The HYPE Issue 10 by The College View

Music

Everyone is a sucker for the Jonas Brothers

Ellen Fitzpatrick takes a look at the Jonas Brother’s career.

he Jonas Brothers have thrown the world of fan girls into overdrive after announcing that they are getting back together and releasing a new single, ‘Sucker’. It seems like peace has been restored since their reunion, but why is it that the Jonas Brothers have decided that now is the perfect time for this? In their heyday, t h e D i s n e y sensations were everywhere. Touring the world, films

and TV shows and four studio albums under their belt, it came as such a shock for the boys to break up, especially considering that they are brothers. In various interviews since their return, they have been vocal about why they initially split, and it was all down to Nick wanting a solo career. The band formed after Nick was offered a solo record deal but they felt he was too young to go at it alone and the Jonas Brothers were born. So it only makes sense that he finally wanted to see what a solo career had to offer. “I broke the band up, but I got it back together,” Nick said when talking about their unexpected 2013 break up. After two successful solo albums, and even Joe’s new band DNCE, the brothers decided now was their chance to come back as a band and make music the wanted as adults without the impact of Disney. Each member successfully went their separate ways post JoBro breakup. Kevin, the eldest, got married to Danielle Jonas before the band’s split and since had two daughters, Alena and Valentina. Joe, the

middle brother, released 2015’s summer song Cake by The Ocean with DNCE and got engaged to Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner. Joe wasn’t the only successful soloist, Nick swept the floor with his own music and even starred on Broadway and in a few film and TV roles, not to mention he got married to Ms. World Priyanka Chopra. “Basically, about a year ago we started talking about making a documentary together. That was the start of it, just to tell our story, our childhood and into our career together. In that process we did some necessary healing, because you know when things ended it wasn’t the best. There was a magic when we were together that we would all like to feel again,” Nick said during the band’s Carpool Karaoke with James Corden. During the discussion and making of their documentary, the release of which is unknown, the band gradually came to realise that they worked better together and it was the right time to make their grand comeback. Although the brothers were thriving on their own, they say that there was the missing spark from when they were together and it was now or never for them to release new music. Their new single ‘Sucker’ broke the internet when it was released and the boys have said that they plan to bring out a new album and another tour, that they have so much more planned as a band. They have said that the music this time around will be much different as they aren’t restricted by Disney and can release music that reflects where they are in their lives now, and not music tailored towards a young audience.

Remembering The Prodigy’s Keith Flint

Donal Corrigan pays tribute to the firestarter of the rave scene who passed away earlier this month.

t was 1pm on Friday the 31st of August 2018, the first day of Electric Picnic. Myself and a friend were driving down to the festival with not a ticket between us. Tickets had sold out months before. The only hope of getting in was a trumpet, we were hoping to sneak in disguised as performers. It was a terrible idea. There was only one band that could make us this desperate to go to the festival. When The Prodigy were announced as headliners, we knew that nothing would stop us from getting to see them. The passing of the band’s frontman Keith Flint last week has made me so grateful that we did not let logic get the better of us that day. Keith Flint is one of the most important musicians

that this world has seen in the last three decades. The Prodigy are the reason that there is still life pumping through the veins of dance music today. They harnessed a raw energy that was birthed in the early nighties and nurtured it so that it still survives today. But where does an outsider like Keith Flint fit into pop culture? How did this troubled teenager become so important for a generation? Let’s look back to the 1990’s. The Berlin Wall comes down and the EU is united for the first time. It’s the end to the harsh Thatcher and Reagan regimes - Britain is ready to party. Illegal raves start springing up all over the country and the music scene is seeing an energy that echoes 1960’s The Summer of Love or Woodstock. In the midst of this rave scene lies a nightclub, The Barn just outside of Essex . It’s here where Keith Flint met The Prodigy mastermind, Liam Howlett. Sharing similar interests The Prodigy was conceived and they conquered this underground scene. Keith started as just an on stage presence,

bouncing in front of an adoring crowd. But it was his howling screams that caught the attention of the band. They harvested his screams into songs such as Firestarter and Omen that would raise them to legendary status. Almost as quickly as the underground scene sprang up, it was rapidly massacred by The Criminal Justice Bill. The British parliament had now made these raves illegal and authorities squeezed them out of existence. The Prodigy should have died with this… but they didn’t. It was because of the originality of Keith Flint and Liam Howlett that the band defied the odds. Their abstract image was paradoxically relatable for everyone. A generation watched the firestarter music video and saw a man with an outrageous haircut bounce around a tunnel screaming: “I’m the b*tch you hated, filth infatuated, I’m a firestarter, Twisted firestarter”. He was the anti-christ, he was beautiful. Keith Flint was a release for a generation as he tapped into our primal scream. Keith Flint had this amazing power to unite people of all backgrounds. The Prodigy would play a death metal festival one day and be headlining an electronic dance festival the following day. This was because he had no fear of being himself. We took refuge in this, that it’s okay to be your own person. Many surgeocally perfected divas sing this message daily but Keith Flint lived this message. Keith Flint started a fire for a generation and helped us breathe. Thank you.

Music

Coming back home to Solange Darragh McNally reviews the new album released by Solange Knowles

&B singer-songwriter (and sister of the legendary Beyoncé Knowles) returns with her fourth studio album When I Get Home, a serene yet stirring collection of nineteen smooth electronica-infused R&B tracks. Like her previous breakthrough opus, 2016’s A Seat at The Table, When I Get Home serves as both a tribute to Knowles’ hometown of Houston, Texas, and a celebration of black people and their culture in an ever-increasingly tense political environment. When I Get Home opens with the lush electronic soundscape of ‘Things I Imagined’, which serves as a great introduction to this album’s mood and tone. The chopped and screwed vocal samples of interlude ‘S. McGregor’ lead into the track ‘Down with The Clique’, where Knowles breathily sings about community and exclusivity over jazzy piano stabs and skittering hi-hats. Following this track is ‘Way to The Show’, a straight up R&B slow-jam. ‘Can I Hold the Mic’ is another interlude, featuring Knowles describing the layers of herself and her personality, which leads straight into ‘Stay Flo’, a smooth trap number with one of the catchiest hooks on the album. ‘Dreams’ is an ode to the power of having a goal to stride towards (“They go a long way”), followed by ‘Almeda’, where “black things (…) can’t be washed away (…) not even in that Florida water.” ‘Time (Is)’ finds Solange crooning over a stark piano instrumental, with following track ‘My Skin My Logo’ acting as a celebration of black wealth and opulence. ‘Jerrod’ is an electronica-sound tracked ballad where Solange tells of her commitment to a lover, which smoothly transitions into

‘Binz’,

up-tempo

track detailing S o l a n g e ’ s desires. ‘Beltway’ is a woozy, spaced-out piano number

with Solange telling the listener that “They’ll love (her)”. The following interlude ‘Exit Scott’ features smooth bass licks and a gospel choir sample, leading into ‘Sound of Rain’, a steadily-paced trap track. Interlude ‘Not Screwed!’ features more chopped and screwed vocal samples, while album closer ‘I’m A Witness’ is a calming end to the record. The album is another intriguing listen, a record that is content with slowly unravelling its mysteries to the listener, rather than hitting them over the head straight out of the gate with its messages of black pride and subjugation. It is celebratory of African-American culture, with Solange highlighting and celebrating characteristics of black people on tracks including ‘My Skin My Logo’, ‘Stay Flo’ and ‘Almeda’ (“Black skin, black braids, black waves, black days (…) these are black-owned things.”). Solange’s new album When I Get Home serves as a record of the frustration in being a minority in Trump’s America and serves to empower those who struggle in a nation gone mad. It continues Solange’s winning streak of lowkey, atmospheric, and rewarding records, proving that, like her multi-millionaire sister, she is a force to be reckoned with, a hugely creative talent that serves as a breath of fresh air in a steadily stagnating music industry obsessed with streams and virality. In short, the album is brilliant, and while it may not have the impact and flawless pacing of its predecessor, When I Get Home is still a remarkable achievement for the singer

Rating: 5/5 stars

An introduction to folk metal

Joseph O’Gorman would like to introduce you to Finland’s pride and joy: folk metal.

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any people are probably unaware, but Scandinavia is a hotbed for metal bands. Norway is famous for its black metal, notably Mayhem, and the murder case surrounding its infamous church burning member Varg Vikernes. Sweden love their power metal bands; lightning fast guitar riffs, and wonderfully high belted vocals. Finland however, is where things get really interesting; the Finns’ claim to fame is their folk metal bands. The most famous of these is probably Turisas. A fascinating blend of traditional Finnish folk, symphony orchestra, and metal. Named after a malevolent sea monster from Finnish mythology, lyricist and singer Mathias Nygård draws heavily on history for his lyrics. The Varangian Way, the band’s second album, is where they really come into their own. It is a concept album, detailing the journey of Haakon, a bastard who has left his homeland to travel to Constantinople to serve the Byzantine Emperor, in the Varangian Guard. The Varangian Guard were a military unit made up of Norsemen, who effectively served as the

Emperor’s bodyguards. The album takes you on a journey. You are transported to a longboat traversing the river system of the Kievan Rus, you feel the hangover after the wild party with Prince Jarisleif in Novgorod, and you are utterly transfixed, rendered speechless by the beauty and sheer majesty of the great city of Constantinople. There is incredible depth to this album, and the themes of which are continued into the follow-up album Stand Up and Fight. A more orchestral and polished work, Stand Up and Fight finishes the story of Haakon the bastard and the Varangian Guard, with the final track appropriately titled End of an Empire. Korpiklaani are probably the metal band with the strongest folk influence. Their sound is reminiscent of arriving down to a trad session in a pub in Hämeenlinna with two electric guitars and a big Marshall stack. While most bands of the genre started off as a metal band, and then began to add folk music, According to Jonne Järvelä, the band’s lead vocalist, Korpiklaani’s music would be seen as “old people’s music with heavy metal guitars” in Finland. Not as in depth as Turisas,

