The Limerick Magazine - March 2018 - #Issue28

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issue 28 MARCH 2018

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06 S h a r o n M c M e e l

16 R o r y N o l a n

20 J a n e F o l e y

24 C a b a l

46 C h r i s K e l ly

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W elc o me T O th e l i meri c k maga zi n e

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This magazine is designed to provide information to our readers. It is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged to render any type of legal or any other kind of professional advice. The content of each article is the sole expression and opinion of its author, and not necessarily that of the publisher. No warranties or guarantees are expressed or implied by the publisher’s choice to include any of the content in this volume.

Publisher - Fusion Media, Limerick, Ireland

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T h e l i m e r i ck m aga z in e editors notes: This March is a celebration of women, from Mother's Day to International Women's Day and of course I can't forget my gorgeous and amazing mom's birthday (Happy Birthday Mom!) It has been a challenging year for women with gender issues coming to the forefront from sexual harassment and inequality to the wage gap and domestic abuse.

International Women’s Day provides a marker to reflect on the status of women around the globe and how far we have come in terms of gender rights and status, and how far we still have to go. Changing

Editor in Chief

gender rights and norms takes time; meanwhile, the process is not always a happy one. So on March

Michelle Costello

8th, take a note, all genders and celebrate the women in your life.

michelle@fusionmedia.ie

Editor in chief, Michelle Costello

Each month, The Limerick Magazine showcases all that's happening in Limerick covering entertainment, food, health, business, arts and events. Featuring some of Limerick's most talented people, with their lively interviews and thought-provoking opinions. We delve into the freshest fashion, beauty and interior trends to keep those creative juices flowing. So if you are a guest to Limerick and you find us in your hotel bedroom, welcome to our City or if you

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are a lifelong Limerick head, we hope you enjoy seeing the best of what Limerick has to offer..

Tarmo Tulit TLM PHOTOGRAPHERS

tarmo@tarmotulit.com

Tarmo Tulit True Media Tara Moloney Cover - Tarmo Tulit

Reece Creed

Cathal Ryan

jason kenny

Sarah Talty

Rebecca Egan

Sandra Honan

Aisling O’Connor

Christine Costello

Advertising Jessica lyons jess@fusionmedia.ie

Graphic Designer Paul Geaney paul@fusionmedia.ie

Sarah Lafferty

T L M c o n t r i bu t o rs

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Sharon Mc Meel C ov er I nt erv i ew Wedding Planner Sharon McMeel has been knocking it

Sharon originally went to college to study computer systems

When asked what she thought was the key to her

out of the ballpark for the last few years as one of Irelands

in UL as a computer programmer and after also studying

success, Sharon simply states, good advice and guidance.

most in demand wedding planners. Winning award after

marketing and working in radio. Sharon has a real insight

“Communication is key throughout the entire planning

award, year in and out, and most recently, Weddingsonline.

to marrying the business and creative elements of events.

process, both listening to your couple and giving them

ie Wedding Planner of the Year for 2018, we sat down with

Sharon started in 2007 with Fusion Events but it was in

advice as needed, which can be wedding planning or advice

Sharon to discuss all things bridal and why she has always

2012 she decided that it was time to bring the personal side

on how to handle personal issues. You are working with

had a love of working in events.

of the business to the forefront and rebranded the business

the couple and there are many family dynamics, so you

using her own name Sharon Mc Meel.

are there to help with that side of things also. People often

“I originally got my love of party planning from my mother.

need a sounding board, someone neutral that they can trust,

As long as I can remember my mum was organising birthday

Coming from a family of entrepreneurship and creativity,

sit down and talk to about things that are not easy to talk

parties, Halloween parties, New Year’s Eve parties, and trips

her father being a well-known accountant John McMeel,

about, they need to figure out how to manage those budget

to concerts for her friends. Our house was always the party

her sister Leonie Lynch has just launched her brand Juspy,

or family issues.

house and of course over the years I helped her with many

and her brother Stephen works as the innovation manager

family gatherings. From there I went on to organise school

for Paddy Power. Sharon credits her mom Dolores and

One of my favourite quotes is from Maya Angelou, “I’ve

debs, fundraising events, Christmas parties and the like. It

Dad for being a source of inspiration. “We have always had

learned that people will forget what you said, people will

wasn’t until I started working in the Castle Oaks House

that drive from our parents to look for new and exciting

forget what you did, but people will never forget how you

Hotel that I had my first real introduction to planning

projects!”

made them feel”. My main aim is to make sure that my

weddings and discovered that it is a wonderful thing to be

couples and their families feel great on the wedding day.

invited to join in one of the most important and special

As every wedding is different, we asked Sharon what was

I know I’ve done my job well when I see them on the day

days of a person’s life. At the hotel we catered for over 100

the most unique experience she has planned. “Well one of

and they have let themselves go and are completely in the

weddings a year and with each one I fell more and more

the most unique things we planned took place last year,

moment, enjoying every minute of the day they have put so

in love with the idea of working as a wedding planner. So

which I absolutely loved.

much into and spent so long planning”.

Having looked at the space where the wedding reception

A day in the life of a wedding planner isn’t all glamour but

was to take place in Dromoland Castle for Niall McGarry

it certainly is different day to day. Sharon tell us, “There are

(joe.ie) and Sarah Hennessy’s wedding I had the idea for

different stages depending on the wedding, when I start

something a little different that had never been done in the

working with a couple, the initial thing is to try to find

castle before. Niall and Sarah totally embraced the idea as

out what they want from the day and what’s important to

they wanted to do something special for their wedding. It

them. We normally sit down for two or three hours and go

was a surprise act for the guests, an aerial act performed by

through what kind of style they like, their budget, music,

Fidget Feet, who are actually based in Limerick. They did a

how they meet, how many guests they are inviting and so

six minute performance, on silks hanging from the ceiling

on. I try to get a sense of who they are because it’s not my

in Dromoland, to a beautiful David Bowie song when the

wedding, it is theirs, so I need to figure out all of the things

bride and groom arrived in to the room. It was spectacular

that are important to them and try to match them with the

to watch”.

right venues and suppliers and come up with creative ways

after many sleepless nights and discussions with family and friends, I decided to start my own business”.

to showcase their personalities. After that there’s lots of background planning, administration, research and phone calls.

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Then nearer the time it gets pretty full on, everything from liaising with the venues to the room layout, tables, linens, band set up, cake arrival you name it. By putting together a timeline, everyone knows where they are supposed to be and the day flows very well as a result of the planning”.

With people’s ideas of what a wedding is changing over the past few years, we asked Sharon what has been the most noticeable change in the industry.

“We have seen the lead in time for wedding become longer and that is really good for the industry and shows people have more faith in the economy. During the recession it was all last minute bookings, now we see people booking two years in advance and it means people are taking their time to save more for their weddings. We are also seeing the celebrations move to three or four day events, especially people getting married from abroad, or people returning home to get married and of course. Couples want to make their weddings a wedding of fun and memories not just one day. ” You’re a very inspiring businesswoman, what advice would you give to other women who are starting their business this year? “I think the biggest thing for anyone going into business, especially women, is to have a good network of support around you and get advice from these people. Also, don’t be afraid to talk to other people in your industry. If you find what your strengths and weaknesses are, find the support you need in the areas of your weaknesses, nobody is great at everything. Some are better with the business side, others are good at the technology side but if you have people that can come in and advise you such as a mentor it can be a great support. Don’t be afraid to ask. It’s a huge help to learn from people who have gone through it before.”

