

A picture is more than a thousand words
UCC Law Society host events on Coercive Control and Online Abuse by Bailey Lane (edited by Alana Daly Mulligan and Niamh Browne) Bailey Lane, Internal Convener with the UCC Law Society, discusses the issues of Image based sexual abuse and coercive control in Irish society. Editor’s Note: Some of the content discussed in this article may be upsetting to some readers. The weaponisation … Continue reading A picture is more than a thousand words

“Alexa, Write Editorial”
Editor-in-Chief Matthew Moynihan reflects on a tumultuous year, an AI Government and the seismic impact Artificial Intelligence will play for decades to come. To say it’s been a consequential few weeks since I last wrote to you would be the understatement of the century, or maybe just 2020, it’s been a long year. Across the pond, the human manifestation of the tanline has … Continue reading “Alexa, Write Editorial”

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November Societies Spotlight

The Ocean Wide: A Eulogy for Fungie the Dingle Dolphin
by Grace Claro Well, here we all are in October, woe begotten, exasperated, stressed, and fed up with what has been a most unprecedented year. Somehow it felt as though things just could not get any worse in 2020. What else could this cruel existence send our way? Then it was as though the sky fell in and cast a desperate gloom over the country, … Continue reading The Ocean Wide: A Eulogy for Fungie the Dingle Dolphin

Minding Your Mental Health in Lockdown: A How-To Guide
Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Molly Kavanagh, shares some of the_ ways in which she intends on minding her mental health in Ireland’s current Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions. When I enter into a depressive episode, the only thing I want to do is turn off my phone, close my blinds, get into bed, and sleep the entire day away. When college life is operating as normal, that … Continue reading Minding Your Mental Health in Lockdown: A How-To Guide

My Head
In my darkest hour, I put pen to paper. Nothing writes. The pages are compacted with empty and meaningless lines. This emptiness, sadness and disillusionment bites and this is where my head and mind confines. Rain trickles down the window and its cold shadow frond innuendo. The untenanted voices cry but yet sing me a candied lullaby. Who am I calling out … Continue reading My Head

Where We Are
Photographer: Emma Price @emmaaprice Models: Tom O’Connell and Heather Sheehan Location: Student house in Cork City Continue reading Where We Are

Asylum? The Direct Provision Report Explained
Deputy Current Affairs Editor Stephen Moynihan chats with members of UCC Fáilte Refugees Society and looks at a report that sets out to change the way Ireland supports refugees and asylum seekers. But is it offering real solutions or is it just an exercise in box-ticking for this government? “The current system of direct provision is not fit for purpose and should be ended.” It … Continue reading Asylum? The Direct Provision Report Explained

Jamie’s Story
Jamie moved to Blarney from the city when he was eleven years old. He moved in next door to his cousin, who he called his best friend. He also lived close to his grandparents’ house but at the time he lived with his mother and his mother’s partner. His mother’s partner did not get on well with Jamie, often being violent towards him, which resulted … Continue reading Jamie’s Story

“Home is the place we cling to”.
It’s late October. Night draws in earlier and earlier each evening. Trees blaze orange, yellowand red. Roadsides and ditches accumulate piles of fallen leaves. There’s an icy chill in theair, and Halloween is just around the corner. It’s the perfect time for a ghost story:Imagine a young family – a husband, a wife, at least two children – pulling up to their newhome in a … Continue reading “Home is the place we cling to”.

Living with It: Students, Accommodation and COVID-19 in UCC
Current Affairs Editor Alana Daly Mulligan talks with UCC Students about the state of student accommodation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Editor’s Note: Interviews were correlated through a combination of phone-calls and student submissions through a Google Forms system. The responses varied from somewhat normal complaints about residents playing loud music, to the more dire, like unsanitary living spaces, threatening landlords, “menacing” security guards, among other … Continue reading Living with It: Students, Accommodation and COVID-19 in UCC

The Idealisation of the American Dream
We all love a good story about the underprivileged kid that made it big. The child that grew up poor, worked hard through school, defied all obstacles, got that college scholarship, worked some more, and got their dream job in the big city.
That in a nutshell is called the American dream… Continue reading The Idealisation of the American Dream

