Freshers' Week Supplement

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Tuesday 17th september 2013

Freshers’ Week

Supplement Tuesday 17th september 2013

THE TRINITY 20

Front Square Guide

Student Budgeting

Clubbing Guide

Tom Myatt navigates us through Front Square during Freshers week and reports on what’s to offer for incoming freshers.

Aisling Curtis focuses on successful budgeting for college students.

Paul James presents the definitive guide to clubbing in Dublin.

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A Helping Hand Daniel McFadden takes a look at volunteering in Trinity.

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DEAR FRESHER Features Editor Ludo Dawnay

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Welcome to the mad house: the home of Coppers, chicken fillet rolls, those infamous cobblestones and the homeless man who bathes and shaves in the men’s toilets. How was the 6th year holiday? We know, we know. You’re so excited for the ‘best week of your life’, all the great societies you’re going to join, the new people you’re going to meet and the lectures you’re going to miss. frame of the average day.

Before the craziness begins, I’m here to give you a little briefing on what to expect The mature student will be found sitting at and what to avoid. the tables by the computer room, opening the tin foil of a prepared sandwich. They Don’t join a lot of societies, it’s not worth never miss a lecture, and are always there that bag of Reads tat. The people you meet early to shotgun the front seats. Tutorials in the first week you may cling onto now, but would be hell without them always filling by exam time you’ll be avoiding their gaze those awkward deafening silences. in the Halls Canteen. And no, it’s not like the American Pie movies. What you’ll find Next to an interesting breed, you’ll know out is that the Phil are not deities, nor are them when you see them: the hipster. The the JCR. And to any other student you’re Hamilton is a flock of hoodies and tracksuit recognized instantly, complaining about bottoms. The hipster, however, will be studhangovers or asking a Spanish tourist for ying Arts subjects and wearing wearing suit directions. Before long, once you’ve learnt jackets, leather shoes and skinny chinos for how to judge people in the Arts Block and guys. They frequent Workman’s and will how to take out a book, you’ll be fully insti- sometimes be smoking outside sitting on tutionalized as a Trinner. But for now, I’d benches, sometimes standing up. like to introduce you to the stereotypes of your fellow students. Imagine yourself for a A few more things. Never go to the Palace. minute in the Arts Block, looking at a freeze Don’t leave anything in the library unattended. Don’t buy any course books. Be careful who you Facebook stalk during lectures, the person sitting behind you can see everything. Give the right change to the lady at the café and she’ll call you darling (don’t, and she doesn’t like it). The sofas are for sleeping on, and no one judges. Finally, I leave you with what my Dad said to me as I left for Trinity, “Sow your wild oats and pray for crop failure”.

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You’re welcome, Current Trinity students

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Sabbats Chat Tom

Staff Writer Ben Butler So, why did the sabbats decide to come to Trinity in the first place?

The answers ranged from family histories to particular courses to that intangible affinity with Trinity that people seem to have. Jack summed up it well, stating simply: “I think it’s hard for people to come in on the open day, and not want to go here.”

Stephen, Tom and Leanna were all a little more matterof-fact, choosing Trinity for a particular course or its commutable qualities.

Seán was a little less sure, at one stage seeing himself doing Commerce and Chinese in UCD. This opens up a conversation about their travels and it’s then that I realise something; while most of the Sabbats are from Dublin (Stephen hails from Clare), they’re both a well-travelled and broad-minded bunch.

Next up, what was their experiences of actually starting college?

Stephen and Leanna were first up, starting Trinity in 2009. The four years seemed to suddenly hit Leanna: “Damn, we old.” Coming from a small school in Don-

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Jack

Stephen

Leanna

Seán

aghmede, Leanna found the adjustment to the big course that is BESS a little daunting. Her advice for meeting people? Make the most of every opportunity. Having come across someone at a Debs who confessed to being in BESS, Leanna latched on and they’ve been friends ever since.

Seán, Jack, and Tom all came the year later; finding their feet through school friends, societies and their courses.

volunteers, flyers and stunts.

What’s it like heading all that up? And, when they look back on it now, what stands out?

A familiar theme is friendship. All five mention how essential the support of those around you is; the sheer belief and encouragement from those close to them seems to have kept the candidates going. Well, that and “burritos every day”.

It’s not only those on the campaign team that make a difference though; Jack recollected a seemingly small moment on the final day of the campaign, “It’s also the little things, a random girl walking by who said she voted for me, and hoped that I won.”

Lost voices are also commonplace, with Seán recollecting how, after only a couple of days into the race, he could’ve gotten a job with our national broadcaster: “By day three, I sounded like Marian Finucane.”

It appears the campaign can be a little overwhelming too, Seán was up bright and early on the Monday morning, dutifully out and about flyering. It was only after a little while that he realised that his efforts, while not totally in vain, were perhaps directed a little differently than intended: “I was a little

overwhelmed by it all, actually handing out flyers for Leanna …”

Continuous Promotion

goes on to say that there are too many peculiar characters here to define what the Trinity student looks like. Jack also commented on the diversity, with people playing Warhammer in one corner and rugby in another a common sight in the evenings.

Childhood Dreams Since I had taken everyone down memory lane, I figured we’d continue on for another few miles and, after confessing my childhood aspirations of being James Bond, asked the officers what they wanted to be when they were younger.

Despite Tom’s claim that “Jack wanted to be Education Officer since he was four years old”, it seems House 6 is now populated with onetime wannabe Premiership football players, judges and filmmakers.

On the campaign trail I steered the conversation back towards familiar ground: campaigning. For weeks, campus is taken over with

On the topic of promotion, I ask how they feel about that side of the role.

Jack: “You’ll never feel comfortable holding a blank piece of paper with tourists walking by.”

Tom alluded to the fact that there are ways to make it more manageable, or at least a little more fun.

After a brief discussion of former Officers, I asked this year’s crop which role, if the situation arose, would they most like to take over for a day Despite professing that he probably shouldn’t be let near any other roles for the sake of the students, Seán outlined an interest in education, despite his ENTS and BESS background (his words!). The others expressed enthusiasm for the ents role: journalistic, presidential and education themed nights coming to a club near you soon.