Article by: Michelle Costello Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

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B r i da l Fe at ur e SHARON'S TOP WEDDING PLANNING TIPS Set a Budget before you start making any plans.

Choosing your date

See the venue setup

The first thing that most people do when they get engaged,

Family and friends have been told; champagne has been

When doing site visits at your shortlist of venues, make sure

is rush to visit lots of venues and put down a deposit before

popped and drank! You are officially a fiancé/fiancée. So

you visit it at a time when they have it setup for a wedding

they have looked at their guest list or budget. In doing this

now you have to decide when to get married.

that is similar size to yours. A lot of venues will tell you

you risk falling for a venue and having your heart broken

they can fit 250 but when the room is setup it looks very

when you realise you can’t afford it or in order to afford it

When you sit down to look at what date you want to get

crammed and would be more comfortable for your guests

you have to reduce your guest list or give up your dream

married there are several things you should bear in mind

if it was set for a maximum of 210. This will also affect how

band. By creating a realistic budget and rough guest list you

and questions you need to ask:

your room looks – remember you want a beautiful looking

will be able to select venues that are the best fit for you as a couple and won’t leave you paying off loans and credit

room that is comfortable for everyone and doesn’t have What season do you like – do you dream of a summer

people packed in like sardines! If the tables are too close

cards for 10 years! Make sure it’s a complete budget which

wedding sipping champagne in the garden or does

together then this will also impact service during the meal

includes things like under garments, tips and accessories,

the smell of mulled wine and roaring fires make you

and your guests will be bumping off each other every time

things which a lot of people forget. Do not torment

smile. Remember we are in Ireland so always have a

they stand up from the table. This is not the memory you

yourself by visiting a 5* venue if you have a 3* budget, you

weather back up plan no matter what time of the year

want them going home with.

will only see what you can’t have and this will cause further

you choose.

heartbreak and arguments.

•

•

•

•

How long will it take you to save for your dream

Don’t try to lose 2 dress sizes before your wedding

wedding? If you have a budget of €20,000 and can

I have seen countless brides stress themselves out trying to

afford to save €1,000 a month then you will need just

lose weight before their wedding. You need to look and be

over a year and a half to save unless your parents are

yourself on your wedding day. So many brides lose far too

contributing to the big day.

much weight and end up looking too thin and not at all like

Check the sporting calendar. Some people will say I’m

themselves. Often times the dress you spent so much time

mad saying this, but the last thing you want is people

picking out now doesn’t look as well on you because you

disappearing during your reception to go watch a

have lost your curves or womanly shape. Remember your

match or special event. I’ve seen it happen! So check

partner chose you for you, not a stressed out, super thin and

to see when events such as the European Rugby

hungry you and that’s the person they want to see walking

Champions Cup, World Cup, All Ireland and so on

down the aisle. Listen to your dress maker they will advise

are taking place.

you on the appropriate size to order. Do however commit

Check for other occasions happening around the same

to exercising and eating healthy, this will help you to glow

time and have your friends set their wedding date

from the inside out and look your very best and one of the

around the same time. Having dates too close together

big benefits is healthy, great looking skin. It’s better than

can be a bad idea and costly to any guests attending

any facial!

both weddings. Is your niece/nephew/cousin making •

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their communion or confirmation the same day?

Know you deadlines

Where would you like to go on your honeymoon? If

With wedding planning there are certain deadlines that you

you want to visit Dubai then the best time to go is

will need to be aware of. If you want a particular dress you

between November and April as the temperatures

may need to order the dress more than 6 months before

reach the mid 40’s in the summer. Or if you are

your big day. For all weddings or civil partnerships in

considering the Caribbean you don’t want to arrive in

Ireland you give at least 3 months’ notice to your local Civil

hurricane season!

Registration Office.

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Bear in mind that if you are having a civil partnership or

1 0 T i p s f o r r e du ci ng st r e ss

civil ceremony and want to have your ceremony outside of the registry office you may need to give more than 3

1.Pick your bridal party carefully. There will be a lot of

ideas of what’s best but they are not yours! Remember the

months’ notice in order to have the registrar available on

things to do and you need people that you can trust and are

wedding is about you and your fiancé(e) and asking too

your preferred date. Putting together a timeline will help

comfortable delegating jobs to. Your bridal party will need

many opinions can move you away from that and cause

you keep on top of these all important dates.

to support and help you throughout the planning process;

terrible confusion and anxiety.

Don’t try do it all yourself

you do not want people around you that will bring drama

If you have talented family and friends then put them to

and stress.

work. There are a lot of tasks to complete in the months

7.Get everything in writing. If you have agreed a special rate, extras or specific requests with your venue or suppliers

leading up to your wedding day and it can be very stressful

2.Have an outlet for your stress. Make sure you have

make sure to get it in writing as often times those you agree

trying to do it all yourself. Be cautious that you choose the

something that will allow you to take time out from

it with may have left the venue/supplier by the time your

right people to delegate tasks to, the aim is for others to get

wedding planning and that is just for you such as exercise,

wedding day comes around and there may be no record of

things done for you and not add to your stress levels. And if

yoga, meditation, reading etc.

what was agreed.

there are no reliable friends at hand hire a wedding planner!

8.Reconfirm everything in advance. As you get closer to

I know I’m terribly biased here but wedding planners plan

3.Stay connected to your partner. You may notice that the

your wedding day make sure to speak to all your suppliers

weddings for a living and have many helpful tips and tricks

wedding planning begins to take over your life and you are

to reconfirm all the details you have booked with them to

up their sleeves in order to help you have the best wedding

so caught up in decisions, planning, invites etc. that you

ensure everything goes smoothly on the day.

day possible.

might forget to stay connected with or spend time with just your partner. Plan dates where no wedding talk is allowed.

Don’t get lost in the internet

9.Prepare a contact list of suppliers. Give this to the venue, bridal party, family members or your planner so that they

Before you get lost in a sea of Pinterest, Google and Etsy

4.Delegate. Get wedding planning tasks off your desk and

write down what you want from the day, you will be amazed

out of your mind by delegating them to TRUSTED family,

at what elements come out when you write them down and

friends or your wedding planner. You want to make sure that

10.Complete as much as possible in advance. Any DIY

see what is really important to you. Do you want a black tie

those taking over the tasks relieve stress and not add to it.

items, things to be collected, overnight bags for the hotel,

wedding or are you a true vintage couple, would you love to

can contact them straight away if there are any problems.

favours etc. should all be done as far in advance as possible

have a particular song at some point during the day, what

5.Schedule Tasks. Make a plan and slot your to-do list

so that it doesn’t all come on top of you in the 2/3 days

did you see at a friend’s or celebrity wedding that you loved.

into each month before the wedding, that way you will not

before the wedding.

Write them down and then use the internet in all its glory.

stress about getting everything done at once and can see the months that you need to focus on certain items.

Last but not least, have fun! Enjoy every minute of planning

6.Don’t ask everyone’s opinion. This will cause a great deal

your wedding, keep the focus on you as a couple and what

of stress, as everyone will have their own views, experiences,

will make you happy.

For more advice and tips visit www.sharonmcmeel.ie

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B r i da l Fe at ur e Make-Up your Wedding Day

Your wedding day is probably going to be the biggest day of your life, so you want to look and feel at your very best.

Drinking more water, eating healthy and also starting a beauty regime will help, but it can be very hard to fit in all of these extra things as well as plan a wedding and still have your job and life to focus on as well.

Here are some tips for any brides to be: You should start this planning roughly about 6 months before the wedding date.

