Technological University Dublin ARROW@TU Dublin
DIT Student Union Dublin Institute of Technology
2007-12
DIT News, 1st.-31st. of December, 2007
DIT:Students Union
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License CLUBS& OCS FASHION SPO T We round up the bes All the best dresses fo DIT Sailing continue ofthis month's clubs your Christmas pa winning stre & socs actio P GES 10 -12 PAGES 15-1
Bolon ee Worrying* new trend on campus as thefts increase
he pr·ce* ofa c 0 ea We compare prices across DIT and ask are you being ripped off?
BIGM I WATCHINGYOU: DIT students win courtbattle against ethical landladies By Rebecca McAdam en tudents were awarded a total Sharon Hughes, who is now Student ered during a search by solicitor Fer wiring in the property. The judge said of €1l5,OOO after the Circuit Support Advisor in DIT Mountjoy gus Gallagher and Garda Alan Sher the evidence left him with "no other ra T court found they had been kept Square, said "It started as a bit of a lock. "When the guards inspected the tional explanation", only the "in under electronic surveillance by their joke, like she must have eyes on the house, they found holes filled with tis escapable conclusion that both landladies. Two DIT students were back of her head and that kind of sue and painted over, as if something defendants set out to obstruct and nul among those involved, with others thing." However as talks progressed it had been there," said Andy Doyle, SU lify the order of[the] court". from OCU and St. Patrick's College. was clear that "something more sinister President. In his ruling, the judge also stated The problem began in 2004 when was going on". Fonner tenant Patricia Hegarty, who that, "It was only through the good OIT students renting accommodation Following an agreement with the stu was a student ofSt. Patrick's, brought a work ofSharon Hughes, that the plain at 46 Mobhi Road, Glasnevin, received dents, Sharon went to the house to case against the McKenna's in Decem tiffs were able to be transported away a letter of complaint from their land check it out for herself. She discovered ber of 2004, which was settled out of and put up in various types of emer ladies; Rita and Edel McKenna. that "the fake greenery which was cov court. The ten other students involved gency accommodation." In the letter the mother and daughter ering a camera outside was also in cer subsequently sued the landladies for He also confmned that the students 'duo' raised the issue ofa broken wa h tain areas inside the house", alongside infringing on their privacy rights. were wrongfully evicted because they ing-machine. The students insisted that ome dubious-looking wires. On November 13th 2007, Judge Ger were tenants and not lodgers, as the they were not to blame for the damage The search was cut short with the in ard Griffm stated that the evidence left landladies had previously claimed. and decided to seek advice from the terruption of Mrs. McKenna just as him "in no doubt whatsoever that the The students were awarded damages former Vice President of DIT Student Sharon stood on a stool to further in defendants had kept the plaintiffs under varying from €7,5oo to €12,500 each. Union (SU), Sharon Hughes. vestigate. electronic surveillance". Students experiencing similar diffi Sharon was familiar with the The students were then unceremoni Judge Griffm also expressed concern c~ties or indeed any problems with McKenna's from concerns voiced in ously evicted and given less than four that the yellow wires found in the their accommodation are advised to the past and suggested they go to the hours' notice to leave the house. Un house were of the international stan contact their Student Union immedi Small Claims Court. The students sure as to where they would go, they dard used for video recording. How ately. could not undentand b the land- bad to pack their personal belongings ever, he was unsure as to whether the "We have a solicitor and the first trip . what was goinS on inside into bin-bags and boxes. Fortunately, surveillance was audio or video. is free. We also have advisors who are their rooms, and decided to discuss the the Students Union sourced emergency The court found that the women had very knowledgeable about law. It is issue further with other students from accommodation for them for the night. acted against a solicitor's injunction less formal than speaking to the Gar the property. Suspicious wiring was later discov- preventing them from touching any dai," said Andy Doyle. PLUS: AS GAEILGE - MISE AGUS SANTY *: Leathana~h- 2 News 2007 NEWS
***Happy C...... i ...... -as from DIT News! *** Letter to the Editor Dear Madam, land are privately operated. A elcome to the Christmas edi I am responding to Sascha real solutton would be to create tion ofthe DIT News. Right O'Toole's article "Dublin Bus a Transport Authority for now, thousands of students what a nightmare" published in Dublin and other Irish cities W the last edition of the DIT which would create the bus are relying on DIT libraries to study News. routes, set the prices for these for exams and restrictive opening Ms O'Toole seems very routes and lease the routes out hours seem to be a big issue for many. angry that on a regular occur to private operators. Important rence, her bus doesn't show up loss making routes could be The Student's Union is circulating a in accordance with its route subsidised. petition to present to DIT directors in timetable and she was given no This system would introduce order to expand opening hours during good reasons by Dublin Bus as real competition and proper to why this occurs. The answer regulation to the industry. Pri the exam period. If enough people to both these issues is that as vate bus companies would have complain about the shortfall in library there are no shareholders, state to answer to the Transport Au facilities, something might be done to owned Dublin Bus is account thority, who would set targets improve the situation in time for the able to nobody. for the private companies and I'd like to point out the carry out audits of the routes. start of exams. Ask your class rep for naivety of Ms. O'Toole when This means that buses would details. she claims that rival companies come according to their are around, so Dublin Bus will timetable or else the company In this issue we've got lots to keep you entertained through the dreaded exam sea have to "clean up its act." The operating the route would lose fact ofthe matter is that Dublin their license, as well as profits son. Don't miss our guide to Christmas party fashion on pages 15 - 17, where we've Bus operates a monopoly of and they would probably go out picked out the best ofOasis & Topshop's glam dresses and accessories. With 10 per bus services in Dublin and ofbusiness as a result. cent offin both shops for students, there's nothing to stop you finding the perfect there is very little competition. This system works in Eng Christmas party outfit. Rival companies will not come land and other countries which We debate whether it's better to be single or attached over the festive season on along and create a route where embrace Liberal economics, so Dublin Bus already operates. it can work in Ireland too. Un page 14, plus we've got the usual music and movie reviews, as well as an investi There is virtually no regula fortunately for us, the main gation in to gig promoters and their treatment ofunsigned bands on page 20. tion of the services which stream political parties in Clubs & societies have been especially busy with plenty ofnights out and events. Dublin Bus operates. The only Ireland are too populist, con We round them up on pages 10 - 12, with all the best ofyour pictures on page 11. form of regulation is regards servative and cowardly to take Finally, ifyou're looking for some festive fun to take you away from the books, ticket prices, of which any in on the vested interests who are crease in price must be ap content with the status quo. check out www. Ify unelf. m! proved by Government. And So you better get used to the I also wish to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who contributed to because our bus fares are so bus nightmares, because they low, Dublin Bus has very little won't go away until there is this issue. funding to operate a decent Progressive Democrats Minis Happy Christmas service, even if the company ter for Transport. The PD's was competent enough to do have proven over and over to so. To put it quite frankly, you be the party with the courage Katie Teehan get what you pay for. and Vision to deliver real Meet the team... Itdoesn't have to be like this. change for Ireland. It takes a The real solution would be to true Liberal to deliver Liberal Editor open up Dublin Bus routes to values. competition and this will only Regards, be achieved through privatisa KevinByrne tion. Dublin Bus should be pri ews Editors: DIT Chairperson Sascha Morrissey & Marese Deely vatised in a similar way to [email protected] which city bus services in Eng- Young Progressive Democrats ntertainment Editor: Laura Garve~ [email protected] uhs & Socs Editors: Aoife McGlacken-Ryan & Julie Kavanagh a 's hot: [email protected] ~al Reports Editor: • Festive sandwiches from O'Briens: like Christmas dinner left Orna Cunnmg!wn overs without the Christmas dinner [email protected] • Drama Soc's one act festival this week - four nights oftop notch eatures Editors: A1J~~S Rachel Ryan & Aisling O'Sullivan drama in black box theatre [email protected] • The new· tights on Grafton Street - blingtastic! ports Editor: -Fiobarr O'Sullivan [email protected] , boto Editor: William Walsh [email protected] Production: Katie Teehan Winter. Cold AND dark AND wet? Pass the Valium People who take theliftup onestory-lazymuch?! IAdverttisiIur;: Foresight mmunications Dublin Bus - a wet Novemberisthe perfect time to go on strike Sarah Renny - 014967270 sarah@oxy en.ie
Tt is the policy of the DIT ell'S to correct any inaccuracies as soon as they e occur. Any corrections or clarifications will be printed in the next edition of the newspaper. Ifyou have any ideas or suggestions, let us know! It is also the policy ofthe D1T ews to offer the right ofreply to any person who Email: nocgmail.com feels aggrieved by comment oropinion contained within. Please fOlWard any such comments in writing to the EdItor. Bebo: http://.bebo.com/Ne'NsS 01 402 7 9 2 NEWS DECEMBER 2007 News 3
Studentpockets sufferfrom more price hikes at the popular coffee dock By Rachel Ryan t's 1.5 degrees outside, the wind is Aungier Street's popular Java City, are un blowing, you have five assignments has dramatically raised their prices happy, I due for next week and you are over the summer. Returning to college and we are trying are best. Our orders slightly hung-over. It's an average in September, students found the price come from head office, it's out our Thursday morning for a DIT student. of tea had risen from €O.90 to €1.30 hands, and we're very busy at the mo and where do we turn for a small bit of since May. ment". comfort? To the numerous canteens This is a €0.40 increase, on a bever While prices vary from campus to and coffee houses which are spread age which is supposed to be sub campus, the average price of a cup of across DIT's many campuses for a hot sidised. Herbal tea, which consists ofa tea or coffee is €O.90. While this is the drink, to 'warm the cockles of our teabag and boiling water, costs an as price the students pay, it has been hearts'. tounding €1.50. To a successful inter brought to our attention that in certain Breaks in class, between lectures, national company forty cent is nothing, campuses, such as Cathal Brugha €1.30, the canteen at €O.90 or the Stu Street, members of staff get their bev lunchtime, before lectures, after lec for students it eats into their already dent Union's shop at €O.95; quality stretched budget. erages free ofcharge. tures, all are good opportunities to grab wise, there is little difference between a cup oftea or coffee. Holding a paper "I used to buy tea in Java quite a lot Considering that the average tea bag the three. cup full ofcaffeine is an essential part last year, but it's just too expensive this costs just €O.03, on-campus cafe's Many opt for the home made ver of being a student and the institutions year. 1usually bring in my own tea bag, seem to be making a large profit at the sion: bring in a tea bag and buy boiling which provide these beverages are I mean it's a college not an office expense ofthe students. water at college. However, the price of therefore also central to student life. block, they should not charge such So, when next thinking of purchas the boiling water itself varies from The prices ofthese beverages, how high prices," Sarah, a 2nd year busi ing a cup of tea or coffee, be sure to €O.20 to €O.35. ever, vary from campus to campus, ness student said. shop around. In Aungier Street alone I would suggest bringing in a flask, with some seeing greater price rises A spokesperson for Java told DIT there are four differently priced cups of but I think that's going a little too far. than others. news that: "We are aware that students tea to choose from. There's Java at 4 News DECEMBER 2007 NEWS , e " al
ByJulie Kavanagh , ,You bested them in the Leaving aroused from the DIT paintball team Cert, now do it in paintball" was was revenge. When it came down to the Trinity College slogan for it the DIT team had no bad blood their paintball match against DIT about the poster, and laughed it offby which went ahead on the Sunday the trouncing Trinity with a whopping 5 11 th ofNovember. out of6 matches. Well perhaps if the Trinity team The venue was Barrage Paintball, had taken a time-out from all their Ashbourne, Co. Meath. Itwas a good study to do some occasional exercise, day for the team despite it being rain they would have actually won the ing and being windy on arrival. DIT vs. Trinity Paintball match. Trin Everyone seemed to have a good day, ity may be the 51 st best college in the but especially those who were there world according to a recent survey, from DIT. but they will always be second best Brains are obviously important to at Paintball to DIT. the average Trinity student, but The Trinity poster that claimed they would 'best' DIT Paintball Humorous? Maybe. Insulting? Pos clearly it isn't everything. Photo: Julie Kavanagh sibly. But what emotion it certainly SUbidfor longer library hours By Katie Teehan
