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  • “That was a light I had never felt before” 

    “That was a light I had never felt before” 

    The journey to New York and the unexpected encounter of discovering God beyond Catholic beliefs. 

    By Samuel Adeleke 

    From the rave club to the altar, Samuel Walsh, a 22-year-old Irish man, has come a long way, He was born into a Catholic family and studied biochemistry at UCD.  

    Although he has always been passionate about science and biology, he made a big switch to sales and business. 

    He has always been interested in sports and trained in taekwondo, football, and hockey when he was younger.  

    Walsh had a much stronger desire to know God beyond just a household religion. “I grew up as a normal Irish teenager not knowing God,” he said.   

    “When I got to college, things got ramped up, I started partying a lot and got surrounded by the wrong crowd 

    “I remember I had just finished my school leaving certificate examinations when my friends and I started smoking throughout the week, and it grew from there,” Walsh said. Not only did Walsh develop the habit of smoking weed, but it also became a gateway to many more. 

    Things got worse when Walsh started his first job. “My manager was a DJ, and he invited me into the rave scene, and as a naïve teenager, I joined and started taking rave drugs and was also consumed with the lust for women.” 

    While Walsh believed he was fulfilling his desires and turning fantasies into reality, he soon faced an internal spiritual conflict that brought awareness of his identity. “I felt terrible, I was going away from myself and going down a way that leads to destruction,” he said. 

    However, the change that this awakening would bring about didn’t occur until Walsh spent a summer holiday in the USA. “Two years ago, there was a visa that allowed Irish students to spend a summer abroad, and my friends from college and I flew to New York and worked as bartenders for the summer.”  

    “As young Irish guys in New York, we were enjoying ourselves, smoking and partying,” he said. 

    One day in New York, Walsh had an encounter that would change his life. “I met this young woman in a smoothie shop. She asked what my name was, and then asked, ‘Do you believe in God?’” Without hesitation, she started mentoring Walsh in Christianity, faith, and the truth of God’s word. 

    “That was a light I had never felt before, a moment I clung to, and at that point, everything just fell into place.” “I felt this need and a calling to step into the light.” He said. 

    Photo Credit: Samuel Adeleke

    With this calling came the need to move from darkness and from the friends who wanted to pull him back into that world 

    “It was difficult, but God really provided me with light to step into, and I am eternally grateful for this,” Walsh said.  

    “It was truly an inner knowingness and an inner certainty placed in my heart and in my soul by God, an alignment I couldn’t turn down,” he added. 

    Although Walsh acknowledged that he had a religious inclination growing up with his dad being Catholic and his mother a Protestant, he said, “they were just labels, they were not practicing at all, my dad used to when he was a child, but not anymore.”  

    But Catholicism was also deeply woven into Irish life, shaping not only people’s beliefs but also their cultural identity. “The Catholic Church was the government back in the days. They controlled everything, so they had a lot of power.” Walsh said. 

    “Catholicism never interested me as a child; that’s why I never touched religion because I saw it as slow and boring, but when I first heard about Christianity in New York, it was like a fire, a spark of energy, this flow of the Holy Spirit that I’d never felt before.”  

    “While Catholicism involves a lot of traditions and rituals, Christianity is very relationship-centered,” said Walsh. 

    Walsh, who was concerned about how his parents would react to his shift from Catholicism to Christianity, was pleasantly surprised by their reaction.  “They were surprised because they never expected it, but they were happy for me.” 

     By extension, Walsh’s friends began to see changes in his personality.  “I used to be very arrogant before Christ, but afterwards they saw that I acted and treated them differently,” he said.  This in turn prompted a change in his friends, some of whom have started going to church themselves.  

    Not only did Walsh start attending church, but he also joined a Christian community on campus, where he continued to grow his faith.  

    This community gave him the opportunity to share his testimony of newfound faith in just two months into his journey, in front of about 100 people.  

    “I was nervous, but it was a great opportunity and a moment to express what God has done in my life,” he said. 

    From sharing his testimony to just 30 people, Walsh was also allowed to preach during communion in his church in Tallaght and to the larger young congregation at St. Mark’s Church in front of 2-300 people.  

    “From there God has just been taking me from step to step and I think that’s how he works” he said.  

    “If he can trust you to speak in front of 30 people then he can trust you to speak in front of 300 people but you must not jump the steps.”  

    Photo Credit: Samuel Adeleke

    With such great momentum Walsh has experienced in such a short time, from raving in the club to becoming a spotlight on the altar, he has been enjoying the presence of God that has humbled him and kept him grounded.  