Get started with a skincare regime, cleansing, toning with a good serum and moisturiser to go with your skin type.

Always get a sample of the products from any beauty brand/ counter to try out first before investing a lot of money on something that might not suit your skin, you don’t want to chance getting any breakouts.

If the bride is having tan done for the wedding day, make sure and get a trial about 2 months before the wedding date.

A light natural spray tan would be the best option, in my opinion. Leading up to the day you will have to exfoliate and moisturise often to make sure your skin is in good condition so the tan will develop flawlessly.

Make up and hair styling trials are key to the preparations.

You have to be 100% sure you are happy with what look you are getting, remember - the photographs from the day are forever so you want to look perfect. Normally I do trials about 3-4 months before the wedding date. Sit down with your make up artist and talk about what you want. Collect pictures and write down ideas. Always listen to advice and make sure that you decide the look that suits your features best.

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•

Reviewing vendors’ contracts & coordinating with vendors

•

Ceremony & reception planning

•

Assisting with selection and booking of ceremony and reception venues

•

Advise on décor and wedding trends

•

Setting up appointment to view suitable venues and churches.

•

Assisting you with venue selection and booking the Officiant for the ceremony.

•

Assisting with the design, printing and mailing out of the invitations (client will incur postage cost)

•

Tracking RSVP’s

•

Assisting with selection of wedding attire and accessories

W E DDI N G C O O R DI N A T I O N

Once you are happy, I recommend that you buy the lipstick that you are wearing on the day, so you will have that to top

•

Preparation of itineraries, seating plan, place names

•

Instructing attendants about their duties

up your lips throughout the day and also powder or blotting

We asked Sharon about what your wedding planner

•

Devising contingency plans (in case of rain etc.)

paper will be another essential for top ups. With those in

will help you with. “This caters for those couples who

•

Attending and coordination of the wedding

hand, you won’t need any more. If you could get the hair

need expert help to bring their ideas and dreams to life

and makeup trials done on the same day, it is better again

or those who simply do not have the time to plan their

as you can really have an idea of what everything will look

own wedding. What is very important to remember

like on the big day.

is that at all times you are in control of your wedding

rehearsal •

ensure everything is in order •

without the stress of planning every detail.”

Always make sure you’re getting the best make up artist and

•

hair stylist. Someone trained and completely professional.

Overseeing venue and church decoration and Setup cake and guest book and any additional elements on the day

Initial consultation with you to establish what

•

Distribute final payments to vendors

you envisage for the day.

•

Coordinating the collection of gifts received on

This ensures you are well looked after on the morning of

•

On-going consultation and advice as required

your wedding. It’s a special day so you want to be able to

•

Budget preparation & management including

•

Wedding Day coordination (up to 10 hours)

payment reminders

•

Continuous phone and email support throughout

take it all in and enjoy every minute. These are the memories you’ll treasure forever.

•

Personalised timeline and action plan

•

Providing advice and assistance on pre marriage

Article by - Mary Kiely

the wedding day

the planning process •

courses •

Assisting with the selection of themes, design

Appointments,

documents,

bookings

and

administration.

•

Additional Staff

and styling •

Etiquette advice

To discuss your wedding needs with Sharon visit www.

•

Finding, negotiating with and booking suitable

sharonmcmeel.ie

vendors

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LI T M us i c Fe s t i va l 2 018

On Wednesday 14th of March the 3rd year students of the

The LIT Music Festival is blasting back the 12th to the

Music Business & Law module, directed by Dr. Eoghan

15th of March 2018 in venues across Limerick City.

Neff, will run a multi-feature, multi-genre evening of

Growing in scale since the festivals beginnings, this year

up-and-coming artists direct from the local Irish music

see’s LIT hosting a multitude of talks, workshops and live

industry. It is free entry to an unmissable night where you

music events open to all in a hope to give insights into

may discover the next chart topper and underground mover

developments in music and media throughout Limerick

alike. Millennium Theatre LIT, Doors 6pm.

city, guaranteed to be a fun and enjoyable week for everyone.

Thursday 15th of March will also see a talk on Hip-Hop

Music week is in its 7th year and was set up to showcase the

hosted by Make A Move, a hip hop festival that has been

skills learned by students over their 4 years in the Creative

running in Limerick city since 2012, emerging out of

Technology Programmes at LIT. Set up for, and run by

community arts workshop developed by a team of local

the students, LIT music week is completely produced to

volunteers and community development organisations.

industry standard and is reviewed by industry professionals.

Make A Move seeks to capture the revolutionary spirit

LIT Music Week actively involves over 150 students,

and underground traditions of hip hop culture and engage

linked up with Music Generation and relevant Industry

young people through hip hop music, dance and urban art.

professionals run in partnership with Spin South West.

You can catch that talk 4- 6pm in the Millennium Theatre LIT.

One of the highlights is Activism Day, which amongst loads of other cool stuff, features a night called 33 Revolutions Per

LIT music week aims to bring to the forefront insights

Minute which will feature Vincent Browne and Blindboy in

into music and the culture and industry surrounding it. The

conversation about Protest Music.

public are invited to join in these free events in the hope of conversing, learning and taking inspiration from some of

Browne’s sharp and political reporting that has made him a favourite in Irish Journalism coupled with BlindBoy Boatclub’s witty, political, satire promises to make this a not to be missed talk. They will be followed by the politically charged music of Post Punk Podge whose goal is to turn the symbol of the brown envelope from a symbol of corruption, deception and greed into a symbol of self-expression.

You can catch 33 revolutions per minute in the Millennium Theatre LIT, Thursday 15th of March, Doors 7pm.

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“Browne’s sharp and political reporting that has made him a favourite in Irish Journalism coupled with BlindBoy Boatclub’s witty, political, satire promises to make this a not to be missed talk ”

the most active people in the field.

The publics participation will make this event, every year LIT music week has grown and grown with the hope that it can impact Limerick in a bigger and more positive way each time.

Article by: Cathal Ryan

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Li m e ri c k S t Pat r i ck ’s Day Par ad e Expect to see some fantastic work from Limerick based aerial dancers Fidget Feet who are set to wow the crowds with their incredible airborne antics. On top of all that the students from Limericks International School of Spectacle, with support from Limerick City and County Council’s Culture and Arts Office, have a lovely surprise in the works.

The traditional St Patrick’s Day Parade is just one of a number of events taking place across Limerick as part of Limerick’s St Patrick’s Festival.

Limerick is in a unique position of having the country's The legendary ringmaster of Fossett’s Circus, Marion Fossett will lead this year’s spectacular Limerick St Patrick’s

jugglers and clowns onto Limerick’s premier street •

Lumen will be accompanied by the School of Spectacle

Day Parade as the city celebrates 250 years of the Circus.

as they entertain the crowds in their unique way. The

Limerick’s St Patrick’s Festival includes the colourful

School of Spectacle is a partnership project funded by

and energetic Parade, Ireland’s only international Band

Creative Europe and will have 25 creative practitioners

Championship

in Limerick working hard on their entry for a week

featuring

almost

2000

international

musicians and a dazzling fireworks display over King John’s Castle.

before the parade.

•

As always, local artist Giggles the Clown and her children’s characters will be out in force.

The parade is celebrating the 250 years since the art-form of the Circus was born. The two kilometre route of the parade

Parade Grand Marshall Marion Fossett said, “On behalf

will be filled by participants from all parts of Limerick and

of my family I’m honoured and thrilled to have been

across the country, including schools, sports clubs, industry

invited to be the Grand Marshal for the 2018 Limerick St.

and the new communities that now call Limerick home.

