Limerick.com

Man walking from Limerick to Dublin calls for new political party to be established

Joe Taylor — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:15:28 +0000

AN ENGLISH MAN who has lived in Ireland for the past nine years has set off on a walk from Limerick to Dublin today in the hope of forming a new political party along the way. Martin Critten, 54, says he is fed up with political parties “foisting their agenda” on the people of Ireland, an agenda which he says suits the “speculators, bondholders and European banks”. Based in Co Clare, the part-time consultant set off from Limerick County Council offices at 10.45am on Friday to walk to Dublin over the next few days. He will stop at towns and villages along the way in order to try and recruit “like minded people who are passionate enough to stand up to the challenge of forming a new party”.“ It’s really to give people an opportunity and an idea that there is hope out there. We can change things together,” Critten, who is originally from the north of England, said. His website Sli-Nios-Fearr.com invites visitors to submit their ideas in order to help build a manifesto. Speaking to Limerick.com this week he said that he wanted to create a manifesto from ordinary people’s input.“ "We’re asking for five of your most prominent reforms and we will build a manifesto around what the people want to do,” he said. “At the moment we’re totally visionless. So we have to develop our own vision, not one that’s coming from Europe.” “When I am wandering through the villages of the midlands, I am sure to find a good crowd of people to debate the issues and join in as well.” [evp type=youtube after=http://amzn.to/KZdroR]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfLd0tTdqRk[/evp] [asle id=2] commentary:

You can check out more of what Martin Crettin has to say about his ideas for a new political initiative to establish a real alternative for the people of Ireland on his website: Sli-Nios-Fearr.com

Revival Literary Journal No. 23 Call For Submissions

Joe Taylor — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:22:53 +0000

commentary:

Revival Literary Journal is calling for submissions from local, national and international poets and writers for the next issue (No.23) which will be published in Limerick, July 2012.

As well as poetry and short fiction, extracts (500 words) they now also require Review and Criticism pieces. They are also interested in receiving black and white images/line drawings for inclusion.

The deadline for submissions is: Issue 23 is the Fri read more...

Ireland And How We Define Ourselves

Joe Taylor — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:59:22 +0000

commentary:

The Limerick Writers’ Centre in association with the Belltable and The Western Writers’ Centre presents: Identity And How We Define Ourselves.

This is a fundraising event in aid of The Limerick Writers’ Centre.

Part 1: More Lives Than One

The Remarkable Family of Oscar Wilde Through the Generations with Gerry Hanberry.

Part 2: ’Round The House – Irish Poetry in Three Languages’ – Music, Poetry and Performance with Fred Johnston, Shaun Leonard read more...

Limerick’s visual art exhibition EVA returns to the fore after a two year break

Joe Taylor — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:45:15 +0000

LIMERICK's exhibition of visual art, eva, will return this month after a two year lay-off. Now styled as eva International, curator Annie Fletcher has selected over 100 artists from 2,000 applicants to participate in the exhibition, entitled After the Future. While Limerick City Gallery of Art will be the central location for the exhibition, sections of it will be scattered across the city, including the Belltable, LSAD, the Milk Market and even the tenth floor of the city's iconic Riverpoint building. Luc Deleu's Construction X - a massive exhibit of storage containers assembled into a giant x - that featured in the 1994 exhibition, will return to Arthur's Quay Park where it was located 18 years ago. Sheila Deegan, eva board member and city arts officer, said returning Belgian artist Deleu's installation to the park was a "reference to the past, as well as how much eva has changed". The three month project consists of multiple exhibitions, events, and performance platforms which bring together a series of artists, organizers, and institutions.

Rathbane Golf Club get go ahead for major new extension

Joe Taylor — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:43:39 +0000

LIMERICK City Council are seeking to build a major extension at the Rathbane Golf Course. City Hall have lodged an application on this project with Limerick County Council, because the extension will take on lands in the county's administrative area. Southside councillor Ger Fahy has welcomed the plan, which will see new changing rooms, an entrance lobby and caddy storage area added to the 12-year-old site. If it gets the go-ahead, it will be the third time in recent years the popular facility has been extended. In 2010, Limerick City Council put EUR750,000 into developing the site with the construction of 25 new bunkers, the rebuilding of tee boxes, and a short game facility including a putting green. This plan also saw the realignment of holes to incorporate a lake and new practice greens. There will be a new junior golfing facility on the course shortly. Fine Gael councillor Fahy said: "The reason the course is so successful is because of the great commitment of the officers and committee of the golf club, and the commitment of the members and the public to be actively involved and taking part."

