The College View - Issue 6 - Volume XVII

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Vol. XVII, Issue 6

Wednesday, 10 December 2014

THE COLLEGE VIEW DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY’S ONLY INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1999

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Best of

the year’s albums, gigs, books and more reviewed

Sport McGraynor guides DCU to victory » 28

Over ¤36k allocated for societies’ posters and refreshments 14.5% of the budget has been allocated to posters and refreshments alone, whilst the breakdown of a sponsorship deal saw the Accounting and Finance Society left without funds at the start of this year Eoin Sheahan News Reporter @EoinSheahan

DCU’S Society Life Committee

Maeve Martin and Paul Dwyer play Miley Cyrus and Pope Francis in this year’s Christmas Panto ‘The Adventures Of The Wickedly Talented Adele Dazeem’ organised by DCU Drama Society Credit Gianluca Avagnina

(SLC) has this year allocated more than €250,000 to various DCU societies, with a total of €36,537.66 going towards refreshments and posters alone, The College View has learned.

Figures obtained by this newspaper reveal that the allocated spend is higher than the supposed €220,000 SLC budget at the start of this year and up almost €16,000 on last year’s figure.

DCU’s Karting Society is the biggest recipient of the SLC grant, with €21,778.75 set aside while the Snowsports Society is the second largest benefactor, having €16,626.20 at their disposal.

Food Soc has been allocated the lowest amount, with €652 going towards their society for the year.

Allocations are made by the SLC after societies each submit a grant application to seek funds for items such as events, equipment and promotion. The SLC Funding Policy states that €1 will be provided per person for refreshments at an event, up to a maximum of €100, while €7 is given to each event for posters and promotion. The €36,537.66 designated to refreshments and posters represents 14.5 per cent of the entire budget this year.

One significant omission from the 2014/15 allocations is the Accounting and Finance society (A&F).

Organisers of DCU’s Mystery Bus Tour, European Mystery Tour and the university’s biggest inter-society ball, A&F is the second-largest society in the college,

with over 1,500 members. Due to a five-figure sponsorship deal struck this summer with professional services giants, Ernst and Young (EY), the society chose not to submit a grant application as extra funds were not necessary in the running of their events.

However, The College View understands that this sponsorship deal with EY has fallen through, leaving the society without funds.

Luke Ó Riordan, chairperson of A&F, revealed that the grant application deadline had passed before their funding had been removed.

“Funnily enough, the day after the grant app came out for everyone else, we realised ‘yeah, we should’ve done it’ but at the same time we thought we have these funds coming in, there is no need for us to take money off other societies that probably need it a lot more than us because we thought we had guaranteed figures coming in” said Ó Riordan.

A&F has been quick to recover from this blow, however, as a sponsorship deal with Bank of Ireland has been struck almost immediately to provide finance for next semester’s events while discussions are ongoing with SLC to arrange a belated grant allocation, as the chairperson acknowledged.

“I’ve met with Siobhan, the head of finances (of DCU Clubs and Societies), she has given us a window to do a new grant app because of the circumstances we were put in. I don’t think any other society has been put in that situation before”.

“It is unfortunate the way it has come to an end with them (EY), but, at the same time, we are now with a better company, Bank of Ireland.”

For a full breakdown of allocations check out our website, thecollegeview.com.

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Wednesday 10 December 2014│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Editorial Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief: Michael Cogley Deputy Editor: Finnian Curran Production & Layout Editor: Gianluca Avagnina Deputy Production & Layout Editors: Mark Hogan, Victoria Ivaylova News Editors: Finnian Curran, Sharron Lynskey Deputy News Editors: Katie O’ Neill, Elaine Carroll, Laura Colgan Opinion Editor: Christine Allen Lifestyle Editor: Orlaith Farrell Deputy Lifestyle Editor: Emma Dungan Features Editor: Catherine Devine Deputy Features Editor: Jade O’Leary Irish Editor: Caoimhe Ní Chathail Deputy Irish Editor: Barry Scanlon Sports Editor: Ruaidhri Croke Deputy Sports Editors: Cian Roche, Kevin Taylor Flux Editor: Odrán de Bhaldraithe Deputy Flux Editor: Bryan Grogan Images Editor: Aidan Broletti Phototographers: DCU Paparazzi Online Editor: David Matthews Online News Editor: Mark Hogan Deputy Online News Editor: Kevin Kelly Sub-Editors: Jordan Kavanagh, Megan Roantree, Nicola Ayres, Anna Kazadojeva, Giulia Luzi, Lisa O’Donnell, Conor Jack Martin, Aoibheann Diver, Chaitanya Brady, Aura McMenamin, Jamie Concannon Contacts editor@thecollegeview.com news@thecollegeview.com features@thecollegeview.com opinion@thecollegeview.com gaeilge@thecollegeview.com sports@theccollegeview.com Printed By Datascope, with the DCU Journalism Society Thanks To Sportsfile, SLC, Office of Student Life

There is no logical reason for homelessness to be a problem in 21st Century Ireland government have to take some of the heat, so too do landlords and indeed ourselves. @michaelcogley However, if we begin pointing fingers and letting this transcend into every other political issue LAST week a 43-year-old Irish in a bid to score brownie points man, who had been homeless for with voters, more will die on the five years, died in a doorway on streets.

Molesworth Street in Dublin just Efforts were made by the outmeters away from Dáil Éireann. reach team at Focus Ireland but We have to be angry, shocked Mr. Corrie had already accepted and deeply saddened about it. his faith.

John Corrie grew up in KilkenA Wicklow man, Kyle Hughes, ny and was described as ‘a bright tells a story of meeting John and young man who got caught up in offering him money. Mr. Hughes drugs’ by those who knew him. wrote: ‘When I offered to give His death puts everything in John money for a hostel, he flatly context. refused and told me I shouldn’t Our attentions were rapidly trust him with it – that it would drawn away from the homelessonly go towards him helping himness crisis once we were asked to self get through another day, and pay for something out of our own nothing more.’ pockets.

No man, woman or child The water charges, the esshould have that attitude in this tablishment of Irish Water and country, we should be passed different negligences of the govthat. This is not the 19th centuernment should have been put to ry this is 21st Century Ireland, bed until this was resolved. where people were more up in As a nation, our priorities lay arms over a new tax than a man at repaying loans and looking dying on a street in its capital after our own finances, so much who had been homeless for five so that the human element was years. completely lost and one of our Minister of State for Housown died on our streets. ing, Paudie Coffey, has ruled out There are plenty to blame, the increasing rent allowance as he Michael Cogley Editor-in-Chief

believes, with good reason to, that landlords will just bump their rent even higher as a result in an act that can be described as immensely profitable and also pure evil.

Minister Coffey said: “If you raise the rent supplement, it will automatically put more money in landlords’ pockets.”

The minister is right. We must move on and look to a different solution, looking to the goodness of people to solve a national emergency is futile.

Investment will be pumped into housing and more and more will be made available to those who are already homeless but when we look at what the problem literally is, in people sleeping outside in the freezing cold, we have to realise that it is something that needs to be neutralised, no minimised.

Put the election talk on the back burner, put the failings of the government back there too, hell put the water charges out of your minds.

Let’s focus, as a nation, as people, on fixing this. There is utterly no excuse for a man dying as a result of five years of homelessness in the year 2014 in what is supposedly a first-world country.

We are JournoSoc, DCU’s Society dedicated to helping all aspiring journalists, freelancers, and broadcasters.

With The College View, you get an incredible shot at earning some valuable expertise in the world of journalism. A student-ran, student-written, student-focused paper, chock full of stories that matter to you.

JournoSoc is here to help out any way we can, from workshops to guest speakers. The year ahead looks great, and we hope you’re with us all the way… facebook.com/journosoc twitter.com/dcujourno

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 10 December 2014

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News

On campus accommodation set to double and the CAO nearing reform

DCU PRESIDENT Brian MacCraith interviewed by The College View’s Editor-in-Chief Michael Cogley inside the President’s Office premises in the Albert College Credit Gianluca Avagnina

DCU President Brian MacCraith speaks exclusively to The College View on a new campus development announcement, the reform of the CAO and the upcoming merger with St. Pat’s Michael Cogley Editor-in-Chief

@michaelcogley

IN quarter one of 2015 DCU will

make a major announcement regarding the Campus Development Plan which will include the creation of up to 1000 new beds on or very close to the Glasnevin campus.

President MacCraith revealed that the college is trying to double the amount of on-campus accommodation in the coming years and has also set the ambitious target of having between 25 to 30 per cent of the student population living on campus during his presidency.

“We’ll see somewhere between 850 and 1,000 new beds on campus, bearing in mind we already have 1,200, but we will be seeking to approximately double that in the coming years.”

The impending increase in accommodation comes as welcome news as DCU students have been part of the ongoing housing crisis in County Dublin.

The new accommodation may help to deal with an influx of students from St. Pat’s, however the distribution of students from the Drumcondra-based college remains un-

clear and is still being discussed.

“There will certainly be over 16,000 students on both campuses. Elements like the distribution of those 16,000 students is not finalised yet but is a key element of our dialogue.”

Elsewhere in the announcement from quarter one, President MacCraith is optimistic that there will be good news in regards to the new student hub.

A referendum was passed last year by the student body with projections of what the four story building will look like.

“We’re actively fundraising for the new student centre and with one more big success, which I’m hopeful of we’ll be able to make the announcement very soon,” MacCraith said.

MacCraith said. “Much older and larger universities tend to do better, but more importantly you tend to see a regional aspect to it.

I looked at the data from the year after the major crash in the banking system, in that year all 7 Irish universities fell by close to 90% in their reputation ranking. That didn’t mean that the quality of all seven universities plummeted in that year,” Brian concluded.

MacCraith praised the college’s performance in a new

RANKING SYSTEMS The President voiced his frustration towards the national media’s coverage of the college ranking system saying that there is an over-reliance on the two main systems which don’t offer extensive evaluation.

“There are the two main ranking systems QS and Times Higher. TH has 13 or 14 different elements with over 30% goes to something called reputation,”

Credit Gianluca Avagnina

ranking system set up by the European Commission which covers 30 different elements, double that of the main two.

“850 universities took part in the Commission’s evaluation and DCU ended in the top 3

per cent of those universities. It was the highest ranked of all the Irish universities included. You didn’t see that in the papers.”

As well as having plenty to say on the college and the institution going forward MacCraith has backed reform of both second level assessment and indeed the routes from second level to third.

“Have to look at the combination of the CAO and the Leaving Cert, one is an admission process the leaving cert is an exam.

The combination of those two if they were left as they are would be hugely negative for students.”

MacCraith said the current leaving certificate system does not encourage the attributes that the colleges are seeking from its graduates.

“Leaving cert is a single assessment tool primarily crammed into two weeks every year. Reflecting at least three years and possibly six years. Is it driving the sort of attributes in our students? I think not.”

Brian highlighted a simple change that could be made to the existing system taking English as an example.

“Let me give you one example, take english, why do we force our students to come out of an exam with their hand half falling off after writing this essay? What part of life does that prepare you for?

Where as you could say in January of Leaving Cert year, for this afternoon you’re all going to go into your computers and you’re going to type in your essay and submit it and it’s towards you assessment? Why is that impossible in this day and age? Simplest change you could make.”

MacCraith believes that re-

form in the CAO system, which is owned and run collectively by the seven Irish universities, will see much more general entry routes like general science, general arts with more choices being made available once in the right faculty.

The allocation of funding is number and demand driven and MacCraith revealed that DCU’s Business courses, which are part of the biggest business school in Ireland, soared in demand leading to an increase in funding.

He said that DCU are in the process of attaining some major accreditation associated with the best business schools and also said the Price Waterhouse Cooper were the biggest employer of graduates across the entire college.

Elsewhere in funding MacCraith said that science and health degrees as well as physics all increased substantially in points and that there has also been a huge interest in DCU’s new joint honours degree which sees degrees like media studies paired up with more traditional arts subjects like english.

While the President was excited about a number of new academic progresses including ePortfolios, which will see students being able to monitor their own development through their time at DCU, it seems to be the Campus Development Plan announcement in early next year that will herald the biggest news.

Some of the plan is already being put in place with the new reception and the new signage out front but with a lot of details yet to be revealed it appears that the campus may look a good deal different in a few years time.

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News

Over 200 students attend USI Pink Training in Cork The training aimed to teach students about issues relating to gender identity and sexuality Zainab Boladale News Reporter @thecollegeview

THE 22nd USI Pink training took

place in University College Cork and Cork IT at the end of last month.

Over 200 students from colleges all over Ireland attended the annual event from the 21st – 23rd of November, with nineteen representatives from DCU in attendance.

Students from DCU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Society society attended USI’s Pink Training, alongside DCU Students’ Union welfare officer Eve Kerton.

USI pink training aims to teach students about issues relating to gender identity and sexuality. The weekend aimed to build a sense of community amongst LGBT students and provided workshops and talks that allow students to discuss topics in an open and safe environment.

The main focus for this years workshops was informing students on combatting issues affecting the LGBT community and how to campaign for marriage equality in Ireland.

With the upcoming referendum for Marriage Equality set to happen in 2015, USI president Laura Harmon and USI equality officer Annie Hoey gave speeches about the subject.

“This is the last Pink training which we will be treated as second class citizens” said Annie Hoey to the crowd, which was met with a standing ovation.

When asked to sum up pink training weekend one student described it as “an inspiring insight into such a diverse community that just want the same rights as everyone else” while another said the weekend was “a sample of that sense of belonging and true comfort among people and friends that will become a reality in Ireland”.

Health consequences do not stop students from drinking Laura Colgan Deputy News Editor @Laura_Colgan

MOST

students would not change their drinking habits due to an awareness of medical consequences, new research has shown.

Only nine per cent of students would reduce their consumption of alcohol for medical or health reasons, according to a study conducted by The Irish Society of Gastroenterology.

Sport participation was the predominant reason for cutting back on alcohol intake, with 29 per cent of students saying that they would reduce the amount of alcohol they drink for that reason.

Cost caused 21 per cent of students to cut back on alcohol and exam preparation led 19 per cent of students to reduce their intake.

One of the authors of the report, consultant hepatologist Dr Orla Crosbie said: “While we can increase education about the dangers of alcohol consump-

tion, when it comes down to the crunch, people do respond to cost, as the study shows.”

Out of all the students that took part in the study, 96 per cent consumed alcohol.

The study found that students spend an average of 20 per week on alcohol. It also found that students drink an average of 6 drinks on a night out too,.

Irish drinkers aged between 18 and 29 were found to be the heaviest drinkers, with 40 per cent saying that they binge drink on a weekly basis. The data for the report was collected by first year students in University College Cork.

Crosbie is calling for the introduction of legislation to restrict the availability and promotion of alcohol and for a minimum unit price.

“Cheap drinks promotions for students, which are a regular feature of Irish college life, should be banned under legislation,” she said.

Alcohol-related deaths decreased by 32 per cent within one year of the introduction

of such legislation in Canada.

The Union of Students in Ireland launched an alcohol awareness campaign that highlights the mental impact of harmful drinking at the beginning of this month.

Third level students turning to charities for support Aura McMenamin News Reporter @thecollegeview

THE number of students seeking

financial support from charities has risen, according to a recent Campus.ie article.

Saint Vincent de Paul has seen the number of students asking for support ‘double’ since 2009.

Jim Walsh, the SVP press officer explained that an estimated 70,000 calls will be made from the Dublin and Wicklow area alone this year.

SVP spent an estimated €4.7 million on support for secondary and third-level education last year, though the article explains that this number could be higher due the difficulty in specifying which students were in third-level.

