The Gown: Friday 19th September 2014

The independent student newspaper at Queen’s University, established 1955.

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FRESHERS SCRAMBLING FOR PLACES IN ELMSLiam CassidyNews Editor @cashdee

Many first-year Queen’s University students from Northern Ireland are to be left with no university owned accommodation for the start of the academic year. In an email sent out on August 28th Queen’s Accommodation blamed “the increased volume of applications from eligible students” for the extend-ed waiting period. In the same email,

Queen’s Accom-modation revealed that students who lived with-in a 19.13-mile radius of Belfast, “up to and in-cluding the postcode area BT25, will not receive an accommodation offer for the start of the academic year”. This email came at the end of a tense two-week period for a number of home students who were repeatedly kept wait-ing for information on the allocation of places while international and GB stu-dents attending Queen’s were all allocated rooms. One student who spoke to the Gown, Cordelia McGe-own, was left exasperated by this waiting period. “I have called accommoda-tion four times […] and each time I called I was told a later date for when Northern Irish students would be allocated”. “One of the major problems,” Cordelia explained, “is the lack of information. On the 14th [of August, A level results day] we were

told that allocation emails would be out on the 18th. What was not made clear was that the 18th was for international students and GB students.” Queen’s finally settled on August 25th to begin looking at NI applicants and announced this through Facebook. A number of students took to the pages of Queen’s Accommodation and the unofficial group “Queen’s Freshers.” It was through these forms of communi-cation that many students learned that instead of al-locating a first come first serve basis, as some expect-ed when they applied at the beginning of the sum-mer, applications from Northern Ireland would be dealt with according to post code and distance from the university. This is not a new policy however, and Queen’s Accommoda-tion has allocated places on this basis for a number of years.

Many students claim that this policy was not made clear during the application process. Due to the misunderstanding, many students began to look at alternative housing arrangements. To facilitate this, students begun using Queen’s University Fresh-er’s page as well as that of Queen’s Accommodation. One student took it upon themselves to found a page with the exclusive purpose of providing a hub for stu-dents to make alternative housing arrangements. ‘QUB Accommodation Re-jects’ was founded on the 26th of August, and when

asked what prompted such action, the founder said “I made this page because it was apparent to a lot of people that we were not going to be given accom-modation because of the postcode sorting.” “QUB have been very inconsis-tent with their info,” they continued, “as students were told they would know by Monday 18th Au-gust, then that date passes and QUB said it would be Friday 22nd August before everyone knew”.

After August 28th however, those students ruled out by the cut-off distance of 19 miles could begin to make alterna-tive arrangements with a degree of certainty, although many have been forced into housing with other students they have only met through Face-book. This has been the main function of the ‘QUB

Accommodation Rejects’ page, with regular updates on spare rooms or fellow students willing to orga-nize housing together.

Most recently, Queen’s Accommodation released an update stating their team will continue to work on the allocation process “until all rooms are allocated”, also stat-ing “the position remains fluid and we will provide updates on a regular ba-sis”. They continued to cite an “increased demand for accommodation” for the ongoing delay for students from Northern Ireland. This update also contained links to external sites providing accommodation in the private sector, as well as sections of tips and advice for unsuccessful applicants. The recom-mended sites included NI Student Pad, Gumtree and

PropertyPal. VP Welfare Patrick Sally stressed that concerned students should make contact with the SU. “The Students’ Union will work with the man-agement of Elms Village to ensure that appropriate information regarding student accommodation options is distributed to our members in a more efficient manner in the future.

To help students in search of accommoda-tion, the Students’ Union website has everything that you need to know and more about finding the right home. Our website has all of the information that students need and lots of tips to keep them on the right track.” The Gown reached out to QUB Accommodation several times for comment but no response was given.

Photo by Liam Cassidy

Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas have agreed upon a long-term ceasefire which took effect on Tuesday, 26th August bringing to an end seven weeks of fighting. In Gaza, 2,100, predom-inantly civilian, deaths, 11,000 injuries and the damage of 10,000 build-ings were recorded, and according to the UN, “230,000 of Gaza’s 1.8 million people were displaced.” In Israel, 69 deaths were recorded, 65 of which were Israeli soldiers.

Tensions towards the Northern Irish Jewish community have sparked during the seven-week con-flict. Rabbi David Singer of North Belfast on 15th

August told the BBC, “We had a brick through the window of the synagogue, unpleasant phone calls…of an anti-Semitic nature.”

The Northern Ireland Friends of Israel group have counteracted the polarisation of views, “We would like to deepen people’s understanding…whatever people’s views they need to at least un-derstand Israel’s perspec-tives as well as those of the other parties. There are already important initiatives in Northern Ireland bringing together Catholics and Protestants with Jews and Arabs, such as Intercomm or the East Belfast Mission. We would like to see more visits in both directions.”

Similarly, a spokes-person for the QUB Palestine Solidarity Society stated that, “We also push

a strictly human rights focused agenda which helps to reshape the Israel - Palestine conflict here in Northern Ireland so that it is no longer seen as a sectarian issue.”

In January 2014, 144 Northern Irish/Irish aca-demics, including three QUB lecturers, signed a pledge, declaring “not to engage in any professional association with Israeli academic, research and state institutions and with those representing these institutions, until such time as Israel complies with international law and universal principal of human rights.”

The QUB academics are Professor John Pinker-ton, Social Work, Dr Des O’Rawe, Creative Arts and Dr Brian Kelly, History.

23 academics from St. Mary’s teaching college

and two academics from the University of Ulster have also signed.

Dr Cathal McCall of the school of Politics, International Studies and philosophy QUB has can-celled plans for academic work in Israel.

“I have withdrawn from a research project workshop and conference due to be held in Be’er Sheva in December [and] hosted by colleagues in Ben Gurion University. I have written to my Israe-li colleagues outlining my position, stipulating that my withdrawal is in protest at the action of the State of Israel in Gaza rather than a reflection on them. They have reassured me that they are appalled at the situation in Gaza and at the rise of right-wing fascism in Israel.”

In 2012 NUS-USI

passed a motion in support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign however the pol-icy is not in place within QUBSU.

Over summer some fairtrade Palestinian items have been introduced to the SU shop.

The QUB Palestinian Solidarity Society “pushed for the introduction of fair trade Palestinian goods in the SU shop,” and stated that “promoting the Pales-tinian economy and also their culture are two key activities for our society.” The Northern Ireland Friends of Israel group are supportive of such actions, “we want to see positive engagement with both Israelis and Palestinians so we welcome the sale of Palestinian fair trade products.”

Lecturers Taking Part In Academic Boycott Of Israel Claire MurrayContributer

Friday 19th September 2014

02 The GownThe Gown

EditorialKylie NobleEditor@Noble_Kylie

Write For Us To have your say on the issues covered in the Gown please get in touch at [email protected]

The Gown is an Independant Student Newspaper at Queen’s University Belfast, established 1955

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The Gown Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union University Road Belfast BT7 1NF

028 9097 1057

“With this issue, ‘The Gown’ starts a most ambi-tious career...Our paper will be, in main, a news edition of the University, for the University...”

“We know that many of our readers have ideas and the power to express them. ‘The Gown’ gives them the oppor-tunity to extend their criticisms and ideas to the University. Far too many people at the University, both staff and students, do nothing to justify their existence, either by adding

to the intellectual or artis-tic talent or by contribut-ing to University life and sport.

“It is impossible for us to observe everything noteworthy going on at the University, still less to see life from your point of view. It is for our readers to tell us. We only wish to be “go-betweens” of University opinions and news, a kind of clearance-port-of-ideas in which we have no desire to hold a monopoly.”

These words can be

found on the front page of The Gown’s first issue, published in 1955. While our writing style may have changed a little over the last sixty years, we still believe in being a vital ‘go-between’ for Queen’s students and the wider University.

The Gown offers students a place to express their ideas, observe note-worthy goings-on and, yes, perhaps even justify their own existence.

Whether you’re interested in covering

the latest news, sports or features, examining uni-versity lifestyles, reviewing the latest arts events, or even just expressing your opinions, The Gown would like to hear from you.

Join our team, and find out what it’s like to work on one of the UK’s oldest independent stu-dent newspapers.

We will be present at both days of the fresher fair on 1st and 2nd Octo-ber.

Another year at Queen’s begins and if you were to judge by the ridiculous marketing strategies employed by nightclubs trying to get freshers at-tentions in front of the Lanyon, you’d be inclined to think that perhaps some things not only nev-er change but get worse.

However within the University and Student’s Union there is reason in 2014/2015 to at least hope for an interesting year

ahead.Patrick Johnston

is our new Vice Chancel-lor. He takes on the helm after a tumultuous year of disputes between UCU and the University regards the rate of pay of cleaners, shop workers and lecturers employed by the Univer-sity.

The publication of the delay of his new ‘vision’ has been put off from the summer past to autumn due to wanting to hear more opinions. I have not yet seen any emails asking the opinion of students.

