete Snapchat?’ ach bhí m’intinn socraithe air. D’fhág mé slán leis na streaks, na DMs, na likes, na followers, agus na views. Seachtain iomlán. Mé féin agus mo chuid meanmanra i lár na tuaithe. Bhí stánadh folamh ar m’aghaidh nuair nach dtiocfadh liom a bheith ag amharc ar Twitter mé ag ullmhú spaigití don dinnéar. Chuaigh mé ‘na chodladh gan féachaint ar Tiktok go dtí’n dó a’chlog ar maidín. Bhí mo shaol chomh folamh. Ghlac mé páirt i mo chéad léacht ar líne riamh nár chríochnaigh liom ag coimhéad ar Instagram stories. Bhí mé chomh bródúil asam féin. Chuaigh mé ar shiúlóid agus níor ghlac mé pictiúrí den trá. Rinne mé béile domh féin le oideas a bhfuair mé as leabhar cócaireachta in áit ar jamieoliver.com. Thosaigh mé ag cniotáil. Ní raibh an foighne agam rud ar bith a chniotáil domh féin ach fuair mo chat, Denver, scairf álainn as mo chaitheamh aimsire úr. Caithfidh mé é a admháil gur cheadaigh mé uair beag ar Twitter domh féin achan tráthnóna chun seiceáil isteach le Richard Chambers agus chun teachtaireacht a sheoladh chuig mo chuid cairde chun é a chuir in iúil daofa go raibh mé beo liom, ach taobh amuigh de sin, tá seachtain iomlán saor ó na meáin beagnach bainte amach agam agus ba mhaith liom na príomh pointí a thug mé faoi deara a roinnt. 1. Codladh. Chodail mé níos luaithe agus níos fearr ná riamh. Thit mé ‘na chodladh le dorchadas na hoíche agus mhúscail mé le solas na maidine gan mo scáileán
bheag gorm i mo bhos agam. Bhí mé ábalta níos mo oibre a dhéanamh i níos lú ama mar nach raibh aon tuirse orm. Tuigim go bhfuil daoine ann ar night owls iad - shíl mé go raibh mé féin mar dhuine acu – ach má fheiceann tú go bhfuil tú ag fanacht múscailte ar feadh leath na hoíche agus gan rud ar bith bisiúil a dhéanamh agat b’fhéidir go bhfuil an t-am agat machnamh a dhéanamh ar do chuid nósanna. B’fhéidir go sábhálfaidh tú rud beag airgead ar chaife i ndeireadh na dála. 2. Am Saor. Ar an lá ba mheasa, chaith mé suas le dhá uair déag ar mo fón póca. D’úsáid mé achan leithscéal faoi’n spéir liom féin; bhí mé a úsáid le haghaidh taighde, bhí mé ag coimhéad ar físeáin faisnéiseach, bhí ailt nuachta a léamh agat. Níl teorainn leo. I ndairíre, chaith mé na uaireannta fada ag déanamh scrolling baoth. Is dócha go bhfuil cúpla maratón déanta ag m’ordóg, suas agus anuas ar an scáileán. Is iontach an difríocht a ndéanann an am saor seo. B’fhéidir siúlóid níos faide, rud beag glanadh. Béile a ullmhú a ghlacann a thuilleadh ama ná pasta agus anlann as próca. Tá na deiseanna éigríochta. 3. Féin-mhuinín. Níor shíl mé riamh gur duine cúthail a bhí ionam ach thug mé faoi deara go mór an seachtain seo go raibh mé ar mo shuaimhneas i bhfad níos minice. Cosúil le go leor daoine, tá cás fiánta mask acne orm faoi láthair agus bhí sé ag cuir isteach go mór orm. Bhí m’aghaidh scallta agam ag piocadh agus ag glanadh thart ar mo ghiall go dúghabhálach. Anois, tá sin chóir a bheith leigheasta. Ní influencers dóighiúla le síntiúis Photoshop a fheicim achan lá, ach gnáthdhaoine ina bhfuil fadhbanna níos mo acu ná goiríní dubha. Níl mo chuid lochtanna imithe ach ní chaithfidh mé iad a chuir i bhfolach le Snapchat filter a thuilleadh. Tá coilm aicne ar m’aghaidh, so what? 4. Sonas Pearsanta. Níl an ainm ‘Donald Trump’ feicthe agam le fada’n lá. Níl scéalta apacailipteacha cloiste agam le cúpla lá anuas. Níl mé ag déanamh comparáid síoraí idir mé féin agus achan mac mathair a fheicim ar an timeline. Tá mo chuid
ama a chaitheamh agam ar dhóigheanna níos sláintiúla, ní hamháin go fisiceach ach go meabhrach. Ní bhaineann aon mhíbhuntáistí gránna le crochet ach amháin b’fhéidir na tairgí leataobhach a mbím fágtha leo. Shíl mé go mbeadh mo chuid am caite san iarthuaisceart go h-iomlán tubaisteach ach tá mé ní ba shásta agus ní ba shocra anois ná mar a bhí ar feadh tamaill fada. Tá go leor rudaí maithe faoi na meáin,
ní thig é a shéanadh, ach sílim go bhfuil sé millteanach normalaithe i measc daoine óga na uaireannta fada seo a chaitheamh ar an fón. B’fhéidir go bhfuil sé in am súil a chaitheamh ar nósanna s’againn agus na hathruithe cuí a dhéanamh.
INTERVIEW
18
Actor, Student, Personal Trainer, Camogie Star: An Interview with Jennifer Barry By Kyran Leahy, Film & TV Editor
not really knowing anyone, but still being expected to make friends. Thankfully, everyone I have met so far [has been] really nice though! It’s been so far, so good – so let’s hope that it continues. Everyone and their dogs know you as Siobhán from The Young Offenders. Can you take yourself back to the feeling of finding out that you landed the role? It was pure and utter disbelief. It was just a pure shock; pure fluke as well to be honest! I was a sixteen-year-old from West Cork going into fifth year. I was just this normal happy-go- lucky kid and then to have this huge thing just land into your lap – it just does not happen normally. I was very, very lucky. Your character had her own arc in each season as a girlfriend, then a pregnant teen, then a mother. Were you aware of how your character would develop in the series early on? What was it like playing these roles? I only knew she was going to get pregnant once we read the script for the episode, so it was kind of like a major bombshell at the end when she takes out the pregnancy test and finds out it’s positive, that’s what it said on the script. I just remember being like... how am I being trusted with this job on a television show?! I could not believe it. I did not see it coming and that was for sure. My mom obviously had read the script first because I was sixteen at the time, and when she told me I was like “WHAT? OH MY GOD!”
Earlier this month, I spoke with one of Ireland’s talented young actors who is a former Young Offender and is now amongst our ranks at UCC. As she trades a busy schedule for another, Jennifer Barry was delighted to sit down and talk with University Express. After some perfectly timed connection issues and a
few camera/microphone cuts, we were finally able to get our Zoom call up and running and I asked Jennifer a few questions ranging from acting to student life to her new role as a personal trainer. First and foremost, you are now a student at UCC. How
have you been finding it so far? Yes, just started! I was studying Arts initially, but recently I got approved to Theatre and Performative Practices. It was definitely not what I expected. It is a bit tough with online learning and stuff. It’s hard going into first year and
What would you say was your favourite scene to be a part of in The Young Offenders? Probably the last episode of the last series when we were all swimming in Myrtleville. That was just so special. It was all of us together. We knew ourselves it was the last scene in the last episode, so it was really hard for us to film, but probably that one. Another one would
19 probably be in the graveyard singing at Jock’s mom’s grave. It’s a tough choice between those two for sure. As well as The Young Offenders, you landed a starring role in Lisa McGee’s play Girls and Dolls alongside Derry Girls’ Jamie Lee O’Donnell back in 2018. What was the difference between performing on the stage in comparison to being in a television studio? It was a huge difference. It was my professional theatre debut – my first time ever. I did not study theatre or anything at the time. With television, you know you have a second chance, you know that you can do as many takes as you want or what you are comfortable with. Whereas, in theatre, you only have one opportunity to impress a room full of thousands of people. You have to catch their eye, catch their imagination, and you have to catch their attention right from the very start or else it is just not going to work. In a TV show, you have the chance to develop. On the stage, you only have the one chance, you must give one hundred percent all the time. Once the curtain comes up, you have to give it your all. That was what definitely struck me during Girls and Dolls. Definitely. Who would say was your biggest influence, overall, when growing up that made you pursue acting? Was it a family member, a friend or a Hollywood actor? There are a few, but definitely Irish Actors. Saoirse Ronan obviously, she was so young, younger than me, when she started out, and she achieved so much. Cillian Murphy, obviously, as he is from Cork. Fiona Shaw too, she went to UCC. Just mainly Irish actors. I know once this interview is over there will be loads more that just pop up in my head that I forgot to say, but for me, I think that Irish talent inspires Irish talent. It is about seeing what is there and hoping to become that, like a circle. I hope in the future that someone looks at me and says “Oh, I want to be just like her.” That’s the real goal at the end of the day isn’t it? You have been such a big advocate for mental health awareness and body positivity and have recently announced that you are coaching with FlyeFit and opened your new body positivity Instagram page @JenniferBarryPT. Can you tell us more
about this and why you are doing it? I suppose, when I was sick, I was diagnosed with depression, and I am still living with anxiety. One of the things that helped me out so much was exercise, particularly the gym. There was just something about it that just taught me to love myself and to embrace my body. It allowed me to love myself for who I am. I knew that I would not have the points to [study] Psychology, and I will not ever get the chance to become a Psychologist, so, I wanted to find an-
a hobby? My favourite would probably be About Time. Forrest Gump as well would be up there. It is such a classic.” You have already achieved so much in your career at a young age, what is your main ambition for the future? I just want to be successful at what I do. I do not mean just to be rich or famous, but to be successful. I just want to be happy with what I do, because as cliché as it sounds, acting is like a second pair of lungs for me. It can be really hard.
