i-INK Returns
Hallelujah - we’re back
Editor, issue 14
Well, here we are, back again. After a brief (ish) sojourn, i-Ink gloriously returns to your desks and inboxes to delight and enlighten. i-Ink is our one and only college newspaper in both print and on-line for you to enjoy, written by learners, for learners about the learning experience, our college and Ireland today.
Our i-Ink team is comprised of enthusiastic and intriguing writers from the Broadcast Journalism & Media Studies class. As you can see from the photo below, we are a dynamic bunch, somehow moody and cheerful at the same time. We look forward to bringing you both factual and entertaining stories, as well as hearing from you, our readers.
In this issue, you can read about the presidential election, everything about Halloween, the low-down on generative AI, Limerick entertainment, poetry, the list goes on.
So, sit back, read on and ENJOY!
What’s Inside?
What’s Inside?
Principal’s Welcome
Shane Cullinane, p2
Ár nUachtarán
The Presidential Election, p3
Halloween
Its Origins, Poetry, Costumes, & Crossword, p4 & 5, 8 & 9
Misinformation on Immigration, p6
Movember & Those pesky missing water bottles, p7
Generative A.I.
The Low-Down, p10 & 11
Meet The i-Ink Team:
Gigs for the Samhain Spirit
Out & About in Limerick this Halloween p12
Photograph: Aine Flynn, LCFE
Principal’s Welcome
Best of luck to everyone
Shane Cullinane, Principal
Dear Learners
As Principal at the College of Further Education and Training, Mulgrave Street Campus I am delighted to again welcome you on to your course and to our campus.
You have been on course a few weeks now and hopefully you’re settling into a new routine and feeling confident about this stage of your learning journey. Our staff pride themselves on being professional, supportive and welcoming and certainly I would like to extend this welcome to you as well.
Learning in 2025 is full of opportunity and challenge. We are all dealing with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and I am sure you are as well. It really is an immensely powerful tool, we each have our own personal assistant now that can be tasked as we wish - to research, analyse or produce. It could even have written this piece but it didn’t! One of the most powerful benefits of the learning journey is how by independent research, writing and presenting you can develop your own skills and voice. In addition skills development aids this and at MSC we place a significant emphasis on practical skills development and we shouldn’t shortcut our own development. So my advice would be use AI but be independent, develop your own skill base and let your own voice shine.
Finding balance is another key challenge we see our learners face year on year. Having to combine study, work, family commitments and social lives, it isn’t easy. If you’re struggling at all reach out. Your course leader is always there to sign post and be that first point of contact. Your goals are our goals so we’re invested in your success and course leaders and teachers will try their very best to assist you in getting the balance right.
Your goals are our goals so we are invested in your success and your course leaders and teachers will try their very best to assist you in getting the balance right.
Above all, attend, turn up, that’s the very foundation upon which your year and outcome will be based. We are here to help you learn and progress and it’s our privilege to be involved in your life with you at this time.
So I wish you the very best in your learning journey. Best Wishes,
Shane Cullinane Principal
Blood Donor Appeal
Conor Hayes
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has made an urgent appeal seeking an additional 12,000 blood donations over the next four weeks as most blood groups have fallen to under three days of stock remaining.
IBTS Service Director of Donor Services and Logistics
Paul McKinney has warned that a number of hospitals may be forced to cancel some elective surgeries if the number of blood supplies hasn’t increased between now and then.
If anyone wants to participate in donating blood, then you can find some possible dates that might suit you in
various locations around Limerick including Castletroy Park Hotel on November 24th.
Call 1-800-222-111 for information or to book an appointment. It is recommended that you eat something and drink plenty of cold drinks beforehand. Allow yourself about 90 minutes to complete the process at the clinic from the registration to refreshments. Giving blood is important because it helps save livesjust one donation can help up to three people. It’s crucial for patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment, trauma care, and for those with chronic illnesses. Since blood can’t be manufactured, generous donors are the only source. Regular donations help maintain a steady supply for emergencies.
https://www.giveblood.ie/become-a-donor/ https://www.giveblood.ie/regular-donors/
Photograph: Aine Flynn, LCFE
Ár nUachtarán
Our President
Pat Sherlock
As we go to press, we are days away from the presidential election, so chances are, by the time you read this, our new president may already be elected. But none-the-less, it’s worth a look at this largely ceremonial role, which wields little power but so much importance, the role of Uachtarán na hÉireann at its core is to be the face, soul, heart and representation of the island and its values.