The end of last term brought a fresh face to the leadership of the SU with underdog Ciáran Gallagh-er being the first pirate to be elected to President

and the first President in several years to not have led the law ticket.

As I enter my final year at Queen’s it is true to say that many students are apathetic. Lacklustre SU leadership in the past two years cannot have helped much. Not since the campaign to maintain the cap on fees for Northern Irish students in 2010 have student officers taken a lead role in activism on campus.

Yet it is also true to say that there are students that care with no better example being the suc-cessful ‘Save Student Jobs’ campaign which prevent-ed student SU security jobs from being fully privatised under G4S in May 2013. A random coalition of con-

cerned students secured hundreds of signatures opposing the selloff in a mere few days.

Student journal-ism continues to be alive and well. I wish to thank Megan Liddy and Tara McEvoy for their support and wisdom not only in my last two years with the Gown but in also advis-ing me on getting this issue out. I also wish to thank my team who I look forward to working with throughout the rest of our 60th year.

I hope that fresh-ers will not only throw themselves into the fun of being a university student but also take an active role in shaping the kind of University and Student’s Union they wish to see.

The Hood is the Gown’s anonymous whistleblower cum satirist. Founded in 1976 by a generous donation from the Sir Humphrey Hood Foundation, the Hood has consistently broken news of wrongdoing in the elected officials of the Students’ Union, as well as the wider student movement and the university itself. Loved by people who care too much about SU politics and despised by offic-ers who should care more, the Hood delivers the news and the schmooze on those who waste your union dues. @upthehood

Summer around Queens is a strangely familiar place because it is, in essence, a weekend taken to its logi-cal extreme. Depopulation begets hibernation and the heartbeat of the Stu-dents’ Union slows down. There was a flurry of activ-ity before the summer re-garding the decrepit state of the Union democracy, with amendments to the constitution proposed but ultimately overshadowed by poppygate. One of the results of this was that the powers that be called in an NUS diagnostic team to try and figure out why our elections are so lacklustre, but since they’re only talk-ing to those who’ve won an election the recommen-dations they receive might be just more of the same. Still, its free of charge, why buy Germolene when there’s plenty of mud

about, eh?In the vein of elec-

tions, political tendrils are already creeping out in preparation for the next sabbatical election. Ru-mour has it the leader of the University’s Solicitors’, Doctors’ and Landlords’ Party and the VP for Equal-ity and Diversity are both vying to secure a ticket to clamber for the top spot, with numerous other figures hoping to secure Glass Office jobs being torn between these two and their own ideology.

Of course, not all is continuity within the Union. Those of you with keen eyesight will notice that Relish and Supermacs at the rear of the union has gone, and rumours are flying as to what will replace it, ranging from McDonalds and Boojum down to the far more like-ly ‘empty space’. Frankly, I think that whatever ends up there will be more

successful, as long as they open for more than three hours a day, or even if they did open for that time, as long as the hours aren’t the ones leading up to lunch, but not after it.

The disappearance of Relish coincided with a round of second-floor evacuations. The Flight of the Marketers directly fol-lowed on from the Clubs and Societies co-ordinator leaving. Unfortunately, they all seem to have left on good terms, so there’s little to report directly, but it does rather show the lack of a backup plan. With the Fresher’s Fair approaching and the C&S job being held down part time by Erstwhile Sabbs, there remains hope for the Clubs officer that all could go smoothly. Mr. Stevenson , however is not so lucky, and while the previous of-ficer was able to do noth-ing and allow the unelect-ed to pick up the slack, he

will have no such luxury, and is going to have to fight to avoid being named here as frequently as his predecessor.

News has also reached my ears that several of the individuals responsible for poppygate are hoping to bring us some new mummery, this time via the medium of a student body referendum. I’d keep my eye on that, because referenda tend to invigorate tired spirits, es-pecially if they’re going to be on a controversial topic. The last one held essential-ly boiled down to a ‘Yes’ campaign and a ‘Don’t bother voting’ campaign, but this one might be a bit more fiercely fought.

So there you have it: that was the summer that was. If you’ve any news or rumors, do drop me a line and I’ll investigate, oth-erwise, I’m in here every issue. To the hoodmobile!

The Hood


The Gown

03News

City Hall Rally for 8th Amendment repealedNiamh Mc Govern Assistant News Editor@mcgovern_niamh

As the medical treatment of an Irish immigrant woman seeking abortion came to light a campaign nationwide has been sparked. One such protest was hosted at City Hall, on 20th August with signifi-cant support from Queen’s students and societies.

The unnamed wom-an had allegedly requested abortion within her legal rights, only to be denied and forced into a caesare-an birth prematurely, fol-lowing attempts of liquid and hunger strikes.

Medical professions had the birth carried out to protect both mother and child, after her claims of suicidal thoughts and distress.

The protest focused on the lack of protection the young woman had

received from the 2013 Protection of Life during Pregnancy

Act, allowing the termination of the preg-nancy only where the mother or child’s life proceeds in danger, or the woman became pregnant as a result of incest, rape or traumatic circumstanc-es.

Protesting for a de-mand of repealing the 8th, participators demanded a separation of state from health, to protect similar women in this situation.

The alleged victim had been unlawfully de-nied abortive rights eight weeks after her decision, only to be forced into birth after passing the maximum duration of the pregnancy to allow for a legal termination.

Organisers for the campaign spoke out about the limitations of Irish law, and the problems highlighted by the young

women mentioned; “this tragedy shows us that even if your pregnancy is a result of rape, you will not get an abortion, even if you say you will kill yourself if forced to con-tinue the pregnancy, you will not get an abortion. Even if you take desperate steps of hunger and liquid strikes in protest; you will

not get an abortion.” Highlighting the

purpose of the campaign to achieve “free, safe, legal abortions for all wom-en within the island of Ireland”, speakers stressed the importance of a cam-paign like this to protect women from illegal abortions, and encouraged more women in these sit-

uations to seek necessary professional help to termi-nate their pregnancies.

Chair of QUB Greens, Georgia Granger represented her party as a “pro- choice party”, supporting young women facing this form of per-secution from the state. They will highlight this as part of their upcoming campaigns this year.

Turnout for the protest was praised by Alli-ance for Choice, who were particularly pleased with the support from male at-tenders, whether partners or independent support-ers, who also continue to express concern with the woman’s story and the Pregnancy Act.

AFC continued to thank their supporters, and the lively attitude of the crowd, and are con-tinuing their campaign in Dublin.

Photo by Niamh Mc Govern


04 NewsThe Gown

NUS-USI Leads Campaign On Street Harassment Kerry CampionContributor

On 27 August, NUS-USI Women’s Officer, Ellie Drake, met with represen-tatives from University of Ulster and Queen’s Uni-versity to discuss how to tackle street harassment and sexual violence on campuses. These discus-sions were part of the NUS-USI Women’s Committee campaign to empower female students in North-ern Ireland.

Ms Drake has been meeting with Helen Mc-Bride, director of ‘Holla-back! Belfast’. ‘Hollaback!’ is a movement to end street harassment powered by a network of local activ-ists around the world.

Commenting on efforts to introduce ‘Hollaback!’ into as many Students’ Unions in North-ern Ireland as possible Ms Drake said: “We want to get ‘Hollaback!’ into Stu-dents’ Unions as student areas have been noted to

be ‘hotspots’ for street harassment and sexual violence.”

The aim of the discussions with Sabbat-ical Officers from both University of Ulster and Queen’s are to run a pilot campaign through which a group of ‘Hollaback!’ facilitators would be estab-lished on each university campus.

Ms Drake said: “Hel-en and I will train these facilitators and they will then act as mediators be-tween students, sabbs and Helen and me. This means we have students on the ground that are accessible to all students if they feel that have been victims of street harassment and/or some form of sexual vio-lence. The facilitators basi-cally create a safe space for students.”

Ms Drake also com-mented on the importance of having these fellow peer facilitators to improve the likelihood of students reporting sexual/street harassment in and around

campus, in turn encour-aging firmer university policies on student harass-ment.

Ms Drake was enthu-siastic about the response she has received from Sab-batical Officers from both UU and QUB: “The Sabbati-cal Officers from QUB and UU seemed very keen and lots of extra ideas were floating around.”

Ms Drake also took part in a two-day training programme through the NUS Liberation Commit-tee, where further cam-paigns regarding female students were highlighted.

During the training, Susuana Antubam (NUS Women’s Officer) outlined the campaigns for the year, as did each Nation’s Women’s Officers for En-gland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with much overlap.

The main priorities of the campaign involves: tackling ‘Lad’ culture, issues relating to student sex work, helping student

carers and 16 Days of activism.

Ms Drake comment-ed on the discussion: “There was some fantastic ideas exchanged and it looks like the campaign will flourish. It’s early stages but it’s one step closer to making univer-sity and college campuses safer for all students all of the time!”

If any students would be interested in signing up as Hollaback! facilitators they can get in touch with Ellie Drake via email: [email protected].

