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The College Press

—————Friday, 22nd March 2013 Issue 4 Volume 8—————

World

Book Day!

We Are Newbridge

College

The Easter Issue

Celebration of

Music Night

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College Press Editorial Team

Editors: Ciara Maher

Sorcha Lavelle-Walsh

Student Contributors: Sam Burke

Sarah Coller

David Devaney

Elise Morrissey

Pat Morrin

Special Thanks To: Mr. Doyle

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Hi Everyone,

For those of you who actually stuck to

your lent promises, you’re nearly there!

It’s Cream Egg Season so soon we can

all indulge in some well-deserved

chocolate!

Also, commiserations to many of the

College sports teams this term on some

very narrow losses at varying levels in

their competitions! Better luck next

year! :)

Until next term,

Ciara and Sorcha :)

Editorial

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World Book Day World Book Day 2013 recently took place. We live in a world that is now filled

with media like internet, movies, TV and video games. We see less and less

people reading. We become engrossed in Films such as “Twilight” and “The

Hunger Games” (these films were originally books and still in print if you’re inter-

ested!)

If so many books are adapted into film, why bother reading?

Here are my top ten reasons to read:

#1. A book is generally 100% better than

the film.

#2. Reading will make you smarter.

#3. Your vocabulary

will be good and stuff!

#4. You can experience

whole new worlds and en-

ter the lives of vivid and

exciting characters.

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“I find television very

educating. Every time

somebody turns on the

set, I go into the other

room and read a book.”

Groucho Marx

#6. Some books are impossible to put down, like my own

personal favourite, “The history of Glue”

#7. If you want to be able to write, you have to be able to

read.

#8. They are forms of escape.

#9. You can read books anywhere, using the laptop in the

bath leads to problems.

#10. Carry a great novel with you at all times, people will

immediately think you are more intelligent than you possi-

bly are.

'abibliophobia'

Definition: the fear of run-

ning out of things to read!

People who read are less likely to

develop Alzheimer's compared with

those who do not … now if I could

just remember where I left that

book.

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An tseachtain seo caite rinne pobal na scoile ar fad

sár-iarracht chun Seachtain Na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh. I

mbliana, ritheann Seachtain na Gaeilge ón 4ú -17ú

Márta agus is am fíor speisialta é don Ghaeilge mar

tá Bliain na Gaeilge 2013 á cheiliúradh againn freisin.

Maisíodh an scoil ar fad don ócáid agus ghlac gach

duine le spiorad na Gaeilge don tseachtain.

Cruthaíodh atmaisféar iontach sa scoil le linn na tré-

imhse ar fad. Bhí ceol traidisiúnta againn san áit

shóisialta gach lá agus fiú taispeánadh biachlár na

caifitéire as Gaeilge don tseachtain. Bhí eachtraí

éagsúla ar siúl ag daltaí na scoile le linn na

seachtaine freisin. Ghlac roinnt daltaí páirt sna hagal-

laimh ‘Fáinne Óir’ ar an gCéadaoin agus rinne Gráinne

Carr, Niamh Jordan agus Jeannette OMeara jab ion-

tach ag eagrú céilí le haghaidh lucht na dara bliana ar

an Aoine. Dúirt cuid mhaith díobh gurbh é sin

buaicphointe na seachtaine ar fad.

Eagraíodh díospóireachtaí sóisearacha agus sinseara-

cha ar an Déardaoin san amharclann. Bhain gach du-

ine an-sult astu agus bhí tacaíocht iontach ag

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na foirne go léir. Bhí argointí den scoth ag gach duine

agus bronnadh uibheacha Cásca ar na buaiteoirí.

Chomh maith leis sin eagraíodh cluichí pheil Ghaela-

cha , Tóraíocht Taisce don Chéad Bhliain agus Tráth

na gceist sna ranganna éagsúla.

Ar an iomlán, bhí Seachtain na Gaeilge ar fheabhas

againn anseo i gColáiste an Droichid Nua, lán le

himeachtaí corraitheacha agus spiorad na Gaeilge.

Tá aip Seachtain na Gaeilge 2013 ar fáil don iPhone

anois ar iTunes agus is féidir leat na himeachtaí go

léir a bhíonn ar siúl i do cheantar agus ar fud na tire

a fháil ann. Ní féidir a shéanadh ach go raibh

Seachtain na Gaeilge bríomhar, taitneamhach againn

go léir i mbliana; tá súil againn go léir go leanfaidh

spiorad na Gaeilge sa scoil i rith Bliain na Gaeilge ar

fad.