Their sound is reminiscent of arriving down to a trad session in a pub in Hämeenlinna with two electric guitars and a big Marshall stack.

they’re a more ‘fun’ outfit, with a lot of their lyrics about alcohol and partying. Lately they have gravitated more towards writing their lyrics in their native Finnish, after sticking to English with their earlier releases. Their first three releases are the best place to start with Korpiklaani, getting accustomed to the dulcet tones of Jonne Jarvela in English before moving onto the Finnish. Moving further south into mainland Europe, we find Eluveitie. A fascinating Swiss outfit, they incorporate Celtic folk music into their brand of melodic death metal. Eluveitie use traditional Celtic instruments, such as bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, mandola, and violin. Much of their lyrics reference Celtic mythology, particularly that of Celtic Gaul, with many of the lyrics written in a reconstructed form of the extinct ancient language Gaulish. They draw on texts such as prayers, and invocations of gods and other spirits The name of the band comes from graffiti on a vessel from Italy 300BC, which can be interpreted as the Etruscan version of ‘the Helvetian’, which of course refers to a man of Swiss descent. Eluveitie use multiple vocalists, both clean and harsh, which adds a real variety to their work. Slania is Eluveitie’s seminal piece, and serves as a great introduction to the band Love it or hate it, folk metal has a huge amount of depth to it, and great variety with in the folk metal bracket.

Hozier’s album is far It was acceptable from a music wasteland, in the ‘80s Alison Clair looks into why we are all baby like, totally, obsessed with 1980s pop

Music

culture.

he 1980s are a decade which are fondly remembered by people who didn’t even experience them. Everyone wants to remember a time, that they never really lived through. This is down to what’s known as the 20 year cycle. In the 1970s, everyone was obsessed with the 1950s, and so came movies like Grease and American Graffiti. Likewise in the 1990s, the presence of the 1970s pop culture was huge, like in That 70s Show. The difference here is that the 1980s wave has lasted longer than the 20 year cycle we’re used to. We’re still very much on that 1980s technicolour vibe. The 1980s are famous for a lot of things. Poppy music, wacky fashion, new political culture, innovation and film. It was the era of Pac Man and The Rubiks Cube. Legwarmers and perms. Synth pop and spandex. We get this nostalgic feeling when we listen to the synthesised piano and feel good lyrics that come in the package of 1980s music. Whether true or not, the 1980s are perceived by millennials as a time in history where being individual was glorified. Artists like Prince, Madonna and Cyndi Lauper could be who they wanted to be. You could show your True Colours, no questions asked. The 1980s also produced the first ever music video. Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles was released on August 1st 1981. This inspired another iconic 1980s band, Duran Duran to make a music video for their single Rio, and boy did they make one. Tropical beaches, yachts, neon clothes, the whole shebang. The epitome of the 1980s. Television and film have been thoroughly influenced by the 1980s and everything they represent. Their movies followed a feel good, best friend, adventure orientated story line. They were simpler times. Films like E.T, Back To The Future and The Breakfast Club all giving us 90s kids that nostalgic feeling, even though we hadn’t even been born yet. Stranger Things, Sex Education and even Derry Girls are all set in the 1980s, or have that 1980s feel. Even Black Mirror has gotten on that 1980s bandwagon with their most viewed episode San Junipero being set in 1987. Fashion trends come and go, but the 1980s have made a significant comeback, but this time without the neon legwarmers. Mom jeans, baggy jumpers and Dr Martins have become cool again. Big hair, big shoulder pads and big hoops, they’re all back. Millennials are stealing their parents clothes out of the attic. If it looks like you stole it from your parents wardrobe, then it’s labelled vintage in 2019. The 1980s were an iconic era, not only for pop culture but for politics. The American Government was under the control of the former Hollywood actor Ronald Reagan. He promised big tax cuts and a smaller government. This was often challenged by musicians and ‘celebrities’. MTV became a forum for people who went against the grain. Even as Reagan ran the country and maintained popularity, pop culture continued to be an arena for debate and dissatisfaction in society throughout the 1980s. As “Reagonomics” reigned in the US, Ireland had its own political issues throughout the 1980s which are depicted in a very poignant way in the Season 1 finale of Derry Girls with the news report of the Omagh Bombing playing on the television, as Dreams by The Cranberries echoes in the background. The 1980s were a time of selfexpression and freedom: simpler times. This is the reason people want to remember it. People want to relate to a time where they weren’t all glued to their smart phones. Instead, they want to reminisce on a time when they would have been bopping along to George Michael on Walkmans.

Gillian Hogan reviews Hozier’s heavily anticpated album.

or the music industry in its current fickle state, five years is a long time for an artist to stay silent, for fear of being forgotten. That is exactly what Andrew Hozier-Byrne from Bray, Co.Wicklow, on the tiny island of Ireland did. It’s been nearly six years since the release of Hozier’s first EP Take Me To Church which took the world by storm with its political message. It was an entire year later before listeners heard his self-titled debut album in 2014. Despite being an overnight success, Hozier has avoided the factory aspect of music creation that consumes many others in his situation. He is not afraid of making people wait. The result is his highly anticipated sophomore album, Wasteland, Baby! The album, which was released March 1st 2019, follows the same vibe as the singersongwriter’s debut. Filled with political urgency and morphed with romantic exploration, Hozier takes everything that worked so well the first time and expands on it. It expertly blends the genres of blues, soul, gospel, pop, folk, rock and RnB to create one unified sound; Hozier. It is evident from listening, that the gap between albums was not spent in vain. Extensive research has gone into each track, from activist-artists to greek mythology. The album artwork, created by his visual artist mother, Raine HozierByrne, depicts Hozier submerged in water, which is exactly what this album is: deep. The album opens with a song we already know, the radio familiar Nina Cried Power. It’s easy to see why it was chosen as both the first song on the tracklist and the first song released, as it succeeds in

setting the album’s tone of political commentary. It’s successor Movement, is true to its name, the verses mimic the gentle lapsing of the sea while its chorus builds to crashing waves. The best kinds of songs are those that are complemented by their rhythm and melody, but could stand alone as beautiful poems. Shrike delivers image inspired lyrics, likening himself to the shrike songbird that impales its freshly killed prey on tree thorns, the thorns being his lover. Whilst some tracks are better than others, most morph together in a way that each song might be a pleasant listen but its name may escape the listener. No Plan is nearly six minutes long but lacks the outstanding depth aspect, that songs of such length usually achieve. Instead, a standard two verse song is offered with the last two and a half minutes consisting only of a repetition of chorus and prechorus. Sunlight plays true to name by imposing the feeling of looking at the sun as it shines, but quickly turning to look away before it becomes too much. Although beautiful, the track goes a bit overboard in terms of repetition and production. It may prove difficult to come away with more lyrics than ‘sunlight’ upon first listen. Although Wasteland, Baby! does not offer anything hugely striking or innovative in comparison to Hozier’s first record, he sticks to what he knows and does it effectively. It gifts listeners with a collection of work that is deeply thought out and only gets better with repeated hearings. Hozier uses his magnificent talent and craftsmanship in an attempt to make sense of the world around him yet, concludes that it is nothing but chaos, something that makes his explorations all the more appealing.

Rating: 4/5 stars

TV & Film

Captain Marvel isn’t exactly marvellous

David Kelly assesses Marvel’s first female fronted film.

aptain Marvel was better than okay. This appears to be the trend with most standalone Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films today. While Black Panther was nominated for Best Picture, it could be argued that was due to the film’s ‘cultural impact’ as opposed to its cinematic merits. Captain Marvel is akin to its predecessor insofar as they both boast unprecedented casting in the superhero genre; a black lead and a female lead. Unlike Black Panther though, Captain Marvel has been marred with mediocrity by its critics. The film centres around Vers, or Carol Danvers, an alien soldier with a mysterious, Earthly past who is committed to defeating the Skrulls. These are an alien race with the ability to shapeshift, supposedly making them masters of infiltration. The problem with Carol’s character is apparent from the start. She begins her story as a person with immense power, but is told by her mentor, Yon-Rogg (Jude Law) that to control her power she must discipline her emotions. However, this isn’t her motivation. In fact, she doesn’t really have much motivation throughout the film. Her role is somewhat passive, with her story often pushed forward by external forces. She has this strange arc that involves something like inverse growth. There isn’t much for Carol to struggle with in the film. The Skrulls are laughably useless as forces of opposition. Even when the larger villains are revealed in the second act, they pose no real threat to Carol, who pretty much shrugs them off. It’s difficult to build and maintain tension when your protagonist is the most powerful person in every room she enters. Sure, it’s kind of fun to watch her throw around

people and blow up stuff, put it lacks any emotional or personal weight. Carol is cocksure. At her lowest point, she is still cocksure. Her arc involves her becoming even more powerful, hence even more cocksure. She is difficult to relate to because she doesn’t seem to suffer. Her road to near-omnipotence is paved with witticisms and sarcasm. The forces of antagonism are slightly underwhelming. Initially, the movie can’t seem to decide on a tone for the Skrulls. Are they devious, dangerous shapeshifters or funny, little green men? In the second and third act, their role becomes more nuanced, in a twist that serves as the film’s highlight. The Skrull’s leader, Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), is another highlight. Mendelsohn brings such humanity and charm to the role that you forget he’s a green alien. The biggest laughs come from Talos, in addition to the more emotional moments. The Kree, Carol’s supposed race, are boring. Her military team have some funny ‘Guardians of the Galaxy-esque’ moments to begin with but are completely characterless for the remaining hour. Following the twist, they simply become interchangeable weirdos. Yon-Rogg, Carol’s Kree mentor, appears as though he’ll be interesting, but he isn’t. Like his Marvel predecessors, he’s underwritten and lame. Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch) is the classic Marvel sidekick. She’s what War Machine is to Iron Man, or Wong to Doctor Strange. The young Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is an interesting character. Although the de-aging effect isn’t perfect, it works well enough. He’s a lighter, less rugged version than we’ve seen before, providing levity and a foil

to Carol’s fish-out-of-water shtick. So, where does Captain Marvel stand in the MCU? Truthfully, it’s near the bottom. is nothing to do with the fact it a female lead, rather i because she plays a largely uninteresting character. In short, it doesn’t bode well when the mid-credits scene is the most exciting part of your standalone superhero movie.