he Student's Union is calling for extended library opening Thours to facilitate students dur Left: ing the stressful exam time around The successful audi tionees at the model Christmas. casting for the 2008 According to SU President, Andy DIT Fashion Show Doyle, many students have been emailing DIT President Professor Right: Brian Norton about the issue. All Sean Gilsenan, SU Vice President struts have been issued a standard reply, his stuff at the model from the head of library services, casting on November 21st Philip Coen saying that it is "ex tremely unlikely that the libraries can Photos: Kleran Keane open late nights or Saturdays during the Christmas holidays". be DIT F OD Show re- while fashion show preparations bevy ofnIT beauties has been se Meanwhile, the SU have started a to Vicar Street on heat up! lected, and rehearsals begin in Feb student petition, and are currently March 11 th 2008 for your TOYOTA are delighted to be in ruary. looking for the support ofthe various annual enthralling dose of fashion volved with such an exciting event Also in February, the nIT Fash faculties in order to ensure that nego anarchy. A hugely exciting spon and as a result, you will be seeing ion Show committee will be jump tiations can take place to extend li brary opening hours for the exam sorship deal has just been signed much more of the AYGO around ing out of a plane to launch the period. with Toyota, which has the nIT campus! show and raise much needed funds Doyle stresse~ that th~ library staff Fashion Show committee literally This years beneficiary charity, for Teen-Line Ireland! ~ ~?t at.fault m th~ Situation, say jumping for joy! Teen-Line Ireland, are also getting Ifyou would like to get in on the mg: Their cooperation has made it Not only will Toyota provide a in on the TOYOTA action, with the action or become involved in the poss!ble for the libraries to open in Toyota AYGO for one year for the proceeds from the halftime kicking show, check out www.ditfashion prevIous years, and the students are lucky winning student designer, competition at the Heineken Cup grateful for that." However, Doyle show.com or send an email to dit went on to say that DIT have a "'re they are also supplying an AYGO to game in Thomond Park next year [email protected]. We'll sponsibility to provide a library serv the committee to ensure they travel going straight to Teen-Line Ireland! see you in 2008! ice, ~specially in the days and weeks in style from campus to campus In other Fashion Show news, the commg up to exams." DECEMBER 2007 News 5 Campus theft on Geraldine Kennedy the rise receives honorary By Liz McHugh doctorate major campaign for students den t to protect their personal pos Union, he Irish Times editor Geraldine Kennedy re- A sessions and those of their porters and members of staff, the "I have to say I was impressed with ceived an Honorary Doctorate of Philoso- fellow students has been launched people responsible for these thefts the Gardai and their quick response. phy during the Applied Arts graduation in DIT campuses across the North have yet to be caught. People have laptops, phones, pda's T and South side of the city after a Mark maintains that the and more equipment these days, ceremony on November 10th. string ofstudent thefts. Bolton Street campus has consis they have to be very careful, it only Kennedy, who is a graduate of the original DIT The Student Union has advised all tently tried to sustain the friendly takes ten seconds for someone to J'ournalism course in Rathmines, was given the campuses, students and members of and supportive ethos he experienced swipe it". staff to be extra vigilant following in his first years in the building. Despite CCTV cameras, award in recognition of her contribution to jour- the worrying rise in thefts since last "90% of the students are honest Mark admits that the security on nalism. year. Notices posted in libraries and and it can be really disappointing to campus find it difficult to ade- Professor Brian Norton said: "Geraldine Student Unions are alerting the think someone else has stolen their quately protect the large numbers of campus community of mobile equipment, stuff that's expensive students' passing through the cam- Kennedy is renowned now as the fIrst woman to phones, laptops and iPods being and that they've spent a lot of pus doors. The porters do prevent be appointed editor ofa national newspaper in Ire stolen, asking students to take extra money on. Only thing is the people outside people from entering the land, but that success was built on a career char care oftheir belongings. responsible will eventually be campus, but even this alone is not "Since the start of the se caught and will be dealt with." enough to stop the thefts. Bolton . acterised by many signifIcant achievements. mester, we have had students com Dave Me Donnell(26), is a Street has been the worst affected "Throughout her career she has maintained a ing into the office as often as once 3rd year student studying Geomat campus, although Aungier Street . commitment to high standards in journalism and or twice a week with complaints of ics in Bolton Street. Dave noticed suffered similar problems with four i to its role in public life." a missing phone or i-pod," warns his iPod had gone missing from the laptops being stolen in the library in ' Mark Smith, convenor to DIT, time he left his last lecture to the the fInal semester last year. I Altogether this year, over 4,000 students gradu- Bolton Street, "That's a dramatic short trip over to Bodkins pub. When the culprits are: ated from various undergraduate and postgraduate difference to last year where it was "There was a good few people caught, they will be facing discipli- more likely a missing phone or mis around, and a class were going in nary measures and most likely be courses. laid item once a month". for their lecture, but there was no expelled from DIT, as well as facing I------The increase in the complaints body suspicious looking. It was all court proceedings. Although the I Pay increases for have caused huge concern as the students. There was no sign ofmy S.U would be forced to legally rep- likeliness of culprits appear to be iPod though. There's nothing really resent them, Mark addresses the fact CO11ege heads members ofthe campus community I can do about it. I'd just warn peo that "it would be an open and shut itself, with areas such as some li ple to be very careful with their case, and they can't expect a differ braries requiring an i.d card that can stuff'. ent outcome". s part of the recent public sector pay in only be obtained by current stu Even DIT's S.U President, The Student Union are creases, seven university presidents have dents. The Student Unions are also Andy Doyle, has been affected by asking for any student who may I seen a hike in their pay cheques. Presi high risk areas as students are re A thefts, after having his walIet stolen have information or witness any laxing and are more lax as they from his office one evening. The thing suspicious, to contact a porter, dents ofso-called Level 1 colleges such as Trinity, leave their bags and coats among thieves were from outside the cam SU member or a member of staff UCD and UCC now receive €270,OOO a year. the seats in the common areas. pus and later arrested by a plain immediately, but not get involved DIT president Professor Brian Norton, is now Despite efforts of the Stu- clothed Garda working in the area. personally. paid on par with presidents ofLevel 2 universities NUl Maynooth, UL and DCU, getting €236,000 per year. This is signifIcantly higher than the pay ofother DIT 351 in world rankings IT presidents or directors. CIT, WIT and GMIT heads receive €172,OOO yearly. ByAllison Schiff
ublin Institute of Technology has ranked several thousand academics around the world. 351 in the world according to the university Melda Slattery, DIT Head ofPublic Affairs, said Journalism D league table published by The Times she is pleased with the marked improvement in . Higher-QS World University Rankings, up almost DIT's score when compared with its previous po- scholarships awarded 20 spots from its 2006 standing. sitions on the list though she doesn't put too much Mo Bartkowska from Poland and Ko In 2005, DIT made an enormous leap in the stock in university rankings. nika rankings from 479 to 370. "It's great to see we have improved in their per- lawola Ogunbiyi from Nigeria were the Ofthe universities in the top ten, four are located ception and it is an honour to be mentioned in any first recipients of the two new journal- in the UK. The remaining six, including Harvard category," said Slattery, "But it's also hard to com- ism scholarships established in honour ofjournal University in Massachusetts are to be found in the pare institutions when we are all so different." ist and broadcaster Mary Holland, who died in U.S. "League tables can be tricky," she said. "But for Since 2004 The Times Higher Education Sup DIT to feature at all on a list of500 schools world- 2004. plement (THES) has partnered with Quacquarelli wide is a positive thing." Bartkowska is currently studying the MA in Symonds, a company specialising in education and Other Irish placements include Trinity at 53; Journalism and Ogunbiyi is enrolled in the new study abroad, in order to develop a way to enable University College Dub~ a! 177; ~niv~ity Col- MA in International Journalism, both in Aungier students to compare institutions ofhigher learning lege Cork at 286; Dublm CIty UmversIty at 300; Street's school ofmedia. across international borders. University ofLimerick at 442 and NUl Galway at I..". The top 200 schools are published in the supple 484. Queens University in Belfast also made the. Professor Bn~ Norton SaId: The scholarships ment. The full list of 500 is later made available list at 205. have been dedicated to the memory of the late online. The numbers were released in early November Mary Holland, in recognition of her signifIcant Ranking criteria incorporate research quality, and the full list of ~versities in the top 500 can contribution as a journalist, and in particular, her graduate employability, international outlook and now be acc~ssed.~nlme at: commitment to human rights and a more open and teaching quality and are largely based on a peer re www.topumversIoes.com. d' Ir Id" view system using the responses to surveys sent to Iverse e an . 6 News DECEMBER 2007 DIT video Tops YouTube charts By Katie Teehan
IT have come up with a new the videos up on the website, we had r way ofpromoting the college a target of 2000 downloads by the D to prospective students, by end of December. We reached our posting a video of life in DIT on target after just 2 days." Fine Art exhibition YouTube. The video was produced by Conor I The 2.5 minute long promotional Mulhern. video was produced by DIT Campus If you haven't already seen it, Life and features a montage ofshots check out the video at I from various activities around the http://ie.youtube.comlwatch?v=olX college as well as testimonials from DouoGKN4 ' several current students. It gives a glimpse of life in DIT - outside the lecture hall. The production has been a huge success as it was awarded the num ber 1 most viewed video of all time in the Irish education category on YouTube. At the time it was posted, it he third years ofDIT's Fine Art fers valuable insight into the visual was being viewed every 45 seconds, course will hold an exhibition discourses and concerns of these completely exceeding all expecta Tentitled "8> 20", starting Janu emerging artists along with the op tions. ary 16th. portunity to witness the professional Manager of DIT Campus Life, "8 > 20" is a vibrant and engaging progression ofthis group ofstudents. Brian Gonnley said "When we put exhibition featuring the work of With work being expressed emerging artist students from The through the means of various disci Fine Art Department at Dublin Insti plines and visual languages, "8 > 20" I tute ofTechnology. IS the first group show of these 28 The exhibition highlights the dy students whose individual investiga namic interests and visual explo tions are quite varied yet connected rations of these 28 students who are by common themes. in their third year of arts (>ractice. This exhibition will take place in The exhibition addresses Ideas of the Back Loftjust offThomas Street, communication, control, identity, and is an opportunity to see the best culture and social awareness and of- ofemerging talent in Fine Art today. Two awards for DIT Drama Soc
By Katie Teehan
