Galway Gets Creative

THIS week Galway was witness to the first ever Galway Blogger Meet-Up. The event, which was held in the beautiful House Hotel in the heart of the city, was set up with the aim of bringing together some of Galway’s finest bloggers; from writers, photographers, fashion lovers, designers and artists to share ideas and interests and generally plan world domination, writes Lia Stokes.

The brains behind the idea is blogger and journalist, not to mention NUIG alumni, Ciara O’ Doherty. “I have always said that Galway has so much talent to offer and I thought this kind of get-together would be a great way for everyone to share ideas and hopefully achieve something great further down the line.”

The introductory meeting was buzzing with anticipation and excitement for what the day would hold, and it didn’t disappoint. It brought together an eclectic mix of people with a variety of interests and even offered those in attendance some sweet treats and tea and coffee to keep energy levels up amid all of the brainstorming. NUIG was well represented in the mix with a number of our own contributors in attendance.

The event was a huge success with a great turn out and has resulted in the formation of The Galway Blogger Collective. The aim of the group is to offer a platform for members to make contacts in various fields, have some fun, meet new people and share information and experiences with the rest of the group. Anyone and everyone is welcome at what is hoped to become a monthly meet-up and planning session. 

Among the crowd of enthusiastic bloggers were the creators of the galway.com website. This is a great interactive website that is constantly being updated with news, views and reviews of all things Galway. The site has been on the go for over six months now but is rapidly expanding and looking for contributors to help do so. And where better to start looking than at a meeting of online writers?

Although Dublin is often considered the centre for all things arts and culture, Galway also has a lot to offer in terms of human resources. Known for its bohemian artsy vibe, the city is awash with fresh, undiscovered talent both young and old, from musicians and artists to writers and designers. The Galway Blogger Collective is an initiative which hopes to showcase this talent and share it with a wider audience through the blogosphere.

If you are a blogger or interested in getting involved in The Galway Blogger Collective, you can leave a comment on my blog ragsandretrospect.blogspot.com with your name and email address and I will get back to you with the details. Or if you are interested in contributing to www.galway.com simply get in contact with them through the website or the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/galwaydotcom

You know it's exam season when...

Published in SIN Nov 22 2011

by Lia Stokes

Image via bellaghparish.com

IT’S that time of year again. The time when this laid back, smiley-university of ours becomes a bleak, soul-less petri dish of stress and guilt. Exam season has creeped up on us once more, in its ever swift and stealthy fashion and has brought with it some notable changes to the college.

The Bialann and Smokeys, whose warm and friendly atmospheres act as perfect locations to un-wind, have recently become haunting grounds for the hungry and sleep deprived. The bodies of students who usually saunter around the halls with a spring in their step and a sparkle in their eye can be seen gnarled and broken as they hunch over their only meal of the day, usually consisting of a large coffee and little else.

During this grim season, social hot-spots such as the library and reading room become void of the interaction that defines them throughout the rest of the year. Even the infamous ‘Top Floor’ or CPs as it is otherwise known, grows decidedly less glamorous in the run up to exams. The immaculately made-up and perfectly coiffed ladies that stomp the leafy aisles are somewhat more dishevelled and much less ‘shiny’ than usual. Their pale pallor is lacking its lip-glossed smile, and they only stop to talk to every third person on the way to the bathroom.    

The hum of quiet chatter and gossip is replaced by ghostly silence and the only sound of communication is the clattering of keyboards and hushed tones seeking notes or rare books. Backs are hunched and twisted over desks that become home for the duration and once hopeful eyes are reddened and manic in an effort to stay awake.


What must be distressing for lecturers in particular during this time, is the masses of unfamiliar faces descending on their lecture halls in the hope of gaining even the smallest amount of information that could lend itself to a higher grade. Where they usually deal with hand fulls of willing spectators, they are now faced with hundreds of greedy eyes staring down at them in a trance like-state.

Yes, exam season takes its toll on the best of us. Stress-levels are off the scales and immune systems are at an all time low. People can be heard coughing and spluttering in all corners of the campus. The cold and inevitably wet weather only worsens the pains of flu and seems to mirror the feeling of gloom and despair felt by thousands of students.