From our first president, Douglas Hyde, showing our nonsectarian ethos as country, Mary Robinson being the face of our modernising transition away from traditional conservatism, Mary McAleese, a Belfast woman, who themed her presidency as “building bridges” during the time of the peace process and Micheal D. Higgins, our current Uachtarán na hÉireann. A teacher, a poet, an academic, an activist and a progressive man. He’s been a champion of inclusion, social equality, justice and antiracism both before and during his presidency. He’s used his voice to advocate for peace, calling out the housing crisis as “our great failure” and promoting the Irish language. He’s been a progressive face of progressive time with the landmark referendums of 2015 and 2018.
In this election we originally had three candidates for the Aras, Cathrine Connolly TD, Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin.
Catherine Connolly, a Galway native, former clinical psychologist and barrister. An independent politician whose being backed by every left party in Leinster house (Sinn Fein, Soc Dems, Labour, PBP, Solidarity, Greens and 100% redress) running on a neutrality, Irish language and Irish unity focused platform.
Heather Humphreys, a former bank manager, Fine Gael TD for Cavan-Monaghan and government minister. She’s being backed by Fine Geal and is running on a platform of a president for all owing to her own unique background as a presbyterian, coming from a traditionally unionist family with her grandfather signing the Ulster covenant and her husband formerly being a member of the Orange Order.
In a dramatic turn of events, Jim Gavin withdrew from the presidential race, less than 3 weeks before the election. A well-known Dub, he previously managed the senior football Dublin team to six all-Ireland wins. He also served in the defence forces. Although he had never actively been involved in politics, he was
backed as the Fianna Fail candidate, on a platform that revolved around energy, activity and engagement with institutions ranging from local community hubs to national institutions such as the GAA and the Armed Forces.
There were a range of other potential candidates, but none were able to get the sufficient amount of support required to be on the ballot (four local authorities or twenty members of the Oireachtas).
Gareth Sheriden - Irish businessman gained the support of two local authorities.
Maria Steen - Barrister and Conservative campaigner gained the support of eighteen members of the Oireachtas.
Conor McGregor - Famed for his MMA success and film career as well as being found liable for rape in civil court, McGregor gained no significant political support in Ireland but was supported by many anti-immigration rightists abroad such as Elon Musk.
I-Ink conducted numerous interviews during the election campaign to get the sense of public opinion and asking people, “what do you want to see in a president?” resulting in the following answers:
• Someone who has integrity and sticks to what they believe in
• Cares about human rights
• A president that stops genocide
• A strong authoritarian strongman
• A good person
• A president that speaks Irish
On the 24th of October go out to vote for the candidate you believe represents you
Misinformation on Immigration And our role as students
Over the summer, our great city has witnessed a troubling rise in anti-immigration sentiment, including a series of protests targeting asylum seekers and refugees. While the people attending these protests represent a vocal minority, their presence highlights a deeper issuea growing divide in Irish society.
These unfortunate scenes, seen not only in Limerick but across the country, are fueled by misinformation and amplified by public figures like Conor McGregor during the buildup to his ill-fated presidential campaign. But what’s the truth behind the claims made by these bad actors? And what role can we, as students, play in responding?
In recent months, misinformation about immigration has been spread widely across social media and has begun to infiltrate everyday conversations among peers. Much of this rhetoric is based on exaggerations or outright falsehoods - claims that asylum seekers are receiving hundreds of euros per week in social welfare or being handed the keys to brand-new houses and cars. We’ve all heard these narratives being pushed by vocal minorities.
What is the reality?
The truth is far more sobering. Asylum seekers living in Direct Provision are currently entitled to just €38.80 per week for each adult and €29.80 per child, a modest Daily Expenses Allowance proposed to cover the most basic of needs. They are not eligible to receive Jobseeker’s Allowance, Disability Allowance, the One-Parent Family Payment, or many of the other social welfare supports that Irish citizens can access.