Patrick's Day Parade. In addition to this commemorating

The expected tens of thousands of spectators will be thrilled

the birth of Circus this fabulous parade will mark Fossett's

by colourful and high energy entries as they wind their

Circus 130th Anniversary, making us the world's oldest

way down O’Connell Street from Roden Street all the way

continuously touring circus! I am so delighted to be marking

down to Rutland Street.

this milestone in Limerick....a city we have entertained on so many happy visits over that time.”

Among the highlights are: • • •

LUXe who are presenting their award winning ‘Cirque

Creative Director of this year’s parade Aidan Phelan states,

de Lune’

“This year’s line up is looking fantastic with more local

Macnas will appear on foot with the Macnas brass

groups, clubs and companies participating than ever before.

ensemble!

Local street arts company Lumen will join in the fun with

Cloughjordan Youth Circus will bring stilt walkers,

a traditional circus themed entry and the award winning

only International Band Championship, now in its 48th year.

St Patrick’s Festival Extravaganza will see King John’s Castle provide the stunning backdrop for a dramatic lights and fireworks show on Sunday 18 March.

There will be musical entertainment from 9pm as dramatic illuminations are projected onto Limerick’s historic King John’s Castle, followed by a spectacular fireworks display which will transform the city’s skies into an explosion of colour! This promises to be a tremendous treat for the whole family and a truly dazzling end to the festival celebrations.

Among the other events taking place for Limerick St Patrick’s Festival include: •

Panoramic Wheel & Traditional Carousel 10 March 15 April at Arthur’s Quay Park

•

Fossett’s Circus 130th Anniversary Tour of Ireland 15 - 19 March at Cleeve’s Car Park, O’Callaghan Strand

•

John McCarthy’s Circus Bar Exhibition 16 - 18 March at Limerick Museum

•

St Patrick’s Weekend Unlocked 17 - 18 March at Limerick Milk Market

dancers from Spotlight Stage School will return for another energetic performance.

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R o ry N o l a n I nt erv i ew

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett is regarded as one of

What is your interpretation of Waiting for Godot?

What’s it like being apart of Druid?

the most significant plays of the twentieth century. Multi

People put their stamp on it the whole time, they say: Oh,

We’re very lucky with our atmosphere in the Druid

award-winning Galway theatre company, Druid, will tour

it’s about the end of the world, oh it’s about purgatory or

ensemble. We know each other so well, we’re all best mates

this masterpiece in 2018 across Ireland with a few dates

the holocaust, but it’s not about anything like that. The

and we can finish each others sentences. That kind of

in the US also. Rory Nolan, who plays the role of Pozzo,

more you try and put a stamp like that on it, the more

work elicits lots of fun. There’s also lots of precision in the

chats to TLM on his career in acting, playing Pozzo and the

you’re in trouble. It’s one of those plays that’s so precise and

work. We’re not precious about it. It’s just a great working

endless interpretations of the play.

beautifully written, so timed to perfection that if you go

environment.

messing around with it, it shows up. We’re very reverential with the script, but we also go about working with it the

Tell us a bit about your character Pozzo

only way we know how.

The character I play, he’s just this big, larger than life, narcissistic, childish bully. He’s as lost as the two tramps

People always say Waiting for Godot is the play where

that are waiting for Godot. Pozzo puts on this facade of

nothing happens, but I say this all the time is that the

knowing who he is and where he’s from, but to be perfectly

condition of waiting and filling your time, not knowing

honest, nobody on that stage has a clue.

what’s gonna happen next or where you’re going is the human condition. We’re always waiting. No one knows

I was very interested in playing him like a child. I’m the

what’s gonna happen tomorrow and no one knows what’s

Father of a seven year old and a four year old and it’s been

gonna happen in a week’s time. It’s something that, as

great for research. Their emotions can turn on a whim. One

human beings, we don’t like. We don’t like that. We don’t

minute they’re screaming crying, then they turn around and

like not knowing what’s coming down the line.

they’re laughing riotly. Children also, at that age especially, are the center of both their and everyone else’s universe. It’s

Beckett gets a bad rep for being this inaccessible, en guard

amazing to watch. I’ve plenty of nieces and nephews who

and hoity-toity writers that only a select few understand,

are all the same age, so I guess, in retrospect, I kind of took

but that’s bullshit. I think he’s a very accessible writer and

something from that.

is riotly funny. He’s very intelligent with the sad bits and the happy bits. But at the end of the day, he affirms that it’s okay. It’s okay to not know what’s coming next.

None of us have a clue so let’s all just stay together, hold hands and enjoy the ride because none of us are getting out of here alive.

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”It’s one of those plays that’s so precise and beautifully written, so timed to perfection that if you go messing around with it, it shows up.”

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I wanted my character to be like a big baby, essentially.

Would you ever consider taking on the role of a writer or

I went from Beckett to Oscar Wilde to Paul Howards to

I find him hilariously funny and I think he’s the most

director?

Shakespeare to Arthur Riordan and Tom Murphy. If you

fearful character you could ever come across, or cowardly is

I’ve considered it. Every actor at some stage considers it

can manage that, then you’re really lucky. I find it hard to

probably a better word. And I think there’s nothing funnier

to some degree. I’m booked up for 18 months in advance,

pick them apart, but Falstaff and Pozzo are always going to

than cowardice on stage; a childlike, narcissistic bully who’s

so it’s hard to find time for those things, which is a great

be close to my heart.

ultimately just terrified of everything, of any one finding out

complaint. I think the more you work in the business, the

who he really is.

more you are ingratiated with it, the more you become a

What advice would you give to any young actor starting

part of it and the more it becomes your genetic creative

out?

Did you always want to work in the theatre?

makeup. For the moment I’m very happy acting and that’s

I would say to bear in mind the vocational aspect of it. If

There’s a vocational aspect to it. I got very involved in the

what I’m doing.

you’re coming into this business for fame and money then

University College Dublin where I went to study and I got

turn back around and walk out that door. They are a result of

very involved in the drama society. One thing led to another

What has been your favourite role to play to date?

a successful career. If that’s what you’re here for then you’re

and suddenly I was training professionally. You have to go

I love playing Pozzo in Godot. I was lucky enough to play

in it for the wrong reasons. If you’re in it for a colourful,

into it with your eyes open. In the back of my head, I always

Falstaff in Henry the Fourth, which came to the Lime Tree

precarious lifestyle which can be very rewarding and at the

knew I wanted to be an actor, but I didn’t know how to go

too a couple of years ago. It was just a complete and utter

same very difficult, if you think you have the stamina for

about doing it, then I just fell into it.

joy from start to finish, I just loved doing that part. You

that and feel the vocation that there’s nothing else for you

know, it’s hard to pick them all apart because as an actor,

then go at it one hundred percent and enjoy it.

one of the things I’ve been very lucky with is the plethora of different roles I’ve been able to do.

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Article by: Christine Costello

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J ay n e F o l e y ( Fr e s h Fi l m F es tival ) I nt erv i ew

Do you notice any recurring themes in the themes explored by young filmmakers?

Fresh has never asked young people to make films about specific themes or subject matter, as we wanted them to create works that weren’t dictated by adults. That being said, the films have some thematic similarities. Films about relationships, bullying, and cyber-bullying tend to be common and horror is a popular genre. But, we love when someone makes something personal, something that really expresses their interests and their personality as we feel these succeed better with audiences.

Are any of these themes more prevalent now than they were back in 1997?

Cyber-bullying has come to the fore as a topical theme.