wishing to become an actor? Just believe in yourself, genuinely. If you do not believe in yourself you will not be able to get there. You will not get there unless you, yourself, believe that you are good enough. You have to try your hardest and be patient, but the most important thing is for you to believe in yourself. As the call ended, I thanked Jennifer as I let her go back to her college work, while I was glad that my laptop
“You have to try your hardest and be patient, but the most important thing is for you to believe in yourself.” other way to help people, without becoming a counsellor, or a therapist, or a psychologist. With personal training, there is so much more to being a personal trainer than just being a PT. They are your friend, your PT, your counsellor, and your therapist all in one. That is why I wanted to become one. I just wanted to help people feel the best that they can through exercise. It does not matter what shape or size you are – you can do it! Outside of your busy schedule with acting and college, what is your favourite pastime? That is SUCH a hard question, because I have a good few! I’d say camogie would be the main one. It sounds good but trust me, I am probably the worst player in the entire world. It’s kind of an ongoing joke between me and my team because I am useless. I am literally just there to have the craic with my friends. I would definitely say camogie. I also like watching films, does that qualify as
There are about a hundred million noes before that one yes. So, I would like to get a few more of those yes [moments], to be successful. But most importantly, to be happy. You are at that stage now where you would be considered a role model, with young children and teenagers looking up to you. Do you have any advice for those
recorded the whole thing. I would like to thank her for not only doing this interview, but for her hard work on mental health and body positivity that does not go unnoticed amongst all of us. She was an absolute joy to interview and I wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavours – especially with camogie.
Food and Health
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Mac and Cheese: A comforting classic for crazy times WRITES Maeve O’Keefe, Food & Health Editor
The never-ending bombardment of emails about the “unprecedented times” we are living in, the ever-growing stack of assignments competing for attention, the uncertainty and tired speculation about “levels” – a term which previously only evoked thoughts of an Avicii song in a packed nightclub, dare I mention it. Listening to the news or scrolling through Twitter has taken on a corrosive quality, and our conversations are dominated by a certain virus and all of the stresses it carries for our daily lives. In a world so full of uncertainty, you might be craving something consistent, reliable and comforting. While some may roll their eyes at the suggestion of cooking as some miraculous stress-eliminator, I urge you to have an open mind. After all, the shortage in food supplies during lockdown can at least partially be contributed to a grow-
ing interest in cooking and baking, as people yearned for something as stable and predictable as a recipe for a meal. I believe that now, amidst such anxiety and Twitter hysteria, that cooking a hearty and wholesome meal for yourself can provide you with a well needed sense of control and subsequent satisfaction, alleviating the stress that for whatever reason, you may be experiencing. I cringe at the term “guilty pleasure” – believing that food, an essential substance that we need to survive, should never make us feel guilty. I do, however, like the idea of “comfort food” – something warm and nourishing on a cold winter’s evening, providing consolation and familiarity in its flavours. The preparation is simple, and eventually may even be committed to muscle memory, when making it feels no more
demanding than brushing your teeth. Comfort food is not to be confused with “emotional eating” either; that gorging of tubs of ice cream after a breakup that we so often witness on television. Comfort food can soothe us emotionally, but not in the sense of some sort of sedated sugar coma – it is simply food that puts us at ease, makes us feel nurtured and cared for. For some it might be a bowl of soup with a crust of bread, or the beloved Centra sausage roll after a night out, for others some potato waffles or other freezer-ready foods reminiscent of childhood. Personally, growing up, my mother seemed to intuitively know when I’d had a rough day or was feeling stressed about school. I’d slam the car door shut, cross my arms and glower out the window – so maybe it was more her basic understanding of body language as opposed to maternal intuition
that made me feel so understood. Either way, on those days, she’d say “Come on and we’ll make mac and cheese.” Suddenly, I’d see a light at the end of my teenage angst-ridden tunnel. To this day, macaroni and cheese is my go-to comfort food when I’m not feeling my best. For many of us, when tired and preoccupied with the many assignments on our to-do list, the thought of slaving away in the kitchen is just about the least appealing idea on earth. And if you feel like treating yourself to a take-away, I certainly won’t judge you. However, in chaotic and demanding times, it is more important than ever to take time to nourish yourself. Even when I feel exhausted, upset, or simply fed up, I always find the process of making mac and cheese holds some sort of cathartic quality for me. Mastering the roux sauce, flavouring it
Editor: Maeve O’Keeffe with cheese and mustard, and throwing in whatever ingredients we had to hand gave me immense satisfaction. I think of mac and cheese as the ultimate comfort meal. Warming and hearty, each component of this meal is like a hug for your taste buds. The bubbling top of melted cheese, on top of filling pasta and a rich cheesy sauce is a sure-fire way to elevate your mood. More cynical readers may argue that cooking a meal like this when stressed out is merely procrastination, delaying the work that will inevitably catch up on you. However, we’ve all been told many times that breaks are necessary in order to absorb and recall information effectively. Trying out a new recipe is a great means of distracting yourself from that invasive loop of stressful thoughts about the future too. I firmly believe that closing the books for the 30-minutes it take to prepare this mac and cheese is an ideal way to give your mind a break from an information overload of scrolling on your phone intermittently, or getting sucked in by Netflix. Returning to the books with a satisfied belly and a fresh mind will benefit whatever tasks you have to do. As with most recipes I share here, this mac and cheese is wonderfully versatile. Use whatever cheese you’ve got in the fridge, or a combination of many! Cheddar and parmesan are the classic favourites, but the choice is yours. Personally, I love to add some veg to this for a bit of
colour. Tossing in a couple of handfuls of frozen peas always works well, as does a scattering of halved cherry tomatoes. A few chunks of broccoli or cauliflower also really compliment the cheesy flavours of the dish, and some love to add lightly sautéed diced onion too. Similarly, feel free to add some cooked meat if you want to bulk the meal up a little. Cooked or smoked salmon is delicious, but scraps of chicken or ham are lovely too. You can even add anchovies, if that’s your thing.
cauliflower if you’ve got any. You can even serve it with a leafy side salad for a bit of contrast, but it’s equally enjoyable on its own in a bowl.
the dish, making washing up a little bit easier. Cook your macaroni or chosen pasta in a saucepan according to the instructions on the packet.
Ingredients
2. As the pasta cooks, you can start your roux sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan, and when melted, add in your flour. Stir together for about two minutes. It should grow slightly during this time and be a pale brown colour.
• 30g butter, plus extra for greasing • 200g macaroni but any other kind of pasta will work just as well either. • 30g plain flour
As well as being convenient from an ingredient standpoint, I would also like to point out that if you don’t have a weighing scales, there’s no need to freak out. If you really want the dish to be spot on, invest the €10 or so it costs to buy one, but if not, measuring things by sight will be just fine. For instance, 30 grams of flour is the equivalent of about a quarter of a cup, and you can measure the milk out with a pint glass. This recipe feeds three to four hungry college students as a main meal, but more if you’re just having it as a side or supper. It’s best eaten fresh but can be microwaved the next day if you’ve got leftovers. Although not low in fat, this dish provides you with a great portion of protein and calcium for your muscles and bones. The addition of vegetables elevates the nutritional value of the dish, so I highly recommend tossing in a few frozen peas or florets of
21
• 1 pint hot milk (I just heat it in the microwave) • 175g cheese – a combination of strong flavours that melt well like cheddar and parmesan is best, but use what you have. • 1 rounded tsp mustard (this isn’t essential, but I love the flavour it gives to offset thecheesiness) • Any other fillings you like; frozen peas, cauliflower, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, cooked salmon, chicken or ham broken into pieces... Whatever you have to hand and are in the mood for! Method 1. Preheat your oven to 180°C Fan or Gas mark 6. Grease your baking dish with some butter -This just prevents the mac and cheese from sticking to the sides of
3. Remove the pan from the heat and add in the heated milk slowly, stirring to incorporate the roux completely. Once all of the milk has been added, return the pan to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring constantly. As the sauce boils, it should thicken. Reduce the heat a little and let it simmer for five minutes to thicken and become smooth. 4. Remove the sauce from the heat once more and add the grated cheeses (hold back a handful of cheese to sprinkle on top later). Stir in the mustard too and season with salt and pepper. 5. Tip the drained pasta into the cooking dish, then pour over the cheesy sauce, giving it a little stir. Add in any additional fillings at this point, before sprinkling on the remaining cheese. Bake for about 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Film & T.V.
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Cork International Film Festival: A New Online Chapter for the Historic Festival writes Julie Landers, Staff Writer Cork International Film Festival has a rich and impressive history. Founded in 1956, it is Ireland’s oldest and largest film festival. Its reach has extended far beyond that of the city, and as of 2020, it is the only Irish film festival to have three awards with Oscar accreditation. In any other year, the festival would normally take place across the city, with screenings in the Gate Cinema, the Everyman Palace Theatre and Triskel Arts Centre. Each location brings its own energy and ambience. A cinema, a converted church and a theatre; the way the medium of film can flourish and reach in these different spaces is a testament not only to its strength but also to the creative vision of the organisers of the festival. In recent weeks however, as the case numbers of those with COVID-19 went up and alarm bells started ringing once more, it became clear that hosting the festival within the previously normal parameters would be impossible. The movement of Cork to Level 3 restrictions on October 6th and subsequently to Level 5 two weeks later only further cemented the decision to pivot the entire festival online. But ‘pivot’ is such a graceful word. I don’t think it fully grasps the hard, difficult work that has gone into moving an entire festival online when, for the most part, a film festival is somewhat characterised by the temporality of it, the way in which we congregate in front of a screen far bigger than ourselves and take in a story that has the potential to change the trajectory of our thoughts and feelings. But one benefit of being online is just who the film festival can reach, and when. Now, people can access the films from their own homes, wherever they live. Moreover, each film will be available to watch for 30 hours after their first screening, making it easier to watch each film at a time that suits you. These films can take on a new life, as something to distract from what we are currently facing. What’s more, film has a brilliant beauty in that it can communicate its message regardless of how it is being viewed. There is such a universality to the emotions conveyed within a film that the meaning is never totally lost.