Mature Students Struggling to Find Accomodation
by Mike Ryan and Gary Mulcahy Finding somewhere to live for any student on a limited budget can be challenging. Mature students face a number of extra hurdles as they commit to studying full-time and supporting themselves independent of any family support. Many mature students are parents and have dependents to support. A high number of mature students are dependent on Social Welfare or SUSI … Continue reading Mature Students Struggling to Find Accomodation

The Electoral College, Swing States, and U.S Election Explained
In 2016, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton famously lost the U.S Presidential Election despite receiving over sixty-five million votes, while her Republican counterpart, current U.S President Donald Trump, received only sixty-two million votes. How the fuck did that happen? Well, here’s a little context. What is the Electoral College? When you cast your ballot in the United States election, you’re not voting for Donald Trump … Continue reading The Electoral College, Swing States, and U.S Election Explained

Dress For Success: Cork Charity Helping Women out of Unemployment
by Kaia Purcell While we all seem to be trying our best to navigate through the adversities and challenges we face in today’s climate, the truth is that every one of us needs a helping hand at times. For those facing unemployment and job losses in a time of global upheaval and a turbulent climate emergency, it can be impossible to imagine where to turn … Continue reading Dress For Success: Cork Charity Helping Women out of Unemployment

The US Presidential Election; The Dumpster-Fire We Can’t Take Our Eyes Off Of.
Motley’s Niamh Browne takes a look at the schadenfreude of the US Presidential election. I love reality TV. Give me complete and utter trash and I lap it up like a rat in a landfill. Ultimate Beastmaster, Come Dine With Me, and the ironically named Celebs Go Dating, I love it all. The Decline of the West however? I could never have fathomed it … Continue reading The US Presidential Election; The Dumpster-Fire We Can’t Take Our Eyes Off Of.

Flames, Floods and Misery – The Human Catastrophe at the Moria Refugee Camp
Motley Staff Writer John Hunter discusses Europe’s lethargic response to the on-going crisis at the Moria Refugee Camp in Lesbos, Greece. During the evening of the 8th September, a fire began at the Moria Registration and Identification Centre (commonly known as the Moria Refugee Camp), a former military-base located on the Greek island of Lesbos, which destroyed the vast majority of the camp. The following … Continue reading Flames, Floods and Misery – The Human Catastrophe at the Moria Refugee Camp

UCC’s Confession
There are three things certain in life: death, taxes, and opportunistic landlords. From the perspective of a college student, one of the only dampeners on my college experience has been the absolutely dire situation which is college accommodation. As a college student in Cork city, it is as if you have only two options when searching for in-term housing. You (more likely your parents or … Continue reading UCC’s Confession

Five Sustainable Beauty Swaps to Change Up your Self-Care Routine
by Grace Claro Let’s face it, sometimes being a responsible consumer can be hard. It can seem like every bottle of shower gel and shampoo is promoting its eco-friendly attributes. From “recyclable packaging” to “palm free,” to “plant-based cleansers,” cosmetics companies are using the language of sustainability as an attractive sales stimuli. But how can we be sure we are buying products that meet these … Continue reading Five Sustainable Beauty Swaps to Change Up your Self-Care Routine

Lo-Fi Rebel County: A Glance at Cork’s Music Scene
by Jack Coleman Anyone who knows me personally knows I’ve never really had an interest in local music scenes, my primary musical interest lies in the much-derided Korean pop genre. However, upon becoming the Entertainment Editor at Motley Magazine I felt it was necessary to educate myself on the thriving local music scene in Cork City and beyond. This article is the result of this … Continue reading Lo-Fi Rebel County: A Glance at Cork’s Music Scene

Relaying the Bricks of Our Nation: The Programme for Government’s Commitment to a Referendum on Housing
Deputy Current Affairs Editor Stephen Moynihan investigates the possibility of adding “The Right to a Home” to Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Irish Constitution. When Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin introduced his Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to a Home) Bill on 6th October, it represented just the latest step in the long fight for an explicit right to housing in Bunreacht … Continue reading Relaying the Bricks of Our Nation: The Programme for Government’s Commitment to a Referendum on Housing

