The Gown
Encyclopedia
The Gown is the independent student newspaper at Queen's University, Belfast, and is the longest running independent student newspaper in the UK. It was formed by Richard Herman, a medical student, in April 1955. In 2005 Dr Herman was able to attend the papers 50th Anniversary. The paper is run voluntarily by students, and is funded entirely by advertising without University or Students' Union
assistance, although it is located in the Union building. From terrorism to teletubbies, prostitution parties to political protests, The Gown has reported it all, providing a colourful account of life within the University and within Northern Ireland
.
Throughout the Troubles
, a term used to describe the 30 years of political violence in Northern Ireland, the newspaper covered the deaths of local MP, Robert Bradford
and the murder of Queen's university lecturer and Assembly member Edgar Graham in 1983. The paper also interviewed Gerry Adams
, leader of Sinn Féin
during the height of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
's campaign. The Gown also interviewed a then little know band called U2
.
The Gown has always been a springboard for students interested in journalism; past contributors include Mark Carruthers
and Maggie Taggart of BBC Northern Ireland
, The Observer's
Henry McDonald, Nick Ross
, journalist Eamonn McCann
, Irish Times foreign correspondent Conor O'Clery
and that paper's cartoonist Martyn Turner.
In February 2010, standing Gown News Editor Lorcan Mullen was published in The Guardian
with an article concerning a leaked NI government report regarding university fees.
As of April 2011 Emma Gallen and Ben Finch are Editors.
Queen's University Belfast Students' Union
Queen's University Belfast Students' Union is the official representative body for students at Queen's University Belfast. Membership in the Union is automatic and currently totals 24,560, making it the largest single campus Union on the island of Ireland, and one of the largest in the United...
assistance, although it is located in the Union building. From terrorism to teletubbies, prostitution parties to political protests, The Gown has reported it all, providing a colourful account of life within the University and within Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Throughout the Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
, a term used to describe the 30 years of political violence in Northern Ireland, the newspaper covered the deaths of local MP, Robert Bradford
Robert Bradford (NI politician)
Robert Jonathan Bradford MP was a Vanguard Unionist and Ulster Unionist Member of Parliament for the Belfast South constituency in Northern Ireland until he was killed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army on 14 November 1981....
and the murder of Queen's university lecturer and Assembly member Edgar Graham in 1983. The paper also interviewed Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams is an Irish republican politician and Teachta Dála for the constituency of Louth. From 1983 to 1992 and from 1997 to 2011, he was an abstentionist Westminster Member of Parliament for Belfast West. He is the president of Sinn Féin, the second largest political party in Northern...
, leader of Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
during the height of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
's campaign. The Gown also interviewed a then little know band called U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
.
The Gown has always been a springboard for students interested in journalism; past contributors include Mark Carruthers
Mark Carruthers
Mark Carruthers OBE is a Northern Irish broadcaster and journalist, from Derry. He currently presents a number of television and radio programmes for BBC Northern Ireland.-Broadcasting work :...
and Maggie Taggart of BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland is the main public service broadcaster in Northern Ireland.The organisation is one of the three national regions of the BBC, together with BBC Scotland and BBC Wales. Based at Broadcasting House, Belfast, it provides television, radio, online and interactive television content...
, The Observer's
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
Henry McDonald, Nick Ross
Nick Ross
Nick Ross is a British radio and television presenter across a wide range of factual programmes and during the 1980s and 90s he was one of the most ubiquitous of British broadcasters, but he is best known for his long-running co-hosting of the BBC TV show Crimewatch which he left on 2 July 2007...
, journalist Eamonn McCann
Eamonn McCann
Eamonn McCann is an Irish journalist, author and political activist.-Life:McCann was born and has lived most of his life in Derry. He was educated at St. Columb's College in the city. He is prominently featured in the documentary film The Boys of St...
, Irish Times foreign correspondent Conor O'Clery
Conor O'Clery
Conor O'Clery is an Irish journalist and writer. He was born in Belfast and educated at Queen's University Belfast. He worked for The Irish Times for over 30 years in various positions, including news editor and foreign correspondent based in London, Moscow, Washington, D.C., Beijing and New York...
and that paper's cartoonist Martyn Turner.
In February 2010, standing Gown News Editor Lorcan Mullen was published in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
with an article concerning a leaked NI government report regarding university fees.
As of April 2011 Emma Gallen and Ben Finch are Editors.