An Focal (XXIV. Edition 3) by An Focal ULSU

VOL. XXIV Edition 3

OCTOBER 2015

CREATIVE WRITING FOR THE OGHAM STONE PAGES 12-13

STI CHECK STIGMA PAGE 16

ARE YOU KITTEN ME? PAGE 14

STUDENTS WILL NOW PAY €40 TO CPMC TO SEE A DOCTOR BY TOMÁS HENEGHAN UNIVERSITY of Limerick students will no longer be able to consult a doctor for most issues at the on-campus Student Health Centre (SHC) and it is now expected students will pay €40 for a consultation with a doctor off-campus. Rather than seeing a doctor at the SHC, students will now be directed to the Castletroy Park Medical Centre (CPMC) if they require medical attention from a doctor for services except psychiatry and physiotherapy. According to Bernadette Walsh, Director of Student Affairs a “limited number of doctor sessions” will continue to be available in the SHC, including the STI and Contraceptive Clinics. The changes were made known two weeks ago in an email sent by Dr. Walsh to a limited number of staff. President of UL Students’ Union, Colin Clarke said the new interim system displays to students that their welfare is not as important as academic research funding. He also said it shows a complete lack of concern for students, for students’ welfare and their needs. Mr. Clarke added: “It’s completely unacceptable to think that in this day and age for 13,500 students that there wont be one medical doctor there. “Not only does this bring into question where we’re moving forward as a university, it brings into question what are students going to do when they apply for I-grades and things like that.” Under the new system students visiting or phoning the SHC will be directed to the nurse in the centre who will assess students. If, in the nurse’s “professional opinion”, students require the services of a doctor, the nurse will advise the students and reception of this. Students will then be informed by reception where to make their appointment with a doctor at the CPMC. Students will be charged for the consultation with the CPMC doctor and may then seek partial refund from the SHC so that they only incur the previous €25 cost. Mr. Clarke told An Focal the cost would likely be €40 for a consultation and student may be forced to wait for ﬁve to six weeks before they

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receive the partial refund. He also said there was “absolute uproar” a number of years ago when fees for the SHC were discussed and introduced. Mr. Clarke explained: “Now although [the fees] were smaller than what you’d pay for a normal GP service, it was still thought that this service should be free. “In America, in a lot of the institutions, student welfare and all this is free. Now to go from a

system three and half years ago where we had free doctors’ visits to now go to a service where we have no doctor visits at all, its just completely unacceptable.” He added: “We will continue to ﬁght to make sure this doesn’t happen. The only reason that we found out about this was students coming straight to us and I then took it in turn to email Bernadette Walsh and within the hour then got an email sent to a lot of people, support staff as well, explaining this

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- that should never have happened. The reaction of Student Academic Administration and student support services is completely unacceptable.” In her email Dr. Walsh said: “The university is currently examining what is best practice in terms of providing comprehensive student health and wellbeing services with a view to moving to a ﬁtfor-purpose model of service provision in the near future.”

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October 2015 NEWS

UL students making Travelodge their temporary home CLAIRE O'BRIEN IT'S no secret that there is a struggle to ﬁnd suitable accommodation for students in Limerick City. Student villages have been ﬁlling up rapidly with the on-campus villages (Plassey, Kilmurry, Thomond, Dromroe and Cappavilla) full since before the CAO offers came out mid-August. Although the student accommodation crisis is not as severe in Limerick as it is in other university cities such as Cork, Galway or Dublin, it is still

a growing problem, with the average rent in Limerick €672 a month, a 5.4% rise from last year. Lansinliu Pheiga Gangmei, a study abroad student from India, was instructed not to seek accommodation until she had seen the residence in person. When she came to Limerick a few days before the semester began, she was surprised to ﬁnd that students who had arrived before her were still struggling to ﬁnd a place. Many of them were staying in Travelodge in Castletroy. The situation grew

so desperate that Lansinliu had to ask door to door if there were rooms available. Speaking to the Limerick Post recently, Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins called on Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O'Sullivan for an urgent response to the accommodation crisis affecting students all over Limerick. Mr Collins said that the crisis is “more acute than ever this year because of the escalating homelessness crisis.” Minister for Education and Skills Jan O'Sullivan has announced a €30,000 grant to

Travelodge hotel, Castletroy. PHOTO: EXPEDIA.IE the Union of Students in Ireland to develop the homes.usi.ie website promoting the rent-aroom scheme. A tax break for developers was also suggested by Minister O’Sullivan.

The introduction of these measures could mean more affordable residences which would signiﬁcantly improve the situations for house-hunting students.

If you have still not found accommodation, it is advisable that you contact the accommodation ofﬁce who will provide a list of available off-campus accommodation.

Plans underway for new Social Democrats Society in UL TOMÁS HENEGHAN THERE are plans underway for the establishment of a University of Limerick Social Democrats society. This follows recent moves in Trinity College Dublin,

CREDITS EDITOR: Tomás Heneghan News editor: Evie Kearney Lifestyle editor: Cora Power Clubs & Societies editor: Seamus Toomey Sports editor: Marisa Kennedy Photo editor: Holly Kenny Social media admin: Caryl Faye Yulo Survey admin: Aisling O’Connor CONTRIBUTORS: Claire O’Brien, Lina Ryan, Marian O’Donnell, Ciara Larkin, Yvonne Ryan, Susan Byrne & Liz Gabbett, Ciara Corcoran, Aisling O’Connor, Caryl Faye Yulo, Gearóid McCarthy, Sally Gorman, Naomi Deevy, Seán Lynch, Seamus Toomey, Anthony O’Brien, Michaela Deane, Cora Power, Kate Stewart, Samantha Berry, Gabrielle McCormack, Cathal Moore, Ilyana Keohane, Clodagh Doyle, Katrina Galvin, Eireamhoin McCarthy, Aoife Willis, Shane McNamara, Brian Crowley, Chloe Fallon, Cormac Rowe, Joe Doyle, John Hurley, Tomás Heneghan

National University of Ireland Galway and National University of Ireland Maynooth to establish a similar group. The group has already attracted interest from a number of students and staff at UL, leading to discussions amongst interested parties on potentially seeking official recognition to form a society under the UL Wolves banner. One of the key organisers on campus, Declan Mills explained: “I no longer knew who to vote for, as no party in Ireland represented my beliefs. Then the Social Democrats formed and they’re giving a platform for people with left-of-centre political beliefs.” Mr Mills added: “We’re in the process of seeing if anyone in UL is interested in joining a local branch of the Social Democrats.” Former UL student and the Social Democrat candidate for the Limerick City constituency in the upcoming general election, Sarah Jane Hennelly is involved in the move to create a UL branch of the Social Democrats. Ms Hennelly, who was one of the first candidates unveiled by the fledgling Social Democrats party last month, held a workshop last week for those interested in

volunteering or canvassing for the party in Limerick. Ms Hennelly told An Focal: “I studied and worked in UL for many years. This place has given me a lot, and shaped the person I am. Establishing a presence here for the Social Democrats is incredibly important not only to me, but to the development of the Social Democrats as a party. “We need students to give us an insight into their lives, and help shape our picture of our country. The interest across the universities has been huge so far. Because we're a new party, students who get involved will have the chance to shape how things are done, and create their own space.” She added: “I would have loved that opportunity when I was studying. It's an incredibly exciting time for young people in Irish politics.” The Social Democrats was launched in July this year by three former independent TDs, Stephen Donnelly, Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall. The three current TDs will seek to be reelected and the party will be lead by them until after the next general election when a permanent decision will be made on the party’s leadership style.

(L-R) Catherine Murphy TD, Sarah Jane Hennelly, Social Democrats candidate for Limerick City, James Heffernan, Social Democrats candidate for Limerick County, Róisín Shortall TD, Stephen Donnelly TD. PHOTO: SARAH JANE HENNELLY - SOCIAL DEMOCRAT FOR LIMERICK CITY FACEBOOK PAGE

Last month the party unveiled its ﬁrst seven candidates for next year’s general election, including: Niall Ó Tuathail in Galway; Sarah Jane Hennelly and James

Heffernan in Limerick; and Anne-Marie McNally, Gary Gannon, Glenna Lynch and Cian O’Callaghan in Dublin. Students are being encouraged to contact Declan Mills

at the University of Limerick if they are interested in getting involved with the Social Democrats on campus.

October 2015 NEWS

Minister for Education launches UL’s Broadening Horizons LINA RYAN MINISTER for Education Jan O Sullivan, alongside Professor Don Barry, President of the University of Limerick, officially launched ‘Broadening Horizons’, the 20152019 Strategy Plan for UL on Friday, September 25. The plan outlines the future development of the University of Limerick with particular emphasis on its international, research and teaching dimensions. Significantly, included in the plan is the university’s link with the regeneration of the centre of Limerick City and its portal in the new Opera Centre. The Chancellor of the University, Mr Justice John L. Murray told the large attendance the day was about the future. He said: “Decisions taken now shape the future we seek to provide for the next generation, an education that will allow them to flourish and fulfill their potential in a fast changing world.” Mr Justice Murray added: “There is no better investment for a nation than its investment in education.” He also acknowledged that education is expensive and that deterioration in the quality of education has dire consequences for society and takes a

long time to recover from. Mr Murray said he was delighted to endorse the plan and added that it was a ﬁnely tuned plan which addresses the realistic challenges to continuing and enhancing the great educational achievements of the university since its inception over 40 years ago. Outlining the plan, Professor Don Barry, President of the University of Limerick, said the plan has had extensive input from across the campus and beyond. Broadening Horizons has six core values: Excellence; Creativity; Ethics; Sustainability; Community; and Global Focus. Professor Barry said objectives in the previous plan, ‘Pioneering & Connected’, had been achieved with a “20 percent increase in student numbers and a 100 percent increase in international students. Research funding had raised in excess of €130 million and has generated over €150 million of commercialization income through venture capital investment.” Professor Barry announced that for the ﬁrst time in the history of the University of Limerick “€50 million research funding had been secured and that is a major achievement by the people who work in this institution.” He also told those assembled that the network of

international university partners has grown to over 400 in 38 countries. In addition, UL graduates are considered 22 percent more employable compared to other institutions in the state. The plan aims to increase by 60 percent the international full-degree student population at the college and by the end of this plan it is envisaged that postgraduate students would represent 30 percent of the student body. He added: “The plan maps out the global innovative and creative role we seek to travel to keep this institution at the forefront of higher education.” Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan said it was a very “precise and ambitions plan” and also “rooted in what the university had already achieved.” She added that she was very proud of the university and particularly “heartened at the emphasis on going into the city centre and ensuring that the university is part of the growing conﬁdence and growing rank of the city centre.” The Minister said the plan was very much in line with national priorities and national strategies in higher education to 2030. She acknowledged the role that higher education would play in “underpinning Ireland’s future economic and social development and it is

(L-R) ULSU President, Colin Clarke, ULSU Academic Officer, Marian O’Donnell, Minister for Education & Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, ULSU Welfare Officer, Ciara Corcoran, PSU President, Seán McKillen. PHOTO: UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

essential that a robust funding framework is in place to support the sector in delivering on this role.” An expert group is examining the future funding arrangements for higher education and

will report by the end of this year. The University of Limerick is ranked inside the top six percent worldwide and this was achieved inside a short period of 43 years, according

to Minister O’Sullivan. The Minister for Education and Skills also conﬁrmed the government’s commitment and support to helping UL achieve the vision of the strategic plan.

ULSU calls on Education Minister to address mental health services TOMÁS HENEGHAN THE University of Limerick Students’ Union sabbatical ofﬁcers have presented Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan with a letter detailing the Union’s concerns over the underfunding of mental health services in Irish universities. ULSU president, Colin Clarke presented the letter to Minister O’Sullivan when she visited UL a week and a half ago to launch the university’s Strategic Plan - Broadening Horizons 2015-2019. Speaking to An Focal, Mr. Clarke said the Minister welcomed the letter. He explained: “I don’t think she realised just how bad the problem is but when we explained she was very much surprised - the three or four week waiting service for the counselling department, she didn’t expect that.” The letter said the current system of university mental

health services was “underfunded, inadequate and struggling to cope with the increased usage of their vital services.” It also pointed to a number of statistics relating to mental health services in Irish third level institutions, including: • The numbers attending for counselling in UL have

almost doubled since 2008, with 940 students attending last year, without any increase in stafﬁng. • There is signiﬁcant waiting periods of up to four weeks for counselling appointments when the demand on services peak by the middle of the spring semester.

ULSU President, Colin Clarke meets Minister for Education & Skills, Jan O'Sullivan. PHOTOS: UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

• Currently only one counsellor is a UL employee, the remainder are sessional staff (ﬁve people part-time, term time only), Jobsbridge interns (ﬁve assistant psychologists) trainee psychotherapists ( six ) and one volunteer psychotherapist. In total providing 100 consultations per week

during term time. • Submission for a new counselling post was rejected this year by the University. • There is not adequate cover available whenever the head of counselling is off campus or sick or on annual leave. Mr. Clarke said that over

ULSU President, Colin Clarke presents Minister for Education & Skills, Jan O'Sullivan with a letter on behalf of the students of UL.

the last couple of months the ULSU has been trying to lobby for the provision of better mental healthcare services on campus. He explained: “We feel the counselling department is severely underfunded - we face waiting lists of up to three to four weeks mid-semester and we already think that that is unacceptable. “The letter we gave to Jan was very much asking for collaboration between the HEA and HSE because nobody knows who’s responsibility the funding for mental health services within third level institutions is and it’s just really calling for Jan O’Sullivan and Leo Varadkar to seriously discuss and collaborate.” The letter was also presented on behalf of Postgraduate Students’ Union president, Sean McKillen, ULSU Welfare Ofﬁcer, Ciara Corcoran and ULSU Academic Ofﬁcer, Marian O’Donnell.

