No debt, no theft, no fret

BY B. SIEJA 

Plan your budget wisely by B. Sieja

They say money makes the world go round, that’s a given, but it also can get you into trouble if you’re not careful. Every year thousands of people come to Ireland to study. They leave their countries, families and friends and plunge into the unknown. They face new responsibilities and challenges and for many it’s their first time away from home. Moving abroad, managing and protecting your money, especially in such tricky economical times present many difficulties. Getting into debt, having your credit card details stolen or worrying about it  may cast a shadow on your college experience. Fret no more as there is a solution to your problems.

Two big Irish companies o2 and 3v designed disposable credit cards that work just like your top-up mobile phone. When you get one, you simply put on the amount  you want to spend and shop away. Both cards allow you to purchase goods from online websites. The o2 card also allows you to pay for goods in shops and restaurants. With disposable credit cards you won’t spend more than you have planned, you won’t get a nasty bill and you save yourself a few bob by avoiding paying the interest rate. So how do you get one? It’s simple! Both cards can be ordered online with o2 being also available in their stores. There is no charge for 3v cards and future top-ups under twenty euros. o2 sells its cards for 4.99e and charge between 50 cents and 3 euro per transaction. Applied cost depends on the amount you want to add to your card. Both companies ensure that topping up your card is easy and have lists of outlets available from o2 and 3v websites. If you own a smart-phone you can also download the o2 app which allows you to quickly check your balance and shows top-up outlets nearby.

o2 card app and 3V card by B. Sieja

It is a new and safer way to shop online which can also help students plan their spending. Many of us have very little or no financial support so managing and controlling your pennies is necessary. First, you need to learn how to plan your spending. Decide on a time frame; how many days or weeks will suit you and your budget best? A week? A month? You can match it with bigger bills that clearly mark days such as rent. It is useful to create a list of your basic expenses e.g. rent, phone credit, Internet and then count how much exactly you must put aside to cover it. Once the bills are taken care of you know exactly what’s left for your groceries and perhaps entertainment.

There are various markets offering low prices on everyday products. Tesco, Lidl and Aldi are considered the cheapest with variety of great discounts and special offers. For clothes you can get bargains in Dunnes, Penneys or TK max, all located in city centre. And let’s not forget about the post-Christmas sale that lasts all January. There is also a number of websites that offer good deals on products as well as entertainment. You can avail of discounts offered by Living Social, Groupon, Grab One or Freebie List to name a few. Websites offers vary tremendously! From restaurant deals, spa treatments, tickets and entries for numerous events, travel deals to freebies and trial products. Although it all sounds good and inviting remember not to be too easily tempted by special offers. Try to stick with your budget. Unfortunately no matter how much you plan your spending unforeseen or spontaneous expenses can happen. If it happened to you check whether or not you can return the purchased item and no matter how badly off you are do not borrow money from your friends or bank. Borrowing is a temporary solution and being in debt only expands list of bills. 

Penny saved is a penny earned by B. Sieja

A disposable credit card can help narrow the possibilities of over spending and the trap of debt. The card won’t allow you to pay for goods if you didn’t top it up. It can also help protect you from theft. We all have  a friend or a relative who got the bill  for  a plasma TV or a holiday in Dubai... Disposable credit cards have no connection to your main money source (be it a bank account or a sock under your mattress) so in the case of your details being compromised your money is safe and you can sleep soundly.

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Discovering Ireland

BY A. INHARJANTO

Dublin is no doubt a touristic, multicultural and vibrant city. When going around Dublin city centre, you will enjoy its brilliant atmosphere and will meet numerous people of different nationalities. You will also find lots of lively hubs, say, pubs, cinemas, theatres, clubs, sport centres, music halls, etc. It is a city with a jam-packed calendar of festivals and events.

However, if you are keen to further explore this Emerald Isle and move outside Dublin, the following places might interest you. Do not miss visiting them while living in Ireland as they can easily be reached by public transport especially by bus or train.