In many cases asylum seekers are also not allowed to seek employment, usually until at least six months into their asylum application process. Even then, their daily expense allowance is means tested and so their income and any other supports are considered and may be reduced even further.
While this misinformation and sensationalized or fabricated stories dominate many of our social media feeds, the actual experience of people seeking asylum in Ireland is far from easy. Many asylum seekers will spend months – or even years – living in direct provision.
Direct provision is a system that was designed to be short-term, but as the effects of the housing and accommodation crisis continues to wreak havoc amongst the entire population, direct provision has now become a prolonged and dehumanizing system.
Accommodation centres have become overcrowded, with very little privacy or access to essential needs such as cooking or recreational facilities. Entire families are sometimes crowded into single rooms, and many individuals may share a living space with strangers from entirely different cultural backgrounds.
In all cases, the uncertainty and isolation is bound to take a toll on their mental health. Asylum seekers across our country and in our city are not trying to take advantage of the system but rather trying to survive within it.
While the media headlines and discourse on social media are largely focused on asylum seekers, it is also important to remember that immigration is not confined to only those seeking safety and refuge. Lost in the false narrative being pushed in the “anti-immigration” rhetoric is the proven fact that immigrants contribute significantly to the economy of Ireland and its public services.
Migrants are essential to the functioning of sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, construction, and technology. According to data gathered by the ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute) over 20% of the workforce are immigrants. One example of how vital immigration is to our country is the fact that one quarter of our nurses are immigrants. Where would our country stand without their care during the Covid-19 pandemic? It is estimated that immigration contributes over €2 billion in taxes to our economy every single year.
It is my hope that as students, and, as the next generation to shape the country we live in, we can be aware of the misinformation and ugly discourse we are being subjected to through social media. It is my hope that we can instead focus our efforts on helping to welcome people from all countries and cultural backgrounds and integrate them into Irish society. In equal measure, I would hope to learn more about other cultural backgrounds as a result. I believe that as citizens of this earth rather than this just of this island, we will find more to unite us than to divide us.
Dylan Campion
Movember
A history
Michael Quinlivan
As we approach the end of October, we are preparing for November to start and by extension talking about Movember. Designed to raise awareness for men’s mental health as well as having expanded to focus on more general health issues. This is done with the method of making a push for men to grow out their facial hair for the month of November like we see in the following photo.
This is done in the interest of helping to raise awareness as well as to encourage fundraising efforts. Last year there was an estimated $4.4 million raised from efforts. Proceeds from these efforts are sent towards men’s health charities such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (the original recipient for the charity) but has broadened to share its focus on charities as it extended outwards to other nation such as Spain and the United Kingdom.
Ireland soon also adopted Movember as an event, raising funds with the fundraising efforts being highly successful. It manages to employ many of the tactics which have worked so well for other charities: It wraps a fun activity (men consciously growing out and sharing their facial hair) and wrap it around a social issue, or in this case, social issues (awareness for men’s mental health and prostate cancer).
So, if there was a time to start that moustache you have had on your mind, now would be the time to start.
The Infamous Water Bottler
Jason O’Donoghue
Upon entering LCFE college, students were gifted with a complimentary bag. This bag held several college branded necessities with one of these being the infamous water bottle.
Students noticed around a week into their courses at LCFE that these water bottles started to get misplaced. Several sightings of water bottles had been confirmed all around the campus, however the water bottles had disappeared almost immediately after these photos were taken.
Some bottles were even spotted and seemed almost deformed in a way, only one mutilation has been spotted of these water bottles so far, this has been the “hand” mutilation.
The hand mutilation
The hand mutilation is the name given to a bottle that is melted down to form the shape of the human hand to provide better grip, or maybe that is what it wants you to believe. I believe that whoever is behind the disappearance of these bottles is purposefully doing this, so that students do not wish for their bottles back.
If you are reading this “water bottler” know that as you sit there reading this newsletter, we are looking for you, we will find you, and we will get those water bottles back, once and for all.
