Clubs & Societies Edition 22 - August 2017
Aontas na Mac Leinn University of Limerick Ollscoile Luimnigh Student Union
Edition 22 Semester 1 AY 2017/2018 Pull like a Wolf with UL Rowing Club BY CIARA JO HANLON, WOMEN’S CAPTAIN AND GERARD BARLOW, CAPTAIN
There is an exciting year on the in the UL arena, followed by a there will be one large CALS environment, whether its at ULRC from a complete cards for University of Limerick welcome BBQ for all our new session where the whole club finger food in the stables, go beginner to experienced rowers Rowing club, only this time last members where they will be get together and train as one. cart racing, bowling or hiking who want to win pots this year. year we were preparing for the Carrantuohill we do it all so given the chance to meet all You’ll be guaranteed to work ULRC warmly welcomes back all famous Head of the Charles should you join there will be a of our experienced rowers and up a sweat but also have the past members and eagerly looks in Boston and building on its lot of fun to be had. also be given a tour of ULRC’s craic with us, make new friends forward to meeting all of our success we have more big plans magnificent boat house and and get to know the existing There is something for everyone new members this September :-) for international regattas this boat bays containing the ULRC members and coaches. year! September is a very busy fleet. and enjoyable time to be part The second session we plan to of ULRC which will be spent We will be running a 6 week run on Mon/Tue/Wed evening getting our current athletes “Learn to row” programme giving you the freedom to pick back into shape but more where everybody, with the aid one that suits. These trainings importantly recruiting new of experienced members and are in smaller groups and novices and introducing them to coaches will get a chance to provide a crash course on good the wonderful and exciting sport jump in a boat and see if the rowing technique both indoors that is rowing. sport is for you. and on the water. The year will kick off at the The general structure will be But its not all hard work, annual recruitment drive held that of two weekly trainings, ULRC strive for a fun social 2 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS Welcome... In this Issue: Welcome in Morocco? Or treading the thousands of people with boards of London’s West similar interests to you, you CLUBS Fresher’s End with the Drama Society? just have not met them yet. Rowing 1 To all of you landing in UL ….then we have some We receive approx. €600,000 The UL Vikings 4 for the first time – a very big fabulous opportunities for from the University to invest in PAUL LEE Athletics Club 4 welcome from all of us here in you. In addition, if we do not to the development of Clubs & Head of Student Engagement the Students Union’s Clubs & Archery 5 cover an interest for you, then Societies. After the C&S admin University of Limerick Societies Dept. Students Union Badminton 5 you should come and talk to costs, it leaves us with €400K me about setting one up! approx. that is roughly 50% of [email protected] Basketball 6 As part of the Students Union, the needs of the C&S at grass 086-0435307 we are THE largest social GAA 6 Our objective is to cover the roots level. The amazing part network on campus of real involved in up to now ALL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 7 non-academic part of your is that by necessity those 640 people or as we proudly like to these Clubs & Societies are Handball 7 University experience to people I mentioned organise call ourselves the Wolfpack…. only as good as its member Boxing Club 7 make sure you really enjoy fundraisers throughout the the whole logic behind our allow them to be (i.e. YOU). your time here and to meet year to draw in the other 50% Kayak 8 brand is that of strength AND The current committees Krav Maga 8 support in numbers. With over some fabulous people along so that they can run the best are always seeking out Ladies Soccer 9 70 Clubs & Societies on offer, the way who WILL become activities for you (hopefully enthusiastic new people to Ladies’ Rugby 9 there really is a lot of choice some of your best friends the new generation of help and remember they are over the next four years members) which is another Hockey 9 for you to fill your down time students for the most part as and beyond. That is what €400K+ from cake sales, well trying to get their degree, Mountain Bike 10 from academic life, whether that is to excel at your sport of will absolutely make your sponsorship, fundraising and so don’t be afraid to introduce Outdoor Pursuits 10 choice, or to try to experience experience so much more a myriad of activities etc. yourself and jump right in. Parkour Club 10 something very new, perhaps valuable. We do that through over the course of the year. Surf 11 you might like dropping out of the 70+ Clubs & Societies that This is a truly remarkable We would like to extend a Shotokan Karate Club 11 a plane from several thousand we have available to you. achievement. warm invitation to all of you Skydive 12 feet? How does Kayaking These activities are organised to come to our annual Clubs Social Soccer 12 in the cobalt blue rivers of and run by more than 640 No different to any youth & Societies Recruitment Drive Sub Aqua 13 the Slovenian Alps sound? volunteers catering for almost group, scouts, girl guides, in the UL Arena, Wednesday Mountain climbing in the 5000 unique individuals sports clubs, musical or drama September 7th from 4pm- Capoeira 13 French Alps? Maybe surfing on campus. So there are group you may have been 7.30pm Swim Team 14 Taekwondo 14 Trampoline and Gymnastics 15 Ultimate Frisbee 15 “The Strength of the Wolf is in the pack and the WindSports 16 strength of the pack is in the Wolf” Rudyard Kipling SOCIETIES Africa 16 Welcome back in the summer and looking writing are probably 90% even those who are not Airsoft 16 to access the C&S fleet of complete. The next step is involved in competitive sport Anime and Manga 17 once again to vehicles and involved in preparation for a request for but who wish to recreate Architecture 17 all our existing budget submissions will have approval by the Universities during term time with friends Astronomy 17 had a chance to meet Aisling Campus Development in a friendly 5 or 7 a side game Christian Union 18 members already and for the rest of you Committee. Subject to that of whatever activity they Comedy 18 It has as always been a busy landing back please take the committees approval it goes might be interested in playing. summer here in the Clubs & Computer 19 time to call in and say “hello” forward for final approval by Further details to follow. Societies Dept. of the Students and introduce yourselves to the Universities Governing Dance 19 Union and since many of you Aisling. Authority. It is at this point The outdoor pursuit’s clubs Environmental 20 finished exams and scattered We have as a Students in Sept/Oct that we will hope climbing wall is at a similar Fan Forum 20 to the four corners of the Union been very busy with to be preparing to submit for stage to the Student centre Game 21 globe there are some very our involvement in the €20+ planning permission. and we are currently expecting Filmmaking 21 interesting updates. Million worth of Building the next set of architects plans Feminist 22 projects that the Students The playing pitches where we will again sit with Those involved at the Clubs approved in April 2016 development is already the University and the clubs History 22 & Societies Council last through a student levy. Much going through the planning reps to finalise and hopefully Horse Racing 23 semester approved that we of our time this summer after permission process. A simpler move through the University Greyhound 24 pursue the creation of a third our fact-finding to the USA in development in many ways process. The feasibility study Photographic 24 full time position to deal with April has involved numerous this received approval at of a new handball facility is International 25 the ever-growing demands of design team meetings and the last governing authority also under review. Out in UL 26 those students trying to add discussions with Architects, meeting prior to their summer Racing and more colour to the University Project Managers and the break. That is 2 new synthetic Exciting times indeed! Looking Motorsport 27 experience, through their Buildings & Estates and sports pitches, one grass pitch, forward to another cracking C&S activities. As such after a Sinn Féin 27 Financial Dept.’s of the hurling wall and all completely year – I will see this year’s lengthy process our successful University. We are probably floodlit for student sport committee members at our YFG 27 candidate and new Clubs & on our eighth draft review of development specifically. It first council meeting, Tuesday Drama 28 Societies Administrator is the plans of the New Student is worth reiterating, it will be of Week 3 in the J.Swift for ULFM 28 Aisling Ryan. Those active Centre and at the time of free of charge to students, more updates ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 3
and this list is not only ever- planning and saving costs so the five days with novel events growing but something to be that more money can go back such as Spooky Biodiversity proud of. This September we into C&S Budgets. Walks, Themed Movie Nights will be seeing some new faces I also chair the yearly SoUL and Radio Intervarsities at the recruitment drive with Arts Fest (Week 8) planning meaning there is “something the Islamic Society, Golf Society Committee. The Societies of for everyone!” and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo UL (SoUL) Arts Festival is a Club bringing a novel and On the Wednesday afternoon celebration of and collaboration of SoUL Fest you can find most the Awards, BICS is an excellent diverse range of interests to between your UL Societies and the table. our Societies together making resource for us here in terms MICHELLE WHYTE the University of Limerick Arts the SU Courtyard a hub of of networking and connecting Office. During SoUL Fest the Clubs and Societies Apart from accommodating activity. Last year’s collective with other Societies in Ireland! these new clubs and societies Societies showcase their events event brought us exploding Last year we welcomed 120 Coordinator and activities to the campus I work with C+S Development pumpkins, dance-offs and fire- students from all over Ireland University of Limerick community on a collective, Manager Paul Lee and C+S eaters. This collective event is to UL when we hosted the Students Union wider platform. Last year we Administrator Aisling Ryan also the perfect chance to meet Annual Forum. If you would like [email protected] squeezed over 60 events into to maintain the presence, up with that Society you have to know more about the BICS or welfare and finance of existing the weeklong programme; with Hi All! yet to join to find out what they indeed if you have any ideas for committees. I administer the Tea Appreciation, Games, Out are all about and get to know in UL and International Society your Society’s participation in My name is Michelle Whyte and Annual Clubs and Societies the committee! currently adding their events to SoUL Arts Fest my office door is I am your Clubs and Societies Awards process. I liaise with our always open! Coordinator. If you are new insurers for personal accident, the timetable there is sure to be Apart from working on SoUL something there for everyone! to UL then “Welcome to the foreign trip and vehicle cover. Fest here on campus I also The biggest date in the C+S Wolf Pack”. From personal I provide committee training in represent you as the Vice calendar, the recruitment drive, experience I would advise you terms of treasurer’s workshops Chairperson on the Board of will take place this year on the to get involved in a club or & administration seminars and Irish College Societies (BICS). 6th September in the UL Arena. The biggest event on the BICS society of your choice; you can develop and maintain databases I look forward to meeting you calendar is the three-day Annual be sure this affiliation will make to record all CS Activity. I there! Prior to this you can Awards event. This year UL your time at UL all the more administer and facilitate the set-up or renew your personal Societies brought a whopping enjoyable and memorable! annual Appraisal system which C+S account on our website: identifies areas in committee FOUR National Society Awards www.ulwolves.ie. My office If you are a returning student administration where extra home with Airsoft Society is located on the first floor of I’m sure you are looking help and support is required. Preparations for SoUL Arts winning Best Photograph, the Student’s Union building. forward to another fruitful and I work with Aisling to Audit Festival 2017-2018 (October Drama Society winning Best Please don’t hesitate to pop in, fun-filled year. An impressive €1,200,000 worth of CS finances 23rd to 27th) started during promotional video AND Best call or email with any queries or number of clubs, societies, during the summer months and the summer months and this Mental Health promoting event problems. accolades and friendships have I manage the central finances year we are going BIGGER and and Michael O’Donnell of UL Here’s to another great year! been developed and won over and budgeting always with the BETTER! The SoUL experience Science Society winning Best the past forty five years in UL aim of contributing to future spans from day to night over Society Individual. Apart from Beir Bua agus Beannacht
from the new girl, join as many resource is basically unheard of workshops! On the topic of all!!’ We are all so proud to be as you can! It is amazing the in other colleges. It is amazing finances, I have also taken over part of our own packs be it a friendships that are forged in but they are also pricey assets! the immensely enjoyable job club or society, which is great these groups and I have already So apart from looking after of processing budgets! There and hopefully that pride goes seen how strong and lasting driver documents, insurance, are a number of supports in on and on, but I want us all to they are, far beyond the 4 years vehicle bookings, servicing and place for the budget not only in remember that we are ALL part you spend in college. Now, to all the other wonderful things advice from previous or current of a larger Wolfpack. If you have all of those returning clubs and that fall under the vehicles committee members who have a great photo, why not send it socs people….welcome baaack! umbrella, I am really going to been involved before but also to me so I can share it with the I know from going through the be here to take a more active the seminars and workshops other clubs and societies? It is budgets over the Summer that role in making sure these and…me. If you are new to still great to show the rest of you all have some very exciting vehicles are looked after when budgets that is okay, you aren’t your group the hilarious videos AISLING RYAN plans for the year ahead! I they are taken out on trips and expected to know everything or the stunning snaps you got Clubs and Societies started back at the end of May that they are respected! I don’t straight away, I would just ask on a weekend here or an event Administrator so I just missed meeting a lot want to say I am going to be that you make use of the help there but why keep it to just University of Limerick of you so I can’t wait to get to nit-picking…….but I will!! I want being offered to you, me being yourselves? Don’t be so selfish, Students Union know you all over the coming to make sure that if your club/ one of them, so if you aren’t we want to see too!! Share with [email protected] year. To all the people I have society books a vehicle and sure of anything, don’t be afraid the rest of us via the amazing met and dealt with so far, I just picks it up, you can focus on to ask. Other things you will platform that is the Clubs and Hi Everyone! wanted to say thank you so getting on the road and having a be lucky enough to come and Socs social media pages! As I My name is Aisling Ryan, and I much for being so welcoming great time rather than spending see me for are room bookings, said I will be working with your am the newest addition to the and so patient during my the first hour cleaning up after joining clubs and societies and PROs on this and there may be a Clubs and societies team here in settling in time! So just a bit the last group! In short…I am in any general C&S queries that few competitions along the way the Wolfpack! (Yaaay!) So, while about why I am here and what charge of the vehicles so if you don’t necessarily fall under with a spot prize or too ( Insert I am new myself, I want to say a I will be doing for you guys… I have any queries, I am your go what Michelle and Paul have Late Late Show Oooooooh! huge WELCOME to all incoming am here to essentially take a bit to girl! Another aspect of my already gone through. I am here.) students! You have the CAO of the administrative pressure job will be to aid in the finances almost finished (kind of) but a So just a final word, welcome and all the formalities ticked off of Michelle and Paul so that of existing clubs and societies large part of my job is going to back to all existing members, off the list now it’s time for the they are better able to help and by processing the students’ be boosting clubs and societies’ congratulations to all recently fun!! It is time to come and find support you all, as well as to be union cheque requisitions, social media presence, PROs I graduated members and to all your pack! The main thing that an extra resource for you. One credit card requests and special am talking to you. I am going you newbies, I am right there has struck me since starting of my main duties in this role applications. Many of you will be to need your help on this, but I with you! As Zig Ziglar said my role here as your Clubs and is to take over the SU Vehicles familiar with all of these things am also extremely open to any F.E.A.R has two meanings: Societies Administrator is how - as all existing members will but if you are at all unsure, ideas or suggestions you all may ‘Forget Everything and Run,’ or, much I wish I had gotten more know we have three vehicles don’t hesitate to contact me, haveto boost our Facebook and ‘Face Everything and Rise.’ The involved in different clubs and for different purposes which though I am sure you will be other platforms, you are the choice is now yours! societies during my time in are an amazing resource for getting all the information ones that know ‘what the cool Thanks guys, college. So a piece of advice Clubs and Socs and having this you need in the seminars and kids are doing these days after A 4 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS The UL Vikings – Limerick’s own
American Football team KURT MACKEY O REGAN - PRO
Yes, you read that right.Would people are still surprised with they could. You don’t have to you believe me if I told you how popular and competitive it be nervous starting off either there are over twenty-four is in Ireland. because whether you’re 5’6” and barely 100lbs or 6’7” and active American Football clubs The beauty of American can’t run the length of a pitch on the island of Ireland spread Football being a hidden gem on there’s always a position on the across three competitive this island is that literally any field which will suit your own divisions? What if I told you The person from any background UL Vikings is one of Ireland’s personal skillset. Semester 1 with the Vikings will see us introduce new players to the game of football. Training once a week on the pitch and providing two free team gym sessions every week, we make sure players are in a comfortable environment learning the The fun doesn’t really start two-year existence. game while we work at making however until after Christmas It’s not all serious stuff either, everyone stronger and fitter. where all our veteran players social nights such as rookie What’s even better is we can return for pre-season. In night, our annual Superbowl provide the equipment, free of February, the Vikings travel Party and Sunday night NFL go charge. After four weeks, we abroad to compete in an on throughout the year where will have two Sunday training international friendly. 2016 saw you really begin to make friends sessions where offense will us travel to the North West of with your teammates. play defence in a scrimmage so England to compete against the most successful clubs, playing can join and have an immediate you can experience a football Lancashire Wolves. Our regular Make sure to look out for us, more games than any other impact on the performance of playing scenario. At the end of season kicks off in March The American Football Club on team in Ireland over the past the team. What we here in UL week six, UL, Trinity College and with eight guaranteed games September 6th at Clubs and two years with the best winning do better than any other club in UCD come together to contest against clubs around Ireland. Societies’ recruitment drive records? The NFL and NCAA Ireland is develop these people intervarsities, a tournament If successful, a quarter final, in the UL arena. You can also are two of the most viewed in to athletes better than they designed specifically for new semi-final and the lucrative find us on Facebook on www. leagues in the world with over knew they could be themselves players to compete in and Shamrock-Bowl is up for grabs, facebook.com/ulvikings or 111 million people tuning in while having more fun along again experience a football something the Vikings have email us at ulvikings@gmail. the Super Bowl last year, yet the way than the thought environment. won three times in its thirty- com.
