An Focal (XXIV. Edition 4) by An Focal ULSU

VOL. XXIV Edition 4

OCTOBER 2015

MY FRIEND ANA

ULFM’s SoUL WEEK

UL GAA CLUB UPDATE

PAGE 15

PAGE 19

Pg 23

BUDGET 2016:

How it will affect you BY CORA POWER & TOMÁS HENEGHAN LAST week the current Fine Gael-Labour Government announced the details of its final Budget before the General Election. Budget 2016 has been labeled the “giveaway budget” and a clear case for this could be made from the many offerings from the Department of Finance to the Irish electorate on this occasion. Key changes for students include changes to the Universal Social Charge (USC), the minimum wage, cigarettes, student assistance and bank charges. The Universal social charge was a very controversial tax when it was first introduced in 2011. Budget 2016 will see the following changes: • The 1.5% rate of USC will be reduced to 1%, with a €12,012 threshold. • The 3.5% rate of USC will be reduced to 3%, with an increased threshold of €18,668. • The 7% rate of USC will be reduced to 5.5%, with an increased threshold of €70,044. From the 1st January, the minimum wage rate will increase by 50 cent per hour. This will raise the rate from €8.65 to €9.15. if you are working 25 hours a week, that’s €2.50 extra in your pocket. As is usual for annual government budgets, no change has been made to the price of alcohol. However there is now an additional 50 cent charge on cigarettes, bringing the price in the majority of circumstances from €10 for a 20 pack of cigarettes to €10.50. Unlike many of the other changes, this increase in cost was introduced at 12am on Wednesday, 14th October. Funding for disadvantaged students in third level education has also been allocated €3m. However we will have to until spring too find out the details of the funding. Particularly significant for students with children, free childcare will be available from when the child is three years of age to when they reach the age of five and a half, or until they begin primary school education. Free GP is also to be provided for children under the age of 12 years. Bank charges will also change under Budget

www.anfocal.ie

2016. A 12 cent charge will now be applied to ATM transactions and there are plans for debit and credit card payments to move towards a contactless payment system. This would mean you could make a transaction of up to €30 by just swiping your debit or credit card at any participating businesses. This will be introduced by the end of the month. This method should also bring an end to minimum payment for card use. However the government have faced criticism over Budget 2016 from some, including the Labour Party’s youth wing, Labour Youth. The group is unhappy with the decision by government not to increase the Jobseekers Allowance

entitlement of people under the age of 26. Labour Youth National Chairperson, Jack Eustace said: “[The] decision not to restore or even raise the level of Jobseeker’s Allowance available to younger people is simply inexcusable. Again and again, Labour Youth has raised this injustice and the intolerable way it perpetuates inequality in modern Ireland. To see no restorative action in a budget which nonetheless found money to cut taxes is simply an insult.” Mr Eustace added: “Of course it remains Labour Youth’s committed policy to push for total restoration of the cuts made to under 26’s Jobseeker’s Allowance. We will continue to pursue this aim as

An Focal - Ofﬁcial Newspaper for ULSU

we believe there is absolutely no role for age-based discrimination in our welfare system. “However, the decision not to take action in Budget 2016 is one we can’t stand over. The government has one further chance to rectify this oversight by including a raise in young Jobseeker’s Allowance in the imminent Social Welfare Bill, and we strongly urge them to take it.” In the latest in a series of public opinion polls, the Labour Party stands on only 8% support. At this number, and considering the continuous trend of low polling percentages and the history of the party, Budget 2016 could be ﬁnal budget from a Labour Party government for another decade.

@anfocal_UL

October 2015 NEWS

UL counselling waiting list to clear up to Christmas TOMÁS HENEGHAN THE University of Limerick’s counselling service is to gain a new counsellor in order to help clear the current backlog of students on the counselling waiting list. The announcement was made less than a month after the University’s Students’ Union raised the issue with the Minister for Eduction and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan. Welcoming the increased resources, ULSU President, Colin Clarke labeled the mental health services in Irish third level institutions as “severely underfunded” and said he was glad to hear of the change now being implemented in UL. “ULSU were glad to hear that there has been an increase in funding in the counselling department in UL in order to tackle the growing waiting lists we have,” Mr Clarke explained.

However he criticised the temporary nature of the move and said the change would only act as a “short term solution to a long term problem”. He added: “Whilst we have successfully lobbied over the last fourth months for an increase in counselling hours, we must ensure we find a long-term solution to this nationwide problem.” Head of Counselling at the University, Declan Aherne said he was “delighted” with the increased funding to help what he called “the continuously extending waiting list”. “More and more students are seeking counselling each week and it is heartening that the University authorities recognise this growing need and have responded accordingly. “We will now do our utmost to ensure that all stduents get seen during this term,” explained Mr Aherne. The improved resources will now see an additional 20 hours of counselling sessions per week

which aims to address the waiting lists up to Christmas. Mr Clarke explained: “Over the last five years the number of students who are reaching out and seeking help from the counselling department has doubled in UL, yet there has been no increase in funding.” He commended the national effort in addressing mental health services, particularly awareness programmes such as ‘Please Talk’ and ‘Mind your mental health’, and acknowledged the positives of an increase in people using these services. “I do not see the increase in numbers as a negative, rather as a positive. It’s fantastic to see more and more people making the courageous decision to seek help and to admit they are not feeling ok. We must ensure that we do not let those people down by saying thanks for coming in but we don’t have an appointment for you for three weeks,” Mr Clarke added.

“It’s incredibly important that we revisit the model for mental health funding in Irish third level institutions. It’s statistically proven that counselling can dramatically decrease the student drop-out rate. “So not only is it the morally correct thing to do, it also makes sense in terms of business. Retention rates are hugely important to universities so why wouldn’t you invest in the welfare of students?” Mr Clarke also called on all third-level institutions in Ireland dealing with similar waiting list issues to “follow suit” and to put in place an interim solution as UL has now done. “Yes it may mean an increase in expenditure but it will not break the bank. It will cost UL just under €13,000 in order to ensure we provide functioning counselling services between now and Christmas. Surely that money will be well spent if it saves just one person.”

National Breastfeeding Week comes to UL National Breastfeeding Week took place from the 1st to the 7th October this year, and the students of midwifery were hard at work on campus to raise awareness for it, with the event also coinciding with UL’s Health Awareness Week. LAURA McNAMARA Staff and students were invited to a fun-filled event in the hub, which was held on the 1st October. Final year midwifery students offered displays of interesting activities and material regarding breastfeeding, and encouraged all guests to participate in various activities, such as a ‘Truth or

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: Cora Power, Tomás Heneghan, Laura McNamara, Marian O’Donnell, Ciara Corcoran, Seán McKillen, Eamon Nolan, Seán Lynch, Gearóid McCarthy, Evan Bleasdale, Sally Gorman, Aisling O’Connor, Caryl Faye Yulo, Peter O’Neill, Seamus Toomey, Declan Mills, Ciara Gordon, Bárbara Campos, Emily Schmeling, Aaron Young, Nicole Kidd, Muirenn Casey, Katie Matthews, Aoife Willis, Lorcan O’Donnell, Borys Stan, Cormac Rowe, Christopher Coughlan, Sean Fitzgerald, Clodagh Doyle, Paul Jordan, Emily Kelly, Aisling Maguire & Sorcha Holohan

Myth’ board, ‘The Breast Test’, and a game of ‘Pin the Baby on the Boob’. These activities were enjoyed by all who attended. Many participants had their photos taken and were provided with free goodies, including sweets and cupcakes in the shape of breasts. The students hoped that their presence on campus would not only help promote National Breastfeeding Week, but that it would also educate people on the importance and advantages of breastfeeding. The event also attempted to put a stop to the negative views of breastfeeding, by correcting the common misconceptions regarding the issue, and they provided information on the topic which helped to break the stigma which breastfeeding

mothers experience. They also outlined any of the risks involved in breastfeeding, and offered leaflets which

listed all of the health implications involved in the matter. Visitors took part in surveys which raised questions about

individual opinions of breastfeeding, with their participation contributing to a further study of the subject. The midwifery students were also present to answer any questions from the guests, and contributed in helping to solve any concerns that the staff and students may have had involving the topic. The event received a great response from both staff and students of UL, who learned more about the issue and had fun while doing so. As a follow up to the interesting activities held in the

hub, the students invited local breastfeeding mothers and healthcare professionals into the university on October 6th. The students hoped to learn from the experiences of these women, and apply what they have learned to their studies of breastfeeding. The events received a positive response from all involved, and the midwifery students were successful with the awareness that they raised, informing partakers of vital information and the essential facts regarding breastfeeding.

October 2015 NEWS

From irritating owls to forests of work- tips for procrastinators MARIAN O'DONNELL HI my name is Marian O’Donnell and I am a procrastinator. The first step in fixing a problem is admitting that you have one. It’s week 6 - half way through the semester and it’s time to stop procrastinating. In some ways I’m envious of the previous generations of UL students and the lack

of distractions they had. No Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Reddit. Don’t even get me started on the endless hours of swiping on tinder and scrolling on Yik Yak. So put down the phone, close the tabs on the laptop and get working. Now this all sounds a lot easier than it is; how can I remove my distractions without going back to the dark ages? Your willpower is limited. We have all sat down at out laptops full of good intentions and trying to get some work done only to find ourselves three hours latter watching our tenth YouTube video of cats falling over. Luckily the good people of the internet have come up with apps and extensions that take the distractions away and block the sites that you procrastinate on.

Keeping you updated on Welfare

CIARA CORCORAN HI everyone! I hope you all had a brilliant SHAG Week and have learned loads. Thanks to all 180 of you who turned out for the table quiz on Monday - I’ve never seen Scholars so full. And for those of you who did our sex survey during the week, the results will be out soon. If you didn’t get to do the SHAG Week survey and fancy doing it there’s some question papers at SU reception. As week 7 rolls around I’m really excited for SoUL Week. We have amazing societies in UL and SoUL Week is a brilliant opportunity to showcase all they have to offer. Make sure to get involved in all the activities and gigs that are happening - you won’t regret it! I’ve been really busy with financial aid applications, Charity Week nominations, SHAG Week, and general bits and pieces that pop up throughout the week.

The Student Assistance Fund online application has opened so if you want to apply for it or want some more information email me or call in for a chat. Colin and I have met with the head of Student Affairs and Head of Student counselling about both the medical centre and counselling services. Since that meeting funds have been secured for an additional 20 counselling sessions per week. #Winning! As for the medical centre, we’re working on it. Week 8 is Mental Health Week so there will be lots of fun stuff happening around campus. The Welfare Team is doing great work helping organise this so if you have any suggestions, feedback or opinions on the campaign weeks that happen on campus we meet Wednesdays at 6pm in Teach Fáilte, everyone’s welcome. You can also email me if you have anything you would like to raise. We’ll be preparing for Mental Health Week now and then it’s Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week in week 11. We love having new members so don’t be afraid to come along- it’s free. Remember, be safe, look out for each other and have fun. Ciara x

The basics For extensions that simply block out the websites that you use to procrastinate. Chrome users should try out StayFocused and those using Firefox should check out LeechBlock. These sites are a basic starting block to excluding sites and helping you concentrate on your study more.

Where is my time going? Often we look back at our day spent in front of the laptop with no work done and wonder “where did all my time go?” Or maybe you just want to pinpoint where exactly your problem is, then RescueTime is the site for you. RescueTime works by tracking your online activity and will help you figure

out where all your wasted time is going. The graphics and charts are also really interesting in comparing your productivity towards your procrastination.