October 2015 NEWS

UL’s 2015 PVA ceremony: an event to remember CIARA LARKIN ON Friday the 25th of September, an event took place on campus that will be etched into the memories of those in attendance for years to come. The 5th Annual President’s Volunteer Award Ceremony went off without a hitch, and I definitely wasn’t the only one leaving the Concert Hall with a huge grin on my face. The PVA Ceremony might not be an event that has students scrambling to obtain tickets, but it was actually one of the best student events that I’ve been to since joining the UL student body in 2013. The ceremony began with a warm welcome from the Student Hosts: Stephanie O’ Flanagan, and Cathal O’Connor. The pairs’ chemistry and charisma set the tone for what was to be a spectacular ceremony. We were then treated to a captivating video which showed some of UL’s students talking about their volunteering experiences. The testimonials in this video, given by the student volunteers, opened my eyes to the sheer variety of volunteering opportunities available in UL, and the vast wealth of benefits for those involved in volunteering - not just the organisations, but the students themselves. As the PVA recipients filed into the Concert Hall, Florence and the Machine’s ‘Ship to Wreck’ played over the speakers. The applause and cheering drowned out Florence’s sultry tones as proud friends and

family congratulated the volunteers. The audience clapped a little louder having just watched the testimonial video which allowed us to catch a slight glimpse into the massive amount of work done by the student volunteers. University of Limerick President, Professor Don Barry then took to the stage to warmly welcome everyone to the ceremony and declare how proud he was of the hardworking students who had given up so much time to volunteer with the various worthy organisations. He expressed gratitude to the student volunteers who make this university one of the best in the country, and to all the volunteers who helped to make the PVA Ceremony such a successful event. Next up was guest speaker Brian Higgins, CEO of Pieta House. He told of his past experiences as a volunteer - a list which was as long as my arm. Volunteering is often merely looked at as a way to spruce up one’s CV and to impress potential employers, but Brian Higgins left everyone looking at volunteering in a different light. Volunteering not only looks good on a CV but can also steer one down a career path that they might never have thought of otherwise. After the inspirational speeches from Brian and our Professor Barry, the 2015 PVA recipients were called on stage to receive their well-earned PVAs. Roll call is not the most exciting of things to sit through at the best of times, but this

President’s Volunteer Awards 2015 recipients with Professor Don Barry, President of the University of Limerick. PHOTOS: UL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY usually tedious exercise was made less so by videos which were played at intervals during the ceremony, granting some relief from the monotonous calling of names. These videos gave the audience an insight into some of the volunteer organisations, and it was brilliant to see such diversity in the volunteering opportunities available to UL Students. Something that really stood out to me in these videos was said by Tony Sheridan, who received the Gold Award for his work with Pieta House. Tony said that volunteering is the most selﬁsh thing he does. This struck a chord with me and all the members of the audience because when you think about volunteering, you think about giving, when in actual fact the volunteer gains far more from volunteering than they give. If anyone went into the PVA Ceremony having not volunteered before, there’s no doubt that

they would have been inspired to volunteer having heard from the student volunteers of UL. What also became evident from these videos was the large amount of organisations that work with the Community Liaison Office in order to provide fantastic volunteering opportunities to UL students. The work done by these organisations, alongside the Community Liaison Officer, Gabriella Hanrahan, is to be highly commended. These benevolent, philanthropic individuals dedicate their lives to helping others, and UL student volunteers gain hugely from working with such compassionate people. It was honestly so humbling to have witnessed the generosity and selflessness of the students who had given up their time throughout the year to volunteer with great organisations. Without a doubt the UL PVA programme is the lifeblood that flows through the veins of

Back Row (L-R): Cathal O’Connor, Cassandra Murphy, Charul Singh, Lansinliu, Ryan O’Hanlon. Front Row (L –R): Johanna Griffin, Gossi Mangidi, President of the University of Limerick, Professor Don Barry, Shylesh Kesarmadu Siddalingappa, Rody Andrade, Ciara Larkin, Tony Sheridan. the University of Limerick, and what makes our university the Sunday Times University of the

Year 2015. Go to www.ulpva.ie to learn more about the amazing opportunities available.

#ULBioBlitz2015 - 427 species ID YVONNE RYAN, SUSAN BYRNE & LIZ GABBETT ON Thursday, 24th and Friday, 25th September UL held its ﬁrst BioBlitz as part of the National Intervarsity BioBlitz. We came a credible second to NUIG. We are delighted with this result. We did a lot better than we initially anticipated. A grand total of 427 wildlife species were recorded over the 24-hour period. We could not have done so well without the expertise of UL staff members: John Breen; Tom Harrington; Aisling Walsh; Gordon Young and local volunteers: Alaine Ni Laoi; Geoff Hunt; NPWS Rangers; David Lyons; and Elaine Keegan. Tom Harrington’s and Aisling Walsh’s contribution in identifying plants, fungi, lichens and

mosses made-up over half of the ﬁnal 427 wildlife species identiﬁed on campus. UL tutor, Jason Power incorporated recording tree species on campus into the laboratory tutorial for Bachelor of Technology (Education) in Materials and Architectural Technology & Bachelor of Technology (Education) in Materials and Engineering Technology. The students recorded their observations by tweeting pictures, names and inserting #ulbioblitz. Members of staff and students also got involved by tweeting their observations with #ulbioblitz2015. Thank you all for lending your time and skill to this project. We would also like to give special thanks to Buildings

and Estates staff for providing logistic and moral support and PCC for providing headquarters in Dromroe Village Hall. The Intervarsity Competition is run by An Taisce’s Green Campus Committee and the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Without them, their coordination, the training they provide and the support they provide in the run-up and during the 24hr online upload none of this would happen. Everyone’s contribution made this project a huge success. So, until next year, when we hope to do even better and get more people involved. If anyone is inspired to be more involved please email ulbioblitz@ul.ie and we will let you when the 2016 plan kicks off.

Alaine Ni Laoi recording wildlife on UL’s beautiful campus. PHOTO: LIZ GABBETT

October 2015 EDITORIAL

Sex is about free choice LADIES and gents, it’s SHAG Week! Here are your options: Use protection - wear a condom or use another form of protection, take a risk of catching some lovely STI or don’t have sex. Sex is meant to be fun, but it comes with a responsibility. You have a responsibility to yourself to try to keep healthy and safe. You have a further responsibility to sexual partners. Sex is intimate and there is an inherent trust there between those involved. This trust should be respected with honesty, an honesty that means you are not risking the health of others. The one thing unquestionably as, or more, important

Corrections & clarifications IN the last issue (Volume XXIV. Edition 2) An Focal mistakenly attributed the article ‘Today in History’ to Caroline Williams. An Focal wishes to clarify that the attribution for that article should have been to Caroline Breen.

than honesty and trust in sex is consent. Always ask for consent. If at any point you’re told “no” or told to stop or your partners seem apprehensive, stop what you’re doing immediately! If they seem apprehensive, ask them what’s wrong, discuss it and if it’s still something they don’t seem willing to do, stay stopped. Never pressure a partner into something they’re not comfortable with. In college we also still face the labels attached to sex. Women are prudes or sluts. Men are...well, what are men who don’t have sex? What are men who have sex regularly with numerous partners? They’re people and guess what, so are women. No one is a prude and no one is a slut simply because of their sexual choices. Make no mistake, sex shaming is real and it’s not just for those who have regular sex with numerous people. The label of virgin comes with bizarre connotations. Some will imagine a prudish religious fanatic when they hear someone is a virgin. Others will recoil in shock and horror. “What!? You’re in your

twenties and you’re a virgin!?” Being a 23-year-old virgin, I’ve been repeatedly on the receiving end of shock when I calmly say I’m a virgin and I’m pretty ok with that. In some cases there’s an implicit pressure in the response. A typical conversation with a potential partner will usually reach a point where I’m asked if I want to do something sexual, to which I eventually reply that I’ve yet to rip off the “v tag.” Next comment is always, without fail, “that’s okay.” The problem with the comment is that it implies permission from the other person. It’s as though virgins are being told that they have permission from others to not be as sexually experienced as they might be. The tone is also usually one of pity with a hint of “I’ll fix that problem for you.” Having sex is not something to be “fixed”. Not having sex is also not something to be “fixed”. As long as a person is above the age of consent (that’s 17, for anyone who doesn’t know), giving free consent and not endangering others, there is nothing wrong with either sex or virginity.

It’s also worth noting that virginity, especially for a man, is something very subjective. What makes someone a virgin? Related to that, what makes someone a “slut”? How much sex is “too much”? How little sex is “not enough”?

The thing about sex, as with many other aspects of human life, is that it all comes down to personal choice. Have as much sex as you want as long as it’s legal and consensual...and try to keep it safe - use protection. Sexual shame is one of

Ireland’s greatest shames as a nation. Be sex-positive and keep breaking down that wall of shame and we may yet become a far more mature society.

October 2015 News/ULSU Updates

Former UL student’s motion fails at Limerick City & County Council meeting TOMÁS HENEGHAN A Limerick City & County Council motion from AntiAusterity Alliance Councillor, and former UL student, Cian Prendiville to support the complete repeal of the 8th Amendment from the constitution was defeated last week at a meeting of the Council. In a statement Limerick ProChoice, ROSA (for Reproductive rights against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity), MidWest Campaign for Choice and the Limerick Feminist Network said they were “very disappointed” the motion had failed to gain the support of the Council. The motion followed a 10,000 person protest in Dublin the previous weekend, which heard calls from politicians and political parties, trade unions, students’ unions, migrant support groups,

maternity groups, actors, entertainers, journalists and pro-choice groups to repeal the 1983 anti-abortion constitutional amendment. Limerick Pro-Choice Coordinator and ROSA activist, Aprille Scully said of the Council motion: “This is disappointing but expected - politicians are the most conservative force in society. True to form, they ignore the wants and needs of the majority (whom they claim to represent). “Over 80% of the population want abortion legislated for in cases that require a repeal of the 8th amendment. No woman of childbearing age has had the chance to vote on the 8th amendment. Whether they like it or not, the repeal of the 8th Amendment will be a key issue in the general election. They need to come out of the Dark Ages and come join us in the 21st century.” Mr. Prendiville, who

proposed the motion and who has been selected to contest the next general election on behalf of the Anti-Austerity Alliance in Limerick city said: “This just shows how backwards and out of touch the political establishment are. “They are happy to condemn thousands of women every year to travel abroad to access basic healthcare, and for those unable to travel - as was the case with Savita (who was too ill to travel) and Miss Y (who wasn’t allowed to leave the country) - the deaths and mistreatment of these women at the hands of the state will continue leave a shameful stain on the history of this country.” Limerick Feminist Network founder and Limerick ProChoice volunteer, Yvonne Murphy added: “An estimated 12,000 people marched for Choice this past Saturday, it is blatantly obvious that this generation wants change and

yet those in power continue to ignore us. What they need to realise is that we are not going away. “This country has treated women appallingly in the past, with mother and baby homes, Magdalene laundries and symphysiotomy, and it is continuing to do so by not giving all citizens full bodily autonomy and a right to choose our own fate. We need access to free, safe and legal abortions in Ireland, before there are any further tragedies.” A number of students’ unions around the country have taken positions in support of repeal of the 8th Amendment, including the Union of Students in Ireland. However the University of Limerick Students’ Union has not taken a stance on the issue and does not have a any ofﬁcial pro-choice, pro-life or feminist society.

Anti-Austerity Alliance Limerick City & County Councillor, Cian Prendiville attending last month’s March for Choice 2015 in Dublin. PHOTO: CIAN PRENDIVILLE FACEBOOK PAGE

Asking for Help MARIAN O'DONNELL HI Guys, Marian O’Donnell, your Academic Ofﬁcer here. We are in Week 5 now so you should all be fully settled into this academic year. Some of you might

be finding things a little difficult or harder than you thought in relation to your different subject choices - this is perfectly normal. Whether you’re a first year or a fourth year it’s important to be aware of the different supports that are available to you, if you need that extra hand. Lecturers and tutors If you’re struggling your lecturers and tutors

should be ﬁrst port of call. Ask them is there any additional reading material you could get or they might be able to point you in the right direction of getting some help in that particular subject.

Learning centres We have several learning centres on campus - these are the Teaching

SHAG Week’s here

and Learning Centre, the Regional Writing Centre, the Science Learning Centre, the Information & Communications Technologies (ICT) Learning Centre, the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering ECE Student Support Centre and the Mathematics Learning Centre. These centres offer fantastic services that

HI everyone!! Hope you’ve all had a fantastic Physical Health Week and spent lots of time getting out and about and getting active. With the immense work put in by Tony in the First 7 Weeks hub Physical Health Week has been fantastic. All the events have been brilliant and I hope you’ve enjoyed them as much as we have. For those of who took part in the cycling and pedometer challenges, keep an eye on your emails as the winners will be contacted shortly Since the last edition it’s been busy as ever in the Welfare ofﬁce. I’ve had lots of you in to see me with your queries, which is great. The Welfare Team have met again and we’ve been preparing for SHAG Week this week. I had

you can avail of for free. For more information on any of these centres and the supports that they offer check them out online. Week 5 is also the First Seven Weeks ‘Learner Support Centre’ week, so they will also be able to give you information in relation to the different services offered by the learning centres.

meetings with loads of different people last week including PleaseTalk, the counselling centre, the Mid-Western Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forum, and Governing Authority. We also attended the launch of the University’s strategic plan where we presented Minister Jan O’ Sullivan with a letter calling for the provision of funding or resources for third level mental health services. We’re hopeful that this will be successful and we can get the best mental health care for all of you. SHAG Week kicked off this week so be sure to keep an eye out for all the activities on campus. We’ll be collecting all of your embarrassing stories anonymously and making an ‘Awkward Sex Story’ wall in

Grinds Grinds are a good way to go if you need an extra bit of help in a speciﬁc area. The ULSU website offers a Grinds section that provides a platform for students to ﬁnd a tutor for that subject that they are really struggling with and for tutors to advertise their teaching skills. You may only need

the Union, and maybe share them in the next edition of An Focal. We’ll also be concentrating on contraception, STIs and consent. There are different types of contraceptives to suit everyone so take this week to learn about them and choose which is right for you. Take part in our survey, learn how to properly put on condoms in the courtyard, and test yourself with our STI matching game. For the remainder of the semester the Gardaí will hold a Garda clinic in SU Room 3 from 1:30-3pm. This is where you can do everything from registering your bike to getting passport forms stamped. As always, don’t be afraid to call into me or anyone in the Union if you have any questions. You can also drop

one class or you may need ﬁve but you can rest assured there's someone who is willing to give grinds for it! Whether you are a student who needs some last minute help with chemistry before an exam or you’re an expert in Irish and want to earn a bit of extra cash this is the place for you. The most important thing is that when you feel you need help, that you reach out and get it. If you’re feeling stuck or are unsure where to go to for help you can always drop me an email at suacademic@ ul.ie and hopefully I will be able to point you in the right direction.