Successful Season for UL Athletics Club LAUREN DERMODY, WOMEN’S CAPTAIN. overall. Éanna Madden and finished second overall in a 400m and 4x400 relay at the Alana Frattaroli set UL records very competitive competition, U23 European Championships in the 200m and shot put, while which saw 7 gold,6 silver and in Poland in July and Thomas Amy O’Donoghue and Thomas 7 bronze medals being won by Barr competed in the World Barr ran IUAA record times in our athletes along with 5 UL Championships in London. their 1500m and 400m races. records also being set. Thomas Thomas qualified for the Next up on the competition Barr finished his Intervarsity 400m hurdles semi-final but front for our athletes was the athletics career on a high unfortunately had to withdraw Intervarsity Cross-Country winning the 400m Hurdles as from the race due to illness. Championships, held for the well as being part of the men’s The club would like to wish first time in the new National 4x400m relay team who won the very best of luck to cross-country course in gold in a new UL record time. athletes Michelle Finn (3000m Abbottstown. In extremely A number of UL athletes steeplechase), Paul Byrne muddy conditions, Olympian were also part of the winning (400m hurdles) and Niamh Michelle Finn won silver leading Irish Universities team who Whelan (100m) who have the women’s team of Michelle, competed in the Celtic been selected to compete in Amy O’Donoghue, Grace Lynch, International in Santry in May. the World University Games in Katherine O’Keefe, Niamh Athletes competing were, Taiwan at the end of August. De Hóra and Cliona Mulroy Clodagh O’Mahoney, Sinead We cater for all levels of to team silver over the 5km Gaffney, Katherine O’Keefe runners, jumpers and throwers course. Darragh Browne, John Samuels, Ellen Larkin and and new members are always McCallion, Anthony Bowen and Alanna Frattaroli. welcome, so make sure to Killian O’Connor also competed ULAC have had a very home gold, our athletes got Outside of university athletics, visit our stand at this year’s in the men’s 8km race. successful year, with many 2017 off to a great start at the many of our athletes also recruitment drive for more Attention then turned towards enjoyed success during the information and to sign up! great performances across a IUAA Indoor Championships the track and field season. summer while competing You can also find UL Athletics variety of events. Following in Athlone I.T. in February, A large group of UL athletes for their own clubs, many on Facebook (facebook.com/ on from the club’s success at bringing home a large haul travelled to Cork to compete winning medals in the ULAthletics) and Twitter (@ the Intervarsity Road Relays of medals (10 gold, 2 silver,7 in the Intervarsity Outdoor National Championships. On UL_Athletics) for the latest in November, where both the bronze). Both the men’s and Championships in April. Both the International front, Jenna updates or get in touch by email men’s and women’s teams took women’s teams placed second the women’s and men’s teams Bromell competed in the at [email protected]. ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 5
Meet your targets with UL Archery BY LIAM HIGGINS, CAPTAIN A big welcome to all new UL their white badges, including in-club competitions to practice the year are Intervarsity’s with well as bow type, either bare students, I hope you are all Luke Vickery, Charlie McGreevy scoring and to introduce a little other colleges around Ireland, bow like Katniss, Olympic settling in well. As you have and Emer O’Reilly. As well as friendly competition. We also so you’ll also get to ravel around recurve or compound like probably heard, clubs and this, veteran archers succeeded have prizes for our winners! the country with us! We run Green Arrow. societies offer a brilliant way at competitions, with Frank In the past, we have themed table quizzes and club nights out to meet new people, while Stafford placing 9th overall at nights as well such as Halloween ranging from bowling to mid- taking part in a sport you might the Student Nationals in Cork where you can shoot zombies winter barbecues. Intervarsity’s are archery competitions that have never tried before. For and 4th in his category in the (don’t worry they are paper this reason, the archery club run between the colleges of final intervarsity, and Sean zombies not real zombies), as invites you to embrace your Ireland. Each competitor is Flavin placing 5th overall, and well as regular balloon shooting inner Katniss or Robin Hood in given a target number and 3rd, in the same competitions competitions. We round out our fun and friendly training letter. Each target board has sessions at the archery club! respectively. We hope to build the end of the year with Master four competitors from a range No experience is needed and of different colleges around all you need to bring is yourself Ireland, so you get plenty of and we will supply you with chances to meet new people. all the equipment (If you want There are two shoot groups, to bring along some sweets an early one and a late one. though we won’t complain). Each competitor shoots thirty With our 6-week beginner arrows. After the alternate group has shot, the 1st group course, you will be an expert UL Archery Club Equipment before you know it! returns to shoot a further thirty arrows resulting in a total of Last year saw UL archery club sixty arrows shot per archer, So, if all those actives haven’t receive success in several with a maximum score of 600 inspired you to come, I don’t of the intervarsities and our points. Don’t worry about your know what will! We’re a The UL Archery Team attending the Student National Competi- continued focus on improving skill level in these competitions great bunch and are always tion in UCC last February beginners and integrating them as you will be grouped with welcoming new members in. into the club. Many of our new archers at a similar level of We have training sessions for beginners last year were able on our success from last year and Apprentice competitions experience these are grouped new members on Wednesdays to score very well and rank very with many of our archers for our own archers, with shiny into beginner, intermediate at either 7:30pm-8:30pm, highly throughout the year, such training hard over the summer trophies as prizes! and advanced. Each of these 8:30pm-9:30pm or 9:30pm- as Luke Vickery, who managed to get ready for this season. categories have a different There are also numerous 10:30pm and hope to see to come 1st in one intervarsity The attached photo shows the sized target face. We start you inter college competitions you there. If you have any and 3rd in two others. Many of archers who represented us at on a 60cm face, and you move throughout the year, and we questions for us, our club email our new archers also managed the student nationals in UCC. up to 40cm during competitions to score their 400-point score train all new members up to at beginner and intermediate is [email protected]. We out of 600 in the beginner We have a cracking time at competition standard. The level. The categories are further also have a Facebook page, UL category, earning themselves training sessions as well with main competitions throughout split into male and female as Archery Club.
UL Badminton does the double TIARNAN LAWLOR – UL BADMINTON CLUB PRO After some serious planning, badminton was not on anybody’s Day, with our dignity just about competition well then don’t opportunity to meet new people expert opinions, several beers, mind that evening as Costello’s intact. With only two teams worry, as besides our annual start and make new friends and and a massive effort by all those Tavern was the place to be. A remaining in each category; with of semester competition, we will details of this will be put out in involved, the badminton inter- late night was had, with everyone UL A and DCU locking horns for again be hosting our very own the following weeks. Remember, varsities took place in the UL enjoying themselves on both the cup, while in the plate UL B International Student Badminton players of all standards are Arena in the April just gone. floors, and after a late-night bite and UUJ would clash. Suddenly an Tournament. The Limerick ISBT welcome! to eat the night was over. exciting opportunity presented will be held this October after With UL badminton club’s itself to UL, could they pull off an a brief hiatus last year. This is Hopefully this coming year can escapades in Enschede Quarter-Finals took place after impressive double at their very always a hugely entertaining be as successful as the one just completed earlier that year, the completion of the group own intervarsities? Could they weekend as players from all over gone, as UL players had excellent varsities took centre stage. It stage in day two, with the quality produce the performance of the wins through all the grades. Our was decided that from the 11th of play constantly improving the continent compete to win. season and defeat teams with Players of a similar standard Grade G team were unfortunate - 13th of April, we would host despite some players looking as international standard players? to not secure a place in the All- colleges from all corners of the though they’d rather be in bed. are pitted against each other, The answer was of course no, as Ireland final after a tight loss country, from our friends in the Eventually the final four was and upon conclusion prizes DCU disposed of the UL A team, in the Munster Finals. On an sunny south east representing decided – UL A, NUIG A, DCU are awarded for those at the and UL B fared no better versus individual level, we had All- Waterford IT, to both an A and a and Queens would compete for top of the table. Not quite as a strong UUJ team. UL held competitive as intervarsity’s, the Ireland success for Niamh Hickey, B team from the always excitable the Cup, while the UL B team, high as joint runners-up. Finally, players are generally only there while Mark Abbott and Tony O’ IT Sligo crowd, and the various CIT, RCSI and UUJ contested awards were presented, and to have fun and enjoy different Connor picked up good wins at a teams in attendance from our for the Plate. Preparation for the organisers were thanked. parts of Europe. It is an excellent provincial level. capitals colleges. In total, a Wednesday’s night out began The final night had us host a massive 20 teams and over 200 early, as it was our themed night. gala dinner in the Castletroy players participated. And so ‘All Things Animated’ Park Hotel, where the UL team came to life in Molly’s. An From day one, the standard on and some of their supporters impressive effort from all show was of the highest quality; celebrated what can only be players made for a spectacular as various full Irish Internationals described as a hugely successful array of colour that night. From were putting their skills on 4 days. Minions to The Rugrats to Alice display. DCU and Trinity, the top Next year’s venue for in Wonderland, all bases were 2 seeds showed us why, while intervarsity’s is to be decided, covered. dark horses NUIG A, and UL A but if you simply can’t wait Team A and B plus event organisers at the annual also performed well. However, And so, we finally reached Finals that long for a badminton Badminton Intervarsities 2017 6 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS Help Bounce UL Basketball into the History Books BY ORLA WHITE, PRO you want. involved. We have a Facebook UL Wolves Clubs and Societies Congratulations on achieving The Basketball club is a page just search for UL Wolves website page. We have some your first goal of getting to UL, “Family” club where we pride College Basketball and you of the finest sports facilities now you should join the UL ourselves on looking out for will find us. We are on Twitter in the country so with you Basketball Club and help us to each other. Our club, which @ULCollegebball. You can involved make us one of the achieve our Goals. Cant wait caters for men’s and women’s also contact us through the best college Basketball Clubs.. to meet you !!!! teams, is seeking interest from players of all levels and abilities; we would also welcome individuals who are The Year in Review – UL GAA interested in participating or working behind the scenes to BY COLIN MCNAMARA – INTERIM GAA DEVELOPMENT OFFICER. The Name “UL” is nationally improve the club. If you love Club known in college basketball. basketball this is the club you 2016/17 was a hugely successful camogie team also retained League Final to a very strong season for UL GAA Club with 15 the Intermediate Camogie All- CCFE team. They also reached We are regarded as the trend want to be involved in. So if Ireland title following three the penultimate stages of the you play, Officiate, Organise, different teams representing setters; we have always set UL in Gaelic football, hurling, excellent performances in the Championship, unfortunately Coach just love Basketball the bar, leaving other colleges camogie and ladies football, All-Ireland Blitz held at Drom losing out to WIT. please come check us out to follow. People are still yielding a return of 10 titles. and Inch GAA in April, defeating Of course, none of this success on Sept 6th in the UL Sport talking about the Basketball It has been a fantastic year for UCC and UCD. would be possible without all Arena for the Clubs and Socs Intervarsities held here in Gaelic Football in the University. Our Fresher B hurlers our members working for the 2006 / 2012 & we get our Recruitment Drive… Our intermediate footballers produced consistently strong club off the pitch as well as chance to make it better this The Fresher Tournament is created history by winning the performances throughout the on it. Our annual UL GAA Ball year when we host in April. for first year students only club’s first ever Intermediate season, leading to success in was held in April to celebrate We waited a while in setting and this is a weekend that Football All-Ireland title, both League and Championship all the brilliant work put in by the trend for men’s basketball, takes place November 25th defeating a strong University Finals. A scintillating second half our members throughout the but in 2013 we won the &26th in DKIT (Dundalk IT). of Ulster team in the final. Our display saw the lads pull away year and it was a huge success. intervarsity title. After sixty It is going to be a year to senior footballers continued from a determined WIT side We would like to thank our in the championship final held members who organised the one years we finally won the remember. Our motto is one their excellent form from at the North Campus. Their of Performance & Excellence 2015/16, reaching the Sigerson County Colours fundraising men’s title by defeating NUIG Fresher 1 counterparts were night at the Stables Club, through this we believe that Cup Weekend for the second in the Mardyke Arena, Cork. successive year. The Fresher 1 desperately unlucky missing out managing to raise vital funds all our goals are attainable. The same day the women Football team were extremely on silverware narrowly in both for the club while ensuring a were in the final however Don’t miss your chance to be unfortunate to be narrowly the League and Championship brilliant night for all. unfortunately they were part of something special that defeated away to a strong deciders. It took extra time We were delighted with the beaten on the buzzer with doesn’t come along every NUIG side, who eventually to separate our Freshers and brilliant work from students a UCD three pointer. To win day. went on to contest the final DCU in a thrilling final held at who volunteered with the the double is the dream that We also have a number of while concessions of goals at the Mardyke in UCC. In Senior club this year. It was especially UL basketball is chasing as Social Activities that bring crucial times proved costly hurling, our Fitzgibbon Cup pleasing to see many students team produced 3 top-class no college has even done the club together – We have for our Fresher B footballers, who assisted with coaching, performances, defeating CIT, it…. You could play a part in a hypnotist night on Nov unfortunately bowing out at at selecting and performance home to CIT. DCU St Pats and NUIG to reach analysis are having their efforts this… This year we will be 9th and this is a night with the quarter finals in fine fashion. hosting the Intervarsities so a difference - You would The senior ladies footballers rewarded with President’s Unfortunately, they ended up Volunteer Awards in the coming #ThinkBigAtUL !!!! , Why can’t be amazed what you will continued the success on on the wrong side of a high- weeks. we be the only college in 60+ do under hypnotise - Don’t the football front, having a remarkable unbeaten season to years to host and win the worry if you can’t remember claim both the Division 1 League we will have it all videoed for Men’s and Women’s IV’s…. title and the O’Connor Cup. In an that’s where you come in we you… extremely tight game, our girls need your help. Come and chat to us at the showed tremendous character The Men’s and women’s Clubs and Societies night on to defeat a highly fancied UCC team train twice a week and Wednesday Week one in side. Our intermediate ladies the Fresher’s have a separate the UL Sports Arena, where team who were competing in training slot as well. All we will provide you with all the Giles Cup following their college games are played mid the information you require. Lynch Cup success in 2016, were week with the Intervarsities Don’t be shy and think that unlucky to lose out to a strong and Fresher tournament the you can’t play with the college Sligo IT side at home in wintery conditions. Early in the year, our only weekend competitions, team or think that you are not Fresher Ladies Footballers were so you can still play club with good enough we have a place crowned All-Ireland Champions your home club if that is what / role for you if you want to be at the Fresher Ladies Football UL GAA members celebrating the season gone by at the UL Blitz in UCD. GAA Ball held at the Castletroy Park Hotel. Similar to our ladies footballers, our Senior camogie team scoring classic against Carlow IT Finally, 2017/18 marks a year also completed the season in the quarter final, held at pitch of change in UL GAA with a undefeated in competition, 1. Our intermediate hurlers change in Development Officer. resulting in the retention of topped their League group to be We would like to thank Deirdre the Ashbourne and Division crowned Munster Intermediate Murphy wholeheartedly for her 1 League Titles. The girls League Champions and were tremendous work at the club, produced their best display of unfortunate to have their and the environment and ethos the year in a thrilling Ashbourne championship hopes ended by that she created enabling all Cup final where they defeated a an LIT side who were clinical in our teams to thrive. We look highly experienced UCC side in front of goal. Our Junior hurling forward to seeing you all back UL Wolves Basketball is a Family Abbottstown. Our Intermediate team lost out in the Munster in UL in September! ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 7 Learn to defend yourself and look UL Boxing good doing it. BY SHANE AINSWORTH, COACH BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU AND JUDO CLUB Club Looking to start something new, this motivated to succeed, matter the experience you have, chance to practice and train BY CHLOE O’KEEFFE, learn self defense or to keep fit with such enthusiastic and being some or none at all. We with different people. The club COMMITTEE MEMBER ?. Then the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu passionate people. Firstly, don’t expect you to have brute entered various competitions and Judo club is what you are we will have a stand at the strength and years of grappling such as the Judo intervarsities This year will mark the 6th looking for. Founded by Eire recruitment drive for all new experience, the experience for held in UCD and two submission successive year of the University McCarthy (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu members both experienced each member should be safe league competitions in DCU of Limerick Boxing Club, one of Purple Belt) and Ciaran Mulroy and inexperienced. All very and having fun along the way. throughout the year. This gives UL’s newest clubs. Opened in (Judo Black Belt) aiming to welcome to join our fighting If you think you will be the member a chance to test their 2011 the club has definitely bring more awareness to these team. Members of the club will only newcomer, you’re wrong. skills and have fun doing it made a mark on the map, and two unique martial arts in the learn how to defend themselves That’s a good thing though, it while meeting new people. To has been going from strength university and offer students by gaining knowledge on how means you will meet others become a member come meet to strength since the doors first something new to explore. to use their bodies leverage who are just starting out and us at the recruitment drive on opened! Last year was one of I can only speak for myself and weight to perform joint learning like you are. There will the ninth of September at four our most successful years to but training at this club has locks, throws and submissions be others there who are more o’clock held in the sports arena, date, and we’re so confident been such a good experience, against their opponent. Not experienced but that gives you if you want to ask any questions that we’ll have similar successes something I enjoyed and was only will you acquire these a chance to learn more because or simply join up by visiting our this year, with the help of you! passionate about going to each new techniques but you will they will help you along the UL Wolves page https://ulsu. Each training session showed training session. Everyone was be apart of a growing family way. The club started last year ie/clubssocs/club/165. Training record numbers, with friendly and there too learn, with the people you train with, and quickly gained attention takes place every Wednesday consistency and determination which made joining the club becoming more confident in with people signing up to at 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm in the much easier. There’s nothing yourself and outgoing. Anyone try it out. Training sessions PESS building. We look forward in each and every person like being involved in a club is welcome to the club no were big, giving members the to training with you. that came in to train with us. December saw our first massive success of the year, within the ring as Fionnbarr Thompson and Chloe O’Keeffe were UL Wolves Handball attempt to establish matched for fights in IT Carlow’s Showdown in The Barrow 2. BY JOHN ‘BOSCO’ HURLEY, CHAIRMAN The two came out on top with world domination O’Keeffe securing a steady novices taking up the game the club also has numerous unanimous win against her for the first time in university. international students take home opponent in her debut Every tournament includes up the sport as it easily allows for the club, and Thompson several divisions so that them to play a GAA sport and showing his more technical players can compete against compete against players at side in the final bout of the opponents at the same level the same level as them. The evening against his IT Tallaght and can progress up through club regularly organises social opponent, in the only bout of the divisions as they improve. events with the host clubs the evening that didn’t feature a Handball has been described during tournaments and tries boxer from the home selection. as one of the best sports in the to experience the local culture Second semester saw the club world as it improves hand-eye during international trips. really knuckling down with the coordination, footwork and The club trains in the PESS Intervarsities just around the fitness together. It is also a great building on Monday (19:00- corner. UL Boxing Club had a sport for improving skills for 20:15) and Thursday (20:15- record number of entries of other sports with some of the 22:30) evenings and travels 12 boxers, from people of all country’s best GAA players such out to local alleys on Tuesday experiences. Massively, the club as DJ Carey and Richie Hogan came away with four University winning numerous handball All and Thursday evenings. People John Bosco Hurley and Liam Bradshaw in action at the US Col- are welcome to attend training Champions in Tanya O’Flynn, legiates in Phoenix, Arizona Irelands alongside their exploits Chloe O’Keeffe, Raymond on the hurling field. whenever it suits them. UL Wolves Handball Club will in recent years in international There will be coaches to help McNamee and Cormac Long. Handball is also a very social The Intervarsities was where travel to six countries in the tournaments. beginners to improve their skills sport with tournaments offering some of our entrants had their coming year in preparation The club will also travel to and learn the rules of the game. players numerous chances to first fights, and to saw that we for the 2018 World Handball numerous tournaments around meet people from around the Membership is €5 for the year. Championships, taking place in Ireland with the highlights being are extremely proud of each and world. The club frequently stays For further information on the every one of our boxers would Minneapolis, Minnesota. The the Intervarsities taking place with players from other colleges club visit UL Wolves Handball club will travel to Spain, The in Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford, be a huge understatement! The and clubs during tournaments Club on Facebook or Twitter or club, committee and members Netherlands, England, France Cavan and Mayo in October, and has joint social events with email [email protected]. and Italy for the European November, January and March are looking towards this year local clubs and other university We hope to see you during the and the 2017/2018 student Wallball Pro Tour and will respectively. There will also be clubs in Ireland. Each year, semester. compete against local clubs weekend trips to tournaments calendar, and already have massive plans for the upcoming in local versions of the game in Kerry, Cork, Tipperary, few months. The club are calling of handball as well. The club Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, out to all students from first will also travel to Springfield, Tyrone, Down, Antrim, Dublin, years to those who are more Missouri for the 2018 US Wexford, Kilkenny, Achill Island well adjusted to college life to Collegiates in February in a bid and the Aran Islands during the come along to the Sports Arena to claim a third Men’s Open year. The club will run several and come join us for a training tournaments in local alleys Teams title in a row. These session! Whether you intend tournaments will provide ideal throughout the year to provide to box competitively or just preparation for the fortnight more games for its members to keep fit there’s a place for festival of handball that will to try to improve their skills. everyone! UL Boxing Club will, take place in August 2018 as the Players from the club can also of course be at the Recruitment world’s handballers converge take part in leagues that are Drive this coming Wednesday on Minneapolis. The club hopes organised between local clubs 6th of September to take all to continue its recent success in throughout the year. questions and queries people the international domain with The club caters for all levels UL’s Fergal Coughlan killing the ball at the Irish Intervarsities may have, so don’t be afraid to club winning over 50 medals of handballers with numerous pop over and say hello! 8 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS Take Me to the River Kick off the BY KAREN O’SULLIVAN (PRO) University of Limerick Kayak meet kayakers of all ages and members to attack the waters Club, or ULKC as its commonly learn unreal kayaking and of Donegal and Wesht Cork on semester with UL known, was founded nearly safety skills. ULKC will teach some of our weekend trips. 43 years ago by a group of you all types of kayaking; Our trips don’t just happen friends who loved to kayak. from white-water kayaking, during the semesters, oh no. Krav Maga Since then the club has gone to surf kayaking, to freestyle Over the Christmas break we BY AISLING O’CONNOR (PRO) from strength to strength, kayaking, we have it all! Our spend the New Year in Kerry and is now one of UL’s largest annual Freshers Party will with other university kayaking clubs. Every year around properly kick off your ULKC clubs. During this break is 250 students with little or experience on the Thursday also when the first of our no kayaking experience sign of week 2 and allows you to international trips of the year up to ULKC, making it the get to know all our members takes place. This trip takes our best club for freshers to join. outside of the pool. As if that paddlers to the cold region of From our weekly river trips, Snowdonia, Wales, to allow active committee and friendly you to experience the best members, you are sure to be white-water kayaking Wales make friends for life through has to offer. However, all of this club. these river trips are to gear Kayaking is becoming a hugely you up for our anticipated popular sport throughout the trip to the Alps. Straight after world and in UL too. Whether summer exams, you will get you have paddled before the opportunity to spend college or have never seen 3 weeks in the beautiful a kayak before, you will be Slovenian, Italian and French The UL Krav Maga and Sambo law. The club hopes to host more than welcome here. Alps. This will be without a club offers students the a similar seminar again in You will be guaranteed to be doubt the best time of your opportunity to learn practical the future. Moving forward taught how to kayak quicker life. Kayaking will take you self-defence in a way that the club hopes to invite than you can imagine by some around the world both during allows the chance to socialise guest instructors in to teach of the best kayakers in the and after college. ULKC has with other students and students, and to hold more country, who are in UL. ULKC Sorba Slides had members go kayaking to keep active. In learning fun and informative events is currently the best ranked in Uganda, Montenegro, Krav Maga students will feel throughout the academic kayaking club in the country, California, Norway and safer when out at night, and year. winning our 8th consecutive wasn’t enough, in week 3 we Canada. the skills learned may one Students can also see the skills Intervarsity’s title and not will be heading to Lahinch If you would like to be a part day save your life. From planning on letting go of it for some of the best surf of our club and add to your they’ve learned recognised defending against knife through the grading system any time soon. Our club offers kayaking Ireland has to offer. college experience, then come attacks, to simple techniques you the chance to get away Lahinch is undoubtedly the talk to us at the recruitment of Krav Maga; however a such as blocking a punch, background in martial arts is from the tiresome college life, best weekend away you will drive on Wednesday of week and developing an awareness and go off and try something have during your college 1. You can find us at our stand not required to join. Beginners of your surroundings, UL are more than welcome in new. From endless river trips, experience! You will be taught in UL Sports Arena and we Krav Maga covers as many excellent safety training, surf kayaking, see how ULKC can answer any questions you the club, and will pick up the scenarios as possible. The martial art in no time. social events, to international really have the craic, and see may have. You can call into club practices drills, such as trips; you will never be short one of the wackiest fancy the pool to us any Tuesday, facing multiple attackers or However, UL Krav Maga of things to do with ULKC. dress parties to grace the west Wednesday or Thursday night even moving through crowds, doesn’t just focus on heavy Our pool sessions will begin of Ireland. This is definitely @9:45-10:45 too. Feel free to in a safe space so students subjects. In the last academic Tuesday of week 2 @9:45pm not a weekend to be missed! contact us on our Facebook can perfect their skill and year the club has organised in the UL Sports Arena. Every As fun as our weekly river page ‘University of Limerick defend themselves if ever in a movie nights, social nights in week we will be running a trips are, we have bigger Kayak Club’, our email compromising situation. Scholars with Science Society weekly river trip for you to get and better trips wedged into [email protected] , our our and Drama Society, and a out on the real water. You will our jam-packed schedule. Snapchat ‘ULKAYAK’. With highly qualified trainers, bake sale. Not only do we get a chance to go outdoors, Last year we sent 35 of our SEE YOU ON THE WATER! including our new head provide the opportunity to instructor as off the Spring learn, but also the chance to semester of last year, Srdan make new friends. Kovacevic, students are in good hands. With over 20 UL Krav Maga club is now years’ experience in different entering its ninth year running Martial Arts styles, such as since its founding in 2008 by Karate, Kick Boxing, Boxing, Darren Simring. Jiu Jitsu, and Krav Maga, he The Club trains from 8:15pm is also the head instructor of to 10:15pm on Mondays, Response Krav Maga. and 7:00pm to 9:00pm on Last year, we invited barristers Wednesdays. Training takes and the Gardaí in to discuss the place in the PESS building. law surrounding self-defence Like UL Krav Maga and Sambo to ensure that students are Club on Facebook, and follow not only physically able to us on Snapchat and Twitter defend themselves, but also @ulkravmaga for more that we can do so in a way information and updates on that is in accordance with the the club. Prijon Factory - Alps ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 9 UL Ladies Soccer takes everyone by Storm BY CAOIMHE HENNIGAN, UL SOCCER CLUB
The University of Limerick seasons in the teams’ history. things of the season was the Next season the University of to join. Thanks to the state of Ladies Soccer Club had one of We also secured a sponsorship trip to Oxford to take on both Limerick has been picked to the art facilities that are offered the most impressive seasons in and partnership with Johnson their A and B team, this trip host the national varsities finals at the university it means that the clubs and societies helping and Johnson as part of the marked the beginning of a for the 2018 season. We hope we get the opportunity to train the UL Soccer Club which Wistem2d initiative. new partnership with Oxford that we can improve on last and play on both grass and includes both the Ladies and seasons’ amazing performance AstroTurf pitches. We normally The University of Limerick which will hopefully see a Men’s team, achieve the most and hope to bring home some train for at least 2 hours one Ladies Soccer team spent the return fixture being planned in improved club of the year. silverware for the club during night a week, and some weeks last season competing in the the near future. Thanks to the From qualifying for the national the up and coming season. a second session depending first division of the league and partnership that was created cup final, placing third in the Thanks to the incredible work if we have a game of not that thanks to a top two placement with J&J and the dedication national intervarsities, winning that coaches and players carry week. Joining the soccer club in the league table it meant from the planning committee it the regional futsal tournament out on and off the field, along means that you are joining a that we qualified to compete in made this trip a flying success. to qualify for nationals, after with all the work that is done team who sticks by each other the national cup, unfortunately The partnership created with our varied success in Ireland we behind the scenes it will make and supports everyone, it we got drawn against current Johnson and Johnson as part of then decided to take our team it all possible and hopefully can be a terrific way to meet champions Carlow in the the Wistem2d initiative helping a little further afield, to take on make the competition a soaring new people and take part in semi- final, but we did not let to promote Women in Science, teams from Oxford University success. something that you enjoy. The and to begin a new relationship this faze us and beat them to Technology, Engineering, club is always welcoming new between the University of progress to the final where Mathematics, Manufacturing The club caters for players of players no matter what your Limerick Ladies Soccer Team unfortunately we were beaten and Design. We were proud different abilities from players ability is. Any queries about the and Oxford University Ladies by a stronger NUIG team. Next to be able to promote this competing in the women’s’ club can be made through the Soccer Team. Despite not for us was to be intervarsities initiative on our training and national league to people who club Facebook page: UL Soccer winning any silverware during which were to be held in Cork, match gear and hope to be just play for their local club or Club Official Page or by joining the past season it was still where we finished in third able to do the same in the even someone who has never the UL Soccer Club on the UL one of our most successful place. One of the most exciting coming season. played, everyone is welcomed Wolves site.