Looking through the programme for the festival, I want to book the whole week off just so I can watch every single minute. I have, with great difficulty, picked out just a few that stand out to me as must-watch features of the festival. Keyboard Fantasies: The Beverly Glenn-Copeland Story You may not have heard of Beverly Glenn-Copeland. His recording career has spanned 50 years and his 1986 album Keyboard Fantasies, has been regarded as a New Age classic with his refreshing use of synths tenderly bringing together minimalism and emotion. The film is part tour documentary and part biopic, examining the life of a Black transgender elder whose musical legacy has only grown stronger and stronger. Hacked Circuit (aemi Shorts: Signals and Circuits) A two-part event that starts with a screening of 2014’s Hacked Circuit, which delivers an intimate portrait of a Foley artist working on a scene from Sofia Coppola’s The Conversation. A Fo-
ley artist is someone who creates sound effects generally added in post-production to enhance the audio quality of a scene. Following this is a programme curated by aemi titled Signals and Circuits, featuring work relating to travel, surveillance, communication and technology by artists Jenny Brady, Jussi Eerola, Laura Fitzgerald, John Smith, Deborah Stratman and Yoga For The Eyes. Loving Ava One of the brilliant Irish shorts being screened as part of the festival, Loving Ava is an intense and heartachingly endearing depiction of female friendship, intense and almost claustrophobic in its dynamic. The Bright Side One of four Irish films that will have its world premiere at the festival, The Bright Side tells the story of Kate (Gemma-Leah Devereux), a stand-up comedian who, having given up on life, is morbidly relieved to be diagnosed with cancer. However, over the course of the movie she slowly sheds her cyni-
cism as she befriends four other women on the chemo ward. The Bright Side is Ruth Meehan’s directorial debut and I’m excited to see the character of Kate explore illness, friendship, love and death with a dark sense of humour. Now more than ever, it can mean so much to take the time to seek out new perspectives and seek solace in film. It is also so important to support a festival that has given so much back to the city in terms of creating a community where cinema enthusiasts can congregate and learn. So, if you can, get yourself a ticket for one of the films being screened. Maybe one I’ve recommended here, maybe one that you have never ever heard of before. Surrender to that unknown and appreciate what unfolds in front of you on screen. The 65th annual Cork International Film Festival takes place from November 8-15. For more information, download the CIFF2020 app or go to https://corkfilmfest.org//
Editor: Kyran leahy
23
Thirty Years of The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror: A Spooky Season Tradition writes Kyran Leahy, Film & TV Editor
The Simpsons might be hanging on to dear life by the fingertips nowadays. I do not know a single person who tunes in week in, week out to watch a brandnew episode of The Simpsons, which recently came back for the thirty-second season. I stopped watching The Simpsons weekly a long, long time ago, certainly since that ‘Lisa Goes Gaga’ episode. Since then, I have watched the new episodes sporadically, and most of the episodes I have watched are duller than a November in Ireland. Oh look, Homer is working as (insert new job)! Oh my god, is that special guest star (insert random celebrity)? An episode solely focused on (insert minor character)? Incredible! It is all the same nowadays. The only episodes that can break away from this long-running formula, however, are the Treehouse of Horror specials. The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror specials have been a yearly tradition since 1990, when the very first one premiered on the 25th of October of that year. Ever since that show, consisting of our favourite family moving into a haunted house, the introduction of Kang and Kodos, and the surprisingly serious retelling of Edgar Allen Poe’s poem “The Ra-
ven” that was narrated by James Earl Jones himself, fans instantly grew attached. That episode became one of the most important of the show’s 688 episodes run thus far. Following that episode, there would be a new Treehouse of Horror every year released around Halloween time, some even after Halloween. The Treehouse of Horror specials allow the Simpsons writers to have fun and put their characters into situations that would never be allowed in normal episodes. The episodes are obviously a lot more gory than a standard Simpsons episode (save for a few Itchy & Scratchy shorts) but there is also the chance to take the mick out of the shows and movies that are massive in the horror and thriller genres. Any of those flicks you can think of, from Nightmare on Elm Street to The Shining to even Stranger Things. Anything horror-related that has achieved massive popularity or has earned cult status, expect it in a Treehouse of Horror episode. The Simpsons has a lot of traditions and an abundance of episodes to go with them. You have the Christmas episodes, the Thanksgiving episodes, the family travelling all around the world and those
episodes set in the past or the future that just spit on all of the episodes based on the past or the future that preceded them. Those are just occasional. They happen every once in a while, when the writers have an idea about them. Unlike them, Treehouse of Horror is yearly. There has not been a year without a new Treehouse of Horror. It has become a staple for Halloween, and until the Simpsons gets put out of its dear misery, there will be a new Treehouse of Horror every year. With the 31st edition released this month, there have been a whopping 93 segments for this tradition. Treehouse of Horror has brought us some memorable segments throughout the years that all of us remember. Some iconic ones being “Dial Z for Zombies” (III), where Homer shoots the zombie Flanders without knowing that he was even a zombie, “Homer ³” (VI) containing the show’s first foray into 3D animation, as well as Homer in the real world, and “Wiz Kids” (XII), which was a fun, magical Harry Potter parody, which had Mr. Burns playing the Voldemort role like he was created just for that purpose. Even the more recent ones like “A Clockwork Yellow” (XXV) and “Coralisa” (XXVIII), where the homage to the films that inspired the segments were expertly ma-
noeuvred, are golden generation quality. Hard to believe, right? I watched all of them throughout the week before writing this, and I was gobsmacked by the quality of those segments. It is unlikely that the actual day of Halloween this year will be the same as previous years, but the build up to it can be the exact same. We can get ourselves pumped by watching all of the Halloween specials that television has to offer. If you have Disney+, all of the Treehouse of Horror episodes are available to stream. If you do not, they are bound to show a handful of them throughout the likes of RTÉ2, Sky One and Channel 4 over the coming days. If you are looking for an easy laugh and maybe a good bit of nostalgia, the Treehouse of Horror episodes are a great twenty minutes of entertainment. I will always get a kick out of Homer selling his soul to the devil Flanders for just one doughnut. The newer ones may have a drop in quality here or there, but they are still a harmless piece of comedy, like Moe’s Tavern parodying Sweeney Todd. If Treehouse of Horror still is not your style, then there is always Hocus Pocus, I guess.