I wanted to hear their thoughts on the ‘Trinity stereotype’: in particular, the scarf-wearing, hipster Arts Block student. Despite Tom stating that I was the physical embodiment of that, he

Gems of Wisdom for Incoming Freshers As a final note, I asked each of the Sabbats to give one piece of advice to incoming Freshers. Here’s what they had to say: Tom: Relax, everybody else is in the same boat as you.

No one else has a clue what’s going on either.

Leanna: Get involved and you’ll love your time here.

Jack: If you think your question is stupid, you can be sure that at least five others are thinking the same way.

Stephen: Talk. The more you talk, the more answers you’ll get.

Seán: There’s something here for every student. Just keep an open mind, pursue your interests and get involved as much as you can.

And that’s it. I consider proposing a group hug to end our session. But eventually decide against it. Perhaps next time.

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TRINITY 20

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Seán Reynolds

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et us start this list with a simple truth: when done right, Trinity Ents is the most important student-run entity in college. In the time following two years of student disillusionment with the brand and the product, Sean Reynolds has emerged as the man to lead. Sean, affectionately known as ‘Papa-Rey’ to those close to him, emerged from the watery depths of Fish Soc becoming the first Ents officer in the past few years to be elected independent of external club night promoters. His rise was founded on the successful organising of countless parties and events, notably Surf, Sail, Salmon, and his club night Movements.

The year has already started well, and the booking of acts such as Ben Pearce, Klingande, Faul and Le Galaxie for the first week bodes very well for the future. The man charged with the organising of the Trinity Ball has already shown flair for picking acts that the student population will enjoy.

On a more charitable note, Trinity Ents have announced that they will be partnering with Trinity’s Alumni to donate a portion of the funds raised from Freshers Week and The Freshers Ball to The Student Hardship Fund. One of the most important things the Ents officer is in charge of is running Trinity RAG (Raise And Give) week, but the Ents Officer has rarely started the year with such a giving spirit. It is in this spirit of optimism that Reynolds will lead Trinity Ents and the student populace into a year of ‘tasty times’, as the man himself would say.

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Rosalind Ní Shuileabháin

osalind Ní Shuileabháin has been central to the operations of the University Philosophical Society for three years now, and has kept it ticking over like a metronome as guests like Stephen Fry, Nancy Pelosi, and Hugh Lawrie supplemented an already bulging schedule to create some sort of supersociety.

The Presidency of the Phil is probably the biggest position in student life that isn’t an assured sabbatical position. The society has the biggest membership and the

most sponsorship, but it also has the most to lose. Be under no illusions: the holder of this position is inevitably held in the highest of esteem by her or his peers and, in that regard, Ní Shuileabháin is no different.

She has been a key factor in keeping the society grounded; regardless of how quickly their collective reputation inflates, she has ensured as vice president and as secretary that committee members stay true to the same work ethic and enthusiasm that made the society big in

the first place.

It is hard to spend five minutes in a room with her without knowing that she’s in charge. That said, she does not rise above fellow committee members or demand attention; her committee find in her a friend who shares their ideas and the impulses that motivated them to sign up for the society and to get more involved. She is both leader and ordinary member; there could be no more appropriate a leader for the Phil.

Tom Lenihan

he President of the Students Union is the most prestigious position a student can hold in college.

The President represents the views of 17,000 of us Trinity students to the college, and to the wider world in general.

They sit on the Board of the University, and numerous committees, as well as being our voice in the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). Tom Lenihan became one of the

most recognised names and faces on campus throughout his first three years here, with his involvement in Law Soc, the American Football Club, and his contributions to Trinity News and The University Times to the fore.

It was with some surprise then, that the student body discovered, last May, that its President-elect, Tom Lenihan, the Law and Business student, had been found

guilty of cheating in his end of year exams. Since then he has encouraged an open dialogue about mental health, while being forthcoming about his own struggles with mental illness. Lenihan has continued to lead the Union while facing a potential referendum to address his continued tenure, and amidst the calling for his resignation by some union members.

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Katie Biggs

atie Biggs is the auditor of Q-Soc, Trinity’s LGBT Society, and Equality Officer for the seemingly ever-growing Student2Student peer mentoring and support service.

A passionate LGBT rights activist, Biggs’ tenure as head of the LGBT interests society promises to prioritise the promotion of Trans* rights and equality under the rubric of inclusivity.

Biggs is the perfect diplomat; there is an endearing sincerity to her interactions, be they formal or informal, and

her honesty and transparency make strong relations internally and externally to College a given. She is a passionate campaigner and an astute theorist on LGBT rights issues.

Biggs has also established a strong relationship with Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union through Welfare Officer Stephen Garry as both organisations prepare for a year at the end of which there will likely be a national referendum on the issue of same-sex marriage. Previous manifestations of that relationship are

best explained analogously by reference to consuming milk on its best-before date: in theory, there’s absolutely no reason why it shouldn’t be fine, but it’s always just a little bit off.

For whatever reason, mutual imperatives were allowed to develop into competition. A previous team began work to repair this relationship and, with Biggs at the helm, there was never going to be an alternative to full co-operation towards shared aims.

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John Carew

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ohn Carew defies definition as a result of his active endeavour to elude it. Carew is one of the most instantly recognisable characters on campus, but we advise to approach with caution, lest he you trap you under his spell.

We’re not sure what he does, but people like him for it, and that’s just fine with us.