However, it is perhaps most terrifying for first year students. Having just been through a year of what some may describe as hell, studying for their leaving Cert, they do not expect to be burdened with such a work load and the inevitable guilt, so soon. They edge their way cautiously around the alien aisles of the library praying they have the correct code for the book that may unlock all of the answers and strategically avoiding the eyes of anyone else who may laugh at their ignorance of the seemingly complicated system.

A pleasant time it is not. Galway bars and clubs are loosing more business by the day, longing for the return of their loyal patrons and hoping exams are finished early this year.
It is an eerie time as tumbleweed rolls across the threshold to the College Bar a place where activity is now limited to lunch and dinner for the starving throngs.

Yet as the days go by a glimmer of hope emerges in the form a Christmas tree. Erected in the Bar, the beast stands around ten feet tall, adorned with twinkling lights and shiny baubles. Slowly but surely festive songs seep through the speakers hoping to breath life and faith back in to the suffering student body. 

A Town on a Cliff

Nestled at the foot of The Sierra Almijara mountain range, 40 minutes east of Malaga in the south of Spain, the town of Nerja is the perfect holiday destination for all ages

Image via spanishvida.com

Situated in the sunny Andalusian Costa del Sol, Nerja offers a refreshing alternative to the built up high-rise resorts that the area is notorious for. Although often described as a small fishing village, tourism is in fact the town’s main industry these days and even during the quieter months of the year there is a distinct buzz and atmosphere around the place.

The old cobbled town which dates back to the 15th century is perched on a rocky shoreline overlooking a series of stunning beaches and coves. Despite its size, Nerja and its surrounding area has a lot to offer visitors. The town itself is steeped in history and between taking in the beautiful churches, narrow winding streets dotted with interesting shops and the breathtaking views of the ocean from the famous Balcon de Europa, you will not be bored strolling around this chilled out town.

Image via spanishabroad.com

Other attractions in the area include the famous Caves of Nerja, which are some of the most extensive in Europe. A series of vast stalactites and stalagmite's dominate the roof and floor of the caves while primitive drawings grace the rocky walls. Skeletal remains found in the caves suggest they date back as far as 25,000 BC. The caves often play host to concerts during the year and truly are a must-see when in the Nerja region.

Image via panoramio.com

Just a few kilometres north of Nerja is the picturesque ‘white town’ of Frigiliana. With its spectacular panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding Tejada National Park, Frigiliana is the epitome of a Spanish whitewashed village with its beautiful little houses. Set in a maze of roving cobbled streets, it is the perfect location to soak up the scenery of this beautiful part of Spain.

Image via nerjarentals.com

If you are hoping to see some of the surrounding countryside, the best way to travel is by car. Car rental is relatively inexpensive in Spain and some great offers can be found online throughout the year. If you do get a car the places to go and see nearby are boundless. The youthful university city of Granada is approximately 1.5 hours from Nerja and is a real gem in the Andalucia region. Granada is home to the Alhambra, a colossal Moorish palace surrounded by a beautiful park. Set against the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains the incredible Alhambra Palace is a masterpiece of Arab architecture and a must-visit.

Image via panoramio.com

If you are looking for some action and adventure near Nerja, during the winter months you can ski in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains just an hour north of the town and during the summer there are a range of water sports including sailing and kayaking on offer on the beaches.

While Nerja is delightfully absent of flashing neon lights so often seen in Spanish seaside resorts, it does have a brilliant night scene. The town offers a wide range of local and international cuisine at very affordable prices. However it is a must to sample some tapas, in particularly the seafood, sourced locally. The Café culture is alive and well in the town and you can grab a coffee or some delicious local ice-cream from a range of cafés and heladerias until late at night.

Image via worldtravelr.blogspot.com

If you are looking for some entertainment then head to one of the Spanish bars for some local beer and flamenco dancing or if it’s something more lively you’re after, the small enclosed Tutti Fruiti Plaza has a number of bars and clubs with great DJs and live music where you can dance away until the small hours of the morning.

