News

Eating Disorders: New Figures Uncover A Stark Increase in Young People Suffering

The lockdown has provided a catalyst for college students to suffer from eating disorders according to Bodywhys, the Irish Eating Disorder Association.  From January to September 2020 to 2021, Bodywhys reported a 75% increase in support emails and a further 60% increase in attendees for online groups. Adult referrals have increased significantly, most notably in the 18-24 year age group.  …

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Arts & Culture, Features

A Triumph of the Spirit: In Conversation with Declan O’Rourke

Singer-songwriter Declan O’Rourke has turned from writing lyrics to prose for his latest creative venture.  Famed for his distinctive voice and musical abilities, his literary debut The Pawnbrokers Reward illuminates the darkest chapter of Irish history.  Having previously explored the famine in his critically acclaimed song cycle Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine, the novel examines the events of that …

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The Art of Preserving Irish with Manchán Magan

What can certain words of the Irish language tell us about our culture? For writer Manchán Magan, answering this question has spurred his latest book ‘Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and other Irish Words for Nature.’ Reuniting with publishing house Gill and illustrator Steve Doogan, it serves as a sequel to his bestselling ‘Thirty Two Words for Field.’ The idea originated …

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‘Not Your Villain’ – The Problem Behind the Scarred Baddie Trope

The Bond movies are a franchise synonymous with glamour, action and a long lineage of malicious villains.  The distinctive villains are enshrined in cinematic history however the likes of Le Chiffre, Jaws, Emilio Largo, Alec Trevelyan, Zao and Raoul Silva all share a troubling similarity.  These evil characters share a visible difference, aided by extensive make up and prosthetics.  In …

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Lana Del Rey: Blue Banisters Review: A Glamorous Return

Lana Del Rey is a pop culture enigma who shrouds herself in references to vintage Americana, vulnerability and controversy. Diehard Lana fans like myself broached the onset of her eight studio album with uncertainty. The American singer is no stranger to pushing back release dates with Norman Fucking Rockwell’s wait delayed for months, agonising for fans desperate for more lovelorn …

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Crystals- A Passing Trend or The Dawn of a New Religion? 

Birth times, chakras, incense and healing crystals all have entered mainstream vocabulary in the past year, but what exactly has been leading this spirituality craze?  Downloads of horoscope apps such as Sanctuary and Time Passages have rocketed, many can now attempt a makeshift tarot card reading and even singer Lorde has returned to parody the craze in her latest single, …

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Five of the Best Budgeting Apps

Are you caught for cash this semester and looking for easy ways to save money?  Budgeting via your mobile may be the option for you as it brings the ordeal of monitoring your finances to your fingertips. In 2018, a Eurostudent report stated one-third of Irish third-level students were experiencing serious financial problems. Now facing the consequences of the pandemic …

“No Such Thing as a Quick Fix”- The Dangers of Diet Pills

The pandemic plunged the majority of the population into a sedentary lifestyle,  with many now carrying extra weight. New marketing regimes have become commonplace on social media and are now targeting this vulnerable cohort desperate to shift the pounds. Khloe Kardashian, Katie Price and Vikki Patterson have all promoted meal replacers and diet pills to their millions of fans on …

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The Lasting Influence of Coco Chanel

The two interlocking C’s, a definition of enduring fashion which has outlived both its founder and creative directors- most notably Karl Larger field who passed in 2019. The brains behind the Parisian stronghold was once an unassuming orphan, acquiring her sewing skills under the instruction of nuns. Critics cite this adverse beginning in life an inspiration to the artist- with …

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UL FM Win Big: Clubs and Socs Award Winners Announced

Student Life has announced its annual award winners on an virtual ceremony held on  Friday 9th April.   This year, the awards took place virtually the form of a YouTube video.  The Club and Society of the Year went to UL FM, beating competition from nominees  Economics and Investments and Enactus UL.  “We are over the moon to have been announced …

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