A Bank of Ireland study in September found that while the cost of college is €13,000 a year, Credit tipperarytimes.com grants only amount to €3,025.

The Irish Universities Association noted that students’ income fell 22 per cent in the last five years, since the recession began.

However, despite the accommodation crisis that saw rent rates rise by 17 per cent this summer, SVP did not see an increase in support for rent.

SVP provide grant supports to help students cover the costs of travel, books and food through the Education and Training Bursary. The bursary does not help students in PLC and private colleges or students that have completed a masters.

SVP noted that the surge in calls for support has not been met by a responsive government.

National Vice President, Tom Mac Sweeney, told Newstalk last month that government has been largely neglectful of the poor.

“We don’t think the government is quite listening to what we are saying. We know the people are because they support us in the annual appeal every year.”

SVP launched their online application service in September and were met with 8,000 new calls.

Their annual appeal video was launched in the run up to Christmas as an estimated 150,000 families will be serviced this year.

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 10 December 2014

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News

Youth group launch manifesto calling for rent controls The We’re Not Leaving movement launched a manifesto proposing that rent increases should be capped at 10 per cent over a three-year period John Casey News Reporter @Chai_sfsfs108

CAMPAIGNERS have warned

that stringent rent controls are needed in order to prevent many tenants being priced out of the market.

The We’re Not Leaving movement, which campaigns on issues related to young people, released a manifesto proposing that increases in rent should be limited to 10 per cent over a three year period.

The group propose that rent control in Ireland be remodelled to match the German system. This system uses an annually updated rental index which takes into account factors such as how desirable a neighbourhood is and the quality of facilities available to a tenant. A recommended price of rent is then released. Landlords can face legal action if they charge rent excessively above the index price.

Fr. Peter McVerry, who spoke at the launch, called on the government to implement the controls in order to stop a “tsunami” of homelessness in Dublin and across the country.

The group are also seeking better conditions for young people who are renting. Their proposal launch was accomStudents attending the USI Pink Training in Cork Credit usi.ie panied by an exhibition high-

Over 20,000 students registered to vote in marriage equality referendum Over 20,000 students have been registered to vote ahead of the upcoming marriage equality referendum as part of a nationwide voter registration drive Elaine Carroll il marriage equality coalition Deputy News Editor group formed by GLEN (Gay @elainecarroll93 and Lesbian Equality Network), Marriage Equality and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, co-ordinated with unions and organOVER 20,000 students have been isations in support of the drives. registered to vote ahead of the UCD gathered an estimatupcoming marriage equality ref- ed 4,500 voter registrations erendum as part of a nationwide during the week long drive, while voter registration drive.

UCC and Trinity rounded up The total number of stu- over 3,000 registrations each. dents registered to vote came Hannah Whelan, who was into 20,210 in over 20 campuses volved in running the drives nationwide, with over 800 stuin DCU, said that she was dents registered in DCU alone. “surprised by how many peoThe drives, organised by ple didn’t seem to know students unions and organabout the referendum”. isations, were held with “I think students need the aim of registering to realise the imporstudents ahead of next tance of their vote in year’s marriage equalithis referendum bety referendum, which is cause we really need due to be held in spring. young people voting.”

YesEquality, a civStudent voter reg-

istrations increased significantly between Novemeber 1st and 25th as the RFA1 form was distributed out to students at the drives. The form requires just a name, address and date of birth and is perceived as the most straightforward method of registering large numbers of voters.

Laura Harmon, President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), said that students’ unions “should be proud of their work to double the target and get so many students primed and ready for the polling booth”.

USI’s initial target was to get 10,000 students registered. She said that “students have historically been a potent force for equality – many of those registered in the last few weeks have never cast a ballot, but have decided to convert their voices to votes for the issues they believe in”.

Credit irishtimes.com

lighting young people and the appalling conditions they experienced in their rental homes.

An NCT-style minimum standard for rental properties is one of the group’s main proposals.

A recent report from the Private Residential Tenancies Board stated that rent control could make the problem worse by hav-

ing fewer houses available to rent.

Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly is also opposed to rent control, preferring instead to focus on increasing housing supply as a means of easing the prices.

Rent controls were abolished in Ireland in the mid 1980’s after they were found to be unconstitutional.

DCU professors among top paid worldwide Jamie Concannon News Reporter @jamie_concannon

THREE DCU professors were se-

lected among the 15 appointees in Ireland to receive wages ranging from €150,000 to €250,000, according to the Department of Education.

The reason why these wages are so high is to enable universities “to hire an international star researcher”, Ned Costello, CEO of Irish Universities Association, said to the Irish Independent. If the wages offered were in line with other professors, they “simply will not take employment here for the rate on offer”, Mr Costello said.

While most professors earn less than €150,000, the Universities Act allows for larger salaries only in exceptional circumstances. Currently the highest paid salary in this scheme is €256,930.

Figures released from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) show that a quarter of Irish University professors are earning more than €100,000 a year, and of these, 83 are earning up to €200,000.

The average salary for professors in Dublin’s three universities is around €130,000, according to figures from each of their websites. This is considerably greater than the average of other European universities, such as Oxford (€106,193) and Cambridge (€111,445) in the United Kingdom.

The issue was recently raised in a parliamentary question in the Dail by Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh.

In 2010 an investigation by the Public Accounts Committee found that the salary of Irish professors surpassed those of professors in the UK, Canada and America.

“Personally I think it is absolutely ridiculous. These wages are completely excessive when you compare them to schoolteacher wages or the other public paid jobs”, DCU Journalism student Ryan McBride said of the salaries.

“I think some drastic changes need to be made in the education sector of Ireland. Over the past few years austerity measures have hit everyone hard and it seems very unfair that these salaries remain so high”, P.E and Biology student John Carney said.

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News

Dublin falls in list of top student cities Dublin tumbles in list of top student cities around the world Chai Brady News Reporter @Chai_108

DUBLIN fell in the world ranking

for people to study due to high tuition fees, according to the QS Top Universities Guide. Dublin fell from 15th to 32nd place.

It commends Dublin for having a large number of students with a high proportion of international students studying in the city.

DCU International student Wing Man Liu said she pays 10,700 per year which is almost double compared to other EU countries. Liu said: “My family used up all the money and I have to consider getting a student loan for my Master study.”

Irish DCU student Kevin Kel-

ly said “because they’re international students I think there’s going to be an extra cost compared to internal students. Dublin has a great reputation as a university city, I know it’s getting quite expensive but in the long run I think it’s worth it”.

A spokesperson for the QS Top Universities Guide said the perfect city combines a “topclass study facility and historic surrounding with a cracking social scene and friendly locals”, which it said Dublin has.

“Its weakest point is affordability, with international tuition fees averaging around €14,430 per year.” They also say that “in terms of general living expenses Dublin may not be as costly as you expect”.

According to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) spokesper-

son, Kevin Donoghue, finding a place to live in Dublin is the hard part. “There was and continues to be, a lack of affordable, liveable accommodation in the city.”

Liu said: “Life in Dublin is quite expensive compared to my home country Hong Kong. The bus fare is high and having dinner in a restaurant is expensive.”

According to Liu she’s happy with the education she’s received and the career service after graduation offered by DCU, adding that compared to the USA, Canada and the UK fees in Dublin are relatively low.

Interns earn as much as average worker Stephen Keegan News Reporter

STUDENT interns at major tech

firms in Ireland earn as much as workers on the average national wage, according to the Irish Independent.

Six-month internships at tech firms such as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and Microsoft can pay up to €3,000 a month, compared to the average national wage of €2,908 a month.

Credit Johnsiskandson.com

Interns are often offered generous incentives such as accommodation subsidies, a gym membership, private health insurance, high-end restaurant facilities and even dry-cleaning services.

Google is advertising intern positions in business and engineering that last between 10 weeks and six months and pay over €2,000 per month, with incentives such as free food, gym and relocation expenses.

Microsoft plans to recruit

65 interns in its Irish office this year. They will be paid “competitively” and will receive the same benefits as full-time employees. Facebook also offers competitive pay for interns at its rapidly-expanding Dublin office.

Even high-tech student interns outside of the top multinational firms can expect to earn between €1,500 and €2,250 per month. Students from countries in Europe where large firms do not pay interns as much are increasingly looking towards Ireland as a golden destination for internships.

Patrice Twomey, Careers Director at the University of Limerick, told the Irish Independent that tech is “Probably the best-paying sector for internships.

“They pay well because it is a great way of identifying future talent and it’s a very important investment for many of the tech companies. For them, it’s quite inexpensive compared to graduate programs, which can be expensive to run.”

There is a growing wage disparity between high-tech multinational companies and local firms, who often offer unpaid internship positions or utilise social welfare schemes such as JobBridge.

Interns employed through the JobBridge scheme receive just €50 on top of their weekly social welfare payments for the duration of their internship.

MEMBERS of the cast of DCU Drama’s Panto ‘The Adventures of the Wick-

Three in four college entrants are studying level 8 degrees Andrew Ralph News Reporter

SEVENTY-FIVE per cent of col-

lege entrants in 2014 are studying for an honours degree at universities across the country, a 41% increase from nine years ago.

New data released by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) reveals that school-leavers are now more ambitious than nearly a decade ago with 10,000 more students in 2014 than 2005 opting for a level 8 degree after completing their Leaving Certificate examination.

This has resulted in the popularity of universities rising and more courses being added to satisfy this increased demand.

According to the HEA there has been a rise in those studying business, law and construction at universities.

Education Officer at the DCU Students’ Union, Gary Gillick, said the University was prepared to deal with the surge in demand for courses.

“From an academic perspective, a larger influx of students will obviously equal a

greater demand on the resources provided by the University.

The main thing to remember is that no organisation is effective without a long-term strategy.

“With DCU in mind, the longterm strategy does include plans to accommodate expansion.”

The demand for level 6/7 courses have consequently fallen by almost 4 per cent to 11,752 this year from 12,198 in 2013.

The figures indicate that there is a growing gap in popularity between level 6/7 courses and the level 8 courses.

Institutes of Technology have proportionately provided more level 6/7 degrees in comparison to universities, this belief was supported during the recent recession as undergraduates sought to enhance their employability with these degrees.

In 2009, Institutes of Technology had a 47 per cent share of first year students but this has subsequently fallen to 45 per cent.

Universities once again represent the largest proportion of 47,000 first year college entrants after overtaking Institutes for the first time in 2008.

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 10 December 2014

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News

Strictly Come DCU takes over the Hub Katie O’Neill Deputy News Editor @_Katie_ONeill

DCU Dance Society brought

Strictly Come DCU to to the Hub on Monday night in aid of the three chosen Students’ Union charities of the year: Cycle4Life, Suicide or Survive and The Irish Guide Dogs.

Catherine Small, a member of the Dance Society who is involved with putting the show together spoke to The College View: “For Strictly DCU a person from the Dance Society gets paired up with a person that would be considered to be well-known in DCU so for example we have Students’ Union President Kenneth Browne and one of the guys that works in Spar.”

The event saw pairs partnered up and assigned a certain style of dance which they had to rehearse prior to the performance in the Venue. “Each couple has a different style so there’s hip-hop, jazz, baton, ballet, Bollywood and then they’re also going to do a group dance together.” Catherine explained before the show.

The contestants who were to take part were revealed oneby-one in a succession of videos posted on the DCU dance Faceedly Talented Adele’ in the backstage of The Venue last Thursday night. The Drama Society sold over 350 tickets and will donate the money raised to charity Credit Gianluca Avagnina

24 Hour Broadcast raises almost ¤5k for Histiocytosis Sharron Lynskey News Editor @sharronlynskey

TRINITY College Dublin has ap-

proved plans to create a new legal entity that will allow it to avoid paying tax on the profits generated by its new online sector. The new entity will be known as “Trinity Dublin Online” and will be responsible for all online education at the college.

The proposal was approved by the university board on November 5th. The proposal included detailed earnings projections which envisioned the online division reaching profits of €1 million per year by the 2019/20 academic year. It is estimated that it will cost €2.1 million to set up.

The expansion of Trinity’s online courses was an important objective of their latest five year strategic plan which was launched earlier this year. The college will focus on Continuous Professional Development courses aimed at people already in the workplace.

Trinity plans on seeking charitable status from the Revenue Commissioners for the new en-

tity. If this status is granted the university will be exempt from paying tax on any profits generated by incoming tuition fees.

No tax is currently paid on tuition revenues for traditional courses at Trinity. This is due to the courses being accredited under the national education system. The proposed online courses would be self accredited and therefore would not be exempt under normal circumstances.

Trinity Dublin Online plans on having roughly 1000 students spread over 19 courses. The initial

fees are being proposed at €3,500 for a postgraduate certificate, €5,500 for a postgraduate diploma, and €10,000 for a postgraduate masters. Each course will be sponsored by an individual member of the college’s academic staff.

Trinity has already launched its first open-access, online-only course. Irish Lives in War and Revolution. This was set up as a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in September and ran for six weeks, with over 10,000 people participating.

Credit MPS

book page in the twelve days leading up to the event in the #12DaysOfStrictly. The event was black tie and featured appearances from Britain’s Got Talent contestant, Ryan O’Shaughnessy and the winner of The Voice of Ireland, Brendan McCahey.

The entry into the event was €10 and the proceeds from the night will be awarded to the three respective charities.

Credit DCU Dance

SU host Diversity Week Hayley Halpin News Reporter

DIVERSITY week, hosted by the

Students’ Union took place last week throughout campus from December 1 to December 5.

With over 110 nationalities, DCU is ranked for having one of the most diverse student populations in any college in Ireland, statistics from campus.ie suggest.

Various events were held in DCU during the week as part of Diversity Week kicking off last Monday with the Jigsaw Photo Campaign. The campaign got students to write what makes them unique on jigsaw pieces and at the end of the week the jigsaw was assembled, joining together the pieces to illustrate what makes the students of DCU unique.

DCU Clubs and Societies ‘Christmas Day’ came to The Hub on Tuesday. This event included raffles, giveaways and was participated in by DCU RAG, Enterprise Society, An Cumann Gaelach, and others. Members of clubs and societies celebrated at the Clubs and Socs Ball in the Crowne Plaza on Tuesday evening.

Wednesday saw one of the busiest days during Diversity

Week, events that took place on this day included: Comhlámh Volunteering Workshop; the switching on of the Christmas tree lights in The Hub and the LGBTA Society diversity Photoshoot in The Mezz.

SpunOut.ie were on campus on Thursday to encourage safe sex and to promote their #GetTested14 campaign which encourages students to partake in regular STI checks.

To finish up the week, the Media Production Society, 24 Hour Broadcast took place from Friday to Saturday, in aid of the Histiocytosis Research Trust.

The aim of Diversity Week was to celebrate the wide range of nationalities, religions and sexual orientations in the university and to showcase how our differences unite the student body.

Second year Applied Languages student, Benji, was full of praise for Diversity Week “It really showcases that despite all of our vast differences, we are one community as DCU students and I think it highlights how valued those differences are whether you’re a religious, racial/ethnic, sexual or gender minority, you’re still a part of this university and this SU” He said.

8

Wednesday 10 December 2014│THE COLLEGE VIEW

News

UCC students win global award for smart beehive Anna Kazadojeva News Reporter @thecollegeview

STUDENTS at University Col-

lege Cork (UCC) have won a global competition for their project which uses smart technology to help the plight of honey bees.

Five students created the energy-neutral smart beehive, which can track the activity of the bee colony and conditions

within the hive at any time.

The UCC pilot project uses big data, mobile technology, wireless sensor networks and cloud computing to look at the impact of factors such as: carbon dioxide, oxygen, temperature, humidity, chemical pollutants and airborne dust levels on the honey bees, using solar panels for an energy neutral operation.

