Shauna Cleary | Supplements Editor
2013:
1) Sigh: So Kill Me | Leanna Byrne
“When you go onto the website it has all the glitz and glam that you would expect from a Bratz dolls music video.”
Who better to take the top spot on our most popular articles of 2013 list than The University Times’ very own editor, Leanna Byrne. Leanna’s opinion article on the SoSueMe fashion and beauty blog run by model and socialite Suzanne Jackson made for some entertaining reading and received highly publicised attention from fans and foes alike. Not only did Leanna attract the readership of the blogger herself, she succeeded in inspiring a series of motivational, “don’t let the haters bring you down,” quotes on Ms Jackson’s Twitter and Instagram accounts, making her a worthy recipient of our top spot.
Comment of the article goes to “Evie” who was unfortunately blocked from the SoSueMe Facebook page.
“She blocked me on facebook because I corrected the grammar in one of her posts once. I mean fair enough grammar nazis and all that, but she’s supposed to be some form of writer, no?”
I don’t feel there is anything left to be said.
2) Horror of the Hunzos | Jack Gibson
“To define a stunnah, it’s difficult really, but it generally appears hazed in a cloud of powder-foundation and apathy, and is more concerned with the comings-and-goings of Made In Chelsea and Geordie Shore than with actual tangible things.”
Moving from one hunzo to another (the computer facts don’t lie people) and coming in to snatch the spot for our second most popular article of 2013 is Jack Gibson. Jack’s witty portrayal of the attendees at this year’s Law Soc Ball caused quite a stir around Trinity back at Hallowe’en and awakened in college feminists an undoubtedly life-long resentment towards the Law student. While most took offense at Jack’s seeming attempt to order the women of college how to dress and act, many saw a facet to the article which was an attempt to empower them in a “you don’t need to dress like a slut to impress” sort of way. Whether you loved or loathed the piece, Jack’s article almost attracted the biggest audience of 2013 and bad publicity is good publicity right? RIGHT?
Comment of the article goes to Emer O’ Toole: “I’m sad that I missed the party where The University Times was relaunched as the Secondary School Bully Times. Not.”
3) Trinity: Much Ado About Nothing | Jessica Thompson
“I think it’s just that the ratio of stereotypical academically-gifted, socially-inept students is greater in Trinners than here in Galway. I like their scarves though – NUIG men should wear scarves more often…”
“SHE DOESN’T EVEN GO HERE!!” What? Who said that? So rude. Ahem… 2013’s third most popular article goes to NUIG student Jessica Thompson and her article on perceptions of Trinity College Dublin to the average outsider/peasant. Culminating the opinions of a number of different students, Jessica’s attempt to source the root of the “Trinners for Winners” snobbery left her audience at odds with her opinion (was it serious or not? It’s all very confusing). No matter, whether you agreed with Jessica’s viewpoint or not she managed to snatch up our final spot as third most popular article of 2013. That’s right, third place… not first as first is for winners. Trinners winners.*
*Disclaimer: No snobbery intended xoxo
Comment of the article: ‘Winner’ from ‘Trinners’: “Funny, as a Trinity student after reading this article, I think this is the only time I have ever felt like I am actually better than those in NUIG”
2014:
1) The University Times Leadership Race Liveblog
“The Electoral Commission are currently sorting ballots. The atmosphere is tense.”
“IT IS SO TENSE I CANNOT TAKE IT MUCH LONGER,” screamed a large proportion of the student body as you remained glued to your computer screens to make our Leadership Race Liveblog our most popular post of 2014. The night was almost as long as Domhnall McGlacken-Byrne’s name and as painful as watching PJ Maloney’s ‘Happy’ campaign video. Just in case you have been living under a rock for the past semester, the incoming Students’ Union is:
President: Domhnall McGlacken-Byrne
Education: Katie Byrne
Communications: Samuel Riggs
Welfare: Ian Mooney
Ents: Finn Murphy
Furthermore, the Tobacco Free Trinity proposal failed to pass while the students voted for the SU to take a stance in the Abortion Referendum.
Comment of the article comes from Aaron Barry: “Lads seriously I want to cry with NERVES. GIMME THE RESULTS”
We were right there with you, pal.
2) Trinity Has Most Irish Student Sign-ups to Escort Service | Hannah Ryan
“A lot of the Sugar Daddies actually want to be mentors. They take great satisfaction in moulding these young ladies and preparing them for the real world.”
Yes, not creepy at all. Taking second spot on our most popular article of 2014 list is News Editor, Hannah Ryan’s startling revelations that almost 397 female students from Trinity have become “Sugar Babies” to “Sugar Daddies” on an international escort site in order to pay college fees. Unfortunately we do not have a favourite comment for this particular article as those who read it to push it into our list were merely the Sugar Babies themselves, reading it to make sure that their names were not mentioned and too relieved to remember to leave a comment.
3) Duke Dumont to play Trinity Ball 2014 | Hannah Ryan
“The University Times can reveal that Trinity Ball 2014 will play host to Duke Dumont, 2ManyDJs and Le Galaxie, among others.”
2014’s third most popular article really highlights the student body’s main priorities for Hilary Term – the early announcement once again made by News Editor Hannah Ryan (what’s next for her? World domination?) of the first three acts to play the April 4 Trinity Ball. While the hype was certainly there when clicking into the article, many were left disappointed with its content. Further to the revelation that Duke Dumont, 2ManyDJs and Le Galaxie would play the ball, the full line up revealed that they would be joined by Example, Ben Pearce and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs to name but a few.
Comment of the article comes from Gymbo who is just not feeling the hype: “UGH do we all have to pretend to like this shit now? “Man this stuff speaks to me, especially when I’ve had 8 pills”. Whats wrong with musical instruments?”