As a subject it can create a strong storyline, with an air of mystery and it deals with personal relationships. So it hits a few areas for young people.

Does Limerick have the potential to become a hub for the What inspired you to set up this festival?

When I graduated from the Limerick School of Art teacher education in the late 1990s, there wasn’t an outlet for young filmmakers to show their films. In setting up Fresh in 1997, we were looking to create a community of young filmmakers who would bond over screenings at a Festival. Film culture in Ireland was developing in the ‘90s and lots of kids were making movies on handy-cams and editing on tape, but they didn’t have an outlet to get the films screened The Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Competition gave all these young people a focus— an event to aim for.

This is the core part of the festival— young people making and screening their own stories before an audience of their peers.

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Irish film industry?

Limerick is a fantastic city and many students love to come here to the Festival as everything of such an international scale, like Fresh, tends to be centered in Dublin. The addition of Troy Studios presents a great opportunity for skills development for film here and we must be careful to also support the individual independent film-makers in the city. A thriving schools film-making culture, film clubs providing a wide fare of programming, a wide range of Cineplex choice, incoming productions and local filmmaking make Limerick a great place to be if you are interested in cinema.

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Have you seen an increase in entries over the past few years with professional editing and filming becoming more accessible with mobile phones?

Yes, the digital revolution that occurred in the past 15 years has swept Fresh along with it. Easier access to cameras, camera phones, editing software and online platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo for distribution have allowed for increased access for everyone to this audio-visual world. 22 years ago, competitors sent us bulky jiffy bags with VHS tapes packaged inside. Now, we are given an online link where the film can be accessed and viewed.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations?

Growing up I loved coming of age movies like John Hughes ‘The Breakfast Club’ and later still I delved back into classics like Truffaut’s ‘The Four Hundred Blows’. At the moment, I am very excited by film-makers like Sofia Coppola, Lynne Ramsey, Andrea Arnold and Clio Barnard. And I’m really looking forward to seeing ‘Lady Bird’ from Greta Gerwig soon.

What advice would you give to the young people preparing for this year's competition?

Finding a story is key and tends to be a challenge for most young filmmakers. But stories are everywhere— from pieces you’ve read online, in a newspaper or things you’ve done, seen or heard. So prepare: write out an outline sketch of your story, break it down into a series of shots (a shot-list), bring some friends with you (or stay on your own) and begin shooting. The funny thing is, once you’ve tell people that you’re making a film, lots of people will help you out.

Because, everyone loves the magic that is around creation.

Art is about creating something out of nothing and is done through sheer will and determination. For film-making, all you have to do is to bring your camera with you!

Article by: Christine Costello Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

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Fa s h i o n I n t e rv i e w CABAL

CABAL is an Independent brand operating in Limerick in

Described as “a group of people in some close design

Walking into the gallery I met three very fashionable guys

an attempt to promote music, art and fashion through youth

together, to promote their interests in the community� they

who referring to themselves as Co. Brand and P began to

culture. Starting in 2016, five students with backgrounds

seem to have brought this idea to the forefront of youth

tell me about the philosophy.

in manufacturing and music, came together to create an

culture in Limerick. Fresh after their first event in Dolans,

eclectic dynamic aiming to bring a new way to showcase

The Limerick Magazine met up with some of the founders

fashion and artistic expression, through the philosophy of

at the opening night of EVA international in Limerick City

a Cabal.

gallery to discuss music, fashion and what the brand means to them and Limerick.

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What is the idea behind CABAL? P: The way that it started was the three of us from Kildare wanted to start a clothing brand and I have a background in not necessarily clothing but material manufacture, and so we realised if the three of us worked together it was an achievable aspect. Even before this we agreed we should try something, so along the way we met Brand and Fluff who were two well-known DJ’s around the country who would have more of an insight into the nightlife aspect then we would have.

Co: But they were looking for an alternative nightlife!

Brand: Initially the clothing side is not a background that either Fluff or I came from, we were both in to music and events but we wanted a night that didn’t conform to the

The name meant a lot from the start and it’s not that we’ve

P: I think regardless of the acts the whole idea of the Cabal

nature of nightlife the way it is orchestrated in Ireland at

moved away from the definition but in order to be successful

ethos is that it’s an atmosphere that’s set regardless of the

the moment. Prior to Cabal being an idea, we all knew each

you cannot stick so rigidly to a definition. We aren’t defined

act that is playing. There may be a trend at times where we

other and obviously all spoke to each other about what we

by the word but it’s where we take our ethos from.

might have a certain kind of music. In Dolans we had two

were all into and we just decided to put it all under the one

areas, up stairs was Hip-Hop and downstairs was more

roof and approach music and fashion together as the five

CABAL as well as a philosophy, is a brand, tell me about

classic Cabal but it doesn’t matter what music is playing it is

of us.

the idea of CABAL as a brand?

the atmosphere. We want people to enjoy themselves.

Brand: We have an interesting definition of what a brand P: Every Clothing event has music but it is not as tightly

is. To be honest, the music, clothing and art is all important

The events are always visually packed with lights and art,

connected in with the clothing side and visa versa. The aim

but it is all done in the effort of expanding the Cabal name,

what is the inspiration behind this?

was to try and bring this together.

the culture of Cabal. Even the musicians we have in, we are

P: In our own way we each have a specialty. The two music

not defined by the music being blared, it is the environment

heads are DJ’s so that’s their art form, whereas the three of

The name CABAL has a significant meaning, why did ye

that it is in. We have the clothing, music and art on the

us from Kildare were artists in the classical sense- so there

decide upon that name?

media side but it is all done in an effort to promote Cabal.

is a painter, a photographer and someone who likes to use

Co: The name Cabal means a lot, we had the name before

material. The art input was an interest we wanted to grow,

anything else, Cabal means a group of people united in

Co: When we book our acts we are not looking for

a visual culture in our own brand that wasn’t solely about

close design to promote interests outside their community.

international DJ’s to attract a crowd. The thing that attracts

our just ideas, so by bringing in other’s work, it offered a

So that ethos was something we worked on from the start.

a crowd is Cabal, the name. What we want is people not to

vantage point into someone else’s line of thought that isn’t

We launched a sticker campaign where we ordered 1000

buy into but want to associate themselves with, the culture

necessarily in line with ours. If you look at the course of

stickers and put them up around limerick. We didn’t have a

of what Cabal is trying to promote and we want as many

the artwork we have had at the events, they have been

Facebook so people just kept seeing Cabal and asking what

people as possible to be included in that, because we feel it’s

wide ranging. Most recently a documentary photographer,

is this thing? So we wanted to grow this organic interest

a very positive thing.

previous to that we have had painters, 3D visual artists,

because it’s what the name signified to us.

everything. We have kept a lot in Limerick but as a way of introducing cultures we have got artists down from Dublin and Belfast!

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“We never wanted to use our own art; it is about giving a name and a platform to artists ”

Co: The idea behind the artwork links back to the brand

P: Juxtaposed to the two boys, my favorite was the fifth one-

P: I don’t know if I want it on the Moon, I think Mars is

being used to promote Irish culture and people involved in

the first event in Dolans because I just remember the flood

a good shout?

art culture such as music. We never wanted to use our own

of relief realising more than sixty people wanted to come to

art; it is about giving a name and a platform to artists.

our event. Just standing at the door and realising oh my god.

Co: No way man Mars is far too hype at the moment…

That music was unbelievable too.