Le Elise Morrissey

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Hockey Happenings: The 2012/13

season wraps up... and more.. .

Here’s an update on the hockey

happenings since our last issue! This

month, we’ve wrapped up most of

our leagues/cups/plates and will

play in friendly tournaments and

in-house leagues for the rest of the

year.

1ST YEAR HOCKEY:

The 1st Year As came very close to kicking Loreto Beaufort, one of the

Premier Leinster League hockey schools, right out of the league!

Unfortunately, all Loreto needed was a draw and with the score being

1-1 at full time, the girls said goodbye to their first league in Newbridge

College. However, they’ll have many more leagues in their next few

years at the College, on the astroturf! The 1st Year Bs had a very

successful league season, beating Santa Sabina 2-1 in the Leinster

League playoffs. They progressed to the quarter finals, where they met

with another Premier school, Loreto Bray. This match went to silver goal

penalties, resulting in a Newbridge victory. They then went on to meet

St. Andrew’s in a nail-biter of a semi-final, where they fought valiantly

but were unfortunately beaten narrowly in the last minute, leaving the

final score barely 1-0 to St. Andrew’s. Well done for getting that far

girls! The 1st Year Cs finished off their season with two friendly matches

in St. Leo’s in Carlow. They drew the first game and narrowly lost by a

goal in the second. Considering most of these players have only

By Sarah

Coller

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starting playing hockey this year, their progression is impressive and

we hope they’ll keep up the sport next year – onwards and upwards

girls!

MINOR HOCKEY:

The Minor As beat Loreto Foxrock 1-0 in their last Leinster League

game, with jubilation all round, especially on their own turf! The

next week they refocused for their Leinster Plate quarter-final, but

were unfortunately beaten by St. Joseph’s of Cluny 2-0. They look

forward to the Junior season next year. The Minor Bs bowed out of

their season gracefully with an unfortunate 2-1 loss vs. Alexandra

College, the reigning All-Ireland champions. Despite this, the girls

managed to slot away an impressive goal, with the final score being

2-1. Well done! The Minor Cs had a tough season despite showing

impressive skill and steady improvement throughout the year. They

ended their Leinster League run with a loss to Newpark

Comprehensive 3-1, a team notorious for their skills. Hard luck girls,

heads up for next year!

JUNIOR HOCKEY:

The Junior A’s Leinster League brought them to the semi-finals vs.

Mount Sackville. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be their day and the

Newbridge girls suffered their 3rd penalty defeat in two seasons

losing 4-2. An agonising defeat with possession stats of 80% yet

somehow contrived to lose this game. The Ireland v Scotland rugby

game the previous Sunday comes to mind. However the team put

their heads down and trained hard for their Leinster Plate quarter-

final the following week vs. Newpark Comprehensive and this time

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around it paid off! The game looked like a draw until the 55th

minute, when Newbridge made the final score 2-1. The next week

they progressed to the semi-finals vs. Our Ladies Grove, staged in

UCD. The girls took nothing for granted and played to their

strengths, resulting in a 2-1 victory. At the time of going to press,

this team are now travelling to the Leinster Plate FINALS and we

wish them the best of luck. Do the school proud! The Junior Bs

finished up the Leinster League season with a lovely win over John-

scottus 2-1. Congratulations girls, a nice note to finish on!

SENIOR HOCKEY:

The Senior As Leinster League campaign finished up with a tough

match vs. Newpark Comprehensive in January. The girls fought val-

iantly only to pull up short with a final score of 2-1. The following

month they began their Leinster Plate campaign with a fantastic

victory over Premier school, Loreto on the Green. A frustrating 60

minutes of play led to a 0-0 score, where the silver goal rule was

applied and to no avail, so the penalties began. The Newbridge

penalty takers were superior and led the girls home to victory.

Later that month, they clashed with St. Killian’s in the quarter-final,

only to unfortunately be beaten. The team thoroughly enjoyed

their season, especially the 6th years because this was their last NC

match. They will hopefully hold the College banner high at

university hockey next year! The girls will now compete in the

Dominican Cup Tournament in April. The Senior Bs enjoyed an

eventful season, bowing out of the Leinster League in late January

will an unfortunate loss against Loreto Dalkey. The final score was

1-0, not a reflection in the slightest of the girls’ determination. Well

done!