CIARA CORCORAN me an email at suwelfare@ ul.ie for any queries, if you want to get involved with the Welfare Team, or if you want to nominate a charity for Charity week fundraising. Ciara

October 2015 ADVERTISING

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October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Minding Your Mental Health AISLING O'CONNOR

LOOKING after you mental health can be difficult and for Freshers it can be even more difficult, as balancing your new life in college with your wellbeing can be a tad overwhelming. But not to fret, we’ve got a few hints and tips up our sleeves An Focal is here to help. • While the stereotypical student diet may consist of Pot Noodles and Tesco Value Vodka, if you eat crap you will feel crap. Enjoy junk food in moderation but try to consume healthy and nutritious foods. Swap the Pot Noodles for some veggies - not only will your mam appreciate it but your body and mind will too. • Student nights may be where all the banter is at but alcohol is a depressant so make sure to monitor your intake and cut back if needs be. • Treat yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back for getting though the week or for not procrastinating your assignments. Have some chocolate, get Starbucks, whatever floats your boat. • Get enough sleep. You should be getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, if not then you’ll be irritable, so go to bed at a reasonable time. If you’re having trouble sleeping try camomile tea or lavender essential oil, both are known to help you relax and drift off.

• Stay hydrated. Try to have eight glasses of water a day, and bear in mind that alcohol and caffeine dehydrate you, so drink more after nights

out or you’re a coffee drinker/ addict. • Exercise releases endorphins which are “happy hormones”. This doesn’t mean you have to run to the gym every morning but make an effort to walk or cycle more instead of taking the bus, and yes, dancing counts so if you, a hairbrush, and Taylor Swift get you through the day we won’t judge. • Mind over matter. Tell yourself that it is going to be a good day every morning. If you start with a positive attitude you’re more likely to stay positive throughout the day. • If you have a bad day, remember that it was just a bad

day. There’s always tomorrow. • Positive affirmations. Leave a nice note for yourself on your mirror so you see it every morning. Your housemates may make fun of you but eventually you’re going to believe what it says. Someone carved a smiley face into the path on the way into campus and it makes me smile every time I see it. • Believe in yourself. The best piece of advice I have ever received came from my Leaving Cert Business teacher which was something along the lines of: “it’s 90% ability, and 10% confidence. Pump yourself up and walk in believing you’re gonna ace this, even if that means huddling together before the exam and chanting Eye of the Tiger.” You’ve got this. • Vent. If you bottle everything up, you’re eventually going to crack. Talk to your friends and family about how you’re feeling. A cardinal sin of journalism is to use clichés, but a problem shared is a problem halved so talking will relieve stress. • Hug someone. Like exercise, cuddling releases endorphins which boosts your mood. When you’re feeling blue, hug a friend. • Distraction. Overthinking is toxic and if you find yourself doing it block it out by occupying and busying yourself with something else. When we overthink our thoughts end

up becoming completely irrational, so try to stop them at the source and move onto something else. • Give yourself some ‘me time’. We all need space and time to ourselves so allocate time to go for a walk, or to read a book, listen to music, do yoga etc. • Remember that you’re not alone. College can be a lonely place, especially if you’ve left home and your family and friends aren’t here with you. Keep in mind that you have friends here and if you feel like you haven’t made them yet, you will, and of course keep in contact with everyone at home. • Breathe. The crowds and stress of college can be overwhelming, if you feel panicked go outside and sit somewhere away from the crowds. Focus on your breathing and take deep breathes, the anxiety will pass. • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are so many resources available. Freshers have their own New Entrant Experience & Retention Coordinator Sarah Gibbons, every student has an Academic Advisor, and you can visit the Chaplaincy or the counsellors right here in UL. There’s also a wide range of hotlines for any problems you might be having. Aware: 01 661 7211 BodyWhys: 1890 200 444 Samaratians: 116 123

The new 5-a-day CARYL FAYE YULO So it's recently been noted by health experts that the 5-a-day is no longer cutting it. The edited version is still being debated over but the general consensus is that two to three fruits a day with four to five vegetables will do you better. Now, as college students, it seems almost impossible to reach this new target. Well, here are six ways of getting somewhere close to it. 1. Have a smoothie or juice (not from concentrate), with a fruit in the morning. Best tip is to go to any supermarket before closing time and get fruit at a discounted price. Go cheap but keep an eye on the expiry dates. 2. When ordering, ask for extra veggies in your wrap or sub, or have carrots and peas with your dinner. 3. Pack some fruit with you for when you’re feeling peckish – it's much better than that bar of chocolate you'll be reaching for. If plain fruit is too much for you, then get some yogurt with fruit pieces in it. 4. If you are a pot noodle fanatic, cut up, then boil some pieces of broccoli for three minutes and pop them in - add corn if you have some. Trust me on this, I'm Asian. (On a side note, if you're feeling adventurous, crack an egg before adding the water, which should be fresh from the kettle and boiling.) 5. You can boil most things and have them with a nice dollop of butter or gravy – cauliﬂower, broccoli, carrots, peas, corn, sweet potatoes and parsnips, the list goes on. 6. Don't be afraid of the oven: turn the gas to 200°C, chop up your veg, drizzle on some olive oil, sprinkle some salt and pepper and cook for 30 minutes. If you don't have the time, chop up the veg into smaller pieces. Poke the carrots to check if they are ready.

Here's an easy soup recipe: Ingredients 1 small onion 2 potatoes 2 carrots 1 leek 1 celery stick 2 chicken stock cubes Sprinkle of salt and pepper Spoon of butter Total

Approx. Price 22c 70c 20c 54c 10c 9c 1c 5c €1.91 per portion

Peel and chop everything. The potatoes, carrots, celery, onions and the white part of the leek should be the size of a sugar cube. The green part of the leek should be chopped thinner. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the onion, potatoes and leek. After 10 minutes, add the rest of the veg. Add hot water and two stock cubes, it should just cover everything. Once it starts to boil, turn down to the lowest heat and leave for 20 minutes or until soft. Add pepper and salt. If it's too bland, drop in another stock cube. Mash it up with a sieve and a spoon or improvise, but use common sense. You can freeze the soup in portion sizes for up to a month or three days in the fridge.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Fresher’s Diary: all settled in GEARÓID McCARTHY

AFTER all the initial uncertainty, I feel as if I have completely settled down at UL now. In fact, it is becoming difficult to remember my life before I started university. Sixth year is nothing but a distant memory at this stage. Recently enough I was asked about my Leaving Cert results and I admittedly struggled to recall what grades I received in some of my subjects. It is not that secondary school was difficult for me to leave behind, as I spent much of my time at school daydreaming of the day it was all over. Yet it is striking how quickly I have moved on from it. In the past week or so, I have noticed myself developing routines. I have not quite memorised my timetable but I am mostly familiar with it. I know what time I start and finish each day, when I have longer breaks and when other weekly events – such as appointments and meetings for societies I have joined – take place. I try to use breaks for study time and for completing assignments and, as an applied languages student, I have been attempting to fit visits to the Language Learning Hub into my schedule, to varying success. I would like to think that I have been well organised so far at university, at least by my own (dreadful) standards. I briefly mentioned societies in my last paragraph, but they surely warrant a much larger mention as they have played an instrumental role in my positive experience at UL. Of course, there must be a further notable mention for An Focal, as there is surely no better feeling than seeing my name over an article in print and having fellow students congratulate me or comment on my masterpieces. Joining the newspaper has been one of the better decisions I made since my journey at UL began. Alongside academic routines, I have started to frequent certain places on campus. In particular, I have gained an affinity for the common room in the Students’ Union building. Its relaxed, nerdish atmosphere proves perfect for me, and it would be totally without fault if it were not for the recent malfunctions with the jukebox. Also, people who give tips about student budgeting seem to shy away from one of the most fatal errors I have made; spending ridiculous amounts of money on the quiz game machine, which anyone on a budget as tight as mine should avoid at all costs. As far as my modules go, I am enjoying all of them so far. During registration I took somewhat of a risk when I chose a

rather intensive French Literature module. However, in spite of it being what some may have considered a dangerous choice, it has proven one of my preferred classes. I have not known my lecturers and tutors long enough to say whether or not I will continue to get on with them in the future, but signs thus far are exceedingly positive. The most accurate litmus test of how the semester will pan out is whether or not I dread any of my weekly lectures or tutorials, and up to now there are no such weekly nightmares. Insofar as I am concerned, this is proof that I have chosen the right course in the right university, and to say that puts me at incredible ease. Being naturally very introverted, it is probably safe to say that I spend a signiﬁcantly lower amount of time on socialising than the average UL student. In fact, I may or may not be heavily judging the rest of you for your excessive mingling and mixing. Nonetheless, even I ﬁght a brutal, bloody battle with procrastination, a student’s worst enemy disguised as

a student’s best friend. Hitherto this has not proven overly difficult, since the workload is not as cumbersome just yet. In my case I have tried to complete assignments as soon after they are assigned as possible, for otherwise I know that I will inevitably leave them aside until the very last minute. You could be forgiven for thinking that very little changes for students who do not leave their hometown to go to university, and indeed it is true in many ways. Being from the city, I had somewhat of an edge over those who came here from further afield when it came to settling down. Nonetheless, there were challenges. I was nowhere near as familiar with the campus as I believed I was prior to studying at the university. I spend significant portions of my time in buildings I never knew even existed. That quickly diminishes when you spend the majority of your waking hours at UL, and the campus has become my secondary home. Perhaps it is even my primary home.

Mature Student Diary: fun, fear & FYP LINA RYAN

I have come across stressful situations throughout my life but in the past few weeks I have experienced stress and panic of a very different kind. The reason for that stress is the FYP or Final Year Project. Trying to identify a project has occupied my mind for the past number of ten days. What is mine going to be on? Checking the guidelines doesn’t help, it is there in black and white what is required and, scarily, what is at stake. This will decide my degree and it is all in my hands - can I do it? What will I do? My heart is racing and I feel like running but then I tell myself to “cop on”. I have been training for this for the past three

years; I have been given the skills to complete this task. I have my lecturers to help me step by step with this important project. The resources of UL are at my disposal and thousands have successfully completed FYP’s over the past forty years, so I can do this. Is feidir liom. After this mini panic attack I decided it was time for a good old fashioned cup of tea to settle myself and then I headed back to the Fish Tank and got working on some ideas. It is amazing what a clear head can do. During this brain-storming session I was reminded of a technique I learned during an Amway Seminar many years ago. If you are struggling with something, get a sheet of paper, write down your dilemma, identify what is the absolute worst outcome that could happen and once you have identiﬁed the absolute

worst, everything can only get better from there. As well as my FYP, this semester I have to complete not one, but two literary reviews. This is a totally new area for me haven’t had the pleasure of doing even one over the past three years. Lots of reading, note taking, tired eyes and cups of tea. Well you know what they say - “all work and no play makes Lina a dull girl”, so I headed to the Stables to see could Japan continue their heroics and beat Scotland in the Rugby World Cup. Alas it was not to be, but it did give me a chance to catch up with other slightly panicked comrades and have a good old natter about everything and anything except FYP. Last week I also discovered the joys of travelling

by bus from rural Ireland as my car has decided to call it a day. Well it is 15 years old and has been a good servant to me, nevertheless very bad timing. City services buses are great but to get from a small rural town to Limerick for 9am each day is impossible and of course there are no services from the city to nearby towns. So, as a result I have rediscovered the beauty of Ireland in autumn as I walk to and from college daily. The trees with the forty shades of green and the beautiful golden leaves. The red and black berries on the bushes, winter feed for the birds. The bit of walking hasn’t done any harm to the waistline either, like they say “it’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow good to someone”.

October 2015

Erasmus Diary of Mother Hubbard’s in Ireland for those of you who don’t know. Yes, the ﬁrst thing I did on English soil was have a big greasy English brekkie. Delish. I then headed for John Lester Court – the place I’ll call home for three months. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived - I mean you just don’t know with student accommodation sometimes? However, my apartment is perfect. It’s basic but very clean, small but very functional.

SALLY GORMAN SO I’m just over a week here and settling in extremely well. I flew from Dublin with Ryanair, quite an early flight actually, take off was at 06:20am. My best friends drove me to the airport along with my little sister, Faye. I was glad I didn’t have the awkward goodbyes with my parents as I knew they were following me over in the coming days with more of my clothes! So it really didn’t feel like goodbye until we came to the point in the airport where my friends and Faye could no longer pass through. Yes, I was a little emotional, of course I was emotional. Especially for my sister, we share a room and are exceptionally close, seeing her sad made me sad. But being honest I didn’t have much time to be sad, this was 05:00 and my gate closed at 05:50! By the time I checked in my bag and made it past security my flight was boarding and I literally ran to my gate which I’ve never had to do before, ever. And you know how far away Ryanair gates are right?