SDA(lriSh Student Drama As Drama" sociation) held a national im She won the award for her acting in I provisation competition on Nov a 5 minute improvisation on a given 3rd in Galway. Among the participat theme, which was 'Bad Land, ing colleges were UCD, DCU, lIT, Grafton St', in which she played a UCC, and NUIG. drunk English tourist. DCU took home the overall award, Caoilin Rafferty, Bolton S1. Drama while Pearl O'Rourke from Bolton President was also there and said she 81. Drama Soc won Best Actress at was very proud of O'Rourke's . the event. The trophy was presented achievement. at an awards dinner on the night. Another win came at the recent O'Rourke said she was "com One Act Festival in DCU on Novem pletely surprised because I did not ber 28th. Philip Doran from Bolton • know there were other awards be S1. Drama won Best Actor for his role I sides the overall one" She also felt "it as a taxi driver in a Harold Pinter was good to represent and win a na One Act play called 'Victoria Station'. I tional award for DIT and also DIT The 'colo r strand' 0 life in DIT c By MinjiLee ifhis month: ize. It was the first thing I noticed, arriving at Dublin airport. Most speak ofthe notoriously Sfickle weather or a feast of Guinness in the The unholy city of a thousand pubs, but if you had lived 20 years in a huge metropolis and attended a campus that takes a good 3 hour walk, size can be a criti Trinity cal matter. The sheer size speckled my whole perspective different buildings to be on time. By Eric Fitzgerald on Dublin. The city, oh so small, looked bland and Then, a whole new aspect emerged: friendliness. boring. DIT seemed so monotonous, lacking It was interesting to observe neighbors saying t'S the epicentre ofDublin; at least, in school spirit, with just a few societies scattered hello to each other on the bus or paying gratitude here and there. I missed the various societies and to the driver. Bumping into familiar faces both on the minds ofits own students. It's the the streets ofSinchon (a famous campus district in campus and the streets, being doted as 'love' by I pinnacle ofeducation, the institute we Seoul) billowing with cobalt blue (my school nice old ladies, seeing down-to-earth lecturers all aspire to attend, the one shining light in colour) where students glowing with school pride cracking jokes formed a cozy ambience that I had the otherwise decadent city centre of sang songs during festivals. Not to mention the stu rarely experienced in my huge but faceless city Dublin...no, stop, you're killing me! My dent co-op with cheap but tasty menus; why was where strict politeness and hierarchy permeates. apologies, I can't complete this paragraph the canteen here so expensive? I still remember being greeted by a class ofstu without falling upon my keyboard, racked Class sizes felt a bit too small and the idea of dents I had never met before at Kevin Street or having all your courses laid out seemed bizarre. meeting the friendliest bartender at the Interna with laughter. Isn't the freedom of choosing lectures one of the tional Bar who gave free coffee to a friend and me. I was beginning to sound like a press release sweet merits of attending college? In this small Dublin is not the best place on earth when miser from Trinity College for a second. Yes, that bas city and school, I felt like an aimless pinball re able weather never ends, buses are chronically late, tion oflearning that we all love to boo and hiss peatedly coiling itself, just waiting for that Ryanair and you feel ripped off paying for some tasteless and the very mention of its name. But don't bargain flight to shoot out. lump called food. worry, I'm not about to extol its virtues. I'm to To me, Dublin was trapped in a tiny pinball ma Yet, it's hard not to love genuinely friendly peo here to boo and hiss like the rest ofyou, to strip chine. However, my feelings did start to change. ple weaving colorful strands of life into this vi down the condescending self-importance which ~irst came convenience: it was a blessing to stand brant city and school. Ifthat still doesn't convince surrounds Trinners. m shorter queues to get my coffee or use the you, how about a lecturer 'bungee-jumping' at Take for example a poster which adorned the printer, .not to mention not having to run between RAG week. That's a bit ofcraic, eh? walls of Trinners recently. Advertising an up coming paintball match between our very own , DIT (hooray, cheer!) and the Trinners boys (boo, hiss!), the blurb read "You bested them in the Miseagus anty. i Leaving Cert, now do it at paintball!", or some thing to that affect. Perhaps we should have ad Le Ronan Cannon vertised something similar in DIT; "Your daddy didn't have to pay for you to get in here, so why a fior-bhron orm leathai~h abhair an ailt seo. ach an oiread, "Avian Flu" mais aon rud. Soilsi should he have to pay for you to see the paintball Nuair a bhi me dha bhiam deag d'aois gheall Nollaig-gortaionn siad mo shUile. Agus na bron- match?" Tme dom fein nach mbeinn an duine sea go ntanas? Bhuel ta siad sin beagainin consp6ideach Living "down de country" as I do, it was never deo ach ta se ro-dearanach anois. Mar sin, ar ad na laethanta seo nach bhfuil? any great ambition of mine or of any of my haidh linn: Is fuath liom Nollaig, is fuath liom Geallaim duit, ma feachainn tU sna paipeiri gach friends to attend Trinity (as a matter offact, the paisti agus is fuath liom tusa! Bah Humbug! bliann ag dui ar ais chuig am an Claidheamh .. f ~. d fi d Ni he nach dtaithnionn an Nollaig fein liom ach Soluis, agus roimhe, feicfidh tU patrful; gach uile vast maJonty 0 my Inen s pre erre UCC or an am don bhliann. Taimid i lar an Gheimhreadh, blian bionn duine eigeann ag gearrain faoi 'meath UL). Unfortunately, a few deluded souls always seachtain no dho 0 na leathanta saoire, agus ta an na Nollaig mar feile Criostai' a~s go bhfuil an slip through the net. Whilst waiting for a bus on cuma ar an sceal go bhfuil nios mo obair le iomarca heim ar na bronntanals. Nilaim chun Nassau Street one day, I spotted an acquaintance deanamh ml ag aon am eile i rith an tearma. Ta briseadh leis an traidisiim sin. of mine from home. After greeting him, we beagnach gach duine tinn no go hiomlain gafa ag Ni 0 thaobh Criostaiocht de, Mach; is cuma sa began chatting, only for him to ask "how are an ngruaim. Ni gnath gruaim fiu ach an gruaim diabhailliom faoin religiim. An t-aon bhaint a bh- things at UCD?". My reply that I was, in fact, marfach sin a thagann 0 a bheith ag eisteacht le do fuil agam leis an eaglais na geansai Celtic i mo attending DIT was met with an incredulous chairde uilig ag gearrain an t-am ar fad. ch6fra. Ach, dar ndoigh, nil gach duine mishasta. I ~co An fadhb a bhfuil agam na an meid bril a "What?!? Why?!?", at which point the conver- nai bionn amadan no 6insin eigeann a bhfutl go chuirtear ar daoine bronntanais a cheannacht. Is sation abruptly ended. hiomlain i ngrci leis an Nollaig. Caitheann siad aon rud deas e cinnte; thatnionn bronntanais le achainn' Trinity College epitomises, for me, everything mi dheag ag fanacht leis teacht agus nuair a tagann duine ~c~ ni rud deas e nuair a chuirea;nn se an te I that is wrong with the city of Dublin; a smug se ar dearadh-inseoidh siad duit aris 's aris 's aris a ~hfuI1 a ~hea:macht leath bhealadh Isteach san sense ofself-importance, an intolerance towards eile. "Nach bhfuil an sneachta iontach? Agus na ual&h le ~tnoss. . ,. . ,. outsiders and a falsely won sense of accom- siopai go Mlainn? Oh na paisti, ta siad chomh Ta daomeann, a chalthean dha mhi lOmlam ag l' hm Thankfull 11 th th· gleoite... draiocht san aer..... seaclaid bron- siopadoireacht-nil se sin nadUrtha no slaintiul fiu. p IS en.t. . y, a ose. mg~ ~at are ntanas..." Ma ta aon duine ag iarraidh gearr3in a dheanamh wrong WIth J?ublm ~ all contamed WIthin that Bhuel, ta an sneachta breagach no is baisteach liom, beidh oraibh fanacht go dti an 26u, ta orm one campus m Dublm. ata ann, na siopai plodaithe agus na paisti? Ni roinnt siopad6ireacht a dheanamh! habair liom fam na paisti. Ni draiocht ata san aer DECEMBER 2007 Irish political parties - what's the difference?
G
By Fergal Reid
parties long forgotten (apart from the Memorable for: Reaching an of anything that isn't bolted to the ianna Fail (FF): Well we fascists), the current incarnation electoral pinnacle of 19% ofthe vote floor of the Taoiseach's private of may as well start at the bottom looks much like a mirror image ofFi in the 1992 ballot on an anti-FF cam fice. They will also ensure you pay as Fand work our way down. anna Fail-ifthe mirror in question is paign, then going into government little tax as is humanly possible, like FF was founded in 1926 and is to one from the circus and makes the re with FF and being rewarded in 1997 an institutional version of Beverly Sinn Fein what the People's Front of flection appear pinched, thinner and with 10% ofthe vote. Cooper-Flynn. Formerly presided Judea was to the Judean People's less substantial. over by Michael McDowell, the Front. By abandoning any notion of The front bench of the parliamen baton has been passed - backwards principle, the ascent of this republi tary party is presided over by Enda to Mary Rarney following his ejec can party has been meteoric, just like Kenny, whose ministerial experience tion from public life in the direction its effect on Irish politics. (Ever seen ranges as far as being Minister for reen Party: Bless their ofthe Law Library. "Deep Impact"?) Ifyou desire power, Tourism. With heavyweights such as cotton socks, the Greens are Memorable for: Anticipating a then FF is for you. Ifyou want your this, FG's future is assured. In oppo Gcurrently the cuddly adoles doubling oftheir 8 seats in Dail Eire TDs to stand for anything other than sition. cents ofIrish public life and have yet ann in the 2007 general election, the the dogged pursuit of Cabinet seats Memorable for: Losing the con to enter the stormy seas of political PDs saw their numbers drop to 2. The then take your Free State/Socialist fidence ofthe Dail and a subsequent puberty. They still stand for cute no worst example of electoral math agenda elsewhere, you general election after trying to .i~ tions like peace on earth and envi since Bertie Ahern was allowed tot Treatyite/crypto-communist (delete pose VAT on children's shoes. This IS ronmentalism, but are rapidly up his expenses by himself. as applicable). FF have won every the moment that Irish politics jumped jettisoning anything that could be election since 1987, even though the shark. classified as independent thought in Fine Gael managed to be in govern a mad-dash effort to keep those fickle ment for three years in the mid lovers, Fianna Fail, interested in nineties. them. inn Fein (SF): SF is the Paying €100 Memorable for: Memorable for: Abandoning all oldest nationalist party still million for a computer system for the abour (Lab): Founded in their policies after entering govern standing, and both FP and FG Department of Health that didn't S 1912, this is Ireland's oldest ment this year. Never has a ministe sprung from their loins
ByAngharad Williams
he nights are darker and colder. How symptoms ofcarbon monoxide poisoning." ide alarm which can be easily obtained and many of us arrive home and switch on There are a number of reasons for Carbon make sure all household appliances are safe Tthe heating as soon as we step through monoxide leaks - faulty or damaged gas heat and well maintained. the door without a second thought. But while ing appliances, poor installation ofheating ap Ensure you or your landlord has all boilers, it's keeping you warm your gas boiler could pliances or that appliances that have not been heating systems and appliances are installed be putting you at risk ofa silent killer - Car maintained or serviced, poorly ventilated and serviced regularly. bon Monoxide. rooms, blocked chimneys or flues, not using Although it might be tempting when your Carbon monoxide leaks can happen in any heating appliances properly or using cooking feet are frozen after a night on the town never home at any time and exposure it to over a pe appliances for heating purposes. use ovens orgas taps to heat your home. Make riod can cause illness and even death. Carbon When Carbon Monoxide is inhaled it com sure rooms are ventilated and air vents aren't Monoxide has no smell, taste or colour and is bines with the blood, preventing it from ab blocked. If you use a fireplace make sure said to be responsible for 40 deaths in Ireland sorbing oxygen. Symptoms of Carbon chimneys and flues are swept regularly and every year. Monoxide poisoning can be similar to those keep them clear. Liam Nolan, Technical Manager at Bord caused by other illnesses such as a cold or flu. Liam explains there is help ifyou're worried Gais Networks said; "Carbon Monoxide is They include unexplained headaches, chest about a leak; "Ifyou have any concerns about highly dangerous and often called 'the silent pains or muscular weakness, sickness, diar where you live, be it rented accommodation or killer' because you can't see it or smell it. rhoea or stomach pains and sudden diZziness a family home, contact the Carbon Monoxide You can protect your home from the dangers when standing up. helpline on 1850 797979 or visit www.car ofthis deadly gas by taking preventive meas Safeguarding against Carbon Monoxide is bonmonoxide.ie for information and bring the ures and by learning to recognize the signs and easier than you think. Install a carbon monox- issue to the attention ofthe property owner." Everybody was... ung Fu fighting - you may have unique art form. And it's not that there is more content in Karate hearaof it. The only prOblem is there are "However, WingTsun is not a sport" explains the that it takes longer to progress but, as Se8n says, I(]o many different forms that generalising DIT club's president Sean Durkan. "There is a lot there's just more "bowing ofheads aQd UDDeceS- it under the one name can be very misleading. less philosophy and meditation involved in it than sary ceremony. You can e a lot more However, ifyou are looking for the most practi there is with Karate and other forms ofKung Fu. dangerous with W'mg then you can with cal and devastatingly effective form ofselfdefence It's much more straight forward and direct." Karate! "WingTsun is a more practical form of street At e moment classes for the DIT WingTsun then what you want is WingTsun classes. WingT combat. The concept is basically to keep close to sun has a long lineage ofpractitioners stretching Club are nmning every Satmday in Molesworth your attacker and keep hitting him until he sub Hall on Molesworth Street - linking Kildare and back hundreds of years in the annals of martial mits." Sean has spent over six years experimenting Dawson Street - from 3 tit Spm. arts. It was for a long time Bruce Lee's martial art with various forms ofmartial arts, from Karate to ofchoice before he went on to cultivate his own school. Taekwando. BegiDDers are more than welcome, for 1Dore in- Luckily enough for DIT students the chance to ''The main advantage with learning WingTsun is formatioD Se8n I>uI:bn at: learn such a proven form ofself-defence is finally that you can progress much quicker than in other ditwinpJuD@gmaicom. here. Established