You might recognise John as the winner of last years inaugural Trinity Come Danc-

ing event, where his passable Irish Dancing stood out among a plethora of other wannabes. Carew has gained notoriety as one of the ‘Founding Fathers’ of Fish Soc, as well as for his willingness to do more or less anything in his pursuit of fame among the student populace, or you know, a high-five. We weren’t joking when we said he was one of the most recognizable members of the

college scene, sporting a pair of glasses broken more times than Harry Potters and a mop of hair that is rumoured to hold three budgies, an emergency condom, and a half-drank naggin. Carew is usually found in his natural habitat of the Pav; if found outside of there, please return with care.

seen him featured on RTE News, something his writing never did. *Editors Note: How do you like Jack Leahy is well known for them apples? his involvement in many aspects of campus life, he’s been synonymous with The University Times since his arrival as a fresh faced English and History It’s a well-known assumption student in 2010, where his work that since Cormac McGuinness as a sports and news writer saw began wearing a Hist hoodie him elevated to editor of both of (royal blue is really his colour), those sections. In that time his there has been a 200% increase writing was most commonly rein the number of straight female ferred to as ‘passable’ and ‘just and gay male members of the about good enough to print.’ LeHist, bringing their total popuahy was usually found hanging lation of both to 8. around House 6, until the union Responsible for the introductook him in, possibly out of pity. tion of a mirror to every room He’s climbed the ladder from in the GMB, McGuinness has within as a Class Rep, Secrereformed the image of the Hist tary to Council and Finance and from a society of debaters and Services Officer and currently intellectuals to a society of destands before the student body baters, intellectuals, and that reas its glorified and distinguished ally good-looking guy. leader. Well, in his head anyway.

On the back of his attractiveIn reality, Leahy is the Educaness, and mostly as a result of tion Officer of TCDSU, and one his ability as a leader and a deof the most important points of bater, McGuinness was elected contact for students in the colto the position of auditor in lege that have any academic March at the end of a tough year issues. Jack will work tirelessly for the society. Few are those for the students of Trinity Colwho doubt that, if the Hist wants lege this year, and anyone with to regain its position among the any academic issues should upper echelon of Trinity socienot hesitate to contact him at ties, Cormac will either have to any hour of the day or night. take off his shirt a lot more or His dedication to students surjust have a really strong year in passes that of even his dedicaterms of leading a group of intion to his own facebook page, dividuals towards a shared goal. which is saying something. LeLike Ní Shuileabhaín, he is ahy’s astonishingly popular fapopular among his peers and cebook statuses, powered on by respected outside of the GMB. a devoted group of enablers has

He has the rare quality of a Hist auditor to make people pull together and work for each other, and with a very strong programme of guests there is every chance that the Hist could re-establish itself this year as a force to be reckoned with in student life.

last academic year, she probably gave him the idea for those Sky Broadband adverts that seemed clever at first but then get really annoying on reviewing. But Heather Walsh’s work isn’t really comprehensible to the unwashed, uneducated in bricolage masses anyway. She’s just an enigma that we all pretend to understand, but more people pretend to understand her than anyone else.

6 Ruth Keating 7 Jack Leahy Ruth Keating, also incorrectly known as Rebecca Keating, is one of the two Keatings involved in DU Law Society. As the stronger and therefore evil twin, she has had her sights on College domination through the vehicle of Law Soc since she first entered College.

That plan has, to be honest, worked out quite well for Keating (Ruth, not necessarily Rebecca, although isn’t she doing well too?) so far, after she was elected to the position of Law Soc auditor in March. Since then, Law Soc have continued to demonstrate concerning levels of fun, relevance, and appeal to a broader category of students, which is exactly what an evil twin (Ruth) would do if she wanted to build towards impeaching the Provost at a well-organised Law Soc drinks reception.

Either that, or Law Soc decided that, after their best year in recent memory of everyone but Joe O’Gorman, who helped build the Rubrics in the 1600s, they would ask the best person for the job (Rebecca) (no wait, Ruth again) to lead them into an even more glorious future.

Whatever you make of her (Ruth’s, not Rebecca’s) leadership, at least you can’t say she’s engendering an autocratic cult of the individual. She has a twin, you see.

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McGuiness

9 Heather Walsh

Heather Walsh is a big deal. As chair of DU Players, which is also a big deal, Heather is responsible for the production of dozens of really cool shows that you probably wouldn’t understand because of all the postmeta bricolage it involves, but come see them anyway.

On a national level, Players is renown for the quality of its productions and last year took ten of the 12 awards at the end-of-year Irish Student Drama Awards. As the only drama society in Trinity they have won 420 of the totally unnecessary 421 ‘Trinity Drama Society of the Year’ awards, only failing once in the strange year that the History Society started doing dramatic readings of primary sources.

It’s not easy being the person in charge of so much high-quality output, except when you’re as big a deal as Heather Walsh, for whom it should be no issue at all. She’s so damn good that when Pierce Brosnan came to address Players at the end of the

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Stephen Garry

Stephen Garry is so nice that it was impossible to find someone to run against him in last February’s sabbatical elections.

Four time winner of the national ‘Irish Mammies Favourite Son’ award, the fresh faced Mr. Garry can be found bouncing around front square asking people ‘Can I help you?’ in that tone of voice normally reserved for Californians who work in customer service.

The job of the Welfare Officer is to provide assistance and advice to students in a variety of areas, such as mental, sexual and physical health, finance, and accommodation .So naturally, most of Stephens job is giving people free condoms. The psychology graduate from Clare is the perfect point of call for any student who needs help in any way or just needs a quick chat and a cup of tea. We’d try and

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say something bad about him is taking his position as science but it’d be like shooting a puppy representative way too seriously and conducting an experiment with a shotgun. to determine the effect of efficient communication on the preservation of sino-kinetic energy.

Despite his few words Mooney has many friends and, strangely, For longer than even Brendan even more supporters as he preTagney can remember (and pares his run for… woops, wrong that’s a really long time, because article. S2S has a very strong he was in halls to oversee the network throughout the College introduction there of things as through the mentoring scheme, old as electricity and the Nokia which now assigns a peer men3210), the JCR Halls committee tor to each full-time undergradhas had a reputation for pro- uate student. It’s a growing inviding good tunes, good drinks, stitution to which his leadership and good times. It still has that will be very important. reputation, and deservedly, but now it does useful things too so we’re allowed to take them seriously.

