As Pat de Brún’s time in Dharamsala comes to an end, he reflects on unforgettable experiences and teary goodbyes Continue reading
Category Archives: Blogs
Big Barnes Theory: Life on Mars
Ethan Troy-Barnes discusses the possibility of extra-terrestrial colonisation and its role in the future of humanity Continue reading
Big Barnes Theory: Frickin’ Laser Beams
Ethan Troy-Barnes separates the fact from the fiction when it comes to laser beams and rayguns Continue reading
Postcards from Abroad: India
Upon arriving in McLeodganj, I was first introduced to the family that would be my surrogate family during my time volunteering here. I had arranged to stay in a homestay with Tibetan refugees and really had no idea what to expect. The two people I met were a man in his thirties and an older woman who shared a two-room house together. Continue reading
Postcards from Abroad: Dharamsala
With exams in Berlin coming to an end, I made my way back to Ireland for a few days before embarking on my 7-week trip to India, where I decided I would spend my generous German inter-semester holidays. Continue reading
Postcards from Abroad: South-East Asia
So it’s the start of the new semester after a long and eventful break. It’s showing too. I’m finding it very difficult to get back into the swing of things and my Chinese is notably worse than it was before. Continue reading
UCD Elects: Public Relations
I ended my last blog with the line “the candidates have a weekend to capture the electorate’s attention, otherwise maybe RON should” and shockingly some of them actually listened. Continue reading
UCD Elects: Manifestos
Another day over; the Facebook pages have been launched and first manifestos have started to litter the concourse. Most candidates will have put weeks of thought into designs and photos, well in other years anyway. This year’s design briefs so far seem to have played out something like “I want boxes of two primary colours and a photo of me in front of a notable UCD landmark”. When Th L is covered in manifestos next week, you need something to differentiate yourself. The only exception so far is Cian Dowling; the Welfare candidate has chosen to go with a more ‘interesting’ font across his materials than the others. Continue reading
The Stupid Economy: Debt Relief
It is hoped that this year Ireland will formally exit the Troika bailout programme and return to international bond markets. This will be a major victory for advocates of austerity and place Ireland as Europe’s poster child. Free of the bailout, Ireland will be able to finance itself by issuing sovereign debt. And the markets seem comfortable with this prospect, yields on Irish government bonds maturing in 2020 fell from 8.5% at the start of 2012 to 4.5% by the end of the year. Renewed appetite for Irish debt allowed the government to regain partial access to bond markets in 2012 and the NTMA plans to raise €10 billion by issuing bonds in 2013. However, while a return to the markets is in the interests of the entire European Union, it will need to be set in motion by a deal on relief for some of €64 billion in bank related debt. Why do we need a deal and why do we deserve some relief? Continue reading
UCD Elects: Introduction
If you have strolled down concourse this morning you will already know that it is that time of year again. There is no way you will have been able to miss those fake smiles staring out you from infinite posters. It’s election season. Say goodbye to your Facebook newsfeeds and casual five-minute chats before lectures, the candidates are coming. Continue reading