at the start ofthe year the DIT forms. After four years you will probably have achieved your black belt whereas with Karate it WingTsun Club aims to introduce people to this may take you six years or more." By G ck YPDs National Battle of Conference throws up the DJs ByAngharadWilliams lively debate n a cold November evening in a club in South Dublin, DJs took to their decks to do Obattle through beats, electro riffs and house By Eric Fitzgerald bangers. Tripod was the venue for this clash between DIT, he Young Progressive Democrats National IADT and DCU at the regular event and student Conference, which was held at DIT Bolton favourite: Shindig. The club filled quickly and T Street on Saturday 1 December, was a forum people flocked to the main room dance floor to for some interesting debate over various aspects of watch the DJs do battle. party policy. The morning began with an address I The talent was obvious and it would be hard to from Professor Brian Norton, DIT President, and choose between the DJs doing battle as the floor continued with a discussion of various motions filled with students from colleges all over the city. proposed by the different YPD branches in atten After a night ofbeats and breaks the judges made dance. I their decision. First place went to DCU's DJ Damo Lively debate was stimulated, particul.arly sur Kay, DIT's Paul Karmondy took second place and rounding the motion calling for the electIOn ofan I IADT DJ Ene Keenan came third. The three per- international officer. It was argued that the YPDs formed blinding electro and house sets which got should spend more time develoring the grassroots than focusing on internationa endeavours. The the crowd dancing and cheering for more. "centres of excellence" for cancer care would The three will meet again at the Spinoffcompe motion was eventually passed by a sizeable ma have. jority. tition in March 2008, where eight colleges will bat The chairperson of DIT's YPD branch, Kevin tle it out. DIT, DCU, ITT, NUIG, UL, Queens, Delegates were treated to an address from in th~t "v~fY p~si terim Progressive Democrats party leader and Byrne, said the conference was IADT, and UCD will all take part in the annual tive." He descnbed the overall theme as looking ompetition organised by the DIT DJ Society. Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney. In to the future for a/arty which we hope will be her speech, she spoke of the need for a strong The DJ Society at DIT has become one of the most successful an prosperous. biggest and most active societies since it was youth wing ofthe party in order to help it build for The determination, drive, enthusiasm and vision the future. ofall the delegates who travelled from all over the founded in 2000 by Will Kinsella. "The DJ Soci She expressed her beliefthat her gradual reforms country to be here today were evident. He thanked ety has been pushing the limits within the college to the health service would bear fruit, stressing the "all the DIT students who worked so hard to make to promote the art ofDJing and dance music," said positive impact that she believed her proposed this such a successful event." society president Conall 0 Cofaigh. "Any DJ has the opportunity to DJ in the college and express themselves on the decks." Club Profile: DIT Paintball 2008 looks like another busy year for the society. The beginner DJs are planning to hire a venue so he BSPS from its re-creation in 2005 has be rent All-Ireland Champions and have been unde each member can get the experience ofplaying in come a well-known presence in the Bolton St. feated for the last 2 years, one ofour main aims this a club. DJs will be chosen in a competition at the TCampus and it has genuinely helped to im year is to hold onto the title for the 3rd year in a row. lessons and will go on to play at the venue. Keep prove the quality of college life for a large number A pet project ofthe society this year is also to start your eyes on college notice boards for more infor ofits members. Ireland's first all-girl paintball team. There is great mation. The Bolton Street Paintball Society shifted its interest amongst the societies 60 female members. I For those who fancy themselves as a master of thoughts on paintball trips from quantity to quality feel that if we can do it right, it will generate great the turntable then the DJ society holds lessons at publicity as well as entering the 'DIT Cats' in the IV's last year and it proved to be a great success: from Aungier Street Students Union every Monday around 13 trips in 2005/6 to 8 in 200617. as the DIT second team This year we are aiming to run just 9 trips in total, The DIT Paintball Cup will be a Societies special from Spm. Conall says the lessons are open to everyone: "All are welcome. All types of music, this total includes the hosting the 2008 Paintball event this year. This will hopefully generate a good all levels of DJ ability are welcome too...even if Inter-vl!Isities and the new Special Event for this buzz around the college when teams from all over year, the DIT Paintball Cup. DIT prepare to do battle against each other for the you don't have a clue, come along!" Also this year, we are hoping to develop our inter prize. Teams examples are the Engineers Vs the Busi To flDd out more contact [email protected] or visit varsity team and improve their skills. DIT are the cur- ness course etc. bttp:/Iwww.djloc.loa.dit.ieJorditdjsoc.bebo.com Drama Soc trip to Connemara ByAisling O'Sullivan and Rachael Ryan rom blindfolded walks around Ireland's only However, breakfast soon energised us for a fun fjord to romances in the night, drama soc's filled day ofworkshops led by ex drama students Ptrip to Connemara was full of activities and Deirdre and Connor. From adaptive songs to many scandal. The six hour journey to the depths of improvisations, everyone's acting skills were put nowhere was never going to dampen the spirits of to the test. But everyone's mind was on the 'sur the bus load ofactors. The vice president ofdrama prise' that was planned for that night. soc, Gavin Mooney ensured there was never a dull Not everyone's idea offun would be to trek to moment with sing-songs and 'strip cards'. the muds of Connemara, blindfolded and bound The sleepzone hostel which is perched at the together. These drama stu~ts though, were more mouth ofthe fjord was to be our home for the next than willing to place trust m the arms oftheir fel two nights. Everyone settled in to their rooms after low actors and facilitators. When the blindfolds the fifteen minute trek up the mountainside. Bellies came off it was all worth it, standing on a pier in were rumbling as the first workshop ofthe week- ~e middle ofthe fjord facing a clear sky and glow end took place Friday evening. After a long- mg moon. Another few brain cells were killed off awaited dinner, a session followed where some that night to say the least. truths were unveiled in a game of never-have-I- With a six hour journey, and many hungover ever. heads, the stop off in Macdonalds on the way We were woken by pelting rain and grey skies. home was a true god send. NEWS DECEMBER 2007 Clubs & Socs 11 12 Clubs & Socs DECEMBER 2007 NEWS
it. "First we'll go round and see what needs doing, estimate cost and find out what materials we'll need. A few local businesses have given us discounts like tiles for halfprice for example. "Whitefriar Street SVP point out to us the people who are most in need in the locality and early on a Saturday morning we get to work and leave a family - with new floors, freshly painted walls, sometimes even a whole new set ofkitchen appliances. "Basically we go to these homes that are com pletely unfit to live in and leave the families with a new house." SVP plan to have two finished by Christmas, and to do three more houses next semester. "We're keeping it small and realistic this year." The scheme needs more support, Billy admits it's sometimes hard to get students in working on a Saturday - they might be ByAoife Ni Glacken-Riain gone home or working at the weekends. "Really it's just that students need to think about IT's Saint Vincent de Paul Society won the getting offtheir arses and helping out other people." title of "most improved" society this year, Billy tells me one ofthe families they worked with both in DIT and nationally. Last year their had a five-year old child with ADHD. He could only "Christmas appeal" raised over €2,500, they also spend an hour a day in school as it was so difficult for made their annual trip to Santiago and organised a teachers to control him, so he spent almost all day fundraising sky dive. every day in these dire circumstances at home. SVP soc's Billy Norman, one ofthe brains behind "There were 10 ofus there and it took us about 12 By Karl O'Doherty these massive achievements, talks to DIT News hours." He said the house was full of methadone about their major project for this college year - the bottles and old needles which was quite heavy work ermission to play ball, Sir. Whoever thought of Flat Decoration Scheme. to clear but stresses that the results are undoubtedly getting a group offashionable, charity minded This is a huge undertaking, in cooperation with worth it. students together for a knees up dressed in mil- the local SVP office on Whitefriar Street, which tar "Instead ofpeople moaning in the future when this itary gear and tennis outfits was a genius. gets some ofthe most disadvantaged families in the poor kid ends up on the streets, on drugs or in prison A joint event from the SVP and the Fashion Soci community and leaves them with a much improved we need to all start being proactive citizens and im ety, The GI Joes and Tennis Ho's party in Break for standard ofliving. prove his future by improving his situation now!" the Border raised money and awareness for the I asked Billy how exactly the volunteers go about SVP's latest project. The society are decorating homes and apartments to make life that much easier for the less well off in our world. The FashionSoc people got things going stylishly by getting all those auditioning for the show next se mester to turn up in their best tennis whites, and the combats and Rambo style bandanas were really out in force for the occasion. The night got kicked in fine Britpop fashion with a sound performance from the Antarctic Monkeys, a high quality Artic Monkeys tribute band. Green and black streaked faces mixed with pristine white skirts as the crowd hit the dance floor. Whipping the crowd up into a very good buzz indeed they played all of the Monkeys' hits and really set the tone for the rest ofthe night. When the DJ started to do his thing those Joes and Ho's all knew they were on to a good thing and the ByAndrew Gillick dance floor was never without a crowd. I am very tempted to put in a lame military pun here but I won't. I will just say that the SVP and the hey arrived, they saw, they liked, they It could have been an idyllic beach in Western Aus FashionSoc put together know how to set up a great bought, they laughed, they drank, they sang, tralia were it not for the looming dark skies. night. To all the people that dressed to the theme in they fell over, they got up, they surfed, they And it could have been a much messier trip were their tennis and military finery, well done. For those ate, they enjoyed and then they went home. it not for the competence ofTanya and Jirnmy. Big that didn't, new balls please. A few things are sure though, money was raised, a lot of fun was had and Yep, the DIT students did pretty much every shout out for some wicked organisation and dodgy the two societies have a lot to live up to for their next thing there is to do in the small seaside town of costumes! night QUt. Bundoran and they did it all in the space ofthe Oc tober bank holiday weekend. With the Donegal Adventure Centre playing host to this year's surf trip it was bard to imagine a venue more suited to Battle of the needs ofover fifty raucous students. the ocs ByMne Corby From the moment the bags were unpacked on Friday the bottles came out, went down and attle of the Socs saw five ofD.LT's largest reographed the routine herselfand headed the troop weren't put away until the following Monday. Not societies battle it out to win best society on of five sassy dancers who danced to a medley of that the banter was to the detriment of the week the night. pop and hip hop songs. end's surfing, it just meant that finding your bal All present were treated to a variety ofperform Last but not least was the juggling society, who ance on a board the next day was next to ances from the competing societies. The night was provided an extremely unique performance. At one impossible. kicked offby ajaw dropping performance from the point, one of the jugglers juggled three swords Although the bodies lining up for boards and break dance society which is run by Lukasz Lu while on a unicycle. wetsuits on the Saturday and Sunday mornings niewski. All the societies put on a great show and it was were less than buoyant from the night before the The break dancers were soon followed by a new proof o~ all the work that the societies have put in damp and windy conditions didn't seem to extin society in D.lT, the freestyle soccer society. This so far thiS semester. The deserved winners were the society was set up by Michael Birt and they im Juggling Society, W~? got €IOOO for their society. guish their enthusiasm. pressed the crowdwith their football skills. Next in The surf on Streedagh Strand-located midway After the competition was done and dusted it line was a representative from the comedy society was time for the J!lusic. The main act on the ni~t between Bundoran and Sligo-was perfect. Waves which is run by Declan Doolin and Ciaran Nevin. was D.LT favounte band The Republic of Loose. curled into long cylindrical barrels breaking not far This was followed by a performance from the They gave their usual fun-filled performance and from the shore and the swells were in easy reach. Dance Society, run by Rachel Mahon. Rachel cho- no one was left disappointed.