Photo: O’Donoghue/Quinlivan
Photos: O’Donoghue/Quinlivan
Photo: Quinlivan
Generative AI and effects on the
The case for and against the use of AI
Michael Quinlivan, Jason O’Donoghue
How does Generative AI affect creative and learning processes? Considering its growing presence throughout society, in some ways we have ended up in a McLuhanist ‘become what we behold’ situation.
To this end, consider the issue of AI hallucination, which poses issues from a host of problems, opening up to why AI is a problem from the academic perspective. For balance we have allowed a generative AI program to defend itself, followed by a critique of this response.
AI hallucinations
AI hallucinations pose a significant issue. In essence, large language models like Chat GPT aren’t engaging in language in the same way that humans do. What it is doing is using existing knowledge to find the next word that slots into the position that makes the most sense in the particular context. To this end, AIs will sometimes make things up as they make sense as the next sentence in a sequence. It however both cannot discern fact from reality and will also just pull something from the whole cloth by the same token.
Delve and Meticulous
What is worse is we can begin to see this bleeding into the broader vernacular of how people speak. As detailed in Scientific American, usage of phrases such as ‘delve’ and ‘meticulous’ have seen a marked uptick in usage but it appears that this has been the product of these generative programs excessively using specific phrases and as a result shaping our language sphere.
This is in itself morally neutral, Shakespeare’s writings single-handedly managed to carry us out of middle English into our modern vernacular, but with the case of Chat GPT this is at the expense of our mental fibre. The brain is like a muscle, you offload responsibilities, it goes limp. Prior inventions like the written word or the internet, did foundationally increase our ability to access and develop information.
AI has had an extreme negative impact on the creative mind of today’s students, some who may refuse to put their own mind into a hard worked essay, using instead, apps like “ChatGPT” do all the work and draft the essay for them. According to Forbes Magazine, “90% Of College Students Use AI”. This statistic indicates a devaluation of the true education system, demonstrating that institutions and teachers have not yet found ways to detect if a student has put in any work at all in to their overall essay or worse a major group project.
The brain is like a muscle, if you offload responsibilities, it goes limp.
it or lose it
creative learning processes
AI Replies
This defence below has been generated by AI. Proceed with caution:
AI in education and the creative process offers transformative benefits that, when used responsibly, can enrich both fields. In the context of education, AI acts as an empowering tool, personalizing learning experiences and providing students with individualized support. Traditional classroom settings often struggle to address the diverse needs of students, but AI can tailor content, pacing, and even feedback based on a learner’s strengths and weaknesses. For instance, intelligent tutoring systems can assess where a student is struggling, offer targeted exercises, and monitor progress over time. This kind of adaptive learning leads to more effective teaching outcomes, especially in subjects like mathematics and languages, where a personalized approach can make a significant difference.
Additionally, AI can free up educators from routine administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on fostering creativity, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. Tasks like grading, attendance tracking, and curriculum planning are streamlined by AI, giving teachers more time to engage with students and develop more dynamic, interactive lessons. This shift could also help bridge gaps in education accessibility, especially in underserved or remote areas, by providing quality resources and support that would otherwise be unavailable. In the creative process, AI serves as a powerful collaborator rather than a replacement for human talent. Artists, writers, and musicians are already using AI to augment their work, whether it’s generating ideas, suggesting improvements, or even creating entire
Our reply to the reply
...“or even creating entire”
Entire what? To clarify we did not just cut this reply by AI; the generated text just abruptly stopped here. However, after receiving the message through Instagram to place it into this document, we discovered that we were offered to summarise the message using Microsoft’s own AI program Copilot, which returned without an answer.
If we look at the substance of the defence, the claim that these programs will be adaptive is failed, based on the fact we hit on earlier: AI is derivative by nature and therefore will bend the students to the material rather than the other way around.
With all this said we can see the harmful effects of generative AI, and even the defence of the system created by the program itself fails to adequately defend why we need to keep this about.
The Origins of Halloween:
How Ireland’s ancient Samhain festival became an international festival
Tobias Heydemann
Halloween is celebrated around the world on the last day of October, and is particularly popular among young people. But do you know about the roots of the spooky festival in ancient Celtic civilization?
The Celtic roots of Halloween lie in the Samhain festival. Samhain divided the year into two halves: The lighter half (summer) and the darker half (winter). Samhain was considered the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year. The Celts believed that in the night before Samhain, the division between this world and the “otherworld” was at its thinnest, meaning that spirits could pass through between both worlds.