Time mismanagement Strict Workflow is the extension for you if you struggle with time management. It works by breaking your work time into 30 minute slots: 25 mins of work followed by a 5 minute break. It operates as a small Tomato that sits in the corner of your screen and will also block you from different sites that you can set up and select.

the toughest one to get used to. This extension works with a fun killing owl that monitors your internet usage and gives you a certain number of seconds to visit a website before it closes the tab. Two things will happen if you use this app: You will hum the mission impossible theme tune under your breath and you will slowly grow to hate owls.

your essay, ‘Written? Kitten!’ will supply you with a fresh picture of a kitten to keep you motivated. They also have a hedgehog and bunny version for you non-feline loving folk.

One for the Phone

Productivity Owl is probably

Going back to those hours you spent watching cat videos on YouTube, you might be going through cat withdrawal symptoms. If so, you should check out the ‘Written? Kitten!’ site. This site works by rewarding you for reaching word count goals in your essay - for every 100 words you write in

It’s not just the laptop that’s distracting, it’s time to put the phone down as well. ‘The Forest: Stay Focused’ app helps you do just that. It encourages you to focus on your work by planning your time in 30 minute blocks. It works by allowing you to plant a ‘seed’ and over the next 30 mins this will grow into a tree on your phone. However if you use your phone this tree will wither and die. These trees build up into a tiny forest that represents the work that you have done over a week.

and took part in the PSU AGM on September 30th. It was a great turn out on the night and it was fantastic to see people being open and enthusiastic about the type of Union they wish to see. We elected a full Council and Executive committee on the night. The mix of personalities should make for an interesting and productive year in the PSU. Full details and biographies of all your new student representatives are available online at www.ulpsu.ie. The night kicked off with voting on proposed changes to the PSU Constitution. I am delighted to say that all of the changes were carried, and our revised constitution is available for all postgraduates to view online. If there is a will to continue changing the constitution,

this is possible. As far as I am concerned, I am happy to listen to suggested changes throughout my time in the job. I provided details of the PSU’s financial situation, as well as presenting a report on the activities of my predecessor, Seamus Noonan. I am happy to report that the PSU is in good financial health and is fit to meet the challenges that will be faced during the year. Applications remain open for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The online application can be found at the UL Access Office website, along with details of eligibility and how to apply. The PSU Childcare bursary application deadline has now passed. It will reopen again next January, at the beginning of the next semester. Applications are still being accepted for

the PSU Hardship Loans. If you want more information you can email me to arrange an appointment for a chat. We can now begin the process of tackling the many issues that postgraduates face at third level. Some of the issues that will be covered by the PSU this year include: advocating for the precariously employed in UL, making sure that proper remuneration is granted to those postgraduates that teach, and promoting the creation of a national body representing all postgraduate students on the island. If you are interested in any of the above, do not hesitate to get in touch. That’s it from me for the moment. If you have any queries feel free to contact me at sean.mckillen@ul.ie. All the best, Seán

Improve your productivity

Rewards for your Work

Your PSU update SEAN McKILLEN HI everyone, Welcome to Week 7. I hope everyone has settled in and has found their feet in UL. I would just like to start by thanking all of those people who turned up

October 2015 EDITORIAL

Self-harm: Lets clear up the confusion TOMÁS HENEGHAN THEY’RE a cutter. They’re a burner. We are all very familiar with phrases like these. These are all common and wellknown forms of self-harm. It’s almost UL’s Mental Health Week again and An Focal looks at a wide variety of issues from anxiety to panic attacks to eating disorders. What I want to talk about, for however briefly this editorial lasts for, is self-harm. When we hear the term ‘selfharm’ many people immediately conjure up some teenager with a razor blade, cutting their arms. However the uncomfortable truth about self-harm is that it can be almost anything. A number of years ago when I brought up the issue with a family member, they quite rightly brought up drinking culture. This person is a

recovering alcoholic for many years now and explained to me that just like burning oneself or taking a razor blade to the skin, alcohol consumption can often be a form of self-harm. How many of you regularly get so drunk that you can’t remember the night before or you get ill quite often after a drinking binge? Well, that is self-harm. You are voluntarily harming yourself in order to have a good time. You don’t have to be an alcoholic to qualify as a selfharmer. Any continuous abuse of alcohol is self-harm. The problem is that our society accepts this form of self-harm - In fact we, as a society, especially students, celebrate this form of selfharm. You are often viewed as odd if you don’t engage in drinking binges on a Thursday night or over a weekend. What is odd, in reality however is

that this form of self-harm is viewed as positive. There’s no point in avoiding the fact that our society is hugely hypocritical in this

help in those circumstances. On the other hand though if you regularly can’t remember your Thursday nights because you drank too much, people just laugh and accept it as normal. People self-harm for many reasons but they remain broadly applicable, from cutting to excessive alcohol consumption.

area. On the one hand if you cut or burn yourself regularly, you’re viewed as disturbed and in need of immediate psychological help. That’s not at all to say you shouldn’t always seek

Some people cut, burn or drink to release stress and pressure, to blow off steam. Other people do these things to drown their sorrows or help them cope with day-to-day

living. And whether it’s cutting, burning, or alcohol abuse it wont fix the problem. Cutting and burning cause more distress, especially with the pressure to cover it up. Alcohol is a depressant and it magnifies problems. This, we all know, has caused many tragic deaths in recent years. The difference between burning or cutting and excessive alcohol consumption, aside from the latter being socially acceptable and celebrated, is that burning and cutting are more difficult to hide, therefore they must be dealt with. Alcohol abuse is far easier to hide. And how do I know all this? Well, like I said I grew up with a recovering alcoholic - Note that an alcoholic is never a “former alcoholic”, they are always recovering. Similarly I view other self-harmers as “recovering” rather than “former”. How do I know this? Well, I’m a recovering self-harmer too, as are many of my friends. I say recovering self-harmers because just like a recovering

alcoholic, if we start to selfharm again, it becomes very difficult to stop. I don’t view myself as that unusual though. Every weekend and most weeknights I see people stumbling around drunk, unable to even stand up with help. The following mornings I hear these same people talk about how they can’t remember the night before. Self-harm, it seems, is far more widespread than our society, and us as individuals, care to admit. The key that binds us all together though is the help we all need. Whether you’re cutting yourself, burning yourself, eating unhealthy food excessively or binge drinking regularly, you need to seek out help. Try counselling as a first step. Don’t let it fester, don’t let it go each time. Stop trying to cover it up and ignore the problem. Stop laughing it off as a good night out. Self-harm is self-harm. There is help there for you, you just need to ask for it.

October 2015 VOXPOPS

SHAG Week voxpops . . . EAMON NOLAN

We asked the public of UL two-ish questions, did they know it was SHAG Week and did they learn anything from it. Tara Wagner,

Aurena Green,

Michelle Nolan,

History and Sociology

Psychology

Mathematical Sciences

– “Yes I did know it was

– “No, what is that?”

– “No, I didn’t see anything”.

SHAG week, I enjoyed it. I learned from a stall in the hub that was talking about all the different types of STI’s”. Kerri Sheehy, Science

Aaron Mullane,

Thomas Dunbarr,

Choice – “I knew it was

English and History

Equine Science

SHAG week last week

– “It stands for Sexual

– “Yes I did know, No but

because my orientation

Health Awareness

I went to the quiz last

guide told me on the first

something”.

year. I won tickets to something”.

day that that week was going to be SHAG week. We went to the sex quiz in the Scholars and we learnt some, useful is the wrong word maybe, but some funny and some interesting things”.

Steven O’Donohue, Biology Teaching

Andrew O’Dwyer, Economic Analysis - “Yes, I knew it was shag week. Not necessarily, but I saw all the posts over Facebook, other than that I didn’t learn anything i didn’t know”. David O’Donoghue, Journalism and New Media – “I had some vague idea it was SHAG Week just from reading An Focal but more generally I didn’t have much awareness of the fact that it was”.

– “Ya I did know but I

Joe Geary,

was pretty much inside

Sports Science

in college the whole time

– “Ya I did know, I saw

in lectures, but I saw all

it on Facebook and I

the posters and everything around and the advertis-

saw something in the

ing for people to get tested and to be aware of every-

courtyard”.

thing happening around during SHAG Week”.

Evan Kelly, Aeronautical

Kevin Falvy,

Engineering

Business studies (right)

– “No but I had fun

– “No I didn’t, I saw

anyway”.

nothing”.

October 2015

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Are You Well In UL? SEÁN LYNCH A new initiative, aiming to promote the support services available to students in the University of Limerick, has been launched. A mainly online campaign, #AreYouWellinUL is being run by the students of Masters in Marketing, Consumption and Society. The group hopes to focus students’ attention on four of the main supports in UL: Counselling, Chaplaincy, Health Centre and the Arts Ofﬁce. Students are encouraged to be mindful of their health in all aspects and general well-being through the use of the support services provided by the UL Student Affairs Division including mental, emotional, physical and, social. Those behind the project said: “With a student

population of over 13,000, UL is home to a diverse, multi-cultural student body where nearly 2,000 students from 95 different countries around the world call UL home. “Due to such a large population comes a necessity for a wide range of student services that can cater to the different needs of students.” The group hopes to market these support

services in UL more effectively and also closer to one brand, rather than four separate ones. They also hope to better explain what each support service offers and dispel any myths surrounding any of them. Anna Loughran, who is one of the organisers behind the project, recently spoke to the Out in UL LGBT society members about the

importance of the initiative. She strongly believes that all of the support services link strongly to UL students’ health and wellbeing, and that every student in need should know where to access them. The group behind the initiative added: “Students are encouraged to be mindful of their health in all aspects and general wellbeing through the use of the support services provided by the UL Student Affairs Division including mental, emotional, physical and, social. “The heart of this campaign is to promote that students should not to be afraid to avail of these services which are free to all.” Students can ﬁnd the group in the Student Courtyard at lunchtime everyday, to sign the new Wellness Bench, just outside the Chaplaincy.

By following the #AreYouWellinUL campaign through liking them on Facebook and following on Twitter pages: @areyouwellinUL, students have a chance of winning tickets and other prizes. Students can also take a #Welﬁe at the Wellness Bench, post it online and be in with a chance of winning

Sr. Sarah O'Rourke (centre) of the UL Chaplaincy with UL students

more prizes. The project is planned to run for three weeks, but is hoped to better inform students of the services available to them in that time. Information on all of these student support services can be found at www.ul.ie/ studentaffairs under Student Supports.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Fresher’s Diary: Halfway point GEARÓID McCARTHY APPARENTLY nobody else but me wants to write Fresher’s Diaries. I find it difficult to see why my colleagues are so unenthusiastic about the excellent exposure and experience one has to gain from being featured in the Fresher’s Diary section. Nonetheless, I am the voice of the University of Limerick’s freshers once again. I find it incredible that it is already halfway through the first semester. On one hand, I cannot help but feel like I have always been at UL, as it seems so familiar now. On the other hand, there is an impression that time has flown, that Freshers Week was only last week. Many of my fellow students seem to have the same sentiment, and the first semester has almost gone so quickly that some could be at danger of feeling ever so moderately out of their depth. The workload of university is now beginning to increase. Thankfully for me I had enough foresight to not be complacent in my first weeks at UL, and it has not been as difficult to adjust to the significant hike in work being assigned as it could have been. Regardless, it has been challenging. Last week I had to complete my first test so far at university. Even if it was nothing more than an online test on referencing and using the library’s catalogues consisting

of multiple-choice questions, it was rather daunting, mainly due to the sheer amount of rigid regulations on the test. We had strictly one attempt at the test. No excuses allowed, even if the means by which our test is interfered with are completely accidental and beyond our control. This left me imagining every possible worst-case scenario. Simply closing a window by accident or the UL servers going down could void my test and that was horrifying. Speaking of referencing, that is another new concept for me as it is rare in secondary schools. The closest I had to referencing in school was when writing my Leaving Cert History project, and even that was nowhere near as strict (consisting only of a bibliography). Now, in university, you must reference correctly or else you are guilty of the cardinal sin of PLAGIARISM. Not just “plagiarism”, but “PLAGIARISM”, because I am yet to see that word not capitalised since I began university. I am in no way suggesting that the university should not clamp down on PLAGIARISM, since it cannot be acceptable and would reflect poorly upon UL’s academic standards if allowed. However, the thought of being found guilty of it due to a mere error in referencing is terrifying. I am not sure what the university’s process for dealing with discrepancies in essays consists of. Is it similar to Monsters, Inc.,

in that when work submitted by a student is found to have been plagiarised, alarms sound while “2319, we have a 2319!” is shouted and the guilty student is hunted by monsters in yellow jumpsuits? While the high academic standards are slightly intimidating, I am continuing to enjoy my time at university overall. The campus is beginning to feel more and more like a community, and one that I am increasingly included in, though often in unlikely ways. For example, recently I received a Facebook friend request from someone claiming to be the black dog that frequents the student courtyard. Perhaps it sounds odd, but I am truly honoured to have been added by one of UL’s most recognisable individuals. In all seriousness, I enjoy the tightly-knit feel of the university, and UL comes across as an institution that cares for its students, even amid the impersonal professionalism required at universities. Facilities available for students in difficulty are attempting to promote themselves even more, and those who run them deserve to be commended, as overcrowding and stretching resources cannot be easy to deal with. With the open days taking place at the time of writing, I have recently reflected upon this time last year an awful lot. To an extent, having come from a rather turbulent time of my life at secondary school to

feeling included and even wanted at university seems like a drastic, even surreal, transition. More so than ever, I am glad I made the right decision last year.