14 Features DECEMBER 2007 NEWS urvIVlng• Christma
Christmas can be a stressful time ofyear. Exams, assignments, shop ping for presents, not to mention deciding what to wear for that big party, can all pile on the pressure making the festive season more chore than cheer. But what about love? Does having a significant other add to the stress or make the whole thing more enjoyable? We ask the all important DIe question: ByLucCinnseala • eah, go on! Keep shuddering. Yes it's made ofraw eggs. It's called egg nog; it 1 g e... Y would hardly be all that "noggy" if there were lumps of scrambled egg floating boyfriend at Christmas? Who needs one? I was surprised at the amount ofguys who rang up around in it now would it? Who would want to be tied down at the proudly expfaining how they break up with their To put it simply, egg nog is a drink containing one time of the year when it is almost girlfriends justbefore Christmas so that they won't milk, cream, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, brandy mandatory for people to be drunk every day ofthe have to buy them a present, and then get back with and an egg or two for texture. It is particularly week? It's also the time when everyone is jolly and after the holidays. Charming. Heartbreak at what's popular in the United States around the Christ flirtatious and the random bits of plants hanging supposed to be the happiest time ofthe year? No mas period but can trace its origins back to me from the ceiling give the perfect excuse to ran thanks. dieval England where its name literally meant domly score anyone. There will be many celebrities spending the hol "egg in a small cup". The overall culinary ex While many could argue that having a partner to idays as singletons. Proudly flying the flag for perience could be summed up as. drinking nut share that 'special time' with has many advantages, team single is Jennifer Aniston, who always val meg flavoured Bailey's; You know it's thicker it also has its fair share ofdisadvantages too. ues having fun with her friends in between flings than milk and you can taste the spices....You're These include the infamous, 'But what am I sup with hunks like Paul Sculfor. Infamous ladies man still grossed out aren't you? posed to get him?' dilemma. Boys are impossible Jude Law is also enjoying his single status this The majority ofpeople's first egg nog experi to buy for; there are only so many times you can year. ence happens something like this: An egg nog buy socks or lynx. Then again boys have their Ifyou want examples on how not to spend your enthusiast convinces their target to try a sip; the work cut out for them too, although when a boy Christmas single, just look at Britney Spears target scrunches their eyes up and purses hislher buys you a Christmas teddy for your birthday in you're going for the fun-loving, not crazy look. lips and squeezes the smallest volume possible September, it's clear that theirjust not trying. (That Ifyou are single this Christmas, throw yourself onto their tongue. What follows is generally a actually happened to a friend ofmine. Eeeeek.) into the Christmas party scene and enjoy all the process whereby your brain tells you "Yeah, it's November and December are infamous as being season has to offer, leave the nights in and cheesy gross. I bettertry some more to be sure though." 'break-up season'. In fact just this morning on a Christmas DVD's to the couples. But before long it has turned to "Gotta get me radio show they were discussing relationships and more ofthat stuff!" I have seen it happen many times and am pretty sure that once you get over the fact that you are in fact drinking raw eggs ? you will embrace the six other ingredients. The ...Or • moral ofthe story? Don't knock it until you try it. hether single or taken during the party As we always look to celebrities for inspiration, From a health point ofview, it is clearly not season, you're guaranteed fun-filled, this time should be no different. People like Ri your safest bet ifyou plan on living forever but champagne-charged, all-nigbt-party hanna (whose real name is Robyn Fenty!?) and W ifyou use the right eggs and prepare it carefully sessions. But really, when the snow is falling and Josh Hartnett are scrambling togetherjust so they the electricity has just gone, there is nothing more can tell their grannys they have a successful rela your insides should remain intact. Here's a rosemantic than curling up by the fire with your tionship. Lance Armstrong had the right idea and quick recipe for anyone who dares to try. other half. Or when you need distraction from bagged himself 21-year-old Asbely Olsen just in gredie those times that should be spent studying, you can time for the jovial season. This is certainly not the 4 egg yolks; 1/3 cup sugar, plus I tablespoon; always count on that other person to watch Santa time ofyear for break-ups, just hook-ups so make int whole milk; I cup heavy cream; 3 oun Clause and share their selection box with you. sure you can boast one too. mhon or brandy; I teaspooo freshly grated nut Ok, so this might seem a bit rose-tinted and ba Tis the season to be jolly, and there is nothing ; 4 egg whites. sically a tad unrealistic. However, I can predict sadder than wallowing away in selfpity with a bot Beat the egg yolks. Add in the 1/3 cup ofsu slight panic attacks when students realise their tle ofport or some other suitable Christmas drink. you continue beating until it is completely dis projects are out ofthe way and they could do with So get out there, put your glad rags on and find lved. Stir in the milk, cream, brandy, nutmeg a bit ofcompany over the festive period. No wor yourselfanother aimless, single soul to guarantee tHnnaollOn. ries though, there is still time to get yourself a a kiss underthe mistletoe. Plus, there will beextra In a separate bowl beat the egg whites until the (wo)man. After all, no one wants to re-create the presents waiting for you under the tree come .ffen. Gradually add in the tablespoon ofsu opening scene ofBridget looes now do weT! Christmas morning! tit they stiffen again. Whisk the egg whites in e mixture. Chill, serve, enjoy and spread th ord! NEWS DECEMBER 2007 Fashion 15
~------L., Lorna: Silver equined dress, Ctl - Top hop. Jewelbrac let et i blackbangl 12 - 0 •• Skinnyjewelledb gl €20 - Accessoriz •
nstmas can e a ightmare - so manypar ties, butwhat to wear? Look nofu.rther than asis & Topshop this hristmas where its 10% dJeverythingfor stu ents. We've pickedouta selec tion oftheir bestglam resses to help you shine this year.••
DECEMBER 2007 • g na e ge
s stu ents, we can a re ate to elng ro e. owever, 1 eatmg cDonald's Eurosaver meals for your entire stint in college doesn't sound too appeal- . g, there are alternatives. Considering how much alcohol students consume, it's lID rtant for us to try and have a healthy attitude towards food and exercise. Healthy living doesn't have to be boring and it can also be done on a pretty tight udget. Reeky Lee shows us how...
here are some nutritious and sions. toast. Cheap and cheerful, eggs are the best ways to exercise, working tasty meals available in the As tempting as it is to stumble packed full ofvitains and though you your whole body. restaurant here in DIT into the nearest pizza joint or kebab might make a mess in the kitchen It's really not that difficult to Aungier Street. For example, a veg shop after you've had a few drinks, preparing them, the present vitamins have a balanced lifestyle while being etable soup with two slices ofbrown it's best to try to avoid them. These might contribute to reducing your a student. As long as you eat the oc bread will set you back a meager foods, though tasty, are packed full of hangover! casional vegetable (which are quite €2.20, while a salad with meat or fish 'empty calories' and can't do much Exercise can also go a long way reasonably priced) and maybe walk is just three euro. Beans on toast, the for you at all. They can also be quite in contributing to your general to the pub and back you should be typical student meal, is also packed expensive - it costs up to nine euro health. Here at DIT, we have some fine. Eating healthy food can often full ofprotein, is very affordable and for a margarita pizza from some of luxurious fitness suites with all the work out cheaper than eating junk will give you energy throughout the the better-known pizza places. equipment needed to be the next food. Just think how much more day - very important for those study Instead, stumble home and make Arnie. DIT Kevin Street also boasts a money you'll have for booze! sessions/unplanned drinking ses- yourself some scrambled eggs on swimming pool; swimming is one of Corporate campus
As our economy is increasingly being run by multinational corporations, so too is much ofour education system. J .P. O'Malley reports...
he Celtic tiger. It won't go greedy global companies take charge. turing plants in Co. Cork. Pfizer, endless amounts of drugs they sim away you know. Those three Most people now know that there are Bristol Myer Squibs, Johnson & ple do not provide a profitable mar Twords hurt my ears every time two words that transformed this Johnson are just some ofthe names ket. The average American spends I hear how kind it has been to our country from a debt inflated quag that you may be familiar with. $1500 per year on pharmaceutical great little nation. Ifit wasn't for the mire to economic boom: corporation Not only do these guys want to products - this fact dictates the re roaring little Cub, sure we'd all still tax. Yes the reason why we are all make us rich but they want to educate search programmes. be dancing at the cross roads with now so rich and famous driving us as well. Programmes like the Universities are now enthralled in Dev and running this economy around in our SUV's and running up "Embark Pfizer Research Scholar in a greedy dictatorship of money by straight back into the bog. Yes we all the highest credit card bills in the Chemistry" that is currently run in these corporations who dangle the know unemployment is at its lowest world is simple. Multinational com UCC mean that Pfizer invests mil carrot just as much as they whip the since the foundation of the state. panies set up camp in Ireland because lions of dollars into the University. stick .Students have become intellec More people are now in third level ofthe low corporation tax of 12.5 %. The one condition is that students tual property of the multi nationals, education than ever in Ireland. So The Internet company Google is a must do research that the company creating an environment of research what's the snag? Just this: that much good example ofhow this works. As wants them to do. for profit not for education. So spare ofour education system is now being a result ofthis low rate ofcorporation Education is therefore not to en a thought for those lovely CEO's run by the elite ofmultinational cor tax, Google raised its profits from to lighten, but to capitalise. Ofthe 1400 who have made us the richest county porations. €233 million in the first quarter of drugs that have been produced over in the world next time you hear them Universities are places where 2005 compared to € 105 million in the the last ten years by companies like three beautiful words: THE CELTIC human beings go to enlighten, edu same period of2004. PflZer only 15 have been geared to TIGER. cate, question and debate how this So the trend continued with many wards tropical illnesses and T.B. Al wonderful world works. This tradi ofthe worlds leading pharmaceutical though the areas in sub Saharan tion is slowly but surely dying as companies setting up big manufac- African region may be calling out for
Everwondered whatthe buildingyou studyin every daywas builtfor? In our HistO'1J 0/DITseries, Raeliel Ry:an takes a lookbehindthe class rooms andlibraries to discoverthe ories ofDIT b • gs. 'Ibis month: Bolton Street ration to govern technical education Association ofIreland. which was destroyed by a fire during within the city. A course in aeroplane constrUction the War of Independence, was ac In 1906, the TEC was given ap was also set up in 1911, perhaps in quired by the CDVEC in )962. A proval to build a new technical insti spired by Bleriot, who was the first School ofTrades was set up here in tute in Bolton Street, on the site of pilot to fly a heavier-than-air ma 1963 to accommodate courses in the old European Hotel. Bolton Street chine across the English Channel in construction. was the first building in Ireland Bolton Street's opening year. In the mid-1960s, Ireland's first specifically built and designed for the For the first few years ofits exis full-time technician courses in archi purposes oftechnical and technolog tence the Bolton Street Technical in- tecture, CODStruction and engineering olton Street is one of DIT's ical education. The building was fin stitute only ran evening the were established at Bolton Street. oldest and most historic cam ished in 1911, and opened for classes only full time staff me being Since 1915, a full range of degree B puses. In a time when brass in autumn ofthat year. those in the printing area who ran courses have developed in Bolton finishing, woodcarving and orna In its frrst academic year courses courses for letter-press . from apprentice to postgradu mental iron work were all living included construction and civil and erators. Full time courses were leveL trades, there came a need in Ireland mechanical engineering courses put in place until 1920 when schola' Since 1911 to the dayDIT's to set up schools for the teaching of which had been transferred from ships were awarded to selected s Bolton Street College remained technical, practical subjects. In 1900 Kevin Street, as well as construction dents for a two-year co . a trade. at the fore ofleadi. techno the Technical Education Committee classes for architectural students on The Linen Hall buildiftB cl to logical education. (TEe) was formed by Dublin Corpo- special request by the Architectural Bolton Street, formally a linen mill I.IT"--~----~--~----~------n'IrrCEMi1f'iU'D'BER~2~O;-;:;:O;;-7--1I"1I"'-~""l:,~=r=--"" Pay-to-play -nightl11.are for unsigned bands