Music
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CONSORTIUM, reviewed By Cathal Donovan O’Neill, Music Editor On the 13th of February, Matt Corrigan played his first headliner upstairs at the Roundy, which he sold out. Wearing a white shirt, dark jeans and a look of intense solemnity, he lilted out the ‘dah, da-da dah’ bridge of ‘Tokyo’. A room dimly lit by stage lights, crammed full of friends, and their friends who’d just become acquainted, and tourists and fans, sang it back to him. Then we kept going and going, on and on, until Corrigan and his band couldn’t help but break into sheepish grins, taking in an audience that never wanted it to end. It felt like a beginning: Curtains close on the first act for Ghostking is Dead. Almost one month later to the day, colleges, schools and pubs were shut down. CONSORTIUM is Matt Corrigan a.k.a. Ghostking is Dead’s second EP this year, following January’s Fever Dreaming and a couple of lockdown singles. A self-described ‘illicit crate’ — too short for a full EP but too laser-focused for a mixtape — it’s a short, sour shot of claustrophobia and anxiety, taking the spikiest components of its predecessor and leaving them in a glass jar to fester like a particularly zesty mould. Where Fever Dreaming discussed being trapped in a city by habit and circumstance, CONSORTIUM has a monofo-
Photo Credit: Jack Downing
cus on vicious cycles of thought. There’s an enveloping feeling of panic here that wasn’t present in most of Fever Dreaming’s rich synth soundscapes. Where that record mixed organic instrumentation like a vamping piano in with the synths to create a fuller picture of a living city, this one dives all the way into the cold influences of trap. The digital hi-hats sound too distant from the vocals, the clanging bass synths too close. Off-putting motifs repeat themselves: Tinned saxophones flail around the first track (and from left speaker to right, a nice touch), while in the finale a synth flick-
ers on and off like a faulty fluorescent. Like the music, the lyrics are characterised by repetition. Each track contains words and phrases repeated within the sentence and song; ‘IF I CAN’T HAVE IT’’s ‘run, run, run, run, run’, flat intonation melodically mirroring the line’s meaning: He’s not moving anywhere. Vocal effects distorting and autotuning Corrigan’s voice on ‘IF I CAN’T HAVE IT’ and ‘MARKER AND INK’ move the lyrical content from Corrigan’s Shakespearian-monologue cadence into more internal monologue; these are his warped, on-edge anxiety thoughts, spiralling through the same patterns. ‘BOGMAN’, the album’s centre-point and centrepiece, serves as a brutal takedown of his previous work. Emigration as escape has been something Corrigan’s extolled over the past few projects in tracks like ‘California?’ and ‘Palm Tree’. To him, leaving Ireland represented freedom from an unfinished self and a city that seeks to suck the life from its renting student populace as it sinks into the rising tide. The question posed nine months ago: ‘And is it foolish now, to dream of California?’ In ‘BOGMAN’, Corrigan answers: Yes, it’s foolish. ‘Go! flee to the continent and wash yourself in the Seine: You’ll never be clean Bogman, you’re as broken as your name.’ Emigration is a fake escape. You can’t just leave behind the imperfect person you are and the messy rela-
tionship you had with your home. The ‘faraway lands, distant dreams’ promised by past tracks are mirages in the face of global upheaval: ‘The free world’s on fire, Bogman, and you’ve got turf to move’. Across the oppressive bass beats and slower 808s of Chicago drill, Corrigan’s message is clear: If life ever had a script, it’s long since been shredded. If Fever Dreaming felt like a statement on Corrigan’s life in 2020, CONSORTIUM feels more like a snapshot. There’s a new direction here, a development in sound and theme that I would’ve loved to have seen explored further. The album’s intro-loud song-soft song sequencing gives it a complete arc, but you’re left feeling that there was space in between to be dug into. It’ll be interesting to see if forthcoming ‘illicit crates’ further the sonic and lyrical thrust of the album, or go into different territory altogether. Viewed as a sequel to Fever Dreaming or as its own project, CONSORTIUM marks another cohesive work in Matt Corrigan’s discography. It’s his harshest work yet, but it’s reflecting harsh times. We’re a ways off the “obsession with recreation” of the ‘Tokyo’ days, but until we can meet again in small rooms above pubs, there’s real catharsis to be found in his obsession with repetition. CONSORTIUM is available through Ghostking is Dead’s Bandcamp and YouTube
Editor: CATHAL DONOVAN O’NEILL Celebrating the Behringer WRITES Fionn Kelleher
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Stevie G’s 2020 Soul writes Cathal Donovan O’Neill, Music Editor
Cork DJ Stevie G’s dropped his Soul Ireland 2020 mixtape, and it’s well worth listening to. A longtime advocate for Ireland’s rap, hip-hop, R&B and soul musicians, Stevie’s led club nights and primetime radio shows, but is best known for Black on Red on RedFM, where he mixes classics with new cuts. Collaborating with MC Aaliyuh, it blends seamlessly through some of today’s best music, from Alicia Raye to Zali. It’s a great sampler for Irish music, and you’ll be sure to leave with a new artist to watch: For this writer that’s Caleb Kunle with ‘Seul’. Listen by subscribing to steviegcork on Mixcloud. We live in an age where almost any sound imaginable can be synthesised on our computers: On workstations or laptops, but also on our mobile devices. Generations of producers have been inspired by accessible digital audio workstations [DAWs] such as Ableton, FL Studio and third-party audio plugins, and it’s easy to see why: All you need is the computer you already own, a set of decent headphones, and a bedroom to get you started. Standalone, DAW-less analog synthesisers aren’t going anywhere, however, and it’s easy to see the appeal to modern musicians. While software-based synths have come a long way over the years and allow for an infinite amount of programming when combined with a DAW, there’s a certain charm and richness to the sound of analog synthesisers. Some people enjoy them more because the more limited options for sound design force you to be more creative with less; some people associate them with classic sounds from the ‘80s and ‘90s, and use those to influence their own sound. While a lot of the classic synths are well out of the production line, one company has focused on recreating what
makes them special: Germany-based Behringer. Perhaps an odd manufacturer to be seen creating replicas of old synths, the budget audio equipment manufacturer has released a stream of musical instruments in recent years. Let’s start with the Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer. The drum machine produced some of the most recognisable sounds in electronic music, heard over all the genre spectrum. If you’re a techno head, your ears will undoubtedly be familiar with it, and equally so if you’re a connoisseur of pop: Think of the iconic drum programming in Marvin Gaye’s ‘Sexual Healing’, the beat in Destiny Child’s millennial hit ‘Say My Name’, or the backing of L’Trimm’s ‘Cars with the Boom’ (which you’ve definitely heard as a TikTok sound if you’ve spent as long as I have mindlessly scrolling there). The drum machine has made the very idea of electronic drums synonymous with the term ‘eight-oheight’ among producers, and inspired an entire movie about it (unsurprisingly titled 808). It’s a much sought-after piece of kit, and a cultural icon. I expected Roland would capitalise
on how successful the TR-808 was by producing the machine again, or perhaps releasing an incremental update. They attempted to continue the legacy of the famed analog drum synthesiser with the TR-8S Rhythm Performer in April 2018, but it morphed into a hybrid live sampling machine aimed at a different audience. Behringer came in out of nowhere and released the RD-8, a faithful recreation of the 808 in both sound and looks, and at a price tag of less than €330 brand new. As daring as it may seem to create a product heavily implied to be an authentic recreation of one of the most beloved instruments in modern music history, Behringer went further and came for Moog’s blood (and profits). Artists from Tame Impala to Tyler, The Creator and Prince have all used the classic Minimoog Model D synth. Behringer released their more affordable take of the sound module behind the Model D, and totally one-upped themselves (and Moog) with the Poly D — a pseudo-polyphonic version with four voices — something that Moog themselves have never offered. Moog no longer manufactures the Model D; if you wanted to grab one
used, you’ll end up paying thousands of euro — or you could grab a brand-new Behringer Model D for less than €280. It almost seems too good to be true. I can’t help but be impressed that a company who’ve historically been known for their budget-friendly mixers, audio interfaces, basically every component of studio equipment under the sun, have not only invested in researching and reverse engineering the circuitry of old analog synths, but have managed to release authentic recreations of them at much more affordable price tags than their first-party counterparts. If you’re looking to expand your arsenal of instruments and have a longing to experiment with classic analog synths, Behringer’s range of classic remakes might be right up your alley. Just promise yourself you won’t spend all of that €250 rebate from our Government on one.
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Photos
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
Main Campus #CONSENT MATTERS by Caoimhe Leahy University Express Photgrapher
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
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SEXPRESS
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Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll: What happens when you ride while rolling? WRITES Jack Wrixon, Sexpress Editor I want to start this piece off with a few points. I’m not here to preach to anyone about not taking drugs. I do not care what people do in their spare time. This isn’t an anti-drug column, it’s a sex column. This article isn’t to preach one way or another, but to shed light on the relationship between drugs and sexual activity. The most I can tell you to do is be safe, take care of yourself and your friends if you’re taking anything, and always know the risks. Getting the ride after a night out (RIP to those) used to be class. You’re suitably drunk, maybe you’ve taken something or smoked stuff, and the other party is looking better than a vegan sausage roll from Centra. But when you get down to it, you realise that maybe your body isn’t acting like it normally would during situations like this. Or even if it is, you find yourself acting a bit riskier than usual and not using a condom. No big deal, right? Unfortunately, this is a pretty big deal. Drugs of any kind influence the way your body functions, both during sex and during everyday life. And while this isn’t always a bad thing, it’s better to know the risks and have a semi-sober thought in your mind before you get down to a bit of slap and tickle with someone. Firstly, to expand on a point that we all already know: Alcohol is a drug. Having a few drinks with friends, we all have them and we all love them. Nothing like a sexy glass of wine to get you in the mood, or maybe you get a cocktail into you and then you start looking for a cock and tale, if you catch my drift. Alcohol impacts people both physically and psychologically, and this factors into sexual activity as well. As it is a depressant, it lowers your inhibitions and judgements that in a regular situation would stop you from acting a certain way. This means that you’ll often engage in more risk taking behaviours when you’re drunk, which can translate into not using contraception during sex. This can lead to contracting or spreading STIs, pregnancy, or generally just hurting or injuring yourself or your partner. Physically, we all get the wobbles when we’re drunk because the alcohol in our system lowers physical awareness, balance and coordination,
and this doesn’t translate well during sex. Erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness can also occur during sex, and if it does happen to you or your partner, don’t make a big song and dance – odds are they’re feeling just as awkward as you are about it. Regardless of your gender as well, alcohol is also reported to prolong orgasm and decrease the amount of pleasure you achieve from orgasm. Something that I can’t skip over is the prevalence of Date Rape drugs, gener-
ally put into drinks with the intention to assault someone. The most common ones are MDMA, Rohypnol (Roofies), and GHB. It is not your fault if your drink gets spiked, but it is good to know what you can do to prevent it. Covering your drink and keeping an eye on it as the night goes on is one of the best methods, and something I would recommend is researching or possibly purchasing some Undercover Polish – which is nail polish that will change colour if inserted into a drink that contains
something nasty. Given the current restrictions you should not be going out to massive parties anyway, but if you do feel like you are a victim of spiking the best thing to do is get in contact with the Gardaí. They can administer a full drug test and see if you were spiked or not, as well as offering support and aftercare. Some kids smoke weed. A study published in 2019 by the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction reported that 13.8% of young
Editor: Jack WRIXON people in Ireland smoke weed, and this figure has been consistent over the last few years. Looking at how it impacts sex and sexual activity, there wasn’t a lot of research, making my job a bit harder. Most of the studies or personal stories that I used for research all conclude an increase in physical and sensory pleasure, alongside some of the usual physical and mental side effects of getting stoned, like dry mouth for instance. Many of the more formal studies do point to long term effects such as decreased sperm count and a decline in sexual performance, but still high reports of sensory pleasure. Obviously, many of these may be unreliable, so if you’re shagging when you’re stoned it mightn’t be “to the book” per se. How you chose to smoke also comes into play. Smoking a joint will impact your body differently because there is the added tobacco. Prolonged tobacco usage reports arousal problems in sexual situations, such as increased vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction, whereas using a bong or a pipe and just smoking straight weed will eliminate the tobacco and the side effects associated with it, leaving you with that afternoon delight feeling that you came for.