Ellie Drake, NUS-USI

Liam Cassidy

News In Brief

University Health Centre at Queen’s moving closer to campus:

Currently located at 5 Lennox-vale, just of the Malone Road the UHC will move at some stage in either September or October to new premises , the refurbished Elmwood Manse building beside Elmwood Avenue

More on these stories can be found on our website: www.the-gownatqub.wordpress.com

Interview: Ciaran Gallagher, SU President

Kylie NobleEditor@Noble_Kylie

Queen’s researcher heads NASA research programme

Queen’s physics department are set to collaborate in a major re-search project with international space pioneer agency NASA, to investigate the disruption and ef-fect of solar flares here on Earth. In collaboration with the Catholic University of America, the project has been granted $330,000, which will be headed by Queen’s renowned researcher, Dr Ryan Milligan.

Dr Milligan will investigate these solar flares, the result of in-creased production of Ultra-violet radiation in the sun’s atmosphere, causing solar explosions on the sun’s atmosphere, and what pos-sible effects they may have in a world that becomes increasingly dependant on modern technol-ogy. Dr Milligan explained “Solar flares can have significant effects on modern life. For example, they can throw GPS off by quite signifi-cant distances- tens of metres- so considering how many services now rely on GPS, that’s a lot of potential for chaos.” He expressed how significant the research will become as the world becomes ever reliant on connection and the exchange of technological information.

Niamh Mc Govern

In an interview with the Gown last April you said you wished to ‘employ less traditional methods of sparking student’s in-terest’ in the union, have you any hints of what they might be yet?

The big ideas are sort of down mostly, it’s the fine details of getting students involved and en-gaged and interested that are still to be sorted out for example the main is-sue is if you have anything like workshops or presen-tations they are just com-ing across terribly dryly...you have to stand out in someway, otherwise what reason does anyone have to listen to you? I think you can probably expect (hopefully), more refresh-ments, more informalities, more fun and there should definitely be more physical presence of officer on the ground. They’ll be off their office chairs and talking to students more often.

Under your leader-ship the SU was involved in the first ever student bloc in PRIDE. For a num-ber of years there’s been a lack of activism from

student officers, possibly contributing to increased apathy. How do you plan to combat this issue?

There’s a question of leadership here and a question of representation plus we have the disad-vantage of course of being already a very politically divisive society. However, it’s the feeling of many students and staff in the Student’s Union and the University as well, that the Union could have more political bite. There is some justified hesita-tion in powering on with personal thoughts and agendas that come from 7 student officers without even consulting students on the ground or student council for a much strong-er sense of representation and democratic mandate. However, I think there ought to be more general student activism hope-fully. Getting for example more politicians to liaise with us or more political activists to have more pres-ence. Of course hopefully not on the divisive issues.

Your campaign was perceived by some not to be serious enough due to policies such as installing cannons on the roof and abolishing early morning

classes. What would you say to such critics?

First and foremost I hope they are not put off union politics entirely. The nature of my campaign was one of protest against some of the election culture at Queen’s which I think is in need of updat-ing, a greater sense of control and fair play. But I’ll reassure you I’m taking the job very seriously and if you see me in a pirate costume it’s only to re-mind people that one, that the union is fun and also to remind myself not to take myself too seriously.

You’re leading an executive team entirely from the ticket you ran against. Do you forsee any issues in team cohesion?

No, not really. I’m glad to say that there already is diversity of opinion and healthy dis-cussions going on between the officers in terms of what’s the best way to improve student’s lives and what’s relevant to stu-dents; what we should we doing, what we shouldn’t be doing- which everyone else on campus should feel to weigh in on.

One of your most popular policies was re-turning the price of pints

in the SU to two pounds. How is this progressing?

Some brief talks have taken place although in the midst of a very intense planning process that the union has been going through for the next 12 months, there hasn’t been a lot of time to concentrate on it. I’m aware that it captured the hearts and minds of many students so I don’t intend to let them down although it will be difficult, but I won’t give up on it.

What advice would you give to fresher’s start-ing out on their time at Queen’s?

Join at least one club or society, another would be immerse yourself early on in the activities that the union is provid-ing during fresher’s period and you can follow us on the new SU website. Be aware that through your class reps and through your student officers, that any issues on campus-academic or not, can be dealt with.

QUBSU now has snapchat. Students can add the Stu-dent’s Union to their snapchat list by entering qubsu.

Liam Cassidy


The Gown

05News

NUS Calls for international hardship fundYet cuts made to hardship funds in Northern Ireland for FE students

The National Union of Students has called for hardship funds to be extended to international students.

Daniel Stevens, NUS international student’s officer has spoken out about the need for a fund for those in difficult sit-uations so far away from home; “it is totally naïve to assume all internation-al students come from wealthy backgrounds and can support themselves through everything. There are times when interna-tional students are faced with entirely unexpected circumstances.”

The call is in light of recent hardship faced by many students travel-ling to the UK, from the emotional stress of war- stricken countries, to the healthcare crisis in Africa. Natural disasters, bereave-ment and civil conflict were also highlighted by NUS as common hardships suffered by the population of international students.

Stevens spoke up about the high risk dangers internationals students’ experience.

“International students take huge risks in going abroad to study in a foreign country. They leave their own safety nets of friends and families and their own government be-hind. Host countries have a duty of care to interna-tional students in being upfront about all costs that will be incurred when studying abroad, and in providing support when things go wrong.”

The money grant-

ed as hardship funds for Northern Ireland FE students has a taken a cut of £1.3 million over the last five years, which has been highly criticised by NUS-USI.

NUS-USI Deputy President Fergal McFerran said: “It is absolutely un-acceptable that there has been around a £1.3m cut in the FE student hardship funding over the past five years”

“The cost of living, like food costs and energy bills have increased sig-nificantly in the past five years, yet this hardship funding has been cut, and we are extremely troubled by this.”

FE Officer Hannah McNamara commented

that “NUS-USI has creat-ed an online petition to oppose this decrease so that students can make their voice heard on the issue. NUS-USI will also be raising this issue with the Minister in our meeting with him on 17 Septem-ber.”

In NUS-USI’s ‘Pound in Your Pocket’ survey carried out last year 59% of students in further edu-cation stated they some-times felt overwhelmed by their finances. 52% of the FE students surveyed who said they had seriously considered leaving their course, said that financial issues were a factor.VP Welfare, Patrick Sally pointed out that many fur-ther education students af-

fected by these cuts could be potential QUB students.

“Queen’s Students’ Union strongly oppos-es the announced cuts affecting students in Further Education. We believe that many of those students who are liable to be adversely impacted are potentially Queen’s students of the future. The Students’ Union will also vigorously oppose and campaign against any cuts to support funds for High-er Education Students.”

Former VP Welfare (2010-2012), Adam McGib-bon spoke about the risks to financial student secu-rity in light of the cuts. Mr McGibbon prevented budget cuts in 2012.

“The cuts to the

Student Support Fund are criminal. Applicants to the fund are some of the most vulnerable students, in the most tragic circumstanc-es. Many of their stories are harrowing - victims of emotional and physical abuse, students living in poverty with children, students with disabilities, student nurses on meagre bursaries who can’t even afford to pay for their uni-forms - groups of people that the Northern Ireland Executive says it’s keen to get into higher education, and who will have to drop out otherwise.”

Niamh Mc Govern Assistant News Editor@mcgovern_niamh

New Seamus Heaney Centre in BellaghyKatie WebbContributor

An exhibition centre to commemorate the life and work of Seamus Heaney in Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry has been announced by En-vironment Minister Mark H Durkan, a year on from the poet’s death.

The proposed 2036-square-metre centre will be built upon land previously used as a police station. The centre will also boast a library and arts

facility to further educate the community in the poet’s field of expertise.

As well as being a fitting tribute to a well-loved poet, the proposed centre is said to also include a café and amphitheatre to be used by the surrounding com-munity. The centre will also create five jobs to boost the local economy.

The centre will honour Heaney’s outstand-ing contribution to the arts, which includes thirteen po-etry anthologies and many essay collections. The poet explored the themes of his

rural upbringing, personal experiences and his views of the Troubles.

His most well known poems include ‘Mid-Term Break’ and ‘Digging’.

The centre will be run by Magherafelt District Council. John McLaugh-lin, the Chief Executive of the council stated that as Seamus Heaney was a native of Bellaghy and a lot of his work is based on his life in the town, the council wanted to construct a site to interpret, commemorate and study his works when the site became available.

Queen’s University has long commemorated the works of Heaney. In 2004, the University opened The Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry which has awarded a Poetry prize since 2010. Most recently, the centre at Queen’s hosted a three-day conference in April to celebrate Heaney’s life-work which included lectures and panel discussions on campus, as well as poetry readings in the Lyric Theatre and Ulster Hall.

Heaney had strong ties to Queen’s University throughout his life. He stud-

ied at Queen’s as English Literature undergraduate student between 1957 and 1961 and became a lecturer at the University in 1966. He then went on to achieve an honorary doctorate while teaching and officially opened the new Mc Clay library in 2010.