Tired of the JCR’s reputation as a discount drinks vendor with nicer hoodies, JCR PresiThe Iron Lady of TCDSU and dent Conor O’Meara has made UT, Leanna Byrne began her a few changes to the culture in ascent to her current role as a Halls. He has continued his prenews writer with a cold stare decessor David Henry’s diverand a colder heart. After two sification of JCR services to inyears covering the campus beat clude healthy meal deals and a and exposing such horrific stowelfare crew, but the difference ries as ‘Food fight in the buttery’ is O’Meara isn’t up to any shady and ‘Students drinking non Pav Ógra Fianna Fáil business on the purchased Bavaria’, Byrne was side. anointed News Editor by then Given the impressionable editor Ronan Costello. Further nature of his cohort, the JCR promotion followed last year President is uniquely placed when Byrne was made Deputy for someone of his age (what, Editor, a position from which like 16?) to lead the discourse she won a bitter and bloody on important student issues. battle for her current sabbatical Should O’Meara choose to be a position. The person in charge proponent on the big issues, he of producing The University could achieve big results among Times and communicating all his soon-to-be disciples. UT is TCDSU’s news to the student confident. population she currently resides in her nest on the second floor of House 6, where she can be found plotting, watching cat videos on youtube, and sometimes editing. *Editors note: I’m Ian Mooney is the chairperson firing you for this, no seriously, of Student2Student, a Student get out Counselling Service support network for students across College that trains hundreds of peer mentors and dozens of peer supporters every year. Mooney is also the Engineering, Maths and Science (EMS) representa- Niamh Ní Chrónín is the auditive to the College, one of a lit- tor of an Cumann Gaelach TCD. any of other important-sounded Niamh’s smiling face and skippositions that ‘Moon man’ has across-the-cobbles enthusiasm held during his time on campus. naturally endears her to the hapMooney is the least conversa- pier, clappier members of the Coltional of all those included on lege community and just makes this list, and has been known to you want to break out into a little speak no more than 67 words Irish ditty. per day. Initially rumoured just As a former Irish Language Ofnot to like people in general, it ficer (Oifigeach na Gaeilge) for has since emerged that Mooney TCDSU and a student, Niamh

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Conor O’Meara

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Leanna Byrne

Ian Mooney

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Niamh Ní Chrónín

probably hates Fine Gael, renown as they are for their distaste for students, the Irish language, and anyone who gets any joy out of anything really. A uniquely popular member of those communities, Niamh is the kind of opiniondriver that this campus needs, if campus’ intellectual discourse could be sustained by Fine Gaelhate slogans and Irish-language statements that are actually 45% English.

Anyway, Niamh’s popularity stems from her passion for the Irish language, her enthusiastic leadership of the Cumann, and her generally inoffensive approach that naturally lends itself to positive human reactions, except when you’re in Fine Gael. This has descended into government-bashing again, but that’s exactly how Niamh would want it. Ní neart le chur go Chrónín!

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McKeating/ Cormac Shine

McKeating and Shine are Trinity’s best double-team since Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole briefly studied BESS together.

As editors of The Piranha, McKeating and Shine have licence to turn their ludicrous hypotheses into slanderous character assaults under the veil of anonymity and lax editorial standards.

As chair of the Central Societies Committee and therefore the administrator of a €300k+ budget and policy that affects over 110 societies, McKeating is admittedly quite important.

Shine wears funny bow-ties and makes sarcastic comments to a captive audience of the registrar of the Phil, which I guess is pretty important too, if you’re in the Phil. Often seen asking McKeating to hold his hand and reassure him that he’s a good boy, Shine is an alumnus of Gonzaga College, like everyone on this list seems to be anyway.

The Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield of print assault have made the list, though, for their publication’s capacity to articulate what everyone was suspicious of but never said. It was, afterall, The Piranha who brought us the news that the Provost ‘[couldn’t] f**king wait’ for the sabbatical officer elec-

tions, and that Q-Soc were plan- es to circumvent those pesky ning to take over Trinity through CSC regulations about public the acquisition of the Sci-Fi displays of common sense Room. Inspiring.

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Molly Kenny

This list usually contains a nod to the future in the inclusion of at least one of last years class of freshers. This year’s vintage is Molly Kenny, who hacked so successfully in one year that she was named ‘class rep of the year’ (based on submissions by her class) by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) at their first annual Student Achievement Awards in April..

As well as that, Molly’s volunteer spirit helped keep the College Historical Society doing its usually debating of obscure elements of north Asian foreign policy throughout a turbulent period that saw an auditor impeached and take several of his committee with him. Now a committee member of the society, she is part of a muchneeded batch of new blood that will no doubt finally bring the society into at least the 1900s.

With more activities planned to keep her popular and omnipresent, you can be sure that Molly Kenny’s will be a face that you see regularly on campus.

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Oilbhe Cahill Reid

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” The above famous quote from Winston Churchill was spoken in a time without the internet, possibly a safer time.

In the age of the Troll (and the people who comment on thejournal.ie), a new legion of heroes must rise, and at the front of this movement is D.U.G.E.S. (Dublin University Gender Equality Society).

As Chair, Oilbhe leads the closest thing Trinity has to an active rights advocacy group.

Here’s hoping that Oilbhe takes the society to new heights this year, and manag-

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Finn Murphy

Finn, the Captain of the Snowsports Club, or ‘King Snow’ as nobody ever calls him, is in charge of one of the biggest events in the college calendar, the annual ski trip over the Christmas break. This usually throws up a scandal or two that we get to write about and people on the internet get angry about, so we’re heavily invested in his future success, counting on you Finn!

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Gaelen Britton

Last years surprise success was Trinity FM, who tried a new policy of leaving House 6, and interacting with the students. Now while actual listenership to their shows remains a murky situation at best, the ingenious idea of ‘live-broadcasting’ other societies events and podcasting them resulted in a huge boost in popularity culminating with them being named best best overall society at last years CSC awards. Gaelen is the new chair of the society.

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Rebecca Kummert

We conclude this list with Rebecca not because she’s some society hack, or token ‘up-and-comer’/GMB person/insert stereotype here, but because she represents that college student that everyone seems to know and like. Seemingly involved in every society and club under the sun, Rebecca also found time to get Schols and be heavily involved in the SU Elections last year, making us somewhat suspicious she’s figured out time-travel.