wider This stars t ’ s

Is Adam Sandler one of the best actors alive? The comedy superstar can be truly great when he works with the right directors, says Lucien Waugh Daly.

lthough his name sits only at 49th place on BoxOfficeMojo’s list of the highest-grossing actors (the price of never starring in a superhero or sci-fi blockbuster, one reckons), there are few movie stars that have captured a personal brand and unique style of project like the inimitable Adam Sandler. In the late 90s and through the 2000s he seemed undefeatable as, with contemporaries Jim Carrey and Eddie Murphy, one of the definitive comedy stars of the era; a modern day Walter Matthau with significantly more toilet humour. His run of hugely popular vehicles in the 1990s - Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison - peaked with Big Daddy, a film set almost entirely on one apartment that grossed $234,801,895 off of Sandler’s name appeal: that’s more money than Mad Max: Fury Road, Die Another Die or Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Just to watch Adam Sandler yell at a crying child. But nobody yells like Adam Sandler. His particular enraged energy has on several occasions been put to great use by some of America’s most interesting filmmakers, who have harnessed Sandler’s innate sadness and anger to create compelling portraits of men in the midst of a midlife crisis. The first director to recognise the potential for a great dramatic Sandler performance was Paul Thomas Anderson: 2003’s Punch-Drunk Love is nothing short of a masterpiece, a low-fi rom-com that pits Sandler against the acting might of Philip Seymour Hoffman and strips back his screen persona to the bare basics. He delivers a beautiful performance that would - from an actor with less industry stigma attached - have undoubtedly received an Oscar nomination.

2006’s Reign Over Me is a little too on-the-nose: Sandler’s character is a depressed New Yorker who lost his family on 9/11 a n d travels t h e c i t y on an

electric scooter, w h o befriends D o n

Cheadle and slowly reveals his suffering through the music of The Who. It’s a brash performance in an unsubtle film, but absolutely worth a watch. Three years later, Sandler’s old comrade Judd Apatow cast him as aging stand-up George Simmons in his epic black comedy Funny People. Simmons is diagnosed with cancer at the start of the two-and-a-half hour film, hires a sprightly Seth Rogen as his personal assistant, and the men develop a friendship through writing jokes as Simmons tries to reconnect with his ex-wife (Leslie Mann). Funny People is a superb, quasi-biographical use of Sandler that demonstrates both his crude, immature comedic side and the more intense thespian of PunchDrunk Love. Its supporting cast includes Jonah Hill, Aubrey Plaza and Jason Schwartzman (who also composed the score). At time of writing it’s available on Netflix, so I’d recommend that you sit down this weekend and watch it. More recently, Sandler has been cast in Noah Baumbach’s The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) with Ben Stiller and Dustin Hoffman, and the upcoming Safdie Brothers thriller Uncut Gems, executively produced by Martin Scorsese, which is undoubtedly the most exciting Sandler movie of the last ten years. While he’s fallen into a self-imposed rut of sameness on Netflix, churning out mildly-amusing but totally unmemorable broad comedies and keeping his friends (Kevin James, David Spade) employed, pausing every few years for a Hotel Transylvania or two, Sandler in a good movie, playing a three-dimensional character, is always an exciting prospect.

TV & Film

The girls are back in Derry

Caitlin Laird reviews the much anticpated first episode of the second season of Derry Girls.

he very much anticipated new season of Derry Girls has finally returned to our screens and people can’t get enough of it. The first season of Derry Girls ended on a sweet and powerful note as it showed the group of friends laughing and dancing around on stage at their school talent show while it then cut to Erin’s family home where they watched the news telling them of another terror attack during The Troubles. It depicted to the audience the real impact The Troubles had on families during that time while people were going about their daily life they still had the worry of trying to keep their families safe. The last scene of season one when Granda Joe places his hand on Gerry’s shoulder shows that even though they have a difficult relationship it doesn’t matter in times of trouble. Everyone was left on a sad note at the show ending and having to wait for another season to come out. That wait is finally over and Erin, Michelle, Clare, Orla and James are back to brighten up our Tuesday nights with fun and laughter. The first episode aired with the title ‘Across the Barricade’ as the friend group went off on an outdoor pursuits weekend with their school to make friends with a group of protestant boys. The whole idea of the weekend was to build better relations with the two sides and to talk about their similarities as well as their differences. This did not go to plan as Michelle and Erin had a different idea in mind. They saw the weekend as a way to get very close with the boys and to do more than just “building bridges” with them. The two groups could pinpoint more differences than similarities and once Michelle saw that her man of choice was wearing a purity bracelet she then wanted to

swap with Erin’s man. appearance with Granda Joe and Gerry doing their regular Clare had her own struggle trying to communicate routine of Granda Joe snapping at Gerry whenever he with a boy who was half deaf in which there was a gets the chance and Erin’s mother Mary giving out while misunderstanding with the words catholics and athletes. Aunt Sarah chimes in with a comment that usually sets the James tried to show off more of a masculine side family to just stand and stare in utter confusion or shock. which ultimately just freaked out anyone who was in After all the fighting between the two sides, they called his company but made for good comedy to the for the parents to come and sit down and talk with audience watching. Orla being her usual odd and the students in which it caused Erin to realise they random self made sure to put others on edge do have a similarity. The show then ended with Erin with her unusual interest for outdoor Amidst all the laughing and jokes, there are survival. The first episode also showed certain moments where it shows the real the return of other very well liked atmosphere and views that were very high characters like Sister Michael and Father Peter who add them extra bit during The Troubles. Derry Girls highlights of comedic moments that we all love whether it is Sister Micheal giving out that story within the comedy and it works very about doing anything or Father Peter well in catching your attention as well as your worrying about his hair. Erin’s family also made their

“

laughter.

going up to the blackboard and writing under similarities “Parents” while she smiled over at a protestant boy from the other group. Amidst all the laughing and jokes, there are certain moments where it shows the real atmosphere and views that were very high during The Troubles. Derry Girls highlights that story within the comedy and it works very well in catching your attention as well as your laughter. This will continue to be highlighted throughout the new season in which everyone will be glued to every Tuesday night.

Leaving Neverland brings up an uncomfortable past

Amy Donohoe looks into the allegations against Michael Jackson in the new documentary.

n the wake of #MeToo, and the growing of speaking up about the unspeakable truths, it was Michael Jackson’s turn to come under the microscope. In “Leaving Neverland,”Wade Robson and James Safechuck admitted that they were abused as children by a man they

worshipped. Their statements are overwhelmingly convincing and powerful. Jackson became the friends with the men when they were children, and he befriended their families, too. As the biggest celebrity on the planet, he maliciously used this friendship to take advantage of the boys. Robson was an Australian dancer and superfan who first met Jackson when he won a dance competition at the age of five. He says the abuse began two years later, after Jackson had such power over his family that Robson, his mother and sister moved to Los Angeles to be closer to him. Safechuck was in one of Jackson’s Pepsi commercials. He said his abuse started when he was 10. He revealed that Jackson rewarded him with jewellery when he performed sexual acts on him. In the documentary, he displayed the box full of jewellery which included a ring that was used in a mock wedding that Jackson pressured him into. They both described sexual activities that they claim Jackson subjected them to (oral sex, mutual masturbation, the viewing of porn). But they described how abuse took place in a relationship of warmth and trust. Both boys admired and trusted him. Diehard fans claim the men are lying to get publicity and compensation payouts. For non-diehard fans, it is hard to watch the documentary. “Leaving Neverland” is like a true-life horror film. It leaves your stomach feeling sick. His relationship with each boy was separate, both men said, he’d spend time with them in his bedroom. For a while, the parents would stay close

by, but overtime Jackson managed to get the children to share his bed for the night and this arrangement became normal. These children felt close to Michael Jackson, and they claimed that they felt a kind of love for him, so they wanted to do what it took to please him. Many have asked, how could any sane parent have gone along with this? That’s an obvious question, and the obvious response is that it’s unforgivable, that the parents allowed any of this to happen. But “Leaving Neverland” shows that they found themselves under the spell of Michael’s celebrity status. They thought he was creating opportunities for their children, so their thoughts were clouded by this. Whatever did or did not happen, the parents are to blame. The documentary revealed that both men no longer speak with their parents as they are the ones who left them with Jackson. The documentary controversially revealed that Robson and Safechuck testified, during Jackson’s first criminal trial for child sexual abuse. At the time, they said that he was innocent, that he never did anything inappropriate to them. The two men say that they lied to their parents, to their future wives, and to the courtroom to protect the man they once loved. Since the documentaries release, many radio stations have decided to no longer play the King of Pop’s music, as well as “The Simpsons” no longer airing an episode featuring him. Whatever the truth, the documentary is an astonishing piece of work.