Late September to the end of October is the perfect time of year for a short break to the lazy town as they often experience what they call a second summer. During this time temperatures can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius. As it is off season, prices for flights, accommodation and car rental are much cheaper than during the summer months and yet you won’t have to sacrifice the sun!

If it’s great food, sun, sea and sand or adventure you’re after, Nerja has it all. With it’s chilled out vibe it is the perfect location for a family holiday, romantic getaway or a fun break with friends.This is one Spanish town that will not disappoint!

Ryanair and Aerlingus have a number of flights to Malaga every week and if you book in advance you can pick up some great deals. There are regular buses to and from Malaga each day that drop you off in the centre of the town or you can pick up a car at the airport.

Check out http://www.nerjatoday.com/ for more information on accommodation and what’s going on in Nerja during your stay.

The Rat Race - The Run up to Ireland's 2011 Presidential Election

image courtesy of theamerican.ie

This year's Irish presidential election has become something of a rat race. From dirty campaign tactics to the uncovering of lies and un-told truths of the candidates, the up-coming election appears to be more of a slagging match than a legitimate display of democracy.

With polling day looming, a survey was carried out in NUI Galway regarding the election and despite the strong affiliation the University holds with certain candidates, in particular Micheal D. Higgins, there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm surrounding the eligibility of any of the candidates. 

One student Rachel King admitted “I don’t have much interest in the election...No one stands out to me, but I’ll use my vote because I don’t think it’s right to waste it”. 

This theme re-appeared throughout the survey and another student Conal Houlihan admitted “I’m not keen on any of the candidates. They’re just not good enough”, he also felt their backgrounds let them down.

Although Seán Gallagher is currently topping the polls as favourite to win, it seemed Mary Davis and Micheal D. were the favourites among the NUIG student-body last week. The reasoning behind these choices was primarily down to the candidate' lack of shady pasts as well as their political backgrounds, with one student Rory Hogan suggesting them to be "the only legitimate candidates". 

Worryingly, many of the students that took part in the survey were un-aware or un-sure of the details of the referenda that will also take place on the day of the election. The referenda entail huge changes in the constitution. The referendum on inquiries by the Oireachtas is particularly important as it could bestow significant power to the houses of government to inquire into the actions of individuals if they feel it to be in the public interest.

Perhaps the Presidential candidates and their subsequent political parties would be doing more good by informing the people as opposed to digging up dirt on their opposition. Make sure you are informed on Thursday 27th October and check out http://www.referendum2011.ie/ for more information on the referenda.

Who will you vote for?

Doolin Pier Development

Published on Westcoastsurfer.com December 2010

The proposal for the six million euro development of Doolin pier has been a controversial talking point among surfers for quite some time now. It is feared that the new pier which is set to accommodate an increased number of ferry operators to the Aran Islands will have a severely detrimental impact on what has become one of Europe’s best surfing waves at Crab Island, just off the Doolin coast.

Image courtesy of tokyosurfers.com

The new construction if it is to goes ahead as planned, will deem the wave un-surfable yet developers argue that the extra space at the pier will allow for more ferries thus attracting greater levels of tourism to the area as well as to the Aran Islands.While this may be true for the summer months, it is unlikely to significantly increase levels of tourism throughout the rest of the year.

The surge in visitors to the area during the summer certainly gives a seasonal boost to local economies. However, if the developers are to follow through with the current plan and design for the pier, they may in fact lose out. Without the consistent patronage of the surfers who flock to the area all year-round, local businesses are likely to feel their absence once the nomadic visitors have moved on.

Image courtesy of chewyblog.com

The impending threat to the wave at Crab has led to many efforts to protect it from obliteration. There has been huge national and international support on the issue including an online petition against the development, which has received over nine thousand signatures as well as backing from the California-based Save the Waves Coalition.

