In our last issue, Roisin O’Donnell discussed the drug epidemic that is happening in Cork City. While her article detailed discarded needles and anti-social behaviour on the streets of our city, there is another narcotic culture developing on our campuses around Ireland. Drug use among young adults, (in particular, third-level students), has always been prevalent…
The President’s Garden on Freshers’ Week had a softer feel to it at the launch of the “#askconsent” campaign. The theme of the sexual consent awareness event was ‘tea party’, a nod towards the Tea Consent video usually shown to incoming freshers as a way of teaching new students what consent is. A long tea…
When my chapter with the University Express began as Deputy Features Editor I wrote, ‘use me as inspiration. Or keep reading to see if my inspirational journey turns to shit.’ I am happy to say that I highly doubt anyone has used me as inspiration, and that if my journey has turned to shit, it…
During the summer, a popular set of posts baring “#Cork” made their rounds on social media. The photos posted with the hashtag used shots of Cork City streets as backgrounds and needles as a focus point. The needles in question were allegedly discarded by drug users and popped up on major streets among wrappers and…
The disappearance of Nora Quoirin from a Malaysian holiday resort flooded talk radio and the ever speculative Twitter threads of summer 2019. What drew this story to Ireland and tugged at the hearts of the nation was the word ‘Irish’ planted in front of the young London teenager’s name, dominating newspaper headlines across the nation….
Experienced by students, expats and backpackers alike, the reverse culture shock phenomenon can have several negative effects on a person’s re-entry to their home country. Recognising what it is and learning how to overcome the emotions associated with reverse culture shock can make the transition home that much easier. As the author Robert Black said;…
It is July of 2017, and the Road Safety Authority of Ireland has just launched the newest road safety campaign – the prevention of driving under the influence of drugs.‘There is no hiding drug-driving,’ the advert strikes against a black screen, a stark contrast to the almost surrealist inner-monologue portrayed beforehand and to how Irish…
It has always struck me as more than a little bit ironic that the residence of the President of Ireland was the countryside retreat of the representative of the British monarch in Ireland. Is it not unusual that the Houses of the Oireachtas are situated in a ducal palace, the Dublin residence of the most…
I’ve always thought that I would probably hold some sort of record for the student to get involved with the Express the earliest into their time in UCC, if such a weirdly niche accolade were to ever exist. My involvement with the Express quite literally dates back to my Orientation Day in first year, when…
With the end of another academic year here at UCC comes the natural cycling of new SU Officers into their recently-won positions. Alongside this, of course, a thought must be spared for those who are on their way out. Having completed his year at the masthead of the UCC student body, Alan Hayes is currently…