Give it a Try UL Hockey Gunning for First Title SORCHA NÍ UALLACHÁIN – PRO OF UL LADIES’ RUGBY BY PATRICK HIGGINS – PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER As yet another semester rugby. The skills you will learn, If you are looking for a new for the club for equipment, men’s hockey as a part of begins, us older student the friends you will have and experience this coming year, events and more trips. We your new college life make question where the past few the memories you will make then join the exciting club built aim for these events to not sure you contact one of our years have gone. “Time flies will be forever. on the foundation of meeting only to entertain people members. We will have a new people, developing new who attend our events but booth at this year’s Clubs and when you’re having fun” is As the Irish Women’s 15s skills and enjoying team social also our own members. The Societies Recruitment drive a common saying, however Rugby Team begin the difficult events. Despite if you are club is hoping to take more in week one where we will everyone can agree that it task of the World Cup taking completely new to the sport trips in the coming years as be happy to see you. If you’d is the most relevant when it place in Dublin you see the or if you are an experienced we fundraise more and get like to contact us beforehand comes to time in college. It only opportunities there are in the player, UL men’s hockey will more members. Currently or have any questions then feels like last year that I was world of Sport. The numbers awaiting the Leaving results give you equal opportunity we are looking to arrange an please message our Facebook playing women’s rugby is on and welcomes you to join and and CAO offers, however in international trip as soon as page at UL Men’s Hockey or the rise and hopefully continue play with us this coming year. the meantime I have grown to possible. find us on the UL’s clubs and to do so. Why not contribute We aim to develop our skills embrace the incredible time I So, if you are interested in societies website. Hope to to it, while making friends and improve our bond as team have has at UL, long may it last. becoming a member of UL see you in September! you’ll have forever and having when training on the pitch. a great time in UL? Many rugby One of the main reasons that Here you will also be able to stars have begun their rugby I have settled so well and felt progress as a player learning career with UL Ladies Rugby like the time has disappeared new skills and expanding game Team and not one of them look before my eyes is because knowledge. Off the pitch we back with regret. Regardless I have been playing college aim to be a well bonded club of your prior experience, be rugby since day one. Week by enjoying our own events it club, provisional or national and club gatherings. Every in week out, we train, play level or nothing at all you are year we enter and compete matches and most importantly more than welcome to come in the all-Ireland varsities socialise together. Having along and join us. three dozen or more girls come tournament, hosted in Dublin together with the same aim, to For the past two seasons we this year. It’s a great place win an All-Ireland College Final have had two teams competing to meet other players from is incredible. Training 2-3 times in the League. To have both other clubs all over Ireland a week forces you to come out Senior and Junior teams is a and become closer as a team. of a shell that everyone has at major advantage to players as We also enter the all-Ireland the beginning, but into a family more game time is the aim and mixed varsities tournament every year in conjunction with that you we will be forever that is what is provided. the University’s ladies team. friends with. So come join ULLR – you won’t During the year we host look back! I urge you to join if you have several fundraising events or don’t have a background in “Give it a Try”. where we aim to raise money Mixed Varsities trip to Kilkenny where we made the semi-finals. 10 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS Want a free mountain bike? BY HATEM ABNOUN (P.R.O.) Have you ever scrolled If you’re still wondering how ask for the equipment back. taken part in Rampage or just our ethos is… well we don’t through your Facebook feed to go about signing up for You may have become slightly like to go on the odd cycle! actually have one, but if we and come across a video of a a free mountain bike, then disinterested now that you’re If you’re thinking about did it’d probably be something mountain biker dropping off a I’m afraid that you’ve fallen aware of the full picture, joining a club and/or society, like “I almost died…”. If all this 15-foot drop and thought to victim to the ‘click-bait’ title. but think about it… you get sounds somewhat applicable yourself “I want to try that!”? There’s a catch. We do give a mountain bike, a helmet, or ten, and want to be to you, then why not swing by Of course, you haven’t, you a free mountain bike, we gloves, free Mountain-biking immersed outside your because you’re a perfectly also provide free gloves & lessons, Red Bull, a free comfort zone, I suggest you the recruitment drive and sign rational human being. That helmets, and to top things off, round-trip to the local trails look no further. Our average yourself up (*cough cough to said, what if you were to try we also even provide free Red every Sunday, and a great club semester-trip consists of your death cough cough*). All something, perhaps not as Bull (and sometimes Mooju) experience to take home with lots of travel, meeting new jokes aside, you’ll regret not death-inducing but along the on most of our club spins… you – at no cost whatsoever people (who’ll likely stick with doing it given that you’re the same lines… Something that The thing is, you’ve got to give (plus, we always stop off at you throughout your journey adventurous type. could derive the same amount it back at the end of the spin. the shop if you’re feeling at UL and after), the craic, and of adrenaline and make No, not the Red Bull. We won’t for a morning chicken roll)! mad nights out at a local pub If you’ve any questions, drop you feel alive for a change… ask you to throw up a can “Sign me up” right? Any type in some random town - only to us an email at mtbclubul@ Something that Mountain after you’re finished with it, of experience is welcome, go mountain biking at 7am the gmail.com. I hope to see you Bike UL can offer you... I promise. We will, however, regardless of whether you’ve following day! Here at MBUL, out on the trails! Trips and falls with ULOPC Conquering Fears BY ANTHONY DAWSON, CLUB PRO UL’s Best Club of 2016/17 and had on our club trips during Last year was also a great year with the Parkour Club all round great craic club the semester. The pinnacles for our climbing wall as a surge BY MARLI SERFONTEIN TRIPS OFFICER The past two semesters of these are our weekend long of interest in climbing saw our have marked another year of stays in Letterfrack, Kerry, the Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday incredible activities, awards, Mournes, and Glendalough. evening sessions buzzing year trips (and falls) with UL Outdoor These annual trips have round. As well as this our Pursuits Club, and we are ready something for everyone be it charity climbing competitions to top it all again this year! hiking, climbing, chilling, or just drew great crowds raising funds the craic, they are not to be From the very beginning of for PIETA house. Not only this, missed. Our hikes held every Up the waterfall in the Wicklow Mountains the year the club was active but our charity hike in April Sunday have also moved from PARKOUR. What is it? Getting Throughout the year, we have and welcoming to all new first also saw fundraising for Doolin strength to strength this year from A to B in the fastest, most regular training sessions to years, and this year will be no Coast Guard. with days out spent in a greater stylish or most exhilarating work on building strength and different. An evening fresher’s If you are interested in variety of hills and mountains way? That would be in line with refining technique in a fun and hike was held to show first joining the club come see us across the length and breadth popular opinion, but at the safe environment. We regularly years what the club is all about of our beautiful countryside. at the recruitment drive on UL Parkour Club, parkour has have trips to Jump Lanes, an in September. This was such a Wednesday of week 1, and many more definitions. It’s a indoor trampoline centre, These are not the only activities success last year that we plan to there will be a gang of us ready way of training that beats doing as well as other trips and that can be found in ULOPC do it again this September; this to get you started! If this doesn’t reps in the gym or running for challenges. Annually, we join however as the past year has is a short hike held midweek suit come see us at our climbing hours. You become stronger by the Outdoor Pursuits Club on also been hugely successful for just down the road up the wall (across the road from the challenging yourself, learning a weekend trip to Glendalough caving and orienteering. Last beautiful Keeper Hill. This is a arena, further details on how new techniques and pushing in the breath-taking mountains year saw the largest turnout for great way to get a taste of the to find us are on our Facebook your body to new limits. of County Wicklow. Here we an orienteering event the club craic to come in the coming embrace the more natural has seen in years, as well as the page) during our opening hours With solidarity at the core of the year with ULOPC. club, we support and encourage side of l’Art du Deplacement, creation of a team to compete and we will sign you up. members wherever they may clambering over boulders, Some of the most exciting in intervarsities. Caving too saw You can find us on Facebook at be on their parkour journey. up waterfalls and taking a activities of the last year a jump in interest, with greater “UL Outdoors Pursuits Club” and Our motto “Start Together, refreshing dip in the freezing included trips to El Chorro in numbers than ever joining on Instagram @ulopc. Don’t be Finish Together!” can be water. Spain, the Cairngorm mountains caving trips to the Burren, afraid to drop us a message on heard echoing through the UL Feel free to drop by our stall in Scotland, as well as our these platforms or via our email and attending training every Campus whenever a member at the Recruitment Drive on annual expedition to the Alps. Wednesday evening. [email protected]. This year’s Alps trip has proven needs motivation. In Parkour, the 6th Sept or at any of our to be one of the clubs most there are no grading systems, training sessions. You’ll always no official competitions and no be welcome! ambitious with 16 members judgement. of the club spending up to five If you have any questions weeks mountaineering and Last year we set out on a new or queries, don’t hesitate to acting the absolute maggot in adventure – taking on one contact us through Facebook Chamonix and the French Alps. of Ireland’s finest high ropes (Parkour UL) or email Our committee looks to top courses at the UL Adventure ([email protected]). Centre. Our head coach, Alternatively, you can always these trips in the coming year Daire, set the official fastest come to our indoor training with outings to Africa and Asia completion time for the course sessions Tuesdays in the PESS planned! *applause*. We plan on making (8:15PM – 10:30PM) and our Summers in the Alps and this a regular trip, so if you think outdoor sessions Thursdays at climbing in Spain are rivalled you’ve got what it takes to get the running track (6:15PM – only by the craic and debauchery Trip to the Cairngorm mountains in Scotland to the top, sign up! 8:00PM). ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 11 2018 - Bigger, Better and more Exotic than ever! BY CIARA OLSTHOORN, UL SURF PRO Its a well known fact around was nothing that could sink mixing pot of cultures that is UL that the Surf Club our surfers spirits, even in Morocco, members also got attracts the most travelled, the depths of winter, braving to surf waves unlike anything adventurous and daring the elements for the sake available in Ireland. Later on students on campus. Run of the surf. All the clubs in in the year, the adventure by a group of motivated and the country made their way continued with more of ambitious students, the Surf down to our home grounds, our surfers travelling to the Club leave behind a year of in Lahinch, for inter-varsities. Portuguese coast, where epic adventure and are well Our two talented teams did they spent a week around the underway planning a new one. us proud, as UL left as hosts beaches of Peniche. Surfers 2016/2017 was an extremely and champions of IV’s 2017, of all levels were able to find busy year for the Surf Club, after a small debacle with waves to suit them, and visit organising six trips to the UCC. Committee members, the renowned World Surf fantastic surf spots of Ireland, Paul Deering (2nd place League spot, Supertubos. and going on two adventures in Longboard) and Rachel With all levels catered for, abroad. Moore (3rd in womens) Peniche marked some much competed along with club needed experience and We kicked off the calendar members Mason Kury (3rd fantastic improvements for with our annual trip to in mens), Ronan Beatty and all our surfers. Castlegregory, where we were David O Flynn (3rd and 4th accompanied by our club in Bodyboard), and Sammi During out spare moments of member and Touch of Techno Tabbara (semi finals of the the year, few as they were, UL DJ, Chaz. Club members mens) to earn UL the title! Surf hosted a vast number of danced the night away on the Two more trips trekked down events, like our travel inspired sands of Castlegregory, and to Costa Del Ballybunion and Food of the World party, amazingly, managed to be up another to Castlegregory our Thai food movie night, and fresh for our surf session before the end of college, sponsored by Camille Thai, the next morning. The year catching the best of the spring pancake surf movie night, flew by, with our biggest ever swell. the epic as always Twelve number heading to Bundoran, Surf Houses of Christmas, Donegal, braving big swell UL Surf undertook surf trampoline night and our and the local nightclub. expeditions to Morocco and many and varied sunset SUP’s We were treated by the to Portugal this year. The through the heart of UL on to soak up some sunshine. be the start of another travel beautiful autumn sunshine, club took surfers to the North the Shannon. the backdrop of Benbulben African coast, where they A fledgling plan is also being filled year of good waves, good and sunset in Mullaghmore were given the chance to surf Next year is shaping up to put together for UL Surfs first people, sweet sunshine and ever advanced surf expedition as we headed for home. Our internationally recognised be even bigger and better. plenty of adventures! Check two trips to Lahinch, (home spots like Anka Point, La As always, UL Surf is ahead to Indonesia, which will out of Facebook page, UL Surf from home for most of our Source and Anza, along side of the curve, planning to go hopefully, take place next members) were, as always, international pro surfers, to Furtaventura during the summer, with another foreign Club, or our website, ulsurf. a “barrel” of laughs. With like Carissa Moore. As well Christmas Holidays to find trip to be decided for Easter. com for more information on 5mm of neoprene on, there as experiencing the strange some new spots to surf and September is shaping up to upcoming events.
Busy year for UL Shotokan Karate Club BY NOELLE DONWORTH, PRO On the 17th-20th August UL for January 2018. While there, some Japanese cuisine such come up and chat to the club they are more than welcome Sports Arena hosted the 14th club members explore Japan’s as sushi and strawberry and members and indulge in some to watch a training session or Funakoshi Gichin Cup World capital and experience the cream sandwiches. Then the lovely freshly baked treats. jump right in. We also accept Karate-do Championships Japanese culture. Members club also makes a few trips However it is not all business people of all different styles 2017. This is a great honour have the amazing opportunity out the country side to visit with UL Shotokan Karate Club. of karate as we see it as a for UL Shotokan Karate Club to train in the Hombu Dojo some of Japan’s temples and great opportunity to learn to have a tournament like this which is the Headquarters of shrines and the big Buda, We have pizza nights or we from different disciplines. on our doorstep. Competitors Shotokan Karate, under the which is a Buda the size of a head to The Stables or The We train every Tuesday 6:15- came from all over the world guidance of some of the best two story house!! So whether Scholars after training. We to compete in this prestigious karate teachers in the world. you love anime and manga, will also be having our annual 8:15pm and Thursday 8:15- championship. It was a great shopping, karate or travelling pancake Tuesday pancake 10:15pm in the PESS building It is not all about training and opportunity for our club and experiencing new cultures party this semester. It is across from the ULSports karate though. Part of the trip members to observe the best there is something for important to us that we get to Arena. We can also been is to learn about and explore of the best competing. everyone in Japan. know our new members and found at the Recruitment Japan. A few of the favourite that everyone in the club gets Drive, so come over and talk Every two years the UL places to visit are Shibuya and To get to Japan the club to know each other and have to our lovely members. Find Shotokan Karate Club goes Ginza for shopping, the zoo, must fundraise for the trip. fun. to Tokyo, Japan, the Home Disneyland Tokyo, the Sky We do this by having bake us on Facebook UL Shotokan of Shotokan Karate. And this Tree and wandering around sales and bag packing in local We always welcome new Karate Club and Twitter @ semester the club will be Tokyo in general because supermarkets. There are a members and if anyone is at UL_KarateClub, our email is putting the final touches to the there is so much to see and few bake sales planned for all interested and thinks they ulshotokankarateclub@gmail. trip, which is being planned do. While there we also try this semester, so feel free to might like to give karate a try, com 12 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS What Goes Up… Must Come Down BY RORY TYRRELL, SKYDIVE UL EXEC. Hi all and welcome back to another year of partyi… I mean studying... It’s really been quite a successful year here at Skydive UL. Between indoor skydiving trips, our annual France trip success, and our members earning their own instructional ratings we haven’t had much time to spare! Over the past 6 months, 2 of our members have progressed their USPA instructor ratings, and 5 of our members were awarded their skydiving coach ratings. This means that all of you new skydivers will have 2 dedicated instructors to train you from the ground up, and 5 new coaches available to hone in on those skills required for your first skydiving A-Licence! Another first was earlier in the year at our first dedicated indoor skydiving trip in Poland trip to Gap-Tallard! How about skydive courses throughout the don’t worry… it’s not all skydive fully licenced USPA A-Licenced with our new members getting Portugal or Spain? We’ve got semester, outside of our foreign this and skydive that… you guys skydivers; allowing you to travel to experience flight before some student progression trips trips, so that you guys can get want a night out? You got it! the world with an internationally taking that first leap out of a planned there too! Or come yourselves in the air ASAP! For We’ll organise nights out and recognised skydiving licence! So plane. For anyone looking to get get involved and see what we to Poland on our next indoor those of you with your eyes on trips as often as we can, you guys into the skydiving world, these have to offer, aside from jumping skydiving trip! a licence then, we run weekly call it and we’ll make it happen! tunnels are rocket fuel for your out of planes and looking... well… flying skills! Plus you get to visit Now, we don’t just run around sessions where our experienced So, we have a lot of plans for awesome. some cool places along the way! Europe skydiving and partying members will show you guys the year ahead and we want www.facebook.com/Skydive UL Thinking of visiting France? Why (responsibly… of course). We how to pack parachutes, vital for to bringing you guys from not do it in style with our annual also run tandem and solo your first skydiving licence. But zero skydiving experience to [email protected]
UL Social Soccer Club Returns - #WeGoAgain BY SEAN MATTHEWS, PRO Where to begin with UL Social social conduit, creating new is you to come with a good return even more fully-formed with us at the recruitment Soccer Club? We were granted friendships, team chemistry attitude to just want to have and prepared for the coming drive. Alternatively, you can our 15-week probation period and even friendly rivalry. fun! At Social Soccer, we play academic year and our first sign up to our Facebook group at the end of September last Our games are not viewed for the love of the game and ever September recruitment at “UL Social Soccer” or drop year and since then have as being successful unless we hope that you share in that drive. If any of what I’ve just us an email at ulsocialsoccer@ come on leaps and bounds. our members can play with passion. written is of interest to you, gmail.com Beginning as a Facebook page freedom and without the This coming academic year then come and have a chat set up to network for student pressure to perform. Often one of our main ambitions 5-a-side games, we went on my best memories of the is to expand on our role to become a recognised club first year for the club are as a social club. We have with over 170 members! All in the laughs that we had succeeded in providing of this being achieved without during games; the open-goal football for the people, with being able to partake in the misses, the perfect nutmegs, a minimum of two games per September recruitment drive the uncharacteristically good week operating throughout last year. Our growth has goals, the friendly slagging. the previous academic year. come purely through word of These are the things that Now we want to try and mouth and recommendation, make me excited for a game expand our social appeal which is very encouraging day. with events such as FIFA indeed. Who can join? Tournaments, Soccer Quiz Thankfully, despite the Anyone can join! We cater Nights, Champions League membership growth the for all skill levels, gender, nights, and many other events philosophy of the club has nationalities etc. We play at still to be decided. endured and we continue a friendly and encouraging As with any new club, to be a valuable social pace without any need for mistakes were made and outlet to our members. We competition or huge amounts lessons learned in our first pride ourselves on being a of commitment. All we need year. This only means that we ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 13 Dive into C&S! Let’s play Capoeira! BY NAOMI KEOGH, OCM BY BRIAN HOGAN (TRIPS ADVISOR) A new academic year starts escape to freedom. Runaway and everyone is looking for an slaves then gathered in activity to balance out their large numbers and formed studies. Give the mind an settlements called Quilombos occasional rest and get your where they further developed body moving with capoeira. their capoeira skills to protect We meet and practice twice a themselves from colonial week but if you can only make attacks. one of the sessions that’s fine Throughout the year we go and if you only want to turn on weekend trips to capoeira up occasionally well then workshops where we meet that’s fine too. We’re an open lots of really nice people from welcoming club and look all walks of life and at those forward to the arrival of our weekends there’s always a new members and we hope fun Brazilian party. Last year you’ll be one of them. If you we went to Dublin, Cork, can’t talk your friends into Galway and even to Germany. going with you then don’t be Next year we are hoping to go nervous about showing up by to Paris! yourself, we’ll look after you. During the practice sessions I’ve been a member of the UL with excellent weather most South East dive rally. UL divers So what is Capoeira? Is it we warm up, go through Sub Aqua club for about a year weekends as we set off from a headed off on the Friday a fight? Is it a dance? It’s a the individual moves and now and what a year it’s been! variety of locations on the west evening in the C&S minibus game, where two people then put them together coast. Over the summer UL Sub full of camping equipment Like many of the new exchange smooth, calm, with appropriate counter Aqua members dived multiple and scuba gear. This weekend incoming first-years I went flowing attacks while dodging moves carried out by another to the recruitment drive full times in Kilkee, Quilty, White was an amazing opportunity of curiosity. I kept an open Strand, Doolin and Portmagee. to meet new divers typically mind and considered lots of One experience stands out outside of our usual area. We the most for me, Aileen! The different clubs and societies, dived with fellow university reef at the foot of the Cliffs but I was drawn to Sub Aqua students from UCC Sub Aqua because I had tried scuba of Moher, was chosen as the dive site. Aileen can only be Club. The sea around Hook diving abroad and the feeling Head lighthouse is littered with of breathing underwater for dived in very calm conditions, wrecks, a testament to the a sustained period is just so it is more famously known for rough seas that are common liberating. It gives you a unique being surfed, not dived. After opportunity to see underwater a stunning dive, with some of there. I had the chance to life and submerged landscape. the largest crayfish and spider dive two local wrecks over the I decided I wanted to join this crabs I had seen, we were course of the weekend. Above diving community and improve greeted back in Doolin harbour the surface we socialised with my skills. I signed up at the by Dusty the dolphin. Being our diving counterparts from recruitment drive and it was that close to such a large wild UCD and DCU and introduced one of the decisions that made animal, it’s a unique experience them to a party game that they my first year of college so I only could have with UL Sub took to very quickly and likely enjoyable. Aqua Club. won’t forget anytime soon. By December I had completed As well as these day trips, there With another semester starting my training dives and I was two weekend camping and new members to join I received my 1* qualification trips organised by local Sub- hope my second year as a Aqua clubs. Club members which allowed me to go on the member of UL Sub-Aqua can spent a weekend camping club’s annual trip to Lanzarote. be as eventful and memorable Over the week in Puerto Del on the Wild Atlantic Way at as the first. If any of this sounds Carmen I completed 10 dives, Bridges of Ross near Kilkee, Co. amazing to you, come see us at a combination of day and Clare. The weekend ended with Ras Mickey C with Mestre Marreta from whom he received his night dives. An encounter with a barbeque attended by all the the recruitment drive, or get in second capoeira grade in October 2016 in Dortmund, Germany a stingray 14m underwater, clubs in the Limerick region. touch with our PRO, Secretary, guaranteed the week to be The Limerick diving community or Chair. Some photos from the attacks of their opposite. practitioner. That way we unforgettable. The warm, clear is so friendly and open to a new our trips can be seen on our Trying to outdo each other learn to react and it gets us waters of Lanzarote are the diver like myself. The following Facebook page “UL Sub-Aqua with gracefulness they also ready to try a freestyle game. best opportunity for trainees weekend was the Hook Head Club” or on Youtube. - where ability allows – It’s also quite a workout so do to improve their SCUBA skills. incorporate acrobatic pieces bring a bottle of water! Don’t There is a very quick learning to outshine their opposite and be a couch potato, don’t be curve over the course of the impress those watching and shy and join us Tuesday and week and I have no doubt I waiting for their turn. Thursday nights from 7 – returned a better and safer Sounds a bit unusual, so how 8:15 pm in the main hall of diver. did it all start? Capoeira was the PESS building. We look I returned from Lanzarote developed by slaves in Brazil forward to meeting you there committed to completing my who were not permitted to or at the recruitment drive! 2* qualification as soon as practice any form of fighting possible. This summer has been so they disguised it as a Facebook: UL Capoeira one of the busiest/wettest dance. To their slave masters [email protected] the club has had. During the it appeared as though they Author: Brian Hogan (Trips summer months club members could dive up to three times were just playing around but advisor) a week. We were blessed their skills help many slaves to 14 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS UL Wolves Swim Team Send Ripples Nationwide BY CAOIMHE HENNIGAN, UL SWIMMING CLUB.
