When I was asked out by my first boyfriend, an older, married friend took me aside. Most people’s reactions had been either congratulatory or involved sex jokes, or both. But my friend had a somber expression, and she was not discouraging but earnest in what she told me. “Be careful,” she said, “No matter what…
Very few people are out canvassing for less British people to be allowed into the country, pointing to the Brits for stealing our jobs and marrying our women, or arguing that the Brits are coming over here for the express purpose to go on the dole. These people, of course, are wrong. The British are…
Growing up in Northern Ireland in the constituency of South Down, I have always been frustrated by the way politics has been conducted. But I was disgusted to see Arlene Foster open the door to the Good Friday Agreement being sacrificed for Brexit, saying that it was not “sacrosanct”. Over 3,600 people died in the…
Recently, a friend of mine told me a story – that I imagine he found on the internet – that irked me greatly. In the story, a Philosophy Professor arranges a test for her students and, when the students arrive, the Professor places a chair down in front of them and asks them to prove…
You can get 550 points in your leaving cert if you’re a dumbass. I’d know. I did it, and I still got lost trying to leave the Neptune Stadium three consecutive times. My boyfriend walked me there, and back, to ensure I wouldn’t. Twice. I still don’t know whether or not it’s Blackpool or Blackrock…
When Eoghan Murphy rose from the backbenches of the Fine Gael-led minority Government after Leo Varadkar’s appointment as Taoiseach in June of 2017, a sense of optimism was felt throughout the halls of Leinster House, the Department of Housing and beyond. Here was a young, idealistic, articulate Minister somewhat taking over a poisoned chalice, who…
In the most recent edition of the express, we read an opinion piece called ‘SU, Time to Improve?’. Firstly, we would like to express our appreciation for students who raise questions and highlight issues that they see within the SU, at the end of the day we are here for each and every one of…
Student Democracy is an important part of an educational ecosystem. It represents our wants and desires, behaviours and habits, and allows a deeper connection between institution and student. The Student’s Union in UCC is no exception. I feel proud to be part of a University which allows for the Students to influence how it operates….
Student ‘volunteer abroad’ projects are vogue; spend two weeks teaching English to orphans in the Philippines, one week holidaying. Possibly even three weeks building houses for poor homeless families, new water pumps or better wildlife outreaches, all for a donation which goes back into the community you’re working for: It’s simple as can be. Volunteering…
Fascism is on the rise, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening, global warming is worsening, gun violence in the United States shows no signs of abating, homelessness in Ireland is increasing, and Britain seems set to destroy itself through Brexit. What a great time to be alive. If you listen to…