Interestingly, with the rise in popularity of Cannabis and CBD Oil products, CBD lube has also grown in popularity. Cannabidiol (CBD) is similar to weed, only it doesn’t have the “psychoactive” element that weed does, essentially meaning no munchies. CBD can be used to treat anxiety, epilepsy and physical pain such as arthritis or chronic pain, and in lube form it is reported to increase sensitivity and decrease pain that is often associated with penetration. People suffering from things like PCOS, vaginismus, vaginitis or just vaginal tearing have also reported that CBD lube aids them during sex, as it helps to relax and decrease tension on the pelvic floor. Unfortunately, there is often not a lot of regulation when it comes to CBD products, so use at your own risk. If you went out on a regular Thursday night at any point before quarantine, odds are you encountered at least one person who was buzzing chops. According to the same report by the European Monitoring Center, 4.4% of young people in Ireland reported to have taken MDMA, and similar to the statistics on weed this figure remains consistent. MD makes people feel fantastic, and this is because of the serotonin release
it promotes neurologically. Physically it also makes you more sensitive to touch, and all the studies that I researched for this piece also concluded that most people riding on MD feel a desire to stop and talk about their feelings. Like most other drugs, MD will lower your inhibitions and make you more susceptible to risky behaviours. MD also makes it hard to get erect, so for those of you with a penis it might be a quiet night downstairs despite the circumstances. The biggest thing about MDMA is that it will also burn through your serotonin like it’s nothing, so the comedown may make you never want to have sex again. Cocaine, Coke, Snow. That white stuff that made Pablo Escobar famous. Usually ingested into the body by sniffing, a reported 17% of young people used cocaine in 2019. Cocaine makes people really aggressive in general, and this follows suit during sex. Physically, you can be hornier than normal, feel stronger than normal, and as always, be more risky while you’re getting frisky. Aggression in sex can be quite a turn on sometimes, but often if you’ve got two aggressors where the tension is high enough without the cocaine, it can be
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frustrating. Physically a lot of reports of people who have had cocaine-fuelled sex often report damaging themselves or their partner physically because of the increased roughness, which ain’t cute. If you’re bleeding from your genitals and you don’t know it, it can make it easier for something nasty like an STI or a bacterial infection to slip in. Cocaine as a stimulant generally lends itself to giving more sexual stamina, but it can also lead to longer orgasmic latencies, and also harder, less satisfying orgasms in comparison to a regular sober orgasm. Again, I’m not here to preach about taking drugs, but what I am going to preach to you about is not going out while we are still in lockdown. You know better. If you’re trying to be more responsible with what you take and how you take it, check out USI.ie or Drugs. ie for resources about how to have safe nights while rolling. There is no point in screwing yourself over with drugs, so please stay safe and stay sexy. Got an opinion? Wanna be a plug? Get onto me at sexpress@uccexpress.ie.
Gaming
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Fallout: New Vegas 2 and Hype Culture - when will gaming media give it a rest? WRITES Ronan Watters
Fallout: New Vegas is personally one of my favourite video games of all time. From the moment I stepped foot outside Doc Mitchell’s house and made my way across the scorched desert of the Mojave Wasteland to the neon-drenched Vegas strip, I knew that I was playing a game that was certainly going to get a second run-through, and a second run-through it got. The third and fourth were fun, and the fifth was more exciting as I bought the four DLC packs that made the experience more amazing and immersive. You get the picture, I absolutely adore this game, as do so many other people who gave it a re-evaluation in the later years after its launch in 2010. But do I want a sequel to this game? That would be a hard no. Since Microsoft announced that they had acquired ZeniMax Media for a staggering $7.5 billion, there has been more talk and discussion surrounding the possibility of a Fallout: New Vegas 2. This is due to Microsoft now owning Bethesda Softworks, a subsidiary of ZeniMax and the owner of the Fallout license. Microsoft also own Obsidian Entertainment, the developers of Fallout: New Vegas. You can see why the games media
and many Fallout fans hopped on the supposed “hype train” for a sequel to one of the most beloved Western RPGs of all time. The Fallout license has not received the same acclaim since Fallout 4, which at launch received adoration from both fans and critics, mainly due to the hype surrounding that game. But once the rose-tinted glasses were removed and the fog of fandom disappeared, it was labeled a watered-down RPG experience when compared to New Vegas and even Fallout 3. The nightmarish mess known as Fallout 76 only needs mere mention to send fear and terror into the hearts of anyone who considers themselves a fan of the license. Yes, the last few years have not been kind to the Fallout community, but does this warrant a sequel to New Vegas? These types of rumors surrounding unreleased dream games are nothing new, the infamous Half Life 3 can attest to that. But they do absolutely no service to anybody. They raise hopes for a game project that more than likely will never happen, and if it does, it almost never reaches the insane expectations and hype set out for it by fans – and more importantly – gaming me-
dia. So why do I mention gaming media? I’m not saying they can’t provide coverage or discuss rumors relating to video games, that’s all well and good, but the amount of articles I saw popping up in my feed about “Fallout: New Vegas 2” after the acquisition was exhausting. Some titles of articles about the supposed game read like they belonged on Reddit instead of on the website of a credible gaming media source. One headline that stood out to me stated that now is the right time to make Fallout: New Vegas 2. My only question is this: why? Articles like this do fandoms no credit when the gaming media publish them. They do nothing but fan the flames of fandom. The gaming media in general have left a lot to be desired in the past few years. Their obsequious, almost servile attitude toward the big game publishers is pathetic at best and disingenuous at worst. Sometimes, I wonder if the games industry sees these media outlets as nothing more than free advertising, as their marketing strategies certainly rely on them uploading trailers for their upcoming games onto their websites and YouTube channels and giving certain games that will always sell
big numbers extensive coverage while other great games barely get a mention. As for Fallout, we should be looking into the future. No, not the future that involves a New Vegas sequel or spin-off, but a brand-new experience. Some fans make the argument that they do not actually want a follow up to New Vegas, but a Fallout game in the style of New Vegas. But therein lies the problem: It is the use of the game’s name that will be attached to the next Fallout, almost certainly guaranteeing disappointment to the more extreme fans. Obsidian, in their marketing for their 2019 RPG, The Outer Worlds, wisely used the fact that they were the developers of New Vegas and sure enough, fans ate it up, so hungry they were for a deep Western RPG experience. New Vegas is an excellent experience that I recommend to anybody and I’ll most certainly replay it in the near future, but we don’t want to end up as the clingy ex-boyfriend or girlfriend of the game, who constantly romanticizes the past glories once-had and dreams of a future that more than likely will never happen.
Editor: HUGO BLAIR
Video Games as Art writes Hugo Blair, Gaming Editor
In the beginning, there was nothing. Then, suddenly, a flash of light. A small white square drifts slowly across an infinite black, bordered on each side by rectangular paddles of similar colour. It is 1972 and Pong has just been released to the world. Originally developed by Allan Alcorn as a training exercise at Atari, it would go on to become the first commercially successful video game and ushered in a new age of entertainment. One where, unlike its multimedia predecessors, the user was not just an audience member, but an active participant. At the time, video games such as Pong were an exciting new medium. Much exploration and learning was done during those early years, as developers and publishers figured out what worked and what didn’t, and consumers gradually acquired some sense of palatability for the format. A lot of what was released was... not good, to say the least, even by the standards of the time and especially as the home computer market emerged. Many titles were slapped together by developers who either didn’t care or didn’t know any better, and distributed by publishers hoping to make a quick buck. However, as the industry has matured, so too have the titles produced by it. In the past few decades we have borne witness to some veritable masterpieces. Now, I am not suggesting that everything that’s dropped onto the Steam store is fantastic – I’m not even saying it’s good. However, I do believe that the quality of some titles released in the years since the industry’s inception is nothing short of masterful. I believe these titles could truly be considered works of art.
First, let us explore what art actually is. According to the folks at Oxford, art can be expressed as: “The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power”. While that’s quite the mouthful, I think most people would agree with this definition. When people think of art they often imagine a beautiful painting or sculpture, or perhaps a captivating piece of music. What these things have in common is their ability to make us feel something. Whether it be joy, sadness, or something in between we can’t quite describe – they elicit an emotional response. And so, I ponder, can the same not be said for video games? I can still recall emotions that I felt even years after the gaming experiences that triggered them. The quiet sadness while listening to Rosalina’s story in Super Mario Galaxy. The excitement and anticipation while listening to Professor Rowan’s introduction in Pokémon Diamond. The genuine fear and apprehension while facing GLaDOS in Portal. These are moments I will always remember, and the emotions tied to those moments are just as real as any in response to more classical forms of art. Video games have an arsenal of tools at their fingertips to generate these emotional responses in the player. They can
achieve it through score and sound design; through characterisation; through narrative; and through visual and graphical effects. These facets combine to create an atmosphere that the player responds to. An advantage that video games have over other classical forms of art in eliciting emotion is that the player is just that – a player. The person engaging in the art is themselves directing how they receive it. I believe this leads to a deeper connection with the medium, resulting in stronger emotional ties. In past years, I believe video games struggled to present themselves as an art form to be taken seriously. However, as the quality of games produced has risen ever higher, the medium has entered further into popular culture. Nowadays, there are plenty of award shows for video games and their developers, dedicated to honouring the massive amount of work involved in the games’ creation, and the artistry of the experiences. Some examples include the Game Developers Choice Awards, the Golden Joystick Awards, and The Game Awards. Some ceremonies, notably The Game Awards, have showcases that rival the Oscars, with viewer numbers to match – in 2019, The Game Awards were seen by 45.2 million people, compared to The Academy Awards’ 29.6 million! We’ve come a long way from that small white square and enjoyed the artistry of countless developers and personalities on our journey. I, for one, can’t wait to see what comes next.