Cripple of Stinging Fly podcast Innishman reflects is bringing the on a bygone buzz back to Irish Ireland literature

Theatre and Literature

Cáit Caden reviews Martin McDonagh’s while on at the Gaiety Theatre

laywright Martin McDonagh’s dark humour survived the decades which is evident from the success of his 22 year old play Cripple of Inishmann which just finished its run in the Gaeity Theatre. Big names such as Phelim Drew the son of Dubliner singer Ronnie Drew, and star of Derry Girls Jamie-Lee O’Donnell brought in the crowds however people stayed for the paedophile jokes and self depreciation humour in the play, which Ireland built its culture on. McDonagh sets the scene on the Aran Island of Inishmann in the early 1930’s when Robert J Flaherty shot his fictional documentary ‘Man of Aran’ and focuses on the protagonist, a young disabled man who longs for life outside of “staring at cows.” What becomes clear as the play progresses is that this small window into fame, in the shape of a fictional documentary, shows the mental restrictions of each of the characters and portrays the mindset of people in rural Ireland in the early 1900’s. The production on the Gaeity stage was almost faultless, as scenes were changed seamlessly by the actors who never broke character throughout. The absence of the fake seagull however, that made an appearance in the second half, would have done the production no harm. Cripple Billy, the center of the play, played by Ruairi Heading, delivered an a captivating performance. However the character of Billy is used more as a prop for other characters to tell their stories throughout. Phelim Drew lived up to his family’s name and

delivered a s t e l l a r performance as Johnny Pateen Mike. The west of Ireland’s answer to journalism in the 30’s who would deliver three “pieces of news” in exchange for food. His self indulgent rants and gossiping nature would remind you of many local characters around Ireland today.

Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, known for her role as the Michelle Mallon in Derry Girls, more or less reprosed the character of Michelle with a west of Ireland accent instead. A hidden treasure in the play was Johnny Pateen Mike’s ‘Mammy,’ Rosaleen Linehan. Linehan played the role of a bedbound alcoholic who could outwit her ‘carer’ son. Although her role was small, Linehan delivered it in such a subtle yet dramatic way it was almost like you were having a conversation rather than watching her on stage. Martin McDonagh subtly exploits themes such as the traditional Irish view of women’s place in the home as well as some darker elements of our past such as Catholic church abuse and uses these topics to draw laughs out of this play which overall is quite depressing. One of the key lines in the play is “Ireland musn’t be such a bad place so” if “yanks” and “sharks” and other variables are willing to come over. This demonstrates the unhappiness of rural Ireland in the early 1900’s due to poverty, abuse and illness. Yet we retained a dark sense of humour which we are known for even today. The play was directed by Andrew Flynn and finished its series of performances on March 9th.

Aine O’Boyle looks into the books podcast that studies Irish literature

he Stinging Fly podcast is revolutionising the discussion of contemporary Irish literature to suit a modern audience. Established in 1997, The Stinging Fly has consolidated itself as a leading platform in the promotion of up-and-coming talent among the Irish literature scene. In 2011, author of the two best-selling novels, Conversations with Friends and Normal People, Sally Rooney, was appointed as editor of the magazine and host of its accompanying podcast. R o o n e y made her debut with The Stinging Fly back in 2010 with two poems that she submitted whilst she was still in secondary school in County Mayo. Since then she has gone on to have work published in The Dublin Review, The New Yorker and Winter Papers along with writing two best-selling novels. The podcast, hosted by Rooney, is released on a monthly basis and each episode features a new Irish writer of whom is invited to select a story from The Stinging Fly archives and to discuss and analyse it through facilitated conversation. “Like most readers, I’m interested in writing that addresses life as it’s lived today – whether directly or indirectly. In particular, I’ll be looking out for work that combines original literary style with a real understanding of people and communities” said Rooney. The first episode of the podcast was aired 16 March 2017 and featured Rob Doyle reading a story by Philip O’Ceallaigh that was published in The Stinging Fly. An interesting aspect of the podcast is that everyone involved in it is a distinguished writer, from the host to the

guest and the writer of whom is having their work discussed. This allows for extremely insightful and engaging conversation and allows the listener to feel as though they are catching a glimpse into the minds of some of the greatest Irish writers of a generation. Rooney has been hailed as a “Salinger for the snapchat generation” and Rob Doyle, the guest on the first podcast is also a highly esteemed writer in his own rite with his debut novel, Here Are the Young Men, being deemed as one of the twenty great Irish novels from 1916 to 2016. This was f o l l o w e d shortly after by his second book, This is the Ritual, in January 2016. Both pieces of literature were published by Bloomsbury and Dublin’s Lilliput Press. His fiction essays and criticism have appeared in publications such as Vice and The Dublin Review, to name but a few. In a particularly interesting episode of the podcast, Emilie Pine, bestselling author of the essay collection Notes to Self, joins Rooney in the discussion of on an essay published by Julian Gough, entitled How to Edit Your Own Lousy Writing. For any aspiring writers or journalists, this is a particularly interesting listen as both Pine and Rooney agree that achieving perfection in your writing takes time, and that one simply won’t be able to produce a best-selling novel or piece of literature in one draft. Both Rooney and Pine highlighted the innate desire for appraisal that is a driving force behind a writer and serves as one of their main motivations. “If we didn’t care if something failed or not then it would be sloppy” said Rooney.

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The podcast, hosted by Rooney, is released on a monthly basis and each episode features a new Irish writer of whom is invited to select a story from The Stinging Fly archives and to discuss and analyse it through facilitated conversation.

TV & Culture

The Royle Family and Brexit: A Study

Donal Corrigan reflects on the Royle Family’s mentality and how it mirrors the ongoings of Brexit

he Royle Family is a true television masterpiece. On the surface it’s a sitcom about a family that just watches t.v, the inspiration for the hit t.v show Gogglebox. But, look closer at these couch potatoes and there is a lot more that meets the eye. Over the last two decades, The Royle family has dissected the many elements of family life and put it on display in their beautifully subtle way. Interestingly though this show can also help us understand the phenomenon that is Brexit. There is an uncanny resemblance between The Leave campaign and Jim Royle, the father of the Royle family. Specifically they both are experts at misplacing blame and enjoy the benefits of ignorance. The Leave campaign powered their narrative with the ‘Take Back Control’ slogan. And their means of taking back control? Controlling their borders of course! Blaming foreign nationals for their loss of control was a classic example of misplaced blame. The harder pill to swallow is that Thatcher’s neo-liberal policies did the most damage to their factory jobs rather than ‘bloody foreigners’. Similarly, Jim Royle uses the same tactics Music on a micro scale. He crucifies his wife when supper is late and blames his mother in-law for over working his wife. What both the

brexiters and Jim fail to realise is that they are apart of the problem. The Royle Family and Brexit both share the mentality of blaming others for their situation. Jim cries when the batteries from his remote are stolen but refuses to get up and change the channels himself. As a result, in a hilarious climax, he is stuck watching location, location, location by his own stubbornness. This self-inflicted demise echoes the faith of Brexiters as they leave The E.U. Only, getting stuck daytime t.v will be the least of their worries after March 29th. Yet despite all this, The Royle Family also

shows us where the real pain of Brexit lies. Inequality has been growing sharply in Britain since the 1970’s and it hasn’t come back down. Jim Royle watched his parents get richer and far more comfortable than their parents. His generation have seen The National Health Service be brought to its knees. They witnessed coal and steel industries walking out of Britain, with computers filling this hole in the jobs market. So while there might be much misplaced blame, there is a pain in Britain that can’t be ignored. This pain was screaming out at us 20 years ago in the Christmas special all the way back in 1999. In a powerful scene Jim runs upstairs in a fit of anger and vents a built up frustration to his grandson Baby David. He has spent Christmas day listening to his son’s father in law brag about big cars, boats, luxury coats and holidays. The top 1% comes into Jim’s humble house and flaunts what his generation expected to have but never could get. He pours his angst into Baby David’s cot saying “ I’ve got absolutely bloody nothing. I never had. I haven’t got two ha’pennies to rub together. I’m always bloody skint and I always will be.” Of course baby David doesn’t understand his grandad’s troubles, not many people do.

Louis Theroux tackles sexual assault on campus Róise McGagh reviews Louis Theroux’s recent documentary which focuses on men accused of sexual assault.

Louis Theroux’s new documentary ‘The Night in Question’ looks at sexual assault on university campuses in the US, the debate on consent and the power of accusations. It aired on 9pm 4 Mar 2019 on BBC Two and is definitely a classic must see work of the journalist’s. Theroux follows suspended Yale neuroscience student named Saif Khan. He was accused of raping another student. He was found not guilty in criminal court but, at the start of the documentary is still going through a trial by the university almost two years after suspension. In the US under Obama, there was pressure put on universities to have a stricter code of sexual conduct amongst students due to rising level of reports of sexual assault and rape. This was done under the Title IX law that stops discrimination based on gender in education. In consequence accusations of sexual misconduct are taken very seriously and investigated. These have the power to exclude those they deem responsible and require a lower standard of evidence than the criminal courts. Students accused of sexual misconduct found innocent in criminal court but guilty by Title IX investigations are beginning to sue the universities under that

same law. Theroux goes through Saifs story, how he came to the US on a scholarship and ended up in limbo due to the drawn out university investigation. He talks to his lawyer from the criminal case and his Yale case to build a picture of what had happened up until now. He looks into whether investigations are overreaching in their power, as is claimed by the Trump administration as is soon to be changed. There was uproar on Twitter when the documentary aired, in particular when Saif says he thought the victim was ‘just buzzed’ and not too drunk despite her vomiting twice in front of him. Said himself seems like a calculated and intelligent individual from the beginning. Theroux interviews a close friend of his from the support group Families Advocating for Campus Equality (FACE) for those affected by Title IX Campus Disciplinary Processes. This friend John Adams, reveals some shocking information that shows Saif in a less innocent light. In a typical Louis fashion his face shows his shock, anger and compassion in each of the interviews. He puts difficult questions to Saif with a stiff face, who stumbles with a response that is summed up by the line “We are not

entertaining the fact that she could have lied.” Theroux also interviews a man from New Jersey who was stuck suspended from college after accusations of sexual assault from a friend and the difficulties it has caused him. He interviews a victim of sexual assault who had turned her experience into a thesis and an art piece, and another Mollie Johnson, who has never before told her story publicly. Mollie tells of how the university sanctions allowed her to finish her studies with piece of mind after she was raped in Delta Cappa Epsilon, which before it was shut down has 10 allegations of sexual assault. She went on to be a Legal Analyst at McAllister Olivarius in the UK which specilises in aiding people in cases of sexual harassment at universities. The documentary shows all the aspects of the conversation in the US about consent in universities. The increase in classes, the seriousness of which allegations are now taken, the empowerment that has been brought through campaigns on sexual assault and rape, how the investigations can be overreaching and sometimes destructive but seem necessary to stop a long and deep bred culture of silence.