By FrankieWhelan
here are hundreds of bands in Voodoo Lounge and Eamon Dublin, half of them you'll never Dorans cost as little as (150 Tknow of and half of those you prob to book, even .. prestigious ably wouldn't want to hear. Bands form venues 'such as The Village and split up all the time, it's the circle of can be booked for (750. ance". This event in The Vaults claims to musical life. Every year there is a fresh At this point a distinction must be have 100 bands playing in one day and batch of musicians eager to take the made. Not all promoters exploit bands when asked for further details our stage and those eager to exploit their and not all promoters promote bands. source was told "Bands must purchase naivety. Small promoters such as Muzzle Music 25 tickets at (10, tickets are limited and "Pay-to-Play" is a situation where provide high quality gigs that are actu available". bands have to pay a promoter in order ally promoted. Less savoury promoters, Before the 100 bands play the night to play a gig. Pay-to-play was incom we'll now call "Gig Brokers", do as little they will have raised (25,000 for the mon practice in the early 2000's but as possible and use any band that can promot~r, Paddy Fogarty, not including thanks to organisations such as Gigs generate money. other ticket sales with prices ranging mart Ireland pay-to-play is a rarity but For the Gig Broker there are three from (10 to (15. There is no quality still occurs. The most common incarna simple steps: 1. book venue; 2. book control as bands were contacted tion of pay-to-play is a promoter asking bands and 3. collect money. through their Bebo pages and asked if a band to sell a certain amount of tick Some Gig Brokers won't even bother they would play. Sell 25 tickets and you ets before they can play. Whereas Gigs promoting the gig, even by the cheap can play. mart Ireland and many others work a est means. An example of how to do this kind of system where they share profits with Thomas Brunkard, Venue Manager of event is Hard Working Class Heroes, an the musicians, some promoters have Fibber Magees on Pamell St said: "I find annual event where bands are selected quotas where they won't pay any that most bands would benefit more fi to play a weekend festival in Dublin. The money until (500 is made by the band, nancially if they cut out these guys. By bands don't get paid, but it doesn't cost if at all. and large they are pretty useless with a them anything either, nor are they ex (500 may seem a modest amount in a few honorable exceptions. Some of pected to bring a certain amount of peo world of Point Depots and Slanes, but them are terrible, running gigs and get ple. The bands benefit from website the reality of the unsigned scene in ting all the cash for making a phone call publicity, appear in a booklet, can avail Dublin is one where venues such as The to me and hopping on to Myspace for of free beer tokens and attend industry three bands." lectures. The popularity of the event is Tickets to gigs are normally at least evident with nearly 1,000 acts entering (10, and as they haven't been properly this year with only 90 chosen to per promoted the bands find themselves form. playing to their friends and the friends "You're not a good promoter unless of the other acts. This setup benefits you can draw a crowd! Most bands nobod,y ~ut the promoter, but many aren't worth the time music wise to pro bands mmds boggle when running their mote. The good bands in Ireland are own gig is suggested. It is no longer the amazing, usually providing equipment case that you have to be somebody to as well as being the largest draw to a book a venue; all you have to do is ring show. The scene is cyclical, and gets re up and book it like you would a table in born every 3-5years with new promot a restaurant. ers and a new wave of interested Bands will often find themselves play people." - James Byrne , Anti-Pop or ing with unsuitable acts, such as a ganiser. singer songwriter playing after a death The problem is not with promoters metal band, so there is no genuine making money for their hard work but crowd cross-over. With some promoters with "gig-brokers" exploiting inexperi the amount of money to be made is enced and naive bands. If bands pulled more important then the quality or style together, not only would they benefit of the band. from their own talents but encourage A prime example of a pay-to-play the unsigned music scene to grow. scheme is the upcoming "The Perform- DECEMBER 2007 Entertainment 21 Britney's Blackout Looking Bright
By Luc CiDnseala
It's been three years since Britney whose electronic hooks are only too well Spears was on top of the world of pop, implanted into the general public's going multi-platinum with her last stu dancing feet and hips by now. "Piece of dio album, In the Zone. Since then the Me" outlines her prerogative better than queen of controversy has clocked up a "My Prerogative" ever could have: "I'm grand total of two failed marriages, two Mrs. Extra! Extra! this just in. I'm Mrs. children, a failed custody battle and She's too big now she's too thin". Let's countless trips to rehab and is currently face it poor Mrs. Spears Alexander Fed album sounding a whole lot different but pending trial for a misdemeanour hit erline isn't the brightest spark but the why should that send people running in and-run; not too shabby for a girl ofjust girl knows how the media sees her and the opposite direction? Yes, the album 28! isn't afraid to bite back. is more like an experimental work by The latest instalment of her turbulent What follow are twelve tracks which the unrecognised masters of pop music life story is "Blackout". The album is will, one-by-one, make you want to but it delivers exactly what you should made up of twelve tracks which are dance more and more. Watch out for expect if you have convinced yourself to over-produced to the physical limit of "Radar" and "Heaven on Earth". Should swallow your pride and buy some Brit music. Did anyone say there was some she release them, they will easily soar ney. thing wrong with that? What else would to the Top 10. Blackout ends with a ballad called you expect when you have hired a team Each track is mastered with the pre "Why Should I Be Sad?" crafted by the who have produced and written tracks cision that only a group with this much master of R&B himself, Pharrell for Nelly Furtado, Mariah Carey, contribution to pop music could piece Williams. It drives home the message of Christina Aguilera, The Pussycat Dolls, together. Of course Spears' input is min the preceding forty minutes; Britney is Kylie Minogue, Paris Hilton and imal. She is only credited for co-writing here to stay and she's not going to let Madonna? three songs and Paris Hilton, Courtney failed marriages, custody battles, drugs, The album opens with the current Love or possibly Nick Cave could proba media or court appearances stop her massive hit "Gimme More"; a track bly have done the vocals without the doing it. Who doesn't love a fighter?
Ever ee sic 0 earing Um re a or t e seventy-sixt time? Do you ong to smas t e DJ s decks across his head for the crime of playing Don't Stop Believing? Never fear, many are the alternatives at hand! For the more discerning music lover, Dublin has a lot to offer in terms of night-time delights. Eric Fitzgerald checks them out...
Pravda, Lower Liffey played is a healthy mix of new bands first of these is Live In Your Living such as The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys Room, a great showcase for unsigned Street and Bloc Party and old favourites like bands. It's broadcast on the web on the Located just after Ha'penny Bridge The Doves and The Ramones, as well as night and viewers are given the oppor and named after the national newspa the occasional band. The drinks deals tunity to chat to each band online be per of Communist Russia, Pravda is are usually reasonable, so a night at An fore they go on stage. renowned for having the comfiest tics shouldn't see you awaken the fol The converted cinema also plays host couches in all of Dublin city. It's also the lowing morning with too big a hole burnt to a live showing of cult seventies mid home of the King Kong Klub, one of the in your pocket. The main complaint sur night movie The Rocky Horror Picture best showcases of new Irish bands and rounding Antics, however, is the crowd Show on a quasi-regular basis, some singers in the city, where each act is that attends. Full of your stereotypical, thing which is impossible to find in Ire judged by the world famous (or so shoe-gazing indie posers who are more land nowadays. Complete with rice, claims the resident MC) "c1ap-o-meter". concerned with looking the part than water and shouts of "Who the f**k is High drinks prices don't make it an en having fun, Antics could be off-putting Steve Reeves?", The Sugar Club deliv dearing prospect to most students, for the more casual socialite. Still, with ers the consummate Rocky Horror ex howeve~ which is a shame, as the resi a good group of friends, anyone can perience. The film is shown at dent DJs' play a excellent variety of rock, make their own fun. Halloween on an annual basis and is indie and alternative music. Free entry, also shown in the month of June. however, can go a little way towards sweetening that bitter aftertaste. The Sugar Club, Leeson These are but a sample of the alterna Street tive nightspots in Dublin. There are so Antics @ Crawdaddy, The Sugar Club on Leeson Street may many more to enjoy. Just try a quick attract an older crowd than most stu web search, or ask some of the clientele Barcourt Street dents would be used to, but that does at the aforementioned venues. You'll be Wednesday nights at Crawdaddy see n't stop It from hosting two of the most sure to find something to suit your "Antics" come to town. The music enjoyable, regular events In Dublin. The tastes! • this month's Gig eVleWS• ••
By Eric Fitzgerald By Laura Garvey By Niamh McBugh By J.P. O'Malley ings of Leon don't have his year's Lords of the he Nokia Trends Lab held he sea of ageing bald much stage presence. Dance came back to the 3rd phase of its ex men reclaiming their KThe three brothers and TDublin for a welcomed Tperiment on Wednesday Tyouth was quite a sight one cousin are fairly unas round of record spinning and 21st Nov with three energetic in The Village, as the Wed frenzied dancing, but not acts to see how much of a ding Present took to the suming types, preferring to everyone was satisfied by what pounding Tripod's floors could stage on November 23rd. A let their music do the talking, Justice served to the crowd. take. rapturous applause erupts and what a tale it has to tell. The Teenagers took the stage Candence Weapon is the from the audience as Gedge Expectations for this gig on a first and played what was a stage name of Canadian rap and co. wave on to the loyal chilly Wednesday evening in thoroughly disappointing set. per, Rollie Pemberton, who faithful. This band has potential, but got the beat going and the November were high, given As they- crank out the their performance was lack crowd warmed up. Because melodic 'I'm from further the storming performance lustre and many merely stood of the early start to proceed north than you" there are still that the American southern waiting for Justice rather than ings, this talented act didn't late comers walking in. It's rock group had put on at this paying attention. get the crowd it deserved, the second tune that really year's Oxegen festival. When at last the lights went and those who missed it gets the crowd on their feet down in preparation for Jus missed out. as they smash into the an Opening with their second tice's arrival on stage the en Super Extra Bonus Party themic brilliance of Brassneck album's first track, the peppy ergy from the crowd was are an Irish band which have . "Alright we're The Wedding Slow Night, So Long, Kings of electric. The Dj's signature been getting loads of airplay present" Gedge announces in Leon made sure that the stage had been erected and on here, and their album (Super his typically subdued manor. crowd knew what they were walked Xavier de Rosnay and Extra Bonus Party) has been He tells us that they're going Gaspard Auge to tumultuous tipped for album of the year to play a track off their new all about. The song epito applause. by many Irish music critics. album so if anyone wants to mises their style: short, Then it was time for these With a set-up that included use the toilet now might be a sharp doses of danceable men to do what they do best. two drum kits, you knew you good time. rock back by some astute 'Genesis' began to blast were in for an interesting To everyone's surprise a guitar work. They barely through the speakers with evening with the Go! Team. bunny rabbit then walks on deafening bass and it was clear The energy on stage was stage and a picture of the gave their audience time to that the audience was elated electric, and they kept the great footballer George Best breathe, almost immediately at this being the first song of crowd right in the middle of appears on the screen. To the following up with Black the night. it. back drop of the old L.P the Thumbnail, an offering from Justice played intricately de It was hard to imagine how band give the audience their the third album with a chorus veloped remixes of nearly all G!T were going to pull off money's worth and play the their songs from the album 't'. album tracks that have so album in its entirety. that reaches its crescendo Waters of Nazareth was mixed many layers, beats and sam The crowd sing along to the beautifully. with the backing track from ples in a live setting, but their master of angst and romance The entire show was relent Klaxon's 'Atlantis to Interzone', unique and energetic mad as he delivers lines that make less from beginning to end 'One Minute to Midnight' res ness works well on stage. Morrissey seem tame. The and the crowd ate it up. Mad onated around the Big Top with It isn't often you see clips classics really get the emo its powerfully layered beats, from the Sound of Music pro tions stirring with songs such ness ensued in the pit, and but the best song of the night jected behind a funky band as "Everyone thinks he looks calmer moments came about had to be during the encore like this (or any band, for daft" and "My Favourite with some of the group's when Justice played 'NY Ex that matter). Tunes like Dress" bringing old men close slower songs, such as Ari cuse', a remix of the original Doing it Right and Wrath of to tears: "To see it all in a zona, Trani and the introduc Soulwax version. Marcie went down a storm drunken kiss, a strangers 'D.A.N.C.E.' was a massive with the already-hyped tory track of their encore, the hand on my favourite dress". crowd pleaser, as was 'We Are crowd. The songs are played at a seven-minute long Knocked Your Friends'. Those who were Ninja, AKA frontwoman ex frantic pace with the smash Up. The audience adapted unfamiliar with many of Jus trodinaire, proved herself a ing guitar lines compliment accordingly; hands were tice's songs were nevertheless lime-green-Ieotard-wearing ing the lyrical brilliance. A raised and swayed gently and elated as track after track the legend using her mic lead as request for another song two men delivered cracking a skipping rope and dividing lyrics were sung with hearty gives Gedge the pleasure of mixes that forced you to the crowd in harf and making announcing they're doing the enthusiasm. dance. each section shout along for L.P version. The crowd bayed for more Unfortunately, some said the backin~ vocals on "Hud In their truly Independent still at the end, but they left that they had seen better per dle Formation". You get the fashion they announce they satisfied, having been wit formances from Xavier and feeling these people c