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Your guide to front square

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Freshers’ Guide to Societies

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Columnist Tom Myatt

Tom Myatt navigates us through Front Square during Freshers week and reports on what’s to offer for incoming freshers.

B

ehind the studying and academia that come with the Trinity way of life, there lays the huge world of college societies. Trinity College is world-renowned for its one hundred and twenty eight societies, which range all the way from Afro-Caribbean to Zoological, and include such specific interests as Random Acts of Kindness and Orchestra. There even exists a society for Anarchists.

Whatever your religion, political stripes, hobbies, interests, nationality, sexuality, or even the career you aspire to there is a society in our great college for you! If not, then there is an easy path to launching one of your very own!

As a fresher joining us at Trinity, you’ll undoubtedly have heard many stories about this realm – most of which are true. They are

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a brilliant way of meeting friends and contacts, and are the most fun you’ll ever have. What you need is a quick introduction to the hottest, the most active, and the most interesting of the societies. Here are the ones you NEED to know about if you’re going to get along in college!

The College Historical Society, or just the Hist, is one of the two great debating societies. Along with the Philosophical Society (Phil), they are what make this college one of the world’s top colleges for oratory, with the Hist’s team consistently competing at National, European and Global levels. Earlier this year, a Hist team won The Irish Times debating competition (and hold more wins than any other group), and won the award for the best speakers at the European championships this summer! For Freshers, the Maidens tournament is an absolute must – this is where you’ll be taught to debate like a true Trinitonian as well as meet plenty of new people. You’ll debate with other newbies, and the finalists always guarantee themselves an important place in the society later on. Like the Phil, throughout the year, the society also holds numerous events for public speakers. The society dates back to 1770, and since has hosted, among others, such orators as Winston Churchill, Desmond Tutu and Clement Atlee. In the past year alone, the society gave an audience to the President of the European Commission, Jose Barroso, and Stephen Moffat, the head writer of Doctor

Who, and all can attend!

The main rival to the Hist in the college debating scene is the University Philosophical Society.

Founded in 1683, the Phil is the oldest student society not only in Trinity, but the entire world. The Phil also lays claim to a great deal of success and prestige in the national and international debating scene, reaching the elimination round of the World Debating Championships this year. Great literary names such as Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett are all alumni of the Philosophical Society, while recent speakers include Hugh Laurie, Whoopi Goldberg, John McCain, Dame Helen Mirren and Bono. The Phil has certainly finished one of its greatest years to date, having reached the elimination round of the World Debating Championships this year, and being awarded the Trinity award for the Best Large Society.

Caution needs to be taken

by Freshers as to which of these two societies one intends to become active in, as the rivalry famously runs deep and fierce… but the healthy competition is undoubtedly what has made them great, and both come highly recommended!

In contrast to the grand old debating societies, TCD Horse-Racing has proven that new societies can quickly achieve great things. With its witty ‘get the ride’ bi-line and its bad-ass attitude, this society gives you everything you need for a great day at the races – booze, gambling advice, more booze, and great company. One

of Trinity’s youngest societies, it has quickly powered its way to regular headlines, like when their own racehorse, Local Celebrity, won the Navan Racecourse on behalf of the College. They’ll no doubt have huge numbers of funloving members during Freshers’ Week to almost force you to sign up – but it’s certainly worth joining for great craic!

DUGES – Dublin University Gender Equality Society – has caught a great deal of attention by Trinity students this year through their constant efforts to publicise, push for, and educate people regarding gender rights and equality. They have a number of on-going political campaigns: in January they successfully guaranteed a ‘yes’ vote by the college on a referendum regarding the SU’s stance on abortion; and they have a continuing presence ensuring that the genders are treated equally on campus. So if you passionately agree with the cause, then DUGES is certainly the society for you. Highly influential within college, this society is one to watch in the upcoming year.

Whether you’re L, G, B, T, or in fact S, Trinity LGBT can cater for you! Just as active and eye-catching as DUGES, and commonly referred to by the members and student media alike as Q-Soc, this prosperous and vibrant society has consistently caught the attention of all students: it played a huge role in Rainbow Week, celebrating sexual diversity and they have been at the forefront of the national campaign

for gay marriage. The oldest LGBT organization in Ireland, the society has just celebrated its 30th anniversary, with former Q-Soc member and LGBT rights pioneer Senator David Norris attending the celebrations. The society, throughout its existence, has ceaselessly aimed to end prejudices through education as well as create a more open and tolerant society, and is certainly a one to join this year!

The huge array of societies at Trinity is one of the many aspects of what makes our university such a great place to study. Here I have only provided an overview of the most important, but taking a harder look at more specific societies during Freshers’ Week is seriously recommended! You’ll no doubt end up joining many societies, but you will quickly find the perfect ones for you!

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TOP 5 THINGS TO DO AS A FRESHER 1. Join a society or club This is one of the very few times in your life where you are completely free to make friends with people solely on the basis of common interests. You’re not shoved together for maths class, and you’re not project leader of a gang of idiots in work. We are lucky that Trinity has one of the most vibrant society lives in Irish universities, so get stuck in, join 15, get free stuff, and then pick one or two you actually love. You will not regret it (unless you run to be chair and lose and then get really heartbroken but that is a separate issue. WOO DISAPPOINTMENT).

2. Pull an all-nighter You’ve just sat one of the most trying and intense exams of your life, so it is okay to let things slide a little academically. Not setting aside two weeks to write a 1500 word essay is okay once in a while, just don’t make a habit of it. Setting up shop in the 24 hour room with a multipack of crisps and some Tesco-value energy drink, then stumbling out bleary-eyed at 6am to submit an essay is an experience to go through at least once in your life. You can skip the odd lecture, you can miss the odd tutorial, you can have a bit too much fun. People will forgive you as long as you hand in all your work and show up enough to know what is going on.