The surfing community in Ireland has grown considerably in recent years attracting people of all ages and backgrounds. As home to some of the best waves in the world, Ireland has also become a competitive surf-holiday destination. It is clear from campaigns such as that of ‘Discover Ireland’ that national tourism bodies recognise the value of surfing as a major tourist attraction in the country. And while the new pier at Doolin may well be aiding tourism in the Aran Islands, it is simultaneously destroying surf-tourism in the Clare area.

Image courtesy of westcoastsurfer.com

Despite certain attempts to encourage alternative plans for the pier which would satisfy both Clare County Council and the surfing community, it is looking more likely that developers will go ahead with the original design.

Irish surf website scoops young enterprise award

Oisin Halpin and Cian Brassil. All images courtesy of Westcoastsurfer.com

June 2011

WestCoastSurfer.com has won the prestigious NUI Galway Student Enterprise Award. The concept came from 20 year old I.T. student Cian Brassil who is an avid surfer himself. Cian saw a gap in the market for a comprehensive surf website based in Ireland and took the initiative to set one up.

Along with fellow NUIG student Oisin Halpin who recently joined the team, Brassil scooped the top prize of a €15K investment for the business as well as invaluable expert mentoring and guidance.


Runners up, LittleGreenWheels, a recycling centre for children and Algorithm, a facility aimed at helping students overcome the difficulties of returning to education after child birth, were awarded €2000 for their innovation. However, it was Brassil’s brainchild Westcoastsurfer.com that impressed the most.

Cian and co-worker Oisin Halpin were ecstatic with the win. Brassil recounts “I was so surprised, but delighted all the hard work paid off. We’ve put so much time and labour in to the site that it’s nice to get some recognition for our efforts.” The Award which was presented by the Minister of State for Small Business, John Perry T.D., NUI Galway President, Dr James Browne and NUI Galway Students’ Union President, Peter Mannion, should give a notable boost to the website.

It is clear that potential for greatness was always there, with the chairperson of the judging panel, CEO of Creganna-Tactx Medical, Helen Ryan announcing: “West Coast Surfer.com has huge growth potential and is well grounded in commercial reality with great opportunities for the West of Ireland.”


The young entrepreneur admits “I try to get out surfing at least once a week so I’m constantly looking up the forecast. There are a couple of great websites for that but I was always wondering why someone had not set up an Irish site that would give an insight in to some good surf spots, cover local and international surf news, have a place for people to buy and sell gear and just meet like-minded surfers.”

The Westcoastsurfer.com founder said “The idea for the website was always there but it was last Summer that I decided to give it a go.” Since it’s inception the website has flourished with top Irish Sufwear Brand, Emerald Surfwear on board as the primary advertisers for the site.

Judges were blown away by the WestCoastSurfer.com brand and its potential to draw investment to the domestic economy. The goal now is to design, build, promote, develop and manage the premier Irish surfing website.

Surf tourism is on the rise in Ireland and the achievements of Westcoastsurfer are bound to help this along further. Ireland is quickly becoming one of the top Surf holiday destinations in the world. Boasting one of the most beautiful coastlines and some of the best waves in Europe, not to mention the world, the west coast is truly a surfers paradise, without the sunshine!



For anyone who has not yet stumbled upon the site, Westcoastsurfer.com is a one stop shop for Irish surfers looking for information on the sport. It offers a detailed insight in to the Irish surf scene. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro you won’t be lost for articles to read, gear to buy or forecasts to scrutinise, not to mention the stunning gallery of pictures of the Irish coastline. Check out the site on www.westcoastsurfer.com.

by Lia Stokes

Vogue Gets Stitched Up!

Published in Galway Now, September 2011

Rosie Huntington Whitely's cross stitched Vogue cover

The art of cross-stitch embroidery is something which is rarely seen today and even less celebrated. As one of the oldest forms of embroidery, it like many other crafts seems to have been lost to a generation of techno-holics. However, Fine Art and Photography student Inge Jacobsen has shot to fame in recent weeks after images of her work went global. It was her stunningly intricate cross-stitched covers of Vogue magazine that caught the attention of the media and put a modern, high-fashion spin on the traditional craft. 