Full moon party! EVAN BLEASDALE ATTENTION First Years and International Students, mark your calendar for the 27th of October, a night not to be missed is coming your way. For the first time this year, the Students’ Union is organising a Full Moon Party, with the aim of initiating all new students to the Wolf Pack. With sand, bucket drinks, Tikki torches, and howling at the moon, there won’t be a shortage of entertainment, so get ready for a night to remember. In order to get your hands on a ticket, you must first register to the Wolf Pack on our website, ULSU.ie, which will allow you to access the various features of our website, and sign up for the wide range of clubs and societies the University has to offer. Once that is done, you must then take a selfie with the UL Wolves Logo, and post it to Instagram with hashtag #ULWolfpack. Call in to the Students’ Union Reception when you have completed all of the above, and you will get your ticket for the night, in the form of a Wolf Tail keychain. This will give you free access to the Stables on Tuesday the 27th of October for the Full Moon Party. With all of these beautiful selfies you have provided, the union is going to create a mosaic of the UL Logo, so if you want to make history and be part of this Mosaic and go to a once in a lifetime event, make sure you get your selfie up on Instagram and get your Wolf Tail from the Students’ Union reception.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Erasmus Diary So when I heard presenting was an option for me I was very excited as it focuses mainly on techniques in front of the camera, autocue and intonation. However, I was also apprehensive as this isn’t a journalism module, but rather a performance module. I knew it would be full of drama and stage school students and seeing as I am neither I was worried that I would be at a disadvantage. But I took the plunge, bit the bullet, threw myself in the deep end and funnily enough it is my favourite of the three modules by far. Being drama students, my class mates are all very bubbly and outgoing and they honestly made me feel right at home. Two girls in particular have taken me under their wing and we are currently working on our eight minute show reels. It’s all very exciting. When I’m not in college I’m exploring. Manchester is a city full of little nooks and crannies and there are plenty of hidden gems that I have stumbled across by accident. The buildings are beautiful, the museums are fantastic and don’t get me started on the Irish pubs - The city is full of them! Every Sunday since I’ve been here I’ve gone to a different Irish pub to watch the rugby. It really is like home away from home. I’ve been trying to squeeze in as much as I can and take in all the main tourist attractions. I want to make the best of my time here. Speaking of Best, I even had a little spin in the great George Best’s Mini Cooper. The soccer legend’s car is housed at the National Football Museum which was definitely worth the visit. Most inner city attractions like museums and art galleries are all free and are a fantastic way to get to know the history and culture of Manchester itself. I had my first night out just last week and it was brilliant, can’t wait to go again. I must admit I was nervous at first. It’s hard when you’ve still not found your bearings but its worse at night time. But safety in numbers and all that jazz. A crowd of us hit

SALLY GORMAN SO a lot has happened since you’ve heard from me last. It’s all go over here and I am just heading into Week 4 of “uni” as they like to call it. It’s so hard to believe I’m here over a month already. Time flies when you’re having fun I guess? At this stage my modules are full swing and I love them. Here I am taking three: TV News, Radio and Presenting. The reason I wanted to study here in Salford was because of its connection with Media City UK, the range of equipment and training available to students and the incredibly experienced lecturers. Most of whom have or still work for the BBC, impressive eh? TV News is a first year module taught by Andrew Lindsay. The reason I’m taking a first year module is because of the way the timetabling worked out. It was the only TV module available to me this semester. Being honest I am glad it’s a first year module. It means everyone is on the same page and at the same level. Whereas if I joined a second year TV class I would be playing catch up until I got to grips with the cameras and studios. Another advantage of being in the first year class is that

Beetham Tower - Manchester's only skyscraper see it as a challenge. I’ve been trying to familiarise myself with stations like BBC Radio 2 and of course 5 Live. Jeremy Vine is my new favourite interviewer (yes, the guy from Strictly). My lecturer for this module, Marek Bekerman, has worked in radio for over 25 years and I enjoy his class but he doesn’t give you an inch. This semester I am also taking a presenting class with Jemma Gofton. You should recognise her from ads on the TV. If I haven’t mentioned it already, broadcasting is where I see myself when I graduate. Whether it’s reading the news, reporting, corresponding or even presenting, I just know TV is for me.

Watching the rugby in Mulligans Irish bar

everyone else is still finding their feet in this new city and on campus too. Everyone is still making friends and getting to know one another - I am no different here. Second year radio is a different kettle of fish. Being honest, the second year class weren’t overly welcoming and didn’t make much effort to make me feel comfortable. It is a small class of about eight or ten and made up of mostly boys. The module focuses strongly on hard news and serious radio journalism which is fine but a little difficult when you aren’t very familiar with too many British broadcasters or presenters. I am out of my comfort zone and that’s not something I’m used to. I must admit that right now I feel slightly out of my depth in this class but I think it’s a blessing in disguise. I need to push myself to be as good if not better than my class mates - I

George Best's Mini

the town and it certainly was a night to remember. We went to a club called The Factory - it was huge! Three floors and three different DJ’s, need I say anymore? The girls dress fairly casual on nights out over here. High shoes are rare but I’m not complaining. The boys on the other hand love their style and are dressed so well. Again, I’m not complaining. I even ventured as far as Liverpool - another vibrant city right at my fingertips. I’ll definitely be making a return trip. I also have tickets booked to see The Coronas and Lawson. Both gigs are on during the same week so I’m really looking forward to that. The Coronas will be a nice taste of home. Of course I miss home at times, that’s normal though? It’s the small things that get me, like seeing Snapchats from Icon on a Thursday night or missing the county finals in Cusack Park. Not to worry though, as my best friend Ciara comes to visit mid-November so I’m counting down the days until I can show her all my favourite haunts and hopefully do some star spotting on the cobblestones of Corrie!

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Dealing with anxiety LAURA McNAMARA ANXIETY is a tricky thing to understand, and it’s even harder to explain. Dealing with anxiety is like dealing with an irritating headache: just when you think it’s finally gone, it’s right behind you. It can be something that’s really small but continuously frustrating, or something that comes every once in a while but when it does, it’s a complete and utter nightmare. While anxiety is perceived and experienced in different ways, the one thing that’s for sure is that it’s horrible. Many of us know what it feels like to feel anxiety. But how much anxiety is too much? What’s normal? What’s healthy? What’s something to actually, you know, be concerned about? It’s worth noting that anxiety is sometimes the most appropriate way that your body can respond to awkward and sad situations. Anxiety is medically recognised as being a feeling that there is a threat about to arise. Basically, your brain is

anticipating something bad and considering all of the horrible things that could happen, no matter how unlikely it is. It is an emotion that is mainly characterised by an intense feeling of inner turmoil. Often the worst thing about anxiety is that it’s almost impossible to explain to others. It’s such an unbearable thing to

experience that when it comes to talking about the difficulties that are involved, it is sometimes just easier to turn away from facing them head on. Anxiety exists under numerous categories, such as social

anxiety, agoraphobia, and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), just to name a few. It can come disguised in the form of exam stress, having an important deadline due or various common insecurities. It’s natural to feel anxious and full of doubt and worry from time to time, but when it begins to consume your

every thought and action, this is when it really starts to get serious. Drowning in what seems to be an inescapable load of dread and apprehension is possibly the hardest thing to pull yourself out of. An intense

state of being anxious is when your negative thoughts begin to affect your emotions and behaviour on a large scale, leaving an impact on your daily life. Anxiety is like when you’re on your way to an important meeting and a sudden voice in your head reminds you of all the things that could go wrong, or when you’re trying to fall asleep and you remember every mistake you’ve ever made. In a social setting, getting that feeling of insurmountable panic is so overwhelming that it is nearly impossible to function normally. The mere thought of experiencing this often results in people doing anything to avoid social situations. This is an example of agoraphobia, where you would fear or avoid places or situations that may cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. With anxiety comes the inevitable panic attack. Sometimes you can feel it building up, ready to erupt, but mostly it hits out of absolutely nowhere. This has a paralysing effect, with an increased breathing

rate, racing heart, and pains throughout your body, often making you feel nauseous and leaving you in a frozen, statuelike, position. It can make you feel so overwhelmed that you end up not able to do much of anything. The inability to function and carry out simple tasks is incontrovertibly overpowering, which can lead to even more distress. Getting assistance and talking about how you feel definitely contributes to making anxiety just that little bit easier to deal with. Finding ways

of keeping yourself happy and busy is important, as can keeping your mind occupied and free of negative thoughts. Although there is no definite cure for anxiety, it’s essential to let your feelings out and find a way to ease the pain. Due to the fact that anxiety is such a complicated condition to both describe and experience, it’s only natural that it would be widely misconceived. Feeling anxious is natural to experience from time to time, but it definitely shouldn’t be ignored or mocked.

Mind your Mental Heath 2:

PANIC ATTACKS AISLING O'CONNOR

THIS edition’s ‘Mind Your Mental Health’ deals with panic attacks; what they are, how to deal with them, and what to do if someone you know has one. Panic attacks occur when our bodies respond to fear in situations where there is no threat. The adrenaline released causes the “flight or fight” instinct to kick in, and the person suffering experiences at least four of the following symptoms: increased heartbeat, chest pain and tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, shaking, nausea, headaches, hot and cold flushes, dizziness, numbness and/or pins and needles. Panic attacks often bring a feeling of impending doom, death, and loss of control or a detachment from reality. The peak time is at about 10 minutes into the attack, and they usually last between 20-30 minutes. If it feels like the attack is longer this may

be another attack following the first one. So, this leads us to the question of what to do if you experience a panic attack. Once again, An Focal’s got you covered: - Focus on your breathing. Close your eyes and inhale through your nose slowly, hold your breath for a moment and release it through your mouth slowly. Divert your attention to the air going in and out of your lungs and the mere action of breathing. Avoid quick, shaky breaths and gasping for air if you can. - Avoid stimulants. The key here is to try to relax, so stay away from coffee or energy drinks. - Get some air. If you can remove yourself from the situation you’re in go outside and sit down somewhere away from people or enclosed spaces. - Vent. Describe how you’re feeling, both physically and mentally, to a friend. - Drink water.