The data which is stored inside an active beehive is protected by both traditional

Credit central.ie

methods of cryptography, as well as by the bees themselves.

This research will also allow bee keepers to monitor their beehives at times which would have been difficult before, such as during the night, during heavy rain or in winter.

UCC’s winning project was titled ‘(2B) OR!(2B): From the beehive to the cloud and back’ and used a Boolean theme which was also inspired by Shakespeare.

President of UCC, Michael Murphy, said that Boole’s theories of logic and probability are as powerful now as they were in 1800s.

“I am delighted that his work has inspired our current students to create novel solutions to an urgent global problem and helped them win an international competition in the process.”

UCC had to compete with the likes of MIT/Boston University (2nd) and TU Delft in the Netherlands (3rd) at the IEEE/IBM Smarter Planet Challenge 2014.

The Director of Embedded Systems Group at UCC, Dr Emanuel Popovici, described the project to be one where bee keeping practices meet with the latest advances in electronic technologies.

“It is a project where five very bright and enthusiastic students from three disciplines interact and exchange some brilliant ideas to help humanity”.

DCU Drama Holds Annual Christmas Panto Rebecca Lumley News Reporter @RebeccaLumley1

THE diverse and ever entertain-

ing DCU Christmas panto, staged by the Drama Society, took place on Wednesday and Thursday in The Mezz.

“The Adventures of the Wickedly Talented Adele Dazeem”, written by James Keogh, was a medley of DCU related jokes and pop culture references imposed on the traditional panto format.

Tickets were just €5 per person and both nights attracted great crowds of students, with

Thursday seeing a full house.

The production was directed by first year student Cait Ni Cheallachain and second year Gearoid Clesham. The lead role, that of Adele Dazeem, was played by Hanah Egan and was said to have been inspired by Idina Menzel.

The story followed panto tradition and saw Adele break free of her evil stepmother, fall in love and realise her dream of being a Broadway star. The show also featured an eclectic mix of supporting characters, with drama society members portraying roles such Joan Burton, Madonna, Jedward, Miley Cyrus and Pope Francis.

Among the selection of famous songs featured in the show

were “Hard out here”, by Lily Allen, “Happy”, by Pharrell and an adapted version of Oscar wining number, “Let it Go”, from Frozen.

Despite a few lighthearted jibes about The College View from Puff the Magic Dragon, primarily referencing readership numbers, the show was a huge success for Drama Soc and is only one of the productions they have scheduled for this year.

A show of an entirely different genre, “A Clockwork Orange” will take place next week, starting December 11, which is adapted from the novella and film of the same name, while “Spring Awakening” is expected in 2015.

Credit campus.net

Exam timetables cause confusion in DIT DIT exam timetables cause confusion for staff and students Aaron Gallagher News Reporter @thecollegeview

STUDENTS and staff at DIT have been left confused and misinformed surrounding the dates for their upcoming Christmas examinations due to its proposed merge with ITT and ITB next year.

With exams scheduled for both before and after Christmas, the academic calendar has persisted to be a topic of uncertainty among students.

The confusion stems from the proposed merge between DIT with fellow colleges IT Tallaght and IT Blanchardstown in the near future, with the latter two having different academic calendars to that of DIT. The merge will see the three institutes form an alliance that will culminate in a new Technological University. “(The) three institutions in the Dublin region – DIT, ITB and ITT - have come together to explore the benefits of structured coop-

eration and collaboration and to jointly seek designation as a new unitary university, providing educational opportunities that are practice-based and researchinformed”, their website says.

With DIT in a stage of transition with the merge in mind, current students and lecturers alike feel that they are being tested as bait with the new running order, with the current timetables due to take place for the current academic year only.

While this is also an issue for staff at DIT, the Teachers Union of Ireland have opposed the changes to the academic calendar, taking the concern to the Labour Relations Commission.

Although no agreement was made with the LRC, the matter was later referred to the Labour Court- recommending a review of the calendar after the current academic year, with the schedule still to be in operation for 2014/15.

Exams for DIT students will run from the fifteenth until the 22nd of December and will resume again on the 5th of January, ending on the twelfth.

9

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 10 December 2014

Opinion

College LecturesWorth their weight in college fees?

Aaron Gallagher Contributor @ AaronGallagher8

“DO not train a child to learn

by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.”

PLATO

What is the most effective teaching method? Some students are inductive learners i.e they like to work from small fragments and build upwards to paint a carefully poised picture.

Others may be deductive, where they have to get an overall understanding and incorporate the wider context and implications of a problem.

Both work. But should we get a choice in the manner in which we learn? Having experienced lectures for the best part of four weeks, I feel that they are awfully wasteful and do not seem to cater to the needs of students.

In theory, a relaxed and conversational approach to teaching appears wonderful, but in reality

are we getting what we pay for?

In my first month as a college student, I found myself sitting in lectures completely lost.

Looking to my right and to my left, I found students desperately copying down notes in a frenzy of panic. Often the slides went by too fast and more often than not, we found ourselves giving up in a fit of failed attempts.

While many people that I have spoken to find lectures to be stimulating and engaging, catering perfectly to the way that they learn, for me, and many others I have spoken to, lectures are a waste of a student’s precious time.

At the beginning of one of my first lectures, the lecturer saw us all scribbling down every little speck of information from the board, and told us to relax. He then went on to give us a friendly piece of advice, “Only take down the things that I say, that you feel are important. The information that you won’t find in your text book.”

This mode of thinking I can agree with. But even still, I feel it a complete waste of an hour to go in and listen to the lecture speak about a topic, only to have

to go home and read about it again in a text-book.

And so we must ask ourselves the question: what are we getting out of our lectures? Do we grasp a greater understanding of a subject through the lecturer explaining it in simple terms, allowing for questions and reflections from students?

I am told that in college

our degrees, so the information still must be learned, not merely interpreted.

It often seems more economical and beneficial to just skip the whole process of a lecture and simply get to the assigned readings. In other words, to cut out the middle-man and get right to the heart of why we are in college - to learn and to

their own experiences in relation to a topic. That’s what they’re there for in the end, to help us to understand.

But the heart of my argument and what caused me to write this piece, is that considering the inflated fees that we, and often our parents pay for our college education, shouldn’t we be questioning the methods that

I feel it a complete waste of an hour to go in and listen to the lecture speak about a topic, only to have to go home and read about it again in a text-book one must think independently, understand the context of our learning and question what we are presented with as fact.

Again I agree with this on paper, but in reality we are all at college to sit our exams and get

absorb information.

I am not attempting to state as an unquestionable fact that lectures have absolutely no use.

Many lecturers that I have experienced have given me much to think about, by recounting

are used to teach us?

After all, each one of us learn differently, and to subject all students to the same method, is not an effective way to teach, nor learn.

Credit: Trinitynews.com

10

Wednesday 10 December 2014│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Opinion

Synod’s Conclusion Isn’t Conclusive For LGBT Community Sharron Lynskey News Editor @sharronlynskey

IN October, Catholic bishops

scrapped landmark plans by Pope Francis to welcome the gay community into the Catholic Church.

At the end of the two-week Vatican Synod on the Family, bishops simply referred to homosexuality as one of the problems Catholic families have to confront.

The synod’s initial first draft report spoke of ‘accepting and valuing their (homosexuals) sexual orientations’ and giving the gay community ‘a welcoming home.’

The final version however, eliminated those phrases that church progressives and equal rights groups had labelled as a breakthrough and instead, vaguely suggested that discrimination against homosexuals ‘is to be avoided.’

Gay rights groups, rightly so, expressed deep disappointment with the final vote.

Brain Sheehan of the Irish Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) described the result as “a missed opportunity that the church didn’t seek to

reflect the reality”.

Does this result symbolise yet another giant leap backwards for the Catholic Church? Worldwide media seem to think so, as coverage so far of the recent synod is laced with disapproval and discontent from gay rights advocates. But should we label it as such?

Yes, a considerable amount of bishops cling defiantly onto the conservative ways of the Catholic Church but isn’t this mind-set slowly changing?

What many news outlets failed to mention in their coverage of the synod is that the paragraph which expressed welcome toward the gay community fell only four votes short of the two-thirds majority needed for inclusion.

Four votes. Had the voting system been a simple ‘majority rules’ structure, it more than likely would have passed.

Surely this alone should be seen as a huge milestone for the Catholic Church and their rigid conservative mind-sets?

It is obvious that attitudes towards the gay community in Ireland are evolving. This change may not be not at the rate that we might prefer, but nevertheless it is change.

In a survey conducted by the Irish Examiner in September of

this year it was found that 46 per cent of farmers in rural Ireland would vote in favour of a provision on same-sex marriage.

While it may have previously been accepted that a rural and perhaps socially conservative group like farmers would be inclined to oppose same - sex marriage, these findings prove that we can no longer assume so.

Change, especially an overhaul in a country’s attitudes as a whole, is not going to come about within a short time frame.

Figures such as the above might be just baby steps in the long marathon in the attainment of equal rights for the LGBT community, but they at least mark progress.

Since Pope Francis’ election in March of last year, he has brought about the much needed platform for possible change within the Catholic Church.

He has openly admitted the failings of the Church with admirable frankness. He has encouraged tough questions to be answered and has brought about open discussion on issues such as gay rights, the rights of unmarried mothers and divorcees as well as publicly condemning Catholic bishops who covered up cases of child abuse.

More recently Pope Francis graciously accepted a rainbow

scarf froma top member of the European Parliament.

Ulrike Lunacek, head of delegation of the Austrian Green party, said she offered the Pope the present “for gays, lesbians, and for peace” during the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg.

Lunacek is co-president of the European Parliament Intergroup on LGBT Rights, and is the

Credit: cathnewsusa.com

Swiping Left To Tinder Sarah Craig Contributor

IT has become an inalienable

truth; we are the ‘partially present’ generation.

Most of us now spend a large proportion of our daily lives interacting via the exponentially growing medium of apps. We document major life events on Facebook, provide our countless followers with up-to-the-minute observations on Twitter, scrapbook for the future on Pinterest,

connect with prospective employers on LinkedIn. While we may continue to communicate physically, there now exists a whole other universe which increasingly dominates the way we perceive ourselves, our friendships, and furthermore, our romantic interests.

Recent statistics claim that around 6 per cent of Irish people actively use Tinder - the internet’s latest and most discussed dating website – and this figure seems set to rise, particularly

among the young adult demographic.

Initially conceived as a one-stop site for those seeking casual hook-ups, Tinder uses your Facebook profile and GPS location to offer you a host of possible dates, under whatever criteria you choose.

Of course, the concept of virtual dating is not a new one, with long-established sites such as Match.com catering to an ever-growing market of singletons.

What sets Tinder apart from these, however, is its ‘flipcard’

Credit: President.ie

first openly lesbian politician in the Australian Parliament.

While Pope Francis clearly still has a lot of convincing to do in order to win round his associates when it comes to the acceptance of LGBT people into the Church, perhaps the conclusion from the recent synod isn’t quite the detrimental setback it’s being made out to be.

interface – you’re faced with a succession of single guys or girls, and you simply swipe to the right of someone if they take your fancy. If they do the same, you’re in luck – you’ve just landed yourself a match! And you live happily ever after right? Perhaps not.

My main gripe with Tinder is that it’s built upon the very problem that all of us simultaneously loathe yet feed on Facebook – the notion that you can construct a better, virtual version of yourself, in which vegging-out pyjama days, raging family arguments and relationship woes are erased with a few keystrokes.

In other words, the real person is not automatically presented to you.

Added to this is the throwaway culture that the site cultivates; at best, you can romanticise this flaw in Tinder’s #YOSO (You Only Swipe Once) policy, in that one wrong swipe could see you losing out on the opportunity to meet your ‘soul mate’ (if you’re the type that’s prone to sentimentality).

A more realistic view is that choosing a match based solely on their appearance is a shallow method that civilised society has widely come to condemn; it does seems a tad less shallow when

done via a 6x9” screen, however!

If we are to take a wholly cynical view of the site and its more insidious members, we need only look at the recent tragic case of a woman in South Dublin, who, upon meeting up with a Tinder match, was horrifically kidnapped and sexually assaulted.

Thankfully, such cases appear to be in the extreme minority – unfortunately, they serve as a cold reminder of the unpredictable and predatory nature which lurks within certain corners of the online dating community.

As with any online interaction, therefore, it’s important to employ some basic common sense – as Mammy says, you really can’t judge a book from its cover (or profiler). Treat Tinder with a thick skin, a hardy sense of humour and a heavy sprinkle of salt, and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Of my friends who regularly use Tinder, most regard it in the same way as I regard websites such as Buzzfeed or Tumblr - a fun, frivolous way of killing the time which you should really be spending on that assignment that’s due the next morning.

Frankly, I have yet to be convinced that virtual dating is superior to your average nightclub, and in any case, it’s certainly no substitute for that most romantic of Irish pickup lines, “will you shift my friend?”

the suss 10 december 2014

Best of

the year’s albums, gigs, books and more reviewed

Easy ways to wear sparkle

The Suss Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide

arts

12

KILLER MIKE - PERSON OF THE YEAR

Picture Credit: Wikimedia; Rolling Stone; jessieware.com; Amazon; bcbits.com; nydailynews.com; riverbank.ie; guim.co.uk; npr.org; The Guardian; Brit.co; IMDB; onehopewine.com; nespresso.com; selfiebrush.com; River Island; TopShop; corkcircle.com

Race relations in America are crumbling right now.

The deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner did not lead to any indictments, which caused riots across the country.

Standing on top of the rubble is a somewhat unlikely figure: Michael Render, a/k/a Killer Mike, a rapper who has been active since 1999 and released eight albums; six solo and two as one half of Run the Jewels alongside rapper/producer El-P. Render has always been known to mix political awareness with streetwise tales of slinging cocaine in Atlanta, but since his rhymes were paired with the dense and futuristic beats of El-P, first on his solo album R.A.P. Music, people have been listening more to what he has to say.

From a musical standpoint, few acts are making songs as immediate, as angry and as fun as Run the Jewels right now. On this year’s Run the Jewels 2, the duo managed to mix rousing shouts of disobedience (“I don’t give a f*ck about power/I’ll pluck an eye out of a pyramid”) with the seemingly impossible: making Zach de la Rocha relevant again.

As a musical act, Run the Jewels will rightfully compete for the number one spot on many yearend lists, but it is as an activist that Killer Mike sets himself apart from his partner-in-crime. Not that El-Producto isn’t supportive of Mike, what makes the two such an admirable duo is their bridging of a racial gap, with El-P standing firmly with his partner in times of such racial tension.

Mike’s work with his community is no flash-inthe-pan publicity stunt. He owns Graffiti SWAG Barbershop in Atlanta, a place where he hopes to “lift up men in the community who are out of work and help move them toward sustainable, lifelong careers” and for his employees to have an “opportunity for real economic elevation.”

The barbershop has long since been an important cultural aspect of Black American communities and, recognising this, Render has spoken of his hope of eventually owning 150 barbershops nationwide, mostly in black-majority cities.

On the day that Darren Wilson, Michael Brown’s killer, escaped justice and amidst the riots that ensued in Ferguson Run the Jewels performed in nearby St. Louis. The show opened with an emotional speech from Mike who was clearly shaken by the American system’s blatant disregard for black lives. Upon being interviewed by CNN on the subject, he broke down once more, reflecting the demoralisation of the black community.

“When you n*ggas gon’ unite and kill the police?” are not the kind of lyrics you expect from someone whose father was a police officer, but Killer Mike stands as evidence to what, as he put it, the “excessive force and the hunt-and-capture-prey mentality many thrill-seeking cops have adapted” created.