3. Learn how to cook/clean for yourself Even if you still live at home, you are now what some would consider a grown up, and you will have a lot of free time on your hands. Learn to be self-reliant, and not just eat instant noodles and cereal for the rest of your life.

Being able to make nice food for our mates is a very cool non-alcohol related way of hosting people in our house, and it is also just generally a good thing to not be reliant on your parents for everything for the rest of your life.

Also, there is never EVER an excuse for wearing the same pair of underwear turned inside out. EVER.

4. Keep fit (or start getting fit) We have a great gym that you have already been forced to pay membership for with loads of free classes. Being a fresher lends itself to a horrific diet and schedule, so fitting in some level of activity during your day is a somewhat necessary thing to do. Yes, the gym is full of scary shiny muscley people, but there are lots of classes and courses catering to newbie and beginners, so that maybe one day you can be just as scary or shiny (or able to run for last bus without being on the verge of vomiting).

5. Stay in college after our lectures A lot of people go to college, hang with their school friends, go home, go to the same nights out they went to in school, get a 2.1 and leave college. College can be so much more than that. Don’t be afraid to be overeager and show up to events on your own. Society/club people are programmed to be nice to you this time of year and will be welcoming. Also, you are given an awful lot of slack for eagerness as long as you do not idolise people (see the don’t list). If they aren’t, they may just be having a bad day, or else they are losers and some other society or club will embrace you with open arms. Don’t go home, grab a chicken fillet roll for dinner and go to that play or debate!

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Tuesday 17th september 2013

TOP 5 THINGS TO AVOID AS A FRESHER 1. Don’t be heartbroken This is a lot to ask but there is one golden rule which a remarkable amount of people fail to understand. The first guy/gal you get the shift off in the smoking area of Workman’s will almost definitely not be your prince or princess charming, regardless of what they may have drunkenly slurred into your ear. Have fun, be care free, experiment, but don’t be that person who can’t go to an event because he/she might be there.

2. Don’t just eat in the Buttery You are incredibly lucky to go to one of the few universities in the world which is located in the centre of a capital city. You have an abundance of food options at your disposal, along with a shed load of student deals. Enjoy them all and explore the city beyond the boundaries of the college. There is an unnecessarily large amount of burrito restaurants within a two minute walk of Trinity. Start there.

3. Don’t idolise people who are older than you Yes, that lad in the society hoodie having the abso-bants with that girl in the SU t-shirt may seem like they are bastions of ultimate college living. They probably aren’t. Obviously, chat to people who are older than you and take their advice (i.e. read this or I’ll spread rumours about all of you) but do NOT create a cult of personality around someone just because they hold a certain position.

4. Don’t buy all of the textbooks This is the key rookie mistake. Almost all first year text books are available in abundance in the library. Buy a couple if you want, but you do not need to buy them all. Being honest with yourself, you will invariably not use them until just before your essay/exam. If a first year lecturer says that there are five key textbooks to read for the course, what they mean is that there is one key textbook, and a few more you can look at if you really want to. You and/or your parents probably don’t want to throw several hundred Euro away on them anyway.

5. Don’t cling to your friends from home Yes. College can be a scary place. Almost everyone is as scared as you. However, the whole point of college, along with getting a degree that is probably pretty useless in the current job market (woo education!), is to broaden your horizons. Clinging to a group of people whom you were arbitrarily stuck in the same class as at the age of 13 probably isn’t the best plan. Believe it or not, there may be new people you are better suited to. Don’t forget your old mates, but don’t deprive yourself of opportunities to make new ones.

by Owen Murphy

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Tuesday 17th september 2013

Successful Student Budgeting

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by Aisling Curtis Like any Trinity student, I’m no stranger to the lure of Butler’s hot chocolate on one of the frequent days it’s lashing rain. Unfortunately for my wallet, Butler’s hot chocolate costs in and around a steep three euro. You might call me stingy for calling this steep, but when you’re buying these with the same religious fervour as I do this can add up – and up and up, until you don’t have any cash for the important things, like beer.

From my time in college I’ve learnt that the Irish aren’t big on saving money; “I’m so broke” is the prevailing student mantra, muttered in anguish as the speaker flashes the cash for another chicken fillet roll. We’re lethal for those little expenses, those minor coffees and muffins and Heinekens that stack up until we’re forced to feed ourselves on bulk-buy rice and scavenged scraps off richer friends’ plates. It’s pandemic, how bad we are with money.

But one of the most important things college has taught me so far – outside of my degree course, naturally – is how to hang onto every penny with rabid strength. And lucky for you, this isn’t wisdom I plan on keeping to myself.

Take advantage of student in town. The trick with avoid- A few bruised bananas might ing this money drain is to injure your pride, but at least discounts and freebies I’m as guilty as the next person for forgetting that I have a discount card for somewhere and paying the full price, realising too late that I could’ve had a handy ten percent off.

Avoid this by discovering what discounts are offered by your most frequent haunts: if you’re big into clothes, never leave Topshop or New Look without showing that student card; and if food is your go-to, paying full price for a meal at Wagamama’s or KC Peaches is an absolute crime.

Take advantage of all those half-price, buy-one-get-onefree, some-percentage-off offers that your society cards drown in; those little savings can really add up, and someday might mean the difference between eating out and eating at all.

Keep an eye on the little purchases So you spent €2.50 on FroYo and €1 on a bag of crisps and €3 on an appletini in Captain America’s that didn’t even have much vodka in it, and now your wallet is empty and you’re wondering where your electricity money is gone? Sounds familiar. With our campus in such a prime location, we’re sitting ducks for every Spar and Starbucks

keep in mind one important thing: if you’re not going to die, starve, or use it more than once, don’t buy it. Easy, right? While you might feel like you’ll implode if you don’t get your caffeine fix, there are cheaper ways than Costa’s finest cream-coated treat. Try making them at home; it’s simpler than you’d think! Or bring coffee to college; most places will give you hot water for free.

Don’t match your friends’ spending habits.