- Accept what you are feeling but don’t punish yourself for it. You can’t stop yourself from having a panic attack but remember that you are in no immediate danger. - Make yourself aware of your surrounding. Make note of what you see. - Distraction. If panic attacks are a persistent thing I’d advise getting in touch with a doctor or counsellor. If a friend has one: - Try to understand how they feel. You might not understand why they are fearful but avoid saying the likes of “stay calm”. - Don’t leave them alone. - Get water. - Help them focus. - Avoid towering over them as this can be intimating. If they’re sitting down stoop to their level and speak gently. - Don’t touch them unless they’ve said it’s okay. Some people may welcome hugs in situations like this but

for others this could make them feel suffocated. - Reassure them that they are in no immediate danger.

Panic attack symptoms can be similar to those of a heart attack, so if you feel that someone you know is

experiencing something more sinister than a panic attack don’t hesitate to call an ambulance.

October 2015

Societies of UL (SoUL) Arts Fest is in its third year and this year’s week 7 festival is set to be the biggest yet! Pick and choose the events you want to partake in from the dozens of UL Society Events listed here! Most events are free entry but if you plan on attending the Debating Union’s Rubber Bandits event or Music Soc’s Hudson Taylor/ Academic Gig be sure to pick up your tickets today from SU reception! There’s also some surprises we’re keeping secret so be sure to come down and celebrate UL’s societies with us.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

A Sort-of-Paella Recipe CARYL FAYE-YULO Serves 2 Ingredients

Price

1 Small Carrot 1 Red Pepper 1 Small Onion 1 Clove Of Garlic Handful Frozen Peas 1 Cup of Rice 10 Shakes of Paprika 8 Cocktail Sausages 1 Chicken Stock Cube 2 Teaspoons of Tomato Purée 2 Cups of Hot Water Lug of Oil Salt and Pepper

0.10 0.70 0.20 0.05 0.30 0.30 0.05 0.60 0.05 0.10

Total Cost

€2.15 ÷ 2 = €1.07 per portion

Peel the carrot, onion and garlic. Chop the carrot, pepper and onion into small cubes. Crush the garlic. Slice each sausage into 4 coinsized pieces. Cover them with the paprika. Heat the oil in shallow pan. Test it by dropping in an onion, if it sizzle, it’s ready, then turn down the heat a little. Pop in the carrots, onion, garlic and paprika sausages and fry for 15 minutes. Add the pepper and fry for another 5 minutes. Mix in the tomato purée and crumble in the stock cubes. Stir in the rice and let it absorb the juices for 5 minutes. Pour in the water, bring to the boil, lower the heat, cover and leave for 15 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes bringing the rice on the

outside to the centre. Once the rice is ready, stir in the peas. Season to taste – be careful with the salt, you

don’t want to add too much. If you’ve got a few euros to spare and want to be fancy, chop up some parsley and stir

in with the peas along with some cooked shrimp and place some lemon wedges on top.

It can happen to anyone TOMÁS HENEGHAN AROUND this time last year I was flicking through YouTube, watching live performances of different songs. Off to one side I saw a video suggestion: “Simone Battle’s last live Australian tv interview”. Battle was a member of girl-group G.R.L. I thought maybe the singer had just left the group. Curiosity had me search Google to see what had actually happened. Was it a freak accident? No. The reports I was reading seemed certain she had died by suicide. And then of course I lost some of my sensibilities and began to wonder why this had happened. Why would someone rising in her career and gaining global

recognition for her talent choose suicide? Then Robin Williams reappeared in my mind and those few moments of wondering the why of it all disappeared. It can happen to anyone. While doing suicide prevention training a few years ago in UL, participants were asked to list on a large white sheet all the people who were likely to become victims of suicide. By the end of the exercise the page was full. It was meaningless though, aside from teaching us something we hadn’t really considered. No single group or type of person can be free from suicidal thoughts. There are those who the statistics say are at a higher risk of mental health issues and suicidal thoughts, but statistics never account for individuals. Anyone could be a victim of suicide. We see people like Williams and Battle, who seem to have everything going for them, seem happy and fulfilled when they step out into the world each day. But this isn’t a telling sign of someone being okay. Anyone can fake a smile, say “I’m okay”, and go about daily life without any apparent problems. People can very often be successful in their professional life, while in reality hiding their personal unhappiness, their depression, anxiety or any other mental health difficulty. I’ve noticed that what seems to shock people most though is when someone dies by suicide “suddenly”. What I

mean by this is that people see no sign of possible suicidal intent. There are set signs of suicidal intent in people in some cases. There are even various lists of things people should watch out for as telling signs. However in so many cases it is “sudden”. The thing about suicide is that it only takes one downturn to cause a death. Someone can be happy in general, then something bad happens, they have a bad day maybe. Maybe they’re alone and in distress. No one will actually see any signs of suicidal thoughts and before anything can change in their mind they’re gone. All it takes is a little step in a minute of distress and hopelessness. What can be done though?

There simply isn’t a clear answer to that unfortunately. We can encourage people to seek professional help from counsellors and such. We can teach people how to help each other in certain circumstances. We can learn how to spot the so-called signs of suicide. The reality is though that sometimes nothing we do or say will change someone’s mind, we might not be on time, we not realise what is happening until it is too late. What I would encourage people to do is to watch out for each other. When you ask your friend, family member or work, or college, colleague “are you okay?” or “how are you?”, mean it. If they say “no” or hesitate, ask them if they want to talk to you. Let

them know you’re open to listening to them if they ever want to talk about their troubles. Find out where you can refer them to if their problems are too big for you and if it’s very serious. There are dedicated groups, like Pieta House, who will listen and have the expertise to help. If it’s in college and they are nervous about seeking help, offer to go with them to the counseling department to speak to a counsellor. You might not have the expertise to help someone who has mental health difficulties, depression or suicidal thoughts, but try to point them to the people who have that expertise. You don’t have to have the answer to solve their problems, but most people have the ability to journey with them in their search for help. Suicide can take hold of anyone at any time, so just watch out for each other. If you’re in college, seek out your counseling service, either for yourself or for others. At least know where it is and how to get there. If you are offered training in suicide prevention, like SafeTalk or ASIST, take it. Both are invaluable and will teach you what you need to know on a basic level about suicide, including the appropriate terminology, like “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide”. It’s these little things that might someday save someone’s life in one way or another.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Don’t Knock Sad Music, It Could Really be Helping Someone PETER O'NEILL EMO is often one of the most maligned genres of rock music. This is somewhat due to a hipster backlash towards it when a number of bands carrying the label of emo (Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, etc.) broke into the mainstream for a brief time in the mid 2000‘s. However, another reason for the cynicism towards it is the continuing trend of society, usually, but not always, young men gravitating away from something because subconsciously it appears feminine or emasculating to them for someone to show emotion so openly and not being afraid to be honest about feeling anxious or depressed.

While you can say this, you also have to take in to account personal music taste which of course no matter how similar

it may seem to someone, no one is always going to like the same thing, or even stand to be near it. However, if

people dismiss something just because it’s sad or depressing and discard the opinions of those that like it, then there’s a problem with that. It’s almost become a cliché at this point to state this and people may be tired of hearing it, but there still needs to be a signiﬁcant change of public opinion in this country not just towards sad music, but about negative emotions and mental health in general. Yes, we have come a long way as a nation in being more open-minded and accepting, but I still do not think we’re comfortable enough with people and their emotional wellbeing and how we deal with them. Even amongst the closest friends I’ve known for years that have grown up in era when we’ve had same-sex

marriage legalised and a potential referendum on abortion in the future, there still seems to be a real stigma when it comes to people feeling depressed. That continues on to the mocking or dismissal of somber music. Even if you do not care to listen to something that’s a “bit of a downer”, or a 2 minute punk song that sounds “angry”, at least appreciate it for this: You may not relate or care for it, but right now there probably is someone who does. From experience I can tell you that there are a lot of people that wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for that “whiny me crap” for one main reason: There is nothing more comforting than when you are at your lowest, feeling like a total weird, lonely pariah and

at the absolute brink, then hearing a song, or reading a poem or experiencing anything that seems to express how you are feeling at that moment. A lot of the time what happens when people get to the point of being so depressed that they feel suicidal, is that one of the reasons they want to end it all is because they feel utterly alone in their sadness and feel as if no one else is going through this. However once one thing is relatable, then you feel less different. You ﬁnally have someone out there that gets it and that is the ﬁrst battle, on the road to recovery, won. So even if you don’t like sad music, don’t knock those who do, it may be all they have.

Four years later and you’re just a nurse? SEAMUS TOOMEY CLUBS and societies have so much to offer and often I feel this has been forgotten. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of a few of them and know a large selection of the committee members of other clubs and socs. But too often I feel clubs and societies’ importance in a student’s life and development are overlooked for academic pursuits. As C&S co-op/guy who spends far too much time in the C&S ofﬁce, I see and hear about all of the wonderful stories about people getting jobs from their committee positions or having the times of their lives or meeting the person they love in a club or society. It’s something I think not many people understand, but being a part of a club or society is extremely beneﬁcial to you, physically, mentally and socially. To spend your 4 years in UL and just be a journalist at the end

of them to me is a shame and a waste - same goes if you’re just a nurse, just a sports scientist or just an economist. It means you’ve not availed of all of the clubs and societies here, it means you’ve spent four years studying, it means you’ve missed out on the joys

of skydiving, kayaking, surﬁng, playing music, boxing and tea appreciating. If you’re just a journalist at the end of your four years it is a shame, because to really experience all that this college has to offer by the end of those four years you should be a journalist/

comedian/windsurfer and dancer. I wasted the ﬁrst two years of my college life not getting involved in more - I have Seán Lynch to thank for involving me in ULFM in second year and I am grateful to be heavily involved in C&S as their co-op

student this year. If I had not gotten this placement the likelihood is I’d have gone somewhere else in the country, then gone on Erasmus and missed another entire year and another chance to have gotten involved in the many clubs and societies here. More than that, I wouldn’t have found out about the amazing activities so many of these clubs and societies do, like sub aqua, a club I didn’t even know existed in UL, let alone know what they actually do (they dive around coasts at home and abroad and even explore ship wrecks). It’s crazy that these frequent and staggering events are happening under our noses and there’s not a larger conscious effort by the entire university to get people aware of this and to get involved. Especially when you’ve read through the C&S survey (which we’re hoping to make public soon - no promises) which details positive experience after positive experience by our members.

The overwhelming response we got has prompted us to look at the benefits to mental health that C&S may have and while nothing has begun yet, I would be surprised if a connection between the two weren’t found. My own experience of getting involved with multiple clubs and societies this year has been entirely of benefit to me - I’ve met so many people, I feel useful, I’ve gotten more flexible (thanks Trampoline club) and I’m not as bored as often. If I had more hours in the day I’d join more clubs and societies and despite my 24 hour limit I may try to anyway. It’s made me a happier person and I can’t recommend enough the positives it’ll bring you and hopefully, despite my late start, when I finish not so far into the future I’ll be a qualified journalist, a comedian with a regular gig, a radio show host familiar with all of the equipment in a studio or maybe even a trampoline coach. Everyone starts somewhere right, why not UL?