The 1995 Nobel Prize winner was born in 1939 and died in 2013, aged 74.

NUS USI Logo


06 FeaturesThe Gown

Robin Williams and the Real Meaning of Depression

Amy SlackFeatures Editor@amyizzylou

As Robin Williams’ death proves, suffering from depression is a lot more complicated than simply feeling sad.

A quarter of the popula-tion will experience some form of mental health problem in their lifetime, according to the Mental Health Foundation. Yet, despite the fact that so many of us will be affected by mental illness, it can of-ten be seriously misunder-stood, or even trivialised in day-to-day conversation. Take depression, for in-stance. Regularly, the word is used in everyday speech as a synonym for simply ‘being sad.’ It wouldn’t be unusual to hear someone say they are ‘depressed’ as a dramatic reaction to the cancellation of a favourite TV show.

Of course, that isn’t the same as suffering from depression, when one can feel prolonged feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in things they may have previously enjoyed. Depression affects around one in ten people, with symptoms varying greatly between individu-als, from the mild to the severe.

More and more peo-ple are becoming aware of depression as a serious medical condition. But, while the word continues to be used in the wrong context, genuine depres-sion itself becomes trivi-alised. As a result, genuine sufferers can end up being told to ‘cheer up’ and ‘get over it,’ as if they simply feel a little unhappy.

Then, on the 12th of August, news broke that actor and comedian Robin Williams had died, aged

63. Highly respected

for his Oscar-winning and -nominated performances in films including Good Will Hunting and Good Morning Vietnam, and loved for children’s films such as Mrs Doubtfire and Jumanji, the news of Williams’ passing shocked the world. In the hours and days following the news generated an out-pouring of grief on social media, from those quoting Williams’ best lines to celebrities tweeting trib-utes. Such digital celebrity memorials have come to be expected nowadays.

However, what was less expected was the level of reaction generated by the news that Williams had committed suicide after ‘battling severe depression’ for some time, according to his publicist. In light of this informa-tion, depression no longer seemed trivial; it was fatal.

So, as well as being a place to grieve for Williams, social media became a space to seri-ously address depression itself. Many people suf-fering from the illness spoke frankly about their experiences, while others posted suicide prevention helplines and links to mental health awareness websites.

Most significantly, this conversation about mental health seems to have prompted some people to speak up when it mattered most. In the USA, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

more than doubled the day after Williams’ death.

The fact that Wil-liams brought so much joy and humour into people’s lives, while experiencing feelings of joylessness and hopelessness in private, has emphasised that depression isn’t a simple, passing emotion. It is an illness which has the po-tential to affect anybody; not just the sufferer, but also those who love them. In taking the life of Robin Williams, the millions of people who watched and loved his films can no lon-

ger deny the seriousness of depression, and its need for sufferers to be treated appropriately.

It would be naïve to state that the circum-stances of Robin Williams’ death will permanently alter how mental illness is perceived by the gen-eral public. However, it is clear that the tragedy has emphasised the reality of depression. It isn’t a passing sadness, but a genuine mental health condition with serious, and sometimes even fatal, side effects.

If you are worried about your mental health while at university, Queen’s Guidance Centre offers a free counselling service to students.

For more information, email:

[email protected],

or call:

0808 800 0016 (free from landline and mobile).

Source- tumblr

Dr Ian Paisley’s impact on Queen’sThe GownStaff Members

Dr Ian Paisley passed on 12th September and was buried in Ballygowan, County Down on 15th Sep-tember following a private funeral.

Dr Paisley had a major impact upon the student community at Queen’s throughout his life.

The Gown reports in January 1971 that ‘fears of violence grow about Paisley meeting’ when plans were made by the Fundamentalist Student Fellowship to hold a de-bate between Rev.

Paisley and Father T. Corbishley, an English Jesuit with the motion being ‘That the Mass is the central act of Christian worship.’

Stewards had been employed to ensure that only the 1500 ticket hold-ers gained access to the de-bate with speculation that they could be used to keep order outside.The occa-sion was the first in which Rev. Paisley had agreed to speak at Queen’s despite many previous invitations.

Queen’s Demo-cratic Unionist Association chairman Jack Patterson expressed the sadness of the DUA at the passing of

the former First Minister.“Queen’s DUA is

deeply saddened by the recent passing of former party leader Dr Ian Paisley (Lord Bannside).

Our thoughts and prayers are with Baroness Paisley and the entire fam-ily at this time of grieving.

Dr Paisley was one of the greatest political leaders and Church lead-ers that Ulster has ever seen and we doubt will ever the like of again.

Dr Paisley provided leadership when there was a distinct lack of leader-ship within Unionism.”

Joshua Lowry, chair of Orange at Queen’s

agreed that it could not be denied that Mr Paisley was a strong voice for union-ists.

“There’s only so much I as an Orangeman and an Ulster Unionist, can say about Paisley a man that was neither.

But during a time when Unionism wanted a strong voice, they certainly got one, a leader of mul-tiple political parties and the founder of a church.

Whatever may be said about his motiva-tions, in these actions Paul in his letter to the Philip-pians said this in chapter 1 (15) ‘It is true that some preach Christ out of envy

and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. (16)

The latter do so out out of love, knowing that I am put here for the de-fense of the gospel. (17)

The former preach Christ out of selfish ambi-tion, not sincerely, suppos-ing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (18)

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.


The Gown

07Features

ISIS: Who Are They?Gáibin McGranaghanContributer

Twenty Years Since Ceasefire - “STRUGGLE” Ended?

Nial ColemanFeatures Editor

Formed in April 2013 by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has already provoked sharp condemnations, from the West and similar jihadist groups alike.

ISIS was born out of the ashes of the ongoing Syrian civil war, working alongside the al-Nusra Front, an Iraq-based group formed of al-Qaeda members. ISIS provided net support and funding to al-Nusra’s, Abu Muham-mad al-Joulani, while ISIS expanded rapidly through Iraq, employing social media both to recruit new members and to articulate its rhetoric.

Hoping to accu-mulate more power and influence on a pan-Arab level, al-Baghdadi sought to expand ISIS’s operations into Syria. He announced that the al-Nusra Front

would merge under the banner of ISIS – although this was swiftly rebutted by al-Joulani, who insisted al-Nusra members had not been consulted on such a merger.

The al-Qaeda leadership initially took a hands-off approach to ISIS/al-Nusra feud, preferring to focus their attention on the wider Syrian conflict. However, in January 2014, al-Qaeda General Com-mand issued a statement distancing itself from ISIS. It emphasised that al-Qae-da “has no connection with the group called the ISIS, as it was not in-formed or consulted about its establishment.”

This response was only provoked after almost a year’s worth of intense street fighting between rebels, and indiscriminate abuse and execution of civilians. According to the BBC, as many as 2,300 peo-ple have been killed in the confrontations between

ISIS and rebels from both Western-backed and other Islamist entities.

ISIS has since lost territory to the al-Nusra Front in Syria, but has compensated with stra-tegic captures; namely Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul. Today, its influence stretches from the Alep-po in Syria to Fallujah in western Iraq, and controls a number of key border crossings and oil fields. By claiming such prominent locations, ISIS has assert-ed itself as the leading jihadist movement in the Middle East.

In contrast to al-Qaeda and al-Nusra, which actively call for the overthrowing of an opposing government, ISIS prefers to become more involved within the communities they control. In compliance with their ultimate goal of establish-ing a worldwide Islamic state (a caliphate), ISIS consolidates its territorial

gains by setting up the conventional institutions and mechanisms typical of a state. ISIS’s mutaween (morality police) are vital components of this struc-ture, banning alcohol, rec-reational drugs, gambling and prostitution.

Like its earlier Syri-an-based incarnation ISIS embraces social media, frequently posting graphic images and audio tapes of captured hostages on Twit-ter. Recently, the water-boarding and decapitation of American photojournal-ist James Foley was posted online. It was seen as a gruesome warning to the West.

At this point, the White House has not ruled out taking armed strikes against ISIS. President Obama has stated that “we will be prepared to take swift and precise military action, if and when the situation on the ground requires it.” Downing Street has conveyed cau-

tion, with neither David Cameron nor Foreign Secretary Phillip Ham-mond definitively stating whether or not Britain will collaborate with the US on the matter.

As coalition forc-es withdraw from Iraq, efforts to clamp down on extremist movements have become increasingly difficult for the new Iraqi government. Whether the West will once again step in to ‘liberate’ the country from ISIS remains a ques-tion of time and patience.

Walking the streets of Belfast City Centre, we can enjoy all the usual pleasantries of living in a conflict-free, democrat-ic society. We can enjoy these things free from the fear of being killed in a no-warning car bomb, or of being aggressively searched by a rifle-wield-ing paratrooper. Fortunate-ly for most of the young people reading this article, this is a vision confined to the old black-and-white newsreels on BBC televi-sion, and to the stories told to us by our elders as grim recollections, and warnings.