Nightmare! But I made it. The flight was so fine we were barely up before we were coming down, it flew - Excuse the pun. Lucky for me I had a family friend pick me up from the airport and take me to breakfast in Little Chef – the equivalent

I have my own single room equipped with good lighting, a decent sized wardrobe and an incredible view. I have a penthouse apartment if you like, I’m on the 13th floor. It can be a bit of a disaster especially for fire drills and the lift is very slow too. Moving in with strangers was completely new to me, until now. Now, I live with a German girl, a Spanish girl and a Finnish guy - Julia, Rosa and Sasu - and I love it. I’m the baby of the house. I’m so blessed that they are all so nice and speak really good English too. John Lester is very conveniently situated. My closest bus stop, supermarket and McDonalds are all just a five minute walk. Ideal eh? Apart from the latter maybe. Within the complex I have a free gym, a launderette and a common room with Sky TV. I must admit doing my own laundry was a pretty daunting experience at first and yes there is a battle for the TV especially on Saturdays! But if they are my only difficulties so far I think I’m doing well? Although I must admit I still haven’t gotten used to the Sterling yet! How am I adapting to big

city life? Fairly good I think. I’ve surprised myself. I think I know Manchester better after one week better than I know Limerick after two years. Why? Because I just had to throw myself in the deep end. I’m a home bird, I’m completely out of my comfort zone here. I needed to find my bearings so I roamed the city centre for the first two days. By bus, by tram and by foot – the best way to see it and discover new things in my opinion. Probably not my wisest move but this is where I’m going to be for the next twelve weeks, I’m better off knowing the place inside out aren’t I? If you get stuck, ask someone, although the only place you could possibly get lost around here is in the Penney’s. Three floors, ladies yes, Manchester is home to the largest Primark in the whole world. Impressive huh? The shopping is fantastic here and I haven’t even been to the Trafford Centre yet. It’s the buzz I love, the hustle and bustle of a big busy city life, it suits me. Everywhere is so accessible. The public transport is incredible, buses, trains, trams and taxis are all so dependable and regular. The only thing I can downfall this beautiful city for is its litter problem. Those who know me, know how much of a litter bug I am and this really bothers me unfortunately. The level of homelessness here is also very saddening. I was so shocked - it’s the worst I’ve ever seen, especially at night time. Saving the best for last, Media City is just something else - my sole reason for wanting to study in Manchester since day one. It has exceeded all my expectations. For a Journalism student with a keen interest in Broadcast, it might just be heaven on Earth. The University of Salford have their own building within Media City alongside the BBC and ITV of course. Media students have access to their own TV and radio studio. They run their own radio station called Shock FM, have their own news channel called Quays News and I can’t wait to get involved in both. I am studying three modules here which have yet to be confirmed but all will be based in Media City. With only nine hours of class time a week, that leaves me with ample time to explore everything this place has to offer. I have already met with other international journalism students from the four corners of the world and I can’t wait to get started. It’s time to enjoy, create and explore. I’ll keep you posted.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Horror story: Erasmus & co-op bureaucracy NAOMI DEEVEY SPENDING Eramsus (or co-op) abroad can be daunting - That is how a lot of the material provided about Erasmus/co-op abroad begins its spiel. Ok, so we know it can be daunting, if you’ve had it on the horizon, I think the daunting-ness has probably made itself known to you - That is nothing new. The preparation sessions provided by the university are well meaning and certainly informative. However, there is too much to know! And I found out about some things that I wasn’t at all prepared for, but would have liked to have been. They range from mildly surprising to downright terrifying. Let’s talk about the terrifying, as it’s almost Halloween. Forms and fines and modules - Oh, my! Both my co-op and Erasmus were in Germany, Stuttgart and Berlin respectively, so these points are related to experiences in Germany. First up, practical matters: registration of your address, or as they affectionately refer to it: “Anmeldung einer Wohnung”. This is super important and everyone needs to have the certification that you live at your given address. Your university or job placement may want it, and numerous other bureaucratic complexities. It differs by city - in Berlin, for example, due to the large numbers, it is now almost completely done by appointment only and while you may only get an appointment for three months in the future, you are officially supposed to have this done within two weeks of moving in so hop to it (if you have an appointment that’s okay though). You will need I.D. (bring your passport, no Garda card, etc. will do) and your rental contract. Now, the annoying thing about telling the state that you live at your address is that they

go and tell the lovely cuddly people at the TV license authority, or rather, the broadcast authority. It’s name, ‘Rundfunk Gebuhren’, is enough to send a chill down the spines of Germans and expats alike. Similar to Ireland, they don’t care if you’ve ever watched even one episode of ‘Tatort’, or even have a TV, every household must pay €17.50 per month. They send letters, which increase if left unpaid, to every name that has registered an address and it’s up to the people in that household to pay it and let them know who has paid and who, because of that, don’t need to. Some Germans may advise not to pay it but if it escalates (and it will if unpaid, i.e. collection agency and legal action) it can affect your ability to get back into the country again later. Another element to this whole registration thing is unregistering your address, called ‘Abmeldung’. This is only necessary when you are leaving the country - when only moving internally, it happens automatically. If you want to work there again it can be a fine-worthy issue to be avoided. This can be done by post though, thank you for this small mercy, bureaucracy gods. Torrenting and file sharing. Okay, so this is illegal in Ireland also. Now I’ll just imagine a world where it doesn’t happen. Okay, back to reality. A lot of people don’t know that this is not just illegal in Germany but it is instantly detectable and heavily punished. One minute you’re downloading a film, the next thing you know an official looking letter arrives with a €2,500 fine that must be paid. It can be more or less, depending on the nature of the material and how much was down and uploaded. It seems to be the seeding of files that really irks them, not as much the downloading, as the simultaneous uploading that is automatic with forms of torrenting and file sharing that incurs this wrath.

Again, not paying is seen as a serious offence and will be followed up on and be reﬂected in your credit rating, which is important for renting a ﬂat and a million other things if you decide to live there later. A friend from the States arrived in Germany, forgetting that his computer was still torrenting, and blammo, a letter from the ‘man’. Also, the person to whom the i.p. address is registered to will be liable, so if it’s your landlord, they will not be happy. Registering your modules. So, compared to German universities, we in Ireland are spoon fed the right information, at the right time and our hands are held every step of the way. Okay, I’m exaggerating slightly but it sort of feels that way being back. The main difference is we simply receive our timetable and have already, six months previously, chosen an elective if appropriate. Those magical elves that devise the timetables have worked tirelessly deep underground all summer long to make sure nothing clashes and somehow it just appears on our screens as semester begins. It does seem like magic when you’re having to do it all yourself in Germany in the midst of everything else involved in moving countries and getting settled. Personally, my university in Berlin (FU) is known for being extra tricky, so it does vary from school to school, however just getting to grips with it takes a long time and a lot of lectures have limited places so it’s a race against other students in many cases. On the upside though, you get to chose what you like, and study it, within reason of course - you need to attend classes related to your home degree (your Erasmus coordinator will have advice on this), but there is loads of room for getting creative with your timetable as you decide. If you only have one tutorial on a Friday, you might be able to just switch for another and have

the day free. The lack of humans on campus on a Friday is testament to this system working quite well. More importantly, you can study something you are simply interested in in another department just for fun, and ECTS credits obviously (which

are like rare and elusive butterflies) but even then you can negotiate with your lecturers to earn a few more by writing essays or shining their shoes actually not the shoes thing. During figuring out the intricacies of all of these official

shenanigans, I discovered that Berlin offers €50 welcome money to all students when they are registering their ﬁrst residence (some places only; your university will advise). It was a small but very welcome happy ending to this horror story.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Feeling creative? Maybe the SEÁN LYNCH THE Ogham Stone, the University of Limerick’s literary and visual arts journal, is taking submissions of creative writing from the public, for the spring 2016 edition. This year’s edition is set to be the largest in the project’s history, with a deadline of midnight on November 2nd. Almost seventy pieces were accepted for publication last year, including short stories, flash fiction, poetry and artwork. They featured alongside an introduction by Prof Joseph O Connor, as well as a short story by Donal Ryan, author of The Spinning Heart. All Students of the MA in Creative Writing and MA in English in UL take part in creating, designing and partly contributing to the Ogham Stone, each year. The students are guided by their lecturers in working on the literary journal, as well as Course Director of MA in English, Dr Patricia Moran. Dr Moran, believes the project is important, for many reasons: “First, it is important because it gives our students hands-on experience with editing, design, and publishing, and a number of our students have secured employment because of their experience of working on The Ogham Stone. “Second, it is important because it serves as a venue for students to understand the process by which literary pieces see print.” “Third, it is important because it brings writers in the community and throughout Ireland into contact with the University of Limerick and with the MA in English and MA in Creative Writing students,” Dr Moran added. The quality and reputation of the Ogham Stone grew inn 2014-15, with the arrival of Professor Joseph O’Connor, Irish PEN award winner. Dr Moran praised Prof O’Connor for his influence on the Ogham Stone: “Joe was able to tap some influential donors, including J. P. McMahon, and with an increased budget the Ogham Stone grew to 130 pages. Rachel Hynes led the group to our most significant edition yet.” Prof Joseph O’Connor spoke about how he became involved in the Ogham Stone: “I became involved very shortly after taking up my new job here as Frank McCourt Professor of Creative Writing. Indeed, one of the first people I met at UL was the wonderful Rachel Hynes, a doctoral student in English, who was overseeing the magazine at that time. I found her passion and commitment inspiring. She was very ambitious for the project, and I admire ambition.”

Professor Joseph O’Connor, Frank McCourt Chair of Creative Writing at the University of Limerickat, at the One Campus, One Book event in UL in November 2014

“…it is important because it brings writers in the community and throughout Ireland into contact with the University of Limerick…” - Dr Patricia Moran

Prof O’Connor also described his role in the project: “My role is to support the project, but not to oversee it. The magazine is put together by MA students of Creative Writing and MA students of English, led by Dr

helped in other ways, including saying the few words at the launch event. But it's the students themselves who make the decisions.” The Ogham Stone is quickly becoming a valuable platform

Residence at UL I was invited to submit a piece of writing to the Ogham Stone literary journal. I artfully masked my initial panic by smiling, mumbling, and looking at the ground. I’d never had much

concluded. Helena Close is a graduate in MA Creative Writing from UL, who was involved in the Ogham Stone last year. Ms Close believes the project is hugely important for local literature; “A journal such as the Ogham Stone is extremely important for UL and for the city and county also. It offers a platform to emerging writers and artists, encourages creativity and puts a value on it, attracts new students to U.L, particularly in the Arts ﬁeld, connects the university to the city and county in a concrete, visual way. “Every writer/artist who takes the time and effort to submit to a journal deserves a close and thorough reading of their work.” Pam Ryan is a UL student in the MA in creative writing and a member of this year’s Ogham Stone design team. When asked about her involvement in this year’s Ogham stone, Ms Ryan said: “I see it as a great opportunity to have my work seen by a wider audience and the literary community. Who knows who we may be noticed by?” Pam Ryan, who has an undergraduate degree in journalism from UL, spoke, about her experiences of the project so far: “I've done group projects before but in an MA program it feels different. Everyone does an undergrad

Patricia Moran who founded The Ogham Stone some years ago. “If the students ask me to do something for the magazine, I try to do it. For example, last year I wrote the introduction and did a bit of fundraising and

Donal Ryan, UL’s Writer in Residence 2015 for new writers and artists; local, national and international, to bring their work to a wide audience. Those involved in the project are particularly proud of the connections to the local creative communities in Limerick. Last year’s edition featured work from writing and art projects active in the city, including The Heart of Limerick anthology and the ARTiculate competition. Donal Ryan, UL’s Writer in Residence 2015, was thrust right into the Ogham Stone, contributing to last year’s edition: “When I was appointed to the role of 2015 Arts Council Writer in

luck with literary journals.” Mr Ryan, whose novel The Spinning Heart was voted the 2012 Irish Book of the Year and long-listed for the Man Booker Prize, sees the importance of the literary journal; “The Ogham Stone is inﬁnitely important. The people who work on it each year are for the most part doing work they’ve never done before and their learning curve is steep, almost sheer. I don’t know how they do it. “I’m extremely proud to have been involved with and published in the Ogham Stone, and very grateful to Rachel Hynes and the rest of the 2015 team for the opportunity,” he

now, whether they want to or not, because that's what people do, but people take on masters programs because they want to be there and I've noticed the difference. “It is pushing me to work harder at my craft, knowing that if it's published people will read it. It won't just sit in a notebook in my room!” Ms Ryan is just one of the many lovers of literature, involved in this year’s Ogham Stone: “I've always been writing, ever since I could hold a pencil and I show people my stories often enough but I never show anyone my poetry so I was hoping to be a bit brave and submit one of them.”

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Ogham Stone is for you Malcolm Grifﬁn, MA Creative Writing student, said: "To ﬁnd the mantra in the Ogham will reveal the secret of its silence." Prof Joseph O’Connor, whose novel The Thrill of it All was featured as the Regional Writing Centre’s One Campus One Book last year, spoke of the need for more literary projects like this: “Every university should have a high-quality literary magazine. Full stop. Creativity and the imagination should be absolutely central to what we do here, as teachers and learners. If that's not the case, we're all wasting our time.” His favourite memory from the Ogham Stone project, so far, is from the launch event last April. Prof O’Connor described the event: “There was such palpable pride and happiness among the students who had worked so hard on the magazine; editing, designing, fundraising and collating. Many brought their loved ones and

appeared in the most recent edition. There was a lovely piece by James Lawlor, about the post Michael Harnett's house.” Sheila Quealey, who is part of the Ogham Stone’s social media team, said: “we are striving to make The Ogham Stone a literary journal of note nationally and internationally.” Dr Patricia Moran, UL English lecturer, played a huge part in the early days of the Ogham Stone project. When asked about how she became involved in the literary journal, Dr Moran said: “I came to the University of Limerick from the University of California in 2008. I was asked to create an MA in English. My department in California had a vibrant creative writing programme, and I wanted very much to bring Creative Writing to UL. “With that in mind, when I designed the MA in English with the help of colleagues, of course - I deliberately created

“We really do want The Ogham Stone to be broad, readable, inclusive and entertaining. Give us a try. Send something in.” - Prof. Joseph O’Connor

families along, and so the atmosphere was lovely.” The Star of the Sea author also revealed some of his favourite contributions to the Ogham Stone so far: “Our Writer in Residence, the great Donal Ryan generously gave the magazine a previously unpublished short story last year, and that was a wonderful read. But I found every contribution absorbing. “I'm fond of a poem called 'Chord' by my own student Niamh Donnelly that

a three-unit module that would serve as a venue for the creation of a literary journal each year.” Dr Patricia Moran remembers the difficulties the first edition of the project had to deal with: “We had absolutely no money the first year the project ran, so our first edition, under the stewardship of Lawrence Cleary and under the name The Full Stop, was simply an e-zine we created on Word Press. Such was the case for the next two editions

as well. “In the academic year 201314, my colleague in English David Coughlan secured enough money from AHSS dean Tom Lodge for The Full Stop - now renamed The Ogham Stone and under the stewardship of Rachel Hynes - to move from online to hard copy. “ Dr Moran concluded: “At a time when universities increasingly serve corporate interests and devalue the humanities and the arts, those of us who believe in the value of the humanities and the arts - values that don’t come with a dollar sign - have to do everything we can to nurture creativity and the imagination.” Prof Joseph O’Connor, an award winning author, is encouraging everybody who has a passion for writing to submit work this year: “I'd love to invite people to contribute. Students, faculty, staff, their families, anyone who gets this message. We really do want The Ogham Stone to be broad, readable, inclusive and entertaining. Give us a try. Send something in.” This year, the new team are also seeking short graphic novels and creative nonﬁction, from anyone with a passion for writing, including students and staff in UL. All work submitted to the Ogham Stone should be sent

to oghamstoneul@gmail.com, be unpublished, and submitters can expect to hear back from editors after the deadline and before December 21st. The initiative’s website,

theoghamstoneul.com, features advice for prospective writers, including; ﬁnding the best place to write, the writing process and thoughts one has while writing a novel.