That thing every parent has sometime snapped at their bored offspring – “don’t follow the crowd” – is unfortunately very true. Whether it’s down to that mythical wellpaid job or unfairly generous parents, some of your friends are going to have more money than you do, and if you try and keep up you’re going to end up broke. I’ve been-there-done-that when it comes to being the one eating her meagre tinfoil sandwiches under the restaurant table, as everyone else digs into a four-storey burger and dashings of chips. Sure, you feel left out and a bit resentful of your sub-par meal. But if you don’t have the cash to splash on daily lunch, why try and magic it out of nowhere?

your wallet will be intact.

Do you really want fries with that?

While your McDonald’s server isn’t going to challenge your desperate plea for nuggets and coke, you should probably ask yourself the questions they won’t. Making savings is all about differentiating between stuff you need and stuff you just want: stuff you need is anything you’d be stuck without; and stuff you want is that Dominos, or those shoes, or the myriad other things that you’re bombarded with in a day and struggle to turn down. While it sounds ridiculously boring, making yourself a budget and portioning out your income will let you succumb to those wants without also succumbing to massive student debt.

All it takes is a basic knowledge of Excel, and if you don’t have that you probably shouldn’t be coming to Trinity. Then, just figure out how much you have coming in – money from parents, from a job – and what you need to spend each month to survive and get from place to place.

Throw a bit into savings, and the rest can be spent on anything and everything that takes your fancy. Painless, right?

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Tuesday 17th september 2013

Paul James brings us the definitive guide to clubbing in Dublin.

Dublin Drinking

Dear Freshers, Once the stress of accepting your college course and sorting your accommodation is over, the time comes to ask the most important questions in the life of a fresher - where to buy the cheapest naggin and where to bring it. Therefore I present to you the Dublin Drinking Guide, written from one novice to you (who is hopefully presumably slightly more of a novice than I am).

never quite as cheap as the stench suggests. Also if you’ve ever heard the expression ‘sweatbox’, this is where you’ll live it. Look forward to pressing up against 874 other patrons on any given night and not all of these people are individuals who you would particuThe student friendly cocktail bar is a venue which you frequent larly like to touch. There’s also not a cloakroom in sight. to feel classy… or as classy as one can feel when the alternative is drinking cans in an alley. When cocktails are €3, there’s no need to ask what the cheapest pint is, so if anything, it’s an investment in dignity. The cocktail bar is the heaven of daytime drinking where you can get a mid-afternoon buzz without knowing looks and a These clubs aren’t just for gay people. The music is ridiculously feeling of awkward repentance. And let’s not forget that cocktails brilliant with every embarrassing song you ever hid away on your iPod coming into its full cringe-worthy glory. Clubs like this freare just delicious.

However, these bars have their downsides; you’re not the only quently pull in wonders such as Samantha Mumba, who evokes target market here. There are sharks in the water. The sunset and every childhood memory of you shaking your derrière pre-Beyonthirty-something singles will soon descend. The “DJ” will inevita- cé/Miley Cyrus twerk music. bly put on something akin to best of 2004 and sweaty fingers will undo those work shirt buttons. The makeshift dance-floor will soon spill over with the rhythmic rutting of singledom and it’s only half ten. Beware after dark.

The Student Friendly Cocktail Bar: Samsara

The Gay Bar: PrHomo

The “Hun” Club: Harcourt Street and many more

The ALT Bar: eg Cassidy’s.

These venues are just like, so cool man. You play Jenga and drink craft beer and there’s a popcorn machine filled with Wombles teddies instead of popcorn. Pizza and a pint are up for grabs for €10 and it’s a great place to explore new drinks and new people. It’s almost like for a split second, a life outside Trinity exists.

The ALT bar will inevitably define your character. If you choose this bar you are a particular type of person - the worst person in the eyes of many. You and all like you who drink Blue Moon from empty jam jars and have Bjork lyrics translated into Sanskrit tattooed on your lower arms will inevitably fail to realise that there is another world beyond the rose tinted hipster glasses that you don’t actually need seeing as you have 20/20 vision.

The Dive Bar: Upstairs in Doyles If you’ve ever wanted to jump around to loud music like an idiot and just be happy then this is your home. It being the anti-Harcourt Street, you can wear what you want, be who you want and shift anything you want. Perfect for those random nights out that you never planned but which end up being some of your best college memories. The music here is probably more fun than most places, the crowd is a little bit nicer and the night is a little bit longer.

All this will, however, pay its price on your wallet; the drink is

These clubs generally tend to be good craic and are probably a common ground between you and most of your mates as a venue for a night out. This is the place where you go to shift that babe in your class that you’ve had your eye on and patrons must be prepared take a minimum of four bathroom selfies as well as the obligatory “we did shots” photo.

The downside to these clubs is they’re a place where people make an effort with their appearance. If stumbling around in a revealing bodycon and skyscraper heels like a three legged bambi on ice isn’t your thing, you won’t like this. This is fake tan city and the huns are darker than Attila. The drinks are generally quite expensive and the nights themselves are usually run by creepy Midnight promoters using misogyny as a pull for the lads. Not sound.

The Club that plays the DJ everyone else seems to know”: Twisted Pepper This is the place where you can combine your love of bop and your longing to be cool and trendy into one glorious night. They have a smoking area dancefloor which is always a winner and if you have that inner raver in you this is home. (Another plus - you can also casually drop into conversation that you saw Todd Terje last week.)

The downsides are it can be a bit pricey to pay for that obscure DJ to be flown in from Norway and the crowd are a highly energetic bunch so not for everyone.

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GIVE A LITTLE, GET A LOT

Contributing Writer Daniel McFadden

L

eaving school and starting college is far more than a geographical change of location. It is not merely a move to a bigger school with more classmates and a change of scenery.

Many students discover that the move to university triggers a huge personal change which will inevitably define your character for the rest of your life. With a huge leap in independence and more freedom comes a canvas on which you can begin to paint your true character; a character that perhaps may have been slow to grow due to the confinement of secondary school norms and the everpresent race to be popular.

So what is it about all colleges – and Trinity in particular – that facilitates this morphism?