August 31 of this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the first ceasefire of the Provi-sional IRA, which in 1994 led to the beginning of the end of a long, drawn-out, painful conflict. The Belfast Telegraph ran the sensational headline: “It’s over”. Republicans claimed victory, as cavalcades of cars lapped the Falls Road, cheering and waving trico-lours. Speaking about the ceasefire announcement

years later, Martin Mc-Guinness, current Deputy First Minister and former IRA Commander claimed that the talks arising from the cessation of violence “took the gun out of Irish politics – it gave people a better life”.

Whilst the ceasefire nearly took the gun out of Irish politics, it is the second part of McGuin-ness’ claim which should perhaps be scrutinised. Yes, now we can say that Sinn Féin and the DUP can sit in a room togeth-er, for at least a short period of time. However, facts suggest that despite a power-sharing system, nothing much has im-proved for those living in the country’s most socially deprived areas which these politicians claim to represent. Critics of the peace-process often question the dividends of the agreement - one such critic, Independent Derry Councillor Gary Donnel-ly, discusses the impact, or lack of impact, on the ground: “In Derry, 20 years on, there’s no motorway, no enhanced university. We have a second-class rail system; unemployment is still bad and on the wider picture there’s no Irish language act, but anyone who speaks up is labelled a dissident and anti-peace.”

Donnelly’s views, whilst generally seen as extreme, do, however, hint to a broader issue. A com-

prehensive study carried out by the University of Ulster illustrates that the people living in Northern Ireland’s most deprived areas have been the real social and economic losers from peace.

Communities known as ‘neighbourhood renewal areas’ (or NRAs) display alarming statistics which raise real questions as to what the current political status-quo is achieving for their people: the number of suicides per 100,000 people in NRAs rose from around 8 to 15 between 1999 and 2010. Rates of depression in working class areas are at a national high – undoubt-edly a symptom of the levels of unemployment in these areas, with recorded crime in NRAs currently at more than double the figure in better-off areas.

Shockingly, men living in NRAs are today projected to live six years less than males in more affluent parts of Northern Ireland. Yes, we are living in type of ‘peace’. But to the entrenched inhabi-tants of Belfast’s most de-prived areas, the shaking of hands in Stormont have had little impact. Whilst the “armed struggle” of the IRA has ended, the struggle of the working classes seemingly con-tinues and worsens in a society that has left them behind.


‘20 years on from the first ceasefire- has the ‘struggle’ reallyended?

08 ArtsThe Gown

The Gown provides reviews of the must see theatre, cinema and music events for the coming weeksGown About Town

Theatre:

Cabaret: 16th September – 4th October at The MAC.Pentecost: 24th September – 18th October at Lyric Theatre.Fast and Loose: 4th October at The Lyric.Pits and Perverts: 8-11th Octo-ber at The Lyric.

Films:

Dead Man: 25th September at Queen’s Film Theatre.Pride: 24th September at Queen’s Film Theatre.The Equalizer: 26th Septem-ber. Major cinema release. Maps To The Stars: 26th September. Major cinema release.Dracula Untold: 3rd October. Major cinema release. Nightcrawler: 31st October. Major cinema release.

Gigs:

The Coronas: 18th December at Mandella Hall.The Magic Numbers: 28th September at Mandella Hall.Ben Montague: 3rd October at Empire Music Hall.Ed Sheeran: 8th - 9thOctober at Odyssey Arena.George Ezra: 14th October at Limelight 1.Jake Bugg: 16th October at Odyssey ArenaElvis Costello: 17th October at Waterfront Hall. (Ulster Bank Festival at Queen’s)Eagulls: 22nd October at Limelight 1.UB40: 23rd October at Lime-light 1.Black Stone Cherry: 24TH October at Mandella Hall. Framing Hanley: 24th Octo-ber at Oh Yeah Centre.Asking Alexandria: 28th October at Ulster Hall.

Arts:

The Fine and Dandy Market: 28th September and 26th Oc-tober at Cresent Arts Centre.Unto the Locust: 25th September at Cresent Arts Centre. Belfast Festival: 16th Octo-ber- 1st November (For full listings visit www.belfastfes-tival.com)Culture Night: 19th Septem-ber (For full listings visit http://www.culturenightbel-fast.com/ )MADE Festival: 7th – 13th October at The MAC.Talking Tatts: 6th – 12th Octo-ber at The MAC.

Kevin Henderson’s ‘Domes-tique’ exhibition: 28th- 19th October at The MAC.

Costumes Parisiens: 13th June- 30th November at Ulster Museum.

Lavery’s World: 28th Febru-ary - 1st November at Ulster Museum.

Loud and Local - Tyrannasonic Deaf Rays

Laura Shields Arts & Entertainment Editor

Tyrannasonic Deaf Rays are a three-piece rock band from Co. Down. Their sound is difficult to pin down and their energy, hard to contain. With live performances that are incomplete if one member of the band hasn’t scaled some piece of furniture, their antics are as infec-tious as their songs. I met with Neil Cromie (Guitar/Lead Vocal), Ronan Rogers (Bass/Backing Vocal) and Mick Kearney (Drums) to find out where the dino-saur-loving band are head-

ing and just what is in their food that gives them so much get-up and go.

Firstly, I have to ask about the name. Where did it come from? Ronan: Sonic Death Rays sounded cool, but we wanted a twist on it. So Ty-rannosaurus is a cool word and “deaf” rays instead of “death” rays plays with people’s expectations. Mick: We are trying to get “Tyrannasonic” in the Oxford dictionary. We just need enough people to start using it!

How would you describe your sound? Mick: I would describe it as a mixture of genres.

Ronan: It’s heavier than indie. I listen to punk but it’s not quite that either. It’s definitely inspired by it but it’s not any one of the above. Neil: I think it’s nice to do that because then we can go for any sort of song. We can do acoustic stuff, we can do heavier stuff. We don’t tie ourselves down. The next album could be a country/mariachi number for all I know!

There is no deny-ing you are an energetic bunch. Where does all that energy come from? Mick: Weetabix! Ronan: We all just bounce off each other. If you look over and see Neil go-ing mental you think “I want to do that too!” Neil: For me, it’s the pres-sures of the daily grind. It gets to the point where you just say “It’s the week-end. I’m going to climb up on this table”. It’s my way of letting off steam. Some people like playing sport or going to the cinema… Mick: Thankfully you don’t go to the cinema a lot!

Your first EP,

“Prehistoric Power”, was released back in March. Can we expect any new songs soon? Ronan: We recently recorded some new tracks for our second EP. We are also working on our first music video. At the minute we are just throwing about ideas. It’s going to be recorded September/October time. Mick: Hopefully the video and new EP should be out in time for Christmas. I think we have gotten more comfortable with writing songs this time round. Ronan: They are definitely riff-ier. Neil: We always seem to write some heavy and energetic, then some real mellow. The new EP should have that balance too.

Find Tyrannasonic Deaf Rays on Facebook, Twitter and Bandcamp for music and news.

Gig Review: The Wonder Villains at The Anchor Bar, Newcastle

Newcastle Arts Festival, like any arts festival is one which is unavoidably one bound up with colour and excitement. What better band to showcase then than The Wonder Villains? A band who themselves radiate colourful excite-ment.

The Derry based four-piece played a free show in conjunction with the Arts Festival on August 29th in The Anchor Bar, nestled at the foot of the Donard Mountain which contributes to the area’s renowned beauty. On this night though, all eyes were on the small stage in the intimate and packed out bar-venue, not the scenery.

Despite the swell-ing crowd and low stage, Eimear Coyle makes her presence known straight away even if those at the back cannot see her. The singer/bassist regales fans with tales of how The Wonder Villains spent their first ever day in the coastal town; at the amusements. Well, now it is our turn to be amused.

The band are tight and on form as they blaze through their infectiously poppy tracks. Unusually, there is no support act at this gig but the audience hardly need warming up with songs like “TV” on the bill. Within seconds, the dancing has begun.

Following the release of their very first album back in June, the set list is unsurprising-

ly heavily lifted from “Rocky”. It speaks volumes of the album itself then, that every song induces an increasingly joyous energy. Cheylene Murphy’s skills on the key-tar are largely to blame for this celebratory mood as well as the band’s wonderfully 80’s vibe. Crowd favour-ite “Zola” beckons some impromptu sing-alongs from the back of the bar,

testimony to the appeal and talents of the band.

What becomes clear tonight is this; it is one thing to listen to The Won-der Villains. It is another to see them live. In New-castle tonight, their music is at its most infectious and party pop is at its most appealing.