The University of Limerick being an invitational gala facilities and coaches we have Swimming Club is about to hosted by NUIG, which we to offer. The club is not just start of its fifth year in the have attended for the last 3 for competitive swimmers, university and is inviting new years, this gala was used as a it caters for all swimmers of members to join it doesn’t warm up and practice for the any level, from beginners matter if you are just starting team to prepare for the biggest to advanced. Thanks to the first year or even going into competition of the year, the brilliant coaches available who your final year we cater for Irish Inter-varsities. This year are always there to make the everyone. The club is about to we sent the biggest team of best out of a training session to embrace on its fifth year in the swimmers we had ever sent offer any advice that you may university and has continued before. Due to the substantial need. With the state of the to grow from strength to number of swimmers art facilities that are available strength since the beginning. attending the gala we could to us, the club has the chance Each year the clubs’ numbers enter swimmers in every event to train in both 25 metre and are increasing more and more and thanks to this and the hard 50 metre, allowing us to cater and hope that the coming year work all year we were able to to various levels and abilities. will be no different. Not only achieve a 2nd place overall A team photo of the swimmers who attended the NUIG Invita- It can be a great way to wind does the club cater for those finish narrowly missing out tional Swim meet held in Kingfisher Swimming Pool, Galway in down and relax after a long competitive swimmers but also on first place to strong UCD November 2016 day. It can also be an effortless for people who rejoice in it for team. This 2nd place finish was way to meet new people who recreational purposes. Each an improvement on the 3rd year the club has increased place finish from the previous have a similar interest to you. the amount of pool sessions season. With the new season, The club hopes that this year available and this year will be up and coming we hope to will be the most successful no different. Thanks to the improve on this years’ finishing year yet and hopes to welcome world class facilities that the and take home the gold for new swimmers to the team. UL Sports Arena had to offer the University of Limerick. We New members are always including a 50 metre pool and hope that this will be the clubs welcome no matter what the the brand new 25 metre pool, best and biggest year since the ability is. Any queries about we can offer at least 4 sessions clubs’ existence. the club or about training can a week with this number For those swimmers who be forwarded through the club expected to increase. come from a competitive email: [email protected] Over the past year the club background, the club offers or through our Facebook page: has competed in numerous a great place to train with a ULSC(University of Limerick competitions, one of these new team thanks to the great Swim Club) UL Taekwondo – Kicking people in the head… nicely BY REBECCA ANDERSON (TREASURER), JOANNA BAUMGART (SECRETARY) What a year it was! We came, movements choreographing over the year. Let me tell you, lot of competitions then you’re Just bring yourself in we saw, we conquered and offensive and defensive there’s definitely more colour absolutely right! However, our comfortable clothes and a we looked good doing it While techniques- , self-defence, in the room now with many crowning glory was without a bottle of water down to the always competitively successful, sparring and enough cardio, people proudly sporting their doubt the Intervarsities with PESS building on a Monday this year saw our members strength and conditioning new belts. ten members travelling to (18.00) or Thursday (18.50) training to make sure you’re in Dublin (many for their first bring home regional, provincial, As always the club saw huge night and we’ll take care of the tip top shape all year round. competition!) and returning to national and international successes on the competition rest. If you’re only starting out, UL with eleven medals for the accolades. But let’s not get too And in case you were circuit in patterns, sparring, don’t be shy - beginners are far ahead of ourselves… wondering: we are not only trophy cabinets. always welcome and catered the longest running martial art Yeah… That’s great, but did you for! And for those of you already What is taekwondo anyway? club in UL but also the most do anything fun? familiar with the sport, while UL Taekwondo is a Korean competitively successful third- We’re a social club too! Taekwondo is an ITF affiliated martial art, which, translated level taekwondo club in the Competitions mean travelling club, despair not because literally, means “Art of Hand country by medal count. But together, eating together, we welcome members of all & Foot Fighting” and as such who’s keeping score anyway… J celebrating together and the organisations and federations it offers a perfect combination -we’re all friends here! And what did you say you did UL Taekwondo at the odd overnighter in some far of traditional and modern this year again? flung corner or the country. TL;DR? elements. Here you’ll find Intervarsities 2017 Well, we kicked people in the But we socialise closer to home Whether your goal is a black patterns - traditional floor head… Nicely. too. Training usually ends belt, enhancing your fitness No, really now, it’s been a jam special technique and with a half hour of chatter levels or just making some packed year full of fun. We destruction. This year our and banter. We eat pizza (and friends, UL Taekwondo is the trained twice a week (you’ll hear members competed in The Cork Hillbillys!), we go to the movies, club for you! Open, The Redking Rumble, more about that down below) and we have the odd beverage Email: ultaekwondoteam@ The Rathpeacon open, The in the Scholars. We also cross to get ourselves to our own gmail.com Facebook: https:// train with friends from other personal bests and probably Scion Open, the ITA Nationals www.facebook.com/ and Cork Open, the RITA Irish university clubs making UL Marli Serfontein (left) and laughed a little too much while UL.TaeKwonDo/ Open and Irish Cup, The IUTF Taekwondo a top-notch place Rebecca Anderson (right), we did it. Our members worked hard and many saw their Munster Championships and to meet people. both UL, share the love at the labours come to fruition in one the European Championships Okay so I’m coming. What do I (Photo Credit: Derek Flynn Intervarsities 2017 of the two gradings we held in Poland. If you think that’s a need? TKD Photos) ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 15 Get In Fresher, We’re Going UL Ultimate Frisbee – Trampolining! A Summer Of Success BY JANICE O’GORMAN, ULTGC PRO BY BRIAN O’SULLIVAN, CLUB PRO
Welcome (back) to UL SUMMER 2017 saw members fair amount of success on a everybody! Hope you’re ready of UL Ninjas represent Ireland more local level during the to jump ahead this semester on an International Stage. Four college year just gone by. by joining UL Trampoline and members of the club travelled From our beginners winning Gymnastics Club! ULTGC is set to EYUC (European Youth gold for the third year in a to have its biggest and best Ultimate Championships) that row at Open Developmental, year yet. Trampoline is a fun were held in Veenendaal in our ladies bringing home social form of exercise that the Netherlands and we are silver at Women’s Indoor IVs, allows a healthy break from our men taking the bronze study and the stress of everyday so proud of their hard work, life. Whether you’re a complete dedication and what they at Open IVs and the running beginner or have been tumbling have achieved. of the first Limerick Schools tournament organised by the before you could talk everyone Louis O’Reilly and Brian Byrne is welcome to come join our local team PELT Ultimate and were on the U20’s squad that training sessions. This is truly a UL Ninjas Schools Programme, sport you’ll fall head over heels reached the final for the first which proved to be a massive for! time in the history of Irish success. Ultimate at this tournament Trampolining is an Olympic taking home the silver medals. Being a member of UL Ninjas recognised sport and here The Irish beat the German comes with lots of benefits. at UL we compete in many You can work on your fitness in competitions throughout the National team in the Semi a supportive and comfortable year. Our members compete in Final in order to face their levels from Novice (complete Italian counterparts in what environment while learning beginners) to Elite (not complete was to be an incredible match new skills about a new sport beginners) in competitions all showcasing the skill involved that’s growing in popularity. over Ireland and Scotland. This ULTGC members proudly presenting their SSTO medals in the sport. You will be able to meet new year we travelled to Edinburgh, friends from college that you Dublin, Cork and Loughborough Greg’s Facebook or Instagram members to become GI Coaches Also in Veenendaal were will see all the time and get and came home with heaps of and get an idea for some of the and Judges. This is a fantastic Tara Burke and Eva Normoyle to know really well. You get medals and the Munster Open crazy things that are possible opportunity to take advantage who were on the Irish the opportunity to travel the Cup. After successfully hosting on a trampoline. With two of and to stay involved if U20’s Women squad, who country playing in different Mini-Varsities last year UL have trampolines, Ireland’s tallest bouncing just isn’t for you. finished in 13th place with tournaments meeting new been selected to host both the climbing wall, zorbs and archery Our club isn’t just about their teammates, who come people that you will know for Munster Open and Intervarsity all set up in the courtyard we bouncing either, we also from the four corners of the Trampoline Competitions this had a great time. But no worries life. Of course a major aspect compete in tumbling and country. semester. No need to fear, if you missed it, we are always of the club is the social events cheerleading. Yes, cheerleading. competitions aren’t super looking to throw bigger and and the house parties, and we We even won the cheerleading It’s not just the Irish U20’s competitive and are all about bigger events so expect good definitely don’t fall short on sector at ISTO last year. Even teams that the UL Ninjas have having a bit of fun and enjoying things to come from our club that. Wolfie made an appearance! infiltrated. Four more of our yourself with a bit of friendly this year. On top of this, we’re also very fine men will be heading off rivalry. These weekends are a So if you’re looking to try ULTGC is equipped with 4 passionate about giving back to the World U24 Ultimate wonderful way to engage with something new, why not give Olympic standard trampolines, and hold regular fund raisers other students from around Championships being held Ultimate Frisbee a go. You’ll a Double Mini-Trampoline, and in the courtyard. Our most the country and make some in Perth, Australia in January be guaranteed a good time our brand-new tumble track. popular being the Nearly Naked tramptastic new friends. 2018. Ian McAuliffe (Club and a great laugh. Call down So want to learn to cartwheel? Bounce which takes place every Secretary), Tadhg Bogan and to us at the recruitment drive Our 15 year anniversary was Back-flip? Aerial Round-off? year. Our brave members Shane McNamara will be huge and unforgettable we Sure, come on down! Our strip their kit off and bounce on Wednesday 6th (Week 1) had one of the World’s best qualified coaches will teach to raise funds during Charity jetting off to show what they to sign up or else you can get gymnasts, Greg Roe, attend you the basics and build up Week. Positive mental health can do as part of the team in contact with us through showing off his ridiculous skills on a one-to-one basis. All is very important to our club that is being captained by our our Facebook; UL Ninjas, skills on our trampolines our coaches are fun, friendly, and we are proud to promote very own Dylan Ryan (Club Snapchat; ulninjas, email; and spending the weekend and recognised by Gymnastics and support the charities that MVP of the year 16/17). Also ulultimatefrisbee@gmail. coaching our members. Ever Ireland. You too could even look after our friends, family featured on the team are UL com or look us up on the UL see a quadruple twisting double become a coach. Every year we and more. Life has its ups and Ninjas Alumni Gary Gilmartin Wolves C&S website. We train somersault? Well go check out send some of our enthusiastic downs… but we’ll teach you and Cornelius Sheahan. We on Mondays and Thursdays how to enjoy them. wish the lads the best of luck from 6-8 on Maguires pitches If this sounds like the club for as they face in to their final (located behind Kilmurry you be sure to see us at the few months of training. Student Village) recruitment drive, or call to one of our trainings to have a taste. UL Ninjas have also had their We hope to see you there! Training runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm – 10 pm in the P.E.S.S. See you there! Contact details: Facebook: UL Trampoline and Gymnastic Club Instagram: ultrampoline Email: ultrampolining@gmail. ULTGC members participating in the Nearly Naked Bounce in com support of Charity Week 2017 16 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS Become A Wind Warrior BY ZOE FEHILY (SECRETARY) What’s a wind warrior? your friends for a weekend but beach. Of course, there is no Good question. Join the UL you also get to try out these better way to fight a hangover Windsports and you can extreme water sports. The than to jump into the cold sea become one. The club provides first day is usually the most the following day, even wearing the opportunity for beginners challenging as you fall in and a wetsuit provided by the club and advanced students to try usually make a fool of yourself it’s still freezing. out windsurfing, sailing and kite but we’re all doing the same The second day is even better surfing. The name Windsurfing thing and it ends up being great than the first as you can is self-explanatory but this craic. There’s no need to worry stay that little bit warmer by sport involves whizzing across about falling in because you remaining on the board or in a bay in Castlegregory on a won’t be the only one, if you the boat as you learn how to board while holding a sail and don’t fall in then you probably turn around and make it back sometimes using harnesses. will be the only one. We have a to where you started on the Sailing is very similar but you’re rescue boat on the water ready Our club members attending the Intervarsities in Uisce, Bel- beach. The second evening is sitting in a boat and often have to pick you up and bring you mullet last year full of laughter and slagging somebody with you to talk you back to the sailing zone if you do which is a competition tricks too. Muscle memory will again but with a touch of through the steps if you’re not begin to drift with the wind or amongst a variety of university strike and when you go to teach congratulating and pride as that confident. Kite surfing has the currents. Usually frustration windsurfing clubs around people begin to understand the the new beginners you’ll have only recently become popular kicks in on this first day but Ireland. It’s like a weekend trip sport. As you spend the evening to try extremely hard to break and this involves flying across we’ve patient instructors to but with more people from trying to get feeling in your down what you’re actually the surface of the water using go through everything step more places. Our club is so toes again everyone begins to doing as you glide across the a massive kite to pull you along. by step again and again and much fun last year we even discuss which warm country surface of the sea. A session on land is usually again. After a long day out won the banter league at this to journey to for our winter helpful before you hit the water on the water we usually have competition! While having fun If any of our activities tickle trip and who should be part of with this sport. a meal and a session. This is you learn how to tackle water your fancy, you can search the committee to arrange this. when we all compare our best starts, planing, fast tacks and for “UL WindSports Club” on The club organises many You might even decide to be tricks or biggest fails and the carve gybes. These don’t sound Facebook to see more of what weekend and evening trips for a member of the committee members to experience these slagging and laughter kicks off. half as impressive as they look, we do or drop us an email at yourself. three sports no matter what Eventually after a long night YouTube them and you’ll see [email protected]. your level is. Not only do you of this carry on we all head to This year our club are hosting what we call wind warriors. Check out our page on the UL get to have a trip away with bed in a hostel located near the the windsurfing inter varsities, Over time you’ll master these wolves website as well!