reland loves Interpol. With the re lease of their second album 'Antics', I Ireland was the only country in the world in which it reached a top ten po sition in the charts. By the time 'Our Love to Admire', their third studio album, was released so many of us ap preciated this band's work that we sent it straight to number one. Last week end Interpol returned, for the second time this year, to play to 8,000 of their fans in the RDS. Interpol are one of many bands asso Call the Shots ciated with the New York indie music scene, being one of several groups that Girls Aloud emerged out of the post-punk revival of the song of the night, 'Obstacle 2'. Lead singer 2000s. The group formed primarily due to belted out lyrics, "and you go stabbing your all the Shots is the second single the efforts of guitarist, Daniel Kessler in self in the neck" with a fierce and deter release and openin track from 1998. Their first album, 'Turn On the Bright mined optimism to an audience that since CGirls Aloud's latest album Tangled Lights', released in 2002 received critical ac the first riff had lost itself in dance and sonic Up. It is by no means a floor filler but claim and cemented their reputation as an euphoria. packs a punch as another modest love extremely talented group of men. The ever emotive 'Lighthouse' left the song from the group of five. The lyrics Interpol's sound is generally a mix of bass crowd in awesome silence as Banks flexed his vocal abilities supported only by Kessler are hardly master crafted but offer a throb and choppy, sparse guitar, drawing sweet and optimistic outlook on lost unwelcome comparisons to post-punk on guitar. Other songs on the set list in bands Joy Division, The Chameleons, cluded a balanced ran~e from all three al love without Leona Lewis' desperation Kitchens of Distinction and Echo and The bums including 'NARC, the ever powerful or a semi-psychotic Kelly Clarkson ap Bunnymen. 'Mammoth', third single from Our Love to proach. Nicola emerges from the shad After a well-received set from support Admire, 'No I in Threesome' and 'Hands ows and carries the song with a band, Friendly Fires, the crowd waited for Away'. poignant solo before the final chorus. Interpol to take the stage. Artwork from Interpol are known for being something of their current album and heavy synthesiser a silent band between songs, but the con melodies preceded the band's presence. stant cheering and engaging atmosphere When at last first glimpses of the quartet created by the crowd coaxed Banks into Falling Down were seen, the crowd erupted with tumul praising their Irish fans. For their encore, tuous applause. crowd pleaser 'PDA' was played with keen DuranDuran The first song played was 'Pioneer to the precision, followed by 'Stella Was a Diver'. Falls', the first song of their current album The band left the stage for the last time and an emotional beginning to the show for hearing cheers of adulation and thanks from alling down is the first single from many fans. This song bears similarities to the crowd. Duran Duran's latest album, Red the first album that the rest of the album It is always unfortunate to have to experi FCarpet Massacre. There is no doubt doesn't and it was welcomed with open ~nce such a good band in such an unforgiv who you are Iistenin~ to as soon as you arms by fans, for many of whom the first Ing venue as large as the RDS. But their hear it; The group s sound has not album is their favourite. music filled every inch of the hall and each changed from their classic haunting Interpol's reputation as a band of doom song was played by the band with expert sound. If anything, it has been kept merchants, one that has followed them exactitude and a hugely ferocious energy alive and fresh with some welcomed since their melancholic first album, was that left the Interpol fan with something to be very grateful for. production from the man of the mo shattered as they launched into the second ment, Justin Timberlake. Get it now! Bloc Party's Big Top party By Luc Cilmseala
t was to be Bloc Party's biggest ourable back catalogue of tunes com to the crowd he made up for in a per headline gig to date. Never had the bined with plenty of material from 2007 formance that will be embedded in the I group faced the prospect of playing album release, Puzzle. The crowd knew memories of many Bloc Party fans for to 10,000 fans but that didn't deter what they were here for, though, and years to come. them from delivering an absolute hurri were ready for Bloc Party. From a technical side, not everything cane of a concert in the Phoenix Park on The band took to the stage and was up to scratch in the Big Top on this the 3 rd of November. opened in the best way possible; track night. The acoustics hindered Kele's Oxford electro-rock band Foals were one of their s0p.homore album, A Week lyrics from packing the awesome punch first to take to the stage. They seemed end In The CIty. Front man Kele Ok that they could have. The man was try like a band that could have had poten ereke began crying out the haunting ing but was frequently drowned out by tial had they not taken themselves far intro of Song for Clay with as mucfl the rest of the band. too seriously. Their performance could emotion as you would ima~ine when lis The group managed to glide over be described as mildly disturbing; the tening to the album. The Intro built up these setbacks however, to deliver ex audience got to witness five grown men to the song's roar of a chorus and, be actly what fans had paid to see. They throw themselves around the stage in a fore long,( the audience was right in the closed on an absolutely passion-fuelled bit of a tantrum. It lasted about half an centre or an immense show of talent rendition of The Pioneers and sent all hour at which point Foals left the stage and passion. fans home with total satisfaction and and the memories of the audience. Kele known for his modesty and shy some great memories. Biffy Clyro packed a pu,:,ch and.got the ness, kept his speeches to the point but crowd on their feet With theIr hon- what the man lacked in flattery towards 24 Entertainment DECEMBER 2007 Movies movies movies. ••
By Fergal Reid By Katie Teehan By Karl O'Doherty itman is a car crash of a film between his film moves Ahern's original story to riter, director and producer Mark the worst elements of a cheesy Bond New York where Holly (Hilary Swank) Mahon has done a fantastic job of Hplot and pretty much the entirety of Tand her gorgeous 'Insh' hubby Gerry W turning an English actor (Vinnie The Da Vinci Code, as scripted by a blind (Gerard Butler) live in a Manhattan apart Jones), an American actor (Michael Madsen man with only scant information about the ment. They squabble and moan but of - Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill) and a directorial two. course are madly in love. When Gerry dies, Timothy Olyphant plays Agent 47, an as debut into an award winning picture. Win Holly must deal with being alone, With the ner of the Best Film award at the Boston sassin hot housed by monks and working for aid of a series of letters written to her by mysterious group "The Agency" as a gun for Gerry before his death, every one of which Film Festival (with Madsen taking top gong hire to shady clients across the globe. Fol is signed "P.S., I love you." for Best Actor in this film) Strength and Ho lowing an abortive mission in Moscow, There are a few decent tear-jerker mo nour is a well told story made with a fine Agent 47 becomes caught in a fiendish dou ments as Holly grieves and tries to come to Irish quality. bre-cross as for once he becomes the terms with losing the love of her life. How Sean Kelleher (Madsen) has a tormented hunted betrayed by the organisation that ever these are completely obliterated by the past due to boxing and so it is with great re reared him and pursued by both the Russian 'leprechauns and shamrocks' style depiction luctance he forms a fist once more, break security forces and Interpol. The film is of Ireland in the movie. Most of the scenes ing a promise to his dead wife in doing so. based on the hit game of the same name are completely cringe-worthy - full of sheep The film charts both his inner torment and although when I tried to play it, my com and horrendous accents - although Bora public struggle with his decision to enter The puter froze. Would that the same had hap Failte will be glad of the extra American Puck a bare-knuckle bOXing tournament to ~ened to the projector in Screen 1 of the tourism it could well generate. decide the King of the Travellers. Jones has y The presence of Hilary Swank is com a star turn as Smasher, the current, psy avho .I hOI rfj 0 II 0 0 0 T e pot, w I e supe ICla y promlsmg, IS pletely baffling in the movie. What the hell chotically violent, champion of the puck. limp, predictable and completely inane. IS a two-time Oscar winning actress doing There was a large cast of local extras to Characters worth watching are Mark Whit playing the lead role in this very loose adap give authenticity to the film and their ac tier (Dougray Scott) - the Interpol agent tation of Celia Ahern's fluffy chick-lit story who apparently was cast as a Scot so his cents have rubbed off well on the foreign of love and loss? It's a big jump from Million stars. cursing would somehow be appropriate Dollar Baby and Boys Don't Cry to P.S., I and Nika Boronina (Olga Kurlylenko) as the Love You, and you can't help thmking that The issues raised regarding the relation loveable whore who stars in the most en the Oscar curse has finally got her. Gerard ship difficulties between the travelling and tertaining scene of the film; a bedroom Butler meanwhile, is best remembered for settled communities could easily have dom scene involving the Vulcan death grip. his lead role as muscle-bound warrior in inated the film, but Mahon has very skilfully Perhaps gooo for fans of the game who 300. While he looks equally delicious here, included them and not allowed them to take want to give their Repetitive Stram Injury a the Scotsman's bizarre attempt at an Irish over. In fact throughout the whole film there rest, but for everyone else - if you really accent significantly detracts from his charm. is a balance between themes that is re must - then watch with alcohol. Unless your Possibly the biggest slice of 'Oirish' cheese freshing to find in a modern picture. Well local cinema is particularly charitable in this since Far and Away, this is definitely worth a look, if even for Vinnie Jones per- regard, then wait for the DVD. ** one to be avoided. formance as King Puck. **** Aine Corby reviews this* month's bestseller... THE ALMOST MOON by Alice Sebold
e Almost Moon is the third novel from We see how Helen craved the love of her American novelist Alice Sebold. Sebold first mother as a child but her mother was so self TIappeared on the bestseller's lists in 2002 centred and preoccupied with her own illness with her multi-million copy bestseller The Lovely that she could not show her daughter any love. Bones. Instead she tormented her from childhood and The Almost Moon opens with a shocking se Helen could never escape her. quence of events in which we see the main The most peculiar thing about this story is that character: Helen Knightly murder her own all throughout the novel, Helen justifies what mother. Helen, a fifty-year-old nude model, has she has cone; she has been driven so mad by suppressed the desire to kill her mother for the her ill mother's torments over the years that majority of her adult years. She feels liberated she cannot feel guilt for what she has done. by what she has done and carries on fulfilling The novel is at times disturbing and consis her suppressed desires, one of which being her tently grim. The plot is intriguing from the be desire to sleep with her best friends dim-wltted ginning but is at times imprauslble. I feel that son, Hamish. the novel has become a bestseller as a result of Durin9- the twenty four hours follOWing her the success of The Lovely Bones and not on it's mother s death, Helen revisits memories from own merit. QUite a good read, although I would her childhood giving the reader an insight into not recommend it to the faint of heart. what led her to murder her own mother. ~1-_D_EC_E_M_B_E_R_2_0_0_7 s_port 25 ~...y ave