Laura Shields Arts & Entertainment Editor@LauraShields86

Tyrannasonic Deaf Rays

The Wonder Villians


The Gown

09Arts

Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queens Laura Shields Arts & Entertainment E ditor@LauraShields86

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s is one of the largest celebrations of arts within Ireland. With a long and vibrant history the festival has faced adversity through-out its 50 plus years. From the Troubles to financial cuts only last year the showcase of talent has overcome it all, returning October 20th for the next page in its history to be written. Fresh from 2014’s official launch the Gown spoke with Richard Wakely, director of the fes-tival. Richard told us, “We have a great, world class line up of both legendary artists and legends to be, with 110 events from 18 countries”. With perfor-mances from the likes of Elvis Costello, it seems this year will be as star stud-ded and monumental as always. While the offi-cial launch may have only happened on September 4th, planning for Richard and his team began back in April of 2013 with the organisation of Bettye Lavette’s Northern Irish

debut. The American soul matriarch will open this year’s festival in style. However, performers will travel not only from across the Atlantic. This year’s truly global event sees acts “from as far afield as Mali (Tamikrest), Brazil (Grupo Corpo) [and] China.” Yet Belfast and indeed students of Queen’s University will play their role as always. Richard draws our atten-tion to one of his most anticipated performances across the two weeks; “Play”. This sound installa-

tion/performance is led by two Queen’s students who from October 24th – 25th will take up residence, tubas, trumpets and trombones in hand, in the PEC’s squash courts. Whilst keen to showcase the talent of the city, there is no denying the role the public play in the festival; “[they are] curious, indeed hungry to experience new work and ideas…The UBBFQ does not curate or produce events that either appeal to only a cultural elite or bring in the biggest commercial au-

diences, but rather events that provoke the mind, challenge and inspire…all.” In fact this year or-ganisers have been work-ing more closely than ever with arts pioneers and participators within the city to promote the idea that “together we share the same public space”. In tune with these values is the theme of the festival; Diversity and Divergence. The role of arts in making this theme last more than the run of the festival is unde-niable; “Artists can…con-

tribute to a sustainable, diverse society by using their creative practice to reflect on matters of pub-lic common concern.” The theme is particularly reflected by the work of the festival’s artist-in-residence for 2014, Claire Cunningham. From October 21st – 23rd Claire’s “Guide Gods” will explore how differ-ent faiths and religions view disability through dance. Also relevant is the performance of US chore-ographer Camille A. Brown which focuses on racial stereotyping rather than disability. What the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s ultimately represents is “the belief that art is for everyone”. For two weeks Belfast will become a hub for the arts. In venues across the city people will come together and celebrate local and global talents. Access and affordability have been key concerns for the organisa-tional team this year and as a result, as clichéd as it may sound, there is some-thing for everyone. The full programme for the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queens is now available as are tickets for all events.

Simon MernaghContributor

Despite its inquisitive title, What If raises precisely zero questions about that magical world of sugar and indie-pop known as the romantic comedy. However, the film stomps around familiar ground with such skill and finesse that any shortcomings in innovation are swiftly forgotten.

Starring an English-man and a Californian, What If spends its time traversing the trendier corners of Toronto. The curiously-named Wallace (Radcliffe) and the impossi-bly-named Chantry (Kazan) bond before the fridge magnets at a party and begin a strong Platonic friendship. Unfortunately, Chantry remains attached to her dullard boyfriend and law whiz, Ben (Rafe Spall), which begs the question: “What if Wallace and Chantry were ‘more’ than friends?”

If the above plot synopsis sounds familiar, then you’ve probably seen When Harry Met Sally.

Or 500 Days of Summer. Or any given mainstream tale of a pair of awkward young adults socially and romantically navigating their cosmopolitan locale with the grace of an ele-phant in a dinghy. What If is dazzlingly unoriginal, ticking off all the rom-com tropes with an almost me-chanical precision, all the while exchanging the kind of clumsy banter endemic to the iphone generation.

In fact, the sin-gular revelation here is Radcliffe’s performance. Wallace is neither an adolescent wizard nor an anarchic writer; he’s just a regular guy, matched only in his regular-ness by the film. For those among us who baulk at the mere mention of vintage rom-com veterans like Hugh Grant or Richard Gere, Radcliffe is a novel anti-dote.

In spite of its clock-work nature, the film is anything but cold; fridge magnet poetry, campfire scenes, madcap airport dashes and plenty of heart-to-hearts make up the film’s gooey centre.

Much like Chan-try’s incomprehensible

name, she and Wallace are almost impossibly cute together. Crackling chemistry and some inspired situations (stag-ing their sophomore meeting at a screening of The Princess Bride speaks volumes) convalesce into levels of lovable delight one rainwater-soaked kiss away from unstomachable. It’s the strength of these actors that saves the day.

Kill Your Darlings remains the pick of the post-Potter Radcliffe crop, and Kazan has likewise graced finer films with her leading presence (Ruby Sparks) but What If push-es all the pleasure buttons a good rom-com should. This film is the cinematic equivalent of candyfloss - if it’s too sweet for you, then why on earth are you eating it?

Film Review ‘What If’


10 ArtsThe Gown

Theatre Preview: Pentecost at the Lyric Theatre

On September 24th Stew-art Parker’s “Pentecost” will be brought to life at the Lyric Theatre. Directed by Jimmy Fay, “Pentecost” is widely regarded to be the Belfast’s playwrights most poignantly hopeful. “Pentecost” was Parker’s final play before his un-timely death in 1988. The performance will coincide with the 40th anniversa-ry of the Ulster Workers strike during which the play is set. This strike came to be one of the most significant events of the Troubles period when an-ger at the proposals of the Sunningdale Agreement led to strikes spearheaded by Loyalists.

The play is set in the midst of this strike which

lasted 14 days. More than a backdrop, this setting is mingled with the lives of the characters of Parker’s final play. The personal problems in the lives of Catholic antiques dealer Marian (Judith Roddy), her ex-husband Lenny (Paul Mallon) and their respective friends, Peter (Will Irvine) and Ruth (Roisin Gallagher) form the drama as much as that of the political landscape of Belfast. The additional fifth character in “Pente-cost” comes in the form of Lily Matthews (Carol Moore), the previous occu-pant who remains visible only to Marian. As Marian becomes engrossed in the past life of the Protestant lady, personal revelations add to the drama of the play while domesticizing it.

Parker blends the personal and public

worlds within the house. In many ways the story revolves around the dis-cussion of the city, firmly rooting the play amidst the violence the Troubles. Yet the balance with the tales of the personal lives of the characters adds hu-manity and warmth to the religious divide that exists not just in the city, but in the microcosmic house.

“Pentecost” is widely regarded not only as Stew-art Parker’s greatest play, but one of the greatest to come out of Belfast.

Laura ShieldsArts & Entertainment Editor@LauraShields86

Mystic Of the East – Van Morrison Trail LaunchedLaura ShieldsArts & Entertainment Editor@LauraShields86

The Man himself, (Van the Man that is) has created his own unique walking tour of East Belfast. In conjunction with the Connswater Community Greenway association, Van Morrison has come up with a new way to allow fans to get inside his music. The musician, who received an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University in 1996, was heavily involved in this new project come tourist attraction. The “Mystic of the East” self-guided walking trail directs Van fans through the places where “Belfast’s most famous musical son” grew up and became inspired as an artist.

The 3.5km walk is tech-savvy, featuring QR codes along the way. With the use of a smartphone QR scanner the walker can listen to extracts of the very songs which were inspired by the views they behold along the way. When walkers make it to the second stop on the trail, The Hollow, Van Mor-rison’s most famous track “Brown Eyed Girl” blasts the lines: “Hey, where did we go, days when the rains came,/Down in the hollow, playing a new game/Laugh-ing and a-running,”. New poignancy is weighted to the song and an odd sense of nostalgia.

Key stops on the trail include Orangefield,

Hyndford Street and Cyprus Avenue. The trail map is readily available, and free to access. Fans and tourists can access it on their smartphone, download and print a copy, send a stamped and self-addressed envelope to the Connswater Commu-nity Gateway or call into the “Visit Belfast” Tourist centre where limited hard

copies are available. The “Mystic of the

East” tour map features an introduction from Morri-son’s childhood friend and former band mate, George Jones who resets the clock in the walkers imagina-tion, taking them back to a time when “These streets were adventure grounds”. More than just a musical tour of East Belfast then,

the “Mystic of the East” trail is as much of the city as it is the man.

Complete with a translator from Belfast slang to Standard English, the trail decodes “A Sense of Wonder” for those still unsure of how the struc-tural integrity of a “gravy ring” must hold up. The “Mystic of the East” tour is more than just a Van Mor-

rison trial, but one of the history of East Belfast and its people. What the musi-cian and the Connswater Community Gateway have created is a truly unique new attraction for anyone keen to immerse them-selves in the history and music of Belfast city.

Pentecost Preview

Photo by Laura Shields


What To Do In Fresher’s Week If You Don’t DrinkRachel IrelandContributor

One of the most perva-sive stereotypes about university students is that they like to drink. A lot. This can make starting university seem intimidating for new students who don’t drink for religious or personal reasons.

“Fresher’s Week” is a time when the majority of new students are on campus togeth-er; clubs and bars use it as a time to put on promotions (with plenty of cheap alcohol). If you don’t like going to clubs and bars, or you don’t drink, it is easy to feel isolated from other students and that there are no options that don’t involve drinking. That is simply not the case.