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

The power of talking DECLAN MILLS MY name is Declan Mills. I’m in my eighth academic year in UL. That’s a BA, an MA and now a PhD. I tutor undergrads. I’m on the committees of three societies, and a paid-up member of seven. I present a show on ULFM and occasionally write for An Focal. I co-edit an academic journal. I’m working in the First Seven Weeks Hub. I teach primary school kids. I’m involved in the PSU. I play music. I have great friends, and

a happy relationship. My name is Declan Mills, and I have problems with my mental health. One of the most insidious things about having issues with depression and anxiety is not being able to talk about it. In my case, this took the form of being able to talk about it but being afraid to. I felt like my problems weren’t real, that they were little niggles I was blowing out of proportion. I was doing well in my day-to-day life, surely whining about my problems was just

LGBTQ mental health GEARÓID McCARTHY

WHILE the stigma on mental illness in Ireland has begun to diminish in recent years, it still seems as if as queer people are left behind in mental health services. This is catastrophic for a community in which mental health issues are experienced far more frequently than average. A 2009 HSE report identified members of the LGBTQ community at a significantly elevated risk for depression, self-harm and substance abuse and dependency, and a shocking study by the Royal College of Surgeons found queer people in Ireland were seven times more likely to attempt suicide than cisgender heterosexuals. In fighting the mental health crisis facing Ireland’s queer community, it is vital that the country’s health services are seen to be accommodating and inclusive. The same HSE report cited above found that LGBTQ individuals were reluctant to identify themselves as such when accessing mental health facilities, and this is a significant addition to the minority stress experienced by queer people. Transgender individuals are particularly marginalised in public health, with many having to travel great distances or spend large sums of money to receive quality healthcare. A specific problem for the queer community is the experience of social isolation, especially for those based in remote

consuming help and attention that people with genuine issues needed? That belief was completely ingrained in my psyche, and it stopped me from having any real chance of getting better. It held me back when one of my friends convinced me to go to the counselling service here in UL, where I went in and sought help dealing with a specific problem that was in front of me, but not the underlying issues that were making my life more difficult. It held me back after I left counselling, as I dealt with

or conservative areas. Feelings of disenfranchisement are unfortunately closely associated with the epidemic of depression, anxiety and substance misuse amongst LGBTQ people. In spite of the legal progress on dismantling laws that discriminate against queer people, social discrimination remains rooted in Irish society and very little if anything has been done to address the problem of homophobic and transphobic bullying. Indeed, the latter is an issue of massive proportions for LGBTQ youth, with 50% of LGBTQ people surveyed by the HSE in 2009 stating that they had been bullied at school (compared to 16% of the general population). Now that we have identified queer people as a group with a very high risk factor for mental illness, how should Ireland go about making life easier the country’s queer community? It is crucial to establish a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance that embraces our diversity. While the University of Limerick must be commended for the excellent environment it provides for all of its students, it does not suffice. Queer people need to know that their lives are valued by wider Irish society, and only with the decline of homophobic and transphobic bullying and the improvement of mental health services for LGBTQ people will we see any real improvement in living conditions for the Irish LGBTQ community.

a difficult relationship. It didn’t just hold me back; it held me down. I felt trapped. I felt like my problems were simultaneously utterly insurmountable and completely made-up. I was struggling. Until one godawful day, in my best friend’s house, I cracked and told her and another close friend exactly how bad I felt. That was twoand-a-half years ago, and it would be nice to pretend that it was all uphill from there. It hasn’t been. There have been ups and downs, setbacks and

breakthroughs. More friends know these days, and they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to be supportive. My girlfriend went into dating me knowing about my problems, and again she has been wonderful. That’s the important thing, the thing I couldn’t see, and that others can’t see: the people who care about you will listen to your problems, they will want to help, and they will take it seriously. And frankly, anyone who doesn’t isn’t worth your time. Don’t get me wrong, talking

isn’t some magical panacea that will fix your issues. There is no magical panacea, there’s just time and professional help and doing what you can to help yourself feel better. But it’s a good place to start. So this mental health week, if you have something that’s weighing you down, please try to talk to someone about it. And if you know someone who you think might need a smile and a query about their wellbeing, reach out to them. It’s a small thing to do, and it achieves an awful lot.

Your union Your views Your newspaper Want to comment on any of An Focal’s stories?

New Letters to the Editor section

Email anfocal@ul.ie to have your say! (*Include ‘Letters to editor’ in the subject line of your email)

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

'My friend Ana' CIARA GORDON SO first thing’s first, I should explain who Ana is. Ana is someone that has been in my life for quite a while now. She’s a constant presence in my life, although sometimes more prevalent than others. She can be my best friend or my worst enemy, depending on my mood, although the truth is, life would be so much better without her. At times, Ana controls me, owns me. So who is Ana? Ana is the personified version of the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. She’s the little voice in mine, and millions of other people’s heads that seems impossible to get rid of. So, how has Ana impacted my life? Well, I didn’t really know the meaning of anorexia until about the age of 12. I was in school one day, and for whatever reason, I didn’t have anything at first break. Now there was genuinely nothing up with this, I’d just simply forgotten about it, wasn’t hungry, or was saving it for later. But one of my friends said to me: “Why aren’t you eating anything? You’re anorexic.” Now, I’d heard this word before, and had a vague idea of what it meant, but it never really was something I’d thought much about until then. I was a naturally slim girl, especially considering I did dance lessons, Karate and swimming, and I’d always been a bit of a picky eater, but I’d never dream of denying myself food. Quite a bit of time passed, and I didn’t give much thought to the comment. The problem was, during this time I came to the realisation that whilst I couldn’t control the majority of things in my life, food was something I could control. The fact that I could choose what and how much of something I could put in my body gave me such a sense of power and control. I was the youngest in my class, and quite a sheltered, protected girl. I didn’t wear make up, or style my hair, but I did have the skinny, hourglass figure

most girls craved. I realised I could control my ﬁgure and make myself even skinnier by simply skipping the odd meal, or not ﬁnishing

As time passed, I slowly began to lose weight, rather than do what I had originally only intended to do, which was maintain my weight. This

So who is Ana? ...She’s the little voice in mine, and millions of other people’s heads that seems impossible to get rid of.

everything on my plate, or eating a few grapes instead of a sandwich. I got more and more obsessed with the compliments I was getting, I was ﬁnally feeling somewhat pretty. And the perfectionist side of me craved and adored the feeling of accomplishment whenever I successfully skipped, what in my mind was, an unnecessary intake of calories.

became apparent to friends and family, and for a while my eating habits improved. But then, when stressful times would pop up, Ana would return, like a crutch, the one constant in my life which I had full control over. My obsession with food grew and grew, until I got to the stage where I couldn’t finish an entire meal, regardless of how small it was. If I was having a particularly bad few days, I’d stock up on sweets and chocolate to keep my energy levels and calorie intake up, whilst pretending to myself that because I wasn’t eating a meal, everything was fine. I became very anti-social, terrified that if I went to a friend’s house I’d be given food that I wouldn’t be able to eat, and would end up causing offence. Any time I went out for a meal I would always order from the children’s menu, as the portions were much

smaller. I used every excuse in the book, “Oh I’m just not that hungry/I’m not feeling great/I ate before I came/There’s food made for me at home” etc., etc. I was genuinely unable to finish a full meal, Ana telling me I was full once half my plate was gone. When it came to my Debs and I found out we were having a three course meal, I spent hours wondering how on earth I was going to be able to get out of it. Now I had told some friends about what was going on, and whilst sympathetic, they just couldn’t understand it. Honestly, I think eating disorders are something only those who had or have experienced can ever really be of help, besides the professionals. On my stronger days, I looked at those around me with so much envy, watching as they finished meals with ease, and wishing like anything I could do the same. The main reactions I got from people were “You’re getting too skinny, stop it, you’re worrying me” or “Look, just eat the damn food, there are people starving, and you’re just wasting food, so just eat”. As expected, neither had much of an impact on me, other than making me feel incredibly guilty and upset, making me restrict my food even more. The truth is, I really can’t give advice to people on what to do when someone they love has an eating disorder, other than all you can do is be there for them if they want to talk. Try to direct them towards a website like Bodywhys (www. bodywhys.ie) or get them to see their doctor or a counsellor. Obviously you need to get them help if it’s needed, but try to do it in a gentle manner, if at all possible. Besides that, all you can do is be there for them, and let them talk about it, if that’s what they want. The fact is, recovery from an eating disorder is a long, long, long, tough road. And it’s not one you can do alone, but it’s also not one others can do for you. You have to want it, you have to fight for it, fight the urge to skip every meal, to count each calorie, and try to say yes to that piece of cake. But I can tell you one thing for sure: It is so damn worth fighting for. For me, it started because I felt like I was lacking control in my life. Then it continued because I became addicted to the feeling of achievement. Most of the time, it was never actually about losing weight, the comments I’d get on my ‘fabulous figure’ were a bonus more than anything, a way to appreciate my hard work. So whilst the weight loss is

the most visible part of this eating disorder, I think there needs to be recognition given to the fact that not all eating disorders can be put down to the idea that the person wants

about society giving us the wrong idea of what we should look like, or reading magazines which have pictures of ‘perfect-ﬁgured’ celebrities. Sometimes anorexia is simply

The only advice I can give on this is to talk to someone, preferably the likes of a trained professional

to be ‘skinnier’, and that’s something that needs to seriously be reviewed if those with anorexia are going to get the help they need and deserve. Telling someone that they’re beautiful the way they are, whilst should be done with everyone anyway, is not the way to treat any eating disorder. It’s not always

just about wanting to ﬁnd some control. Like I said, the only advice I can give on this is to talk to someone, preferably the likes of a trained professional. And if you’re suffering with an eating disorder, then just know that this chick is cheering for you, and has nothing but a heck load of respect and love for you.

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Five amazing and strange things about Limerick 3. Cows and ponies on the side of the road

BÁRBARA COMPOS 1. Strong accent, creative slangs, but very friendly people If you don't understand the strong accent of the people of Limerick or the special and creative Limerick slangs, don't worry about it. Here you will ﬁnd a very friendly people, so don’t be afraid or embarrassed if in the beginning you don’t understand what they are trying to say. Smile, relax and ask them to repeat it. Irish people, including class mates and teachers understand that their accent can be hard to comprehend, so in general they are very patient and will not mind having to repeat sentences as many times as you need.

2. Good “craic” Please don’t be confused about the term “craic” (kræk/KRAK) in Ireland. If someone offers you an opportunity to have good craic, this is no more than an invitation to have a very good time, with a lot of fun, and probably conversations and beers. The people in Limerick like to have fun, no matter where. It can be in a traditional Irish bar, or drinking beer in a horsedrawn carriage. Parties, “craic”, beer, but also university and social life are some of the words that deﬁne the amazing balance that you can ﬁnd in Limerick.

Milk markets, cows and ponies are not elements that you will ﬁnd exclusively on the farm. Limerick is full of them and its people are very proud of it. The city has a unique mixture, thus you can see modern highways but just next to them some cows and ponies grazing. You can take your bike and ride around the city. There are bicycle paths everywhere, so it’s completely safe. You can enjoy the city, explore new places and make friends (people or sweet ponies) on the road.

5. Watch rugby on TV? No need! If you are in Limerick, just go to Thomond Park

4. Fishing on the campus and watching the salmon jump in Annacotty The River Shannon will give you the most romantic sunsets ever. You can meet Irish friends, walk along the river and enjoy the “soul of Limerick”. The UL campus is the best example of this balance. You can ride your bike there, enjoy the view, sounds and colours of River Shannon but also go ﬁshing at Plassey where you can catch all types of ﬁsh, and even watch the salmon in Annacotty.

If, in your country, you enjoy the matches on the TV or online, the people of Limerick are cooler than this. In Limerick you just need to go to Thomond Park, and enjoy live rugby. Yes! In the city centre you can enjoy watching the Munster rugby team. “Go Munster! Stand up and ﬁght!” Also you can follow the Limerick Hurling Team who play hurling in the Gaelic Grounds in the heart of the city. Culture, sports, funny slang, cows, ponies and lot’s more to ﬁnd in the city of Limerick. “Sláinte” folks! And enjoy Limerick.

My top four favorite places at UL EMILY SCHMELING

4. The Glucksman Library This library brings out the nerd in me. Not only do I have my most productive study sessions here, but I also just love the building. There are huge windows all over which makes for some fun people watching and a great view of campus while you study. The quietness is much appreciated when I want to crack down on my assignments before the weekend.

