The Milk Market in Limerick is open for trade every Friday, Saturday and Sunday – selling an assortment of foods and clothing in a semi-sheltered environment. While it is not a fully indoors market like the English Market in Cork, it has for the past decade had a large canopy over it, to protect the traders and the punters from inclement weather. A very pleasant place. Continue reading Concert: Deacon Blue live at the Big Top
The weekend just passed was a maelstrom of activity. I was collected from work in a motorcar on Friday afternoon, from the depths of the wastelands. Across the country we drove. The destination was Limerick. Owing to roadworks on the Naas road we took an alternative route. As a result we were denied the opportunity to stop for caffeine-infused refreshment at the Barack Obama Plaza – a service area, at Junction 23 of the M7 on the edge of the village of Moneygall. Luckily in the West there is a chain of such service stops, all identical to each other. We had a coffee at the less glamourously named Galway Plaza. I resisted the overwhelming urge for chips with garlic sauce and grated cheese at Supermacs. I am a man of resolve. Continue reading Limerick: the rocks that I got
She wasn’t a friend of mine. I didn’t know her. Dolores dying makes me incredibly sad though. Continue reading Dolores O’Riordan – the voice of Limerick
I was back in Limerick for an anniversary Mass this weekend. After the Saturday evening church service (the first I have attended since the previous anniversary mass on this same date last year) we headed into town. Continue reading The French dinner: Limerick style
I am in Limerick again this weekend. This is the third consecutive weekend I have spent here. Granted the first two coincided with Christmas but that’s irrelevant. It means that I have had a growing urge to explore the region. Continue reading The castle
I am a creature of habit. On December 30th last year I went to see The 4 of Us in Dolans Upstairs. I had an excellent time in spite of (or perhaps because of ?) being on my own. I wrote an account of this gig in my final blog post of 2016 – HERE.
When I saw that the band were playing in the same venue on the exact same date this year, I decided to give it a miss. Much as I enjoy a solo gig, there’s something better about having a buddy with you when at a concert. Continue reading Drag my bad name down
Christmas was gluttonous. Some exercise was needed. What better way to stretch one’s legs, while communing with nature, than a canal walk from the city, to where the canal joins the river, and onward to the University of Limerick, along the banks of the River Shannon. Continue reading Shannon Banks
Today is the shortest day of the year. The winter solstice. The day that the pagan Vikings threw their almighty winter bash to lift their depleted spirits, during this grimmest time of the year. The time of year into which the Christians installed Christmas – to replace the winter solstice. After all when you are replacing one set of beliefs for another, you need to make damned sure you keep the fun parts of the old traditions, or your new superstitions won’t be greeted with open arms.
Seeing as the day today is so short I may as well make use of the candlelight to write another year end list. This time for your reading delectation – the list of theatrical extravaganzas I have attended, written or participated in this year. Continue reading Listicles: Theatre Times
I shot up in my bed, and shivered. I couldn’t see my face, but if I had been able to, I suspect that I would have been as pale as a ghost. I glanced at the alarm clock of hatred, sitting on the bedside locker beside me. It was 3.30am. I felt relieved. I had another four hours left to sleep.
Staggering to the kitchen, I opened the cupboard and selected two of McVitie’s finest digestive biscuits. I was distressed and sweating. Some sugar would help. I don’t think the low blood sugars were the only cause for my concern however. The content of my dream had been most troubling.
The dream had involved a scenario in which the leader of North Korea – murderous dictator Kim-Jong Un – had romantic designations on me, and wanted to make me his love slave. He had been chasing me through the rooms and dungeons of King John’s Castle in Limerick City, demanding that I requite his love. Continue reading ‘I’ve never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight…’
It’s been years since the Mammy went to the Milk Market in Limerick. She was in need of broccoli and spuds. One can purchase these in a supermarket of course, but that’s not exactly a morning out. We decided to go on an adventure for my weekend at home. To the market. Continue reading Hidden Limerick
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