Time to talk tampons

Health

The sanitary products you have used up to now are still in the environment, Lorna Lawless discusses period products and the environment

ver 45 billion menstrual products are used every year, at this point there should be a plastic-free option that’s affordable. An average we will use 11’000 disposable menstrual products in our reproductive lifetime so it’s important to make a conscious choice about what products you use. We are all talking about sustainability but what does that look like in terms of your menstrual cycle? Everyone has swapped out their daily coffee run with a keep cup and started considering their water use and recycling. However, we forget to consider one of the most obvious options which could make a significant difference not just to our health but to the environment. The global population is growing significantly so it’s time to nip this issue in the bud. One tampon takes longer than the average women’s lifespan to degrade, which means any menstrual products you have used in your life so far, are still in the environment. It’s time to get informed on what chemicals we are putting into your body on a monthly basis and what options are available. Having plastic in our sanitary products isn’t just bad for the environment but can create a sweaty, uncomfortable environment for your intimate area. This can promote unhealthy, unbalanced bacteria growth. Pads, tampons may feel like soft cotton but are primarily made of plastic. Most pads are roughly made of 90% plastic according to Natracare.com. In the last few years, scientists have shown growing concern over potential risks when using mainstream sanitary

products. Increasing evidence suggests that some of these products contain trace levels of toxins that, over time could cause a serious health issue. According to the Chem Fatale, a study done in 2013 chemicals used in feminine products are “virtually unregulated” by the government. Tampons may seem like simple small objects made with few substances, however there is a large number of chemicals used by companies to make it. The study also discusses how the substances used to make tampons, can be contaminated with highly toxic dioxins when bleached with chlorine compounds as well as pesticides from non-organic cotton. Now if you are looking for alternative options there are some solutions. First, let’s discuss period pants. THINX

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pants might not be for everyone so why not consider the menstrual cup? Menstrual cups can be inserted into the body to collect your blood during your cycle. Mooncup is a well-known brand which is said to be able to hold up to three times a tampon. If you just want to change your menstrual hygiene to organic then consider Natracare. They ensure 100% organic sanitary products which you can purchase in Ireland in Holland & Barrett with prices ranging from €2.70-€4. If you have suffered from rashes or irritation, in general, several studies have found an association between menstrual pad use and vulvar irritation and by switching to unscented pads or changed brands resolved the symptoms almost immediately. If you want to support an Irish brand called ilolove.com which also help to fight period poverty then check out their website. Jette the owner of this incredible company donates 50% of her revenue to fight period poverty in Ireland. The brand ensures 100% biodegradable, 100% non-toxic and 100% organic sanitary products. It’s a win-win for this Irish brand. They provide organic products which will cause no harm to the environment. You can get the products delivered to your door prices starting at €5.70. This savvy site also sells things such as PMS Salt Soak and essential oil blends to make that time of the month a little easier.

This incredible company donates 50% of her revenue to fight period poverty in Ireland is just one brand who are doing it they replace the need for any disposable sanitary products. They are machine washable and guarantee to do all the soakage. Period

The long term effects of vaping

Vaping is often seen as a healthy alternative to smoking but is this true? Gemma Robotham looks into the facts behind vaping

aping and e-cigarette use is on the rise in Ireland. The Healthy Ireland Survey (2018) found that 4 per cent of people in Ireland use e-cigarettes whilst a further 12 per cent of the population have tried them at least once. Yet the development of vape devices and e-cigarettes is still quite recent and their long term effects are not fully known. The HSE has only lately updated their website to include a section on e-cigarettes which warns that at this time they cannot guarantee that these devices are safe. A common concern is whether vaping acts as a gateway to conventional smoking. Bubblegum, watermelon and menthol flavoured vapour is very accessible to teenagers and as a result vaping has become popular within this age group. The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine found that young people who vaped or used any non-cigarette tobacco product were more likely to smoke traditional tobacco cigarettes. “In our study, we found that kids who used e-cigarettes were twice as likely to become future smokers compared to kids who had not used e-cigarettes”, said Dr Shannon Lea Watkins of the University of California, who was involved with this part of the report. Whilst on the other hand, the study found that adults were more likely to use e-cigarettes to steer themselves away from tobacco cigarettes. A more recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 18 per cent

of smokers who switched to vaping devices/e-cigarettes stayed off traditional cigarettes for one year compared to 9.9 per cent of people who relied on alternative nicotine replacement therapies. Yet it should be noted that most who switched to vaping remained vaping which isn’t surprising due to the high levels of nicotine in some vaping products. The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine published a comprehensive health review o f

more than 300 studies on e-cigarettes in January of last year. This review found that there was conclusive evidence that e-cigarettes contain and emit potentially toxic substances. Yet the number and amount of these substances vary extensively from vaping products due to the lack of standardisation within the industry. However, much of the research on vape devices and e-cigarettes have concentrated on their substances prior to vaporisation. A study published in Thorax in August examined the effect of these substances when vaporised. It found that the vapour from e-cigarettes increased cell death by a factor of 50 as well as increasing the production of inflammatory chemicals. In addition to this, the effect of the vapour increased if it contained nicotine which many e-cigarettes do. The study concluded that the process of vaping itself increases the negative effects caused by the e-cigarette fluid. Speaking on the Thorax podcast, the head of the study, Prof Thickett, expressed the need for further research to be conducted into the long term effects of e-cigarette. Although he identified a significant obstacle to research. “I think one of the problems is that a lot of e-cigarette users are also current smokers occasionally...so the contamination between cigarette smoking and e-cigarette smoking in terms of doing well-balanced studies is actually quite difficult. Because there aren’t a big cohort of people who are taking e-cigarette only for a longer period of time,” Thickett said.

Health

Beat the bloat

Tired of being bloated after your favourite meals? Ian Brennan is here to help

e have all been there, that uncomfortable, gassy feeling in your stomach after eating just a bit too much, that bloated feeling. Being bloated isn’t an exact science as each person’s metabolism and digestive systems is different to the next, but there are some foods that are certainly more likely to cause bloating, or as it’s also known, a ‘food baby’. Lecturer in the school of Nursing and Human Sciences Dr. Mary Rose Sweeney says that everyday foods such as peas, onions and cabbage can be problematic. Sweeney’s advice is backed up by an article written by Barbara Bolen PhD for Verywell Health, including a list of foods that are beneficial, and others that are not so helpful to avoiding a bloated stomach. Foods that contain a high amount of short-chain carbohydrates generally tend to produce more liquid and gas when being digested, often leading to a visibly larger stomach. These foods can include some citrus fruit, like apples and pears, grains such as wheat and barley and many others including a lot of dairy products and substitutes, sweeteners like honey and molasses as well as many vegetables including mushrooms and cauliflower. It must be pointed out that while avoiding these foods can decrease the likelihood of feeling bloated, devising your own diet is a dangerous thing to do and a dietician should always be consulted. There are foods that do not contain a high amount of these carbs and can help avoid a food baby as well. These include Fruits like

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Foods that contain a high amount of short-chain carbohydrates generally tend to produce more liquid and gas when being digested, often leading to a visibly larger stomach

bananas, oranges and strawberries among others, certain sweeteners like syrup and sugar and also certain veg, dairy products and protein sources. While there are no consistencies within the food groups regarding what will cause bloating what won’t, Bolen does also say in her article that eating more of these products at the same time will cause more of an effect that if consumed individually. McKel Hill, an author and dietician, writes in an article for her site, Nutrition Stripped, that other minor things can help cause a food baby to occur and can be easily prevented. Fizzy drinks, eating too fast, eating too much and not enough fibre or water can all increase the chance of feeling bloated. Even being stressed can be a problem to your digestive system. Other links that Hill makes are not regularly having bowel movements, smoking, and taking certain medications as well as regularly taking probiotics. Of course, having this feeling is completely normal and happens to most people if not everyone, so there are ways of dealing with it even if it difficult to prevent. Simple things like going to the toilet and passing wind will help the process speed up significantly but on top of that, drinking warm beverages will calm the digestive system down, and light exercise and stretching will also help. All in all feeling bloated happens to everyone, although there are ways you can limit the chances of it happening by making very simple changes to the food you eat, as well as your lifestyle.

Menstruation shouldn’t stop you working out. Period.