You can check out all of the hippest fashion and art that

Brand: On the event side, we try to not just have a party that

Limerick has to offer online on their website www.cabal.

wasn’t just clothes and music we wanted another dimension

What are CABAL’s plans for the future?

ie where you can purchase clothing, keep up to date with

so because of that we wanted to promote artwork.

Brand: We have our first birthday coming up which is a very

events and read up on some arts and culture, courtesy of the

big deal for us. It is going to be a busy summer with a lot to

idea that is uniting youth culture in Limerick.

What has been your favorite event to run?

come we cannot mention much yet but 2018 is going to be

Co: I’m going to say the one with Colin Finnegan and Paul

a big year for Cabal.

Byrne. They both played records all night and the vibe that night was great, I think it was our third one just to end the

Co: We will be expanding in areas not seen before, hopefully

college year, as two of us were bugging off so that was a

be going down some avenues unexplored until now. The

really nice event.

gold is the stuff you can manifest into reality; I mean we can’t have cabal on the moon yet.

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Article by: Cathal Ryan

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Beauty

Askeaton native Lucy Fitzgibbon has become a bit of a social media sensation. At the age of only 17 Lucy has accumulated over 70,000 followers across all her social media platforms. While Lucy started by creating an Instagram account for Lucy Fitz Makeup where she would post pictures of makeup looks, she then branched out into YouTube and Snapchat. The Limerick Magazine sat down to talk with Lucy about juggling online fame with long school hours.

How did you start out on social media?

“It was exactly this time two years ago that this all started for me. I didn’t think of the whole “influencer” thing at all I just loved makeup, so I started an Instagram account just as a place to be creative then suddenly people started asking me for appointments it was crazy. Then about three months later I set up my Snapchat and that was it”.

What are your favourite memories since you started posting on social media?

“There’s been loads of opportunities. It started off with small things and they just grew to what I get to do now.

I think doing a makeup demo in the RDS for the beauty show when I was only 15 and doing a snapchat take over for Olaplex, a haircare brand in San Francisco, was so surreal. I was also over the moon when I got to go on a press trip to London with Makeup Revolution!”

Do you consider yourself an “influencer”?

“No, I don’t want be that. I want to be a businesswoman.

I feel like influencers who push too many products aren’t genuine with their followers. I only work with brands I love.

I feel like people who are too concerned with sponsorships are only concerned with money and that’s no way to be”.

Have you had negative comments and if so how do you

What are your goals for 2018?

deal with it?

“I’m hoping by the end of 2018 I will reach 100k followers

“The minute I see the start of a negative message I delete

on Instagram it’s a big goal to set but I do think it can

it. I just have to remember how many nice messages I get

happen. I’m going to do masterclasses across the country

and that puts me in a good mood. You could get about 100

in Cork, Dublin and Galway. I have loads more things I

good messages, but you always care about that one bad one.

want to achieve but those are my two main goals for the

I don’t even read bad messages and if I get one I just delete

coming year”.

and block. I just try to focus on the positive.”

Article by: Reece Creed Your still so young at 17, do you ever have any issues in

Photography: Lucy Fitzgibbon

business because of your age?

“I feel like people sometimes don’t take me seriously because of my age. It’s only when they see the success of the events I run they change their minds and I love that. I feel like my age helps me because I am relatable to the young people that watch me.”

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home Decorating with neutral colours is a safe, timeless, and chic way to go. On top of that, it seems as though minimalistic and monochromatic design trends won't be going anywhere anytime soon. However, just because these tame design styles are in vogue doesn't mean you can't experiment with bright colours and fun hues. Sometimes you may want to add just a little something to your mainly white, beige, and grey space.

Scared of going too bold? Don't be. No matter your comfort level, there's a way to incorporate pops of colour into any space. Think rugs, accessories, art, and even botanicals. All these elements can be utilized to add just the right amount of colour to your home. If you still aren't convinced, take a look at these nine ways to add pops of colour to your space, whether it's simply adding in a plant or striking the perfect balance with multiple saturated hues.

Choose Bright Accessories A grouping of like-colored accessories can add impactful and non-permanent pops of colour to your space. In this living room, matching bright yellow lamps make a bold statement in an otherwise neutral space. Despite their loud hue, the pair makes the room look cohesive and balanced.

Go With A Saturated Textile A single patterned or coloured piece can make a real statement in a neutral space, as seen here in this dark and moody contemporary living room with a simple pop of orange. Opt for a single, attention-grabbing throw or blanket to inject personality without having to completely redecorate an entire room.

Choose A Single Statement Piece Bring pops of colour into your home and make a statement with a single saturated piece of furniture. The deep blue velvet chair in this room is certainly an attention grabber, but it nicely coordinates with the room's other neutral, textural elements. A bright chair is a simple way to add colour to a room with a single purchase.

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Images and inspiration courtesy of DFS, Argos & Michael Murphy

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T r av e l Paris

There are lots of ways to discover the capital according to

Paris can also be sporting, "green", convivial or adventurous.

the choice and taste of each visitor. High-tech and Wi-

A forward looking city, Paris is continually coming up with

Fi orientated, Paris will delight technology buffs with its

new ways of getting around, with numerous taxi-bicycles,

numerous applications for smartphones that make it easy to

electric bicycles, tramway, and of course, the innovative

discover outdoor Paris as well as cultural venues which have

Autolib’ project ‌ And Paris works hard to please visitors

now entered the age of high-tech.

day and night with an impressive range of more and more specialist and imaginative thematic visits and tours, ranging from design to ecology, to a visit of the City of Light with a professional photographer.

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Traditional Paris Paris, a romantic city for lovers, is still the ideal place for a romantic getaway for two. Paris is the most romantic city in the world! Every year, couples in love from all over the world come to stroll around the city, enjoy themselves and express their love for each other. Valentine’s Day goes on all year long and Paris is a city where everything is possible.

Paris Gastronomy Starred hotels, bistros, creative cooking … Quality and variety account for Paris’s reputation French gastronomic food was given Unesco humanity heritage status in 2010 and Paris is certainly the best place to enjoy it! The city also serves up modern, creative and innovative cuisine, inspired by the great Parisian movement le Fooding®. Current food trends range from a rise in popularity for street food to the craze for multidisciplinary restaurants. The cuisine on offer is always state-of-the-art and inventive. You can dine at a mini restaurant or in a grocer’s, watch professional chefs cooking, try out a unique set menu, or even take lessons from a Michelin-starred chef.

Paris Shopping Interior decor, fashion, gourmet products, shopping at all times and all prices. Paris, shopping capital Paris, the world’s leading city for tourism, welcomes 29 million tourists every year. For 60% of them, shopping is the main reason for their trip. Paris is the European capital for commerce, fashion and creation and has some 17,000 shops – including 5,500 in the ready-to-wear sector alone. With major department stores, historic and top luxury brands and renowned districts, Paris is a dazzling shopping destination 365 days a year.

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Paris Contemporary art The vibrant contemporary art scene is much appreciated

The Paris nightlife scene is multifaceted and continually

by experts and fans. With the opening of new public and

changing. Each year, nearly 200 venues obtain authorization

private venues for artistic creation every year, new galleries,

to stay open at night.

and a calendar of major exhibitions of upcoming talents alongside retrospectives of renowned artists, Paris is a

And Paris nightlife is ‘buzzier’ and edgier than ever with

leading capital for international contemporary creation.

the emergence of internationally successful French DJs and

Contemporary art can be seen at key annual events like the

musicians and the opening of numerous funky new venues

FIAC (international contemporary art fair), the exhibition

like the much acclaimed Concrete, one of Paris’ premier

‘Monumenta’ or the Nuit blanche (a cultural all-nighter),

venues, located on a three level boat docked on the Seine

the new Triennale (Triennial) and the very recent Biennale

since 2011, the team throws parties which last day and

de Belleville (Belleville Biennial) but also throughout the

night.

year with exhibitions in major and more low-key galleries, art foundations and at smaller-scale venues. Today, artistic creation is booming and just waiting to be discovered!