From the moment in 2012 when he said that he was glad that Ronald Reagan is dead, it was clear that Killer Mike was becoming an entirely new monster. This generation’s answer to Ice Cube, Michael Render is The Suss’ person of the year.

Odrán de Bhaldraithe

Arts Editor: Odrán de Bhaldraithe Deputy Arts Editor: Bryan Grogan

Lifestyle Editor: Orlaith Farrell Deputy Lifestyle Editor: Emma Dungan

10 December 2014 | the suss

the suss’s winter playlist W

inter is cold. You don’t want to go outside. You want to light a fire and it’s only after you’ve braved the outside to buy firelighters that you realise that your student accommodation doesn’t have a fireplace.

We here at The Suss understand this feeling better than most. We know how it feels to have the caretaker in Shanowen Halls come up to your apartment and tell you that having your heating on all day, every day from the start of November until the end of February will end up costing you more in energy bills.

So, when you’re sitting in your accommodation, t-shirt underneath your polo underneath your hoodie underneath your coat, and your teeth are doing your head in because they’re chattering so loudly, here’s something to distract you from the sound and make you forget that you’ve lost a toe to frostbite.

This playlist is meant to warm you up and, more importantly, to keep you sane for the two months straight you’re going to spend indoors. We’ve tried to keep it diverse in selection, but the selection does rely on low-key, mellow tracks with one notable example of Christmas cheer.

P.S. don’t be put off by teen suicide; they’re well aware of how stupid a band name they possess.

1. Paris Jones Feat. April Kelly – “Winter” 2. Joy Division – “Twenty Four Hours” 3. Basement – “Canada Square” 4. Charlie Simpson – “Farmer & His Gun” 5. Hop Along – “Tibetan Pop Stars” 6. Cat Power – “Wild Is the Wind” 7. The Nightmare Before Christmas – “What’s This?”

8. Kanye West – “Christmas in Harlem” 9. Death Cab for Cutie – “The New Year” 10. Bruce Springsteen – “Atlantic City” 11. The Postal Service – “Such Great Heights” 12. Otis Redding – “Cigarettes and Coffee” 13. Bon Iver – “Re: Stacks” 14. The National – About Today 15. Ben Howard – Gracious 16. Public Service Broadcasting – Everest 17. teen suicide – “grim reaper/the same things happening to me all the time, even in my dreams”

Odrán de Bhaldraithe Mark Hogan Bryan Grogan

arts

the suss | 10 December 2014

Salad Days: Mac DeMarco Hard to say whether it’s a step-up from previous album, 2. They’re both absolutely brilliant, but, Salad Days is more introspective, with DeMarco defending his life choices and trying to reconcile romantic problems.

The slacker atmosphere of his prior release remains an integral part, with DeMarco’s signature drawl as evident as ever, while the guitars can’t help but describe somewhere sunny.

Bryan Grogan

Three Love Songs Ricky Eat Acid Sam Ray has struck gold before, somewhat accidentally. Three Love Songs has been described as his first “patient” project, one where he discarded the “first idea is the best” method he had previously used in teen suicide, Julia Brown and other projects.

What follows is a cathartic mixture of pulsating ambient and dance music, like the Drake-sampling album highlight “In my dreams we’re almost touching”.

Emotionally heavy without becoming overwrought, its third quarter will have you dancing before you even realise what your body is doing.

Odrán de Bhaldraithe

13

albums of the year

Wanted on Voyage George Ezra Nobody thought that 2014’s breakout star would be a young man with a guitar and a voice as deep as a stiff drink.

George Ezra’s Wanted on Voyage showcases his impressive range, and lead single “Budapest” is solidified as one of the catchiest songs of the year.

Fionnuala Nic Sheoin

Royal Blood Royal Blood When Royal Blood were tipped to be the Sound of 2014 earlier this year, very few people knew who the British duo were. 12 months on, and the band has recorded the fastest selling rock album in Britain in the past three years.

Sounding like something Jack White might produce, Royal Blood has also drawn comparisons to Queens of the Stone Age and Arctic Monkeys for its attitude and satisfying riffs.

A major contributor to the album’s success is its balance between being loud and quiet, a case proven while listening to “Little Monster”.

Although this debut album doesn’t add anything new to rock music, it seems Royal Blood have just done a lot of things right.

Mark Hogan

Benji Sun Kil Moon It’s a bit hard to stand Mark Kozelek at the minute, even if his recent release, “The Possum”, is a 10-minute masterpiece. With all the attention he’s been getting, as he refuses to let his feud with The War on Drugs frontman, Adam Granduciel, die out, it’s easy to forget his last album; Benji. Musically austere, with Kozelek sounding as if he’s singing into an empty room, Kozelek’s voice and inflection combine beautifully with the lyrics to describe some deeply emotive ideas.

B.G.

Honest Future The sophomore album of the Dungeon Family affiliate took what made his debut, Pluto, so special and brought it back down to earth. Tracks like “I Be U” gave Future a personal

edge his debut couldn’t. The Dungeon Family affiliation allowed him to call on the much-sought after André 3000 to assist on the song of the year candidate “Benz Friends (Whatchutola)”.

Outstanding guest appearances from Kanye West on “I Won” and Pharrell Williams on “Move That Dope” threaten to steal the show, but it’s Atlanta’s favourite alien who stands out most, firmly cementing his place in mainstream hip-hop as the leader of post-Wayne autotune gargling.

O. de B.

I Forget Where We Were Ben Howard Devon beach boy Ben Howard came back with a bite.

I Forget Where We Were showed an aggression never seen before in the song-writer. Snapping and snarling on “Rivers in Your Mouth” and “Conrad”, the most unique sounding track is “I Forget Where We Were”, charged with emotion and sliding guitars.

F. Nic S.

1989 Taylor Swift With pop music becoming more frustrating by the day (2014 was the year of Jennifer Lopez’s “Booty” after all) it is becoming increasingly difficult to hold out any hope for the genre.

Add to that an album with a title as cliché as the artist’s year of birth and things aren’t looking good. But there is a reason Taylor Swift is at the top of the pop music pile: she is substantially better than most pop stars.

Swift knows how to write a song. Be it fun (“Shake It Off”), emotional (“Wildest Dreams”) or honest (“I Wish You Would”), the Pennsylvania native has a chord for it.

1989’s lyrics may be suspect at times, but the overall product makes up for that. There are catchy hooks, power-pop choruses and a synth so addictive it will have you mouthing how haters will hate and fakers will fake down even the darkest of alleyways.

M.H.

arts

14

10 December 2014 | the suss

can we stop the cavalry?

Christmas is upon us once again, a time for giving and sharing, listening to truly woeful music, and of course a time to contend with a handful of Christmas classics and X Factor hopefuls.

Many may ask why?

Why is there so much sentimentality surrounding “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or “The Little Drummer Boy”?

Do these songs contribute to our end of year reflection or persuade our choices when it comes to New Year’s resolutions?

No, not these, but maybe something along the lines of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” or Live Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is enough to redeem this hallowed

genre. Unfortunately requests for charitable aid from millionaire musicians are now becoming a bit too much to stomach for some people.

Charity remains a cornerstone of Christmas, the same goes for war, so it seems logical to presume that there shouldn’t be any shortage of Christmas releases, this year of all years. Instead, though, The Vengaboys, Peter Andre and Kristen Bell are releasing songs that can be best described as completely beside any point anywhere.

The problem is that finding real, heartfelt Christmas songs is hard. Christmas is a time of year, not an emotion that you can latch on to given the right lyrics. Is there a way to communicate the essence of Christmas or is it all about relevance?

Take The Pogues’ “Fai-

rytale of New York” or Jona Lewie’s “Stop the Cavalry”, their success seems to stem from the way in which the time of year is presented.

Christmas stands out as an impediment, a reminder in times of trouble of all that has been lost or regretted.

and the wind has its hands around your throat and then, finally, it’s time to get into the Christmas spirit.

From this it seems like Christmas as an idea is summed up perfectly in comfort. The lyrics might mean something but it’s the memory of the sound of certain songs that hits first. Romanticism wins the day while all the realists in the world are classified as humbugs.

So perhaps it’s time for the humbugs to band together to protest this continuing tragedy. The market is ripe for a song tackling the contentious, but fair, issue of complete and utter boredom that this season brings about.

Christmas songs have a way of getting under the skin, of worming their way into our way of thinking once the first 11 months of the year are through. As soon as November comes the shops are decked out with decorations, while Wizzard or Slade belt out of the speakers like some uninvited reminder of all our commercial obligations.

Impatience is usually the first reaction, but give it a few weeks until you’re having a particularly stressful day or when the rain is pelting down

Bryan Grogan

serial and the obsession that goes with it

Audio fanatics will be happy to hear that the podcast industry has produced what is perhaps its most exciting addition yet. In a series which is perhaps one of the most riveting, suspenseful dramas the year had to offer, we learn to enjoy binging, but not in the usual sense of Netflix or HBO. Serial is a weekly podcast hosted by This American Life producer Sarah Koenig.

Each week, a new instal-

“

The host herself speculate the hidden truth behind this bizarre murder, which to the horror/delight of fans, is entirely real

Aside from having one of the most gripping storylines of any crime investigative series, Serial has also reformed the art of podcasts, introducing the dramatized hook and cliff-hanger usually restricted to TV, books, and films. Koenig’s analysis of aged evidence sheds light on lacking alibi’s and perhaps inadequate initial investigation, inducing concerns that the case is unsolvable despite thorough efforts to reach a conclusion. The ambiguity of the evidence and witness statements creates a suspenseful element as the audience realise that the outcome could be life changing for Syed and others. ment is released as the story investigates the case against Adnan Syed, a convicted felon who claims to be innocent of strangling his ex-girlfriend, Hye Min Lee, to death back in 1999. As Koenig investigates Syed, the court, other suspects, and inconsistencies, the audience alongside the host herself speculate the hidden truth behind this bizarre murder, which to the horror/ delight of fans, is entirely real.

Podcast advertising company, Podtrac cites Serial as having one million listeners per episode. The release of the iPod by Apple in 2001 saw rise of the podcast industry, with the creation of shows about anything from sports to science and everything inbetween. Despite popularity of podcasts like Radiolab, Serial is the first to gain such a positive reaction and fan base.

Fans have created forums

about the series and there’s even a podcast about it, courtesy of Slate magazine. Binge watchers of Netflix may be transformed to binge listeners of podcasts and what’s more - like radio listeners, they can multitask while enjoying the show - a novelty unknown to those constantly peeling their eyes away from the screen.

Described by New York Magazine, as “the great podcast” renaissance, Serial is an inspiration to all advocates of podcasts and its popularity reminds media consumers that the greatest visual elements of all are the images created by the mind. Stripping back the layers reveals the vulnerability of a story and by far and near, this is a good one.

Scout Mitchell

arts

the suss | 10 December 2014

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books, films and gigs of the year obediently responded with “yeah!” when called upon during “Digital Witness”. The distance and mystery built by the onstage theatre led to a frenzied reaction for closer “Your Lips are Red” - where front-row fans got to play her guitar as she sat on the shoulders of security.

Stephen Keegan

Films: Her: Most sci-fi films spend too much time talking about the technology of the future. Her eschews this generalisation by discussing the problem of futuristic relationships.

Our main character, played

by Joaquin Phoenix, falls in love with an AI forcing him to confront a variety of different problems including, y’know, how do they have sex?

B.G. Interstellar: Very much a Christopher Nolan film, he lets his imagination run wild as he tries to envision and then communicate such things as relativity and five-dimensional beings. The story, despite being extremely relevant for our modern world, does tend to get bogged down by these

ideas. Luckily they are wellrepresented and extremely interesting, while also helping to compliment the sentimentality in the film.

B.G.

Books: Haruki Murakami – Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage (English translation) This book doesn’t devolve into the usual surrealistic and cryptic story as most of Murakami’s books, in the same way as Norwegian Wood.

As a result it tended to get a mixed critical reception, even though it’s one of Murakami’s most personal stories, dwelling a lot on concepts discussed across the fullrange of his literary output.

Most interesting is the way in which paranoia and superstition become a much clearer

source of the crazy plot-lines and occurrences in his work.

B.G. Michael Harding - Hanging with the Elephant Following on from 2013’s award winning Staring at Lakes, Harding continues his exploration of his psyche, his depression and dealing with his demons. Hanging with the Elephant follows Harding as he deals with his first time being alone since recovering from depression. A mesmerising and emotional read from the outset.

F. Nic S.

Gigs: St Vincent - Electric Picnic, August 31st A St. Vincent show is an otherworldly spectacle. Annie Clark exuded control throughout. Her part-robot, part-lizard, eerily inhuman movements drew us in and tampered with our suspension of disbelief as she executed another precisely choreographed shuffle in tandem with her rhythm guitarist, in heels, while playing guitar. The perfect discipline and control she exerted on herself spread to the audience, who

Foals - The Olympia Theatre, February 4th They came, they saw, they conquered. In the first of two live dates, Oxford upstarts Foals tore the roof off of the Olympia, in support of their album Holy Fire. In a set which saw frontman Yannis Philippakis jump from the boxes, the rowdiest of dancing and lasers, the band truly demonstrated what makes them one of the most exciting bands in the industry right now.

F. Nic S. The National - Live at the Marquee, July 14th The penultimate gig of the tenth Live at the Marquee, saw indie darlings The National return to the Docklands.

Though the show didn’t sell as well as their last, it didn’t affect their performance.

Singer Matthew Berninger was boisterous in the band’s performances of “Terrible Love” and “Mr. November”, while “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks” ensured everyone was misty-eyed. The band proved that they had earned their reputation as one of the best rock bands of this year.

F. Nic S. Future Islands - Vicar Street, November 3rd Future Islands’ live show serves as a curious counterpoint to that of St. Vincent.

Whereas the audience’s fascination with Annie Clark is built from her cold precision and control, Sam T. Herring’s charm lies in the total oppo-

site - his emotional honesty, explosive, unpredictable movements, his willingness to let the audience see his vulnerability. Though the methods differ, the end results are the same - the crowds buy into both spectacles wholeheartedly and have a brilliant time. At Vicar Street, Future Islands proved to the Letterman bandwagoners that they’re no mere flash in the pan, and those moves have the tunes and drive and ambition to back them up.

S.K. Lana Del Rey - Live at the Marquee, July 15th In her second ever Irish appearance, Lana Del Rey seduced the crowds with fluttering vocals and her vivacious movements. After spending a good ten minutes chatting with the front row and receiving hugs, Lana delivered the performance of a lifetime, with “Ride” and “Summertime Sadness” being the notable standouts.

F. Nic S. And So I Watch You From Afar & Le Galaxie - Róisin Dubh, June 14th The fact that Ireland’s two best live bands came together to celebrate the Roisin Dubh’s 10th anniversary tells us a lot about the esteem the legendary Galway venue (and its principal booker, Gugai) is held in. Openers Meltybrains? proved worthy of their name - ending their set with a bizarre dance routine, Le Galaxie overcame early technical difficulties to play a storming set of mostly new tunes and ASIWYFA truly put the night to the sword debuting a new song named “Gugai” for that night only.

Bless. Though ASIWYFA and Le Galaxie’s sounds may differ, both are in the business of delivering euphoric experiences and complement each other perfectly.

S.K.

lifestyle arts

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10 December 2014 | the suss

t’is the season of sparkle When it comes to cracking out the bit of sparkle at Christmastime, we are certainly no strangers to the glistening trend. However the downside with this look is that it is extremely easy to go overboard. Here are some of our picks on this season’s best sparkling pieces, without the risk of looking like a disco ball.