Periods are never easy but they shouldn’t stop you from excercising, Aoife O’Brien can show you how to work around menstruation

enstruation is hands down the worst part about being female. The bloating, the cravings, the constant emotional rollercoaster, not to mention waking up in a pool of your own blood every couple of weeks, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) might as well stand for perpetual munching spree or pass my sweatpants. It certainly doesn’t inspire most women to hit the gym at 6am or eat wholesome foods every day of the week and for anyone dedicated to creating their dream physique the effects can be devastating. Thankfully by learning what impact your menstrual cycle has on the factors that influence workout performance and body composition you can learn how to alter your diet and workout regime to combat the negative impacts. The menstrual cycle has four distinct phases. It starts with the follicular stage which takes place the two weeks before a woman ovulates. During this time a woman’s energy levels are at their lowest because of the lack of progesterone and estrogen being produced. To boost energy, the focus of the diet should be on increasing iron rich foods including red meat and leafy green vegetables. However, during this time testosterone levels rise leading to greater benefits from strength training. This coupled with the increased pain tolerance and faster mus-

cle recovery gained from low hormone levels mean you will be able to train harder for longer. The release of an egg from the ovary begins the ovulatory phase. Estrogen levels reach their peak and testosterone surges. The body focuses on metabolising fats over carbohy-

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Following the 2014 Act, businesses must pay €120 as a notification fee to tell the Health Service Executive that they own a sunbed

drates. The diet should primarily rely on proteins and fat and fibre should be increased to detoxify elevated hormones. This metabolic shift will also make steady-state workouts easier, so longer slow paced workouts are preferable.

In the luteal or PMS phase, the hormone progesterone rises causing bloating, irritability, mood swings and cravings for comfort foods that are high in fat and calories. Eat regularly during this phase to help stave off the emotional roller-coaster. To curb cravings and reduce bloating opt for foods rich in b-vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and fiber such as root vegetables as these foods help to reduce sugar cravings and mitigate the effects of fluid retention. Strength training should be kept to a minimum during this time because the high progesterone levels decrease endurance pain tolerance and the ability for the muscles to recover. Instead focus on fat burning aerobic exercises to combat the effects of the high fat food cravings you give into. The final stage of the cycle is menstruation. The diet should focus on blood replenishing foods such as kidney beans, kale and beets which are rich in iron, zinc and iodine. Despite the cramps and the bleeding it is worth hitting the gym during this phase as once again estrogen and progesterone levels have dropped increasing pain tolerance meaning you will be able to push the workout harder for longer. Overall while understanding how your hormone levels effect you’re your workouts and dietary requirements it is important to listen to your body, consume high quality whole foods and get a full night sleep to increase your chance or achieving hormonal balance.

Beauty

Why doing beds is bad for you Carrie McMullan discusses why using sunbeds is detrimental to your health

s a nation who naturally carry complexions which bare a stark resemblance to white paste, the option of using sunbeds and tanning creams to achieve a glowing sunkissed look is extremely enticing. The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) reported that there was an increase in the number of younger people using sunbeds in a poll conducted in 2017. The results showed that eight per cent of people aged between 15 and 24 had used a sunbed within the past year which was a three per cent increase from 2010. This is despite the introduction of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act which was introduced in 2014 which made it illegal for someone under 18 to use a sunbed. Sunbeds have been under scrutiny from health organisations for quite some time now following the ICS’s findings that 9 per cent of Irish people used sunbeds back in 2003. Following the 2014 Act, businesses must pay €120 as a notification fee to tell the Health Service Executive that they own a sunbed. They must also display a sign warning of the increased risk of cancer when using a sunbed. The Department of Health cited skin cancer as one of the reasons for the introduction of the law. People with fair skin are more prone to the negative effects of sunbeds, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) following studies carried out by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This would put Irish people generally at a higher risk of experiencing blistering skin, wrinkles and skin cancer. “Tanning beyond the normal complexion is associated with DNA damage in melanocytes, the cells that produce the dark-coloured melanin pigment in the skin. Even

a small tanning effect requires a lot of DNA damage in the fair-skinned population. Therefore, regular use of sunbeds will significantly increase your chances of getting skin cancer if you are fair-skinned,” says WHO on their website. Testing has shown that 10 minutes in a sunbed is equivalent to 10 minutes sunbathing in the Mediterranean sun, according to WHO. They add that twice as much of the surface of the skin is subjected to UV rays in a tanning bed as in natural sunlight “The only cancer that the IARC could prove to be caused by sunbeds was an extremely rare eyelid cancer caused by not wearing protective goggles. Apart from this eyelid c a n c e r n o cancer had ever been proved to have been caused by sunbed usage,” said Tanzone, a tanning studio based in Finglas, in a

statement responding to sunbeds being listed among the highest risk of causing cancer. There are options other than tanning beds that offer a safe way to achieve a tan. Spray tans are a more expensive option per session but only require a top up every 10 days to maintain the colour. This is opposed to the recommended two to three times a week for sunbeds. Tinted moisturisers can be used at home to build a gradual tan while keeping the skin healthy and hydrated.

Bogged down with being bald? Mikey Walsh talks dealing with hair loss and how it can make you more confident

oing bald, to a lot of people, can be one of the worst things to happen to anyone’s ego. For some, it’s an inevitable reality that someday those luscious locks will thin and people will stare at their own reflection in the glare. So what do we do? How does anyone deal with losing the companionship of their hair? First things first, preventative measures. There are plenty of things for anyone who thinks they might lose their hair in the future, can do to curb the onset. A healthier lifestyle is seen by experts as a major way of reducing hair loss. Reducing alcohol consumption while increasing the amount of water drank and physical exercise is a way of de-stressing and balancing hormonal levels within the body. It’s well established in the medical community that stress is a major cause of hair loss. Learn what is good for hair. Avoid brushing wet hair and allowing hair to air dry instead of towel drying it can also be beneficial as it doesn’t pull loose hair from the head before they naturally fall out. Sometimes it’s just too late to

prevent hair loss to the point where it’s just better to shave off all the remaining straggly wisps of hair. Bite the bullet, being fully bald looks better than trying to desperately hold on to the last few strands. Research by the Social Psychological and Personal Science Journal shows that bald men are perceived by others as more dominant, more confident, more masculine, roughly an inch taller and stronger. For some, their hair is their identity and hair loss can be the end of the world but do not fear, there are options for those that are not ready to give up their glorious mane. Wigs and toupees have come a long way from what they used to be. Forget about that memory of an old man with what resembles a hairy dead rat plonked on top of his head, the material and technology has moved forward in leaps and bounds. Getting a wig or toupee is one of the more affordable options and it’s a lot more difficult to notice if someone is wearing one nowadays. They can also be custom made to fit the head and hair type of the wearer now so they blend in perfectly and won’t fly off in strong wind.

If money is no object, the other option is a hair transplant, a medical procedure whereby they take strong hair follicles from other parts of the body and transplant them onto the bald areas. Transplant is the most effective and long term solution to hair loss and is generally given to older patients as

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Bald men are perceived by others as more dominant, more confident, more masculine, roughly an inch taller and stronger a pattern of balding needs to be established but it also comes at a price. Consultations cost €100 and the actual transplant procedure starts at €7000 but can be more expensive depending on the extent of the baldness.

Food

Grub Guide: Mulino

Are you a lover of Italian cuisine that has found themselves in Raheny? Eoin Harte has found the place for you

ocated on the Watermill Road in Raheny lies the small and charming Mulino Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria. Opened in December 2007, Mulino, which translates to Watermill, is sure to transport its customers to the heart of Italy. With authentic Italian cuisine, an impressive selection of wine and friendly staff on hand your experience is sure to be an enjoyable one. If you’re in the mood for a three course meal the bruschetta golosa and calamari di crosta can’t be overlooked as starters. The bruschetta, which is simply bread topped with tomato, garlic, basil and cheese, is simple yet bursting with flavour. The calamari is crispy on the outside with a soft, but not chewy, centre of squid and is a must-have for seafood lovers. It comes with a side of sweet and sour sauce but even a squirt of lemon is enough to bring the dish to life. The mains are split between pasta, pizza, fish and meat dishes. All the popular dishes are present on the pasta menu including spaghetti bolognese, carbonara and lasagne, all available and all delicious. For vegetarian pasta lovers, there is a penne arrabiata with garlic, chilli, parsley and tomato sauce. However, if you are a meat eater, you can add chicken for just €2 extra. For the pizzas, you might fancy either the pizza salisiccia e patate, topped with Italian sausage and roast potatoes

or the calzone. The calzone is a folded pizza with all the goodness of a regular flat pizza inside. There’s no ham

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staff are very welcoming and are happy to give advice on what wine goes best with what dish if your wine knowledge isn’t up to scratch. The price is fairly reasonable with all pizza and pasta dishes costing €10.50, while the other main courses on the menu vary from €13 to €16. There is a twocourse meal deal for €21 or a three-course meal deal for €25, which is available all day from Monday to Thursday and between 3 and 7pm on Friday and Saturday. Overall, if you find yourself in Raheny, Mulino is definitely a spot you should try out. While it may not be as cheap as most spots frequented by college students, it won’t hit your wallet too hard and you will enjoy delicious and authentic Italian cuisine.