3. Irish World Academy

2. Under the Living Bridge

1. Anywhere with friends

I say this with an emphasis in the fact that I am not an expert or really have any signiﬁcant knowledge in Irish music, but I do love this building and the tutorial I have in it. I am taking Intro to Irish Music and Dance as an elective this semester. I decided to take the song tutorial but I also had the option of dance, tin whistle, or bodhrán (an Irish drum). The building is beautiful, and it has a huge tile mosaic inside which is absolutely gorgeous. The long stair climb I take to get to my tutorial is made better by the view of this work of art.

I love this path along the bank of the River Shannon on campus. It's a beautiful nature getaway for when school is getting stressful and you need to take the long way home. It’s also a great running path for those who enjoy an interesting route. I won’t say how to get onto this path; it’s more fun if you ﬁnd it for yourself. Another plus to this path is that it’s frequented by lots of cute dogs. And lets be honest, we all need a little bit more cuteness in our lives.

Life hack: everything is better when you're with friends. I met these people the ﬁrst week I was here and somehow we haven’t got sick of each other yet. You can usually ﬁnd us in one of our apartments playing Spoons or watching movies. We also frequent the climbing wall and the Stables pub on campus. I know it’s cheesy, but these people have been the best (and most interesting) people I could’ve asked for during my time abroad!

NOTICE:

The University of Limerick has so many nooks and crannies that I haven’t discovered yet, but the unique places are out there! What is your favorite place in UL?

content deadlines

If you have content you’d like to see published in An Focal this semester please email it to anfocal@ul.ie by the deadlines as seen below.

Next edition - Edition 5 (available from Week 9)

Final edition - Edition 6 (available from Week 11)

Deadline - Week 8 - 5pm, Monday, 26th October

Deadline - Week 10 - 5pm, Monday, 9th November

October 2015 LIFESTYLE

Top 10 Halloween movies

GEARÓID McCARTHY

With what is (in)arguably the best holiday of the year upon us, Halloween-themed movies are crucial for the seasonal spirit. Whether you are seeking a spooky night-in amid the raging skeleton war, or simply want to relive the tricks and treats of your childhood, I aim to include something for everyone in this list of Halloween’s finest flicks. 1) Scream

4) Hocus Pocus

8) Final Destination

Wes Craven’s slasher masterpiece is a Halloween must. Sydney, the protagonist, and her friends are hunted by an enigmatic, psychopathic killer known as Ghostface. Weaving a fantastic storyline with elements of both gore and comedy, Scream is the quintessential Halloween film.

Bearing in mind that not all of our readers are interested in slashers, Hocus Pocus could match the needs of those after a more innocent delight. The Sanderson Sisters, a trio of witches who were killed in the Salem witch hunts, are brought back to life three hundred years later in an enchanting film noted for its colourful effects and Halloween charm.

The jury is out on the first instalment of the Final Destination series, with some praising its suspense and intrigue and others finding the plot dull and uninteresting. Nonetheless, it should be enough to spook most viewers this Halloween, and the film’s central concept of cheating death will likely leave a mark on you.

5) Corpse Bride Another Tim Burton film, this gothic stop-motion animated film has an allure not unlike that of The Nightmare Before Christmas, yet is not rendered unoriginal. Corpse Bride deserves recognition for its imaginative and experimental visuals alongside its mix of Victorian fantasy and charming innocence.

2) The Nightmare Before Christmas The paragon of Tim Burton’s dark, unconventional style, The Nightmare Before Christmas follows the antics of Jack Skellington (The Pumpkin King) in a truly unique film, suitable for both Halloween and Christmas. The movie’s wonderful score, composed by Danny Elfman, is also worthy of praise. Expect “this is Halloween, this is Halloween” to be stuck in your head for days after you watch the movie.

3) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Banned in numerous countries for its violence, this cult classic is ideal for those who want to spend Halloween watching a brutal horror film. A group of visitors to a rural area of Texas are victimised by a family of cannibals in a story that takes no prisoners with its ferocity. For an extra chilling dimension to the movie, bear in mind that the character and actions of Leatherface were based on a real life murderer.

6) The Conspiracy For those who prefer pure thrillers to slashers, fear not. The Conspiracy will not fail to set your heart racing. Two young filmmakers are fascinated by a particular conspiracy theorist, but once they investigate him further, they are plunged into a secretive, revolutionary underground. With the rising popularity of foundfootage films in recent years, this will surely enthral fans of the thriller genre.

7) Saw Though its initial critical reception was mixed, Saw has risen to cult status and has a reasonable claim to being the most celebrated horror film of the twenty-first century so far. It deftly utilises the flashback technique to explain the complex crisis in which the two main characters find themselves. You might want to leave the lights on when you watch this one.

9) Ghostbusters Who you gonna call? No Halloween movie fest is complete without the classic supernatural comedy. Three friends with an interest in apparent paranormal events start a small ghost-catching enterprise in New York, but soon end up receiving more than they bargained for. Ghostbusters caters for a range of interests – with elements of horror, comedy and mystery alike – and surely everyone can enjoy this masterpiece.

10) A Nightmare On Elm Street This avant-garde slasher is universally acclaimed as one of the genre’s greats, and this is certainly welldeserved. Its blurred boundaries between reality and imagination are what makes the film brilliant. Be warned, however, that Freddy Krueger’s murders may put you off sleeping on Halloween night, and I, as the author of this piece, take no responsibility if that is the case.

Not-so-scary Halloween movies AISLING O'CONNOR NOT everyone can stomach horror movies but that doesn’t mean you can’t get into the spirit of Halloween. For those less inclined to spend Halloween awake all night in terror, we’ve compiled a list of the best Notso-scary Halloween movies.

1) Hotel Transylvania It’s quirky, funny, and who would have thought Count Dracula had a paternal side? Or owned a hotel for that matter!

The second one is out and once again, Drac and his crew of ghouls are up to their own shenanigans behind his daughters back.

2) Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street This is one of Tim Burton’s best movies with the Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter pairing. Benjamin Barker AKA Sweeney Todd returns to London with vengeance after being framed for a crime he didn’t commit. It’s intense, it’s got one of the most morbidly catchy soundtracks out there, and we most certainly do get to see the worst pies in London.

3) Donnie Darko It’s perhaps not officially considered a “Halloween movie” but it’s got a teenage Jake

Gyllenhall playing the troubled protagonist Donnie who has a very special job to do. It features a cast of Drew Barrymore and Patrick Syazie, plus cameos from Ashley Tisdale and Jerry Trainor AKA Drake and Josh’s “Crazy Steve”. It’s the kind of movie one struggles to describe and afterwards you’re left pondering over what you just experienced. All I can say is that it’s creepy but won’t leave you shitting your pants, unless you happen to be afraid of giant blue bunny rabbits named Frank.

4) Ghostbusters A group of scientists decide to hunt ghosts to earn money, after unleashing all evil upon New York City they must save it. It’s a classic and let’s face it, we can’t resist singing along to the theme song. Rest assured if you run into any ghosts this Halloween, the ghost busters have your back.

5) The Addams Family

7) Halloween Town

A con artist attempts to steal from the eccentric but wealthy Addams family by falsifying her son as their long lost relative Fester. The family is severely underestimated and their response to everything life throws at them is nothing short of brilliant.

We follow 13 year old Marnie’s adventure to save Halloween Town after discovering she’s a witch. It’s an adorable, happy-go-lucky type of film, and oozing with nostalgia. Oregon actually reconstructs the movie set up each Halloween, I totally don’t wish I could go.

6) The Addams Family Values

8) The Nightmare Before Christmas

They’re back and this most certainly does not join the long list of disappointing movie squeals. With a new arrival making Wednesday and Puglsey jealous of the new-born’s attention the family is in danger once again as their new nanny isn’t what she seems, Black Widow aims to kill but the Addams family, in all their gothic glory still manage to respond with the same hilarity as the first.

Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King tires horrors of Halloween, the discovery of Christmas Town serves as his inspiration for a new holiday to conduct. The best thing about this? You can watch it again around Christmas and not get judged for being seasonally inappropriate.

9) The Rocky Horror Picture Show

This is by far one of the most well-known cult classics out there. The innocence of a young couple seeking help during a storm when they encounter the transvestite scientist Dr Frank-N-Further is tainted after encountering the transvestite scientist Dr Frank-N-Further and his entourage. Seeing it live or at an outdoor screening is quite the experience, but watching it at home is just as good, at least there you can do the TimeWarp in peace.

10) Hocus Pocus When the three Sanderson sisters are resurrected by teenagers one Halloween, they’re determined to regain their power before their time runs out. This is legendary as far as Halloween movies go. If Bette Midler’s rendition of “I Put a Spell On You” and Sarah Jessica Parker’s eerie “Little Children” isn’t enough to connive you to watch it this then I don’t know what is.

October 2015 CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Adopting month for UL Animal Welfare Society NICOLE KIDD IT has been an exciting few weeks for the UL Animal Welfare Society. So far we have asked our members what issues they would like to address and we have also looked at Animals in the Entertainment Industry. Each month, we will be focusing on a speciﬁc issue that we feel needs more attention in our society. For us, October is adoption month. Adopting before buying animals is something that can be forgotten about when people decide that they want

to add a furry little friend to their lives. Cats and dogs, among other animals, are

just waiting anxiously to ﬁnd a good home. If anyone you know is thinking about

getting a pet, why not suggest a rescue animal? This month, the UL Animal Welfare Society plans to raise awareness about why adopting is always the best option. Lastly, we are delighted to announce that ARAN (Animal Rights Action Network) gave a talk on Wednesday, 14th October in UL. This was an open event for anyone that wanted to ﬁnd out about this great network and what they do. The Animal Rights Action Network was formed in order to “expose and campaign peacefully against all forms of cruelty to animals.”

Plays and lock-ins: Drama Soc’s Weeks 7 and 8 Tea Appreciation Society at their recent Mad Hatters Party. PHOTO - UL TEA APPRECIATION SOCIETY.

Nice Tea Meet You! AARON YOUNG WHEN I tell people I am the president of the Tea Appreciation Society, there are a couple of reactions I get, but by far the most common is “So what d'ye actually do? Do you all just sit around drinking tea?” The answer, of course, is mainly yes; we exist to create a fun, relaxed, group where people can kick back half way through the week, and enjoy a variety of teas from across the globe. To me, the most important aspect of clubs and societies, the thing that will stick with you down through the years after graduation, is the friends that you make. And the way I see it, what better way to do that than over a nice hot cup of tea with a few biscuits or a scone? We aren't just limited to our Wednesday meetings at seven in the Millstream Common Room though; we aim to have at least one themed event during every week of the semester. A few weeks ago we held our international tea night, drawing a crowd of almost sixty people for two hours to learn and experience first hand what a cuppa tae means in half a dozen different tea drinking countries, from the spiced teas of India, to Chinese Oolong, to a hot mug of Barry's or Lyons representing Ireland. We also take our members up and down the country on our tireless hunt for the perfect brew, off the back of a trip to scenic Galway so successful we had to go twice, our fantastic events officer Sarah is already working on a trip to Ennis to visit their much touted tea room, with hints of a visit to the nation's capital brewing for next semester. If you want to learn first hand what our society is like why not come along to one of our SoUL Fest events. Drink tea with a variety of historical characters in Plassey house on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings at Tea with Titans, organised in conjunction with the Arts Office and the History Society. Or perhaps you would like to come to one of our two exhibition days in the Teach Fáilte, on Wednesday and Thursday (the second one in conjunction with the Cumann Gaelach). We have even organised a Japanese tea ceremony in the Contemplative Centre, presented for your consideration. So check out our Facebook page, whether you are a Lyons or Barry's drinker, a pursuer of the far off and exotic or happy to stick to what you know, even if you don't drink caffeine, we can find something to suit your tastes, and help you make a few lifelong friends while doing it.