The Otherworld
This is an undoubtedly spooky notion, as spirits from the otherworld could now move around the “real world”. Therefore, the Irish Celts protected themselves by wearing costumes and masks – disguising themselves as harmful spirits and hence avoiding harm. At the same time, the spirits of the family’s ancestors were invited home.
Bone-fires and food also played a big part in the Samhain traditions. A communal fire was created, and household fires were extinguished and then started again from the bonfire. This symbolized unity and community as well as spiritual renewal. The people prepared food for the living and the dead. The ancestors’ food was ritually shared with the poor and underprivileged.
Samhain
Samhain was one of four Celtic festivals, with Imbolc (February 1st), Bealtaine (May 1st) and Lughnasadh (August 1st) dividing the year into four quarters. However, Samhain was undoubtedly the most important one of the four festivals, as it marked the beginning of the new year – comparable to New Year’s Eve in modern society.
The two hills Tlachtga (pronounced “Clackda”)
and Tara in Co. Meath were associated with Samhain, with the entrance passage of the Mound of the Hostages being aligned with the rising sun around Samhain. This ancient passage tomb is around 5,000 years old, indicating that Samhain was celebrated in Ireland long before the Celts arrived here (which was about 2,500 years ago).
Christianity incorporated the honouring of the dead into their calendar, with All Saints taking place on November 1st and All Souls on November 2nd.
When a large number of Irish people emigrated to America in the 19th century, they brought the traditions of Samhain with them. Other traditions, including the American harvest time tradition – this is where the carving pumpkins tradition emerged – blended into Samhain, and over time, Halloween was created. Today, it is no longer seen as an ancient ritual but a globally celebrated, fun and enjoyably spooky day which is the highlight of October for many people.
So the next time you plan your Halloween outfit or go around from house to house trick-or-treating, remember that you are in line with a tradition that can be tracked back for thousands of years. And that is truly Irish.
Photo: Mark, J. J. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https:// www.worldhistory.org/image/4028/mound-of-the-hostages-hill-of-tara/ (2015, August 26). .
Entrance to The Mound of the Hostages
No Tricks, Just Thrift! Halloween style
Caitriona Henry
The first term is officially over, what better way to celebrate than getting dressed up for Halloween and heading out! But instead of buying an expensive costume, let’s get creative and eco conscious: let’s go thrifting!
If your costume came from Shein, I’m scared… but not in a Halloween way. It might be tempting to buy a cheap costume online from places like Shein; most of us have been there. But it’s important to know what comes with that price. Their workers are often overworked and underpaid in poor conditions. Their clothes are made from materials that harm the environment and don’t last long, which means they will most likely end up in your bin and have you spending more than you bargained for. Instead of supporting these harmful practices, why not do something better for the planet and your wallet and your sense of style... Thrifting a costume is a fun, creative, and sustainable way to celebrate Halloween without supporting fast fashion.
Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry! There are loads of second-hand and vintage shops in Limerick where you can dig for gems and support a good cause. You
will be saving money, and you will also end up with something unique.
Have a look in some local spots like Enable Ireland, St Vincent de Paul, Lucky Lane and so many more. Want to be a ghost? Try grabbing a white nightgown, some
Skip hitting the next day delivery button & hit the charity shops instead
white tights and a dab of white paint. More into zombies? Get some secondhand or old clothes you don’t mind cutting a few rips into and add some red paint. Feeling cute? Go as a bear with a furry jacket and some D.I.Y. animal ears and don’t forget the makeup; it pulls it all together. Try even making use of old clothes you don’t wear for the costume. There are many alternatives!
But you may be wondering why do we dress up in the first place? It can be traced way back to the Celtic festival Samhain where people believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, and spirits could cross over and roam the earth. People would disguise themselves by dressing up in costumes to protect themselves from wandering spirits. As time went on and Christianity spread, Samhain came together with All Hallows’ Eve. This happened when Pope Gregory III moved the AllSaints Day celebrations to the 1st of November, and then the 31st became known as All Hallows Eve. Over time that led to the holiday of Halloween. Now we still see this old tradition from Samhain being carried on when we get dressed up, but with a more modern day feel instead.
