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…
“If people went missing in the US, you would not be surprised, but not in the island of saints and scholars” – Garda Assistant Commissioner Martin Donnellan. When this journalist ended part one of this twisting series, young college student Annie McCarrick had vanished from the lives of those she loved. Her absence fell heavily…
“So, what exactly is that degree going to get you?” While it may be a completely well-meaning and fair question to ask, it never fails to make my eyes roll, my patience wear ever so slightly thinner, and – on a bad day – my fists clench in what can only be described as a…
The year was 1971, and only a year on from leaving behind the band that had propelled him to incomprehensible levels of fame and success, John Lennon had already put pen to paper in the crafting of what would one day become the best-selling single of his entire solo career. The Vietnam War was on…