MUIREANN CASEY HAVING already started off the semester strongly, UL Drama Soc shows no sign of slowing down with many events and exciting plans coming up in the next month. For SoUL Week, long standing member and PRO, Cathal Moore, is directing a short play called ‘Limbo’ which will feature on the Main Stage as well as in the Johnathon Swift over the course of the week. The play focuses on a man

viewing the world from the after-life and how those around him react to life after his death.

They will also be holding secret events all over campus over the course of the week.

While we can’t say much more about these events, if you’re lucky enough to catch them, they will be something you won’t forget easily. For Halloween, Drama Soc will be hosting an SU lock-in. After the success of last year’s event, Drama Soc have decided to make this an annual Halloween tradition for their society. With many of their members being movie and gaming buffs, the night promises to be ﬁlled with fun, classic movies, onesies and lots of Wii dance parties.

The Rubberbandits come to UL KATIE MATTHEWS THE Rubberbandits are coming to UL to receive the prestigious Auditors Medal. The award ceremony will be hosted by the Debating Union on the 21st of October at 6.00pm. The reception will take place in the beautiful Plassey House.

What is the Auditors Medal? Once a year, the Debating Union bestows the distinguished award upon honoured individuals whom we believe have made an outstanding contribution to debate and discourse within Irish society.

Why are we Awarding the Rubberbandits? The Rubberbandits’ work toward changing our social values is commendable. They approach sensitive topics and societal taboos in

a comical manner, such that is relatable to the younger generations. Additionally, their work

for international human rights through campaigning for the recent marriage referendum makes them

more than deserving of our Auditors Medal.

October 2015 CLUBS & SOCIETIES

PULL UP YOUR SOCS SEAMUS TOOMEY SOCIETIES are often the under-appreciated, unloved middle child in the family of two that is Clubs and Societies (C&S). SoUL Arts Fest is us giving them the gratitude they deserve. It is an Ode to Societies (or Socs as most students and staff affectionately call them). Week 7 then is the week we’ve asked all our societies to hold their biggest event of the year and a handful of other events so that it’s impossible for people to ignore their glory. On Wednesday, for example, we have a collective event to grab as many people’s attention as possible. It runs from 5pm to 7pm when people will be passing through the courtyard, and C&S have laid a trap in the form of soc after soc holding events, as well as a couple of surprises we’re keeping secret for now. If you’re passing through there’s not a chance you won’t stop for a gawk or turn your head in bewilderment. On the off chance that it’s raining all of this fun will be moved to the SU so you can keep toasty while you enjoy tea, science experiments, music, history and an cúpla focal as gaeilge. Wednesday is not a day to miss and you can check out all of our events in this very newspaper

- in fact pull it out and use it as a map to find our very best events from screenings by several societies in various venues to debates between our political societies and appearances and talks by revered Limerickites, the Rubberbandits. That’s just the tip of the iceberg but it’s a pretty damn fine titanic slicing tip of an iceberg so make sure you don’t miss these events because it’s likely to be many societies biggest events of the year. It’s taken a lot of hours and hounding down of our 30+ societies but Michelle Whyte and I are finally reeling this thing in and right now we really think we’ve got it in the bag and it’ll be the best version of SoUL Fest to have graced UL. It only took us since June to prepare and a couple of hundred e-mails to get this thing organised. Our societies too have pulled up their socks and bar a few changes and mishaps everything has been planned from Week 5, ready Week 6 and happening this very week. It’s been stressful but I for one am stoked and ready to see the fruits of our and many others labour so this is my thank you to all involved. Through the frustration of meetings and e-mails, plans gone wrong and a few misunderstandings we’ve got this thing up and running so here’s a big well deserved pat on the back, you can sit back and sigh with relief for a job well done.

United League of Face Melters hold outdoor broadcast SEAMUS TOOMEY HERE at ULFM (ok so we’re actually a radio station that’s actually a podcast) we’ve got a lot planned for SoUL Fest. To start things off we’re running 4 days of outdoor broadcasts starting Monday and running every day till Thursday. We’ll be appearing around different places on campus so don’t forget to text 0852893566 to send in a request or kindly ask us there and then in person provided we’re not dishing out banter on the mic. These will run from 10am until 5pm, Monday to Thursday. We start these outdoor broadcasts on the North campus so if you’re a nurse or medical student expect quality tunes to start your week off and lift you up out of that Monday slump. Tuesday we’ll move closer to home into the plaza taking up a spot between the main building, foundation and library for some quality

exposure. There aren’t any prizes for the best dance performance but our presenters and producers will surely appreciate it so bust a move. Wednesday we’re not even a minute away from home as we enter the courtyard right outside the Students’ Union. We’re staying here for both Wednesday and Thursday so we can sit back and watch the events of SoUL Fest unfold before our eyes. For these two days don’t forget to sing along - again there

won’t be prizes for singing but if we can get a good round of Bohemian Rhapsody going it’ll put a smile on my face and I’ll personally shake your hand for your ode to both a great song and Wayne’s World. Aside from all this outdoor broadcast craic will be our surprise prizes that we’ll be revealing later on in week 7 during SoUL Fest. Be sure to listen out and then text in to ﬁnd out how you can win and what’s up for grabs. We’ll also have some of UL’s characters around campus as guests on the show; these could be your lecturers, your SU President or even the much requested Black Dog. If you like our shows or presenters let us know. We’re a friendly bunch and we love to hear how we’re doing and the best way to show appreciation is to do all of what I’ve mentioned above, so burst into song, dance along and drop us a text to let us know what we’re doing right and what we’re doing wrong.

October 2015 CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Out in UL’s Lights for Life International Soc’s

guide to Limerick AOIFE WILLIS ONE of the International Society’s greatest joys is showing off our beautiful country. We have trips all over Ireland and our members absolutely adore them. In our excitement, however, we seem to have forgotten to introduce our visiting members to their host city. To rectify this we put together a short and slightly eclectic list of things to see and do in Limerick City. THE HUNT MUSEUM Yes, a museum on a city to-do list. How original! The Hunt Museum, however, is not your typical museum. In it you will ﬁnd everything from arrow heads to jewels, even some of Renoir’s work is hidden away in the many drawers. CHICKEN HUT A fast food restaurant on a to-do list, now that is a bit more original. Chicken Hut is the epicentre of activity at three in the morning as everyone makes their way from the likes of Icon and Costellos. A chicken ﬁllet burger meal will complete any night out, and don’t forget the gravy.

THE MILK MARKET The Milk Market is a slightly more cultured affair than Chicken Hut. Although it’s open during the week, Saturdays are the days to go. When you’ve ﬁnished looking at the stalls grab a cup of tea or coffee and head upstairs to the raised seating area in the middle of the square. This is a great spot to eat/drink/chat or just sit and watch the world go by. SALSA ON A THURSDAY (We told you this list was eclectic) Thursday nights, Shannon Rowing Club (on Sarsﬁeld Bridge) hosts a salsa night starting at 10pm. This always has a great crowd and atmosphere and is guaranteed to be a good night. Beginners can take a class at 9pm and it costs €10. ANY OF THE PUBS BY THE RIVER The Curragower and The Locke Bar are two particularly good spots. The Locke Bar often has live music in the evenings and is well known for its amazing food. Be sure to like us on Facebook, where we will be posting a thing to do in Limerick each week.

LORCAN O'DONNELL

‘LIGHT for Life’ is Out in UL’s main event for this year’s SoUL Week. It is planned to be a spectacle not only to highlighting the importance of mental health, but also in remembering those that we know who have died from suicide. Students and staff will have the opportunity to place a candle on a small paper boat, along with the name of someone they know who has taken their own life. Originally it was envisioned that the event would focus on those in the LGBTQ community who have suffered with mental health issues and died by suicide, given the frightening statistics associated with the queer community. According to research carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, gay people in this country are seven times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts. As well as this there are some studies that say that nearly half of transgender youth have thought about suicide with one in four attempting it. The 2009 Supporting LGBT Lives study found that 27% of LGBTQ people had self-harmed and that 20% had missed school because they were threatened or felt unsafe. What people sometimes forget is that queer people don’t just ‘Come Out’ once and suddenly they never

have to worry about it again. Members of the LGBTQ community come out every single day in different situations that they ﬁnd themselves in. This can not only be extremely tiring and frustrating, it can also be very taxing on their mental health and mental resilience to constantly go through that stress and anxiety in worrying about other peoples’ reactions, especially if they’ve had negative experiences in the past. However it was decided that this event would extend the invitation to anyone who wants to remember someone who has been a victim of or succumbed to mental illness. We can all relate to how far-reaching the effects of poor mental health can be and it is vitally important that we acknowledge this. Gone are the days that we would bury our head in the sand when it comes to anything to do with the words depression and anxiety. With the help of high-proﬁle national celebrities such as Bressie and Conor Cusack, the cloud of stigma that has been cast around the subject of mental health is being swept away by open discussion and events such as ‘Light for Life’. Out in UL secretary, Seán Lynch said: “To be able to bring all societies together, under the banner of SoUL Fest, and lighting candles to remember those who we have lost to suicide, as well as think about the hardships we're faced with today, is a huge

opportunity. “Lighting candles might seem like the smallest thing in the world to be doing at that point, but taking a moment to remember those we've lost and think about our own struggles can be a very powerful thing. There aren't many people in Ireland who haven't been touched by suicide, so I think it could be an amazing event for SoUL Week.” “We will also be fundraising for Pieta House at the Lights for Life event”, said Out in UL’s PRO, Ilyana Keohane. “As well as remembering those who have passed away at our event, we'll be raising money for Pieta House in order to hopefully prevent the unnecessary deaths of those who are at risk of suicide.” The event will take place on the Wednesday of SoUL Week (Week 7)

October 2015 CLUBS & SOCIETIES

UL Swim Club bursting out of the blocks CHRISTOPHER COUGHLAN

ULKC Lahinch 2015 BORYS STAN & CORMAC ROWE As the new semester continues, The University of Limerick Kayak Club is proud to welcome its newest members, and what a better way to introduce the newcomers to the spirit of ULKC than with a weekend of fun and adventure. Recently we set off on our annual trip to Lahinch, Co. Clare. The weekend proved to be a truly amazing experience for all. As we boarded the bus on the Friday evening everyone was full of anticipation and eager to delve into all that the weekend had to offer. The journey was shortened by the angelic voices of all our members. Instruments were welcomed and we sang our hearts out for nearly the whole journey. To our amusement, amazement and possible distress, we attempted to recall the words of our favourite songs. Some eventually found their astounding lyrical prowess while others continued to squawk like crows. Upon arrival at the hostel everyone was eager to introduce themselves and integrate

with the great atmosphere in the building that evening. The night was jam-packed full of craic with names repeated several times until they were remembered. The experience did bring about a warm sense of nostalgia among returning members. Arriving in Lahinch was quite a varied experience among the group, simply because of the fact that we all had different expectations regarding how the weekend would progress, but regardless of that we knew it was going to be memorable. By the Saturday morning everybody was more or less settled in and the main