You can follow the Ogham Stone project on Twitter: @theoghamstone, and Facebook: facebook.com/ oghamstoneul

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

the new way to learn a language ANTHONY O'BRIEN IF you are planning to travel abroad and are looking for affordable accommodation for the term, or if you’ve got room to spare and are interesting in developing your skills with speaking a second language, you should check out GoCambio. Founded by businesswoman and stand-up comedian, Deirdre Bounds and her brother, Ian O’Sullivan back in March of this year, and headquartered in Youghal, Co. Cork, the website has been involved in organising teaching-for-accommodation arrangements in 114 countries. GoCambio matches people looking for a place to stay whilst abroad with people who are willing to let them stay in a room in their residences for free to them. What the landlord gets in return is free tutoring lessons from their guest during their stay, with the current primary focus on language teaching and a planned expansion into other taught skills. The site offers a database of verified hosts and skill-possessing room seekers to search through and users can look for specific locations and skills needed to find an opportunity that suits their circumstances.

is a really positive feature because it makes the whole process safer for both guests and hosts.

Where did you stay, and what did you teach?

Hosts and guests can negotiate and specify their acceptable terms of their arrangements. The site is free to register for and free to secure an arrangement through. To date the site has had over 6,000 accounts registered and expects to reach one million by next year as it develops the V2.0 version of its web interface, planned to be released this month. Lorraine Healy, an Applied Languages student at UL, spoke to An Focal about her time in Spain, having secured accommodation through GoCambio.

When and how did you get involved with GoCambio? I ﬁrst heard about GoCambio last Christmas when I was home for the holidays. It started up in my home town. I met an old school friend in the pub and he said he was working on an exciting new project where people would go on language exchanges, get their accommodation for free and in return give lessons to their host in the language they spoke. I am an avid traveller and spend more time abroad than at home so

for me it sounded perfect

What kind of qualifications or prerequisites did you need to get accepted into the programme? No qualiﬁcation is needed, just an open mind and a positive attitude. You must sign up at www.GoCambio.com - it’s a very straight forward, step-bystep process in which you must also verify your account which

I went to Zaragoza in the Spanish countryside. I stayed with a guy called Alex, he was my host and really looked after me. He gave me a tour of the city, brought me to some great local tourist sites that were off the beaten track and in exchange I helped him to practice his English. The beauty of a Cambio is that you can decide with your host where the most convenient way to have the lesson is. Some people prefer to sit down and have a chat where others might prefer an hour of more structured language in the morning before you head off to explore, it’s really up to you!

How did you find the experience, and how supportive were GoCambio? They are always on hand if I needed advice or wasn't sure about a situation. They offer a free induction course online

too to help you with some basic language content and approaches, it’s so useful.

Would you recommend joining Gocambio to others? Absolutely, it’s an alternative to your everyday traveling experience. You get to ditch the map and actually get stuck into the local culture with your host, try things you would never have tried and see hidden gems that you would never have seen. It is a fantastic way for people traveling alone to meet other people and go off the beaten track, even for couples who want to meet new people! I have travelled all over the world and never had such an enriching experience as I had in Zaragoza simple because I was able to get lost in a way that I would never have done if I went there alone. And it’s also a sharing economy, a bartered agreement, totally free. What more could you ask for? A place to throw down your head at night in exchange for a personal tour guide, local food expert and fountain of local knowledge.

Paws for Effect…Feline the music…Are you kitten me? SEAMUS TOOMEY WHILE I would usually disregard writing music reviews on the basis that we’re all very individual and music is our own subjective experience, an album has dropped that is so great and so perfect for college students I can’t help myself but tell every second person about it. That album, my friends, is Meow the Jewels. Yes, meow, as in cats - why, I hear you ask? Let me start by explaining that the internet is a great place where people do funny, stupid things and other people make those funny, stupid things happen because it’ll seem really funny and stupid. So what has happened my dear cat enthusiasts is that someone started a kickstarter (that’s where people suggest an idea and other people donate money to make that idea a reality) to pay Run the Jewels (an American rap duo) to remix their album, ‘Run the Jewels 2’ with cat noises. And amazingly/ hysterically they did it. Now there’s really only a handful of ways this could get better: it could contain the fountain of youth or the secret to life or it could be free... Except it is free, and may contain the fountain of youth because I listened to it and so far I haven’t appeared to age (I’ll update you in the next edition of An Focal). But it’s free. Let’s try that one more time, it is free, no money required, all you have to do is click on a link, provide an e-mail address and download it from your e-mail. It’s that simple and you get Run the Jewel’s second, and, prior to cat noises, very awesome album. Now, you might think taking the vocals of an album and

layering them over a cat noises backing track would be a horrible way to ruin great music but with talents including Snoop Dogg, Massive Attack’s 3D and Portishead’s Geoff Barrow remixing and heavily editing said cat noises, you get an equally thrilling rap album with some of the most unique samples (meows) ever. Okay, but why is it free? Well, because Run the Jewels decided to donate the kickstarter fund to charity in honour of Mike Brown and Eric Garner, two African American males who were killed by

police officers in 2014 in separate incidents. It’s free, it sounds amazing, it includes the awesomeness that is cats, internet hilarity, a variety of successful talents, it’s in honour of a good cause and, best of all, there are cat puns galore. Could you ask for anymore? So, on to the music. It opens with Snoop Dogg’s remix of Jeopardy (now Meowpurrdy) - a strong opening including lion’s roars and repetitious meows. A great first track that begins with a funny 30 or so second conversation between LP and Killer Mike (both of Run the Jewels) and Snoop Dogg about the album. Next up is Oh My Darling Don’t Meow which features pretty untouched blatant meows decorating the beat of heavily worked cat samples that provide the foundation to this song. Close Your Eyes and Meow to Fluff is the next stand out track and includes Zach De la Rocha’s vocals from the original song, accompanied with meows to the rhythm of De la Rocha’s lyrics. Purr’s provide one of the coolest samples and feature often throughout. All Meow Life is simply my favourite cat pun on this album. Snug Again utilises more purrs and still features the best of turning misogyny on its head lyrics with Gangsta Boo’s equally disrespectful words towards men creating unheard of misandry in the last verse. All in all a complete album from start to finish, the cat noises are only apparent (bar a few) because you know they’re cat noises but this knowledge does nothing to spoil the hilarity and awesomeness of this project. An absolute catastrophically purrfect album that couldn’t be any better, you won’t want to paws it for a second. Also did I mention it’s free? Go get it, give it a listen, tell us at An Focal what you think.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Q&A with UL’s Fiona McHale LINA RYAN

for the loss of Juliet Murphy they needed big shoes to fill that void.

Does commitment and dedication explain the huge achievement of these two great sports women Breige Corkery and Rena Buckley? They have been able to train and compete at the highest level in both codes for their whole playing career training seven days a week while holding down a career, sometimes playing big games on the same weekend and even on the same day. Enough said.

Breige Corkery greatest qualities as a footballer? While she has the sought after speed and power she also has exceptional ball carrying and defensive skills which make her so versatile. Her engine and determination give her the extra edge to others though.

Was the vast experience of the Cork midfield pairing of Breige Corkery and Rena Buckley crucial to Cork winning the last five All Ireland finals? For Cork to be able to take two of their most consistent defenders out to midfield proves how much strength and depth they have in their panel and the talent that is continuously coming through. They are both top class athletes that have the versatility to play in any position and when Cork were struggling to find a replacement

Who would be the male counterpart of Breige Corkery and why? Tommy Walsh from Kilkenny would be the only one that would come to mind.

Is Cork’s dominance ten titles in eleven years and five in a row good for ladies football? Corks dominance is down to many factors. 1. They have a core group of players since the start of their success who are the backbone to the team every year in Brid Stack, Valerie Mulcahy, Breige Corkery, Rena Buckley, Deirdre O’Reilly and Ger O’Flynn. 2. They have consistency in Management in Eamon Ryan- He will go down as one of the most successful managers in Gaelic games with Mick O Dwyer, Brian Cody and Mickey Harte. 3. They have a fantastic underage structure which breeds so much talent. Every year Eamon Ryan will have a new kid on the block pushing for a starting place and putting pressure on others for places. The competition for places on their team is frightening. Last year it was Eimear Scally, this year Aine O’Sullivan. In addition Rona Ni Bhucailli was a sub in the final and has never fully nailed down her spot on the starting 15. She would make any other county team. I wouldn’t say they are miles ahead of the top six teams in the country when you consider they have so many close encounters this year, namely Galway in the league final and championship, Kerry beat them in the Munster Final and Dublin have come so close to them for the past two years. What Cork have is experience

and belief that when the game is in the melting pot they know that they have the ability to grind out the win as they have been in those situations so many times before. It is up to the rest of the teams in the country to match them and teams need to use Cork as a template to bring them success.

Is it good for ladies football? When you consider that from Corks first success in 2005, over 40 new ladies football clubs have set up in the county. They are obviously benefiting greatly from the success and it is feeding down to underage which is only making them even stronger. No other county is progressing like this with their numbers and that is down to lack of success.

Young Aileen Wall is prestigious talent for Waterford and UL, great performance for Waterford in the final? Aileen had a superb game but it is not surprising. She has been the leading light along with her sister Linda in their run up to the All-Ireland and the final was no different. Aileen adds speed, creativity, vision and above all a never say die attitude. All of the above which she brings to the UL team too. I was personally delighted to see Waterford win as they have had so much heartache over the last number of years in trying to win the Mary Quinn Cup. You could see just how much it meant to them too at the final whistle. Like Henry Shefflin and Brendan Cummins do you think we will be seeing the Breige Corkery book soon? It would definitely be a best seller that’s for sure. Every sports person in Ireland should want to read it. She is a fantastic role model for any child growing up looking to be successful in Gaelic games.

The consequences of being vegan for a year SEAMUS TOOMEY AT the start of this month I hit a milestone: on September 10th I had eaten vegan for an entire year. I didn't think it was possible, for the most part I thought vegans were crazy and while I agreed meat and egg production is cruel I believed to be healthy you needed protein and that that comes from meat. The reason I made the change was because I had moved out and began buying my own food. Based off of a popular 'gymrat' diet IIFYM (If it fits your macros) I realised I could hit my desired macronutrients. The

idea behind IIFYM is simple, you aim for a certain amount of carbs, fats and protein in a day for example, 150 grams of protein, 350 grams of carbs and 80 grams of fat. With that in mind I changed

to a plant based diet and aimed for those goals, my food was boring, cheap and most importantly filling. I was spending under 3 euros a day on food and keep in mind I was getting 3,500 calories in. It was hard to eat what felt like such large amounts but eventually I got used to it and it wasn't so much of a bother and when I wanted I splashed out an extra couple of euro's and made bean burritos, which I stand by as delicious to anyone and everyone. I lost a lot of weight very quickly, which I put down to my very high fibre diet, drinking a lot of water and eating very low sodium (not out of intention). For a while my strength was unaffected, I still deadlifted the same amount and I could squat and shoulder press more than ever before at 7 kilograms lighter. Eventually I lost too much weight and strength declined. I was down to 72 kilos at 6 ft tall. So I decided I wanted to put on weight and this I struggled with a lot. I had to change my diet but found I needed a lot of food just to put on any weight and the extra load of food was very hard to manage, after a lot of diet

manipulation I managed to put on 3 kilos and was eating about 5000 calories a day. Not very successful. Another big diet change I began eating a lot more carbs not worrying about eating much protein and I shot up pretty quick. I went from 75 to 81 kilos over a month and a half, a little too fast. But my strength shot up (very reassuring for me) and I was eating 6000 calories a day and enjoying the food I was eating. Since then I've changed many times, I've since realised I don't need a whole lot of protein and carbs aren't the evil villain I've been told they are. There's been a lot else that has happened that has affected all of this, my training programs changed again and again, I tried Wendler, 5x5 and HIT training, I went from college student with 13 hours a week to co-op placement of 40 hours a week and like I said what and how much I ate changed greatly. But it's taught me some things and from my own experience I feel healthier as a vegan,

probably because I don't ever pig out with the exception of a burrito which is just beans, rice, salsa and a wrap. Way better than a previous pig out session of ice cream, McDonalds and a selection of chocolate bars. I originally thought I'd waste away, not be able to continue weightlifting as one of my hobbies, become malnourished and feel drained and out of energy. Instead I've been opened to another world featuring Patrick Baboumian, Frank Medrano and Jim Morris, a short list of the many vegan athletes, I feel more energetic, I've been encouraged by my lack of choice to try new wonderful foods and I can be a part of something that I really believe is doing the world some good. The only downside I've found is it's a little irritating to eat out (but there's a vegan restaurant in the city anyway). What I've learnt this past year is that all of my previous assumptions about vegans were wrong, they are not necessarily

weak and unhealthy, it is not expensive to eat vegan and it is not boring to eat vegan (but you'll probably have to make it yourself and make the effort). And obviously you can be unhealthy on a vegan diet just like any other diet, if I just ate peanut butter all day it probably wouldn't be great for me but so would be eating pizza all day everyday as a non-vegan, and if you don't train you won't perform like a sprinter or powerlifter but being vegan will not disadvantage you (search for Patrick Baboumian on the internet if you don't believe me) For myself I can still train hard, eat well (and cheaply) and now do something I think is right and make a little difference in the world. Really my best advice to anyone is to give it a try, I know most people think like I did but I promise you, if you eat enough (enough is a lot) then you'll be able to live life as you do now regardless of if you train like a ‘beast’ or just play soccer for fun.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

STI checks still carrying stigma MICHAELA DEANE LAST week I was doing a vox pop for An Focal, and the question was: Would you be embarrassed to get an STI test? And it seems that people were embarrassed about more than just the idea of getting the test itself. The question I asked was followed by many bowed heads and ﬂushed cheeks; nobody wanted to answer this question. Of the few people who would answer, “Can I use a fake name?” was a popular question. So why are we so embarrassed about STI checks? And why don’t we get them? This shows that going to an STI clinic is still something that has a lot of stigma attached to it. It’s all very “hush hush” and nobody really knows what to say when they’re asked about it. But what I’m asking is, what’s the point in being embarrassed about it? If you’re sexually

Welcome to S.H.A.G Week CIARA CORCORAN YOUR Union wants you to be yourself at UL. That means having sex if you want to or abstaining if you wish, or just going with the ﬂow, or not being bothered one way or the other. Each is perfectly okay. Many UL students will graduate having had multiple partners, many having had just one, many having met a long term partner, many having chosen to abstain and many not having had sex at all for no particular reason. Either way, if you choose to have sex, choose to do it safely. Always use a condom, ALWAYS (available from the Welfare Ofﬁcer or behind reception). Whether you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or straight, you take the same risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) if you don’t use a condom. Whatever embarrassment you might think the ‘let’s use a condom’ talk causes, think of the consequences to your health that arise from not using one and it puts embarrassment in the shade. This year’s SHAG week we will be hosting a sex themed table quiz in the Scholars, doing a sex survey around campus, holding a condom demonstration in the courtyard, and asking you to anonymously submit your embarrassing sex stories to put on our ‘Awkward Sex Stories’ wall. There will be lots of fun stuff and information during the week so be sure to get involved and stay safe!

active, then there’s a chance that you could have an STI, and there’s no point in feeling ashamed. It could literally happen to anyone. Another response I got was: “No, because I don’t have one.” So many students just assume that they’re clear of STIs, with a common reason being that they have no symptoms. The reality is that many STIs don’t even have any symptoms, meaning the illness can go undiagnosed until it goes too far and God forbid, you become infertile. This is one of the many reasons that being checked is so important. Students are often lacking in money, I think we can all vouch for that one. Here in UL, a visit to the STI clinic will leave a €30 hole in your pocket, and it’s something a lot of students just aren’t willing to pay. This is another factor that puts students off getting STI checks. Between presuming you don’t have one

because you have no symptoms and the hefty cost, it’s easy to see why students can keep putting off the idea. Going for an STI test can be daunting, but if you’re sexually active it’s something that needs to be done. There’s a common misconception that only people who’ve had lots of sex will end up with STI’s, but whether you’ve had sex with two people or twenty, there’s still the chance that it could happen to you. When treatment for STIs is so quick and easy, what’s the point in not being tested? One course of antibiotics and that pesky STI is gone. So if you’ve been thinking of getting an STI test, I’d say to just go for it. There’s no need to be embarrassed or ashamed; all it takes is a couple of minutes and at least then you’re reassured that you’re in the clear. Put that €30 and your pride aside, and head on in to the clinic.