The university offers a range of different ways for students to meet new people that do not involve drinking alcohol or going to nightclubs. The Gown has compiled a list of a few non-alco-holic activities that will allow you to get away from studying and expe-rience the social side of university.

Some depart-ments will hold events organised by the peer mentors (older students who will help you get through your first year). These are a great way to get to know the people you will spend the next three or four years study-ing with. Bowling, movie nights or even a treasure hunt around campus are just some of the events peer mentors organise for new students.

Devon Faulkner, a peer mentor from the school of sociology, said, “There are events such as a non-alcoholic bar night where we get together with students that don’t drink and have a cocktail night - where we can show them cocktails that can be made and enjoyed in bars that don’t have al-cohol in them - because many students think that if they don’t drink then they shouldn’t go to bars and hang out”.

Fresher’s week is also an excellent time to get to know your way around the campus, so find a friend and a map, and explore the universi-ty. This is a good way to find where your classes will be held, and also quiet study spots or a place to eat lunch.

If you are worried

You don’t need alcohol to enjoy the student lifestyle.about opportunities to meet with friends or make new ones, you can try the clubs and societies fair. Joining a club or society gives you more options for activ-ities that don’t involve going out and drinking. You could take up a sport or try your hand at something complete-ly new, and you’ll get a chance to meet new people while you do so. The Fresher’s Fair is the prime place to join clubs and societies that are of interest to you.

Nathan Thiruven-gadam is a second year English student that does not drink. When he was asked if not drink-ing during Fresher’s week was challenging he said, “Being a non – drinker is perhaps a different experience to what the perceived

view of Fresher’s is. However, I did embrace, and thoroughly enjoy, the aspect of going out during Fresher’s and felt under no pressure to drink. Furthermore, one must remember that Fresher’s is not confined to bars and nightclubs as there are a host of other activities to partake in such as the Fresher’s Fair as well as movie nights, quizzes etc. organised by the peer mentors of each school and/or Elms.”

Whether you decide to drink alcohol at university or you wish to stay clear of it, there is plenty to do around campus that allows you to make the most of your student experience. Whatever your stance with alcohol may be, en-joy your time at freshers and be safe.

Fiona EdgarContributor

Everyone knows that one of the things that students most look forward to at university is Fresher’s Week. Why? Well the answer is pretty simple. The amount of pub crawls and promo-tional drinks vouchers shoved in your hands can easily mean a fairly cheap week of drink that could even appease Father Jack should he ever deign to leave Craggy Island. Therefore, this guide is what your lecturers might call “essential reading” for those who drink and in-tend to make full use of their newfound freedom and spending power. The dreaded hangover symp-toms dare not raise their ugly heads if you follow these simple tips.

Before

Before you go out have a good starchy or fatty meal. You shouldn’t even try drinking on an empty stomach but meals like your favourite pasta or rice dish are the best to help line your stomach

and slow down alcohol absorption. In other words, you can check out the local clubs and pubs without worrying too much about seeing pink elephants after only your first or second drink.

During

First and foremost it is not necessarily how much you drink but what it is you are drink-ing. In fact it is actually best to stick to light co-loured substances. This is because dark drinks like port, red wine and the much loved Jager-meister contain a lot of congeners. That is, they contain a lot of impuri-ties. The combination of which actually worsens a hangover considerably.

Likewise if you are determined to accept any and all drink offers coming your way try and remember this top tip and drink a glass of water or a non-fizzy soft drink in between. They speed up alcohol absorption and so lessen not only the hangover’s grip on your system but the likelihood of getting completely plastered as well.

AfterAfter a night out

be sure to rehydrate. Alcohol removes your body’s fluids so if you want to stave off zom-biehood try drinking a good pint of water before bed and leave a glass of it handy to sip when the need arises. You may want to pee a bit more urgently than usual come morning but it will be worth it.

The Ultimate ShieldLastly, it has to be

said that there really is only one full-proof way to prevent a hangover. Either limit your drink-ing or stick to the “pint of orange” idea. Not only will you be more able to avoid any next day em-barrassment about the social media document-ing your night trying to get into Narnia via a certain library door, you will avoid the big H and

all it stands for.If you stick to this

‘Top 5’ hangover cure list you will hopefully make it through Fresher’s unscathed and feeling good. Of course whether you are more aligned with James Brown or Bricusse and Newley is up to you; or indeed your new friends in that ‘hilarious’ karaoke drinking game.

Source - Flickr

The Gown

11Lifestyle

Fresher Hangover Cures


The Gown

Indian Acid Victim Photoshoot

Five Indian women that survived disfiguring acid attacks have recently mod-elled for an unprecedented photo shoot. They conse-quently, challenged both the life of social rejection prescribed by their attack-ers and the world’s percep-tion of female beauty.

Delhi photographer, Rahul Saharan, volun-teered to shoot the fashion portraits and ultimately elevated the self-esteem of acid attack survi-vors; Rupa, Rita, Sonam, Laxmi and Chancha. Rupa commented, “It was a won-derful shoot. I’m a very shy girl, but Rahul made it easy and comfortable for us all to face the camera with pride.”

Rahul said, “‘I kept telling the girls ‘don’t let others tell you what beauty is, you yourself are

beautiful, every woman is beautiful’.” The concepts of empowerment, re-build-ing ones self-perspective and self-acceptance, propa-gated in Rahul’s statement can be aligned with the objectives of the charity, Stop Acid Attacks.

The invaluable work of Stop Acid Attacks is evi-dent in Rupa’s, one of the photographed survivors and the designer of the clothes modelled, state-ment: “I always wanted to be a designer but after the attack there was a pause in my life. I was so inse-cure and embarrassed by my scars I used to cover my face with a scarf. I always hung onto my dream but I never knew that one day it would be possible and I would be launching my own label.”

The Stop Acid Attacks charity published figures stating that in 95% of Indian cases the perpetrators are “spurned lovers.” Furthermore, the

Acid Survivors Trust Inter-national published figures stating that, “women and girls are victims in 75%-80% of cases,” and “of the female victims, about 30% are under 18,” years of age.

Indian women, like the five photographed sur-vivors, live in a male-dom-inated society and thus, when seeking justice, for the heinous crime of an acid attack, women face a lengthy process and a male-dominated judicial system.

Acid is readily avail-able throughout South Asia as it is widely used in the cotton, rubber and jewellery industries, and can be sold for as little as 50 cents per litre. In India the chemical industry is deregulated, meaning that there is no governmental regulation of production, storage, distribution or sale of chemicals.

India’s lack of regulatory procedures in terms of chemical sales

combined with a lack of legislation on acid attacks results in insufficient de-terrents for the crime. This ultimately explains why acid attacks predominant-ly occur in India: Acid Sur-vivors Trust International estimated that 1,500 acid attacks occur worldwide, every year and attributed approximately 1,000 of these attacks to India.

A lack of legisla-tive support meant that survivors relied fully upon charitable organisations for rehabilitating support after an attack. Howev-er, in 2013 the Supreme Court of India issued a Supreme Court Order on Acid Attacks which stated that all States and Union Territories had framed rules regulating the sale of acid and other corrosive substances. The Supreme Court emphasised that the regulations were to have immediate effect and that the Chief Secretary of each State or Union Territo-

ry will be charged with ensuring implementation. In addition, the order de-clared that the offence of an acid attack is to come under the Poison Act, 1919 and is to be made “non-bailable.”

Lastly, the Supreme Court made sanctions to ensure that victims will receive compensa-tion from the concerned State government/Union territory. The Supreme Court of India and India’s Central government have thus, worked effectively in securing justice for acid at-tack victims. Let us hope that the bravery of these three women will put a stop to acid attacks against women in South Asia.

Three acid attack victims empower women through their bravery and determination.

Claire MurrayContributor

12 Lifestyle

For many first year stu-dents the idea of moving to a new city is incredibly exciting. You get to meet new friends, experience different things and become independent from home. Your first few weeks are bombarded with new people, accom-modation and an entire lifestyle transformation. Many new students quickly discover the best bars and clubs in the city. However, there is a lack of information about cafes and places to chill around campus. There are a huge number of places to fill in the gaps of the day; whether you are looking for a hangover cure or you just want to kill some time between classes. Well fear not because The Gown has created this concise list of student hangouts around campus that will stop you ever being bored or hungry.

Maggie Mays – Maggie May’s is a café that has been established as the student ‘go to’ for food. Their location is perfect for any QUB stu-dent. They have a café on

Botanic Avenue as well as Malone Road. The staffs are incredibly friendly and the place is always buzzing. With their big portions, cheap prices and mouth-watering milk-shakes, Maggie Mays is definitely one of the top places to grab a coffee or a full lunch feast.