What makes a rower SEAN FITZGERALD

A love of the sport is a hard thing to deﬁne. When you meet someone who says “I

attraction of the trip was on the agenda: the surf. Soon everyone was fed, geared up, and rearing to go. We got into our kayaks, and after a prolonged struggle to shimmy off the sand everyone was tackling or being tackled by the waves that Lahinch had to offer. Being met with relatively calm waves at the offset, which were perfect for the beginners, it was a great pleasure to see the swell pick up and get some purely enjoyable kayak surﬁng for the more experienced members. When everyone got a chance to paddle, it allowed for a perfect display of the varying skill levels present in our club and also allowed everyone new to kayaking to gauge the extent of their own ability on waters that are a step up from the pool and it was wonderful

seeing everyone improve as the weekend progressed. Apart from kayaking, the trip was spent enjoying the weekend as a club, relaxing and getting to know each other in the hostel, cheering for our favourite rugby team, or even dressing up as ridiculously as possible and going out to tear up the dance ﬂoor in the local club. We all have slightly different memories from the trip, but I know everyone will remember Lahinch fondly and will be looking forward to our next trip. We had a whole load of fun and made a vast amount of tremendous (and somewhat blurry) memories. The journey was a lot more relaxed as we made our way home on the Sunday evening, allowing everyone to lean back and take in all they had experienced over the weekend. The trip was concluded with a mass clean-up of all the gear and everyone went home for a well deserved, and probably long awaited, good night’s sleep. It was an absolutely remarkable weekend. We hope that you all had an amazing fun journey and we can’t wait to see all of you on our next outing!

row” it means many things. This morning they were probably training when you fell into bed after a night of Angel Lane and a tasty kebab. Their muscles are still aching from weights they did three days ago. A rower cannot wait for the next grind. Training does not get easier but you will get so much better, faster and stronger. Rowing by its nature is the deﬁnition of an endurance sport - it’s how hard you can pull your oar while keeping in time with your crew, ﬁghting the urge to not pull as hard as you can for an extra bit of strength - the pain and the exhilaration of passing

IT’S been an exciting first few weeks for the UL Swim Club to say the least. Over 90 members joined the club so far this year which smashes every previous year’s attendance. Thankfully the numbers of those consistently training with the club has also seen a significant rise, including a few standout elite swimmers and lifeguards. It’s excellent to see so many talented new faces coming to train with our club every week. With all these new members we brought everyone to the Scholars early in the semester for a social evening of finger food and a bit of craic. It was a great chance to get to know the people you are sharing a lane with in the pool and it was a really enjoyable night. To be blunt, the standard of swimming within the club has increased ridiculously well since last year. The coach himself, Pippy Rocliffe has admitted that we are at least four or five weeks ahead of where we were this time last year regarding technique and fitness. And as all swimmers know all too well, that time is invaluable. This rise in the standard of the swimmers has us very excited for competitions during the coming months. Firstly we have a college level Gala which NUIG were nice enough to host for the second year running. That comes around on the 14th of November so our members will continue to keep training hard to go up there and blow all the other colleges out of the water (if you will excuse the swimming pun). We showed up as somewhat of an unknown commodity, a dark horse some would say, when we went to Varsities last semester. We showed off what we can do then and we plan to do the same again this year. The club hopes to enter two more competitions during second semester this year, including Inter-Varsities. It is important to remember though that it isn’t all about competing and winning medals with this club. The craic is always mighty and if you can survive the nights out they tend to result in brilliant, unforgettable memories. It’s a big ‘if’ though as our members will know. In order to facilitate these nights out and competitions the club will need to fundraise quite a bit of money. Our PRO, Ciara Gleeson and other committee members are working tirelessly to organise some fun ways to do this. A treasure-hunt around UL, Batchelor/Bachelorette auction and a themed quiz are all in the works so watch this space. Until then we’ll keep doing what we do best and keep on swimming.

over the finish line first makes it all worth it. Rowing will help you find your mental strength as whether you ever try it is a case of mind over matter. This year the UL Rowing Club has taken in over 60 new recruits and has retained almost all. Training has been kicking off with great enthusiasm as our new club mates are eager to get a race under their belts. It will separate the boys from the men and the women from the girls - more importantly they are ensured bragging rights at the next annual Club Dinner.

Rowing reveals as much character as it builds. If you think that you have what it takes to be one of us, our doors are always open, as there is nearly always someone training. To all of our old members, let us keep driving towards a better club and greater victories. To our new members, enjoy every second and remember to feel the burn or you’re wasting your time, and to anybody who feels they have what it takes, there is only one way to ﬁnd out.

October 2015 CLUBS & SOCIETIES

And now for some news from the Trampoline club CLODAGH DOYLE WE recently held our first AGM of the year. Our new members elected Jorin Stinar as our First Year Rep for 2015 and she was welcomed on to our committee with open arms. We know she'll do an amazing job. Well done to the others who put themselves forward too. It's refreshing to see so much enthusiasm from our new members (We love you guys!). We are now a full committee with

a total of 12 great members who are all very excited about making the year of 2015/16 our best year yet. There has been huge amounts of effort from every single member in preparation for our UV Paint Party and The Munster Open. You guys are doing unreal, keep it up. Speaking of, there will be news about The Munster Open 2015 coming soon, so make sure to keep your eyes and ears open and watch this space. We held an outdoor bounce Wednesday of Week 5 (You may have

seen us soaring through the sky and flipping all over the courtyard). It was a great opportunity for our freshers to show off what they've learnt these past weeks (And they loved all the attention). Tickets for our UV Paint Party were also being scooped up by all you hardcore paint fanatics. We hope you all enjoyed your night as much as we did. UL was glowing (There will be more on the shenanigans from the paint party soon, don’t worry). Our Facebook page is filled with

trampoline goodness, so don't be afraid to check it out (UL Trampoline and Gymnastics Club). If you haven't followed us yet, you need to get on that, people. We'll be introducing ‘Committee Profiles’ soon, so you'll have the chance to get to know our committee members and giggle at the cringe-worthy photos posted of them (Sorry, not sorry to all the committee). Our page is jam packed with those hilarious trampoline fails that so many of us love. So in spirit of Mental Health Week (Week 8), take some

chill time for yourselves and check them out. I’m sure you're all familiar with the UL Wolves Clubs and Societies page by now. So don't forget that you can catch up on a ton of news about the trampoline club from here. We'll always be updating the site with our online articles and pictures for you guys to have a good gawk at. Don't worry, you'll never have to go too long without your daily dose of trampoline gossip.

ULRM: First Race of the Season PAUL JORDAN SINCE our last update, the green light is well and truly aglow as we get our karting championships underway.

We have had two great nights so far in the National Kart Centre with some highly competitive racing and the two championships are as tight as a Kerry rally stage. And thanks to Photo Soc we have some great pictures of our members

karting. But we’ve got so much more to look forward to. Towards the end of the month, we’ll be heading to Nutt’s Corner circuit up in Belfast for a society trip and will be having a good session there. Racing session of course. After that we’ll be preparing our drivers to head to the first two rounds of intervarsities in Nutt’s Corner and Pallas in Galway. We’re looking at bringing two teams to IV’s for the first time in the society’s history. This will hopefully mean that we can improve on our previous years at IV’s, which haven’t been too bad either. We held our EGM in Week 4 and it was a great success. It allowed all our members to give some really good ideas for the year ahead such as trip proposals and events that they would like to do. We elected new first years to our ‘Shadow Rep’ positions, which help them to learn the different roles on the committee and has been a great success since we introduced it last year. To help celebrate SoUL Arts Fest, we’ll be holding an event to help celebrate the Societies of UL, but we’re keeping that secret for this paper. All the details will be advertised in the

UL Racing & Motor Sport Club at the National Kart Centre recently. PHOTOS: UL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.

coming days on our Facebook page and through member emails as well. 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: UL Racing & Motorsport Society.

Friends, Fundraising and Family Fun Days EMILY KELLY

UL Archery Club members at their CPR training session.

THE UL Archery club has been hugely active since the start of the semester. We have been involved in two ‘Have a go shoot’ events where a few members go and set up a shooting range for the public. The first shoot was on September 12th in the Boathouse. This shoot was part of the National Fundraising Day for Ronald McDonald House to raise money to accommodate families of long-stay sick children at Crumlin Hospital. It was for all ages and was a hugely successful and enjoyable day for all involved. Another hugely successful shoot was as part of an episode of ‘At Your Service’ with Francis Brennan on the 27th of September. This was part of a family fun day where people of all ages could take part in the shooting,

including Francis Brennan himself. We also had a CPR training session on Wednesday 14th of October where 5 of our members were trained to be Cardiac First Responders. At the moment, we are preparing for the upcoming Inter Varsity events including our own Inter Varsity which will be held on the 7th of November followed by one in DCU on the 14th of November and then we will be heading to DKIT on the 21st of November to round off the inter varsities for this semester.

October 2015 SPORT

GAA

UL GAA Club update With all teams training hard for their league campaigns it was the Fresher hurlers and footballers who got the competitive season underway on Wednesday of Week 4 as both teams lined out in their respective fresher’s blitzes. The Hurlers were in action in LIT and Mary I, while the Footballers played on home turf with matches both on Pitch 1 and the North Campus. The Footballers edged the final with a ‘Golden Point’ after double extra time against LIT and both our hurling teams made it to the final which was held in LIT, with Patsy Coffey’s charges edging out Joe McGrath’s boys by a point. Congratulations to both teams on getting UL’s year off to a winning start in both codes.

The UL Ladies football senior team got the defence of the Division 1 league title off to a winning start against a strong UCC team in Cork on Tuesday of Week 5. UL were a new look team with a lot of Freshers coming onto the panel this year. It was the UL girls who got off to a flying start with a goal from Louise Ward after just one minute of play. UL kept on the pressure and the defence held strong allowing UL to go into a 2-3 to no score lead with seven minutes on the

clock. The pace of the game was frantic for the first 13 minutes. UCC registered their first score on nine minutes which they followed up with two more. Points from Áine Tighe, Aisling McCarthy and Laura Rodgers kept UL in front. Then, perhaps the early stage of the season began to show as the UL legs tired and UCC began to find gaps in the UL defence. UCC scored seven points without reply to put the score 3-5 to 1-10 in favour of UL

UL GAA Club’s Fresher football team who captured the Munster Fresher Blitz title. with four minutes left. UL finished the half the stronger with a goal from Laura Rodgers and point from Áine Tighe. Two points from UCC left the UL girls three points on top at half time. Substitutions from the UL side saw fresh legs coming onto the pitch. Again it was the UL ladies who started strong with points from Roisin Leonard and Áine Tighe. Both teams traded points for the remainder of the game and a final goal by Roisin Leonard

LADIES RUGBY

UL Ladies Rugby AISLING MAGUIRE & SORCHA HOLOHAN ON behalf of UL Ladies Rugby we would like to welcome Fiona Reidy and Niamh Kavanagh on board as our coaches this year. We had a phenomenal response to the recruitment drive with over 50 new members, including both experienced players and girls who were completely new to the game. This year we are very excited to be able to form a junior team who will begin their season in the coming weeks. The senior team’s first match to defend their Division 1 title was on Wednesday of Week 6, away to Waterford Institute of Technology with kick off at 7pm. On the 10th of November we are hosting a hypnotist night in the Stables, starting at 9pm, in conjunction with the UL Basketball club. This event is being launched on the 28th of October and is shaping up to be one of the funnest nights of the year. Tickets will cost €8 and will be available from all committee members and in the Courtyard during the launch. ULLR are always looking for new members and prior experience is not necessary. If you are interested please email ulwolves@gmail.com or message our Facebook page ‘UL Ladies Rugby’. We train on Mondays from 6pm to 7.30pm and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6pm to 7pm on the north campus 4G pitch.

UL Ladies Rugby team who beat Carlow IT in the Division 1 Final 2015.

gave UL a six point victory. A strong performance in the first round of the league shows positive signs of what’s to come for the remainder of the season. Good teamwork by the UL forwards and tenacious defence by the back six kept the UCC attack at bay and protected goal keeper Aoife Keane who had a solid performance between the uprights. It’s onwards and upwards for this team. Final score: UL 5-12 UCC 1-18. Our Intermediate Camogie

team, under new management, got their league off to a winning start with a comprehensive victory over Tralee IT. This impressive start shows signs of what will hopefully be a strong season for the UL camogie teams. Well done girls. To keep up to date with all the goings on in UL GAA Club including fixtures and events, like our Facebook page and, when you can, be sure to come out and support our teams!

October 2015