    But “Christianity is not all rosary, it is a difficult journey that brings hardship, slander, and persecution, but we are grateful that we have the grace of God through Christ, which helps us get through it and be victorious,” Walsh said. 

    While Walsh mentioned that he will not shy away from an opportunity to explore Catholicism as an adult, he said, “young people trapped between the Catholic traditions and Christianity as a way of life, should read the word of God, seek counsel from older Christians, and not be afraid to explore different churches.”  

    “Find a group of Christians or mentors who can guide you along your path. If you try to search for God on your own, you might find reasons to fall off.” He added. 

    Walsh saw the church as a wonderful community.  

    “The church is one of the most welcoming places on earth. When I am in church, I feel this overwhelming sense of welcome around the church, and now I call it my second family because that’s what they truly are,” said Walsh. 

    For Samuel Walsh, the trip to New York was more than just a summer vacation; it was a moment when he encountered the light of God’s word, a time that helped him understand Christianity beyond tradition and gave him the chance to share his testimony. He now invites others to see that same light by sharing his story. 

  • Cycling for a living: The untold realities 

    Cycling for a living: The untold realities 

    Delivery cycling in Dublin, and the overlooked challenges of making a living on Dublin’s busiest road.

    By Samuel Adeleke 

    I Citizens’ concerns in Dublin are usually centered on motorists and pedestrians. Still, recent statistics from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) shows that the greatest share of serious injuries was among those cycling for social trips, at 76 per cent.    

    In addition, the statistics also revealed that 187 cyclists were seriously injured while commuting to and from work, and the majority of these injuries occurred in Dublin. 

    These figures raise questions about the challenges faced by cyclists in the city center, especially for delivery cyclists whose livelihoods depend on riding these roads daily and who are exposed to different road and weather conditions without the protection of a vehicle. 

    Damilola Foluwashayo, a delivery cyclist with the delivery service Just Eat, said, “Cycling can be tedious when it rains. The roads become slippery, and there is a higher chance of getting a flat tire.”  

    This not only makes riding more difficult but also increases the risk of injury to the rider. 

    “If you ride too fast and want to apply the brakes on a slippery road, you might fall because there is no friction to hold your tires,” Foluwashayo said. 

    One of such fall led to Foluwashayo sustaining a serious injury. “I was trying to avoid two kids playing on the road. In the process, I stepped on the wrong brake, my tires got spoiled, and I broke my leg,” he said.  

    The changeable weather presents other challenges for cyclists. “In the first seconds it’s raining, the next seconds it’s not raining, just always take your safety gears with you and have your lights, lights make you safer,” said Judge Eddy, who uses his bicycle for grocery shopping for his wife. 

    In addition to challenging weather conditions, cyclists also have to deal with careless drivers.  

    “We often encounter reckless drivers on the road,” said Thomas Nve, a delivery cyclist with Deliveroo.  

    “Taxi drivers, in particular, seem determined to meet the metrics and quickly get to their next client,” he added. 

    But other road users criticise delivery riders for breaking the rules.  

    “I have a big thing against delivery riders; they have no lights, they go through red lights all the time, and they tend to just cross over all the time,” said Judge Eddy.  

    Eric Andrel, a delivery cyclist with Deliveroo, attributed an accident he had to the deplorable state of the road.  

    “There have been a lot of potholes because of the rain, I had an accident because the pothole was covered by water,” he said. 

    “The roads are also narrow and don’t give room to swerve safely,” Andrel said. To constantly keep himself safe, Andrel said, “I wear high-visibility clothes and always have my helmet on.” 

    Andrel says The Government should do more to keep all road users safe “They should create a system where, after 6pm, only public transport is allowed in the city.” 

    Mariann Finan, who is an all-year-round cyclist, said conditions have improved for Dublin cyclists, but problems remain.  “In terms of infrastructure for cyclists, it is better than it was; at least we have a lot of cycle lanes now, but they are not really finished. They stop and start, and you don’t really know where the next lane is.”  

    Photo credit: Samuel Adeleke

    Finan also noted a pandemic of wearing headphones among cyclists.  

    “I don’t even know how anybody can wear headphones while cycling, because there is so much going on around you that you need to be alert to,” she said. 

    Finan warns of dangerous overtaking by cyclists. She said: “A lot of the Brazilians and Chinese delivery riders have electric bicycles and tend to overspeed, but they should always use their bells to alert other road users.” 