The playsuit A simple black playsuit with the extra touch of sparkle is the perfect NYE outfit. Without looking too OTT, this piece hits every nail on the head for the perfect festive look. Add chunky gold accessories

remedies for winter skin Winter can be tough on your skin and it’s a difficult task keeping your skin plump, glowing and spot free but it can be done with the combination of a healthy diet and proper skincare regime.

Here are some simple tips to keep your skin looking fresh and vibrant over the festive period.

When your skin is lacking a glow No matter how much tan and bronzer you slap on, if your skin is still looking just as dull and drab as a December evening there is one trick that is sure to brighten you up.

Vitamin E is a miracle worker when it comes to healing and protecting your skin, and can be found in a variety of foods.

Fruit, nuts and everyone’s favourite vegetable, Brussels sprouts, are all bursting with the vitamin.

When your skin is flaky The cold weather can really break your skin up and leave it feeling sore and dry, however there is one answer to this problem that will leave your skin feeling as soft as

and a touch of colour in your shoes or bag to finish the look. Available from Topshop at £35.00.

The high neck top A shimmering high neck top is a fantastic addition to your festive wardrobe. Whether it’s paired with a pencil skirt or disco pants, it is a simple and easy way to work the trend.

This top is available from River Island at 35.00 The fringe shorts While this choice may not be to everyone’s taste,

these shorts are bang on trend for this season. Style with a black shirt, ankle boots and drop earrings for a chic ensemble. £35.00 from Topshop.

The midi skirt This sequin skirt is the closest any of us can get to looking like Nicole Scherzinger. A steal from Missguided at just 26.00, this skirt is making it onto all of our Christmas lists. Team with a long sleeve crop or high neck cami top with an ox-blood lip for the ultimate Christmas party look.

Orlaith Farrell

top five christmas flicks times it is watched. We see how Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), an eight year old boy, manages to take care of himself when his family leave him home alone. When they realise they have left him alone, they desperately try to make it back to him in time for Christmas. This is an uplifting movie; it brings you on a roller-coaster of emotion and leaves you on a high.

a baby’s bottom: Omega-3 oils. These oils help the skin retain its moisture and give it that plump look, as if you have just stepped out of a face-lift surgery. They can be found in foods like fish, nuts and flax seeds.

When you’re suffering breakouts Christmas can be so unfair.

With so many temptations, how is it possible to still look fabulous at all those parties? Well the number one rule is to drink plenty of water, dehydrated skin is prone to breakouts. Diet is also extremely important, so every now and then pass up that bowl of crisps for some crudités and hummus.

Apart from moisturising and exfoliating your body from the inside out, it is just as important to use skincare products that are right for you. All skincare companies have products to suit every skin type, whether it is dry, sensitive or oily.

Carina Canavan

Love Actually This movie brings you nicely into the Christmas season with great intertwining storylines during the run up to Christmas. It also leaves you with the heart-warming message that love is all around.

The Holiday This movie shows the audience what Christmas is like in London and Los Angeles when two women who are both going through relationship troubles swap houses for Christmas. With an all-star cast including Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law, this is the perfect

Christmas film for the ladies out there.

Miracle on 34th street.

Whether you decide to watch the original or the remake, the message remains the same. This film reminds us of the magic of Christmas and even though not all of us believe in Santa Claus anymore, there is still a lot to be said for the magic of Christmas. This is the perfect movie to watch when making your Christmas list.

Home Alone This is a film that never gets old no matter how many

Elf This is a film for everyone.

It will have you on the floor laughing but also captivates you with its emotional storyline. This movie will have your imagination running wild as we see Will Ferrell play an elf who leaves the North Pole to find his real father in New York City. Despite its comedic nature, this movie is about belief and the magic of Christmas. Sit down and relax when all those assignments are handed in and stick on Elf with some Christmas treats and you’ll get right into the Christmas spirit.

Pippa Doyle

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the suss | 10 December 2014

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the suss’ ultimate christmas gift guide Christmas Gift ideas for guys: FCUK gift set (for the bearded men): In light of the recent surge of facial hair on men, I think this is a very thoughtful as well as very handy gift. For just €23 you can get a gift set for your favourite hairy hunk containing hair and body wash, body spray and beard trimmers; which are usually a lot more expensive.

The Whiskey Wedge: This one is so cool. Basically, it’s a little gadget that creates the perfect wedge of slow-melting ice so that your man of choice can enjoy his favourite spirits nice and cold, but not watered down. It’s a steal for only $14.95, when ordered from corkcicle.com.

Dancing Water Speakers: This is a really good gift for a man who loves his music as the speakers shoot jets of coloured water to the sound of your chosen song. They can be ordered from menkind. com for only £19.99, which works out at around €30 with delivery.

Armani watch So while this pick may be on the more expensive side of our guide, a good watch is always a winner in our books. At the moment Arnotts has an abundance of extremely slick watches to choose from. Whether you’re shopping for a simple allblack timepiece or a flashy gold wristwatch, take a look at what Armani have to offer.

We must admit we swooned at this one, unfortunately it’ll set you back €199.

101 Places To Get F*cked Up Before You Die: This beautifully-titled book does exactly what it says on the tin. It is a road map to all

the world’s best places to get drunk. Granted we women may never let him go to these places, but a man can dream.

This book is available for under €15 on Amazon.

Fitbit flex Named one of the best activity trackers for 2014/15, the FitBit Flex is a cool-looking, lightweight wristband that tracks and monitors your daily activity and sleep patterns. It syncs with a desktop dashboard and mobile app to give you up-to-date activity data. You can compete with Fitbit-using friends and even upgrade to a premium Daily Trainer service. It comes in a variety of different colours and is available from Harvey Norman at €99.

Nike Roshe Runs Roshe Runs have skyrocketed in popularity this year.

Made from lightweight and breathable material and not to mention it’s like walking on a cloud, it makes those early morning gym starts just about bearable. You can find these runners in all good sportswear and shoe shops.

Forza Horizon 2, for Xbox: Chances are the men in your lives are gamers at some level, and chances are – they already have the entire Fifa collection. Forza, is a racing game that allows you to drive up to 200 different kinds of cars, and for around €60, it’s definitely a gift he’ll thank you for.

Beats

by Dre. Another pricey pick for the gift guide but Beats are always a fundamental gift for a music lover. If you’re buying for a man who values

his iPod more than he values his Christmas dinner, then this is a sure thing. While Beats usually come in at about €215, PC World is currently selling them at a sale price of €174.99. BRB off to get Beats…

Christmas Gifts for girls: Mac Christmas Brush sets: Every Christmas Mac bring out a selection of gift sets for the holiday season, the safest bet, if you’re a boy buying for a girl, is one of the brush sets. If it’s a friend of yours or a sister and you know a little about make-up then absolutely go for one of the eye or lip keepsakes. All at under ¤50 these little sets are a safe bet for any girl.

The Selfie Brush: Your giftee will no doubt giggle about this one and nonchalantly move onto look at the other gifts, but make no mistake this is the gift she will be most excited

about. Order online from just €20, (do make sure the selfie brush is suitable for her phone first).

Shower Proof Speakers: In light of the recent introduction of water charges (tut tut), we now have to really make the

most of our five minute super shower – what better way to do that than by singing in the shower, better than you ever have before? These speakers range from just €15 and are available on ebay as well as several electronic goods sites.

UV Shellac Lamps: For a girl who likes to look preened and pristine at all times this is a great gift.

Rather than her paying €30 once every three weeks to go to the salon to have her nails done, you can buy her the lamp and a shellac polish starter kit for under €60. This thoughtful gift is available from sites such as ebay, aliexpress and amazon.

Nespresso machine If you’re buying for someone (or yourself) who adores their coffee-to-go but struggles with the surging prices of venti caramel macchiatos, then this is the ultimate gift. Not only will it produce the most fantastic cup of steaming coffee on a dull and miserable morning, but it is also super practical in terms of size and cleaning. Prices start at €99.

Michael Kors purse For a girl who loves her style and a little bit of luxury, a Michael Kors purse should satisfy her Christmas wish.

Sleek, simple and classic, the Jet Set Travel Wallet by Michael Kors is the ultimate Christmas gift. Available from Brown Thomas.

It by Alexa Chung Whether you’re a long-time devotee to Chung or fell in

love with her after her sparkling interview on The Late Late, “It” is a fantastic purchase for friend/girlfriend/ mother/sister this Christmas.

While some may believe that it’s simply a coffee table book, it has recently made it onto the Top 10 Bestseller list on Amazon.

ALEX & ANI

bracelets Another popular craze this year was the ALEX & ANI bracelet bangles.

ALEX & ANI products are infused with positive energy, not to mention they’re incredibly gorgeous, so it is no surprise that they have made it onto the list. Available in a number of different styles and metals. Check out Arnotts’ range.

Roberts Radio The Roberts radio is a sweet gift for a girl who’s a little more interested in homeware. The iconic radio is a nostalgic 1950’s style retro radio with LW/MW/FM wavebands. Available in a range of colours it not only looks great it sounds great too. Available in all good electrical stores.

Orlaith Farrell Emma Dungan

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no paint required

We can all agree that college accommodation isn’t exactly like staying at the Hilton.

Spending a year in an uncomfortable space isn’t ideal for studying, sleeping or socialising. However, there are cheap, simple ways to turn your room from shack to chic.

1) A vibrant set of cushions can transform an entire room.

Coupled with a cosy throw blanket, it can turn even the coldest, most basic of rooms into a haven of comfort and warmth. Choose something furry to add texture to a room or use bold colours to make a statement.

2) Whether strung across the ceiling or draped over a bed-frame, fairy lights add a fun, light-hearted element to a room. For something different, buy some cheap sets

and place them in empty jam jars; you can even tie some ribbons around them for an extra touch.

3) Does clutter litter your floor? Are you a self-confessed hoarder? Well never fear, pick up some storage baskets from Ikea. They’ll slot or stack anywhere and come in a spectrum of colours to rival the rainbow. They’re ideal for make-up and stationary and if you’re prone to some organisational OCD, they’ll be your best friend.

I

vintage postcards, CD cover sleeves, or calendars that you can cut up and put into old picture frames; a personal touch that won’t break the bank.

“

I always find it strange when people are afraid to say what they feel for fear of offending someone

10 December 2014 | the suss

Festive Christmas Cocktails With everyone’s favourite time of year just around the corner, here are a few seasonal drinks if you (like me), can’t wait to get your Christmas on.

5) Rugs are the saviours of interior design. When something is missing or not quite working, a rug ties the whole room together. They create a focal point and make a room instantly warmer, especially on bare floorboards.

6) A Christmas tree is essential at this time of year.

4) Posters are colourful, No space? No problem. Just varied and cheap. Use them pick some small twigs and to reflect your personality, branches and place them in a whatever that may be. From jar. Then, decorate them with your favourite movie to iconic lights and baubles and voila; images, allposters.ie has a co- A DIY Christmas tree - some lossal range to choose from. motivation to leave the house Any of you arts and crafts en- for a nature walk too. thusiasts, why not make your own? Go scouting for some Katie Shaughnessy

mantalk: say what you will ’m an honest person. Well I like to think I am. I often get in trouble for saying what I want, where I want and not thinking about the consequences of it. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying someone has a nice bum and not thinking about how they or others will react.

That’s why I always find it strange when people are afraid to say what they feel for fear of offending someone. I recently spoke to a friend who told me about her experience of the same problem. Her friends would not call some-

lifestyle arts

one black in front of her, she herself being black, in case they would upset her.

Perhaps this is because of the perceived notion that terms and phrases that have been appropriated or reappropriated by, for example, the gay or black community, exist solely for the use of these people.

Who decides who can use these terms? I’m aware that some terms carry with them long histories and connotations that have changed through the work of the communities that use them freely now. In the creation of these communities, certain fantasy

Pomegranate Martinis: 50 grams of sugar 170 mls of vodka 115 mls of pomegranate juice 75 mls of lime juice First, place the 4 martini glasses in the fridge to chill.

Then in a small saucepan bring the sugar and 60 mls of water to the boil, remove from

themes are developed, with the birth of fantasy terms that carry a shared meaning within the community. That is why I might say something, as a straight white man, that could offend others, even accidentally.

But are all members of these communities allowed the same access or freedom of use of these fantasy terms? Is one gay man allowed to use a word but another gay man, outside of the defined community, also given permission to use the same word? Would I, as an ally, also then be allowed to use it? Or are there different rules for each letter

heat and allow to cool. Next, in a large jug combine the sugar syrup, juices and vodka with some ice. Separate into 5 glasses, garnish with a wedge of lime and voila.

Cranberry Mulled Wine: 340 mls of cranberry juice A punnet of fresh cranberries 25 grams of sugar 2 cinnamon sticks 670 mls of a dry red wine, (a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot).

In a large saucepan, combine the cranberry juice, sugar and cinnamon sticks. Simmer for fifteen minutes. Then stir in the wine and the cranberries and allow to simmer. Serve warm.

Rum and Grapefruit Spritzer: 1 grapefruit wedge 450 mls of pink grapefruit juice 225 mls of ginger ale 170 mls of rum Coarse sea salt Pour 1 tablespoon of the salt onto a small plate. Rub the grapefruit segment around the rim of the glasses and then place the glasses upside down into the salt. Combine the juice, ale and rum in a large jug and then separate into the prepared glasses and ta-dah.

Emma Dungan

of the LGBTA? People should not be afraid of what words they are or are not allowed to say. To quote the good book, that is to quote Harry Potter, “Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself”. How can one culture accept another if it has to tiptoe around it?

Chris Kennedy

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THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 10 December 2014

Gaeilge

Tráth an fheithimh Caoimhe Ní Chathail Eagarthoir Gaeilge @caoimhechats

TÁ mí na Nollag buailte linn agus

leis, Aidbhint. Is léir céard atá i gceist ar an dromchla le ‘Adventus’ nó ‘teacht’ sa Ghaeilge. Is séasúr é a cheiliúrann cuid sainaicmí Críostaithe ar fud na cruinne agus iad ag fanacht le teacht an leanbh Íosa Lá Nollag.

Gabhann ceithre seachtain, nó mar sin, na hAidbhinte le ceithre choinneal. Lastar iad de réir agus a théann muid níos congárach don Nollaig. Dhá choinneal chorcra, ceann bándearg, ceann corcra arís agus ansin coinneal bhán. Siombalachas ollmhór a bhaineann leis.

Ní amháin do Chríostaithe gur chóir an séasúr a bheith sílimse. Níl aon srianta air nach dtiocfadh le héinne an cinneadh a dhéanamh na ceithre seachtain a ghlacadh mar deis mhaith ullmhú don Nollaig ar bhealach a bheirfidh brí, tábhacht agus doimhneacht do am na Nollag.

Ar an chéad seachtain d’Aidbhint, lastar coinneal chorcra. Is é dóchas téama na céad seachtaine. In aineoinn do chreidimh phearsantach, cinnte gur téama domhanda é dóchas gur féidir linn ar fad machnamh a dhéanamh air ag an am seo den bhliain.

Dóchas dúinn féin, dár dteaghlaigh, cairde, an domhain ar aon. Níl a dhath le rá nach féidir le achan duine dóchas a chruthú agus dóchas a chuardú. Céard faoin dóchas a chruthú sa phobal trí gníomhartha carthanachta?

Cinnte go chruthaíonn an focal ‘carthanas’ roinnt imní i measc daoine áirithe ach cinnte go dtiocfadh leis a bheith fíorshimplí.

Chruthódh rud chomh fusa le do chuid pingin rua a bhailiú agus ag deireadh na míosa iad a thabhairt do a leithéid de Thrócaire dóchas áit éigin ar an domhain mhór seo.