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OTHER NEWS:

The Senior As would like to thank their supporters for

joining them this month at their quarter-final in

St. Killian’s, it was great to have you all their!

The Astro-Turf Facilities are well underway in being

constructed and I know every hockey player (including

myself!) gets a shiver up their spine thinking about all

the amazing seasons to come for Newbridge College on

those pitches! To keep updated on the progress and

opening ceremony details, check out

www.newbridgecollegeastro.blog.com

The school website’s hockey section has been totally

revamped, go have a peek!

The team jackets have spread club wide, they are

looking fab! Just make sure to whip them off during

class time, keep it on the pitches ;)

For any of you who didn’t know, there is now a fully

functioning Student Hockey Council, supervised by Janis

Feeney. We meet once a month in Mr. Falvey’s

classroom. If you have any hockey related issues or

ideas, contact your team representative (usually the

captain, just check out the list on the school website.)

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Memories from

the 2012/13

season…

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Hard l

uck to

our

Newbri

dge Co

llege

Golf t

eam wh

o

repres

ented

us in

the fi

nal bu

t

unfort

unatel

y it w

as

not

meant

to be

!

Very Hard Luck to our

Junior A Hockey team

who were beaten 2-0 in

the Plate Final. Congrats to all the

squad on a great season and lots to

look forward to with the completion

of our new astro pitch which will be

up and running for the new season.

Congratulations to the French

debating team, Roisin Flynn,

Sam Russell, Olivia O Neill

Brown & Rob O Neill who beat

Belvedere College in the semi

final of the Alliance French

debating competition on

Wednesday evening. They will

now represent our school in the

final against Loreto on the

green.

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Hard l

uck to

our

Newbri

dge Co

llege

Golf t

eam wh

o

repres

ented

us in

the fi

nal bu

t

unfort

unatel

y it w

as

not

meant

to be

!

Hard luck to the Senior and

Junior Cup Rugby teams in

their Cup Semi and Quarter

Final! We’ll get our

revenge on Michael’s next

year!

Very Hard Luck to our

Junior A Hockey team

who were beaten 2-0 in

the Plate Final. Congrats to all the

squad on a great season and lots to

look forward to with the completion

of our new astro pitch which will be

up and running for the new season.

CONGRATS to the Concern Debate team who were victorious last

Tuesday, 19th March against St. Gerrad’s. The team would like to thank Ms. Kelly and Ms. Murphy

for the huge amount of work and support they have been giving throughout the year.

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We Are Newbridge College

All 800-odd of us students represent Newbridge College.

Be it on the hockey pitch, the rugby pitch, the stage, on

debating teams, on golf courses, in equestrian, on athletic

tracks, on basketball courts, the list is endless! (Bearing in

mind this is excluding academic accomplishments!) Great

success has been achieved in these activities this year. In

order to continue succeeding as a school, we need to show

support where it’s due! We are known for our incredible

support systems at rugby matches in particular, as every

supporter chants and encourages the team even when the

score board isn’t in our favour. After our senior cup rugby

team worked so hard to have Michael’s rob us of yet

another deserved win, our team were in despair after that

last whistle blew but I can imagine they felt a slight sense of

comfort seeing all the encouraging faces from their fellow

school mates’, as they cheered… “We’ll never die, we’ll

never die…”

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This kind of encouragement and ‘school spirit’ (if we want

to get cheesy about it) should be shown across the boards.

We are all representing Newbridge College. It shouldn’t be

the case where comments are posted on Facebook or Twit-

ter, belittling a well-earned victory. Whether it’s New-

bridge College vs. St. Killian’s or Blackrock, a victory should

be celebrated in all areas of the school and losses should be

acknowledged with a “better luck next time” attitude. We

are lucky to be a part of a school that offers so many activi-

ties but let’s bear in mind it’s not Newbridge College Rugby

vs. Newbridge College Hockey or French debating vs. Con-

cern debating!

We are Newbridge College so show your support when and

where you can for all these activities and I’m sure we’ll start

to see more victories!