So, this Halloween, skip hitting the next day delivery button and hit the charity shops instead. Whether you want to go scary, funny or serving looks, your preloved costume might already be waiting on a hanger. Have fun celebrating the old Irish traditions, and most importantly be creative and remember you don’t need to spend big to serve a big look.
Photograph: Caitriona Henry
Gigs for the Samhain Spirit
Makayla Ryan
Siege of Limerick
If you’re looking for an alternative way to spend your evening this Hallo-week, make sure you check out the Samhain edition of Siege of Limerick. Limerick maintains its infamy as the metal capital of Ireland with Siege [of Limerick] hosting two events annually - once in May, and once again in October. The event is always free - you won’t need to pay a cent to enjoy the three stages and upwards of 12 hours of music. Siege is all ages until 6pm, after which the event is 18+. Dolan’s Pub and Restaurant (Dock Road, Limerick City) remains the almighty host for the metal festival. The lineup, which boasts both local heroes and international talent alike, features a not-to-be-missed headliner- GAMAK (giveamanakick). The Limerick noise-rock legends return to the stage for one night only on Sunday October 26th.
Daughters of Jerusalem (Banat Al-Quds)
If head-banging and mosh-pits aren’t your thing, there is something quite special taking place at the University Concert Hall soon. Daughters of Jerusalem, also known as Banat al-Quds, is a Palestinian, Jerusalembased choir. Their songs are full of hope and resilience, whilst they use their vocal stylings to tell their stories of life in Palestine. In collaboration with Irish Artists for Palestine, this unique showcase will commence on October 28th. Tickets are priced as such; Standard €27.50, Concession €23.50, Student €19. They are available to purchase on the University Concert Hall website (www.uch.ie) and at the box office.
A Narrative / Brògeal
If you are looking for a musical way to spend your Halloween night out, Dolan’s is the place you want to be. There are two tantalising gigs to choose from; local, political, electro-pop icons TA Narrative, and the rambunctious, Scottish, folk-punk outfit Brògeal. TA Narrative - which consists of childhood friends Tara Nix and Anna Murphy - recently launched their own record label, SASP records. They are lauded for their formidable ability to blend electronic beats and live instruments, in tandem with their authenticity, connection and stage presence. They play their first headline show at Dolan’s Warehouse on Halloween night, where they will also launch their new EP, “Hearts Drive Forward”, on vinyl. The duo are joined by supporting acts Emily Panter, Meadhbh Hayes and Cat Turner, followed by Tom P gracing The Terrace with his CDJs and infamous CD
collection. Tickets for this extra-special showcase are €15. Brògeal will be bringing their signature boisterity and charm to the Kasbah Social Club portion of Dolan’s Pub. Freshly emblazoned with the experience of supporting The Wolfe Tones, the five-piece has since put out their debut full-length album, ‘Tuesday Paper Club’. Tickets for this gig will cost you €19. All tickets are available from www.dolans.ie, or Ticketmaster.
The Scare Factory
Enjoy a night of thrills and chills at The Scare Factory! Apparently visitors should brace themselves for a spine-tingling experience in Limerick’s Cleeves Factory. This fun and spooky event is employing one of our own journalism class-mates (we can’t reveal who) in this factory of freaks, so be afraid, be very afraid.
Cleeves Factory, Limerick, V94 VF20 Book: https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/ theatre-film-dance/the-scare-factory-0 From €23.66
Halloween Dreams
Orlaith Danaher
Loads of people eat colourful candy on Halloween night
Whereas some people give each other a fright
Spooky skeletons that are as white as snow sprint around
A black as coal cat meows loudly
A green zombie with rotting flesh devours someone’s slimy brains
An owl hoots ominously
A witch casts a magic spell and brews neon-coloured potions
A person unknowingly enters a haunted house filled with ghosts and ghouls
The goblins laugh as they prank their next victim
Lighting dances across the sky
Someone mysteriously dies
A vampire plots for their next victim’s demise
A human eating plant is on the prowl
A monster sharpens its fangs
A wolf stalks its prey
The night is only beginning yet l oads of people are going missing