Teachtaireacht a sheoladh, glaoch a chur ar chara nó duine muintire atá imithe ar imirce. Ní chreidfeá an oiread áthais agus dóchais a chruthódh a leithéid gníomhaithe.

Seachtain an ullmhaithe é an dara seachtain de hAidbhint agus seachtain é an liosta fada sin atá do chéasadh a reitigh! Níl faic níos fearr ná a bheith ullmhaithe agus ar do shuaimhneas faoi ócáid chomh mór sin agus an Nollaig. Nach ortsa a mbeas an meangadh mór sin Oíche Nollag agus achan duine eile ag rith thart mar a n-amadáin!

Ar ndóigh, ní amháin i dtaobh na mbronntanas gur chóir dúinn seachtain a dó leis an cho-

inneal chorcra sin a ghlacadh chun ullmhú. Ba chóir béim a chur ar phleanáil an cheiliúradh.

Ar phleanáil am a chaitheamh le teaghlach agus le cairde. ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year’, caite le daoine eile. Am é an Nollaig fáil i dteagmháil lenár muintir, iad a fheiceáil agus lúcháir an tséasúir a cheiliúradh i gcuideachta daoine eile.

Ag pléigh lúchair, sé sin téama an tríú seachtain nuair a lastar an choinneal bhándearg. Lúchair agus muid i dtráth an fheithimh, lúchair agus muid ag súil leis an ceann scribe. Sé sin an Nollaig.

Chuirfeadh atmaisféar na hama lúchair ar mhór chuid daoine. Cinnte go ndeirfeadh an soinicí gur tráchtálaíocht amach is amach é. Ar bhealach, tá an ceart iomlán acu. Tá an séasúr imithe as smacht faoin am seo ach tá gnéithe de fhíor-lúchair an tséasúir le brath go fóill ceapaim.

Níl le déanamh arís ach rudaí simplí. Seol físeán greanmahr chuig cara leat. Scríobh alt beag in áit líne nó dó amháin ar do chuid cartaí Nollag. Déan duine a mholadh.

Cé gur cliché ollmhór é níl le

déanamh agat ach duine eile a shásamh chun tú féin a shásamh!

Grá atá mar théama an ceathrú seachtain agus an coinneal

FOCLÓIR Aidbhint = Advent dóchas = hope machnamh = contemplation

Grá dúinn fein atá i gceist leis chomh maith. Seans é seachtainí na hAidbhinte a chaitheamh ag déanamh athm-

Níl aon srianta ar Aidbhint le rá nach dtiocfadh le héinne an cinneadh a dhéanamh na ceithre seachtain a ghlacadh mar deis mhaith ullmhú don Nollaig dheireannach chorcra á lasadh. Ar ndóigh is am lán ghrá atá an Nollaig in ainm is a bheith.

Léiriú rí-shoiléir grá atá in achan comhartha dea-thola uainne.

Sin gur chóir a bheith chun tosaigh in ár naigne um Nollag.

heasúnú orainne féin agus ar an bhliain deireanach atá caite againn ar an chruinne seo.

Bíonn chuile rud ag bogadh chomh tapaigh sin na laethannta seo gur chóir an deis a ghlacadh frithchaitheamh a

dhéanamh orainn féin agus ar an cur amach atá againn ar an saol.

Más féidir linn a bheith chomh cáilmheasach, chomh suáilceach agus chomh cairdiúil i gcaitheamh na Nollag caidé faoin chuid eile den bhliain?

Níl a dhath le rá nach dtig linn ar fad – is cuma mura Chríostaithe muid – na tréithe Aidbhinte seo de dhóchas, ullmhú, lúchair agus grá a ghlacadh mar dhúshláin fad saol.

Tá an Aidbhint ann. Ba chóir dúinn úsáid a bhaint aisti.

Ná rith leat chuig an Nollaig. Seas siar ar feadh na seachtainí seo agus dean machnamh.

Machnamh ort féin, orthu siúd thart ort agus ar an chleachtadh saoil atá agat. Glac inspioráid as na coinnle, as na tréithe agus na téamaí atá á léiriú acu dúinn.

Le lasadh an choinneal bhán Lá Nollag, bí buíoch as gach rud atá dearfach i do shaol, déan smaoineamh domhain ar na rudaí go bhféadfá biseadh a dhéanamh orthu agus bí ag súil leis an bhliain amach romhain.

Bliain a mbéas feabhsaithe gan dabht trí seilbh a ghlacadh ar dheis na hAidbhinte.

Is séasúr é Aidbhint a cheiliúrann cuid sainaicmí Críostaithe ar fud na cruinne agus iad ag fanacht le teacht an leanbh Íosa Lá NollagCredit: Tzingerbugimages

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Wednesday 10 December 2014│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Gaeilge

Aldi mo chroí Barra Ó Scannláin

Leas-Eagarthoir Gaeilge @barryscanlon

AN lá ar osclaíodh an chéad

Aldi ar oileán beag s’againne; b’shin casadh na taoide, b’shin an croisbhealaí grósaeireachta ba thábhachtaí is ba ghalánta a bheannaigh Éireann ariamh.

Tháinig sí chugainn díreach roimh an mhílaois sa bhliain 1999 agus, anois ó chuimhním air, tá teacht Aldi mar mheafar teibí de caidé a bhí le teacht sa 21ú haois: rathúnas, saibhreas, lúcháir, agus deiseanna. Cuireadh fearadh na fáilte roimpi - mar is ceart a dhéanamh in amanna mar sin - agus níor caitheamh súil riamh arís ar an saol atá imithe, siocair na maitheasa dhochuimsithe a tháinig léi.

Tá Aldi de bhunadh na Gearmáine agus, d’aineoinn na mórbharúla, níl baint ar bith ag an chomhlacht seo le Lidl (iomaitheoir beag bídeach sa rás grósaeireachta in Éirinn - níl seans ar bith acu). Seasann Aldi do nuálaíocht agus inniúlacht an mhúnla Airianaigh. Cé go ligeann an chuid is mó dár bpobal orainn nach bhfuil meas ar bith againn ar a mhacasamhail de “chine Airianach” - agus nár lige Dia

go mbeadh meas againn ar theoiricí an Hitleireaigh - caithfear éachtaí na Gearmáine go dtí seo a aithint. Is dea-shample í Aldi dá bhfuil bainte amach acu. Tagann seo a leanas ó bhéal gasúir a bhfuil a chroí istigh ina thír fhéin, a thabharfadh “poblachtach” air fhéin, agus nach malartódh

An lá ar osclaíodh an chéad Aldi ar oileán beag s’againne; b’shin casadh na taoide a bhunadh ar óir na cruinne.

Tá buanna ar leith ag Éirinn; saibhreas cultúir, muintir fháilteach chroíúil, tírdhreach millteanach galánta, teanga ársa álainn.

Ach ní thiocfadh a mhacasamhail d’Aldi choíche as Éirinn. A leithéid d’eagrúchán, de leagan amach, de mhargaidh mhaithe!

FOCLÓIR grósaeireachta = grocery nuálaíocht = innovation margaidh = deals

Fiafraítear díom go minic, cad chuige a théim go hAldi achan uile seachtain (dé Luain de ghnás). Bhail, a deirimse leo, ní chreidfeá riamh é, ach níor leag mé cos ar shiopa Aldi go dtí thart fá’n am seo an bhliain seo chuaigh thart. Is léir uaidh sin fhéin an tuíghe gur thosaigh mé ag dul go hAldi. Bhí mé i ndiaidh thoiseacht ar an ollscoil, bhí mé liom fhéin gan mo mhamaí ag ceannacht bia dom, agus bhí orm soláthar dom fhéin. Bhí Tesco beag i m’aice, ach maraim nach raibh fiúntas ar bith sa siopa sin ach an “Reduced Section” thíos ar chúl an tsiopa, áit a bhfaighteá áran an lae sin ar phraghas íseal.

Níorbh fhiú an tsiúlóid. An aimsir sin bhí mé ag stopadh i dteach le Ciarraíoch, agus ba ghnás leis dul suas go Seantrabh ar an rothar ab aige ar son a shiopadóireachta. I mbeagán focal, léim mé ar mo rothar, rinne mé an turas baolach go Seantrabh, agus tháinig mé na bhaile le dearcadh úr ar an saol. B’shin tús mo chaidrimh le hAldi; tháinig mé ar son na margaí, d’fhán mé ar son na mbuanna líonmhaire eile.

Níl sé ró-mhall duitse gaol mar seo a bhunú. Cuirfear fáilte Éireannach romhat, i dtimpeallacht chomh snasta le hAmbasáid na Gearmáine.

Éagsúlacht na hollscoile Áine Marie Ní Mhainicháin Scríbhneoir @ainemonk

EAGRAÍODH ‘DCU Diversity

Week’ an tseachtain seo chaite.

Ba é an aidhm a bhí ag Aontas na Mac Léinn ná éagsúlachtaí mac léinn Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath a cheiliúradh.

Bhí sé ar intinn ag an Aontas rannpháirtíocht a spreagadh i measc na mac léinn chun léiriú dóibh go mbíonn difríochtaí eatarthu ar fad, ach gur rud dearfach é sin, seachas diúltach.

Cuireadh feachtas míreanna mearaí ar siúil chun léiriú go bhfuil mic léinn ó beagnach 100 tír ag freastal ar an ollscoil. Bhí sé ar intinn acu ansin na píosaí don míreanna mearaí a chur le chéile.

Bhí ‘DCU Christmas Day’ ar siúil i rith na seachtaine freisin.

Tagann cumainn éagsúla le chéile chuile bhliain chun lá an-fhéiltiúil a eagrú. Is éard a bhí ar siúl ná a leithéid de amhránaíocht, ceardaíocht, péinteáil éadan, neart saghas bia ar fáil agus deis chun bualadh le Daidí na Nollag.

Bhí an ‘Clubs and Socs Ball’ ar siúl fosta sa Crowne Plaza.

Deis a bhí ann iarrachtaí na gcumann agus na gclubanna spóirt a aithint agus a cheiliúradh agus damhsa ceart a bheith ag gach éinne ag an am céanna!

Thug ceardlann oibre Cómhlámh deis do mhic léinn OCBÁC níos mó eolais a fháil faoi dheiseanna chun obair dheonach a dhéanamh thar lear. Seans ab ea é chun breathnú ar thorthaí dearfacha a dtagann ón obair sin.

Eagraítear eachtra chun solais crainn Nollag na hollscoile a lasadh. Chruinnigh mic léinn le chéile, ag canadh amhráin na Nollag agus ag ithe bia fhéiltiúil Dé Chéadaoin seo chaite. Lainseáladh feachtas nua SVP in éineacht le Music Soc. ‘Give a Gift’ an t-ainm curtha acu ar an bhfeachtas i mbliana. Tá lipéid curtha ar an gcrann Nollag agus smaointí do bhronntanais do pháiste ar leith scríofa orthu. Is féidir ceann a thógáil go fóill chun bronntanas a cheannach ar son SVP agus é a chur ar ais faoin chrann.

Bhí cumann LGBTA ag glacadh grianghraif chun taispeántas a chur le chéile faoi na héagsúlachtaí atá le feiceáil sa choláiste seo.

Bhí SpunOut in OCBÁC an tseachtain seo ag iarraidh ar mhic léinn a bheith níos eolaí faoi ghnéas. Moladh an rogha gnéas sábháilte a bheith ag na mic léinn agus iad ag tabhairt comhairle dóibh. D’fhreagair siad chuile cheist a bhí ag gach duine agus thug siad bronntanais dóibh.

Agus an meall is mó ar dheireadh. Bhí tiomsaitheoir ollmhór eagraithe ag MPS don Aoine seo chaite. An aidhm is mó a bhí ag baint leis ná airgead a bhailiú do charthanas ‘Histocytosis Research Trust’. Bíonn 24Hour Broadcast a reachtáil achan bliain ag DCUtv agus le cúpla bliain anuas, is roimhe saoire na Nollag a mbíonn sé. Bhí baill den gcumann ag craoladh beo i rith an 24 uair ar fad. Léirigh mic léinn cláir éagsúla a bhí leathuair ar fad. Baineadh an-sult as!

Reachtaladh ‘Diversity Week’ ón 1 go dtí an 5 NollaigCredit: Deirdre O ‘SUllivan

Bunaíodh an comhlacht Gearmánach Aldi sa bhliain 1999 Credit: greystonesguide.ie

FOCLÓIR éagsúlacht = diversity

míreanna mearaí = jigsaws

tiomsaitheoir = collator

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THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 10 December 2014

Features

Press play: Google sizes up Spotify with streaming service Fionnuala Jones Contributor @Fionnualajay

IT’S been the dominant news

story in music this year. No, not Bono & co. hijacking Apple devices all over the world – earlier this month, Taylor Swift pulled her entire back catalogue from streaming service Spotify.

Following the release of her latest album, ‘1989’, Swift pulled the plug, saying, “On Spotify, they don’t have any settings, or any kind of qualifications for who gets what music. I think that people should feel that there is a value to what musicians have created, and that’s that.”

It’s becoming increasingly clear, however, that Swift’s decision was less for the sake of her art, and more for the sake of her wallet.

British folk artist Billy Bragg claimed her stance against streaming music is simply a veil to discredit Spotify as she moves to become the marquee artist for the upcoming music streaming service YouTube Music Key. The service offers access to the entire Google Play library, as well as music videos and other features.

Swift’s team responded quickly, saying, “Taylor Swift has had absolutely no discussion or agreement of any kind with Google’s new streaming service.” YouTube reiterated this statement, though clarified that Swift’s back-catalogue is available on the service, but only the first two releases of ‘1989’ are available – Shake It Off and Blank Space.

However, Take That were quick to nail their colours to the mast. The band withdrew their new album ‘III’ from Spotify until January, giving the full rights to Google Play.

So, what exactly is the difference between the two models?

Spotify has both free and subscription-based services.

Spotify has 50 million users – 12.5 million of those avail of the premium service. Google’s new

Fionnuala Jones looks at the new streaming services that are giving Spotify a run for their money service will be strictly subscription-based, but YouTube will still offer ad-based access to its content in the same way that Spotify does.

Spotify charges €9.99 for its premium service per month.

YouTube’s Music Key will cost $9.99 per month, though early adopted get a six-month free trial, as well as an introductory rate of $7.99 per month thereafter.

“We want to give fans more ways to enjoy music on YouTube, but also give artists more opportunities to connect with fans and earn more revenues,” said Christophe Muller, YouTube’s music partnerships director.

With YouTube Music Key, you will have access to 30+ million songs via Google Play.

Spotify boasts the same amount on its press page.

Spotify is available in 58 markets. At this moment in time, YouTube Music Key is available in the US and six European countries only – the UK, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Finland and Ireland.

Paying subscribers of YouTube Music Key will be able to download and play songs and videos on their mobiles and smart devices, even when using other apps. This feature is currently restrictive on Spotify.

Both Spotify and Google’s service insist that labels who add their catalogues must make them available to paying and free users.

YouTube has mostly been viewed as a promotional tool by artists in the past — the site has paid out more than one billion in ad revenue in its lifetime. Spotify has paid $2 billion to the music industry with just 50 million users.

What does this mean for the artists? Artists earn $0.00521 per stream on Spotify, meaning an artist would make just $5,210

from a million streams of a track.

It is unclear how much goes to musicians and songwriters.

According to Spotify founder Daniel Ek, however, Swift was on track to make to earn close to $6 million from Spotify this year.