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Fashion
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Men in Dress Gaining Legs Writes Maeve O’Sullivan, Fashion Editor ‘’I didn’t just wanna wear a tuxedo and be boring’’ – Fashion Designer Marc Jacobs The Scottish kilt or the shalwar kameez and kurta are evidence that the fashion world is no stranger to the idea of men wearing skirts or dresses. Despite this, skirts and dresses, ‘feminine clothing’, would incite verbal abuse and slander if worn on a man. Leading figures such as actor Bill Porter, Marc Jacobs and Jaden Smith are just three men not afraid to blur the lines of dress. At the 2019 Academy Awards, Porter wore a ‘tuxedo gown’, which resembled a tuxedo at the top but had an enormous velvet skirt on the bottom. Porter, no stranger to bold dress, explained ‘‘my goal is to be a walking piece of political art every time I show up. To challenge expectations. What is masculinity? What does that mean? Women show up every day in pants but the minute a man wears a dress, the seas part.’’ While previously uncommon, diversity in clothing for men is entirely possible. Skirts and dresses have been intrinsically allied to femininity. Marc Jacobs attended the 2012 Met Gala Ball in a sheer black lace dress with white boxer shorts underneath, claiming ‘’I didn’t just wanna wear a tuxedo and be boring’’. It is becoming more and more difficult for men to stand out amongst each other as tuxedos have had a homogenising effect with little to no choice in alteration. In the land of Hollywood, failure to stand out and be seen could be detrimental to one’s career. Fashion is all about risk after all. It’s also worth noting that these are not just trends from within indie labels, but from household names such as Thom Browne and Gucci. Jared Leto and Harry Styles are well known stars for Gucci who frequently and unapologetically wear a dress. Why be afraid to be seen as effeminate? Gender fluid fashion is on the rise, don’t fight the tide but go with it. Male make-up and man buns are not looked at twice in many social settings – is the dress next to gain legs?
Editor: Maeve O’Sullivan With Halloween coming up, let’s take a look at three collections that caused quite a backlash and furore in the fashion world. But were those negative reviews that followed each collection fair?
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Shocking? Scary? Scandalous? writes Selina Dufner
Yves Saint Laurent - The Scandal Collection, 1971 Why the criticism? The collection was different from the widely admired and elegant haute-couture fashion as it featured elements of what is known today as prêt-à-porter, meaning that the collection was based on comfort and casual wear, and the majority of the clothes were wearable on a daily basis. Laurent created daytime dresses with pink lip motives all over them which was considered tacky. The collection was also hugely inspired by the fashion of the ‘40s, the time Germany occupied Paris. It was criticised for being a sad reminder of the Nazi days, as many people who saw the show did actually experience that dreadful time. How did the designer defend himself? Laurent called his critics narrow-minded petty people paralysed by taboos, and stated about the collection: “Perhaps it did not please certain press or American buyers - but it pleased youth, and that is what counts for me. Fashion is a reflection of its time”. Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis - Grunge Collection, 1993 Why the criticism? Nirvana and grunge music were huge in the early ‘90s and of course an inspiration to Jacobs. The key elements of that collection were Doc Marten boots, jeans, flannel shirts, overcoats and printed maxi dresses. He sent the models down the runway without make-up. There was no retouching in any way so the whole event was very natural and not at all what the audience was expecting it to be. The usual glamour was certainly missing. “A typical outfit looked as if it was put together with the eyes closed and in a very dark room” was one of the headlines. The collection and the bad reputation of the grunge scene eventually led to Jacobs being fired from Perry Ellis. How did the designer defend himself? Jacobs explained to Naomi Campbell on her “No Filter with Naomi” show on YouTube that he didn’t actually get fired for doing the collection and that there was a different reason behind it. He revealed that most of the company’s
business came from licensees and that the only thing they actually financed themselves were the runway shows. As those started to become highly expensive, Ellis wanted to live off the profits of their licensees rather than spending money to create. When Jacobs lost his job, the press portrayed it as if Jacobs did something horrendous. Despite the criticism, the collection certainly helped his rise to fame and was very influential. Jacobs stated in 2011 that the collection was about a sensibility and also about a dismissal of everything that one was told was beautiful, correct, glamorous and sexy. He added that he thinks that that’s the way people dress now.
Alexander McQueen - Highland Rape, 1995 Why the criticism? McQueen was still at the beginning of his career when he presented Highland Rape. People were overwhelmed because this was something completely new and they weren’t aware of the idea behind the collection. He showed dresses that were torn and let models walk down the runway dressed in nothing but panties and jackets with their bare chest showing. They looked as if they had just been raped. This was also represented in the way the models walked. Some walked as if they were hurting and others had a
very aggressive and fast walk. McQueen certainly got the attention of the press with that runway show and made quite a few headlines, including: “Alexander McQueen gives fashion a bad name”, or “McQueen’s perverse view of women”. How did the designer defend himself? McQueen clarified that he was not a misogynist and that his idea was to portray what it is like when a man takes from a woman because that is what rape is. His older sister was badly beaten up by her husband and he saw that when he was just a child, so what he wanted was to create these strong women, embodied by the models on the runway.
Arts & Literature Fondly, Fondly. By Claire Aherne
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The Return of the Everyman writes Imasha Costa, Arts & Literature Editor
i stand as a vehicle to sell myself and pass out behind the scenes in a two thousand euro jacket and wooden clogs i sell another bourgeois image with my head swimming beside me, light as air thinking of you fondly as i contort myself whole, gesture at a time thinking of you fondly i give aphrodite my autonomy in exchange for a painting i think you’d like thinking of you fondly will you play the tune that bends the whole of planet earth in your favour, even if only for a while thinking of you fondly as i am thinking of you now i cannot help my hope when spinning round, eyes as wide as time eyes as wide as mine
With the Covid-19 lockdown hitting most of the world, closing down several of our favourite places including pubs, restaurants, arenas, and sport centres, the world has been slowly diminished by the lack of live performances of theatre, musicals and plays. Earlier this year, The Everyman closed its doors temporarily to the public as they strived over the entire lockdown to renovate and build a space that was able to adhere to the new restrictions that have been put in place. Theatre productions were pulled to a halt, actors were on a pause. The Everyman closed their doors, hoping that the day would come for them to pulsate their life back into the city again.
With that in mind, The Everyman, on the 15th of October rose back from the ashes of shutdown with a new take on live performances – an improvised yet brilliant idea that I believe other theatre companies should maybe think about. Play It By Ear has been defined as an improvisation, a ‘rise to an occasion’ or a way to ‘think on one’s own feet’, consisting of a mix of rehearsed readings, comedy, and music. It merges with the exceptional creative talent of Cork to bring a new experience to all its viewers and listeners alike. This series of live performances is being broadcasted to its audience all across the country. Due to the current indoor gathering restrictions, the theatre has been operating at greatly reduced capacity and available tickets will sell out quickly. Seán Kelly, Executive Director of the theatre has said that “the restrictions are not viable to maintain in the long term. The Everyman has an obligation to serve the people of Cork and
provide support and connections to artists. We are incredibly thankful for generous donations received from our patrons. These monies, along with Arts Council Funding, will allow us to be viable until the end of the year.” Here is a list of performances that are still running for the Play It By Ear series: The Four Faced Liar – a play for voices by Ger FitzGibbon. A rehearsed reading that is due to play on Thursday, 29th October with a running time of 70 minutes and no intervals. Tickets are priced at €9 for the audio broadcast and €15 (student price) for the live reading. Feeling Good – Karen Underwood and John O’Brien. A night of heart-warming and roof-raising jazz, soul and blues by Chicago native Karen Underwood, accompanied on piano by John O’Brien. Karen has
been able to capture her audiences all across Ireland with her own interpretations of songs by Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse. The show runs as part of the series on Friday, 30th October with the audio broadcast priced at €9 and the live performance at €25. The Seafarer – Conor McPherson The final event advertised for Play It by Ear – a rehearsed reading of the play by Conor McPherson which centres around James ‘Sharky’ Harkin, who returns home to look after his ageing brother Richard one Christmas Eve. It has a run time of 105 minutes, including an interval. The audio broadcast is priced at €9 whilst the live performance is at €15 (student price). For more information please look at the Everyman Theatre’s website, www.everymancork.com
Editor: imasha costa
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Literary Festivals go Online Writes Claudia Schwarz If you fancy discovering new authors and listening to exciting literary talks but are on a tight budget, I’ve got something for you. Here is a list of this month’s online Literary Festivals that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own room. As an added bonus, most of them are completely free.