Paris Nightlife Jazz or electro clubs, a museum mystery tour... Night goers have lots to choose from. From early evening until daybreak, nightlife in Paris offers so much choice! Great places for a fun night out, crazy clubbing and original night-time activities.

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ga r d e n & CR A FT How To Make Your Own Wildflower Seed Bombs

A seed bomb is a large egg sized blob of soil, flower seeds and a little clay powder if your soil isn’t sticky enough – I also add a bit of chili powder to the mix, as this deters birds from pecking at them to get the seeds. It’s also possible to add in used coffee grounds too to bulk out the mixture.

The theory is you throw these pellets into your garden and they sprout over the summer – it can be hit and miss, and invariably and ironically, works best on poor or gritty soils.

A set of these also make a nice gardening gift, I dry mine in egg boxes, which make a great way to recycle some packaging too.

Using boxes of annual ‘sow & grow’ seed mixes from most discount shops is the cheapest way to create seed bombs – for a finer mix, choose Annual flowering plants, as these need much less care when growing – perennial plant seeds often need a little more nurturing in the early life stages: Flowers suited to seed bomb mixes are Nasturtiums Nigella Linaria (Honesty) Centranthus Cornflowers Ox Eye Daisies Corn Marigold Field Poppy Cosmos Daisy

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Materials: •

Small 5ltr bag of multipurpose compost, or garden soil, or a mix of the two.

•

Clay & Chili powder

•

2 – 3 Boxes of Sow & Grow flower mixes

•

A little water

•

Egg Boxes for drying

Method •

Taking a handful of damp soil and clay, roll and form an egg-sized ball.

•

Press this lightly flat, and then cover with a handful of seeds, and chili powder.

•

Re- form the ball, adding a little moisture if needed, until it holds together.

•

Place in an old egg box or on kitchen roll to dry.

•

Once the seed bombs are dry, you can take to your garden, or the streets and perform some direct floral interventions on derelict areas and sites in the city. The garden created by the Limerick City of Culture project on Thomas St in Limerick City is an example of the wildflower mix of planting.

Article by: Tara Moloney Photography by: White Dove Nurseries

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ga r d e n & CR A FT Time for a bit of spring green....

With the lengthening days and milder temperatures of

Making changes to the design or planting layout of your

I always plant one piece back into where it came from, if

March, the chances to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of

garden can be done at this time of year, as plants are still

it’s happy where it is! Foxgloves, Rudbeckia and perennial

a spring walk or tending to your garden increase.

a little dormant. Most perennials will be sprouting into

grasses can also be propagated with this method.

growth around now, and it’s a perfect time to split and With winter’s last gasp over, there may be scenes of

divide them if they’ve developed into large clumps –

Structures such as pergolas, trellis or fences take a beating

horticultural devastation to contend with if you have your

perennial Geraniums or Cranesbills need dividing each year

during the winter, and before the plants you have growing

own garden. Climbers may have become loose, tree limbs

for instance. Dig up the clump, and split into three healthy

near them sprout into life, it’s an opportunity to mend and

damaged and fence panels cast astray, so I find it’s a great

chunks, and re-plant in the order, with a few handfuls of

replace, or restyle.

time to take stock of your space as a whole, and attend to

fresh compost.

the framework of your outdoor area, before setting world

Large climbers such as hybrid Clematis or Wisteria need

records for seed sowing and impulse bulb/plant purchasing

strong structures to grow over in the long term so plan

(note to self ).

ahead for its support if you decide to plant one.

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Wildflower mixes of seed can be found in the euro discount shops in March, and I love these for making seed bombs, a combination of your local soil, a little clay and you have a crop of flower bombs to throw randomly in your own, or some other inaccessible space to brighten it’s outlook for the summer.

Sowing seeds for the summer is one of the thrifty ways of

A big round terracotta pot is best for hardy herbs like

gardening – if you have a bright windowsill, a greenhouse or

Rosemary, Mint, Thyme and Oregano, or you could build a

poly tunnel, you’ll be in full throes of seed sowing.

large square bed and plant this up if you have the space in your garden. You can pick up 1litre sized plants in garden

There are many plants that you can grow easily from seed,

centres for around €4 each, and you can clip them regularly

for flowers, vegetables or fruit and you don’t need acres

through the spring and summer to add to salads or drinks

of space to do it. Start off with a large plastic trough for

as needed.

your tomatoes – Grow Heritage seed varieties if you can, for maximum taste and suitability for the cooler climate.

Plant mint in a pot to control it’s rapacious growth, unless

Gardener’s Delight are smaller fruits that ripen quickly, or

you enjoy it’s scented foliage and spires of flowers. I regard

Sungold a small yellow plum variety, is tasty fresh or lightly

Apple mint as a sweeter, more preferable taste in drinks and

fried. Feed and water regularly for handfuls of fruit from

deserts while the sharper Moroccan mint is best for tea and

late July.

dried for savory dishes.

Miniature fruit trees also suit a large pot, and peaches or nectarines on dwarf rootstocks can be grown this way – they also have sweet pink blossoms in the spring, much like the apple and cherry trees blossoming in spring.

In your borders, bulbs are bursting and blooming – the best time to feed your bulbs is just as they naturally die back and wither – you can find granular bulb food in garden centres, which scattered at the base of clumps of bulbs, will give them an extra boost for the following years flower. Tulips need a good feed if you don’t lift them.

For a little colour, it’s time to tend to your hanging baskets and window boxes – with summer still a long way off, some instant cheer can be had by filling them up with Primroses.

I like the dark dramatic Victoriana or Gold Lace types (almost black with yellow gold edges) or bright orange and red with a few mini daffodils. Some trailing ivy, spring bud heathers, silver cineraria and cool crisp white cyclamen are also options - often scented and with marbled leaves, they make a clean look in containers or a focal point in the centre of a hanging basket.

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Fo o d & D r i n k PLANT POWER DAY

Celebrate the power of plants, for our health and for the

How?

A Delicious Dinner - Veggie Chilli

planet, on Plant Power Day, Wednesday, 7th March, 2018.

Discover the power of adding more plants to your plate

This spicy veggie chili is packed with vegetables, beans and

Part of an initiative by Alpro to help us change the way

this Plant Power Day with Alpro’s delicious recipes for

Alpro’s Go On Plain Big Pot soya alternative to yogurt, just

we all eat forever, Plant Power Day is a day dedicated to

breakfast, the afternoon and dinner.

what’s needed after a hard day’s work. This tasty dish takes

putting plants first. And now there’s a new way to celebrate

30 minutes to cook and serves 4 people. The ingredients

all things plant-based, and discover a fresh way of eating in

Start the Day - Red Fruit Brekkie Bowl

the process - the ‘planquet’ is about to take root!

Kick start your day with Alpro’s quick and tasty, Red Fruit

required for this mouth-watering dish are:

Cereal Bowl, perfect for you and three guests and ready in

800g tinned chopped tomatoes

What’s a planquet?

just 8 minutes! All you need is:

2 onions

Any meal that puts plants first, making veggies, fruit,

600ml Alpro Almond Unsweetened drink

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

wholegrains, pulses, legumes, nuts and seeds, the star of the

120g bran flakes

2 bell peppers, red and yellow

show.