The deserts are not to be forgotten either with a number of delectable treats available to send you home happy. If you’re feeling really cultured the Italian cheeseboard, which also comes with fruit, nuts and honey, could be the one for you and pineapple pizza to be seen, which is probably a good sign considering the restaurant aims to be as authentic as possible. The restaurant also offers the likes of steak, barbecue ribs and fish and chips, but if you want to get the most out of your meal choosing a more traditional Italian dish is the way to go! The desserts are not to be overlooked either with a number of delectable treats available to send you home happy. If you’re feeling really cultured, the Italian cheeseboard which comes with cheeses, fruit, nuts and honey, could be the one for you. If you’re in the mood for something a bit sweeter the chocolate, brandy and coffee tart is sure to leave you satisfied. The interior of the restaurant is mostly furnished with wood, giving the place a nice homely atmosphere. The

Atmosphere 8/10 Food 8/10 Service 9/10 Location 7/10 Value for money 7/10

Cooking with supplements

Béibhinn Thorsch gives an alternative to taking a million multivitamins daily

t may not be everyone’s initial response to name a vitamin deficiency as the reason they’re feeling less than optimal in their body or mind, however if you’ve been having symptoms of a vitamin deficiency (or illness, such as a cold or flu, that can be helped by vitamins), or if a blood test reveals this to be the case, it is probably time to look at supplements. While taking a few capsules or tablets (and even sometimes a liquid form!) of supplements can seem boring and therefore easy to forget, we all need to eat. Cooking some supplements into daily meals may be the best way to ensure consistent intake of whatever you’re deficient in and therefore improve your overall health. It’s well worth looking for more from your supplements than constantly adding them to smoothies alone. In recent years the trend of baking protein such as whey powder into sweet treats like cookies and buns - and while these are commonly available in shops, they come with a heap more additive and chemical flavourings than would even be possible for you to access at home. Substitute one cup (128g) of flour for one cup of protein powder Use for pancakes, cookies, muffins, or bread. Both of the vitamins B12 and Iron, when deficient, cause anemia. Symptoms include tiredness, feeling weak, and being short of breath. A blood test will usually be used to diagnose anemia, but if you’ve been feeling tired or weak taking iron or B12 supplements can help anyone. One of the most popular sources of B12 supplement, used commonly by vegetarians and vegans, is

nutritional yeast. This is a yellow flaky almost powder-like substance, which is known for tasting slightly cheesy and savoury. Commonly used to replace parmesan on pasta or added into cheesy sauces, nutritional yeast is versatile and as delicious as it is nutritious. Iron is present is dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, and many beans and legumes (which also contain protein, an added bonus!)

Spinach can be added into lasagna, pasta, salads, curry, and soups. Spinach shrinks significantly in volume when cooked, so don’t worry if you don’t enjoy the flavour once you cook it with other dishes!

Mental health issues, especially those which spread to affect the body and cause pain and tension throughout (or causing disorders such as fibromyalgia), can benefit from the addition of CBD supplements. Recently the popularity of CBD is on the rise, as its benefits continue to be proven day-to-day and in scientific studies. Still, many people have never heard of CBD. CBD is the counterpart to THC, the two main compounds in cannabis. While THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD (Cannabidiol) contains all the medicinal benefits - without the high. Research into CBD really kicked off in 2018, when rumours of its ability to help those with intense body pains and conditions, such as epilepsy or other seizure-inducing disorders, became popular. Preliminary clinical research showed the compound’s ability to help anxiety, cognition, pain, and movement disorders. Unlike THC, CBD is legal in the EU - including Ireland. CBD can be bought in tinctures, balms, oils, e-liquids, almost anything. Because CBD oil is fat-soluble it can be infused into fat or oil-based ingredients such as butter or other cooking oils. Mixing CBD into sweets like cookies, or savoury treats like avocado, are only two of many ways to work it’s goodness into your system. Supplements can be expensive and may not always be what’s right for you, so going to a reputable shop with servers who can help you find the best option is advised.

J1 Essentials

Travel

Lorna Lawless tells us everything you need to know before you leave to go stateside.

re you going on a J1 this summer? There is some information that is vital that no one tells you before you leave to go stateside this summer. The importance stuff first, you obviously need your passport, your DS-2019 and your J1-visa which should be stuck inside your passport by your agency. The DS2019 is the certificate of eligibility for J1 status in the US so it’s kind of a big deal. Things you need to know before going to the airport in order to get through immigration on the other end. You need to know your house address down to the street and number. The officers can be particularly strict about this. Make sure to have this written down in case your phone decides to die right at that moment. Another essential thing to have proof of is funds in your Irish bank account going over you need at least €650 to go through immigration without hassle. Work out a realistic budget before you go and take in consideration the security deposit for where you might live. Be so careful when wiring money for rent before you leave for the US. Also a lot of apartments are rented unfurnished and this is something you should really try to avoid when looking for somewhere to live for only three months. Please do not sign a lease before you’ve understood the T & C’s. Always get a receipt for paying rent and try avoid cash because you may be exploited. Get a post office card, top it up, and have them with you at all times. Taking money out of your Irish bank

account isn’t ideal over there and sometimes the Irish banks lock your account due to a fear of fraudulent behaviour and then you are stuck in the US with no access to cash for a few days. Don’t keep all your money in one place. Make copies of all your documentation, and leave a copy with your family this includes Visas. Honestly, it’s essential to cover yourself in all areas. Insurance is something that isn’t emphasised when going across the pond, however health care is outrageously expensive in the US so it’s invaluable to have insurance when you leave to cover yourself. Otherwise, you could be left with extreme medical expenses. After my J1 in San Francisco there was a few things that I learned that nobody told me before I left. Firstly, you may not be paid for over a month, so you need to have enough coming over to cover rent and food for minimum one full month. You need to make sure your US employer puts you in as a J1 student on the payroll so you don’t get majorly taxed. It is extremely difficult to get some of the tax back if they wrongly put you down as an American citizen. Also it’s important to note to keep copies of all the documentation associated with your pay given to you by your employer. It is really helpful to keep track of the hours you are working and log what you should be getting paid. Sometimes it can be an issue that American employers won’t pay full hours so cover yourself from the start.

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Don’t keep all your money in one place. As soon as you land over there it’s so important to get your social security number sorted very quickly so you can be paid as soon as possible. A delay in getting this means a delay in getting paid. Main thing to remember is to keep your wits about you at all times. Take serious care of your passport. Save yourself from the stress, by having relevant documentation the whole time. Manage your time outside of working hours to get the best experience possible.

Wanderlust- Gyeongju

Sabrine Donohoe tells us about her experience in South Korea.

yeongju is a museum without walls, starkly different from the bustling built-up city of Seoul with its luscious green nature, bright magenta-hued flowers, and quaint historical architecture. Situated on the south-eastern coast of South Korea, Gyeongju is one of the top destinations for those interested in Korean history and culture. Gyeongju was the capital city of Korea during the 1000-year-long ancient Silla dynasty, and much of its heritage remains in unison with modern life: cafes, restaurants, and brand-name clothes and cosmetic shops. Some historical constructions have undergone renovations since the 10th century, but all heritage sites are beautifully intact and well cared for. The most popular temple, Bulguksa, is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and serves as a landmark UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is active, and hosts a large golden Buddha, two stone pagodas, and an entourage with smaller temple structures, coloured paper lanterns and a golden pig – visitors can pat the pig for luck if they wish. The temples wooden structures embody the Dancheong colours of many temples in South Korea – reds, greens, blues, oranges, and whites - distinguishing them from temples in other countries and symbolizing Buddhist meanings such as wisdom, infinity, and truth. The significance and beauty of the temple alone merits a visit, not considering its small entry fee of ₩5’000 (around €4). The Bulguksa’s sister temple, Seokguram, hosts a giant golden Buddha and an entourage behind glass. Beyond the temple lies a view of the surrounding mountains and nature, which is an ideal spot for rest

and contemplation. The downside of Seokguram is that it can be viewed within minutes, but costs an equal fee of ₩5’000. Unless you appreciate the significance of the temple, it may not be worth visiting. A short walk from Gyeongju city centre lies much of the area’s nature and free-to-visit cultural spots – the reason why Gyeongju is a museum without walls. Tumuli park features plains of burial grounds, perfectly round green mounds which encase the tombs of ancient Silla rulers. Adjacent to this lies Cheomseongdae, the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. Further down stands the Woljeonggyo bridge along the Hyeongsan river, a remarkable sight at night when its red, green, yellow and blue colours illuminate. The bridge is a replica of the original, which was built in 760. Yangdong Village, another UNESCO World Heritage site, encompasses the way people lived during the Silla dynasty. The area of thatched houses and small gardens belong to

the ancestors of just two families, the Wolseong Son family and the Yeongang Lee family, which date back 500 years. A walk around the village will give you not only a sense of Gyeongju’s history but also its natural countryside. Nearby, stands selling iced barley drinks and Korean puffed rice rolls offer a mix of a refreshing and sweet taste.

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A short walk from Gyeongju city centre lies much of the area’s nature and freeto-visit cultural spots - the reason why Gyeongju is a museum without walls. Visiting Gyeongju is the perfect opportunity to try some of South Korea’s temple food – Buddhist food which is vegetarian (often vegan), served in traditional restaurants. Orders come in three-course meals with numerous side dishes of fried herbs and vegetables, syrup-coated rice cakes, rice wrapped in bay leaves, savoury pancakes, and tofu in a soybean paste broth.

Fashion

What does your style say about you?

Rachel Halpin tells us how we can show our personailty through our fashion he clothes that people wear can tell you a lot of fashion can vary from country to country, from different these, to add a whole new level.

about them, their personality or even their mood, even from a single, fleeting glance. A quote from Marc Jacobs, an American fashion designer, says “To me, clothing is a form of self-expression - there are hints about who you are in what you wear.” Fashion can be used as a way to express individuality and personality, which is why it is such an important and big concept in society. The idea of fashion has always been around so long as there have been clothes, it has just grown into a bigger concept in modern society. While it now expresses a person’s individuality, a long time ago it was used to identify people and their class or wealth. Fashion can be recognisable, you can identify what decade a picture was taken in just by a glance at the style. Each decade has its own staple pieces, for example the ’80s were filled with shoulder pads, mean wearing crop tops and bold colours. One of the biggest ways to identify the ’80s is by the hair, the decade was renown for people getting perms and so it created a distinctive hairstyle to add to fashion. In modern fashion, a lot of things have come back into style from previous decades, such as overalls, scrunchies and chokers. Despite being known from other decades, they are given a fresh look when they are mixed with modern style. Some of these looks are classed as vintage or retro looks, but most are seen as just a new trend. Fashion doesn’t only have one ideology, the concept

cultures, religions or individual people. The western world is filled with individuality fashion, you can guess things about a person based solely on their look, for example, an art student can be spotted easily just by their sense of style.