Boojum – Boojum. Students are very quick to be placed into one of two categories. The first is those that have not tried a Boojum and don’t under-stand the fuss. The second are those that love it and will refuse to believe that you have not had one or will not stop talking about it until you buy one. Their portions are enormous and the service is so quick that despite the long queues, you will have your food within a few minutes. For those that have not yet been converted, trust everyone that has been and get yourself a burrito. It would be best to eat in or take it home though. There is no dignified way to devour your Boojum.

French Village – Lo-cated on Botanic Avenue, this café is definitely a place to try for lunch. You can choose from a variety of dishes. They range from

simple sandwiches to a full hearty, Irish stew which is bound to keep you full for a day of lectures ahead. The beautiful, vintage décor and the friendly and attentive staff create a very chilled atmosphere. With their delicious food and their low prices, French Village is a definite go to

for any student.

Botanic Inn – Are you looking for a hangout near campus where you can grab a quick bite and a pint? In that case, The Bo-tanic Inn is definitely the place to go. It is near the main campus and Elms Village so it is convenient

Places to eat around campusA short and useful list of places to eat and chill around campus

Chantelle FramptonLifestyle Editor@frampy_93

for all QUB students. They have a number of meal deals such as: Steak night, 2 pizzas for £10 or a meal and a drink for £5. The low prices of both food and drink makes ‘The Bot’ a definite winner for a quick lunch or for an all-day session.

Maggie Mays, Stranmillis


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14Opinions

On Public MourningDerek Crosby Contributor

The Reverend Ian Pais-ley Senior died recently, and predictably, print and online commenta-tors have hurried both to praise him and to bury him. Many of the tributes begin with qualifiers such as ‘I may not have agreed with everything he said’ or ‘Although he was a con-troversial figure...’, before going on to canonise him. Many of these sentiments were doubtlessly croco-dile tears, but nobody would deny the people the chance to add to the general coronach.

Where I take issue is that many of these vale-dictions contain both tac-it and explicit demands that all criticism of these public figures should be forbidden from public dis-course for an unspecified amount of time either as a nod of politeness to his grieving family or due to

more nebulous concerns for ‘tradition’, and ‘com-mon decency’. Naturally, the latter is bunk: appeal to tradition is logically bankrupt and ‘common decency’ is a malleable concept that can be used to justify all sorts of enor-mities and abuses. The former, however, requires a more nuanced examina-tion.

Although the traditions of mourning are many and varied, one facet which they all share is ‘withdrawal’ from pub-lic life, either physically or symbolically. The very idea of public mourning can run counter to this idea, creating an uneasy paradox. Withdrawing can create an organic timeframe and place for mourning, bound to the closed circle of mourn-ers. However, to apply the same custom to the entire public sphere all but demands that the entire public must hold their collective tongue in

all places until the entire public has stopped griev-ing can set a dangerous precedent by which pub-lic figures are untouch-able once deceased.

It is no coincidence that leaders always seek to speak well of each other. Such eulogising is often self serving: it gives the speaker an opportu-nity to appear magnani-mous or forgiving, even if they spent their life thwarting, frustrating or trying to murder the de-ceased. But it also ‘closes the ranks’ and serves to reinforce the orthodoxy that someone who has abused their power and influence should be shielded from criticism by their shroud, a social norm that they may be glad of in their own twi-light.

There is a verse of the Hamaval , a collection of proverbs attributed to Odin which essentially states that one should hold off on praising (or

criticising) a thing until that thing has passed, “Praise day at even, a wife when dead, a weapon when tried, a maid when married, ice when ‘tis crossed, and ale when ‘tis drunk”. Quite aside the implication that marriage is like death for young women, it raises a valid point: that the best time to evaluate something is right after its completion. In the case of controver-sial figures, the mora-torium on criticism can give their Mark Anthonies a head-start over their Brutii to frame the public narrative.

Right up until the spark of life is dulled, an individual is but a cross-section in the process of their own personal de-velopment and therefore they are not complete. That so many songs and stories concern last-breath recanting, confessions and changes-of-heart is testimony to our belief that a person can change

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Abortion – should states intervene?

The hotly debated topic of whether states should be allowed to intervene in abortion cases has recent-ly been reignited. Coming about as a result of an immigrant rape victim being initially denied an abortion by Irish medical authorities, she was then forced to deliver the baby prematurely by caesarean section.

The young immi-grant’s story has spurred many to protest. Whilst the rape happened in her home country, it was after seeking asylum in Ireland that she realised she was expecting.

However, the strict abortion laws in the Republic of Ireland meant that the woman had to continue with her pregnancy despite stating that she was suicidal and asking for an abortion at eight weeks. After at-tempting a hunger strike she was again assessed by psychiatrists and a court decided that despite be-ing only 25 weeks old, the baby should be delivered by c-section. They claimed that its life was now at risk due to the mother’s mental state.

The case was the first test of Ireland’s Protection of Life during Pregnancy Act. The Act was passed in 2013 after a

woman died as a result of being denied an abortion, despite undergoing a miscarriage when she re-quested it. The Act allows for terminations within Irish hospitals in limited circumstances, such as the woman’s life being in danger if the pregnancy went to full term, and if there is a risk of suicide.

The fact that a baby was delivered at just 25 weeks – barely over the viable age - and a young woman had to deal with a severe physical and emo-tional trauma highlights that it is not enough to

protect pregnant Irish women and that the rele-vant authorities still have little real idea of how to do what is best.

The government may claim to have the best intentions for both mother and baby at heart but the truth is that constitutional regulations just don’t work in such situations and can never apply in the same way to every pregnancy.

The strictness of abortion rules in the Republic of Ireland is of course a result of the country’s strong links

to the Catholic Church. However, when abiding strictly to Biblical princi-ple takes precedence over lives that are in danger, can governments really claim to know enough to be the deciding voice regarding a woman’s life and that of her baby?

Ireland is undeni-ably a religious country, and of course in many cases religion will form a part of a woman’s deci-sion in whether or not to abort a pregnancy. Whatever the reason for wanting or not wanting an abortion, the courts

Laura SprouleContributor

and the ‘real’ personality, previously unexpressed can shine through. After death this potential for change is spent and the individual is fossilized.

The freedom to criticise public figures once they are deceased is essential for remem-bering them as rounded humans, neither wholly good nor evil, but sim-ply muddling through until they can muddle no more, ironically, this hu-manity is the very reason that some talking heads feel that some figures are beyond criticism.

This next piece should go between my editorial and ‘The Hood’.Write For Us

“With this issue, ‘The Gown’ starts a most ambitious career...Our paper will be, in main, a news edition of the University, for the Univer-sity...”

should have to accept that it is a matter of individual choice and it is not their place to enforce a belief onto anybody.

This young victim was treated not with her own needs and preferenc-es in mind, but with those of others, from start until finish. She is not a woman who made a mistake, who didn’t use protection or took risks. She was raped, impregnated unwillingly, and made it clear from the start that she did not want to keep the baby. Yet she was never fully informed of the options available to her. If the relevant authorities are not going to be helpful or indeed honest, then they should have no part in a decision involving any woman or her baby’s life.

No qualification can grant a doctor an insight into a woman’s thoughts or intentions. Similarly, no court ruling should be allowed to decide what is done with her body. They will never share nor fully under-stand her experience, and for that reason states should not be allowed to intervene in a woman’s decision whether or not to have an abortion.

Photo by Niamh Mc Govern


15SportThe Gown

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Queen’s represented at Commonwealth Ryan McDowellSports Editor@dowelly_

Queen’s University Bel-fast students have raised the profile of Queen’s sport over the summer as they represented Northern Ireland at the 2014 Commonwealth games in Glasgow.

Nine students from Queen’s Univer-sity were selected to represent Northern Ireland in swimming, athletics, netball, judo and badminton. The

inclusion of so many students illustrates the recent strides made by Queen’s sport to invest in local sporting talent, providing an environ-ment where athletes can develop and improve their performances and compete at the highest level. At the 2010 games in Delhi, Queen’s only had one athlete, so to have nine in 2014 shows just how successful this programme has been.

The students have all benefited from the new elite athlete scheme

(EAP) and scholarships offered by Queen’s sport, which has been aimed not only to bring sport-ing talent to the uni-versity, but also ensure that the athletes have an environment where they can prosper both aca-demically and in sport.

Although none of the students won a med-al at the games, the per-formance from Northern Ireland as a team has been branded hugely successful. Northern Ireland named its larg-est ever squad, which

contained 117 athletes, and in total, Northern Ireland obtained twelve medals in Glasgow, improving upon the ten medals achieved in the 2010 games.

Boxing was at the forefront once again as Team Northern Ireland boxers fought their way to nine medals. Paddy Barnes and Michael Con-lan both achieved gold as they continue their impressive careers in the ring.

The representa-

tion Queen’s received at the games certainly bodes well for the future of Queen’s sport. The athletes are ambassadors for the university and this increasing profile should only serve to encourage external in-vestment in the scheme, firmly placing Queen’s University Belfast on the sporting map amongst UK universities.


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The Gown: Friday 19th September 2014