Although the beautiful marble columns and the vast green areas are awe-inspiring, I believe students are mostly inspired by the actions and deeds carried out by those who came before us. These activities can be so prominently seen in the

charitable societies which allow you to volunteer and make a difference, all the while making good friends.

Nothing creates a stronger bond between new acquaintances than standing in the pouring rain selling daffodils for Trinity Cancer Society, or walking through the city centre on a cold night giving soup to the homeless of Dublin with Trinity VDP. It will continuously surprise you how much you can laugh and joke while either soaking wet or freezing cold. The Trinity Cancer Society’s Relay For Life has the student body of Trinity walking around a track for 24 hours while teams tag each other in and out.

This event raises both awareness and money for a worthwhile cause while the friendships forged through the hazardous weather conditions are ones which you shall not quickly forget. Then there are societies like Q-Soc and Amnesty which are not only a congregation of likeminded people but provide a crucial platform for students to group together and voice their beliefs. Through volun-

teering you can see the world through the eyes of those less fortunate and can take a stand for those in society who still face discrimination and are still not afforded equal rights.

Working with these societies isn’t merely a new social circle but it gives you an awareness of the troubles of others.

Standing up for human rights completely changes your perception of life. In first year

I gained an acute awareness of the life she and others like her lead and for this I can never repay her. Empathy for others is a quality which cannot be valued high enough.

She allowed me to understand her life, and now I can understand the lives of so many others.

When I was sitting in Leaving Cert Economics struggling over my demand curves, never did I imagine that college would give me the opportunity to develop my character to such effect. It is not simply shuffling from class to class but rather a freedom of expression, a liberty to not only be who you are, but make sure everyone around you knows it too. The Gender Equality Society here in Trinity is a fantastic forum for discussion, debate and awareness.

Unfortunately I only came upon their Facebook group in my second year but since that day I can truly say no more than two days have passed without me reading one of the interesting posts which fuels debate and causes many to rethink how they view gender roles in society. I would be remiss in writing this article if I said

I believe students are mostly inspired by the actions and deeds carried out by those who came before us.

I worked with the National Institute of Intellectual Disability where I job-coached a woman at least 20 years my senior. Every minute I helped her I learned so much, not only about her as an individual but just how much myself and others in society can underestimate someone in her situation. The more capable she became in work the more proud she became of herself and being part of this wonderful woman’s journey has made me grow as a person.

that no one feels this way in secondary school but the opportunities afforded you here in college allow you to put your thoughts into action in a bolder and brasher way than you ever have before.

Whether it’s marching down O’Connell Street protesting against grant cuts or calling on the Taoiseach to give the people of Ireland marriage equality, your Students’ Union is behind you all the way. The sense of pride and freedom when protesting for something you believe in is unmatched by anything else.

All of these brilliant opportunities await the fresher and I can’t help but feel insanely jealous of that feeling you will get when you discover this side to college. It’s like being twelve and your father hands you the Harry Potter books - you have no idea just how good they’re going to be or how long you are going to spend talking about them incessantly but you’re excited. So as all you new and returning students navigate through the front courtyard this week, make sure to include a charitable society.

You will be doing something amazing and will have a fantastic time doing it.

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Tuesday 17th september 2013

The Burrito Wars: Episode II Staff Writer Kieran McNulty KC Peaches. Chicken Fillet Rolls. Lemon. Yum Thai. There are many food crazes that strike Trinity students, but none quite so gripping or as entertaining as the Burrito Wars. Several fine establishments popped up to fill the need of the masses, resulting in a filthy underhanded competition of who could offer the most bang for that 6.50 price students are willing to fork over. As the dust began to settle over the long summer, some clear winners and losers presented themselves.

WINNER: Tolteca WINNER: Boojum NEITHER: Pablos

NEITHER: Tuzo’s

Tolteca, the spring chicken of the bunch, opened up in Suffolk Street (right beside Trinity) shortly after Christmas with a 5 euro deal for students, with a drink, which hardly seemed believable.

The quality, which is generally considered ‘ok’, was compensated by the fact that there were unlimited refills.

Over the summer, a two for one deal was launched which meant a burrito for 2.50 if you were lucky enough to own a friend. Tolteca has also made solid moves to attract more students, such as the provision of free wifi that doesn’t suck and the inclusion of beer on the menu. The undisputed winner at reeling in students.

Tuzo’s had somewhat of a false start after Christmas this year, with many reports of the worst fate that can befall a burrito, the collapse of the innards into a gooey mess. That said, Tuzo’s has since improved and now has some excellent meat on offer. It has yet to win its way back into mainstream burrito business.

Trinity chose Boojum as their winner of the wars last year.

Boojum has everything going for it. The portions are more than decent, the food quality excellent and the place has an enviable air of ‘cool’ about it. There’s one brickbat though- Boojum is on the northside, further than most Trinity students would care to venture towards. Despite this, Boojum has cemented its reputation, which is well documented by the sheer volume of free vouchers societies have been scrabbling after for Freshers’ Week.

Ah Pablos, the closest comparison we have to a gourmet burrito. The portions are admittedly smaller than others.

The choice is somewhat restricted. However, Pablos has won over a diehard army of fans who swear by its Sunny San Diego. Despite having two quite accessible locations for Trinity students, Pablos is yet to really reach the top, but its perilously close.

LOSER: Burrito and Blues

Poor B and B. It’s had a hard time of it since last year’s Freshers’ week, when it seemed to be on the verge of capitalising on all that free voucher buzz. The less than quality ingredients coupled with a pricey 6.50 with a drink and the emergence of Tolteca has left it stranded at the back of the pack.

NEITHER (but losing out): Little Ass Pricey and small are sadly two words to describe Little Ass. It’s slowly losing out on the limited interest it had for its impeccable quality. To even regain the same level of admiration as Tuzo’s, prices have to drop.

LOSER: Mama’s Revenge Despite being extremely close to the Hamilton and having quality burritos, Mama’s Revenge has almost no part to play in the wars.

It needs to do something to gain a stake in that swelling market.

Tuesday 17th september 2013

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