By Sorcha Lavelle-Walsh

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Ski Trip 2013

By Paddy Morrin

We started our Scandinavian odyssey on a cloudy Sunday morning in Febru-ary. The excitement was palpable as we boarded a SAS airline to Oslo. It be-came apparent to me while on the plane that the Norwegian kronje rates were totally ridiculous as a standard packet of crisps was 100 Kronje? As we stepped on the snowy turf of Oslo there was sudden realisation of how cold it actually was with the temperature at minus 10. The hotel’s name was the Birkebieneren and the rooms were surprisingly spacious and luxurious with the Toilet having under floor heating which scalded the feet of many of my compatriots. The food was adequate with substantial helpings. On the first night we simply unpacked our extensive gear. Before we went we were all divided into Advanced, Intermediate and Beginner groups. We were fitted our ski gear which included Skis, Helmet, Boots (incredibly irritating) and poles. On the first day each group was allocated an instructor and they showed us the basics techniques at first. It was like the Grand National at first but then everyone seemed to get the correct technique. After a bruising but an enjoyable day’s skiing we went back to the warmth and comfort of our hotel rooms. That night the intended quiz was called off due to lack of interest. After dinner we were all rushed to bed by the enforcer Mr.King whose bellow could be heard all the way back in Newbridge. Day 2 was the catching on day as everyone seemed to be accomplishing the green slopes with some daredevils tackling steeper slopes. That night we went to the theatre like cinema in Lillehammer. We watched Zero Dark Thirty which lucky wasn’t dubbed in Norwegian. Day 3 we were introduced to Red and Blue slopes and the dreaded Off Piste which catches out the some of the experi-enced skiers. That night we went to Kirstens Hall to watch an Ice Hockey match which was entertaining until the never ending breaks in play kick in. On Day 4 most of us flew down from the peak to the very bottom in a matter of minutes with no causalities along the way. Newer and tougher Off Piste conquests were conquered with aplomb. That night we were treated with a scrumptious meal in a Restaurant/Night club in Lillehammer. Day 5 we at-tempted Black slopes which tested our mettle but by the end of the day they didn’t pose much of a threat. We went swimming and Shopping that night

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and suddenly we all realized that it was the last day of our fantastic tour. Day 6 was easily the most enjoyable as we attempted every discipline and as our experience increased the more enjoyment we had. The day flew by us and then it was all over. That night we packed away our gear and we went to bed with the sound of Mr.King and his assistant Mr.Doyle’s orders still ringing in our ears. As we went home we realized that this trip was utterly brilliant in every way.

Newbridge vs St.Micheals Senior

Cup Semi-Final

The latest chapter of this epic rivalry was held at a misty and

tense Donnybrook. With the anticipation at boiling point, the

game kicked off and immediately the liffeysiders were in the

Micheals 22 but their chances came to ill effect. As New-

bridge battled for possession, the ball was given away and

from that lost possession Micheals were in the Newbridge 22

for the first time and from their first entry into the ‘Bridge 22

they scored from relentless recycling of the ball with the

Micheals prop barrelling in for a try (0-5). The Micheals Fly

Half added the extras (0-7). From the ensuing kick-off New-

bridge were right back in the fight with a stolen line out from

McKnight and a JP drive and then the filthy Micheals pack

gave a cynical penalty away which deserved a yellow card for

the perpetrator. Healy bisected the uprights from the result-

ing penalty (3-7). The Bridge boys were heroic in defence and

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they were awarded another penalty at halfway. With

Healy in superb form they elected for the sticks but the

resulting kick just dropped short. Newbridge put their

bodies on the line with standout tackles from the aggres-

sive Jake Howlett and number 8 Tom Brady but these mo-

ments of great bravery came to no avail as the relentless

Micheals attack finally penetrated the Bridge defence

with the Micheals scrum half squeezing in for a try (3-12).

Their impressive fly half floated over the ensuing conver-

sion (3-14). Then suddenly a lifeline as Newbridge were

on the rack, Howlett again made an electric break and

galloped into the Micheals 22 lifting the siege in the proc-

ess. After a maul from a line out and a series of phases

later the ball was shipped to JP in the corner and he dived

in spectacularly for a tremendous try (8-14). Healy then

showed his kicking ability with a superb kick from the

touchline (10-14). At half time Newbridge seemed to be

reinvigorated thanks to the brilliance of the Howlett

break and subsequent score. Half Time (10-14). From the

resumption Micheals upped the ante and were posing all

kinds of threats in the ‘Bridge 22. After some brilliant off-

loading play Micheals were in again but the scorer was

unbelievably held up by the ‘Bridge defence. But this gal-

lant defence was finally breached by the Micheals fly half

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who stepped outside and ran in for a comfortable try (10-