While YouTube Music Key’s pay per stream figures have yet to be disclosed, currently, YouTube’s royalty rate stands at $0.00175 per stream, working out at $1,750 for one million streams, albeit from a much more limited service. YouTube payment includes gross payable to single party uploader claiming 100% of rights including video, master and publishers.

Streaming holdout Thom Yorke has expressed a worry, arguing that “artists get paid fuck all.” Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis has echoed his sentiments.

“I’d rather somebody stole the record on vinyl than bought it or streamed it on Spotify”.

YouTube Music Key has the potential to cause a stir in an overcrowded market with its new model. Spotify bosses should be on their toes – although judging from their response to Swift’s departure, they aren’t too worried.

“We hope she’ll change her mind and join us in building a new music economy that works

for everyone,” a statement reads on the Spotify website. “We believe fans should be able to listen to music wherever and whenever they want, and that artists have an absolute right to be paid for their work and protected from piracy. That’s why we pay nearly 70% of our revenue back to the music community.”

“PS – Taylor, we were both young when we first saw you, but now there’s more than 40 million of us who want you to stay, stay, stay. It’s a love story, baby, just say, Yes.”

Credit: dailymail.co.uk

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Wednesday 10 December 2014│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Features

Temple Street at Christmas Catherine Devine Features Editor @Catherinedevin1

ON Christmas Eve, thousands

of Irish children wait excitedly in their homes for Santa to arrive.

They think about their Santa letters, hang up their stockings and run around wildly while preparing milk and cookies for Santa.

Last year, almost 400 children were cared for in Temple Street hospital and did not make it home for Christmas. Instead of joining in on the festivities at home, they lay in hospital beds with stockings hung by their beds.

A bit of Christmas magic came to Temple Street last week when six-year-old Izzy O’Connell, who spent three months in Temple Street this year following the removal of a brain tumour, turned on the hospital’s Christmas lights with Santa. Izzy who has been in cancer treatment for 10 months hopes that the lights will bring some hope to the other patients.

Speaking at the switch-on Izzy said: “I love Temple Street and I don’t mind coming to the hospital for my check-ups because I love getting to see everyone. It was so much fun switching on the lights with Santa. The hospital looks really pretty, and I think all the children in Temple Street this Christmas will really like it. The lights will make them really happy!”

Instead of tucking their child into bed, trying to peel back the layers of excitement, parents of sick children are just hoping that their child will get better this Christmas. The list on Santa letters becomes meaningless.

Instead of Santa tip-toeing across the floors, its doctors and nurses who work hard throughout the night to ensure that their children are cared for.

Izzy’s mum, Emma O’Connell, was delighted to see Izzy turn on the Christmas lights.

“Last Christmas we were totally oblivious to devastation that was around the corner for us.

We, or so we thought, had a perfectly healthy little girl. This past year watching Izzy battle through surgery and endure months of therapy and chemo; it

Not all children will get to spend Christmas at home this year. Sixyear-old Izzy O’Connell will spend Christmas in Temple Street as she begins her fifth round of chemotherapy. was a nightmare that no parent should ever have to suffer.

Today, watching Izzy switch on the lights in the hospital that saved her life, I can’t explain how happy we feel,” she said.

It was around Christmas time last year when Emma began to see Izzy’s health deteriorate.

Doctors suspected that Izzy had a winter bug, but Izzy seemed more tired than usual. In February, Emma noticed a lump on Izzy’s head and brought her straight to A&E, but was then referred to Temple Street hospital.

Within hours, Izzy was fighting for her life in a surgery that took over 11 and a half hours.

After the surgery, Izzy lost the power in the left side of her body and had to endure physiotherapy and occupational therapy to help her to walk again.

In April, Izzy started 48 days of intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Her parents said that she didn’t complain once and always had a smile on her face.

To complete Izzy’s treatment she also had to endure six rounds of chemotherapy at home.

After three rounds of chemo, an MRI showed a cyst growing rapidly from the tumour in Izzy’s brain and she was taken for an emergency surgery to remove the cyst. Surgeons realised that the tumour was more extensive as part of it was connected to a brain stem. This made the tumour inoperable.

Following the chemotherapy, Izzy’s body was much weaker and Izzy lost the power in her left side again. Recovery this time has been a lot slower.

Izzy has started her fifth round of chemo, she has six to do in total. Once she finishes her sixth then treatment will be withdrawn for five months to see whether the tumour grows or not. For now, for Izzy and her family, it is a waiting game.

It’s because of children like Izzy that Temple Street work tirelessly to bring a bit of Christmas magic to the children’s ward. Each year they launch a toy appeal to ensure

“

I love Temple Street and I don’t mind coming to the hospital for my check-ups because I love getting to see everyone.

that every child in the hospital receives a present from their wish list on Christmas. Temple Street also sell Christmas cards and have a Christmas raffle to try and raise funds in order to make Christmas magical for

every child there. Last year from selling Christmas cards alone, the hospital managed to raise over €20,000. This money helped the hospital to buy state of the art equipment, develop new services and to put life back into

tired old wards.

This year, Tesco, who is Temple Street’s charity partner, organised a Christmas wonderland in the hospital to surprise the patients spending Christmas away from home. They had an Elf Yourself workshop, a Magical Christmas Fair and a Magical Movie Theatre.

Even though these kids are sick, some fighting for their lives, Temple Street at Christmas distracts them from their illness and allows them to feel like other kids. The hope and light in some of the kids is a bit of Christmas magic in its own.

Credit Temple Street Hospital

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THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 10 December 2014

Features

Histiocytosis: A Voice That Needs To Be Heard Jade O’Leary Deputy Features Editor @ JadeOdette_

FOR the past three years DCU’s

Media Production Society has organised a charity 24 Hour Broadcast in conjunction with Bank of Ireland. The broadcast, which can be viewed online, raises funds for a charity of its choice last year being the Make a Wish Foundation.

This year the cause is a lot closer to home, as the proceeds of the 2014 event are going towards raising awareness and research for Histiocytosis, a disease that one of our fellow students battles on a daily basis.

Niamh Ni Ruari, 21, was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, a rare illness that affects one in 200,000 children, when she was just three years old. The condition left her with Diabetes Insipdus, which is a lack of the hormone ADH in the body, and although it causes overwhelming thirst and an excessive need to urinate it can be kept under control with medication.

When she was almost fifteen, Niamh learned that the LCH she had been diagnosed with as a child had come back. This time it affected her cerebellum, the part of the brain in charge of mobility and co-ordination, and she had to endure some major life-altering changes. Now she depends on a wheelchair for mobility.

Jade O’Leary speaks to Niamh Ni Ruari - a long-term sufferer of the rare disease LCH - about why awareness for the cause needs to be raised and how she feels about her case being chosen for this year’s 24 Hour Broadcast.

“It affected me hugely when I was fifteen. It started off slowly – through a limp. It was a subtle change but also a vast one. As time progressed, it deteriorated to the point where I now need a wheelchair.”

When asked how she felt about the broadcast being held in aid of this cause, she said: “I feel very privileged, the disease is quite rare, and DCU has taken on both this disease and charity.

It’s a chance and opportunity to be heard.”

She believes there needs to be more awareness regarding Histiocytosis and LCH, “I definitely think there needs to be more awareness. Before this broadcast, if you mentioned LCH to anybody, they wouldn’t have heard of it”.

Despite the challenges that life has thrown at her, Niamh remains a deeply determined individual. Her strength in the face of her disease is to be admired by many, and she hopes to be a voice for others suffering with rare degenerative conditions.

She is currently studying journalism, a career path she never thought about taking until she was affected by the disease. She did an introductory course to journalism and then a two year diploma course in Ballyfermot College for Further

Education. She was accepted into DCU’s journalism course this year.

“I want to be a journalist to spread awareness about the condition. I only developed an interest in journalism when the

disease started affecting my mobility.”

Both Niamh and DCU MPS hope the efforts made in this year’s 24 Hour Broadcast will be the first step in helping further research into curing Histiocyto-

sis and all conditions associated with it.

To find out more about Niamh and her inspiring journey, you can visit her blog: www. myybeautifulnightmare.com

Credit: DCUMPS

Spare a hug, have a Harte Glen Murphy Contributor

Michael Brown, the black, unarmed teenager shot by white police officer Darren Wilson is a recent example of how racism is still alive and well in our society.

IN this modern age we live in

we all consider each other to be equal, correct? Day in and day out when going about our own business, meeting and speaking with other people, we see everyone as precisely that.

Another person, a human, a sentient piece of walking space dust, whatever you like to call us.

We all know biologically we’re

the same. Everyone has five and half litres of blood, 206 bones when we grow up, and billions and billions of itty-bitty neurons pulsing in our brains.

Yet some of us think we are superior to others. Again we all know the reasons why some people think themselves above the rest of us. The list is a long one: class, religion, gender, wealth, race etc. From atop the grandest ivory towers men in tailored suits and women in pearls and gowns think of themselves as deities, or as gifts to the world. Why? This is how it has always been.

Very rarely in human history, even after 400 generations and billions of lifetimes, have we all been at peace with one another. In our time, present generations are no exception to rule. Michael Brown, the black, unarmed teenager shot by white police officer Darren Wilson is a recent example. Massive protests and outrage have erupted there because Wilson was not indicted with murder or

charged at all.

Riots across the city forced the police to stand against the outraged African-American community in full riot gear. People have been badly injured; in one instance a car slammed through a large group of protesters.

One moment stood out from the madness. Denvonte Harte, a twelve-year-old boy who attended protests in Portland, against the jury’s decision, on November 25th held a free hugs sign. A photograph taken by a free-lance journalist depicting a tearful Harte embracing a white police officer later went viral over Facebook.

Police Sergeant Bret Barnum approached Harte with open arms and embraced him.

Even though this act of simple empathy didn’t take place in Ferguson it was a powerful moment nonetheless which shows there is always hope for reconciliation. It’s an example of tolerance and understanding we can all learn from.

Credit: Google Images

It’s not large scale protest or the might of a bullet that will change our attitudes. Our country knows the hurt and suffering invisible divisions cause. We built these transparent walls through bigotry and false hierarchies.

Only as one and only as equals can we break these barriers. But how do we do that?

Ordinary people keeping little

promises, fulfilling everyday acts of kindness and love. Over time and through great effort, a day may come when we all stand as one.

Great change must occur first, but if we all follow in the path of young Devonte Hart we will someday achieve great change. Racism hasn’t gone away, but I fully believe in the future it will.

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Wednesday 10 December 2014│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Features

In appreciation of language Ruaidhrí Croke Sports Editor @Ruaidhri_Croke

WHAT are we without lan-

guage? Without words we cannot express ourselves, think for ourselves or do virtually anything.

Everything you read, watch, listen to or even think about every second of every day is made up completely of language. Words define exactly who we are and make up the boundaries of our capabilities.

There are currently more than 6,000 languages spoken in the world, some by only a handful of people. The richness of these languages directly corresponds with how people go through life and what they can do. A tiny tribe living in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest, for example, would be without words as simple as “phone” or “computer”. Without knowing that these words exist, their capability to improve their standard of life or to educate themselves is non-existent.

In George Orwell’s 1984 we see how important language is and how its manipulation can define how people think and limit what they are capable of.

Ruaidhrí Croke examines the importance of language and its simplification in the media today.

Orwell’s ‘Newspeak’ cuts down language, simplifies it and uses it in a way that means the government cannot be threatened. The language prevented people from thinking on their own, meaning that people were unable to think outside of the boundaries and were therefore incapable of rebelling against the system.

This is not only because words such as ‘free’ and ‘democracy’ would not exist anymore (free would only exist in sentences as ‘that house is free of filth’), but also because the destruction of the old words would mean society would dumb down, because there would simply be less words and less grammar, so society wouldn’t be intelligent enough to break the rules.

To look at an example of how language defines our capabilities, we need to compare English and modern-day Chinese. The Chinese language is one that has been simplified, but in a different way to ‘Newspeak’. The simplification of the Chinese language means that there is no dyslexia in China. The spelling of

words has gradually been made more phonetic and there are only a simple few language rules.

In contrast the English language contains several hundred rules, many of which contradict each other and is not phonetic in any way. Look at the word “phonetic” as an example - why can’t it simply be spelled “fonetik”?

Rules such as “i before e, except after c” are completely redundant in today’s English.

There are more exceptions to that rule than there are concessions to the rule. While these examples do not limit free thought to the same level as ‘Newspeak’, they certainly make it more difficult for the wider population.

The power of language really is mind-blowing; it dictates absolutely everything for us. To sum it up as well as it can be, let’s take into account the words of Stephen Fry, a champion of the English language.

“Language is the breath of God, the dew on a fresh apple; it’s the soft rain of dust that falls into a shaft of morning sun when you pull from an old bookshelf

a forgotten volume of erotic diaries. Language is the faint scent of urine on a pair of boxer short; it’s a half-remembered childhood birthday party, a creak on

the stair, a spluttering match held to a frosted pane.”

Language is what awakens our senses and make our imaginations tick.

Credit: englishtown.com

Breaking the silence of Autism Áine Marie Monk Contirubtor @ainemonk

AUTISTIC student, Thomas

Monk, tells Áine Marie about

Áine Marie Monk takes a look at life with Autism. teachers, Transition Year and The Big Bang Theory.

Credit: Steve Kampff

‘Well the hardest thing was saying goodbye to the guys on the last day before moving to St. Mary’s, it was kind of heart-breaking for me,’ admits Thomas, one of the first students to attend ABACAS Drogheda.

Although he is a typical sixteen year old boy, enjoying the finer things in life such as video games and Netflix, Thomas is in fact a Transition Year student with a twist; he has Autism.

Thomas has fond memories of the school that shaped his future. ‘ABACAS is mainly a school for children with Autism, with few students going there.’

He recalls how drama played a big role in his learning: ‘I think it was at Christmas times, like practising for the plays, it was very amusing.

Well…if you wanted to overcome a fear of stage fright and speak out in a crowd.’

People with Autism often react differently in social

situations, avoiding eye contact and isolating themselves rather than spending time with others.

The staff of ABACAS School seek to improve the social skills of students whilst teaching typical lessons such as English and Maths.

‘I learned many skills like writing and sports and P.E. and even theatre and plays’, says Thomas, who expresses his enthusiasm towards education.

He speaks of the system of progression put in place within the school which is very different to that of a mainstream school.

It is based on the progress of the individual student, rather than age or class group.

One in 66 children have Autism and it affects five times more boys than girls. The characteristics of Autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations and can range from mild to severe.

ABACAS have established a youth group for children and young people with Autism which meet on a weekly basis. Thom-

as attends the group for older teenagers. He refers to the social outlet as ‘Heaven’ where he and his friends choose activities to do upon arrival.

It is a safe place to socialise for young people with Autism who may feel isolated from their peer groups. Members of the group are often past pupils of the school who wish to keep in contact with the friends they made during their time there.

Thomas talks about the interests shared by members of the group, particularly television programmes such as ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and films such as ‘Star Wars’ and anything and everything ‘Marvel’. When asked which character he would most like to be if he ever had the chance he said Iron Man or Sheldon Cooper.

Thomas realises that his successes can be attributed to the work of ABACAS and the support he received from family and friends. ‘It’s a chance to educate people who have Autism. These people deserve a chance.’

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 10 December 2014

25

Sport

Grace gunning her way to the top Irish boxer Clare Grace talks to The College View about her World Championships, Katie Taylor and equality in sport Ruaidhrí Croke Sports Editor @Ruaidhri_Croke

AFTER becoming only the sec-

ond Irish woman ever to medal at a European Championships, DCU’s Claire Grace took her next step on the way to the top last month when she appeared in her first World Championships.

It would end in heartbreak, however.

And she didn’t even lose a bout.