November Horoscopes
Astronomer turned Astrologer, Mystic McDonnell is back and better than ever to let you know what November has in store based on the planets. Disclaimer; these horoscopes may not be true Aries: Born under the sign of the ram, this month you will follow the flock of other sheep, in what they say and do. You’ll do exactly what you see everyone else … Continue reading November Horoscopes

October Horoscopes
Mystic Mc’s Magical predictions are back and better than ever, so let’s see what highs, (but mostly lows) are in store for Motley’s readers this month Disclaimer: The author does not intend for any of these horoscopes to be taken seriously or for anyone to follow the advice given in the column. Although the astronomical facts given in the column are real, the astrological conclusions … Continue reading October Horoscopes

It’s not just you, your student accommodation is making you miserable
Motley’s Niamh Browne speaks to Willie Carey and Henrik Wolterstorff – of O’ Donnell + Tuomey Architects – no strangers to UCC, designing Cavanagh Bridge, the Hub, and the Glucksman. The firm is currently working on major projects such as the V and A museum in London. Carey and Wolterstorff talk about well-being in your house and why student accommodation just doesn’t spark joy. We … Continue reading It’s not just you, your student accommodation is making you miserable

Night in the Woods: Approaching Mental Health and Mature Themes in Video Games
Throughout the last decade, video game narratives have made leaps in exploring topical themes such as mental health issues. While thankfully film and television have seen depictions of mental health and related issues released to critical and commercial success, last year’s hit movie Joker and HBO’s Euphoria being major examples, many games which bring adult themes to the fore don’t receive mainstream recognition. Coming up … Continue reading Night in the Woods: Approaching Mental Health and Mature Themes in Video Games

Co-operating Ireland: The Road to Student-Run Accommodation
Deputy Current Affairs Editor Stephen Moynihan talks to UCC Cooperative Society’s Tadhg Mac Cionnaith about the society’s ambitious long-term plan for student-owned cooperative housing. “Community, Activism & the Co-op”: These are the three things which Chairperson of UCC Cooperative Society, Tadhg Mac Cionnaith aims to develop through the recently formed society. Operating under the unofficial motto of “by students, for students”, UCC Cooperative society hopes … Continue reading Co-operating Ireland: The Road to Student-Run Accommodation

Editorial #2 – The Housing Crisis
by Matthew Moynihan Given the season, my mental projection of the reader right now is most likely an accurate one, – I picture you sitting in front of your laptop or phone, somewhere comfortable with a hot cup of tea or coffee, soothing a mind frayed by assignments, pre-recorded lectures and the current state of affairs*. Moving away from the asterisked nihilism, however, the picture … Continue reading Editorial #2 – The Housing Crisis

Cork’s Built Environment: Old vs. New
Photography by Emma Price Words by Grace Claro Photographer Emma Price presents a visual narrative that captures the disparities within Cork’s built environment. In recent years a building boom has been taking place in Cork City. Developments like the €160 million Horgan’s Quay site and the complex on Albert Quay, a €58 million project completed in 2016, have begun to transform the face of the … Continue reading Cork’s Built Environment: Old vs. New

Break It Down – A Different Take on Pop Culture
by Rebeckah McCarthy Break It Down is an Irish podcast hosted by the perfect pairing of Hillary and Holly. Hillary is currently in final year in UCC studying Music and English and Holly has just graduated this year from a BA International. The podcast explores many facets of pop culture. Break It Down is for those who are lovers of pop culture who enjoy having … Continue reading Break It Down – A Different Take on Pop Culture

Everything in ‘Moderation’
Billy O’Connor discusses the Presidential Race in terms of the Democratic Party’s leniency towards ‘moderate’ views and how the 2020 Election has seen a shift in the political discourse around such issues. The 2020 Presidential Election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden has been anything but orthodox. The race has all the same contentiousness and under-handedness of the 2016 race which saw Hilary Clinton as … Continue reading Everything in ‘Moderation’