19). The out half added the extras (10-21). But still New-

bridge fought manfully and very nearly scored when Matt

O’Connor nearly went over in the corner but nevertheless

this pressure was a brief as Micheals were controlling the

game but they were beginning to show fatigue. With more

crunching tackles from the impressive Jake Howlett and

great foraging at ruck time by McKnight the Bridge was be-

ginning to show their authority. With 65 minutes on the

clock Sutton kicked impressively to the corner and with a

great maul from the ensuing line out and numerous batter-

ing phases towards the try- line, it was visibly clear that

the Micheals defence was beginning to creak under the re-

lentless ‘Bridge pressure and after a number of cynical

fouls the referee gave the Micheals centre a yellow card.

Newbridge eked ever closer and finally crossed over with

Ed Wynne barging over (15-21). Sub Robbie Mullen calmly

slotted the conversion (17-21). With three minutes to go it

was all to play for but Micheals unfortunately hung on to

their brittle lead. The Final Score (17-21). A gallant cam-

paign concludes at the semi , but in the opinion of this re-

porter, next year we will have our re-

venge!

By Pat Morrin

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Movies and Games of 2013

Injustice, Gods among us: Ever wanted to see Batman smash Superman’s head into a wall? If so Injustice is your game. It’s a fighting game made by the makers of Mortal Kombat.

Dead Island Riptide: A sequel to 2011’s Dead Island. This one will take place on a different Island but with the same characters and it features all the zombie hacking we saw last time. This one comes out a month after bioshock on April 26th.

Assassins Creed 4 black flag: Get ready to take control of a Edward Kenway, a pirate assassin who will be sailing ships around the west Indies during the 18th century. Black Flag is said to be available on October 29th and Ubisoft is pulling out all the stops for it.

The Walking Dead season 2: Season 2 is scheduled to be released in Autumn. This is probably the game I’m most excited for. The first season had a gripping story with great characters and I hope that season has just as many surprises as the first, but I would say you should try season 1 before trying this one just to get used to it’s gameplay.

Games

Bioshock Infinite:

After three years of waiting, the third Bioshock game is set to release on March 26th. And it will include all the technology, magic and gene splitting psychopaths we loved from the last two games.

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The Lone Ranger: Johnny Depp plays the part of the native American warrior Tonto as he helps the ranger of the old west John Reid. Star Trek Into Darkness: Sequel time, the crew of the Enterprise are off on another adventure to capture a mercenary with a weapon of mass destruction. Iron Man 3: For all you superhero fans out there we have the third and final installment to the Iron Man trilogy. For the final confrontation Tony Stark faces off with a terrorist hell bent on destroying Stark industries. Catching Fire: The sequel to the ever popular Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta are getting thrown back into the lions den to face off in the most climactic of the Hunger Games known as the Quarter Quell.

All this and more you can look forward to in the

coming months.

Movies

Monsters University:

Do you remember the movie Monsters Inc? Well after only 12 years we’re getting a prequel, Mike and Sully are in collage to learn how to scare kids.

By Sam Burke

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A CELEBRATION OF

MUSIC

As I sat blissfully enjoying the music and

atmosphere of our now annual Celebration of

Music Night in the College theatre on the 14th

March, two things crossed my mind. Firstly, we

have an extraordinary amount of talent walking

our hallowed halls in Newbridge College and

secondly, faced with all of these musical

prodigies, I realised I am utterly talentless :(

Regardless, our celebration of Music night is

something we should champion. The level of

talent is so vast from the Junior and Senior choirs,

string section, traditional music players to the solo

performers. Music from an immense array of

genres and tastes were showcased and the

confidence and ease the individual students

performed was awe inspiring.

A Huge Congratulations should be offered to Miss

O’Brien and Miss Coogan on organising such a

fantastic night.

By Mr. Doyle

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Epic

Performance

Miss O’Brien

– The New

member of

“THE SHIFT”

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Love and Marriage There hadn’t been a winter like it in years, this persistent snow billowing

about in all directions, smothering everything. The car had no choice but to

lurch slowly on the ice, which promised fatal with the slightest misjudge-

ment on Martin’s part. Tall dark pine trees loomed overhead to observe his

attempt at this treacherous task. The night air was heavy, with the bitter

cold ensuring headache and chills to anything living among it. He strained

his eyes as he tried to peer out past the relentless snow and the rhythmic

swishing of the window wipers. His excursion to town was evident with the

all too familiar stench of hard liquor lingering stubbornly in the car, his

head pounding and eyes watering, creating a further impairment of his vi-

sion. He tried to keep the car from plunging off the road. His hands stung

with the blistering cold that had developed within the car, while he had

been propped idly on a stool at McCarthy’s, downing his sixth shot of liquid

medicine. He swallowed hard as he glanced fearfully over the side of the

cliff ace and down at the 200 foot darkness below.