Glendalough and the Wicklow mountains

The glens of Wicklow by B. Trope

Located in County Wicklow, the scenery of Glendalough and its old monastic site are certain to create enduring memories. Glendalough is an Irish name, meaning ‘the valley of the two lakes’. From the visitor centre, it is best to hike so as not to miss the lovely views. After walking for about 15 minutes you will arrive at the Lower Lake. Do not spend too long here as there are plenty of other beautiful spots not to be missed. By following the signs, you will easily reach the Upper Lake.  This area has plenty of space for picnics, playing games, sitting around, etc. Nobody will be bored by the natural beauty of the Upper Lake calmly lying at the foothills and between two deep narrow valleys.

 

If all this is not enough and you want more adventure, feel free to go hill-walking. Hikers are well catered for in and around Glendalough and the surrounding area with an abundance of signposts leading the way. You would need to prepare for this, say, by taking some water and wearing good shoes as it can be  challenging at times and needs extra care along some parts of the routes.  

Furthermore, adjacent to the tourist centre and the car park, there is the site of St. Kevin’s monastic city. It is believed the monastery was established in the 6^th century and survived attacks from the Vikings. An 11^th century 34-metre round tower, high crosses and monastic ruins are still there as witnesses to the monastery’s remarkable history.

Besides Glendalough, if you have seen films like Braveheart and P.S. I Love You, you will enjoy panoramic drives through the Wicklow mountains, where those films were shot. There is Glenmacnass Waterfall famed for its splendid view. Travel to the Wicklow mountains during spring, summer, and autumn is obviously best. You are advised not to drive there in winter due to snow and icy roads.  

Galway and the Cliffs of Moher

The lovely ambience of Galway city by A. Inharjanto

Fancy going to the west? Galway and the Cliffs of Moher are recommended destinations for many tourists and recently arrived international students are no exception. The two are famed for their rolling hills, rugged cliffs, astonishing forts, historic castles, quaint towns, fabulous food, vibrant nightlife and many other things besides. You will notice Galway is the best combination of the modern Ireland of the Celtic Tiger with the easy-going ambience and cultural richness of its Gaelic heritage. Moreover, in visiting Galway’s harbour where fishing boats are moored to the stone quays, you will get some idea of its people’s activities. 

If you prefer discovering Galway city more seriously and plan to visit other tourist destinations the next day, do stay in Galway. Student hostels are available, priced around €15 a night. Do not worry about getting lost as tourist information centres are easily found. You might fancy enjoying an afternoon in Eyre Square or at the Spanish Arch, which offer good craic. The impressive Galway Catholic cathedral is among such places of interest.

The breathtaking cliffs of Moher by H. Tulp

Further, the breathtaking cliffs of Moher (214m) should not be missed. Apparently, they are the most amazing cliffs in the world and Ireland’s finest natural attraction. You will surely gaze in awe at this majestic scene. Besides the Cliffs of Moher, Paddywagon Tours for example, offer a good price for students (€40) including the burren, Corcomroe Abbey, Dunguire Castle, Poulnabrone Dolmen, the beautiful fishing village of Doolin and Bunratty Castle in one-day tour. For further information, please check these websites: Day Tours Ireland and Paddywagon Tours. So, from the limestone and fossil lunar-like rock formation of the Burren to the rugged Atlantic shoreline and sheer splendour of the cliffs, you will be awe-inspired.

Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway

Despite being part of the UK, they are still on the same island of Ireland and worth exploring. If you can travel to the UK without a visa as a EU citizen, do not hesitate to do so. However, some international students are not automatically allowed to travel across the border without a UK visa. You have to make sure this matter is first considered because it really matters.

Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital city, has impressive attractions for many visitors. Firstly, a warm welcome can be expected by the time you have arrived in the city where the famous Titanic was made. Then, you will finally get a fun-filled holiday experience in this second biggest city on the island. If your visit is well planned, your experience will be fantastic since the city offers its unique vibrancy and ambience. It is a region packed with fabulous restaurants, hotels, great shopping opportunities, visitor attractions such as the city hall, cathedrals, concert halls, the Titanic’s building yard. 

Last but not least, the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim is always on a tourists’ itinerary. Seeing the mostly hexagonal, basalt colums making up the Giant’s Causeway, you could tell how magnificent and unbeatable they are. When you get there, people may tell you a myth about how it was built. In fact, volcanic action formed those columns but old generations could hardly understand that process so they told the story of the great Irish hero Fionn MacCul who built the causeway to bring his love, a female giant living on the Hebridean island of Staffa, to his home in Ulster.