By Enda Dealy head blast around the grounds. Mar Focus into a tree. cus Gronholm took the stage beat Day two saw Loeb increase his lead over Sordo. ing off rival Sebastien Loeb. Kris It also saw the end of Manfred Stohl, Mark Hig Meeke did an excellent job to end gins, Andrew Nesbitt, Ray Breen and Tim Mc up third. Nulty. Conditions were lethal and it showed. Loeb, The "real" stages began on Friday Sordo, Hirvonen and Latvala all morning. World leader Sebastien had their own moments with Sordo and Latvala Loeb suffered some setbacks in the requiring spectators to help them get going again. initial stages, his Citroen C4's left Sunday was a day for driving safely as nobody World Rally Championship race in November. Photo: Enda Healy rear damper was leaking before the wanted to throwaway all their good work and so start of the first loop. However, he nothing dramatic happened amongst the "big he west was woken up to the sound of roar rallied on, winning the first stage of the day and boys". ing engines and screeching tires as the finishing third in the second test Arigna. In the Loeb finished the last spectacular stage at Mul worlds best drivers sped along the winding Lough Gill stage, Marcus Gronholmtook took laghmore to claim his eight win of the year and roads ofSligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Fermannagh, Ty charge. At the fourth spilt he was 8.9s quicker than take the championship lead by six points. The rone, Cavan, and Roscommon when The World Loeb. highest Irish finisher was Gareth MacHale in eight Rally Championship came to Ireland for the first Then after that split he went offon a fast section position. Niall McShea won the PCWRC Rally time. and crashed into a wall beside the lake. It was a Ireland after an intense battle with Armindo The Irish leg was one ofthe toughest stages this bad impact and both Gronholmtook and co-driver Araujo. year and provided many incidents. Yes, everything Timo Rautiainen were taken to hospital but were The race ended with Araujo rolling out of the wasn't perfect but that was to be expected. The or released shortly after. Pons and Atkinson also rally on the penultimate test at Donegal Bay. ganisers were however, commended on doing a crashed in the same stage and it was eventually The championship looks like it is heading in Se brilliant job and according to many people within cancelled. bastien Loebs direction but this is rallying and any the WRC, Ireland would be a suitable venue for By the end of the dramatic day Loeb was in the thing can happen. One round remains in this year's hosting the event again. lead with team-mate Dani Sordo second. During competition which will be hosted by Wales Rally Engines were revved for the first time in Stor the day Irish champion Donnelly retired, Meeke GB and starts 30th ofNovember. mont on Thursday 15, November, with a head to crashed out and Henning Solberg crashed his
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IT Waterpolo Club, who hosted every year for the past four years and the waterpolo inter-varsities last narrowly missed out on winning in D year, will be facing off against 2005 by one goal in extra time. TCD on the 10th December in a Our ladies team managed to bring "friendly" in Kevin St. Pool. home silver last year too. We've been TCD are hosting this year's waterpolo training hard since September and we inter-varsities and we intend to give intend to bring home the gold this time them a little taste ofwhat is to come at round. Anyone that wants to get in the end ofJanuary when the event kicks volved in the club can check out our off in Trinity's new pool. Our men's website by linking to us from www.dit team has made it to the semi-finals sports.ie/clubs.htm. DIToutof Two gold Fitzgibbon Cup medals By liam Kelly, PRO DIT Hurling Club forDIT fter opening their Fitzgib After Mark Kelly traded scores to shake things up tactically and bon League account with a with Willie 0 Dwyer (65) the score they never quite recovered as St. Ahard earned victory away to stood at 1-4 to 0-9. Patrick's hit four unanswered a tough VUJ (Jordanstown) side our Padraig 0 Keefe capitalised on a points. boxi g senior hurlers then had a home fix mix up between Paddy Breen and Willie 0 Dwyer responded for ture against our local rivals St. John Walsh to steel in for a point on DIT with a free three minutes from Patricks Drumcondra. Adding extra eighteen minutes. Pauric Nolan then time but St Patricks responding with he all Ireland Boxing spice to the fixture was the fact that converted a free to leave DIT two two point in the dying minutes Intervarsities were DIT dumped St. Pats out of the points in arrear . from Mark Washe and Scan Whe Theld on the 16th, 17th Fitzgibbon Cup last year in an epic From the DIT puck-out Willie lan. and 18th of thi month in battle in Drumcondra. Dwyer evaded numerous tackles DIT: Trinity College Dublin. and stroked over a magnificent ef Niall Kelly, Sean Keegan, John Eleven colleges in total en DIT V St. Patrick's fort to narrow the gap. St. Patrick's Walsh (C) Paddy Breen Donnacha tered at eleven weight cate Drumcondra added two more points before half Kenncdy, Trevor Co coran, l.P. time to leave the score DIT 1-07, St. gories and DIT brought Conditions were as good as one Tutty, Joe Clarke (0-1) Pauric Nolan Patrick's 0-13. home two Golds, won by could have hoped for the 6th ofNo (O-If) Frank Cullen (1-0) Bemard vember with the pitch in particular On the resumption DIT struck Rochford,(Micheal 0 Keefe 50 Colm Kavanagh and Brian in the best shape I'v ever seen it. three bad wides in a row which min) Willie Cullen, Eamonn Clarke Daly. DIT was placed Third would prove costly in the 1 tter cnd The St. Patri • men c~me racing (0-1 )(Peter Farre1l44 min) Willie 0 overall. of the half. The first sco of the out () ~ block~ puttln,g .fi~point8 Dwyer (0-6 2f 265) Sean Bourke Thi is a remarkable achieve second half came from stick of on the board within the "first six (0-2) ment as it is DIT's first year to Richie Hogan in the thirty eight ininutes. compete. minute to leave St. Patricks four DIT woke up and opened their ac Unfortunately, two boxer were point clear. End ofFitzgibbon count through two points, the first DIT then hit a purple patch with campaign forced to pull out of the semi-fi coming i~ the eight minute from three points in three minutes, one The hurlers then lost to UCD in nals of the competition due to in corner forward Sean Bourkeami the from Eamonn Clarke and two from Grangegorman which effectively jury. They had been expected to second from midfielder Joey win the bout . q.arke. . Wi Dwyer to leave a point be ended their Fitzgibbon League cam paign. They are currently heavy in DIT boxing club trains every St P.atrick$ responded with a tween the sides. preparation for the Kehoe Cup after Thursday at 7 in Linen Hall sports pointed free from: corner forward However the turning point of the game came in the forty fifth minute Christmas. hall. Their next session will be on Ger Arthur. DIT were then gixen a when DIT centre back Trevor Cor The Intermediate hurlers reached lifeline with a fortuitous but well the 13th of December as the hall coran saw red for a rash challenge the Leinster league final but were taken gOal by stand-in wing forward is currently being used for exams. beaten by a much stronger V.C.D. 'Francis Cullen in the eleventh receiving his second boo g ofthe Anyone looking for more details minute. game. side on the night after wins against should contact the Boxing Club. This forced the DIT NUl Maynooth andAthlone LT. NEWS DECEMBER 2007 S ort 27 • I
h do y u think about the FAI and ir Le g emer r. A: It's good. Our league has had a lot ofproblems 4 teams were all full-time while the part-time counted for. in the past with registration so for it to be coordi teams struggled. The main difficulty with being Q; no ou ha 'e a footba I idol? nated centrally with the structures and licensing part-time is the rest and recovery. You're at work A: Bruce Grobelaar. Re was the top goalie when I system makes perfect sense. all week then you're training Tuesday, Thursday, was growing up.Q: Do you support any foot e etan' C p a ood thing for the Friday, you've a match on Saturday so come Sun ball team '? i corn L ague. day you're knackered. A: Liverpool. A: Definitely. Ifyou look at a club like Drogheda, Q: Do you think it i sustainable at all Q: Do you still enjoy football a much as they've used it as a springboard to success. It's a clubs? you did when you first started? great chance to play teams from the North. A: No. 3-4 months of the year you have to pay A: I don't think I've ever enjoyed football. It's just The money's a great boost for the clubs too. It does your p~ayers when there's no income. You have to so stressful. There are times when you enjoy it but mean more games earlier in the season but the ben apply sound business practices to the full-time the physical constraints and the commitment is efits outweigh the negatives. setup. crazy. Q: What do you think ofsummer football? Some clubs move from a part-time to a full-time Q: Have you thought about retirement yet? It's great. I think the first year attendances were up setup while still applying a part-time mentality. A: Yeah, two years ago when I had my back injury. but now they've That doesn't work. The thought ofretiring, while an easy way out, was levelled off. In terms of training facilities and Q: What has been your favourite moment not one that I wanted to take but I am looking for pitches at part-time in your career? ward to it. clubs, it's better. We're training in the evenings and A: Getting an Ireland 'B' cap. It's not soccer but Q: Have you recovered fully from your it's bright for the playing for Offaly's up there too. I played senior spinal injury? bulk ofthe season. football and minor hurling for Offaly. I won the A: I was looking at an MRI a few weeks ago and Q: atdo you think ofthe Eircom League league and the League Cup with Pats. basically two discs at the bottom ofmy back are a being i FIF '08? Q: And your worst? quarter of their size. The doctor said at the time A: I get texts offfriends saying they're playing me A: Sustaining a bad injury about 2 years ago. That that my back was the equivalent of a 60 year old on the computer. I know was the most frightening experience. and in about ten years I'll probably have some se that the German league looked for compensation Q: How do you juggle two careers at once? rious problems. over players' rights but I A: It's impossible. I lecture in DIT, UCD and Por Q: Who do you think should be the next think it's good for clubs. It gives them exposure. tobello college and then training with Longford so Ireland manager? Q: What do you think ofthe full-time setup you're rushing from job to job. You're up at 7 and A: They've mentioned Sam Allardyce, Graham tome clubs? not home until half 10. Sunday is spent catching Souness but for me it'd be Gerard Roullier. A: It's brilliant but ifyou look at the league the top up. I'm doing a PhD as well so every hour is ac- By Finbarr O'Sullivan 28 on: DECEMBER 2007 NEWS
WRC takes over the west PAGE 25 DIT Sailing beat Trinity in IUSA Western Championships
ByConor Byrne
he DIT sailing teams have semi-final stage due to an un only two races. / Mel Croxon in first place were once again reigned usual call from an umpire in the Itwas a tense best-of-five races not going out quietly. Johnny T supreme this November favour ofSheffield I, to finish a final, DIT taking the first and O'Dowd / Amy Corcoran and after winning a further two com disappointing 3rd out of 21 third races. After Trinity solidly Byrne / McNally (DIT) jointly petitions. DITI topped 28 col teams. winning races 2 and 4, it was put the pressure on the Trinity lege teams in Bantry to win the In the round robin league, DIT going down to the wire for the boat at the final mark, Mark 4. Intervarsity Westerns trophy lost only one oftheir six races to last race. Byrne / McNally slipped into over the 17 / 18 November, and Trinity, who have just returned In Race 5, DIT were in a los first place O'Leary / Herlihy the previous weekend DIT2 beat home from a seventh place in the ing 2, 3, 6 combination by the sneaked into 3rd place up the 10 Dublin teams to win the UCD Student Yachting World Cup in first mark, Conor Byrne / Emer final leg and across the line, giv invitational event in Dun France last month. It was these McNally in dead last place, ing DIT a 1,3,5 win and the title Laoghaire. two teams who would meet in needing to make up only a single of IUSA Western Champions DIT2 won all around them in the final. ULI also put up a position for DIT to win the 2007/08. the league, matching against mean fight which DITI were event. Byrne / McNally caught DIT are now well ahead in the Trinity in the best-of-three fmal lucky to recover from. out Trinity's Geoff Tait / Katie Intervarsity sailing ranking table and beating them by 2 races to I. In the best-of-three races quar Hamilton at the first mark. of 13 colleges after winning the DITl were meanwhile com ter-finals, DITI were matched DIT were now in an unstable 2, Eastern and Western Champi peting in Sheffield at a UK event against CITI, who also com 3, 5 winning combination until onships, with the Southern to sharpen their teeth, where they peted at the recent Student hurricane O'Leary struck Trin championships in Baltimore and shocked the Brits by winning all Yachting World Cup in France, ity's Ciaran Little / Jessica Guy, National Championships in Kil their matches in the league, but finishing 2nd. CIT were ex giving DIT the edge. laloe left to play for early next were unfortunate enough to be pected to put up more ofa fight, There was still half the race to Spring. knocked out in the one-race but it was over for them after go, and Trinity's Simon Rattigan