After relocating to the mountains he had hoped that all his worries could

be left behind and he and his wife could take time to figure everything out.

A pang of hysteria hit him like a brick. The tears started to flow, leaving an

irritant itch upon his cheek as he gripped the wheel vehemently in order to

keep from plummeting to blackness.

“How could I have been so stupid?” he blurted out to himself as he thought

about his current relationship.

He was struggling to hold on to his breath as he sobbed, almost choking.

Martin drained the remains of “Tennessee’s finest” and carelessly tossed

the bottle over the side, not bothered about its disappearance. In the dis-

tance at the very bottom of the valley he could see the lights of the main

road which curved and curled resembling that of a large snake. He twisted

his wedding ring around his finger generating a burning sensation, wonder-

ing what it all meant. “She is a snake, how she twists the truth to get what

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she wants,” Martin exclaimed trying to assure himself of how she is wrong

and he the victim. “Well she’s my daughter too,” he shouted ferociously as

the car picked up speed with the sudden outburst of emotion, before de-

celerating as he caught a glimpse of himself in the side mirror. “I’m a mess”

he thought causing his mind to delve deeper into a feverish and sickly

state. As Martin continued down the mountain he kept trying to figure out

a way to get past the divorce papers, before it was too late, before his wife

stole the one thing he still had going for him. Harper.

Martin felt queasy and started to gag at the thought of how that woman

was damaging his daughter, corrupting her innocence. Turning her against

him. He remembered three days previous when his wife had strutted in

through the kitchen and without saying a word gently dropped the papers

on to his lap. She stood staring at him with a crooked grin, overviewing his

disappointment, and enjoying every bit of it. She would claim that he is

unfit to be a father and look for total custody over Harper. He felt sick at

the possibility. His head started to spin and an agonising ache was develop-

ing behind his pale blue eyes. Something swelled inside him and without

warning he purged up everything, as if some sort of alien was trying to get

out pulling all of his guts with it. A thick layer of heavy vomit landed

straight on his lap and clung to his unshaven face. A feeling of ominous

dread engulfed him, the tyres sliding sporadically and violently with every

small stone or rock that passed his way. He descended down the moun-

tain, with the snow having transformed further into a blur. A shroud of

white cloaked the windscreen, making the wipers near ineffective.

For the former two years Martin had being living in the past, in a state of

denial. He had refused to live in reality and couldn’t help reminiscing of

when he and his wife had first met. A brief feeling of warmth blushed

across his cheeks only to be shattered by the clenching of teeth. A sudden

wave of jealousy swept over him when he thought of the way other men

looked at her, not just in the office but in general. It frustrated him to think

of how in a couple of months some total stranger would probably have his

arm draped over her shoulder on a sofa, the fire roaring, it’s front row

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audience, Harper.

In need of a lift Martin fumbled in the glove compartment for some music,

anything to calm the soul, something upbeat.” The Very Best of Frank Si-

natra”. As Martin listened passively his mind began to ease, he became

calmer. “He was the best of em,” stated Martin, almost gratefully, appreci-

ating the effect his music had. Martin noticed something in the distance,

flickering and fluttering rapidly. “Who could possibly be up at this time?”

he wondered. There were no houses or businesses along this road for at

least two miles. “What the hell is it,” muttered Martin, as he itched his

furrowed brow. It was at least half a mile away, shifting in colour between

a hellish red and a dazzling orange. A thick corridor of evergreens stood on

either side, creating a sense of immense claustrophobia. Eager to find out

Martin accelerated not thinking about the ice, his heart was beating in-

credibly fast, blood pulsated through his veins, his temples throbbed. As

he drove he was plunged into darkness. The car lights went out. That sin-

gle beckoning glimmer ahead demanded his full attention. Nothing else

mattered. He could see a figure near the flickering, its arms outstretched,

and almost grotesque like. It seemed to be a small woman or girl. Martin

tried to swallow but was unable, his throat stung .The closer he got to the

glimmer a thick, choking fog of smoke wrapped itself around the car and

tore at Martin’s lungs, his eyes began to burn. A smell of tar and burning

metal plagued his senses. A mixture of white and black obstructed his vi-

sion and it wasn’t until Martin was on top of the scene that he realised

what it was. His heart sank.