ULAS Meets World Recruiting now! BY BORYS STAN, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER. BY DIAMOND IKEBUDU, VICE PRESIDENT. Are you in need of a new action day out and we hope to make packed, adrenaline fuelled the most of it. With many The ULAS is a budding Africans to connect but has sport? Then Airsoft looks like large-scale events happening and refreshed society that blossomed into a family. your new favourite sport!! in Ireland and abroad, there is just made its stand in the Members have described the Airsoft is an event packed team huge promise for an exciting 2016/2017 academic year. In society to be ‘a home away sport in which participants trip at the end of the academic the space of one year we have from home’ -Favour Kingsley eliminate opponents by year that will last a few days connected with other clubs and others ‘the banter fam’- shooting each other with Plastic and will be an absolute treat for and societies in Universities Ronnie. BB pellets fired from an Airsoft all our members. such as UCC, CIT, LIT, DIT In addition to the academic gun, a replica of real-life guns. This year our mission is to build It is the younger brother to AND UCD in order to connect and social aspect, we have in last year’s successes and paintball as the gameplay of and further engage in other managed to network and BICS award for the Best grow as a society. We want both sports are similar. The size Photo. Trip to Redhills airsoft. activities. connect with different to create the perfect place of the ammunition is smaller Credit goes to Nine Cards for all airsorters on campus to Activities this society has businesses such as Tounda than the paintballs, which make Photography, Facebook(@ come together and we want to engaged in ranges from both Academy where one of our the guns more accurate to hit NineCardsPhotography). provide new members with a academic to leisure. This members; Diamond Ikebudu your target at longer ranges, great insight into all that airsoft hurt less and allow you to carry that in mind, we were delighted includes the 2017 Mandela have become a tutor in their offers. a lot more ammunition into the to also be announced winners debate competition at UCC, premises. So, if any of you have a warzone! of the Board of Irish College Awareness event such as ‘Be Without any doubt, the ULAS fondness for some actions It’s great to be back after an Societies(BICS) award for the beautiful campaign’ and the has proved to be a rewarding sports, or if you’re looking for amazing first year for our best photograph! It was a famous Annual ASAI Ball. society so far as well as society. We’ve had so much fun photo of our Gameplay to show the perfect way to unwind Revamping this club and providing shared, irreplaceable bringing this exciting hobby to how thrilling Airsoft is and it after a week of college work, or society has not only created and exciting experiences UL and it has been an absolute was a great achievement to be even if you’re just looking to try a platform for young (non-) amongst its members. pleasure organizing trips and awarded this in our first year as something new, then we want social events for all the fans a society. This year we hope to you! We’re always welcoming of airsoft on campus. From step it up even more. With so new members. Come see us at the weekend trips to some many fields yet to visit across the first semester recruitment of the best airsoft sites in the the country, we are spoiled for drive or contact us if you have country, to social evenings for choice when it comes to having any queries at; our members and numerous an adrenaline filled day out. [email protected] other events and promotions, There will be weekend trips, Or we have made it our mission to members’ nights, and we also www.facebook.com/ulairsoft/ bring the airsoft community of hope to organize more events UL together. for our members. As we grow The guns LOOK real, the games We are one of the societies in as a society we hope to also FEEL real, the objectives ARE the Wolfpack having only re- make our events bigger. Airsoft real…. are YOU going to Enlist established a year ago! With has a lot to offer beyond a fun to the game of AIRSOFT? ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 17 More Addictive than Netflix BY KATE MOORE, PRESIDENT The Anime and Manga Society adopted K-pop into the fold, was formed around an and for those of you unfamiliar interest and love for Japanese with the term K-pop that would animation, comics, art and be Korean pop-music. From culture. We wanted to share bands like BTS to EXO and Black our interests and knew there Pink there is something for were many like-minded people everyone. And as many of our who would love to get together new members found utterly to discuss and enjoy for hours addictive. on end. Our desire to spend our Although the society is still time with people with similar young our first few years interests formed the society we have been extremely fun all hold dear to us today. and rewarding, running a For those among you who do whole array of events. These not know what Anime and included trips to Dublin for Manga is, Anime is Japanese Eirtakon, Ireland’s biggest Animation. It comes in a wide anime convention as well as variety of genres from romantic attending other conventions comedies of action thrillers like Kaizoku Con in Cork and and drawing styles like those hosting a variety of all night of Miyazaki, Pageratta, Kyoto extravaganzas with screenings, Animation and we can promise hangouts, pub quizzes and that we’ll be able to find a series cosplay competitions. you’ll enjoy! Whereas Manga If you have any questions about are Japanese comic books. events, trips or just want to get Often Manga are first released a feel for the people running and then an Anime would be this wonderful society you made out of the same series. can reach us at our Facebook As a society we house a number page (https://www.facebook. of different Manga for your com/ulanimesoc/), Instagram reading pleasure. (ulwolvesanime) or email us at Our society has also recently ([email protected]).
SofA, so good AstroSoc Hits Escape Velocity! BY LAURA O’CONNOR AND AISLING DUFFY BY NOEL MARKHAM, PRO.
Have you ever looked up at culture of the redefined 21st After months of planning, students eager to share their provide to meet and befriend the sky and seen images and century Bohemian Berlin. An preparation, and problem love of the cosmos. Although members of other societies. scenarios in the clouds whilst unforgettable few days (and solving, the Astronomy the event was merely an your left-brained friend nudges nights!) was had by all. Society of UL is finally up and introductory one for our All in all, Astronomy Society you in the ribs, unable to see Drawing inspiration from each running, and we can’t wait members to get to know one is looking forward to next anything more than a mass other and our excursions, we for what the next semester another, there was a positive of condensed water vapour? semester and looking host weekly workshops and Have you ever come up with holds in store. As a society vibe that evening. Event- forward to welcoming in discussions with architects, something witty to make your only created last semester goers were enthusiastic about artists, designers and historians. new members. If you have friends laugh or knocked over we encountered unexpected space and the society and This year, we are extremely an interest in the vast and a pot of paint and thought, difficulties such as weather everybody seemed to have fortunate with our line up of beautiful unknown that is ‘wow, I am the next Picasso!’? wreaking havoc on planned a good time interacting with guests so, don’t waste any time, If you answered yes to any of events and acquiring a good other members. If we can space, then AstroSoc is for secure your place on SofA now! these questions, you may have turnout to equipment ratio in recreate that positive attitude you. Be sure to pop into us at a case of creativity! The Society Perhaps sitting still isn’t your order for everybody to have again this semester, things the recruitment drive on the of Architecture, or as we like to cup of tea; you crave something an enjoyable time. However, bode well for us. 6th of September (Wednesday call it SofA, is responsible for a little more physical to float experience is the greatest bringing together like-minded your boat. SofA’s weekly soccer of Week 1) to see if AstroSoc teacher and we have learned This coming semester designers who share your tournament and monthly go- is for you. You can also get in from our mistakes and only promises to be a good one for talent for working against the karting trips provide a different AstroSoc as we have plenty of contact with us via our email bland tide of our world. Start outlet for you to mingle with improved. brilliant events planned; from ([email protected]) and snapping at our photography your mates. Or, if you’re more our Facebook page (facebook. workshops or embrace your into stilettos than studs, you One of our biggest regrets stargazing and workshops inner Gok Wan and take part in won’t want to miss our annual from last semester was the on how to use astronomical com/ulastrosoc). You can also our highly competitive annual themed ball for an exhilarating lack of events we were able equipment, to guest speakers keep up with what we’re up Halloween costume design night of dancing and socialising. to host, however there were who know their stuff to by following us on twitter competition! plenty of positives to be taken about space. We also have We look forward to meeting (@ULAstroSoc) and Instagram from tour club’s brief history. collaborations with other Our annual pursuit of the you at the recruitment drive (@ulastrosoc_). We can’t Last semester showed us that clubs and societies planned creative arts scene outside of this semester. Remember, art wait to get started on the our little green isle is always there is definitely an appetite for the coming semester. and architecture is designed new semester and to meet a favourite. Our adventures to be interacted with not just for an Astronomy Society in These collaborations promise have brought us to Amsterdam, a single person, but by many UL. In one of our successful to be not only enjoyable for our members, old and new, at Copenhagen and last year saw people. SofA welcomes you events at the start of the year the events themselves, but the first event, but until then us immersed in the unrivalled with open arms. we saw a very good turnout of for the opportunity that they shine on. 18 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS Food, Fun, Friends, Fellowship and did I mention… Food! BY NATHAN WHITING, PRESIDENT Those of us in the Christian an open and interactive space friendships. Pizza nights, the weekly ‘Free tea, coffee and a cuppa! We don’t bite! Union have our priorities in where students and staff games nights and trips to and chats!’ where members Local churches in Limerick order… we know that food is can safely discuss religion, meet up with other Christian of our society distribute are a great way for students something that is always on a spirituality, God and all Unions around Ireland are hot beverages to the wider to get involved in the wider student’s mind! So we always manner of things relating all part of the fun. Usually campus community and are city community and we have start and end our weekly to life. We as a committee once a semester we get the available to have a chat about active relationships with meetings with tea, coffee, hold to the belief that the opportunity to meet with anything on the spectrum many of the churches so we can always help students and biscuits! Tuesdays at 7 Bible is the Word of God either other CU’s in Munster of life! This event depends find a church to go to. :30pm we gather under the given to us humans so it or the whole of Ireland at heavily upon the timetables roof of an Teach Failte to hang is always at the heart of CUIAC (Christian Unions of our volunteering members out, make new friends and what we do and discuss, Ireland Annual Conference, and so we will be updating Check out our Facebook for engage in interactive Bible and everyone, regardless of pronounced “quack” or on Facebook the time and regular updates. studies, led by members from faith, is welcome to join us. phonetically ‘kwak’), which location of our stand for https://www.facebook.com/ local church communities in We don’t stop at that, as we is great CUIAC altogether! the coming semester, keep UlChristianUnion/ Limerick and further afield. also do regular socials to Another successful event we your eyes peeled for us on Or contact us by email: We aim to make our meeting bond as a society and develop run (also involving food!) is campus and stop by for a chat [email protected] The Joke’s on You! BY ERIN MURPHY, COMEDY SOCIETY TREASURER We have six candles on our then have the opportunity to Lastly, our sketch workshops birthday cake this year and perform this material at one take place on Wednesdays the comedy society has of our very popular stand-up at 7pm. These workshops gotten bigger and bolder. gigs. These are always held in involve sharing ideas and With three workshops The Scholars, which is located every week and plenty of next to Spar in the Students’ writing comedic sketches. events, gigs and quizzes Union courtyard. This can be Here, fellow members will also throughout the year, there is a great experience and just offer feedback on ideas and something for everybody in good craic. You may even scripts that are shared. Once our award-winning society. get the chance to support a a script has been written, we Our society prides itself on famous comedian! Last year, being a great place to meet we had Joe Rooney, of Father set out to cast and then film friends, discuss our favourite Ted and Killinaskully, perform the sketch, which will then comedians, and of course, at one of these gigs. These be uploaded to our YouTube have a laugh. Although the events are always free entry Channel, UL Comedy Society. idea of performing comedy and so they are enjoyed by You can also get a better idea or sharing your ideas can members and non-members be a bit daunting for some, alike. of what our stand-up and I can assure you that the improv gigs are like from this comedy society has always Improv workshops take place channel as some of them have been a place of support and on Tuesdays at 7pm. These guidance, where you can workshops involve games that been recorded and uploaded improve your confidence and can be seen in the TV shows there. your public speaking skills. Whose Line is it Anyway? There is never any pressure to and Mock the Week, plus We also have a weekly radio perform, so feel free to come a number of other games show on ULFM, which is along to our workshops and that have been created or hosted by a rotating cast of gigs as an audience member suggested by members. These society members and is a great too! Two years ago, we won workshops are so much fun, way to further practice your the C&S award for best event and offer a great escape and were nominated for best from stressful studies. We comedy skills! With all these society event at BICS and best also hold a number of improv options, there’s plenty of Intervarsity. Here’s why! shows throughout the year, ways to get involved! Comedy Our stand-up workshops which take place in different Society is well worth the €3 it venues. These shows usually will be held every Monday costs to join, so look out for at 7pm. These workshops take the format of the TV our stand at the recruitment involve playing games that shows mentioned above and help to create performance are also always free. Last year drive and don’t be afraid to material and once you have we held The Big Fat Quiz of contact us on Facebook by written a few jokes, you the Semester, in which some adding us (UL Comedysociety) of our members performed can perform them for the and also on Twitter @UL_ other members in order to while the audience members Comedy. You can also always receive some feedback and took part in a table quiz, constructive criticisms. Once competing to win some great email us at ulcomedysociety@ A full house for stand-up comedy in Scholars you feel you’re ready, you will prizes. gmail.com. ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 19 Bits & Bytes for the year ahead – A bumper year to look forward to for the Computer Society BY TREVOR MCSWEENEY P.R.O
The computer society is one of pitfalls of building your own UL’s longest running societies. computer. At nearly every Over the last few years we meet up we have free pizza have developed the society for the members, and what to include more activities students don’t like free food? like gaming and electronics The society’s top of the projects. Last year the society range virtual reality HTC Vive built a 3D printer, purchased a headset will be available at HTC Vive and hosted a game many meet ups throughout programming competition! the year for members to We have expanded into doing play with. It really is an some electronics focused experience that is impossible stuff as well as a bit more to understand until you try, social video gaming. There and once you do, you’ll want are great plans for this year to buy your own! that will really move the Despite all the new stuff society forward. Our first ever we’re doing, the computer overseas trip will be in January and server side of things is 2018, to Munich, Germany! A still an important part of the programming competition society. We are building a services. If you are a person great experience for anyone information and sign you up. is planned for first semester brand-new server for the with an interest in servers, to put on their CV. We will have the VR Headset this year that will be open society this year that will administration or just making Come see us at the set up at the running track for for anyone to enter. We’re provide a variety of services to your own website there’ll be recruitment drive! Our stand people to try out too! going to building a gaming PC members. This includes data something for you. The new will probably be somewhere step by step showing people storage, game server hosting, server will be set up and run near the helpdesk, where we the benefits and some of the email hosting and many other by members which will be will be happy to give you more
Dancing Our Way To An Exciting Year BY ANA CAMILLO, DANCE UL PR Welcome back current students dance classes and workshops outlet for the stress of studies Running from week 3 of community members who and our warmest welcome to to all students regardless of and/or work. By joining Dance this semester, weekly wish to take part in Dance the new students! We hope you previous experience. This year, UL, members avail of classes of techniques classes – including UL classes and/or Intervasity will enjoy your time at UL as one of the greatest news is many dance styles in a friendly contemporary?, jazz?, Irish teams must become a member much as we do, and have some that Dance UL will be offering atmosphere, as well as many dance and, brand new to the through the UL Wolves website of you as our dear members. special memberships not only events, thus enhancing health, timetable, ballet for fitness and beforehand. But don’t worry: to alumni but also to the whole well-being and sociability. This Gypsy dance – are sure to keep if you need help registering Since 2008 Dance UL is one community. Students, alumni is certainly a wonderful asset to members de-stressed, fit, and there will be committee of the most stimulating and the community, need an the Limerick community. having fun. To spice things up members at the classes to societies at UL, promoting a bit more, weekly workshops assist. Alternatively, you can will be facilitated by guest visit us at the Recruitment teachers. Dance UL promoted Drive on 6th September in during last semester Swing the UL Sports Arena. You can Dance, Dancehall, Hip Hop, check us out, register, and chat and Heels workshops – only to with committee members for mention a few. Some of those further info. Also, you are most workshops will happen again welcome to attend our AGM on this semester, due to popular 14th September at Dromore request, and many diverse Village Hall. Time? workshops will too. What is Stay tuned for additional news, more, for those who wish to classes timetable, auditions have more commitment – and events. Visit our website and extra excitement – Dance www.danceul.wordpress.com UL will have 2 hours weekly and follow us on Facebook, of Intervasity rehearsals for Instagram (officialdanceul) and each team. The teams will Snapchat (DanceUL)! Feel free be contemporary, jazz, Irish to drop us an email: danceul@ dance and mixed categories. gmail.com. Intervasity will take place at UCC in March? and we The Dance UL committee is will announce the dates of looking forward to having auditions, so stay tuned! both fresh and familiar bodies dancing their way to a thrilling All students, alumni and academic year! 20 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS Environmental Society – We Need You! BY NICOLE GLENNON, P.R.O
If you care about any of to get yourself a committee between our society and the following; food, water, position or just be an extra a number of bodies within animals, soil, energy, air, the hand for our campaigns, we’d UL. Due to the Universities future of humanity... there’s be happy to have you on our commitment to its green an environmental issue you team. campus, both the University care about. Climate change, itself and the Students’ Union investing in renewable energy Last year we designed (our are extremely supportive of and coming up with ideas for logo, poster campaigns), we our society. We work closely sustainable development are built (a “UL” bottle collector, with UL’s Environmental just some of the issues we water conservation piece, Committee, UL Green Campus tackle in our weekly meetings. carbon campaign), we wrote Committee and ULSU. Getting Our main focus is increasing (articles for the campus involved in this society means awareness of these issues newspaper), we composed you have a real opportunity among the student body and recorded campaign music, to enact change on your and implementing tangible, we organised a fashion show, university campus. This year positive change on UL’s we baked for a fundraiser, in particular we have plans campus. we distributed road safety to work closely with ULSU in gear and information, we ensuring the new students’ some of the things you can get sticking the middle finger up Environmental soc is barely organized group cycle trips union will be a sustainable involved with in our society, to Donald Trump) come join over a year old, with a core and so much more. and environmentally friendly with a trip abroad planned for us at 6pm every Tuesday group of members who have We also organised the building. 2018 too. UL’s Club & Societies evening. If you’d like to built the society up from the first National Forum of Awards and the Board of Irish find out more, come say hi ground. Because of this, we Environmental Societies and But as the saying goes, all Colleges and Societies Awards at the recruitment drive in are all very passionate about making contact with other work and no play makes Jack in Athlone are in our sights the UL Arena on September the society and a close-knit environmental societies a dull boy. There’s plenty of again in this year! _. You can also find us on group of people. In saying throughout the country. craic to be had in Enviro soc Facebook (UL Environmental that, we are very eager to too. Day trips, movie nights So if you’d like to have a bit of Society), Instagram welcome new members into We have also strived to open and band practice (yes you craic while doing something (environmentalsocietyul) and the fold. Whether you want the lines of communication read that correctly) are just good for the planet (and Twitter (ULEnviroSoc)!