From the small town of Pribbaun, Co. Galway Inge and her family moved to Denmark for a number of years and then went on to live in the UK where she completed her secondary education. It was during her years in Denmark that she learned the old fashion craft. “Everyone in Denmark learns to cross-stitch in primary school but I have never heard of it being taught in Ireland or the UK.” Although passionate about art from an early age, Jacobsen never believed she would one day become a well known artist. Nor did she think she would be putting the ancient craft she learned as a child to use in her career!

Over the past couple of months Inge’s work has featured on a number of websites and publications across the world. The people at globalgrind.com were the first to contact her about her work then it was Vogue.co.uk and The Telegraph. Since then, the Galway native has been inundated with calls from people looking to buy and commission pieces that started out as a project for her degree. Jacobsen’s work is unlike anything the art world has seen in recent years. The painstakingly meticulous detail of each piece transforms the mass produced images of the glossy magazine into unique tangible works of art that offer a commentary on fashion, gender and marketing.  

With her mix of interesting themes and textiles, Inge has taken inspiration from two of her favourite artists Vik Muniz and John Baldessari. These eccentric conceptual artists are known for their unconventional approach to art as well as their political undertones, but what makes them stand apart from many other artists is the sense of humour in their work. The work of these artists pushes the boundaries of art and gives new light and meaning to old works. From Muniz’s Chocolate syrup Mona Lisa to Baldessari’s ‘God Nose’ installation, they allow room to poke fun at art while creating something truly original in the process. Jacobsen adopts this point of view throughout her work. “Although there are obvious political and gender related themes in some of my pieces, I want people to see the humour in them and not to take them too seriously.” Her quirky collages and woven pictures proffer an exploration in to “the different contexts in which photography can be used”.

Imbued by the work of her grandmother and her sisters, Jacobsen’s work combines the feminine pass times of old with the pass times of her own generation-embroidery and fashion. The marriage of the two seems to compare the values of past generations with those of the world today; an elaborate and time-consuming craft and the materialistic and disposable activities of modern society. Each cover takes up to a month of assiduous work. Measuring each line by eye, Inge makes the holes in the cover before she begins to sew the image in tiny X-shaped stitches. "I sew over the covers, which some might see as cheating, but I'm not doing this to show off my skills as an embroiderer, it is an exploration into popular culture and the culture of massed produced imagery." By creating these tactile bodies of work Inge suggests that she is "disrupting the easy consumption of these images" creating something unique of her own. She admits "I've always been drawn to Vogue, it's such an icon of feminine culture. I feel it represents fashion, elegance and luxury and by stitching the covers and campaigns it was a way for me to intervene in to a world I was not a part of...I wanted to get under it’s skin". 

Apart form her work on the covers of Vogue, Jacobsen has also made her mark on the campaigns of some of the World's greatest fashion houses including Chanel, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent. These pieces are what Inge calls "Sewing Porn" or “Porn you grandmother would make!” While the campaigns depict images of women scantily clad or posing suggestively, the young artist stitches pornographic images over the advertisement. It aims to be a tongue-in-cheek comparison between the subtle provocation of the campaigns juxtaposed to the full frontal nudity of pornography and a slight mockery of how seriously the fashion industry takes itself. Her work also comments on the objectification of women in the fashion world and how the nature of these images goes unnoticed due to the high-brow profile of the industry, regarded instead as artistic illustrations.  

Blown away by the response her work has earned, Jacobsen is managing to stay focused on her studies. “At the moment my primary focus is with my final university project and exhibition, once I get that finished then I will start thinking about the future and where I want to take my art. I’m currently working on a number of commissions too so there is a lot of work but I’m just happy that people are enjoying what I’m doing.” With so much more to explore in her blossoming career, Inge is doubtful that she will continue with the Vogue covers for much longer. “I don’t think I’ll do many more covers, I don’t want it to get boring! But I will definitely keep mixing cross-stitch with mass produced images for the time being.” To contact Inge or to see more of her work visit her website www.ingejacobsen.com.