Connacht Tribune
Refusing to let the bullies win
A young Galwegian has lifted the lid on his years of childhood trauma, as bullying forced him to quit secondary school altogether just three weeks after starting – taking him to the brink of suicide when he was just 14.
Chris Sherlock is now building a career for himself as a broadcaster, hosting his Guaranteed Irish show on Flirt FM 101.3, the licensed student radio station at NUIG, every Wednesday.
But to get there, he had to overcome repeated bullying during his First Year at second level; that forced him to leave the school and work towards his Junior Cert with a tutor – until Government cutbacks removed that facility, and left him without the chance to sit the state exam.
He has now contributed his story to a new Galway-published book, Mental Health for Millennials, which is designed to put the spotlight on mental health – particularly among millennials.
The Galway city native doesn’t want to identify the school he attended, but he chronicles in harrowing detail the attacks on him as a new First Year that derailed his first stab at education – within three weeks of starting.
The then-thirteen year old spoke with teen psychologists and therapist – but his sense of despair only seemed to get worse as time rolled on.
“The therapist told me to go for a walk when my anxiety overwhelmed me, and one day, I found myself right to the edge of the Galway Canal,” he says.
“As I stared into its cold waters, I barely recognized my reflection. I felt empty, hopeless and helpless with added feelings of disappointing and embarrassing my parents So much so, suicide seemed a good idea.
“Luckily, two friends saw me and came over. Everyone knew what had happened at that point.
“Instead of asking why I was so dangerously close to the edge of the canal, they asked if I wanted to walk back with them and play videogames. A simple kindness, really, but enough to make me feel connected and accepted.”
He credits the Youth Advocacy Service in the Galway City Partnership with helping him to find his career path at a relaxed pace.
“I think it is essential for people also to know that taking medication to help with anxiety and depression was a tool I used during my teen years as well.
“There is a stigma around taking medication, but I’d rather see people heal than contemplate suicide. Never let medication rule you. Take charge, if necessary. Today, I have learned to trust people again. It has taken time and effort, but the life I now enjoy has been worth it.”
Chris Sherlock tells his story in Mental Health for Millennials, the fourth of seven volumes, edited by Dr. Niall MacGiolla Bhuí and Dr. Phil Noone, dealing with topic such as death, grief, suicide, sexuality, depression and more. It is published by Book Hub Publishing based in Athenry, and is available from Charlie Byrne’s Book Shop in Galway or via www.bookhubpublishing.com
Chris Sherlock On The Wireless goes out on Wednesdays at 4pm, Flirt FM 101.3. Interviews from the show are on the Chris Sherlock On The Wireless Podcast which is available on Spotify, Mixcloud and Apple Podcasts.
The full version of this article appeared in the Connacht Tribune edition of March 26 2021.
FUNDING for the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) needs to be nearly stepped up to bring into line with the rate of payment under the new Suckler Cow Scheme, Galway IFA Chairman said this week.
The told the Farming Tribune that he had asked Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue during his recent visit to Galway to seriously review the rates of payment in SIS, which currently works out at €12 per ewe.
“A suckler cow is classed as one livestock unit while seven ewes are also one unit. Yet the SIS payment for a sheep livestock unit is way under half what will be paid out under the new SCEP and BEEP-S schemes,” said Stephen Canavan.
He added that the IFA had been lobbying for a long time for an increase in the ewe payments but the increase of €2 per ewe – €10 to €12 – was no more than a token gesture.
“We know full well how important the new schemes will be for suckler farmers but we need an equivalent payment for sheep.
“As things stand, the payment for a sheep livestock unit (€84 made up 7 X €12), is completely insufficient. We have consistently called for a €30 per ewe payment,” said Stephen Canavan.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara
The minute the sun comes out, I reach in my wardrobe for my tatty cut off denim shorts and my humble collection of sun dresses.
There’s nothing that screams summer as a pretty sun dress, which can be worn day or night, depending on shoes and accessories.
I am still obsessed with jumpsuits for the hot days as well, but the shops appear to be favouring midi dresses this Spring Summer 2023, which are versatile as they can work into autumn paired with a pair of chunky boots instead of sandals with a cardy or denim jacket thrown over.
Florals are still a huge trend this year as are crochet dresses, which can be worn over a longer slip to give cover to the underwear.
Look for dresses that can be worn casually as well as dressed up for a wedding or party to save on the pocket.
White dresses and are dead popular as is the colour hot pink, which makes me smile when I wear it.
If you’re not a fan of, why not try a dress with, which are everywhere, particularly on slip dresses cut on the bias.
Tie-dye patterns and geometric prints are a fresh way of updating the summer wardrobe.
Mini skirts and mini dresses aren’t as easy to pick up this season, but the midi and maxi dresses are trending to lean silhouettes.
A collared or tunic is a good choice for work and then heading out on the town afterwards.
If you’ve managed to get a tan without stripes unlike me, you may want to show off the shoulders in one of the many strapless numbers adorning the rails if bra support isn’t a priority – one shoulder numbers are very on-trend.
S/S 23 runways had a fierce amount of draped dresses with ruching, which look terribly classy. Good for hiding those extra pounds on the hips too.
With the sun looking to stay out a while longer, get out those sun dresses while you can.
Here is a trawl of dresses that might tickle your fancy from Born in Galway City, Tuam and Loughrea, Love It in Tuam, Loughrea and Oranmore, Modella in Corrandulla, Standún in Spiddal and Oughterard and Concepts in Oranmore and Moycullen.
Corofin United 4
Cois Fharraige 0
Mike Rafferty at Eamonn Deacy Park
BASED on statistical evidence this Joe Ryan Cup final produced a comprehensive victory for Corofin United, but at Eamonn Deacy Park on Wednesday night, the evidence on the pitch was less clear cut as Cois Fharraige certainly gave as good as they got in a entertaining contest that brought the local soccer season to a finale.
One up at the break as Dylan Wall got their opener, Corofin’s second just four minutes after the restart was the turning point as Barry O’Donovan applied the finish before two subsequent goals killed off the contest as it put a meaner look on proceedings that the Connemara side deserved. However, in front of a sizeable crowd, Corofin had more of a cutting edge as they made the most of the opportunities that came their way.
No doubt, the winners had long forgotten their opening game in the competition when they had just a Jonathan Keane goal to show for their efforts in a 1-1 draw after extra time with lowly Renmore B, but aided by the saves of Dylan Canney, they advanced by 3-2 in a penalty shoot out.
Of course, Corofin followed this up with a 3-2 away victory over Moyne Villa in the semi-finals and would have been the fancied team going into the decider. Cois Fharraige had seen off Cregmore/Claregalway by 7-0 and this was followed up by a Seamus de Búrca winner in a 1-0 derby success over Mac Dara.
After a tentative opening as both sides probed, it was Corofin United who made the breakthrough on 14 minutes when Nathan Kearney did all the good work down the right and the inrushing Dylan Wall got the touch to his cross to make it 1-0 from close range. Cois Fharraige threatened a response, as Seamus de Búrca sent Chris Ó Biadha through on goal, but Canney made the first of many smart saves to deny him.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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