    Cliff Nolan, the owner of Bike Stops on Capel Street, Dublin, which sells and repairs bicycles, said, “I service a lot of delivery riders’ bicycles. The most recurrent issue with them is a puncture in the tyres, and their brakes always need a lot of attention.” 

    “Delivery riders should always buy quality parts instead of going for cheap parts, which puts them at risk,” Nolan advised. 

    Photo credit: Samuel Adeleke

    One Chinese worker with Deliveroo, who did not wish to be named, said, “There are many dangers on the road. There are robberies by teenagers, and our bicycles are easily stolen.” 

    He also highlighted other issues with the healthcare system that discourages drivers from seeking treatment for injuries.  

    “I have fallen so many times on my bicycle and have had to treat my own wounds,” he claimed.   

    “We generally don’t go to the hospital because going to the hospital will be troublesome and takes a lot of time. We figured we could handle it ourselves, and it would be much faster.” 

    “Cyclists should ensure that both they and their bikes are visible to other road users by investing in good sets of front and rear lights, and by wearing clothing that helps them be seen,” said John Paul Guiheen, the Executive Officer of Communications at the RSA, in an email correspondence.  

    “They should also consider wearing high-visibility materials and obeying the rules of the road,” he added. 

    The RSA stated that there was a deliberate effort last year to inform major food delivery companies about changes to the law concerning electric bicycles as introduced in the Road Traffic and Roads Acts 2023.  

    “Riders must obey the same rules of the road as drivers; the roads are a shared space. Hence, drivers must follow all speed limits, traffic signals, and parking regulations,” said Guiheen.  

    On other issues bothering on weather conditions, cycle lanes, and bicycle theft, the RSA said, “That should be directed to the NTA, local authorities who maintain roads, and the Gardai respectively.” 

     But “during severe weather events, we issue advice to all road users, including cyclists,” he said.

  • A match made in TUD: When flowers are no longer enough

    A match made in TUD: When flowers are no longer enough

    Technological University Dublin’s African society Valentine’s event represents love beyond just romance and serves as a medium for promoting cultural integration.

    By Samuel Adeleke

    Photo credit: Samuel Adeleke

     With Valentine’s Day around the corner, a time often seen as a period to show and express love, TUD African Society brought the celebration early by organizing a Valentine’s event on 10th of February, at Bst259 Bolton Street.

    For Sharon Ojuade, President of the TUD African society, the theme of ‘A match made in TUD’ was not chosen for love and romance alone.

    “With this event, we aimed to create a relaxed and comfortable environment where people from the same background, different backgrounds, and experiences gather in one room, enjoying the atmosphere,” said Ojuade.

    In organising the event, the committee also sought the support of student entrepreneurs who offered services or provided freebies to participants in an African style.

    This included DJs, photographers, MCs, and the types of foods to be served.

    “Events like this give people a sense of belonging and serve as an avenue to promote student entrepreneurs from Africa and allow them to thrive,” said Ojuade.

    “Before the world loves you, your community must also love,” she added.

    The committee has experienced a record number of ticket sales for the event. For the president, it is inspiring to see that they live in a country with a strong sense of community.

    “Just because we live here doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have fun moments; people should still pursue what they need to pursue outside the community,” said Ojuade.

    Although it is an African society gathering, the event is open to other nationalities. “The first person to get a ticket for the event is an Asian. He reached and said he wanted to be part of it.” said Ojuade.

    According to Divine Nebo, the social director of the society, “the event is not just about finding love, it is about finding people who are like you to bond with on a different level.”

    And by extension, the theme of the event, ‘A match made in TUD’, is to show that love can be found anywhere, not just in school, but in environments like this, outside of social media.

    With students outside the African community feeling the pull of the event, Divine said, “the event is not only about Africa, but expressing the depth of African culture to non-Africans to see what African culture is about, beyond what social media portrays.”

    John Ologunlola, the event manager, also collaborated and highlighted the potential of the event to serve as a platform for non-Africans to experience African culture.

    “Even though they might not fully understand the African culture in its entirety, it is a valuable learning process,” said Ologunlola.

     Ologunlola mentioned that, as a Nigerian, he is learning more about the African culture and finding expression in the community alongside other African nationals, including Ghanaians and Congolese.

    With students like River Rogers, who is half Irish and half Polish, the intentions of the TU African society executive came to light.

    “It is my first time being in an African event,” Rogers said. “I am not African, but I can still attend and make some new friends,” he added.

    Not only did Rivers find the Afrobeat songs being played amusing, but he also left with the intention of trying an African dish. “I definitely need to try the African jollof rice,” he said.