Dr. Marie Cassidy brings a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on crime. Her memoirs, Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of a State Pathologist, delve into the devious depths of forensic psychology from her perspective as Ireland’s former State Pathologist. From 2004 to 2018, Dr. Marie Cassidy worked on Bram Stoker Festival, Dublin numerous high-profile cases such as (30th October – 2nd November) those of Rachel O’Reilly and Siobhan Over the weekend of Samhain, the Kearney. She will be discussing her gothic, gory and supernatural will work as a State Pathologist and the be celebrated in the form of four process of writing memoirs with days of deadly adventures. This fes- author and journalist Sinead Crowtival was established in honour of ley. The best part is, you will receive Bram Stoker, author of the beloved a signed copy of Beyond the Tape gothic horror novel Dracula. Be- in the post shortly after the event cause it wouldn’t be a real Sam- for you to investigate for yourself. hain experience without triggering all the senses, this festival offers Dingle Literary Festival – Dingle, audio as well as visual experienc- Co. Kerry (19th – 22nd November) es, with events such as a radical You might not have heard of this remake of the horror classic Night festival before, but it has a lot to of the Living Dead called I am NOT offer. All events are online and Legend. Andrea Mastrovito turned free, so this is the time for you to this cult movie into a masterpiece of get involved. Learn to make deadly a different caliber. I am NOT Legend cocktails from the TV Show Peaky has an amazing soundtrack created Blinders such as “The Bloody Hand” by Irish composers Matthew Nolan and “Red Horse” or educate yourself and Stephen Shannon. This classic about modern slavery while listening remake is available to watch every to Ugandan novelist Jenifer Nansubday throughout the festival, prefera- ga Makumbi read from her bestsellbly in bed with a big bowl of popcorn. ing book The Girl with the Louding Voice. Donations are encouraged. Several events are yet to be revealed so make sure to check out their Dublin Book Festival, Dublin Facebook page for daily updates (27th November- 6th December) and exciting additions to the festival. Do you love science but do not care for the pretentious vocabuMurder One International lary many scientists use? ProfesCrime Writing Festival, Dublin sor Luke O’Neill’s new book Never (5th November – 11th October) Mind the B#ll*cks, Here’s the Science The Murder One Festival 2020 is will have all the factual answers working together with the Dublin you are looking for wrapped in a Book Festival to provide crime writ- witty package. From chapters like ing masterclasses and discussions “Why are you working a bullshit with acclaimed authors of crime job?” to “Why won’t you get vacfiction to you with the click of a cinated?”, this scientist’s guide mouse. Among these success- will fascinate and educate you. ful Irish writers are Louise O’Neill (After the Silence, Asking For It), The Dublin Book Festival offers an Liz Nugent (The Less Dead) and extensive online programme with many more. over 40 events, most of them free,
Flirting Noise By Claire Aherne including many opportunities for you to get involved. The Young Writers Delegate Programme is among them and will make the dreams of four lucky writers come true. The chosen writers will be able to enjoy several events at the festival and attend exclusive workshops led by an established writer - yet to be announced. Does this sound like something you might be interested in? More information can be found on the festival’s website. No live audience means no live questions, queries and discussions but you can still ask your favorite author the questions you’ve always wanted to ask. This Literary Festival will feature a few authors on their social media platforms each week, you then have the chance to post your question with the hashtag #AskAnAuthor and, with a bit of luck, get an answer right away. Ó Bhéal and the Winter Warmer Festival, Cork (26th – 29th November) Poetry lovers – write these dates down, because not only will you have the chance to meet over 36 poets from all over the world, but you can take part in various workshops, by poets for poets. The Winter Warmer Festival really has something for everybody, and it is right on our doorstep. Among this extensive list of poets are Jacob Polley, Susan Musgrave, Mary Jean Chan and Sinéad Morrissey, who will read out and discuss their creative work. Many Tongues of Cork will be presenting poetry to celebrate our multicultural city. The screening of the winners of the International Poetry-Film Competition and music from Tionscadal na nAmhrán Ealaíne Gaeilge (the Irish Language Art Song Project) are just some of the many things to look forward to. All events are free and online, donations are encouraged.
no longer wading thru the watered down gesture i retire from the flirting noise i retire from entertaining boys i am the size of a grain of rice swimming in my jacket may i lay graceless may i surrender to more of ur speaking voice more of ur singing voice
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Sports
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
UCC Rover Scouts, Where Physical Activity and Active Citizenship Come Together Writes Jacques Kinane & Emma Barry
When you think of sports clubs in UCC, Rover Scouts doesn’t tend to spring to mind. Instead, traditional team sports come to mind and Rovers sounds like a society that has somehow been misassigned. We would argue that physical activity is one of the most important aspects of Scouting. In order to work effectively on any of the active citizenship projects we undertake, we must have a strong sense of teamwork. What better way to build a team than to take them up the side of a mountain with tents and spend a weekend working together and socialising. The physical exertion combined with the removal of modern technology lead to a great atmosphere for team building and fun. Camping trips are also another great way of bringing people together and forming teams. The sense of discomfort sleeping in a tent on the cold hard floor is easily overcome by the social aspect of all being in it together. Looking at it from an outside view you would think we are all mad, but once you
have been on one camping trip, you count down the days until the next. It is this sense of camaraderie that allows us to then come together to work on projects that uphold the traditional scout promise. “To serve my community, [and] to help other people” is a key aspect of our promise. UCC Rovers uphold this promise in a less traditional/formal way than a ‘normal’ scout troop. UCC Rovers has been especially active during the lockdown with the large Hike for Hope event. This event raised over €45,000 and involved over 45 different clubs and societies from 5 different third level institutions. With only a weeks’ notice before the event, it was a huge success which can be directly attributed to the strong team behind it. If the team were not confident in each other and understanding of the skillsets of it’s members we could not have pulled it off. All of this event took place during the study week and exam week at the end of Semester 2. Members had to balance their time between running a virtual campaign and
ensuring they were prepared for the all important end of semester exams. Members ‘hiked’ the height of Mount Everest on their stairs and in their local areas in order to fundraise for Pieta House. This unique challenge under unique circumstances led to an amazing event that was accessible to all and beneficial to both our member’s mental health and those who make use of Pieta House’s services. All of our members get to work on projects that are both challenging and fulfilling whilst having fun throughout. This differentiates us from other clubs. Our aim is not to win competitions or to burn off excess energy, but to build character and make the world a better place one small step at a time. This means we can continue having fun and working together but also feel fulfilled and satisfied that we are making a difference. Oftentimes our work is done at a local level and can have a big impact on a smaller area. I feel the inspirational quote: “Helping one person might not change the world but it could change the world for one person.” suits Rovers
best as it shows the overwhelming spirit of community gathering that is ever present in scouting. Members can work on areas that they have a keen interest in such as mental health as well as work with young people in our local communities. However, UCC Rovers is not all about charity events and citizenship style activities. We take part in a yearly intervarsity where we meet up with Rover groups from all over the country (and even some international groups) to compete in Scout skills. This can involve anything from cooking scones over a campfire to building a tower to get each member of the team 6 feet off the floor! This unique experience fosters friendships that will last a lifetime and memories that we will never forget. If you are interested in joining a club in UCC I would highly recommend UCC Rovers as an opportunity to make great friendships, keep active and give back to the community!
Sports
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
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UCC Rugby continue where they let off Writes Liam Grainger, Sports Editor A number of UCC Clubs are still awaiting their return to action for the 2020/2021 academic year; the Mardyke grounds are noticeably quiet. However, UCC Rugby is one of the few clubs where it’s business as usual, and as All-Ireland League action is considered elite sports, the Rugby Club have been able to continue throughout the added Covid-19 restrictions. The club itself enjoyed a mixed bag of success last year, with triumph in the Donal Walsh U20 tournament the pinnacle in a season that ended prematurely with the onset of the pandemic. If the opening two games of this year’s campaign are anything to go off, then the Men’s senior squad intend to make a serious statement in this year’s AIL. The Western Road outfit’s first outing this year took place down the Mardyke against a lacklustre Shannon side. In a game that UCC were never losing, the opposition failed to get to the pace of the game, and within 8 minutes UCC had already got over the line thanks to a Brendon McSorley effort. It was McSorley again who touched down the college’s third try of the game just after the turn of the 20 minute mark, his second effort once again converted by James Taylor who was faultless throughout. UCC led 26-5 when referee Kevin Barry blew the half-time whistle, yet the onslaught would continue when he blew it again fifteen minutes later. The college were relentless in their stylish attacking play, and Shannon failed to meet the pace of Bowen and Bohane on the wings. Courtesy of tries from Richard Thompson, Robert Hedderman and Killian Coughlan, UCC attained an insurmountable lead which Shannon could only attempt to mitigate with two tries of their own. Taylor’s kicking saw him finish the game with an impressive 17 points, case and point of why he was the recipient of last season’s Division 1A ‘Rising Star’ award. The game would finish at 40-10, with UCC getting to use all their bench in the process. UCC really set the tone for the season with this 9-try performance, an
impressive running game with an unrelenting attacking attitude; a lethal mix. Bigger challenges lay ahead for the students, and a meeting with Old Crescent on the weekend after the blitzing of Shannon proved a more intense pairing. From the offset, it looked as if it was going to be much the same as the Shannon outing, with the college amassing a 19-0 lead in the opening 40 minutes. However, this Energia Community Series Conference 1 game was far from over, and it’s credit to the Limerick side that kept picking at UCC’s lead right up until the dying minutes. With trys from Daniel Hurley and Val McDermott, complemented by the kicking of Ronan McKenna, Old Crescent brought the scoring margin to 26-12 with a quarter of the game left to play. Neither side opted to take a penalty kick throughout the contest, instead both sides availed of the pace of both sets of wingers to take it to
the opposition. And it was that tactic that saw UCC go over for their first try in the opening quarter, when the students opted for a five-metre line out which Richard Thompson contested and won, breaking it down to Kieran Coughlan in the corner who put the college on the scoreboard. The college responded to Crescent’s purple patch in the second half with a try from the industrious Ryan Murphy, only to be almost immediately negated at the other end of the pitch by Crescent’s Michael O’Hanrahan. This tit for tat final period made for brilliant viewing, with both teams aiming to go one better than the other. Good teams die hard, and in the final moments of the game Old Crescent would eventually bridge the gap and level via an outstanding individual effort from McDermott whose direct running was a constant threat from Crescent throughout. A deserved result for both teams, though UCC will no doubt have regrets on losing a lead which seemed
beyond reach in the early stages. UCC Rugby are one of the few UCC Sport Clubs operating to some degree of normality at the moment, and further fixtures in the coming weeks will continue to be live-streamed on either the UCC or opposition’s respective Youtube channels. UCC Women’s Rugby are also actively recruiting new members, with no experience required to compete. Training for the women’s team resumed on Monday the 19th in the Mardyke and interested parties are asked to email womensrugby@uccclubs.ie. With an exciting brand of rugby being played by our Men’s squad this year, and the promise of a more competitive Women’s squad for the new season, both teams will be ones to watch in the coming months.