Fan Forum Episode I: The Fandom Menace ISABELL SCHULZE, FAN FORUM SECRETARY
Are you always waiting for the The UL Werewolves have had same as other quizzes about newest cinema release? Do several fun training sessions several topics, such as Harry you love the smell of books and even a friendly game Potter, Game of Thrones, etc. and what it feels like to get lost against the Harry Potter We´re also very excited about in fantasy worlds? Or maybe Society of Mary Immaculate other reoccurring events your mouth starts watering College. While we are still this semester, for example when you think about a tasty pretty new in a game, we are laser tag. Last year, on an slice of pizza? Then Fan Forum very excited about upcoming unforgettable cloudy day, Fan is the right society for you! We Quidditch trainings and Forum members split up into at the Fan Forum society love matches with teams from two teams to fight for fame and appreciate every aspect all over the country. You can and victory. We are hoping to of pop culture. believe me if I say that there get a rematch soon, to decide While our meetings every is nothing more hilarious than for good who shall claim the Thursday for nerdy discussions a group of adults chasing each throne and who will bring and pizza are still what we are other on broomsticks. If that is dishonour onto their families. all about, we keep ourselves your cup of tea, join our team Another amazing event we busy with a broad variety and experience the magic had last year was the Karaoke of different events, like our of Quidditch in a slightly less with Out in UL. It was a great weekly trips to the cinema, glamourous way than on the night and it is so good to see table quizzes and laser tag. cinema screen. a completely different side of In addition to that, we are If not, you might be interested people when they are singing always up for a Midnight in our table quizzes where we tunes like “I will survive” or Cinema Release of movies compete against each other giving a nice performance of such as Doctor Strange, Rogue to try and find the wisest “Don´t go breaking my heart”. One, Fantastic Beasts, Logan nerd of them all. A special Fan Forum had an amazing and many others. The cinema quiz highlight last year was year and we are hoping to releases for this semester are the introduction of our own have another great one, so looking pretty fine, so we are little “Wheel of Forum”. A join us at the Recruitment expecting to have some great Fan Forum dream came true drive to find out more about events. when we met up at The Sports this year´s big events and If we´re not doing any of Bar to spin that wheel and activities! At Fan Forum you these activities, we´re running participate in a very different will not only meet people with around with broomsticks kind of game show. The similar interests and partake between our legs to strike in Wheel will make its legendary in fun events, but you will find a good old Quidditch match. reappearance this semester, friends for life. ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 21 Life’s a game, so grab a controller! SIMON MCGLYNN (TRADITIONAL GAMES OFFICER) perfect for winding down after 3, before the pool table room. growing zombie horde, by a tough day. You’ll find us in As with our Games Nights, hiding, outrunning them or the Main Building in EG010, taking part is free for all using supplied survival tools left of the Main Reception members, and you’ll be able to fend them off. Once you’re (Skislopes). You can become to register here if you haven’t caught by a zombie, you join a member here if you aren’t already done so. their ranks and hunt down any one already, allowing you to remaining survivors as they attend our Games Nights for Friday Lock-In’s are our roam throughout the campus. absolutely free. premier monthly events, This adrenaline-filled mayhem dedicated to all aspects of also rewards players for doing As the 2017/18 year begins, we to play, like Exploding Kittens Need your dose of video gaming. This is where we book certain tasks, such as taking at the Games Society are more and Cards Against Humanity, games during the week? That’s the Students’ Union building the best photo in the heat of excited than ever to provide we also provide all the fan- what our Console Games Day for 12 hours, from 8PM to the moment or being part of you with amazing gaming favourite board games, such is for, every Wednesday. With 8AM, providing members with an epic showdown. Expect it experiences throughout the as Settlers of Catan. We also our very own PS4, Wii U and the ultimate gaming area. to happen mid-semester. semester. No matter what actively encourage chess Xbox One, it’s truly a great Expect intense Commander part of the gaming spectrum players after our fusion with way to take it easy in between games of Magic the Gathering We are always welcoming your interests lie everyone is the Chess Society, and boards lectures, whether it’s some at 3AM, LAN games of all the of new members, no matter welcome to come along. You’ll will be supplied so you can casual rounds of Zombies, popular MOBA’s and party/ what your interests in gaming be able to join in for new and test your strategy against classic games like Crash co-op games and some frantic exciting games of all kinds or your friends. On top of that, Team Racing, or epic 8-player RPG’s. Our lock-ins are our may be. Our Facebook group old classics, and you’re bound it’s the perfect chance to brawls in Super Smash Bros. most popular event, and page “UL Wolves Games to make plenty of new friends meet fellow TCG players and We also have some previous- it’s the perfect way to meet Society” is the best way to in the process. Read on to find RPG enthusiasts; you can get generation consoles to enjoy, fellow gamers. find out about future events, out how you can be a part of a duel against players old and with the Nintendo 64, PS2 so be sure to check it out. We our weekly events. new in Magic or Yu-Gi-Oh and and even an NES all available One of the highlights for us hope to see you throughout do some trades, or you can to play. Interested in joining and for many members during the semester, and be sure to Our Monday Games Nights meet the Dungeon Master and in? Be sure to check out the the first semester is our come along to our AGM, it’s are a great way to start the embark on an unpredictable scene all day from 12PM to campus-wide event, Zombies. during our Monday Games week. Along with simple adventure with your friends. 6PM upstairs in the Students’ The goal is simple: survive for Night on 12th September at games which anyone can learn From 6PM until 10PM, it’s Union. You’ll find us in Room as long as possible against the 6:30PM!
Filmmaking in the Making BY AIDAN FITZPATRICK, FILMMAKING SOCIETY PRO
PROJECT planning began one intense day. For some with a lunch break to keep as soon as the idea came of us this was our first on set us refreshed. Michael our to life, the script and drafts experience and we had to most experienced member then followed. We as the quickly learn the skills needed. prepared and briefed us all. filmmaking society then began We each went through the At an early hour, we gathered to organise our members into script, practised our roles and hopefuls for a productive specific crew roles. A calling took positions for our first shoot. The set we chose to actors in the Drama society take. was an eerie bungalow was answered and we had our just off campus. One of our We were making slow actors. We shot and directed members, Aine had set up a progress. but by midday we our first short Ghost Getters rough timetable to guide us had some useable footage. As written by Sean O’Boyle in through the day. Thankfully, time ran out and jokes were made we forgot about the looming deadline of nightfall. We were falling behind Michael Boyle, Evan Mcternan and Aidan Fitzpatrick take a schedule. Then the time came break in between scenes for lunch. This break gave us a complete our task and learn With this year ahead we plan second chance which we took. the tricks of the trade. Our to keep the semesters ready We became more focused filming experience kept to be spent with us. With a and organised. The roles we all members engaged and multitude of classic cinema played became less intense involved. It was a moment of trips, film lock-ins and a view and more enjoyable as we self-pride to see us, a group of into the world of filmmaking became more comfortable novices and pros take action we should have something with the filming. and pull off a task we had set just for you. Even though at times it was out to complete since day one stressful we managed to as a society. Sinead Morrissey keeping it cool in front of the camera 22 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS Striving for equality on campus BY MEGAN THORNTON UL FEMINIST SOCIETY CO-PRESIDENT
This semester marks the start and to encourage learning and also raising money for some of the UL Feminist society’s understanding the diversity of very worthy organisations in second full year as a society UL’s very own campus. This Limerick and further afield. and it is going to be bigger and year we plan on exploring We also plan on getting more better than ever! Our society topics such as ableism, involved with the Repeal the aims to provide a safe place consent, racism etc. and 8th campaign. Interested in trying to make a positive change on campus? Follow us on Twitter @ULFemSoc or like our Facebook page and drop us a message! We are very excited to meet any new members and to make this year even better than the last! Pictured in the first picture is Nicola O’Sullivan former Secretary and Beth O’Neill former Co-President at our SoUL week event last year! The second picture is from our event last semester where we held an event for the Repeal the 8th movement on the living bridge on International Women’s Day. This picture shows Vivian Walsh our current secretary.
Need tudoring? Join the History Society! LEIGHANN MULRENNAN - HISTORY SOCIETY EVENTS OFFICER
very active, with weekly events society in 1997. Last year, we and committee meetings. Our held weekly events involving weekly events range from historical films and discussions, pizza movie nights, watching we organised two pub quizzes films based on real historical and enjoyed travelling back in events (such as Selma, Michael time to the medieval century Collins and Braveheart), pub in Bunratty Castle. We also quizzes and discussions about went fencing and learned the different historical events - art of medieval fighting, which the ancient and the new. The was very different and exciting. History Society also organises It was a very busy year for the trips to historical places such as History Society and we hope to King John’s Castle and Bunratty have another successful year Castle. Every year, the History ahead. History Society’s Pub Quiz Society takes part in Bunratty’s This coming year, medieval banquet held in the we hope to organise trips to castle. This event is a great The History Society was first Newgrange and many places opportunity to experience the founded in 1997 by students in Dublin such as The National Recruitment drive stand dining of the medieval century who shared a passion for the Archives, Dublin Castle, Trinity pizza movie nights, a film based is the society for you! The and we are always treated College Dublin and The Chester on a historical event is chosen History Society introduces you subject. As described in the to an evening of medieval 1997 article on the new History Beatty Library, where History by our members and we gather to new people who share your food, songs and facts in the Society members can enjoy the to watch this film together. interests and it is a great way Society by UL’s newspaper, authentic and breathtaking An Focal, “the University’s history that these places have The film is then discussed in to meet people who may in setting that is Bunratty Castle. terms of its historical accuracy your lectures or tutorials that first History Society is to offer. Along with historical As mentioned, trips, our weekly events and everyone is encouraged you would not have known demonstrating the fascination the History Society was re- express much enthusiasm to share their opinions and otherwise. It is always lovely to the subject holds for many established last year and it and it is always lovely to see views. This friendly banter is meet people who have a love people.” This same passion was a great success. Both the new faces that they bring. sure to help members to gain and passion for something and for history is still seen within the members and committee Our pub quizzes, held once confidence and also to learn ours is for history. the History Society today and members of the History a semester, are filled with from others while listening to If you have any especially, last year when the Society showed outstanding historical knowledge. These their ideas and opinions. questions, please feel free to History Society committee enthusiasm and passion for the quizzes create a wonderful If you are interested contact us at ulhistorysociety@ members re-lit this fire of success of the History Society, opportunity to learn new facts in the subject of history to aid gmail.com. To stay in the loop, fascination and the society was similar to the enthusiasm from team mates and peers your college studies, or you follow us on Facebook @ re-established. and passion shown by the and there is a Pub Quiz prize simply enjoy the subject as a ulhistorysoc and Twitter @ The History Society is students who first founded the for the winning team. For our hobby, then the History Society ULhistorysoc. ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 23 UL Horse Racing Society raring to go with big year in store BY MARK BOYLAN, CO-CHAIRMAN
The UL Horse Racing Society with a statue of Yeats, Ascot Gold Cup four times in succession. While in Ireland we may Olly Murphy waiting until on the gallops. Later that afternoon we new members on board, so struggle to call ourselves we arrived to exercise the Knockhouse Stud was another enjoyed a private suite at regardless of whether you’re world leaders in any sport, champion individually for our fascinating experience, where Tipperary Racecourse before an equine expert when it there’s little doubting that group. Epsom Derby/Prix de l’Arc de returning to the Stables for a comes to Cheltenham and the this country continuously As well as getting an insight Triomphe winner Workforce sociable time of things. Curragh, or a Grand National produces superstars of the into Elliott’s impressive stands - as well as serving the While last year was an novice once a year – we’d only horse racing world - both operation, there were pictures best cup of tea and biscuits outstanding success, we be delighted to have you as human and equine. galore, with some of our in Ireland, courtesy of the are by no means letting part of our society. And in the first year of the UL members keen to take selfies Kinsella family. up and aspire to bring the We regularly update society to new heights, with Horse Racing Society since with the aforementioned However, the icing on the cake our Facebook page multiple Grade One winner as a proposed trip to Ascot on restarting last September, came on our final outing of (www.facebook.com/ well as Apple’s Jade, Don Poli British Champions Day and students have had the the year; a once in a lifetime ULRacingSociety) with details opportunity to access behind and Cause Of Causes. potentially the Cheltenham trip to Coolmore Stud and of meetings and society the scenes experiences at Festival in the pipeline, as From one jumping Ballydoyle Racing, home to events and we look forward some of the leading stables, well as further trips closer to powerhouse to another, Aidan O’Brien’s unbelievable to having plenty of enjoyable stallion farms and racecourses our members then had the operation. home. experiences together over the in the world. opportunity to visit champion At the time of writing we are Our members met the mighty coming semesters! In brief, we are a network trainer Willie Mullins’ yard, Galileo, visited Coolmore’s in the process of confirming Get your heart racing! of students on campus with meeting the phenomenal private museum and travelled further outings that we can’t a shared passion for horse Douvan, Annie Power, around the gallops which mention just yet, but rest For more details, we racing; enjoying special Yorkhill, Un De Sceaux and have developed some of the assured that plenty of exciting can be contacted at tours of trainers’ stables, to the much talked about Melon greatest equine talent to ever days lie ahead over the ulhorseracingsoc@gmail. attending Ireland’s premier long before his hurdles debut. grace the racecourse - an coming year. com or give me a call on 087 racecourses - enjoying the Students were treated to an unforgettable time. We are always keen to invite 6266820. social element of the sport outstanding tour from Patrick in equal measure. We aim to Mullins, watching Cheltenham create a community for those champions exercise, before with an interest in racing in our members donned the UL whilst encouraging and silks of some of the sport’s educating those who are new stars such as Hurricane Fly, to the sport. Faugheen and Nichols Canyon With the bit between our We visited Fairyhouse teeth and backed by Horse Racecourse, watching Racing Ireland, our group leading juvenile hurdler - and grew from five members after unofficial ambassador for the a period of inactivity last year society - Landofhopeandglory to almost 50 by the end of make a succesful hurdles the last semester, marking a debut as well as a trip to hugely successful period for Gowran Park for the Thyestes the equine enthusiasts’ group. Chase. We visited Gordon Elliott’s Owning Hill beckoned in burgeoning stables, being January, home to Joseph treated to seeing Cheltenham O’Brien’s exciting stables Gold Cup hero Don Cossack, where we spent time with the with then assistant trainer Galway Hurdle-winning team 24 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS WE ARE GONE TO THE DOGS! We shoot stuff Own a racing greyhound and volunteer BY PATRICK LU with retired ones - Something for everyone with ULGRS.
BY JULIANNE O’KEEFFE CO- CHAIRPERSON University of Limerick extra winners prize with the are handled and actively Greyhound Racing Society jacket and race trophy, plus socialised so they become consists of a group of students Burridge Trophies surprised used to people. All they need from the University of Limerick us with a glass piece for the are short walks and access who all share a common society to take back to U.L. to a small garden because interest in greyhounds. We as a momento of our official ‘they are designed to expand are one of U.L.’s newest launch. Following our launch, their energy in short, sharp societies and the first of its we were kindly offered shares bursts. A racing greyhound’s kind in Ireland. Our society in two greyhounds ‘Mohane diet is very similar to a human was set up with the aim of Odie’ and ‘Rastaboombasta’. athlete, once retired dry promoting and developing Amazingly we have been complete dog food is enough. Want to shoot stuff? You’re studio backdrops and lights so the greyhound industry with incredibly lucky with our two Greyhounds have a smooth, in the right place. How about you can learn exactly how the specification on the youth. greyhounds so far having won low shedding coat and are trips all over Ireland? Imagine pros shoot. We also work with the Irish 8 races betweeen them and proven to be less of a risk to shooting wildlife in Kerry, or Retired Greyhound Trust and winning us some significant birds in Donegal. How about No experience? Not a those with allergies such as other such organisations as prizemoney ! We are also scenic waterfalls, cliffs, or problem! We’ll train you from asthma. We are excited and animal welfare is one of our proud to announce that beaches. Maybe sports is the very basics all the way more your style. There’s a up. We have workshops and huge variety of sports that talks every week, including takes place on campus, all of classes from some of the which are available to shoot. best shooters in the country. Take your pic, from Football If you’ve got your own to Karting we shoot it all. How equipment, we’ll teach you about backstage access to how to use it. You can even the hottest gigs on campus, start learning the basics with and maybe even a chance to just your phone. Of course, meet and shoot some of the there’s no better way to learn world class acts we invite for than by doing it yourself, Freshers’ and Charity Week. which is why we organise a If you answered yes to any variety of trips away every of the above then we’re the semester, and send people to Society for you! events almost every week.