Think safe sex - Think contraception CIARA CORCORAN

CONDOMS

CONDOMS are the only form of contraception that protect against STIs and pregnancy. Besides abstinence, the best way to protect yourself from STIs is by using condoms. Condoms are readily available in most shops, chemists and also from the ULSU Welfare Ofﬁce and reception. Condoms are 95% effective at protecting against HIV and other STIs, as well as preventing pregnancy

when used correctly. Always, ALWAYS wear a condom.

CONTRACEPTIVES "THE Pill" is 99.7% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, it must be taken at the same time every day; it is not effective if taken more than 12 hours late. It also offers no protection against HIV, other STIs and infections so be sure to use a condom for this.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (Morning After Pill) TREATMENT is most

effective if taken within the ﬁrst 12 hours but can be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. The morning after pill is available on prescription from your doctor, the medical centre or family planning clinics. The morning after pill can be 95% effective, however the effectiveness diminishes to 58% after 72 hours.

PREGNANCY

THE easiest way to know if you are actually pregnant is to get a home pregnancy test. If your test results are positive then it is necessary

to have them conﬁrmed with your GP, a pregnancy agency or the UL Medical Centre.

Crisis Pregnancy Services: www.positiveoptions.ie or freetext LIST to 50444

If you are pregnant, it is a good idea to talk to somebody about your options. It is not the end of the world. The best resources are: Students' Union Welfare Ofﬁcer: suwelfare@ul.ie or 061-202519 UL Counselling: CM-072 drop in 11-12 and 3-4 daily or 061-202327 anytime Irish Family Planning Association: 1850-495051 Limerick Family Planning Clinic: 061-312026

It's your body . . . CARYL FAYE YULO IT’S your body, it’s your responsibility - something we forget way too often in our daily lives.You've been, and will be for a long time, stuck in it since before birth. It's yours. So don't be so embarrassed to touch it and check it and know every nook and cranny of it because no one will do it for you, at least not for free. Once or twice a month

will do you good. Check for lumps, bumps, abnormal patches, rashes, itches, growths, freckles and marks appearing or increasing in size – anything and everything. And if you are ever worried or have a question, go check it with a doctor, a real doctor, not the ones online. And to all the male readers, I know you feel awkward even thinking about someone else poking around down there. In fact, statistics show that men, especially those aged 16 to 44, use health care services less than

their female counterparts. To you it might seem like a minor problem or you think you're just overreacting, but early detection, especially for prostate cancer, will give you greater rates of beating it. The same for the ladies; don't forget to do your part by checking your breasts regularly.You can go online and download the leaﬂet on www.breastcheck.ie to see how to do it properly. They say money makes the world go round, but how are you supposed to do that when you aren’t healthy and well?

So in conclusion, health really is wealth. So what are you waiting for? Go out there and take care of yourselves.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Silence is not consent . . . Clothing is not consent . . . An intoxicated 'yes' is not consent KATE STEWART

forego consent and sexually assault you, there is nothing you can really do. Sometimes victims escape. Sometimes. But if this is going to happen, it’s going to happen. It’s not your fault. There is nothing you could have done. But you can at least know what happened to you, instead of living in the stress of self-blame and confusion and hurt.

A defendant can assert an “honest but mistaken belief” that the victim consented, which is decided by the jury on the basis of whether the defendant believed the complainant has consented, no matter how unreasonable that belief. Where such a defence is raised, the defendant is more likely to be granted leave to produce evidence of, and cross-examine the complainant on, the complainant’s sexual history. (The Examiner survey found that 29% of the public believe the woman is partially or totally responsible if she has had many different sexual partners.) (Amnesty International)

Rape culture exists. Victims of rape are at a higher risk of depression, suicide, PTSD, and drug and alcohol abuse. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men have been sexually assaulted in Ireland and rates are even higher amongst the disabled, the LGBTQ community, people of colour, and interestingly, college students. Why are these high rates of assault persisting? Ignoring the fact that certain confessed rapists in Ireland have merely paid a ﬁne for their troubles, there is an epidemic of under-reporting and a severe lack of understanding about what constitutes consent. So let me say it in black and white.

Rape culture exists This phrase could evoke a number of responses from you, dear reader. Maybe it’s that I’m exaggerating. Maybe you accept that sexual assault is a very real problem in our society, but a culture? Nope. Maybe that’s a problem somewhere else, but not here in UL. You might even go so far as to call me a fat feminazi lesbian (it wouldn’t be the ﬁrst time). Some of you will no doubt nod your head in agreement.

SILENCE IS NOT CONSENT. CLOTHING IS NOT CONSENT. PAST SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR IS NOT CONSENT.

Rape culture exists According to the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland, 91% of perpetrators are known to survivors. 9 in 10 rapists are our friends, our neighbours, our lovers, our siblings, our classmates. These are not the people sneaking up on us in dark alley ways. This is the boy you remember from school who said he would help you when you got lost on a night out. This is the girl who tells you a real man would want sex. The guy you kiss on a date who ignores your protest when he starts running his hand up your leg. Your partner who guilts you into doing things that make you feel sick and uncomfortable. The boy you assumed you could trust who looks you in the eye, calls you a whore and says: “You are getting fucked.”

Rape culture exists. And we all play a part. We are the people condoning these actions, accusing survivors

WEARING SOMEONE DOWN UNTIL THEY CHANGE THEIR NO TO A YES IS NOT CONSENT. AN INTOXICATED YES IS NOT CONSENT. of fake accusations, saying she was asking for it, excusing this behaviour as “boys will be boys”, reminding the world that she was a slut or a prude, making rape jokes. You shouldn’t have drank as much, you shouldn’t have worn that, you shouldn’t have gone home with him, you shouldn’t have taken a taxi alone, you didn’t run, and you didn’t ﬁght. Take note: the narrative does not appear to be “You shouldn’t have ignored her protests, you shouldn’t have traumatised her, and you shouldn’t have raped her.” We are not caring for survivors, we are excusing the perpetrators and brushing the entire issue under the rug. Let me be perfectly clear: if someone makes the decision to

HAVING NO OPTION TO LEAVE IS NOT CONSENT. So this SHAG week, ask. It doesn’t have to ruin the moment. Make them beg for it. Make them explain in explicit detail what they want you to do to them. Don’t take the chance of causing life-altering distress. One little sentence can save someone a lot of pain. Consent is an enthusiastic, consistent, explicit, non-coerced yes to sexual activity. Consent is not just sexy. It is absolutely necessary.

Girls, know your contraception So you’ve heard about them from friends and you’ve read about them online but how much do you really know about contraception? In order to find the right contraception for you, you must ask some crucial questions. CORA POWER FIRSTLY are you forgetful? Because if so the pill is not for you. How much are you willing to spend on contraception? Most contraception is affordable, however there are some that are more expensive than others. As most people would agree, ﬁnding the one that suits you is all trial and error. Obviously I would recommend speaking to your doctor. Don’t lie to your doctor, they’re not going to judge you, they’re there to help. Talk to them about your concerns and your preferred type of contraception.

The Combined Pill99% effective

This tablet contains two female hormones (oestrogen and progestogen). These tablets stop you from ovulating (releasing an egg each month). Each packet contains 21 tablets which you take at the same time everyday. You then take a break for 7 days, in which time you should get your period. It can help reduce bleeding and period cramps. Vomiting, diarrhoea and other drugs can reduce its effectiveness.

The Mini Pill – 9699% effective Contains one female hormone, progestogen. It works by preventing the sperm from entering the cervix. It may also thin the lining of the womb therefore preventing the

egg from settling. It may also prevent the egg from being released. Each packet contains 28 tablets which should be taken at the same time everyday. It may cause irregular bleeding. Vomiting, diarrhoea and other drugs can reduce its effectiveness.

Injectable Contraception - 99% effective Contains progestogen and must be injected approximately every 12 weeks. The hormones are released to prevent ovulation. This is very useful for women who may forget to take their daily pill. The injection must be given by a doctor or nurse. It may cause irregular

bleeding and it can take time for periods and fertility to return to normal.

The Coil – 98-99% effective It is a small object made from plastic and copper that is placed in the womb. It stops the sperm from reaching the egg and delays the egg from getting to the womb. It may also prevent the egg from settling in the womb. The coil must be inserted by a doctor who is specially trained. It begins to work straight away and will last for ten years. It may cause irregular bleeding and there is a risk of pelvic infection.

The Implant – 99%

effective Otherwise known as the bar, it is a ﬂexible rod that is placed under the skin on the inside of the arm. It cannot be seen but it can be felt under the skin. It releases progestogen which prevents ovulation. It also makes it difﬁcult for sperm to enter the neck of the womb by creating a build-up of mucus. It works for three years. You must get the implant replaced and removed by a specially trained doctor. It may reduce period pain.

The Patch – 99% effective The patch is worn for 21 days followed by a seven day break in which you should get

your period. It contains oestrogen and progestogen. The hormones enter the skin and prevent ovulation. The patch may be easier to remember than the pill. It can be seen on the skin. Some other medication can interfere with its effectiveness. It is more expensive than the pill. None of the above methods protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so it is important to also wear a condom, which is 99% effective when used carefully. Condoms are available in the Welfare Ofﬁce or at the Students’ Union reception. So be safe kids and remember the only contraception that is 100% effective is abstinence. All this information is from www.thinkcontraception.ie

October 2015

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

The Itchys and the Scratchies . . .

Sex is not a shameful thing. It happens and it happens a lot. And when you have a place, such as UL, with a lot of sex happening, you have a lot of unpleasant consequences too. SAMANTHA BERRY

CONSEQUENCES such as STIs is a big, big one. STIs in a sort of a closed community such as a university make the rounds lightning quick. And it's one of those things people always assume will not effect them because to themselves, they are not a statistic They're a person. And yeah, I suppose that person doesn't look like they'd have an STI, so they probably don't. Are you going to be saying the same thing a week from then when it hurts to pee and you can't stop itching? Do you now look like someone who has an STI? My main point on that, lads, is love yourself - You deserve it. Your sexual organs have done nothing but give you pleasure. Is this any way to repay them? Now that we've gotten that proper ‘make you think’ portion out of the way, let's talk about the different ways you can actively protect yourself. Just a warning, this article

will not be using euphemisms. It will be frank. The one form of protection that everyone is familiar with is the male condom. If put on correctly (YouTube will be more than happy to show you how) it can protect against a large number of STIs but it does not protect against everything. Any kind of STI that appears on the skin such as genital warts or syphilis can and will be transferred through skin to skin contact and a condom will not protect against these. This is also true for the female condom, which is far less well known than its male counterpart. A female condom is also slightly less safe than a male one as it is a possibility for the penis not to enter it and to in fact enter into the side. One more very well known form of contraception is the pill. But the pill only offers protection from pregnancy; it gives no form of protection against STIs - None at all. Please don't use it to stop the itchy and the scratchies. If you're going to be trying a bit of oral, there's an option for you too! It's called a Dental Dam. It's essentially a rectangular piece of

ﬂavoured latex that can be used anywhere on the body where a barrier needs to be created. If you're not sure where to ﬁnd them or are too shy to go somewhere and get them, you can always cut a condom in half and use that to your advantage. It sounds awkward and not at all sensationally pleasing, but rest assured, a large amount can be felt through it. I know a lot of people really don't want to go into these areas, they think it'd be way too awkward and potentially humiliating to bring this kind of thing up with their sexual partner as the other party could take offence or not be willing to divulge any information. If they do act like this when all you are doing is trying to keep yourself safe,

you might want to re-evaluate them. Everyone deserves respect and if your partner is not willing to respect your decision to keep yourself healthy, bye Felicia. And that's another thing. Consent. Consent is EVERYTHING. Essentially consent is both parties agree wholeheartedly to engage in sexual intercourse. If you are with someone and they give nothing less than a “Yes”, it is not consent. I can remember one of my friends stated one night in Costellos she walked up to a fella and said straight to him: “Would you like to have sex with me tonight?” and he said yes. It was that easy to make it clear that both parties wanted it. You should never ever feel guilty or ashamed for

refusing someone sex. It is your decision and yours only. No one should ever have to convince you or trick you into it. And you can say “No” at any time. Right after saying you'd like to, you can say no and tell them you're uncomfortable. Half way through the act you can decide you're not feeling comfortable and say “No”. And if you're horny and want a good ride, your partner is not up for it and you ﬁnd yourself going: “Ah go on though. Please... for me?” STOP! That is not okay and not how you should act. And so to end off this article, I'm going to list for you all the STI's that are curable and ones that are with you for life, along with some resources of where to get checked. CURABLE: • Chancroid • Chlamydia • Crabs • Gonorrhoea • Scabies • Syphilis • Yeast infections

INCURABLE: • HIV • HPV/Warts • Herpes • Hepatitis (Hep B can be prevented with a vaccine) For the ones listed under incurable, the symptoms can be treated, but these will stay with you for life. If you're feeling a little worried or want to get yourself checked, you can go to the STI clinic here in UL. It is by appointment only and costs €30. You can make an appointment by calling 061 202 534 or going to the health centre reception in the main building. Alternately you can go to the University Hospital Limerick in Raheen and make an appointment there by calling 061 482 382. Plus side, the appointment is free.