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Sports
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
Stephen Kenny Era Already Exposing The Nature Of Irish Football Writes Sam Curtin, Deputy News Editor
When one looks up the word ‘dystopia’ in the dictionary, the definition they will find is “an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice.”
Judging by the reaction of many fans and pundits alike, one would easily be forgiven for thinking that this is where Irish football appears to be heading towards. Five games into the Stephen Kenny era and it is fair to say that we have already learned a lot about the future vision of Irish football. Like many aspects of life which have
changed this year however, it is uncertain of whether or not we will get there.
What is most concerning however is it appears that many so-called Irish football fans are not too enamoured by the future judging by their present actions. It has been a long-held opinion of a small but dedicated group of football journalists in this country that the “best fans in the world” tag is not quite fitting for this nation. Many fans and indeed pundits such as Johnny Giles appear to be opposed to what Kenny is trying to do. Giles has claimed that “we’re not going anywhere” while Eoin
Hand believes that it is “ too much risk with too little reward” despite the fact Ireland have only conceded 2 goals in 5 games and have looked progressively more coherent the more they play. This is nothing new of course. It is well documented that Irish sports fans in general love the big occasions regardless of what sport it is or one’s knowledge of it.
We were all cricket fans in 2007 when Ireland beat Pakistan in the world cup on St. Patrick’s Day. We all donned the green jersey just a couple of weeks ago as Sam Bennett won on the Champs-
Élysées but how many know that he is riding in the Vuelta a España at present? While it is great that we are supporting our athletes, where are we when they are competing in regular events when the going is a little less glamorous? Irish football fans have critics also, most of whom are silenced when the team qualifies for major tournaments. Everyone fell in love with the boys in green at Euro 2016 when videos emerged of fans cleaning streets, fixing cars and singing The Fields of Athenry on our way to a Last 16 exit to France. Yet still, how many of those very same fans go to League of
Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th 2020 | University Express
Ireland games on even a sporadic basis? How many attend Irish matches when the Aviva is regularly half empty? This is not meant to be an attack on Irish football fans but rather asking the questions that need to be asked in order to propel Irish football into a bright new era which is very possible with the current manager in charge.
League group stages 2016/17 where they picked up four points in their group. Surely the skill gap between Dundalk and the likes of Zenit St. Petersburg is wider than that of Ireland and Wales for example? Kenny has also shown his ability to be flexible with any system he chooses to use and will not be as stubborn as his predecessors to change personnel.
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the current divide is the most famous phrase in Irish football, the “we don’t have the players” argument. It is an inferiority complex that has held Irish football back in the past leading to incidents such as Saipan and must be banished with the past. Firstly, out of Stephen Kenny’s full-strength squad before Covid-19 played its havoc; 17 out of the 23 players play in the Premier League while new captain Shane Duffy will be playing in the Europa League with Celtic on loan from Brighton until the end of the season while Idah played with Norwich in the top tier last season.
Speaking of which, for the first time in recent memory there are exciting young players ready to take the new era by storm with young, hungry players such as Adam Idah, Aaron Connolly and Jason Molumby all coming through and making an impact in starting 11 and have graduated from the under- 21s with their manager. 18-year-old striker Troy Parrott is another huge talent who could become a first team regular if he can get a run of games at Millwall and stays injury free. Expect this to become the norm in Irish football as the new philosophy is built on the backbone of a strong development pathway for players to progress through the age groups playing a style of football which is in tandem with the senior team. The most important part of a house is the foundations and Kenny and the young coaches such as Damien Duff must be given time to get the house in order.
At Dundalk, Kenny’s team managed to play an attractive style of football in Europe to great aplomb which saw them reach the play- off round of the Champions League in and the Europa
Sports What is hugely encouraging about this new ‘house’ is that the whole squad appear to be buying into the new project and have played with an energy and confidence that has not been seen from an Irish team for a long time. An Irish team dominating possession and creating chances even if they have only scored a solitary goal for their efforts so far. Callum O’Dowda, a player who should have a big future under Kenny said that “ I think the gaffer has been brilliant, the attention to detail is something I’ve really noticed, probably the best that I’ve worked under so far in terms of that aspect.”
American novelist Ann Lamott once said that “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.” This is exactly what Stephen Kenny is preaching to Irish football and its followers right now.
It’s a new beginning on and off the pitch with new FAI CEO Johnathan Hill coming in November 1st. Hill has an impressive CV to date with roles such as being the commercial director for Euro 96 and has an extensive sports marketing pedigree. In a statement released by the
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FAI on October 16th, Hill asserted, “I am truly honoured to be appointed to the role of EO of the FAI and I am greatly looking forward to working with the staff, the wider football community, our commercial stakeholders and the Government moving forward, driving the development of football at every level within Ireland, overseeing the ongoing process of business transformation within the organisation and, of course, facing the challenges that Covid presents for our game.” Words of welcome were issued from the FAI, including from Interim CEO Gary Owens who said he looked forward “to Jonathan’s arrival and to working alongside him during the transition period.” Like Kenny, Hill is trying to change the culture of Irish football and how it views itself. As a result, he will also need time to make this change.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we must take off the rose-tinted glasses in order to see it. Good things come to those who wait.
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University
Volume 24 | Issue 3 | Tuesday 27th October 2020
Sports
UCCExpress.ie
RAFAEL NADAL CONFIRMS GOD STATUS AT FRENCH OPEN BUT WHO IS THE GREATEST EVER? WRITES SAM CURTIN, DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR “I have nothing to declare except my genius” is a famous quote credited to Oscar Wilde. Fortunately for tennis fans, they have witnessed three more at work in recent years.
Rafael Nadal claimed his 13th French Open title in Paris last Sunday week after beating world number one and fierce rival Novak Djokovic in front of over 1,000 fans at Roland Garros. The aptly nicknamed ‘God of Clay’ emerged victorious on a score line of 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 which marked the first final to be played indoors on the new Phillip Chatrier court. This brings the Spaniard level with Swiss great Roger Federer on 20 Grand Slams while Djokovic stays at 17.
While Nadal’s win further cemented his greatness on ‘the dirt’ it makes the argument far more complicated as to who is the greatest tennis player of all time. At present the aforementioned trio lead the way at the top of the roll of honour with American Pete Sampras is in fourth place with 14 Grand Slams. There are many, however, that would suggest Australian legend Rod Laver would need to be considered in this conversation.
Firstly, one would look at Federer and say that he deserves the title of Greatest of All Time (GOAT) with most viewers describing his style as art and its certainly deserving of this title. A Roger Federer in full flow on centre court at Wimbledon is up there with Messi at the Camp Nou, or Tiger at Augusta with the grass being his world and the ball his oyster. He is an icon of the sport and is frequently at the top of the Forbes highest earning athletes list. In 2011, Federer ranked No.2 on the Reputation Institute’s study of the world’s most respected people fin-
ishing ahead of the likes of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. His reputation has also led to a significant increase in prize money for tennis tournaments. For example, winners of the 2004 Australian Open earned 985,000 dollars but by 2018 this was raised to 4 million Australian dollars.
However, with all great players come great rivalries and the Federer-Nadal rivalry over the past 15 years has truly been a privilege to witness. In a sport which is defined by great rivalries this is the greatest of the lot. 40 times these two gladiators have crossed paths with the 2008 Wimbledon final being the highlight of them all. Nadal has shown himself to be the greatest competitor the sport has ever seen with each performance defined by tenacity but also class, stubbornness yet graceful all at the same time.
And what about the bad boy of the sport in Novak Djokovic. Not your bad boy in the typical sense where you either love him or hate him. More in the sense that most fans and pundits alike view him as a man desperate to be liked which has come at a cost to his reputation as a tennis player. Djokovic has taken an anti- vaccination view during the recent pandemic and has long been against the idea of equal pay for male and female tennis players due to his belief that the men’s game brings in more revenue although there is no substantial evidence to back this up. Djokovic is also in the process of setting up a new players union separate to the ATP which has received mixed reviews with the likes of Nadal and Andy Murray against the idea. Combine this with his default at the US Open where he accidentally struck a line judge, Djokovic perhaps does not get the recognition that he deserves.
Djokovic is after all, perhaps the greatest returner ever seen on a tennis court
and has also done a huge amount to raise the profile of the sport, particularly in Eastern Europe and Asia where he is perhaps most popular. His rivalries with Federer, Nadal and indeed Murray have captivated the sport and brought it to unforeseen heights, this cannot be discounted. The next Grand Slam which takes place at the Australian Open in Melbourne in January will see the Serb aim to win the tournament for the 9th time and is the location for the longest Grand Slam final in history when he defeated Nadal in a classic 5 set match in 2012 lasting 5 hours and 53 minutes.
Pete Sampras comes up short due to the fact that although he has won 14 majors, he never won the French and was seen as being one-dimensional although excellent at what he did which was serve and volley, something we do not see as much anymore in the modern game.
The last player who perhaps has a case is Rod Laver who won 11 majors but could not compete at majors between 1963 and 1968 as this was before the ‘open era’ where professionals were not allowed to play in a Grand Slam before this period. It is widely believed that Laver would have won multiple Grand Slams especially since Laver himself, considered to be at his peak.
All in all, it is impossible to genuinely pick an all-time great out of the players that we have discussed. One thing that is for certain however is that we are in a golden age for men’s tennis and have been for the last 15 years.
Long may it continue.