September Horoscopes
Mystic Mc’s Magical Predictions, brought to you by Physics student Cian McDonnell, astronomer and astrologer extraordinaire Disclaimer: The author does not intend for any of these horoscopes to be taken seriously or for anyone to follow the advice given in the column. Although the astronomical facts given in the column are real, the astrological conclusions derived from them are not. Aries: The Perseids meteor shower … Continue reading September Horoscopes

Trumped : The Demise of Journalistic Integrity in the Age of Partisan Politics
As Trump faces a potential Season Two in the White House, Conor Daly talks to Motley about how “the great virtue” that is journalism is being undermined by politics. It’s a field that has historically been a respected and central part of how societies, particularly democratic ones, operate. The last four or five years have seen an unequivocal shift in the way we talk about … Continue reading Trumped : The Demise of Journalistic Integrity in the Age of Partisan Politics

The Unspoken Battle of our Environmental Fight: Climate Anxiety
“Climate anxiety”. “Eco-grief”. “Climate despair”. All phrases becoming more frequently used as we enter the new age of climate breakdown and disaster capitalism. But what do we mean when we use these phrases to describe our responses to our rapidly changing climate and the consequences we face? In 2017, the American Psychological Association published a paper defining “Eco-Anxiety”, as “a chronic fear of environmental doom”. … Continue reading The Unspoken Battle of our Environmental Fight: Climate Anxiety

An epitaph for the mini-break
Features Editor Niamh Browne proffers a eulogy to the mini-break, with characteristically acerbic wit and comedic whimsy I stand here at the altar of hypocrisy and loudly proclaim: “Death to the Ryanair weekend mini-break. She fucking sucks!” This is the pinnacle of white middle-class problems. I am certainly guilty of indulging in the cheeky weekend away myself. I once went to Dusseldorf for 16 hours … Continue reading An epitaph for the mini-break

A Fight for Choice – Poland’s Ban on Abortion
Sarah Kennelly of UCC Feminist Society talks about Poland’s recent decision to ban abortion and what can be done to stop it. Not long ago, the streets of Ireland were lively with celebrations of our decision to repeal the 8th Amendment. This was a pivotal moment in our history which gave us the right to choose. This right was stripped away from the women of … Continue reading A Fight for Choice – Poland’s Ban on Abortion

Budget 2021 : A Review
Deputy Current Affairs Editor Stephen Moynihan talks the 2021 Budget and its repercussions for students. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announced Budget 2021 in the National Convention Centre on the 13th October, setting out the government’s economic policy for the coming year, along with proposed changes to taxation and public spending. The shadow of COVID-19 loomed large over the proceedings, with a great proportion of … Continue reading Budget 2021 : A Review

A Toxic Lockdown Love Affair
The international lockdowns weighed heavy on relationships globally. Hannah Emerson talks to Motley about how it affected hers. Continue reading A Toxic Lockdown Love Affair

UCC’s Economics going into the Second Semester of a Digital Year
Motley’s Deputy of Current Affairs Stephen Moynihan discusses the funding situation for UCC over the coming months. The financial situation of Ireland’s universities is certainly of concern to all parties with links to UCC, most of all to students and to the 200 staff who have been let go. COVID-19 has only exacerbated the existing funding crisis in higher education. Universities are suffering from … Continue reading UCC’s Economics going into the Second Semester of a Digital Year

January Horoscopes
The Earth has completed her orbit around the sun, putting an end to the truly dreadful shitshow that was 2020. Will 2021 be any better? Mystic Mc Magical Predictions tells us. The answer is; probably not. Aries: January is a time for New Year’s resolutions – promises to make 2021 better than 2020. Like many of the promises made last year, though, resolutions tend … Continue reading January Horoscopes

Questioning Artificial Intelligence intelligently
Tomas Buckley takes a cold hard look at how AI mirrors human flaws and how if we are not careful, it may propagate more systemic oppression. In writing about AI, I am in good company. Just like Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Sam Harris before me, I will try to inform you about something of which I know little. We often mistakenly believe … Continue reading Questioning Artificial Intelligence intelligently