Stay safe and stay healthy!

Universities have a lot of ground to make up GEARÓID McCARTHY

SEXUAL Health Awareness and Guidance Week, or SHAG Week, should provide food for thought when analysing the standard of sex education in Ireland. I hope that sex education at university will be more diverse, all-encompassing and sex positive, as the deficiency in sexual health awareness left by the lacklustre sex education in much of the country’s secondary schools leaves a gaping hole to be filled. When I recall the sexual health guidance I received at secondary school, there are a number of specific problems that stand out. The first is that the sex education at my school was steeped in sex-negativity. My SPHE classes instructed abstinence instead of explaining how to protect oneself from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. It was not until my final year of secondary school when we had a

sexual health workshop which explained different STIs, and even that was lacking in many ways; it only vaguely explained how one would go about protection from or prevention of the STIs and was structured around a presentation containing images of the infections, meaning the workshop was largely dependent on

shock factor. The second shortcoming of my secondary school sex education is that it was not very comprehensive. For example, LGBTQ topics were not covered at all in my sex education classes. This meant that LGBTQ young people leave the school without any real guidance on sexual health,

orientation and identity - a frightening reality if true for a majority of the country’s schools. It seems fair for me to say that the sex education I was provided with in my secondary school was of a very low standard. It meant I was required to seek guidance from external resources on

the majority of relationship and sexual health issues relevant to me, and this is frankly a sign of an extremely unsatisfactory level of sex education in many of Ireland’s statefunded schools. It prompts one to question if the mark of decades of censorship in Ireland is yet to fade away. Even if sexual topics are explicitly mentioned more often than ever before, it sometimes appears as if there is an institutional discomfort around sex embedded in Irish society, particularly in past generations. This, unfortunately, means sex-ed at third level has a signiﬁcant amount of ground to make up. However, my experience in university thus far points to greater sexual health awareness and information, and here’s hoping that SHAG Week will place much-needed emphasis on the importance of sex education.

October 2015 CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Acting is our business and business is a-boomin’! CATHAL MOORE IT’S been a great start to the Drama year after a fantastic reception at the Recruitment Drive during Week One. We had plenty of enthusiastic people joining up from all backgrounds and talents. So far we’ve had two workshops. First was Intro to Drama which saw our members get used to being on stage, taking part in the fun, expressing their creativity and talent, and making new friends. We saw re-enactments of Loki’s speech from The Avengers, a recital of “Carry on my Wayward Son” by Kansas and even a sing-along of The Sleepover Club theme song. Last week we had Stage Confidence - getting our members used to being in the spotlight, and being comfortable being the centre of attention. Our creativity was shown as five groups used freezeframes to recreate movies and three of five groups picked Titanic. After being forced to change, two groups then picked The Lion King so maybe we’re not that original. We’ve just got so much in common is all. Workshops will continue at 7pm in the Jonathan Swift theatre,

where new members are welcome each and every week. The coming weeks will see us working on Monologues, Stage Dynamics, Stage Fighting, and even Shakespearean Acting - led by our resident sparkplug Summer Howard. We’ll also be holding a charades tournament as a fun way of working together and loosening up. This semester we have a great group of people involved. We have people from various backgrounds and various talents, all looking to have the craic and get involved in

Fan Forum are off to a flying start this semester! GABRIELLE McCORMACK WITH an incredible amount of people at our meetings, our Thursday evenings in Red Raisins have never been better! What’s more, the members of Forum got on the Hogwarts Express recently as Week 3 was Harry Potter Week. There were many events on during the week, from wizards’ chess to a Harry Potter themed treasure hunt, but I think everyone can agree that the quidditch match which took place on the Tuesday was phenomenal. There were broomsticks, wizards and witches galore, and our very own Gerard O’Mahony was the snitch, who ran away from everyone as they lobbed the bludgeons through the hoops, cheering each other on, but all in all, it was great fun for everyone. I think it’s safe to say Harry Potter Week was about as regal as the world of Hogwarts itself. (Though I daresay the main building seems to move around at will like them darn staircases!) Thank you so much to all who took part and to those who missed out, fear not, Fan Forum meets every Thursday evening from six to eight and we have many more events throughout the year to look forward to, including Father Ted Week, an old Fan Forum favourite, along with collaborations between societies. We also held a charity screening of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Weird’ in Scholars in aid of Limerick to Calais’ Refugees last week.

UL Fan Forum’s Harry Potter Week quidditch match.

our events and activities - great company to be around!

This week we’re going to be having auditions for our big show of the semester - The Affairs at Meddlers Top - a murder mystery comedy written by Jonathan and directed by our own Sinéad Morrissey. Affairs at Meddler's Top is a murder mystery comedy taking place in mid-1920's England. The story follows a court case hearing the case of a theatre production (Yes, you did hear that right, a theatre production within a theatre production, I'm hoping it goes deeper too). We’ll have 20 of our new members up in front of the bright lights to showcase their talents later in the semester in this witty two-act comedy. SoUL Arts Fest will be seeing a lot of Drama, in more ways than

one. We’ll be collaborating with the Games Society and we hope to collaborate with Film Making on a secret project! We’ll also be taking to the main stage in the courtyard to put on a 45-minute one-act play called Limbo. Limbo will see three of our new members on stage to entertain as a young man is sent to purgatory in this dark comedy. Late in the semester we’re hoping to collaborate with Out in UL to see the return of the Disney Quiz for Rainbow Week (Week 9), which was very well received last year. New members can e-mail us at pro@uldrama.com with enquiries, or visit our Facebook page at www. facebook.com/uldrama.

UL Psychology Society to continue mental health fundraising ILYANA KEOHANE AS part of the Psychology and Social issues module, Psychology students were encouraged last semester to raise money for a charity of their choice. The unanimous class decision was in favour of Pieta House, an incredibly worthy charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and self-harm. All fundraising activities were organised by the students, with authorisation from Pieta House for each event. The students organised several charity bake sales, rafﬂes, bucket collections, and event nights with help

from The Stables Club and service providers in the University of Limerick. Each of the four bake sales made over €500 thanks to the generosity of staff and students on campus. ‘Tinder Tables’, a student-led speed dating night held in The Stables Club was also a huge success. Several students and staff members also took part in the ‘Jacinta O’Brien 10k’ and engaged in the weekly training activities preceding the marathon. Over 80 students were in attendance, raising money and awareness for Pieta House. Pieta House representative Johnny Togher came to UL in September for

the cheque presentation, and took pictures with the module leaders and students. An astounding total of €4,300 was raised by the class group for Pieta House, surpassing the previous two years’ records. The UL Psychology Society is hoping to continue fundraising for Pieta, and will be selling rafﬂe tickets for a signed and framed Munster Rugby Jersey. All proceeds will go directly to Pieta House. Tickets will be on sale from now until November 20th, at €5 each, and available from any committee member of the Psychology Society. We will also be selling them on Wednesdays at 6pm in E1-022 (in the Psychology corridor). Any support from students and staff is greatly appreciated!

Ilyana Keohane (centre) and other psychology students and lecturers presenting Pieta House’s Johnny Togher (centre) with a fundraising cheque for €4,300 last month.

October 2015 CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Cirque De UL UL has another new society and you won’t guess what it is. We have a Circus Society. A society based around the activities and organisation of circuses and circus activities including juggling, acrobatics, diabolo, unicycling, rolla bollaing and pole climbing/dancing. It sounds like the craziest society to come to UL so far and I for one can’t think of any club or society who could match that sort of an event line up. The oddest thing for me though is that we’re kind of behind the other colleges on setting this up. Ciara Brien, the woman behind this vibrant new society, tells me that Maynooth, DIT, UCD and Galway all have Circus societies as well as some other colleges around the country. Ciara Brien and Fiona Mackey, the two masterminds behind the new society, have used this fact to their advantage though to set up our gleamingly new circus society this quickly. Ciara Brien is a ﬁrst year in equine science and there weren’t any major plans in the works for this society over summer so she arrived in Orientation Week and spoke with Paul Lee (C&S Development Manager) immediately. Immediately he liked the idea and seeing Ciara’s passion

they’ve since talked at length about the society and it looks likely to grace UL in little more than a week. That’s a big task and it’s been accomplished very quickly but Ciara says: “It’s not that bad, two of us doing it split the work between us”. They’ve also seen help from a course in UL. Ciara says: “the Festive Arts Course which does incorporate circus links between us and some of their lectures.” Showing no signs of slowing down, they’re already planning on taking members to the Tralee Circus Festival in November as well as the other festivals next year. As well as that, they have plans to buy juggling sets, clubs, a unicycle and much more. Ciara reckons it will cost close to Є500 to get this off the ground but Paul Lee’s enthusiasm for the society will hopefully see all this happening. Membership fees will also help with that cost and with a Facebook group that got 60 members in two weeks it looks set to grow quickly. Ciara explains: “People seem to be interested; people know some of the stuff and want to learn more. Going to the

SEAMUS TOOMEY

conventions are a great experience and we’re going to bring people along to that maybe even the different circus schools in Belgium and France if we could for a week.” Their ambitions are high and they seem confident and organised - if they get something organised for SoUL Fest they could really gain momentum. Ciara mentions a fire show with fire whip at night remembering the Dublin festival had a coordinated fire show summing it up with the inarguable equation “dancing + fire = cool”. So if you want to join UL’s newest society, there’s hundreds of reasons - for Ciara, she’s always wanted to juggle since she was a kid (and her life time goal is to juggle while on a horse). It’s a society that will offer lots to its members. “Handy for learning balance, since going on rolla bollas my balance has improved, they’re a great workout for core. It’s a bit of fun as well, some of the people from circus are the best people, my best friends I’ve met from circus and the conventions are the best craic ever,” Ciara adds smiling from cheek to cheek.

Dance UL. PHOTO: KAREN GOLTZ

UL Trampoline Club update CLODAGH DOYLE THE Trampoline Club are proud to have welcomed over 100 new members into our club this semester. Training has been a blast with all of you newbies. We’ve been more than impressed with everyones hard work and enthusiasm these last few weeks. Keep it up you guys! We have 5 stations this year. Two trampolines, DMT, a tough core session, and some gymnastics thrown in on top. This year training times are; Tuesday 7-9:30 and Thursday 7-8:15. Don’t be afraid to bounce along! Our ﬁrst social night of the year will be held on Wednesday (Week 5). The tramps bounced over to Jumplanes for some serious bouncing and made some awesome memories along the way! This year, UL Trampoline Club will be hosting the Munster Open 2015! It will be held on Saturday, 17th September in the PESS building. Students from UCC and UCD will be travelling to Limerick to compete alongside us. UL have been victorious in winning the Munster Open Cup for two years in a row now. All of our members have been training hard for the up and coming competition (And our team this year is mighty). Winning the cup for the third year in a row would be the icing on the cake for the club. So, ﬁngers crossed and wish us luck! Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page for weekly updates (UL Trampoline and Gymnastics Club).

Just dance! KATRINA GALVIN DANCE UL is hitting off with a bang this year. Milford gymnasium hall was bursting at the seams with excitement with our ﬁrst introduction to classes during week three. New teachers have taken the ropes for classes including Irish, hip hop and our very own unique zULmba. All levels of experience are welcome so you’ll never miss a chance to dance! Don’t hesitate to check out all the

news about upcoming classes (including a handful of more variety of styles soon to come) on the Dance UL face book page. The club has big plans this year for all our dancers and new comers including a variety of workshops which are soon to commence in the forthcoming weeks. Coming soon Limerick’s very own Tucker Purcell, a legendary world hip hop champion, will be a guest teacher at one of these workshops, so keep updated and don’t miss out!

You can also stay updated with all the news and dance life behind the scenes by adding DanceUL on snapchat. It doesn’t stop there. We also have some news regarding Ireland’s biggest annual dance competition. Even though the weekend for Dance intervarsities hosted in Trinity College Dublin doesn’t begin until next year, auditions will be starting soon for University of Limerick dance teams including contemporary, hip hop, jazz and Irish - Not forgetting the

auditions for our mixed team which includes variety of many styles of dance so come along, everyone is welcome to try out. It has been years since Dance UL has competed in this particular category so we are determined to make our mark on the scene once again. The club will be keeping you updated with all of our forthcoming news on all our social media sites and if you have any more questions contact us at Danceul@ gmail.com.

October 2015 CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Laying down the season SHANE McNAMARA THIS year was by far our most successful at recruiting new ninjas. Swarms of young lads and lassies took over our table at recruitment drive, even having to get an extra

laptop to keep up with demand. Our passionate recruitment staff witnessed over 250 people join our club. It just shows that ultimate Frisbee really is growing in popularity.

The next step was training up the recruits. Our ﬁrst session took place that Thursday. After breaking new records with signups we were all eager to see just how many will show up. I myself was a few minutes late (from being caught up in an exciting lecture), but when I showed up there was a seemingly endless line of recruits warming up. Over a hundred and thirty people attended in total. All those numbers can only lead to one thing, great banter. Sure most people were inexperienced but their enthusiasm and athleticism still made for great fun. The conditions weren’t spectacular but conditions are never bad for ultimate Frisbee, they only make the game interesting in different ways. The wet and soft surface made it

perfect for laying out. Countless numbers of beginners were seen diving for discs and gliding across the glorious pitches. Over the next few training sessions we experienced the four seasons of Irish weather ranging from glorious sunlight to nearly ﬂooded pitches with both having a wonderful outcome. Nobody minds playing in the sun, its warm sunny and everyone just seems to ooze happiness and enthusiasm. On the other hand just as much if not more fun was had when the pitches are ﬂooded. No matter how cold, diving into a puddle (to be generous) whilst trying to catch a disc is brilliant fun. You might think “No I don’t want to be saturated from head to toe and covered in mud” but what did we suggest? That everyone do

just that, and so they did and not one person regretted it. We also try to encourage our members in getting to know each other and ourselves. To do this we have a few team bonding games at the end of every training session. We try to involve them in the Ultimate Frisbee world as much as possible by telling them about all events even outside of UL. But of course the best way to get to know our new members is by meeting up outside college and having a friendly get-together or house party as some might say. We still see new faces every week and we love seeing more students coming down to try it out and have the craic. Everyone is welcome to come down so if you’re interested training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8pm.