    Mark Ologunlola, a former executive of the society, commended the event as a brilliant way of promoting cultural pride.

     “Events like this help people develop real relationships, and give people a picture of what love is,” he said.

     Ologunlola expressed excitement at seeing other people at the event, “no matter what part of Africa or the world you come from, we are all one body.”

    While the event promotes communal love, in a friendly society that helps people socialise, Nicole Okerikre, an African national from Nigeria, who participated in the event as a contestant, said, “This is a period of love, but people should find love in themselves first.”

    Denoting that self-love is non-negotiable.

    For Jaeson Jang, an Asian, ‘A match made in TUD’ was not just a Valentine’s event, but an opportunity to find expression among people of other cultures.

    “The African culture is amazing, I feel like family, I feel welcome. Everyone is enjoying themselves; no one feels lonely,” Jang said.

    Jang’s experience underscored the aims of the TU African Society to promote an atmosphere where joy, laughter, and love are shared without identity being a barrier.

    “Everyone can integrate into every culture; you only have to do it respectfully,” said Jang.

    By the end of the night, a match was indeed made in TUD as the event ended with Jaeson Jang from Asia and Nicole Odunsin from Africa emerging as winners.

    It was a reminder that love in its most powerful form goes beyond just being African or giving flowers; it is in identifying with people from other nationalities and embracing a sense of community.

     

  • Fears for jobs in Tallaght as retail sales decline 

    Fears for jobs in Tallaght as retail sales decline 

    Cuts to staff hours and lower sales reflect the reality of the retail market in the Square Tallaght, Dublin, post-festive season. 

    By Samuel Adeleke 

    image emphasises the quietness of shops
    As the shops become quieter, the staff find ways to stay busy. Photo credit: Samuel Adeleke

    Business owners in the retail sector in Dublin are experiencing a decline in sales after the holiday season during the January and February slump, when trading activity slows to its lowest. 

    While statistics often focus on the economic impact of this period on business owners and the economy at large, TheCity spoke to retail staff, who are often the first to feel the effects. 

    Tasha Villisca, a full-time staff member at the Vero Moda clothing brand in the Square, Tallaght, who loves working in retail, described the period as being extremely quiet and slow.  

    “When I am here now, I feel like my day gets dragged, unlike during the peak period, where there is always something to do and people to help,” she said. 

    This situation has hit Tasha’s finances, despite putting in the work. “I got my pay-slip last week, and it is literally not making up for the work I put in here,” she said.   

    “I blame it on not getting enough work hours and people shopping online,” she said.  

    Keris Fonory works as a retail staff member with Naming it (a children’s clothing brand).  “Due to the slump in business, the management had to cut down people’s hours; you can only work contracted hours,” said Fonory.  

    “I work with other girls who are in college, and they are struggling financially because they have fewer hours,” she said.  

    One worker from India, who did not wish to be named, said they were let go from their job in Pandora due to the slowdown in business. He has since managed to pick up with A&B Gadgets, “It is not only a bad time for retail businesses but also a bad time for part-time workers,” he said. “This affects me personally, as the hours I can work are reduced,” he said. From his experience, the retail market has become a “click and collect” model, where people just come in to pick up orders, thereby making the retail staff’s role obsolete. 

    Libby Deleon, a manager at Jack & Jones said, “In the next 5 years, I doubt if there will be any more jobs in retail shops because businesses have fallen into a full decline and people are buying stuff more online.” 

    Deleon also mentioned that with the slowdown in the retail business, a lot of small shops in this period lay off their staff, but at Jack and Jones, she said, “We try to make a system where we still try to make things work. Some are great, some are not.” 

    As a way to drive sales during the slowdown, some businesses resort to running sales. “We have reduction sales going on because we are looking to clear the whole winter stocks and build up for the summer stocks,” Steven Abergele, manager of Best at the Square Tallaght, said. 

    Speaking on the impact of this season on other staff, Steven said, “We only employ part-time staff, so it doesn’t affect us really much; but it does affect bigger brands.” 

    January and February mark the transition into the spring and summer season, and this can impact sales in outdoor gear. Gerald, manager at Trespass, a performance outdoor clothing brand, said that they are a weather-dependent shop. 

    Gerald mentioned that in the post-festive season, there is a slowdown in businesses because people are more careful with their money, and it affects everything, including staffing. “It’s like Irish people forget it’s going to rain and it’s going to be cold, so they come in and buy stuff,” he said. 

    There is hope that businesses will pick up in the summer period leading to the Easter season, and there will be more opportunities for staff to work more hours and earn more in the retail sector.