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Fashion can be recognisable, you can identify what decade a picture was taken in just by a glance at the fashion. “What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language,” says Miuccia Prada, Italian fashion designer and granddaughter of the founder of Prada. A person’s fashion sense is always changing, it can change subtly over a long period of time. A lot of factors come into play when it comes down to a person’s style, such as money, availability, geography or even body type. Some people have a sense of style that can be categorized, including bohemian, vintage, chic, casual and street among many. Sometimes style can be a mixture of

To create an individual style, a person normally has some staple items they are rarely seen without. This could be a pair of boots, a hat or a jacket. It could be anything worn, it could even be a type of hairstyle or makeup look, like how Ariana Grande is always seen with a ponytail and so it became an iconic part or trademark of her look and brand. Having an individual style can add a lot of personality to a person. Everyone has a style (though some styles may not be seen as being ‘fashionable’) and a sense of style. Some people show a lot of their personality through their clothes but others are more than what they wear and how they present themselves. No one can guess how fashion is going to change or what the trends will be in the coming years, it can’t even be said what is going to be on trend next month. Fashion is something that we have to live through and adapt to.

Is the 70’s the trend of the summer? Flares, Corduroy, and Neon are back. Gillian Hogan gives us the details of the

f you ask anybody that lived through the 70s, they were a dark time fashion-wise. Flared trousers were unmentionable a decade ago but now appear everywhere. Why has the opinion changed? Fashion is different from music in the way that it’s not as universally timeless. The most recently overcome fashion trends are always the cringiest. Take super low rise skinny jeans with diamante belts and ugg boots in the early 2000s for example. We’re now at a point in time where the 70s are far away enough to forget all the cringy elements and romanticise everything else. The 70’s have been slowly creeping back into our wardrobes in recent winter months, through corduroy and turtlenecks, but Paris Fashion Week runway styles have solidified it as this year’s summer trend. Multiple designers took inspiration from the 70s for their new lines. The launch of TommyXZendaya not only saw the 70s in its pieces, all over zodiac printed suit was one of the standouts, but also in its presentation. The runway’s design was inspired by roller discos and the casting played homage to the 1973 Battle of Versailles fashion show with 59 black women, ages 18 to 70, including the world’s first black supermodel, Pat Cleveland. Elie Saab’s show featured everything from high necks, disco dresses and vibrant primary-coloured thigh-high leather boots. Whilst Celine started its show with a model trapped “frozen” inside a glass atrium, wearing a 70s silk scarf, suddenly

trends for this summer.

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coming to life and strutting down the runway. The 70s were a decade of freedom and expression across every walk of life so fashion was no different. Anything and everything went but like any decade there were a few stickout trends. Don’t be surprised if your summer wardrobe revamp could double as your mother’s thirty-five years ago. Last year we saw

culottes, fitted trousers and joggers when summer days weren’t quite at shorts level, but this year is all about the flares. Trousers and skirts were equally popular for girls so keep an eye out for mini denim or peasant dresses.

Prepare to see corduroy, suede and crochet everywhere you go.

You may not have worn knee-high socks since secondary school, but they are also making a come-back. In the 70s, the suit was no longer reserved for men and there was one for all levels of formality, from pyjama inspired to tailored pieces. No outfit is complete without hair so keep an eye out for wrapped scarves and colourful slides. Even if none of the staple pieces makes it into your summer wardrobe, one of the staple materials of the decade are bound to. Prepare to see corduroy, suede and crochet everywhere you go. You’re sure to find inspiration everywhere on the high street this summer but if you’re looking for instant inspiration, head to Zara where they have already mastered the trend to a fine art. Regardless of where you purchase the pieces, don’t hesitate in wearing them. They may differ from your other day to day outfits but fashion is about conquering boundaries.

Lifestyle

Grab that nap

Amy Donohoe discusses why taking a timeout to sleep during the day is better for your health.

leep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. The way you feel while you’re awake depends on how you sleep. During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep supports growth and development. The damage from sleep deficiency can occur instantly (for example, a car crash), or it can harm you over time. An ongoing sleep deficiency can raise your risk for some chronic health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes. It also can affect how

well you think, react, work,

learn, and get along with others. Taking a timeout to sleep during the day can give you a quick energy boost as well as health advantages. Power naps can also boost our brains, including improvements to creative problem solving, verbal memory, perceptual learning, object learning, and statistical learning. Naps improve our mood and feelings of sleepiness and fatigue. Not only that, napping is good for our heart, blood pressure, stress levels, and surprisingly, even weight management. A power nap is a sleep session that happens during the day (ideally between 1:00 to 4:00 PM) lasting between 10 and 30 minutes. Any longer and you run the risk of developing “sleep inertia” — that unpleasant weak feeling. Naps later than 4:00 PM can disrupt your regular nighttime sleep. Sleep deficiency is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression. We need to sleep in order to recharge our brains and bodies. But in our busy society, sleep has become somewhat of a luxury. Without sleep, We become irritable and moody, and if sleep deprivation continues we can experience hallucinations and anxiety, we become emotionally flattened and our relationships suffer, we lose our ability to remember and we can fall into micro-sleeps (5-10 seconds) that cause lapses in attention, which could lead us to nod off while doing an activity like driving. In order to get a good nights sleep, don’t eat right

before bed. Have your final meal about 3 hours before bedtime. Eating too close to bed will leave your digestive system working very hard and might cause an upset stomach throughout the night.

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Alcohol may initially calm you or make you feel drowsy, but it actually increases the number of times you wake up during the night. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine keeps the body alert and energized. Alcohol may initially calm you or make you feel drowsy, but it actually increases the number of times you wake up during the night. Reserve your bed for sleeping. Don’t read, watch TV or do work in bed as it will make it hard to wind down. You want to associate your bed with sleep only. Shut out the lights. Bright lights actually repress melatonin, which is responsible for regulating our sleep cycles. It is also recommended to avoid reading from back-lit devices late at night. The darker the room, the better. Try using heavy curtains and a sleep mask.

Surviving as a student in the working world

Róise McGagh interviews Mark Crabbe a former DCU student who is now a recruitment Administrator in Therapie Clinic.

NTRA season is rolling up for DCU students, or already on the go in the case of some courses. With these placements, there is a chance to make your mark and gain experience. Recruitment Administrator in Therapie Clinic and past student of DCU, Mark Crabbe has some valuable tips on making an impression with your CV, standing out during an internship and making sure you’re taken seriously despite being one of the youngest in the office. Mark puts up job ads and recruits for four different countries. After reading ‘too many CVs’ his advice is to make it easy to look at for the people trawling through mounds of resumes. “Really the best thing is a good layout, that’s the honest truth.” While this is perfectly impossible with the current INTRA Portal, it is a tip to carry on to the next time you’re applying for a job. “The first thing someone is going to do is either look at your qualifications, depending on the job, or your work experince,” said Mark. He advised against including a picture as recruiters would prefer to save themselves from seeming biased on a person’s look, gender or ethnicity. You don’t need to put everything down, just relevant experience. Mark suggested having multiple CVs tailored to diiferent sectors and to be specific if you’re looking seriously. In term of internships “I suppose you have to show that you’re hungry for more,” said Mark. “Ask questions,

that’s the main thing.. And don’t be afraid to ask for help,” it shows the manager that youre genuinely interested in learning more and being good at the job. “I think they [unpaid internships] are worth it, if its a very specific thing you want to do. You have to value yourself as well.” In an interview, you might be asked ‘What are your salary expectations?’. Don’t undersell yourself here or when you’re applying for jobs. Being very young in a new workplace can be tough. There could be bias against a new person if some employees have the attitude of ‘They won’t be as good because I’m older I know more.’ “It is hard to gain that respect, sometimes it’s impossible. In some companies theres a bad culture,” said Mark. “Don’t doubt yourself, that’s not your fault that’s just someone elses opinion that you can prove wrong. It’s not up to you to prove them wrong, but it is satisfying” Sometimes it can be that the staff in

your new workplace are more comfortable with going to people they already know can do the job. It can take time for everyone to settle into working with a new person, just as its taking you time to adjust to the job.

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Mark suggested having multiple CV’s tailored to different sectors and to be specific if you’re looking seriously. “I’ve always had the problem of self doubt in a lot of jobs, but when I went into this one I was like ‘I can totally do this’” said Mark, “I had to say that to myself because if didn’t I would have just left.” “The most important thing is, don’t let their doubt affect you or how good you are at the job becuase if you got the job it means you can do it, someone believed in you and you should believe in yourself.”

EXPOSURE

Limestone landscape: A Summers day, taken in The Burren, Co. Clare. Credit: Rachel Halpin.

Pretty in pink: Pink flowers on a tree in Tenerife, 2018. Credit Alison Clair

Home sweet home: Little birds sit in their perch, Budapest, 2019. Credit Cáit Caden.

Growth: A potted plant reaching for sunlight. Credit Gabija Gatevecheite.

One, Two, Three, Four: Steps up to the rooftop garden in a little café in Portugal. Credit Alison Clair.

The grass is always greener on the other side: Credit Hugh Farrell.

Image Credits Page 1: Roise McGagh Page 2: Flickr, TimoTovienen Page 3: Billboard.ie Page 4: NME.com, Órfhlaith Carragher Page 5: Cnet.ie, Flickr Page 6: Radiotimes.com, IMDB Page 7: Flickr Page 8: Twitter Page 9: Pinterest Page 10: Flickr Page 11: WebMD Page 12: Tripadvisor, Page 13: Lorna Lawless, Sabrine Donohoe Page 14: Rachel Halpin, Liveabout.com Page 15: Sleepingdisorders.com, Rachel Halpin.