Martin rushed out of the car and tripped flat on to the hard, unforgiving

ice. He began to crawl his heart pounding, eyes streaming. Harper rushed

into his arms her hands were bleeding, and trembling as they clung onto

her father. Her face was hot with her tears as they soaked into her soft

blond hair. He didn’t question why she was here he simply hugged her,

not wanting to let her go. He had been deaf, a buzzing in his ears. Harper

didn’t stop wailing for her mother. Martin couldn’t believe what was hap-

pening as he gazed over at the blaze, the car over turned on its side. He

29

could see a frail figure slumped with its neck contorted in such a way that

it looked like the head had been swallowed by the earth. It was her. Mar-

tin kept blinking as he tried to establish what he was seeing. He glanced

back at Harper almost reluctantly, wanting not to confirm what he was

seeing as truth. The smell of burning tar and toxic fumes ravaged his nos-

trils and left a horrific taste to harass his tongue. Something clicked inside

of him. He rushed over to the wreckage and was lashed viciously with a

searing heat upon arrival. He felt as if his flesh was going to blister and

peel from his bones. Martin was temporarily shielded from the heat as he

rotated about the car to reach the driver’s seat. Martin kicked furiously at

the windscreen, half of which was shattered and lay in a heap of shards.

He pulled his wife frantically out of the car and dragged her a couple of

metres off of the road. Her breathing was diminishing to a desperate rasp

as she struggled for breath, yet maintained a definite rhythm, indicating to

Martin that she would make it if they got to the hospital. Martin’s mind

was seized by an immense feeling of relief. This was it, the answer. He felt

his daughter’s presence peering out from the snow. Was this real, or was

he in some otherworldly place, the fire dancing, teasing in its nature. He

remembered his wife’s sly smirk as he scanned her face, looking for any

sign of movement.

He peered back over his shoulder at his daughter’s small doll like face.”

This is how it’s going to be” a cold determination in his voice, while Sina-

tra’s soothing chorus of “Love and Marriage” could be heard resonating

throughout the valley. Martin dragged his wife viciously in the direction of

his car, carefully avoiding a splintered bottle of Tennessee’s finest, it’s torn

wrapper staring straight up at him. He yanked the car door open and put

his wife down on the backseat, watching her slouch backwards like an old

ragdoll. Martin sat back into his car, his daughter crying. The key turned,

he chose to turn deaf, as the mountain waited ominously, nature’s chief

witness. A witness without speech. He wondered whether he would get to

the hospital on time.

By David Devaney

30

Miscellany

While walking through the Social Area I noticed a lot of posters

requesting students to enter short story and essay competitions and

it brought a smile to my face as I recalled a little humorous quotation

which goes something like this:- An aspiring young writer once

asked, “Should I put more fire into my stories?” “No, vice versa”,

replied Somerset Maugham. So before consigning my little article to

the fire, read on and I hope you enjoy it.

I suppose I should be writing something with an Easter theme. How-

ever, I decided to give you the benefit of a little article on the English

language which I came across recently.

The bandage was wound around the wound.

The farm was used to produce produce.

The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

We must polish the Polish furniture.

He could lead if he would get the lead out.

The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present

the present.

A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

I did not object to the object.

The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

They were too close to the door to close it.

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Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in

hamburger (horse maybe!); neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muf-

fins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are can-

dies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for

granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work

slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it

a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and

hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of

booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2

indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend?

If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what

do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats

vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English

speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what

language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send

cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can

burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in

which, an alarm goes off by going on. English was invented by people, not

computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is

not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when

the lights are out, they are invisible. “If the English language made any sense, a

catastrophe would be an apostrophe with fur.” Doug Larson.

Enjoy your holidays.

32

Newbridge College’s

Second year debating league

2012/2013

Winning team: 2G

Fionn O’Sullivan

Celine Dignam

Joyce Delaney Runners Up: 2F

Molly Rasmussen

Niamh Hirekodi

Lucy Byrne

Overall Best Speaker:

Lucy Byrne

Special thank you to Miss Williams (class

teacher of 2G & 2F) and Ciara Maher

and Chloe O’Reilly who adjudicated the final.