Limerick Rose and Government Minister walk to raise funds for mental health

Joe Taylor — Tue, 08 May 2012 01:18:44 +0000

A LIMERICK Rose and a Government minister will be leading up to 1,000 people in a symbolic walk next week to raise awareness about issues relating to mental health and remember those who have died by suicide. Labour minister for housing Jan O'Sullivan and Limerick Rose Suzanne O'Brien will be among those leaving the city centre for a 5km walk at 4am to raise funds for the country's only dedicated charity for suicide prevention. "There's something very special about starting the walk in the dark and arriving in the light. I did the walk the first year and would support everyone to come along and support what is a fantastic cause," she said. The number of people seeking suicide prevention services in Limerick continues to climb, the founder of Pieta House, Joan Freeman, has said. Ms Freeman, who opened their centre in Limerick a year and a half ago, said due to demand they are planning to extend their opening hours in the Mungret centre to Saturdays and several nights a week. She was speaking at the launch of their dawn walk, 'Darkness into Light' in No. 1 Pery Square, which takes place on Saturday, May 12, leaving from Arthur's Quay at 4am. "The demand for Limerick has increased so much that we are now opening on a Saturday and two nights a week. But that's good news because we are so happy with the response from Limerick. "I think Limerick, more than any other place where we've opened, is not afraid of looking at suicide in the eye and they're not afraid to seek help," she told the Limerick Leader. Since their foundation in Dublin six years, the charitable organisation has seen and helped over 6,000 people at risk of suicide, including the families of those who have died by suicide. Ms Freeman said the people who seek their confidential support, free of charge, range in ages from six to 83 years. "Without a doubt we have saved lives, but we have only done it with the support of people in Limerick and Dublin," she said.

Limerick FC set to host Liverpool in glamour friendly

Joe Taylor — Sun, 06 May 2012 19:11:44 +0000

Limerick FC and Liverpool have been lined up to play a friendly in Jackman Park on Monday week, May 14. The attractive friendly is part of the Limerick senior soccer's 75th anniversary celebrations and also marks the 40th anniversary of the last Limerick v Liverpool game. That was back in May 1962 when Liverpool were 5-3 winners in the Markets Field in a game watched by 3,000 when Ian St John and Ian Callaghan were among the scorers for the Bill Shankley-managed side. However, stars like Gerrard, Carragher, Suarez and Co won't be among the travelling squad this time round. Indeed it's most unlikely that Kenny Daglish will be present. It's a Liverpool XI that are to play The Super Blues. The Liverpool side will be managed by Rodolfo Borrell, who is Liverpool's Reserve Team Head Coach. Liverpool finish their Premier League season the day prior to the friendly in Limerick when they play Swansea. It is understood that any fringe first team players not involved in that game could be included in Limerick game on the Monday night.

Little boy pictured at Newcastle West St Patrick’s Day parade in 1977 is identified

Joe Taylor — Sun, 06 May 2012 18:15:48 +0000

A LITTLE boy innocently gazing at the St Patrick's Day parade in Newcastle West 35 years ago in a picture rediscovered by the Limerick Leader has been identified, thanks to some eagle-eyed relatives, an innocuous text message and the power of Twitter. Joe Haslam, the son of late Limerick county manager Dick Haslam, was just five-years-old when a Limerick Leader photographer captured him up on stage alongside politicians and dignitaries at the parade in 1977. The picture was published as part of a collection of photographs from that day in last week's Leader and Joe, who is now 40 and lives in Madrid, got wind of it after receiving a picture of the page in a text from a relative in Broadford. He saw the caption, which asked about the identity of the little boy with his hands in his pockets, and subsequently contacted the Limerick Leader via our Twitter account. He said that the picture brought back warm memories of his father, who passed away on Easter Sunday. "I have a four-year-old daughter, and she wants to go everywhere with me, no matter what I'm doing. I think I was probably the same with Dad," he said. "My mother probably said 'take him out of the house or he'll drive us mad'. Newcastle West were always keen to have their own parade and not just go into Limerick, and they'd all make sure to go out and support that." Joe is now an associate professor of economics at the IE Business school in Madrid, and he regularly features on RTE radio and television as a commentator on current Spanish economic issues.

Thousands take part in the Great Limerick Run this Sunday

Joe Taylor — Sun, 06 May 2012 16:51:12 +0000

THE mayor of Limerick has praised the organisers of today's Great Limerick Run which saw walkers, joggers and runners take to the streets of the city. Almost 8,500 people from across the country and further afield took part in the event which included a full marathon, a half marathon and a 10k run. The winner of the men's marathon was Brian McMahon from Dublin. Brian - who won last year's half marathon came home ins two hours and 27 minutes. The first Limerick man to finish was Mike Cunningham from Cappamore. Angela McCann from Clonmel won the women's marathon while Tracey Roche from Raheen was second. The biggest event of the day was the 10k race which had more than 5,000 particpants. There was a real sense of excitement around Pery Square in advance of the start as hundreds of people peformed a huge outdoor Zumba dance.

Crowds turn out for Limerick Riverfest this May bank holiday weekend

Joe Taylor — Sun, 06 May 2012 15:31:09 +0000

CLOUD with the occasional drops of rain was a worry for some, but none of it dampened the festive atmosphere at this year's Riverfest. The crowds flocked to the annual festival this Saturday afternoon to sample a wide variety of food in the huge barbecue competition in which up to 50 teams took part. They made burgers, hotdogs and sauces and kept the audience entertained with fiery fun while cooking with local ingredients. The cooking displays attracted a throng of spectators young and old. Throughout the day a steady flow of people milled along the row of BBQ-tasting tents, proving the popularity of homegrown foods with locals and visitors alike. Fianna Fail TD Willie O'Dea, praised the organisers for their great work in making the event so successful, adding "Limerick needs more events like this throughout the year". On the other side of the river the Continental Fair offered every manner of handmade produce, from chocolate to couscous to preserves, sauces and meats. The gardening display also added colour to the event and was a big hit with visitors to the festival.