UL’s largest convoy to date AOIFE WILLIS THE UL International Society was delighted to break a UL Clubs & Society’s record on their Week 3 trip to Dingle and the surrounding peninsula. The society filled six buses with over three hundred excited society members and headed down to the picturesque town for the day. The society has had great success so far this year and has made a great impression on its members. On the past trip Ed, the society’s trip’s officer, spoke to some members and got their impressions of the trip and the society so far. Kimberly from New York said: “I really enjoyed the trip. I thought seeing the sights were amazing - it was really pretty and awesome to see various parts of Ireland. I also really enjoyed being able to be in an environment to interact with the locals, that was definitely a lot of fun.”

Carolyn from Canada praised the society saying: “the International Society has introduced me to way more people than my own village or any other group on campus - you always get to know people on the bus beside you really well and I ﬁnd the trip leaders really enthusiastic and friendly and it’s infectious so they make us excited about the trip as well. Honestly it’s the best, it’s really awesome.” One of the society’s aims is to introduce its international members to Irish culture and to show off what our beautiful country has to offer. Sabrina from Georgia in the USA whose “absolute favourite” part of the trip was going off the “touristy path” is making the most of this ethos. Sabrina thought that “going off the track and just exploring on your own and seeing things is the best part.” The society is looking forward to the rest of the semester and will be looking to match their success so far, making everything bigger and better as the semester goes on.

Interested in a UL Brazilian jiu-jitsu club? EIREAMHOIN McCARTHY HI, I am looking at setting up a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) club in UL. BJJ is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defence system that focuses on grappling and especially ground ﬁghting. BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using proper technique, leverage, and most notably, taking the ﬁght to the ground, and then applying joint-locks and other submissions to defeat the other person. BJJ training can be used for sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition or selfdefense. Sparring (commonly referred to as "rolling") and

live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition, in relation to progress and ascension through its ranking system. If anyone is interested, or has any questions, just send me a message on facebook, "Eire McCarthy".

The society looks forward to their next trip which will be to beautiful Blarney and Cork city on Saturday, 10th October.

UL International Society visiting Dingle, Co. Kerry

October 2015 SPORT

UL Racing & Motorsport Society update CHLOE FALLON SINCE our last update, the UL Racing & Motorsport Society have been gearing up for a big year ahead. In July we took 10 members up to Todds Leap Adventure Centre in Tyrone for a bit of quality bonding time. Todds Leap is one of Ireland’s biggest adventure centres and has a wide range of activities to cater for all ages. While we were there we took part in ﬁve different activities including the Hill Climb Rally activity which involved six people being strapped in to the back of a Defender with safety harnesses and driven around the man-made stage through rocky forest terrain.

We also had a little team bonding on their Paintballing arena. This was probably one of the most entertaining parts of the trip as one of the sections of this activity included our lovely incoming Co-Presidents (along with a few other members) having to run from one end of a ﬁeld to the other, trying to hide behind bales of hay while the rest of us got to shoot at them. Great initiation for the year to come! We stayed for one night in their onsite accommodation which were shipping containers that had been refurbished into small bedrooms which held two sets of bunk beds and a small bathroom with a shower. We were also given our breakfast the next morning

which was a major plus. The adrenaline-ﬁlled trip was a great experience and we got the chance to catch up and reunite with those we hadn’t seen since college ended. Since we’ve come back, it’s been pretty hectic here at ULRM HQ. From getting prepped for the Recruitment Drive, organising our ﬁrst events and planning our EGM, the committee has been working non-stop. We were overwhelmed with the positive response we got at the Rec Drive. It was great to see so many fresh new faces as well as some of our returning members. During the Rec Drive, we held sign-ups for two karting events, Drift Karting and our Endurance

night, both of which sold out. In Week 3 we held our ﬁrst league night of the semester. To cater for the high demand, we ran three groups of 12 instead of our usual two, and all 36 places were ﬁlled in 20 minutes. These events have been a great chance for the new members to get to know each other, as well as our wonderful committee members. We are so thankful for the support our members give us and we hope to see this continuing throughout the year. For anyone who has any queries or ideas, feel free to drop us an email at ulracingfs@gmail. com or like us on Facebook at UL Racing & Motorsport Society.

ULRM President, Cathal O Donnell & ULRM PRO, Paul Jordan with the kart from NKC. PHOTO: UL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

Off to a Smashing Start! BRIAN CROWLEY

UL Kayak Freshers’ Week CORMAC ROWE & JOE DOYLE TUESDAY, 8th September marked the beginning of what will be another kayaking filled year here at ULKC with all the new kayakers hopping into the pool to kick things off to a good start. With a paddle in hand and a wobbly boat, these are the first steps to becoming a world class kayaker. Eager new members tearing off on the water getting to know the ins and outs of how to paddle while at the same time avoiding the 60 other kayakers paddling around them. For the people who didn’t get into a kayak, we had nearly two full teams of water polo having a laugh waiting to swap over and try out the kayaks. The looks of awe could be read on the faces of the new paddlers of ULKC as some of the older members decided to show off what a kayak could really do; loops in the air and all sorts of acrobatics were demonstrated. 11pm finally came and it was time to get out of the pool. However, all was not yet finished. Afterwards we gathered our gear up and headed down to the Scholars Bar to welcome the new members of the club. Wednesday night could not have come any sooner. We were all back charging on down to the pool area to get ready for another exciting night of kayaking. This time everyone was ready. Sixty odd paddlers

raced on down to get into their desired kayak to take on another paddle ﬁlled hour of kayaking. You could feel the ULKC spirit as you walked in on everyone having fun in the pool, excited to be back again. The ULKC members showed off the different disciplines of the club with freestyle and polo. Not many are aware of just how much of a team sport kayaking is. It takes agility and stamina to become the best, but Wednesday night was all just a bit of banter. Once the clock ran out and we all threw in the towel, we headed on back to Scholars to reminisce on what we had all done so far. Many even surprised at how much they had developed in such a short time. This Thursday night was no normal Thursday. Often ranked as one of the top nights of the year in Costello’s Bar/Nightclub. The ultimate trifecta of ULKC, UL Surf Club and UL Outdoor Pursuits armed with all our freshers’, we headed on from Scholars Bar into town to participate in a night not to forget. The dance-ﬂoor was hardly seen over the amount of club members taking it over. From mosh pits to awkward dance-offs; you name it, we had it all. Only to be walking into college the next day like zombies waiting ‘till the next kayaking session on Tuesday. This week was only a small sample of what is to come.

THE University of Limerick Badminton Club has started the new academic year on a high. With in excess of 200 members, UL Badminton Club is one of the most active clubs on campus. Interest has been exceptionally strong from fresher’s and international students, who poured through the doors in their dozens each evening to have a laugh, make new friends and most importantly play some badminton. Training times are Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.15pm to 11pm with new members welcome to join anytime. The recent club competition amongst the newbies was a huge success with great turnout over the course of the

tournament. In the next couple of weeks, members will have also the opportunity to try out for teams which will compete in the Limerick League. Undoubtedly the highlight of UL Badminton Club's action packed year is the International Student Badminton Tournament hosted each year by the club. The ISBT attracts well in excess of 100 students from third level colleges all over Ireland, the U.K. and Europe. This year's event will take place over the October Bank Holiday weekend. Regardless whether you want to take the

New & returning UL Badminton Club members

event seriously or attempt to play sleep-deprived and hungover, plenty of banter is guaranteed throughout the day and into the late hours of the night. For the extra crazy members, the opportunity is also available to travel to the Netherlands over the New Year to partake in their ISBT hosted in Enschede. Anyone interested joining the club is advised to request membership on the UL Wolves site and turn up to training on Monday or Wednesdays from 9.15pm. Membership for undergraduate students is just €10 for the year with equipment provided on the night if you don't have your own. Like their Facebook page (UL Badminton Club) to keep up to date with what is happening in the club and email ulbadmintonclub@gmail.com if you have any queries. It's never too late to join so head on down to the Sports Arena and join in on the fun!

October 2015 SPORT

GAA

Made to feel like a hero & hoping for more successful days LINA RYAN LIMERICK were crowned AllIreland under 21 champions in Thurles on 12th September this year and for UL’s Tom Morrissey, it was a night he will never forget. According to Tom, the supporters were ready to invade the pitch from the 57th minute and did just that when the ﬁnal whistle blew. He said: “It was unbelievable.” No one really knew how the U-21 championship was going to go for Limerick in 2015 when the squad was picked and training began in mid-January. Throughout the year, Limerick operated below the radar. Their ﬁrst meeting was against Tipperary in the Gaelic Grounds where they emerged with a two point victory with Tom contributing two points, the margin of victory, on the night. Tom explained: “We got a

bit of a start on them (Tipperary) but we had a man sent off with fifteen minutes to go. We got a goal that gave us a five point cushion again - everything seemed to go our way that night.” Past challenges such as the Hawkeye incident in the 2013 minor semi-final and the loss to Kilkenny in the All Ireland Final of 2014, has strengthened the resolve of this group of players, a fact Tom is very proud of. “We seem to learn from our past experiences and every time we are hit with a challenge we seem to man up and face them - we showed good character.” John Kiely managed the U-21s who were a “tricky age group”, according to Tom because players have a lot of commitments. Both he and Cian Lynch were with the senior panel, six or seven of the panel were involved with

Tom Morrissey the Limerick intermediates and Kevin O Brien was with the UL Fitzgibbon Cup side while many others were involved with other colleges also. Good training practices and player management by John Kiely and team trainer Ross Corbett was a major factor. Players were not overloaded and John Kiely and Ross

Corbett had the squad “primed for championship each time and he deserves credit for the way he had us”, according to Tom. The Ahane man, with a mischievous grin on his face said “coming up to the Munster ﬁnal all the hype was on Clare there wasn’t much talk about us they were the ones going for four in a row” The fact that the game was in Cusack Park, the last game before its re-development, Morrissey felt put additional pressure on Clare. “A tricky spell” occurred just before half-time which according to Tom was a “common occurrence” during the year for Limerick, but they came out after half time took control and never looked back- Munster in the bag. The leaders according to the full forward were the three 21 year-olds, centre back Gearoid Hegarty, David Byrne and Barry O Connor the captain

and vice-captain respectively. As a half back line, they were immense all year and they “showed huge leadership and they are the ones you would look up to as well”, he said. Limerick continued their low key preparations and easily disposed of Galway in the semifinal. Then attention turned to Wexford in Semple Stadium for the final. One of the qualities associated with Limerick hurling teams is work rate and this side was no different. Tom believes that Limerick had a harder road to the final than Wexford and the fact that they had beaten Tipperary “the best team in it” according to him, gave them an advantage. The work rate was epitomised by the performance of the backs keeping “them (Wexford) scoreless for the first twenty minutes which is in hurling unheard of to be fair” The win Tom attributed to

the work rate all over the ﬁeld and in the ﬁnal “the intensity, work rate and honesty within the group and in every game” shone. Not content with just winning an U-21 medal, Tom sees this win as a stepping-stone for the future of Limerick at senior level. “This is a development process. In Limerick you want to play senior, you want to win Munster’s and Liam McCarthy’s - we have been waiting a long time in Limerick so hopefully this team will produce a lot of senior players for Limerick in the future.” Tom is also involved with Ahane where he plays alongside his two brothers Dan and Paddy. He admits there is rivalry especially between him and his twin brother Paddy who was also a member of the victorious U-21 squad.

HANDBALL

Gold rush in the Rocky Mountains for UL Handball JOHN HURLEY THE World Handball Championships took place in the majestic surroundings of the Rocky Mountains in Calgary, Canada. Seven UL members travelled to the tournament determined to maintain UL's recent dominance in the handball scene. Two gold medals and ﬁve silver medals were secured in an incredible tournament for the club, with four of those medals secured in the Open divisions. Catriona Casey has been one of the dominant forces in Women’s Handball in the last four years and her rivalry with

Aisling Reilly has been one of the tensest in the sport in the last decade. The rivalry was renewed in the Open Singles and Doubles finals with an added twist that Casey faced her UL teammate Martina McMahon in the Doubles final. Unfortunately for Casey, she could not produce the astonishing handball with which she is synonymous and finished the Worlds with two silver medals. Martina secured her first World gold medal as she and Aisling Reilly, the official Irish Doubles team, formed a powerful partnership and dominated all their opponents throughout the campaign. Killian Carroll has

threatened to make a breakthrough in the Open ranks in recent years and produced some of the best handball in his career so far to reach the World ﬁnal. Unfortunately, he came up against the most

dominant player in the modern era in the ﬁnal and could not prevail. It was undoubtedly an impressive tournament for the young handballer as he overcame several illustrious opponents in the earlier rounds in a series of dazzling displays. Ciana Ni Churraoin, the Irish U19 representative, is

clubmates in the Open grade in the coming years. Colin Corbett, the second Irish U19 representative, was hoping to add more World

an exciting prospect in handball and underlined her future potential with a gold medal in the Womens A Singles. Ciana used her deft ambidextrous abilities to out-maneuver her opponents in a series of imperious performances. She will hope to build on this performance and challenge her UL

titles to his collection and bolster his growing reputation. A gifted hurler, Corbett decided to concentrate on handball this year and the decision was nearly inspired as he reached the ﬁnals of the U19 Doubles. He faced the in-form Johnny Woods in the ﬁnal and a titanic battle ensued with

Corbett produced some breathtaking shots but was unable to outfox Woods and earned a silver medal. Colin Crehan has been in a rich vein of form in recent times with a fairytale run in a pro stop in New York earlier this year. He looked to continue this form in the U23 division and he quickly progressed to the final. Another skillful hurler, Crehan played some exceptionally measured handball which almost confounded Martin Mulkerrins in the final. Only Mulkerrins incredible retrieval skills allowed him to overcome Crehan as another silver medal was won for the UL club. Danny Riordan was the last UL player and he travelled with high hopes and a deep well of experience. His boundless energy and ability to return almost every ball to the wall made him a difficult opponent and he secured several prominent victories. However, he fell just short of securing a medal in a tough division. It was an incredibly successful tournament for UL and signals the clubs intent to continue to dominate the handball circuit in the coming season.