20-year-old Grace from Tullahought in Kilkenny claimed a bronze medal at the European Championships in Bucharest last June, just days after completing her Sports Science and Health summer exams in DCU. The world number 10 was forced to withdraw from the Worlds due to a deep cut above her left eye, something that left her devastated after working towards the tournament for so long.

“I was delighted to get the win in the last 32 but the bad cut above my eye meant I had to be pulled out. That was devastating for me,” Grace told The College View.

“It’s the hardest way to come out of the competition, to be honest I’d prefer to have lost than to have been pulled out.”

After receiving the cut during her first round win over Romania’s Christine Stancu, the 20-year-old was treated in hospital and required stitches.

This led to a decision being made that it was unsafe for her to carry on as the injury may have been aggravated more in the following bouts and so she was withdrawn before the last 16.

It was hugely disappointing for Grace and something that took her a while to come to terms with, but she realises that it was the correct decision in the end. Not that it would have stopped her were it her decision.

“It wasn’t really my decision [to withdraw] the coaches pulled me out. I’d definitely just go for it and risk it, especially as I was facing someone I’d beaten before.

“But just because it was so early in the competition, only the last 16, it had to happen. They said if it was for a medal they would have chanced it but it was a fairly bad cut so I would have just been risking making it worse.”

It was still a positive experience for the DCU student however, having been a part of the two week training camp prior to the tournament where she trained with her boxing idol, Katie Taylor.

“It’s a huge honour to get to be in the same team as her.

Just to see how focused she is

“”

WHEN I FIRST STARTED BOXING I DIDN’T KNOW WHO KATIE TAYLOR WAS BUT THEN SHE STARTED TO BECOME WELL KNOWN. ANY SPORTING ATHLETE WOULD LOOK UP TO SOMEONE WHO’S SO BIG IN THE SPORT AND HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR WOMEN’S BOXING. during the competition is amazing. She has such a tunnel vision focus. It’s absolutely amazing to get to train with your hero and train alongside her.”

Grace began boxing in Callan Boxing Club with her brother. At the time she was the only girl there and despite it not being the “done thing”, she fell in love with the sport and hasn’t looked back since.

“When I first started boxing I didn’t know who Katie Taylor was but then she started to become well known. Any sporting athlete would look up to someone who’s so big in the sport and has done so much for women’s boxing so she’s a huge inspiration for all athletes really.”

So does Grace feel that women’s sport, and boxing in particular, gets enough recognition in the public eye, especially as we have an Irish five times world champion?

“I think it’s quite a long way away from being completely equal. Realistically there’s such a big gap. Katie Taylor has done a lot to promote women’s sport being taken seriously but there’s still a long way to go before anything is to be considered equal.

“During the Olympics she [Taylor] got great coverage, she was like the hero for Ireland. But we have to remember that she had won world titles before that and no one really seemed to care much until she won the Olympics.

“She got great coverage after that and I don’t think women’s boxing would be in the Olympics only for her. In terms of coverage yes it definitely has increased. There’s coverage for the rugby team and we’re doing well in soccer.

“But there’s still not that much. For example her final

_ _

GRACE believes that we are still a long way from equality in terms of sports coverage Credit Sportsfile

SPEAKING OF EQUALITY GRACE SAYS IT WOULD BE A DREAM TO COMPETE IN THE 2016 OLYMPICS IN RIO DE JANEIRO

wasn’t on RTÉ or anything. There is a huge way to go, it’s not equal at all but it has definitely improved.”

Speaking of equality Grace says it would be a dream to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro but there’s just one problem: her weight of 69kg is not considered an Olympic sport.

“There’s ten weights for men in the Olympics and only three for women so that’s not really fair, especially when you’re in one of the weights that’s

not in the Olympics,” she says.

“I’d have to go up a weight because Katie Taylor is the weight below me. I’d have to go up to middleweight so that would be a huge amount of work to build the muscle which wouldn’t be easy at all.”

So questions remain over whether or not we will be seeing Grace in Rio in two years but one thing is for certain: Katie Taylor won’t be the only Irish name on the list of women’s boxing’s best in years to come.

26

Wednesday 10 December 2014│THE COLLEGE VIEW

Mercy youngsters starting to shine Sport

DCU Mercy coach Mark Ingle reviews the progress made by the club so far this year Kevin Taylor Deputy Sports Editor @Kev_T_

“”

DCU Archery enjoyed a lot of success at the recent intervarsities Andrew Canavan Sports Reporter @CVSport

DCU Mercy basketball is in a period of transition. However, not all periods of transition go as smoothly as this (just ask Brett Brown and his Philadelphia 76ers about how a young team can struggle).

Head Coach Mark Ingle has had no problem blooding the youngsters this year and he hopes that a new bright era is in store for his youthful squad.

“We’ve a very young team this year. Two of our most experienced players, Suzanne Maguire and Megan Hopkins, left last year to join Liffey Celtics and Lindsay Peat is taking a backward step with this being her final year in college.

“We’re building a new team and because of that lack of experience we’ve been a little bit inconsistent. Despite that we’re not sitting in too bad of a position in fifth place in the league.

“We’ve had some really talented young players come in to fill their shoes like Caroline Stewart and Katie and Peggy Black.”

Stewart is one of two Americans - the maximum an Irish club team is permitted to field. She played her college basketball in the States at Boston University.

Rachel Brittenham, another player from the United States, played with Wofford College in South Carolina Ingle believes that having the knowledge and experience of Americans who have played at a high level is of benefit to every player in the squad.

“We lost two of our experienced players last year so having the likes of Rachel and Caroline has brought the rest of the team on.

“I think it’s only good for the game here that we can get such high-class players playing in the National League.”

YOU CAN ONLY REALLY PLAY THAT STYLE IF YOU’RE AT FULL FITNESS AND THE TEAM REALLY ARE TO BE FAIR TO THEM.

DCU Archery hit the target at intervarsities

DCU Archery club claimed 10

prizes at the first intervarsity competition of the year which was held in DCU. There were over 180 participants and a number of high profile attendees at the event.

Prizes included individual prizes of four golds, two silvers and one bronze. In the team events, DCU Archery took a total of two gold’s, one silver and one bronze.

A huge amount of work was put into the event as a whole including unveiling a brand new jersey and logo for the club, a huge set up effort and a ton of work put into the event by club chairperson Philip Early, secretary Ciara O’Sullivan and treasurer Aishling Dignam.

DCU Archery said that they would like to thank DCU President Brian MacCraith and sports development officer Yvonne MacGowan for their support of their intervarsity event through their attendance.

In order to help familiarise beginners with the workings of competitive archery the club designed a booklet targeted at beginners.The booklet included the different types of archery and showed beginners the process of how archery is scored.

If you are interested in joining the club, there are training sessions held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4-7pm. The club also has a Facebook page where you can keep up to date with the daily goings on of the club.

COACH Mark Ingle has put a lot of faith in youth this year Credit Sportsfile

DCU produced a shock 40 point victory over league table-toppers Meteors in the first leg of their National Cup quarter-final and Ingle puts this sort of performance down to that elusive mix of quality and good old-fashioned hard work.

“We beat Meteors really comprehensively which was great.

Barring a disaster we should win the tie on the aggregate system.

“We’ve improved recently and a lot of it is thanks to Ken Robin-

son who has come in and been involved with the physical training of the girls. He’s gotten them in peak condition to play basketball.

“I’ve never seen them in better shape. We’re able to go the full game and use high-pressure tactics like the full court press.

“You can only really play that style if you’re at full fitness and the team really are to be fair to them.”

Ingle’s son Sean is continuing the family tradition of basketball in fine style and coach-

es

the DCU Freshers team.

The firm link between the University and the club offers a pathway for college players to get to the highest level and attracts some of the best in the country to DCU. “We have a real mix of players but the link is definitely there if they’re of the right standard.

Some great young players like Megan Connolly and Sinead Hession attend DCU and have been given facilities to improve their skills as well as their academic education.”

The win over Meteors will have provided a big confidence boost but Ingle knows there’s a long way to go before his players can think of lifting silverware.

“Success in any competition would be a big plus as we don’t have unrealistic expectations.

But it looks like we’ll be in a cup semi-final so you never know.”

One thing seems certain for DCU Mercy. The future of the basketball club looks very positive indeed.

THE COLLEGE VIEW│Wednesday 10 December 2014

27

Sport

Fresher footballers fall at final hurdle DCU’s fresher footballers lost out to UCD in the league final Garrett Lavin Sports Reporter @CVSport

THE dominance of UCD’s Tip-

perary pairing of Colin O’Riordain and Liam Casey proved to be the main difference in this Fresher’s Football Division 1 league final in St. Clare’s last Thursday.

The midfield pairing dominated the highball throughout the game and DCU struggled to maintain possession any time they were allowed win their own kick outs. UCD pressed high up the pitch forcing DCU to kick high and long playing perfectly to the of the UCD side who were physically taller and stronger than their DCU counterparts.

The opening quarter was evenly matched with DCU’s midfield pairing of Kevin Traynor and Shane Carthy matching the UCD pair but UCD seemed to have more composure on the ball and found themselves leading 0-4 to 0-2, three of those points coming from the boot the impressive Conor McCarthy who DCU struggled to deal with throughout the game.

It was a UCD blitz that followed, and they left DCU really struggling for answers with the southsiders outscoring DCU five points to one. Yet again, UCD’s Conor McCarthy left little doubt of his shooting skills by chipping in with another three points having yet to hit a wide.

UCD found themselves 0-9 to 0-3 with 20 minutes gone and DCU couldn’t effectively respond to UCD’s resilient defensive work.

DCU began to show en-

DCU’s Conor Bradley goes through on goal Credit Gianluca Avagnina

couraging signs as they chipped over some points, but yet again UCD had the answer, outscoring DCU 0-3 to 0-2 going in at half time. DCU found themselves with a big hill to climb finding themselves six points down before the second half.

The tempo dropped considerably in the second half with UCD finding themselves with loads of time in space able to chip away at the scoreboard.

With the half coming to a close DCU found themselves nine

points behind. A goal from Adam Byrne for DCU gave hope of a comeback, but it was not to be.

UCD finished strong, scoring a further four points without reply and finished the game as deserving winners. It was not all bad for DCU though as there were some very positive performances, from Cian Mulligan and Shane Carthy in particular both of which looked very dangerous any time they got their hands on the ball.

Treanor and McElroy step up to the plate DCU’s handballers have successful weekend in Wexford Aishling O’Keefe Sports Reporter @CVSport

IT’S a wonderful time to be in-

volved in a DCU Senior GAA team, be it football or hurling.

Like DCU’s Fitzgibbon panel, the Sigerson team are blazing a trail in the league and a 2-19 to 2-13 comeback win over

UCC means they have reached the Division 1 League Final.

Spirits are high in the camp and DCU’s Wicklow forward Conor McGraynor believes that the win over UCC says a lot about this year’s squad.

“The UCC game tells us a lot about the team. We went in at half time 5 points down and had a poor start to the second half, going 9 points down within the first 10 mins.

“The team showed massive strength and character to battle back and produce a 15 point turnaround. The belief in each other was phenomenal.”

Players from 11 different counties featured for DCU in the League semi-final, in contrast to a UCC team represented by mainly Cork and Kerry natives. McGraynor thinks that this diversity is extremely beneficial in college football and has helped DCU.

DCU Seán Daffin, David Neary, Des Reynolds, Eoghan Bateman, Liam Henry, Brian O’Shaughnessy, Kevin Breslin , Kevin Traynor, Shane Carthy, Cian Mulligan,

“It’s great to have a massive spread of counties represented. It brings players who are used to different styles of play in their counties together, battling for the same goal. We all learn lots from each other at every training session.”

There’s a lot of football left to be played before DCU can start to think about a Sigerson title and McGraynor is cautious about making predictions. However there’s no denying what the final goal should be for such a strong side.

“It’s still early doors in the season but we have set a good foundation with a strong league campaign.

“That bodes well for chances of getting a Sigerson title this year and from what I’ve seen so far we are well on track to achieve that.”

With high levels of performance comes competition for places in the squad. The 21 yearold Avondale man is under no il-

Aaron Byrne, Alistair Fitzgerald, Conor Bradley, Patrick Dunican, Diarmuid Breathnach Subs Shane Fitzpatrick, Mustaffa Ahmed, Michael Hall, Ryan Burns, Mark Plunkett, Chris McAneney, David Toner.

lusions about how tough it will be to claim a starting 15 spot in the DCU team for the Sigerson Cup. “The Sigerson 15 is far from decided there is a serious competitiveness among the panel to get one of the starting 15 jerseys.

“It’s a healthy competition though and one that only drives the team on.

“The lads who have played in the league have really staked their claim to be involved come Sigerson.

“With some players to come back from club commitments, and the fact there will always be a player or two carrying a knock or injury, the team come February could be a whole different lineup.

“But as I’ve said the lads who have played in the league have really stepped up to the plate.”

Sport THE COLLEGE VIEW

Wednesday, 10 December 2014

www.thecollegeview.com

BOXING Claire Grace speaks to The College View Read more on page 25

McGraynor stars as DCU overcome meagre Mary’s

CONOR McGraynor inspired DCU to victory last Thursday Credit Sportsfile

Cian Roche Deputy Sports Editor @cian_roche

CONOR McGraynor netted twice

to inspire DCU to victory in the Ryan Cup final over St Mary’s last Wednesday.

On a cold night in Co. Armagh, McGraynor lit up the the Athletic Grounds with an excellent display, registering 2-2 from open play.

DCU came into the final high on confidence, after a convincing six point win over UCC in November.

Niall Moyna’s side looked sharp from the start, with a goal in the opening five minutes exposing the predatorial instincts of the Wicklow man.

A floated ball into the edge of the square wasn’t dealt

with properly and McGraynor used every inch of his frame to tip the ball into the net.

Barry O’Hagan levelled up the match on 26 minutes after some excellent St Mary’s interplay and the Belfast side trailed by a point at the break.

St Mary’s - looking for their first title since 1985 - then took the lead just two minutes after the restart.

A mistimed jump in the DCU full-back line gave full-forward Jerome Johnston a one-on-one opportunity, which he duly dispatched.

His brother, Ryan, also got himself on the scoresheet, but, with only one point, was ineffective for the duration.

After a flurry of points in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, the Glasnevin side found

the back of the net once again.

An excellent effort rebounded off the bar and it was McGraynor on hand again to apply the finishing touches from close range, to give DCU an advantage they refused to relinquish.

DCU’s firing line looked industrious all evening, with Moyna’s side registering five individual scorers including Colm Begley and Conor Daly.

Conor McHugh was a picture of composure, scoring four points from frees, closing out the game with a 100 per cent kicking record.

McHugh, who was a constant figure for DCU during their cup campaign, personified his team’s performance showing authority on the ball and precision from dead ball situations.

With the Dublin side in

the ascendancy, the tackles flew in and tempers began to boil over in the closing stages.

St Mary’s misery was compounded in the dying minutes as the Belfast side finished the game with 14 men when midfielder Peter Carragher was shown a red card.

It wasn’t just players contesting the high ball, however, with what appeared to be a UFO busying itself around the night sky.

It became clear after the match that the object was a drone, attached with a camera, filming the final.

The drone was remotely operated by an IT technician from the Belfast university and the experimental style of streaming live fixtures is sure to catch the attention of sports coverage providers in the coming years.

DCU B Flynn; J Smith; D Wrynn, C Begley; J Bealin (D Ward, 35’); D Byrne, C Daly; T Flynn; S O’Brien (C Meredith 35’); E O’Connor; D Smith; E Smith; C McHugh (C McNally 52’); C McGraynor (S McCoy 59’); R Connor.