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Why is St. Patrick’s Day one of the biggest celebrations for Irish People?

BY J. FERNANDES

Saint Patrick’s Day is a festival celebrated annually on 17th March, marking the day when Catholic Religion was first brought to Ireland by the most commonly of the Patron Saints of Ireland, St. Patrick. This festival consists of many parades and events around the country and outside of the country by Irish people and Irish descendants and increasingly by many of non Irish descent. It is a national holiday in the Republic of Ireland and a bank holiday in Northern Ireland.

St. Patrick's Parade by A. Inharjanto

Saint Patrick was a missionary in the 5th century who is said to have converted Ireland to Christianity. That is why this day is considered an important religious celebration. This day is celebrated by a lot of people in many other countries, including the USA, Canada, Argentina, Japan, South Korea, and the UK. In the island of Ireland, numerous cities, towns and villages like Galway, Limerick, Cork etc. have each one their own parades and festivals. However, the biggest celebration takes place in Ireland outside of Dublin in Down Patrick, Northern Ireland. 

Many Irish people enjoy their traditional meal including boiled potatoes with butter, roast spring lamb, Irish stew that is full of green parsley, beef and Guinness casserole. Children are allowed to get some candies, but there are much more, such as music and dance performances. Girls and boys play Irish folk music, which include concert, outdoor theatre performances and fireworks. The event is considered as one of Ireland’s biggest annual celebrations.

How does St. Patrick become very popular for Irish people?  A biographical story of St. Patrick as written here is commonly told. Many years ago the Roman ruled most of Britain. A boy was born in Roman Britain and grew up to be St Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. That time there were a lot of young people being captured by raiders and sold as slaves. Patrick was just sixteen years old when he was seized by wicked men and brought to Ireland, there were no Christians in Ireland in those days. In Ireland he was a shepherd. He spent long days on the wild hills of Antrim minding sheep and talking (praying) to God.

A young reveller by J. Fernandes

Sometime when he was in Ireland for six years he had a dream. In his dream an angel told him he must escape, therefore he ran away, found a ship and abandoned Ireland behind. After a while he settled in France. He became a priest and spent several years studying a book called the Bible. There he had another dream, but this time he was told that he must come back to Ireland and teach the people about God. Patrick set off with a band of faithful followers.

The High King at Tara was the most powerful person in Ireland. He feared that Patrick’s Christian religion would teach people to be God followers instead of obeying the High King rules. Patrick convinced him that people could believe in God and also obey the High King. A plant called a shamrock grew all over Ireland, and one day Patrick picked it from the ground. He showed the High King at Tara that only one stem existed on the plant, but each stem contained three leaves. Patrick explained the Trinity of God. The High King became very impressed by Patrick and his story. He realized that Patrick did not want to take away his power, but simply to spread God message, so that the High King at Tara allowed Patrick and his followers to travel all over Ireland, converting the people to Christianity.

Nowadays, some people believe that St. Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland. Perhaps it is because heathens, who are people who don’t believe in God, are sometimes thought to be snakes. Perhaps, when the Irish become believers in God and were no heathens anymore, the snakes left Ireland.

On the way back from the parade by J. Fernandes

The popular St. Patrick Day tradition is wearing green clothing, which is the national colour that symbolizes the island’s lush landscape, the main symbol associated with this Irish popular day is Shamrock, a small three-leafed clover. The Shamrock became the national emblem of Ireland. Many Irish people wear sprigs of real Shamrock and greet each other in Irish Language using the words: ‘’Beannachatai na Feile Padraig oraibh’’, or in English language: ‘’May the blessing of St. Patrick be with you’’. On this day of celebration, there is opportunity and incentive for people of Irish descent and for those who wish they were Irish, also to attend and join in creative imaginative and expressive celebrations.

As I mentioned above all over the world, people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the same date which is 17th March. A lot of cities and towns of Ireland have special celebrations and parties. In Dublin city centre there is always a very large colourful parade through its main streets with a lot of carnival floats, marching bands, clowns and stilt walkers to remember St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland.  

Lastly, the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day for Irish people is equivalent to national celebrations in some countries around the world, for example the celebration of Angola’s and Poland’s independence day on 11th November, the celebration of the Bastille Day in France in 14th July, in Greece 25th March, in Hungary 4th April, or in Denmark 16th April.

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