Don’t have your own gear? So what are you waiting for? No problem. We keep a Join the UL Photographic modern and up to date stock Society today, and get of some of the newest and shooting. Find us on Facebook best equipment for all your at UL PhotoSoc, drop us shooting needs. Professional a line at photoul@gmail. grade Canons, a wide com, or come meet us at selection of lenses, GoPros, the recruitment drive. Also and more. If you’d prefer check out our friends at UL shooting in a studio, we’ve Airsoft Society for even more looking forward to organising top priorities and to show we now have our very own got a full suite of professional shooting of a different kind. the retired greyhound stroll the public what special lives greyhound who will run in around limerick on Sunday greyhounds have during and the name of UL GREYHOUND August 19th. We want to after their racing career. Our SOCIETY. The dog is currently introduce greyhounds to a journey began on the 21st of unnamed but we will be February this year when we running a naming competition new and wider audience so were accepted as an official to name her with a cash prize whether you are a regular society here in U.L. We gladly so watch this space ! We are race goer or if you wouldn’t accepted an invitation from very proud to be involved know a greyhounds head from the Kingdom Greyhound with a fantastic organisation its arse we’d be delighted to Stadium to have our official the Irish Retired Greyhound have you join our wonderful launch night in conjuction Trust. This organisation society. Our facebook page with the Gallivan Murphy helps greyhounds find (University of Limerick Hooper Dolan Juvenile Classic wonderful and loving homes Greyhound Racing Society) is final night, one of the biggest following their racing career. regularly updated with details events of the Greyhound Greyhounds make a perfect of upcoming events, meetings, racing calendar. Oceanfeed pet, they are very friendly activities such as kennel visits, Greyhound Plus gave us a tub and sociable as from the results, fundraising, deals and of their organic dog food as an moment they are born they finally.... competitions. ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 25 We shoot stuff 10 reasons why you should join the UL BY PATRICK LU International Society BY AMELIA ACHMETSINA, INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY PRO fashion degree on the side 9. Open Opportunities- and probably done really Get involved We are an well. open-minded society and 6. Learning and always welcome everyone Understanding different with new ideas. We are cultures- You get to learn flexible to collaborate with about varied cultures any societies for activities and showcase your own. and you can get involved We have events such as in the society by becoming language evenings where a member as we have you can learn a new plenty of positions to be language or our Food fair filled such as Vice Events, in which you taste food Trips and Pro, amongst from all over the world others. It counts towards and can participate and the PVA and you can have cook your own for others. fun too. 7. Friendship- Being a 10. Have fun – Your time at member automatically University doesn’t have gives you a feeling to be all work and no play, of closeness to other joining a society could members, you share be your way of having something that other fun during the day and people are not a part of. alleviate stress. You could spend your Excitement, nervousness and and visit places such as food, new people and semester or the next 3/4 There you have it—my top 10 the rush to do everything at Galway, Cliffs of Moher, music what more could years at University getting reasons why I think you should once are all the feelings felt Kerry, Dublin, Wicklow you ask for? to know these people join the International Society. when starting University. The and Cork amongst others, 5. TGIF (Thank God It’s and maybe even after You never know what you International Society is the as our trips are offered at Friday)- Our themed party University. might find, and you never know largest and most active society great prices and you can night in the Stables is not 8. Develop skills, network what fun opportunities may lie in UL with members from all enjoy karaoke’s on the bus to be missed. Filled with and become more ahead just from putting your over the world. With a large and midway dances. Last great music from Dj Ber employable- Did you name on a sign-up. contingent of Study Abroad and semester our weekend and a great atmosphere know that by joining a Make sure you register on the Erasmus students, our society trip to Galway, Arran to meet new people in club or society it can UL Wolves site to partake in our aims to integrate students Islands and Kylemore and have a dance. You show employers that you excellent society. into campus life through Abbey was undoubtedly can gain ultimate sewing have team working skills? various social events, trips and one of the best ones yet, and creative skills each University may only be for Follow us for updates! activities. Every Friday night is that featured a pub crawl week by participating in a short number of years Facebook: UL International Party Night (best throughout Galway city our themed nights such a but what you do here can I n t e r n a ti o n a l S o c i e t y night of the week!). and showcased beautiful Galaxy Party, Onesie night, positively affect you in the T w i tt e r : @ U L i n t S o c i e t y So, whether you are a first- scenery. Halloween, Oktoberfest future. By getting involved S n a p c h a t : u l i n t s o c i e t y year embarking on your new 3. Regular Events and many more and be in in events, fundraising or Instagram: adventure, a returning student and Activities-The a chance to win spot prizes putting yourself forward u l i n t e r n a t o n a l s o c i e t y or an Erasmus student who International Society for the best costume. By to become a committee Pictures feature Holi Fest on wants to travel around Ireland has engaging and fun the end of your studies or member can add valuable Campus, Giants Causeway in or participate in great events, weekly events whether semester you will realize skills which will build your Belfast and the Eask Tower in then the International Society it’s a language evening you could have done a CV. Dingle. might be just for you and here for people to learn new are the 10 reasons why. languages, a movie night, 1. Socialising- The Holi Fest, or you can International Society polish your shoes and take welcomes everyone out the dresses for our to join, no matter if International Ball which you’re international or will be a memorable night a homebased student. with the members dressed It’s a great way to meet to impress, excellent new people and expand f o o d , m u s i c a n d c o m p a n y . your social group. We 4.International Week- This are the largest society in week-long event happens UL and therefore you are in week 3 of Semester 2 bound to hit it off with a and promises to be fun couple people, especially and filled with different if you have like-minded or events and activities, s i m i l a r i n t e r e s t s . such as Tales and Treats, 2. Trips – You can travel Irish Culture night among throughout Ireland with many others whilst being a fun group of people accompanied with free 26 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS Out and Proud to be the Best Society in UL BY ORLA MCDERMOTT, PRO OF OUT IN UL.
UL’s best society is back and Without a doubt, our biggest wide variety of queer topics, community, and creating know new people and just the queer wolves are excited achievement last year was with the aims of educating solidarity between the LGBTQ have fun, because at the end to recruit new cubs, so come being nominated for multiple each other and sharing community and the wider of the day, that’s what our and join the family! Last C&S awards, and being ideas and opinions. Last community. Our excellent society is all about! awarded the title of Best semester we had meetings HSO is always on hand to help year was an incredible year If you’d like to find out more for our society, with new Society in UL. This was a on everything from Labels, to members who are struggling about our society, check out and enthusiastic members, huge honour for our society Body Image. The meetings with their mental or physical collaborations with other as it recognised the hard are always interesting and health by providing advice our website, outinul.ie, where brilliant societies including work we put in to running a you’ll always leave knowing or and information. We also you can read blog posts about UL Drama Society and Fan great society and providing a understanding something you provide free condoms and our previous events, and get Forum, and of course many safe space for the LGBTQA+ may not have ever considered dental dams to promote safe a preview of your wonderful wonderful events which students of UL. It also before. As well as our weekly sex, both among our members committee. You can also included our Orlando Pulse recognised the impact that our members meetings, we also and in the wider community. follow us on social media, our Remembrance for SOUL Fest, society has on the university have Queer Hangouts once a If someone’s uncomfortable handle on all platforms is @ as we campaigned for more week in the Student’s Union, with coming to meetings, the best attended Alternative outinul. If you want to get Miss UL to date, and the gender neutral bathrooms, where you can come and get we provide a befrienders in touch you can email us at biggest night of the year for and spread queer inclusive to know other members in a service where you can meet our society, Queerbash 14 awareness about sexual and relaxed environment, with a committee member and [email protected]. But do – Fairytale and Fiction. The mental health on campus. music, occasional games, and have a chat with them. Our you know the best way to find last year was a busy one, Being awarded best society guaranteed banter. As well weekly meetings and regular out what Out in UL is really with something happening meant a lot to us and we plan as our weekly meetings, we events give our members the about? Join the queer wolves almost every week, so there to live up to our reputation in also have our annual Rainbow opportunity to make friends and have the best semester was always something to look the coming year. Week coming up in the first and gain a strong support with the best people (it’s forward to. It ended on a high Our weekly members meetings semester, and you won’t want network on campus too. Our official, we have an award, with many of our members will be commencing in week to miss that! A week full of events and collaborations remember?). To join, simply joining us for our annual trip 2, where we look forward workshops, events on campus with other societies showcase come to our stand at the to Dublin Pride. We also had to getting to know all of our and of course our big night the LGBTQ community and the opportunity to work with wonderful new members, and out! create solidarity between us recruitment drive at the start great organisations outside catching up with the old ones As a society, our main aims and our allies on campus, but of the semester, or just come of UL, such as GOSHH and we haven’t seen in a while. are support, education, most importantly, they’re a to a meeting! I hope to see Shoutout. Our weekly meetings cover a showcasing the LGBTQ great opportunity to get to you there! ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS 27 Race through the year with UL Racing & Motorsport! BY KATLYN DALY
Let’s kick this off by giving those thrilling Go Karting nights with our fun and beloved Sim Racing of you who are coming back an emphasis on fun that will event held in the courtyard with after the summer months and include internal championship many more events to follow to those of you who are joining events and casual karting from it, so keep your eyes peeled! the wolf pack for the very first drift to endurance plus some We also have some new and time, a big warm welcome to UL exciting trips, we promise to cool merchandise that will be from everyone here in ULRM. have your inner adrenaline available this year including If you have a need for speed junkie taken care of. We won’t t-shirts and hoodies to let and a love for all things racing forget to mention your chance everyone know you’re one of and motor sport than keep to compete in the up and on reading as you are going coming intervarsity’s where us. So, make sure to come find to want to join UL’s fastest ULRM will get the chance to us at the recruitment drive to society. We kick off this new race against other karting teams say hello to us lovely ULRM folk academic year with our new from other universities around where we will have goodie bags president Darragh Lynch who Ireland letting us bring out our in hand and don’t forget to like Driver Theo Freaney racing for ULRM in last year’s has many new and exciting competitive side. SoUL week and join our Facebook page at intervarsities things planned for ULRM. From will bring with it the return of UK Racing & Motorsport. Sinn Féin UL – Politics with Join YFG Today! Rebel Songs and Craic BY MICHAEL MCKENNA UL YFG SECRETARY BY RYAN JENNINGS (CATHAOIRLEACH)
us. We went on marches and protests, we joined commemorations, drove away to exciting trips and even celebrated a successful referendum result! In the second semester of last year a referendum was held on campus, it was whether the University of Limerick Student’s Union should support a United A voice for young people, a country. Of course this comes Ireland. We lead a successful vehicle for positive change, along with nights out, game campaign that passed with sharing thoughts and ideas, nights, table quizzes, dail trips, 77% of voters supporting it! nights out, pizza, game an annual trip to the European We worked hard and canvassed nights and foreign trips, if parliament in Brussels and tirelessly for the referendum any of these things sound of course meeting new that ULSU choose to support good to you then Young Fine people and having the craic. and the hardwork paid off. Gael is your ideal society. As The annual national YFG In January we traveled up part of the largest party in convention is the highlight of North, to Derry, for the Sinn Ireland and the largest youth the year, blending both the Féin Republican Youth National political society on campus political and social sides of Congress where we got to meet YFG gives young people from YFG in a weekend of debates, other Sinn Féin societies from all across the country from all hustings, guest speakers around the country. In Derry backgrounds a chance to have and banter. So if any of this we participated in various their voice heard on a national sounds appealing to you then workshop, listened to talks from platform . As part of a wider get involved. If you want to speakers including Gerry Adams national organisation UL YFG find out more than contact and Michelle O’Neill, and of gives young an opportunity us via Facebook, twitter or by course had a couple pints while to present their ideas email at ulyoungfinegael@ watching the fantastic band We would like to welcome speakers and having socialist nationwide and to meet other gmail.com Spirit of Freedom perform. everyone back to UL for another and republican movie nights for young people from across the year that will hopefully be every all to enjoy. Naturally I think our back-up bit as much craic as the last, Sinn Féin UL are pleased to vocals weren’t quite as good. maybe even more craic. come back for the second We picked two charities to If you’re unhappy with the year as a full society. Even raise money for this year: Pieta €1000, which meant we could have to sleep rough every night current political climate or if though the society has only House, who deal with suicide contribute over €500 to each in Limerick. you’re interested in getting been here for a short time, we and mental health issues, charity. We raised the most We will be at the recruitment more politically active then have participated in numerous and the Mid-West Simon portion of that money from our drive so don’t be afraid to pop this is the society for you! events and trips throughout the Community, Simon helps tackle sleep out for homelessness. We over and have a chat. Early in the semester we’ll be year and we hope this year will homeless which has been slept in the Student’s Union You can also find us on fundraising for charity, holding be are most active yet! steadily on the rise every year. courtyard and lit candles for facebook at www.facebook. talks by politicians and guest Last year was a big year for We managed to raise over the hundreds of people who com/SinnFeinUL/ 28 ULSU CLUBS & SOCS NEWS Stepping Back into the Spotlight BY CATHAL MOORE – PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
Places people! It’s time for level you are comfortable submitted by other writers parked throughout the campus Adare, Co. Limerick. We the show to begin again! The with, and our committee is to make them more stage- – bagged to society a third! Our also plan to have our annual UL Drama Society returns this eager to encourage all who worthy. This semester, our second semester performance Halloween Lock-In in the semester with a wide range attend to find their place in the Writer’s Group will be focusing took us through the 20th Student’s Union. Previous years of workshops, shows, trips, society and the acting world. on putting together scripts for Century as we told the story saw sweets, music, games, and events for those willing to Be it to perform in one of our a Horror Tour planned to take of Limerick in Pigtown. This and a LOT of Mario Kart. Last thread the boards. After a stellar productions, build confidence, place around campus. year we’ll be hosting our usual year saw us attempt “24-Hour year consisting of three shows, or simply blow off steam, stop This year we will also be going production, along with shorter Theatre” in which members an annual London trip, quizzes, into our workshops each week on our annual London Trip performances at different times wrote and performed short karaoke nights, and three Board and see what’s going on! to see the sights of the town throughout the year. Auditions plays. This year we’re looking of Irish Colleges awards, we’re For those more inclined to along with shows in the West for the main production will be to re-enact scenes from the looking to keep the ball rolling get involved backstage, we End for four days. Typically, early in the semester, so keep infamous disaster-piece known this year with a new line-up for also hold technical workshops the itinerary changes from year an eye out! as The Room in celebration all our newcomers. biweekly in the Jonathan Swift to year, so as we get closer to We also have a range of of The Disaster Artist being Our weekly events consist of theatre at 7pm on Tuesdays. the date we’ll check demand usual events planned for this released later in the year. three different workshops These workshops cover topics for different locations and semester. This year we are If you would like to be involved covering a range of theatrical such as lighting, set-design, make sure the trip is enjoyable looking to put together a in the UL Drama Society, topics. We have acting set-building, prop-design, (and affordable!) for all those team of brave warriors to take look out for our stand at the workshops every Wednesday and sound-design. Technical interested. Unfortunately, on Adare to Survive in aid of September Recruitment Drive. at 7pm in the Jonathan Swift workshops are generally run numbers will be restricted to 20 Limerick Marine Search and You can also contact us at theatre, covering everything by experienced members, or members, so get your name in Rescue. Adare to Survive is a [email protected] and follow from the basics of theatre, external guests who have a early if you want to guarantee 7.5km military-style obstacle us on Facebook and Snapchat to character development, range of knowledge on the your spot! course hosted annually in at uldramasoc. emotional expression, script subject, so there’s something Every semester the society reading, monologues, and new to be learned! performs a production in the stage fighting. Our workshops Lastly, there is our Writers Jonathan Swift theatre. Last are run by both students and Group for those looking to pen year saw our first-semester special guests, but either way their own scripts! Our Writer’s performance of STIGMA - an no experience in theatre is Group meets in the Student’s award-winning mental health required to partake and have Union every Tuesday at 8pm. showcase – won the society some fun! Workshops look to Typically, the Writer’s Group two BICS awards, and CARZ – an develop your natural ability discusses the scripts written unconventional performance to perform on-stage to the by members, and edits scripts taking place in several vehicles
ULFM: Radio by Students, For Students BY DECLAN MILLS, PODCASTS MANAGER
It has been a busy few months story would end. However, this around Ireland. for you! With our training looking at expanding our talent for ULFM since the publication year we decided to continue system and our habit of pairing development with special of the last C&S Newsletter. with limited broadcasting over If you are a media or journalism inexperienced presenters with once-off showcase broadcasts Our spring semester reached a the summer, airing live one day student, ULFM is the perfect more experienced producers, where new recruits can try triumphant end with us being a week with a variety of music society for you. We have the we are a platform for hobbyists out hosting their own show shortlisted for Best New/ and talk programmes and even only live broadcasting studio and enthusiasts galore, with experienced supervisors Improved Society in the C&S managing to get a few special on campus, put our presenters broadcasting programmes in the room, something we Awards, our current affairs guests. We also began laying and producers in for national hosted by music fans, GAA have tested and found to be programme ‘Crossing the Line’ the groundwork for recording awards, encourage rigorous players, and members of various successful this summer. We also being shortlisted for an Oxygen. podcasts and putting together standards of journalistic clubs and societies including run a range of fun social events, ie Student Media Award, a a slate of titles that we will be integrity in our members, Fan Forum and Out In UL. games nights and fundraisers successful AGM that brought releasing across the course of provide technical training for our Interested in getting involved so be sure to check that side of lots of new blood to the the coming year. As well as all members, and help everyone but not ready to start hosting things out for chances to meet committee, our annual internal of this, we made a number of network with journalists and your own show? We always new people all year! awards, and an emotional technical improvements to our journalism students around the have room for newsreaders wrap-up episode where we broadcasting studio (with more country. If you’re not studying and roaming reporters. That is, Look us up on www.ulfm.ie, ended the semester by saying to come!) and started planning journalism, but fancy going in fact, how the author of this facebook.com/ULFMradio, goodbye to some old hands. an intervarsity event with on the radio to talk about very piece first got involved in @UL_FM on Twitter and student radio stations from something you’re passionate ULFM! On top of this, we are Ulfmradio on Snapchat! Normally, that’s where the about, we are also perfect
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH 2017 4PM-7.30PM