400g red fruit

400g tinned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

4 tbsp. almond flakes, roasted (optional)

2 tsp Garam Masala

When should I ‘planquet’?

Now that the ingredients are prepped, all that is left to do

Chopped coriander

Create a planquet on Plant Power Day and you’ll discover

is divide the bran flakes between four bowls and cover with

1 vegetable stock cube

it’s easier than you might think to sow the seeds of positive

Alpro Almond Unsweetened. Finally, top with the red fruit

Juice of a lime

change!

and roasted almond flakes and serve immediately!

2 tbsp. olive oil 100ml water

Why?

For the 3pm Slump - Berry Coconut Smoothie

175 g Alpro Go On Plain Big Pot

Each person who puts plants first on Plant Power Day will

Perfect for a mid-afternoon slump, this delicious plant

Pepper and salt

save 1,500 litres of water and reduce their carbon footprint

powered smoothie is the ideal refresher for mid-afternoon

by 2Kg.

and only takes 10 minutes to prepare. All you need is:

Firstly chop the onion and garlic and slice the bell pepper

•

Saving 1,500 litres of water is equivalent to:

•

Two weeks’ worth of showers[1]

200ml Alpro Plain with Coconut Big Pot soya alternative

the red kidney beans before heating up the olive oil in a

•

Two years and eight months’ worth of drinking

to yogurt

heavy frying pan with a lid, and add the onions and garlic.

water[2]

60g blackberries

Let them soften, while stirring occasionally. Add the Garam

•

27 washing machine cycles

55g beetroot

Masala and the chopped coriander to the onions, and stir-

•

150 toilet flushes

1.2g mint

fry for 1 minute. Then add the tomatoes, bell peppers, water

•

Reducing carbon footprint by 2Kg[3], is equivalent to:

Simply cut the beetroot into pieces, wash the blackberries

and a crumbled vegetable stock cube and stir. Cover the pan

•

7.5 miles of driving in a car

and the mint leaves, put all the ingredients into a blender

and let it simmer for 15 minutes, while stirring occasionally.

•

Two days’ worth of light from a lamp[4]

and then add Alpro Plain with Coconut. All that is left to

Pour the red kidney beans into the pan and season with

•

The energy required to make 1,064 cups of tea[5]

do is blend, pour into a glass and enjoy!

lime juice, pepper and salt. Make sure to stir regularly so it

into thin slices, removing the seeds. Now, drain and rinse

does not stick to the pan. If it starts to thicken, add a dash of water. Serve the veggie chili with fresh coriander, a splash of lime juice, Alpro Go On Plain and naan or rice and enjoy!

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Cr a ft B e e r Fe s t i val Craft Beer Lovers Unite The Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair, Ireland’s largest gathering of craft brewers and distillers, returns to the Convention Centre Dublin for the sixth year from Thursday March 8th – Saturday March 10th 2018. This year’s event will host more than 50 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations and trends and a new ‘Distillers Quarter’, capturing the growing interest in craft spirits and cocktails.

The annual event has become the ‘go-to’ occasion for anyone with an interest in tasting, experimenting and meeting with the finest brewers from Ireland and overseas. Attendees will also be entertained by live music on the main stage, live Six Nations Rugby on three of the biggest screens in Dublin and a wide range of tasty eats to complement your favourite tipple.

Conor Farrell, Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair tell us, “We are really proud of how our Fair has evolved and grown over the last 5 years and it has been fantastic to witness the craft sector flourish in this time. Being an annual event, it provides a great benchmark to track key trends in the sector and of course to taste the latest innovations! In a positive outlook for the future almost two-thirds of our exhibitors have indicated that they are planning to increase their employee numbers in 2018 with many also expanding their offering into the growing food tourism area through the development of visitor attractions.”

New for 2018 The new ‘Distillers Quarter’ feature will serve the best craft spirits and cocktails created by leading mixologists. The area will offer a cosy lounge feel where visitors will have the opportunity to sample a range of tasty combinations, some of which will have been developed exclusively for the Fair.

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The event will also host a number of exciting new Irish drinks companies including Kinsale Mead Company, Ireland’s first producer of Mead in many years; Ha’Penny Gin, who will introduce a new Rhubarb Gin at the event; Beara Distillery founded in September 2017 by siblings passionate about all things gin; and two new craft breweries - Ballykilcavan Brewing Company who launched their first two beers in Summer 2017 and Larkins Brewing Company who have just launched three core beers in January 2018.

Limited Edition & Seasonal Brews With more than 400 brews on offer, the event will showcase well-established favourites alongside new innovations, collaborations, and seasonal specials. These include: Reel Deel Brewery’s Juniper and Orange Ale, brewed in collaboration with James Brown Brews and a Whiskey Barrel Aged Brown Ale with Connacht Whiskey Company; Rascal Brewing Company’s barrel aged beers including Flanders Red, aged in Sangiovese red wine barrels and a Bourbon Milkshake Stout aged in Bourbon barrels; Boyne Brewhouse’s limited edition imperial stout and pilot series as well as the launch of a new canned range; the launch of a new honey beer by Galway Hooker; and a range of new seasonal specials will be revealed at the event from 12 Acres, Rye River, Four Provinces and Station Works.

Dublin Craft Cups & Brewers Lectures On the opening night of the Fair, the winners of the Dublin Craft Beer and Cider Cup competitions will be announced by Head Judge, Brewmaster, Gearóid Cahill.

The competition, which allows craft brewers and cidermakers to have their brews rated, tasted and analysed by an expert, international panel of judges, is currently open for entries.

The Fair will also host the sixth instalment of the popular Brewers Lectures, a series of live events from leading industry magazine the Brewers Journal. The half day event will feature lectures, delivered by six expert speakers, designed to inspire change, generate discussion and share brewing.

Event Information For further information, including the full entertainment line-up and exhibitor listing visit www.alltechbrews.ie

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T O P 1 0 P L A CE S T O S I T A N D EN J OY A C O F F E E I N L I M E RI C K Everyone loves a good cup of coffee and a chat and Limerick is teeming with spots to go. Sometimes the hustle and bustle of the big coffee shops can put you off popping in with your friends for a meet up, so here at TLM we put together a list of the best places in Limerick to go for a coffee and a chat.

Chez le fab Straight away when you enter Chez le Fab (self described as the eclectic picnic by the park) you are greeted with the most friendly staff and amazing atmosphere. With so many places to sit, an animal friendly atmosphere and books and boardgames to use at your disposal, chez le fab is the ideal place for a coffee and a chat with friends.

Canteen Now nicely settled into their brand new location, Canteen also sports a new hip and modern interior. Immediately you feel at ease not wanting to just grab your coffee and go.

With an earthy wooden themed element throughout, Cafe Canteen is perfect to grab a coffee and sit down in comfort.

Rift Situated where canteen used to operate, Rift cafe adopts the same relaxed DIY wooden aesthetic as Canteen. With a cool relaxed atmosphere, Rift produces all organic coffee and provides the perfect area to drink it in. Just like canteen wooden benches surrounding the cafe make it just right for a quiet coffee with friends.

Olio and Farina On Catherine street limericks most loved coffee street Olio and Farina sports a great atmosphere, and is super cosy.

Old fashioned, top class and fuss free service. One of the oldest coffee shops in Limerick O&F is at the focal point of Limericks coffee scene with its prime location. A must go for a quiet city centre coffee with amazing food and oitside seating (perfect for a spot of people watching).

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Cafe Waffe

Jack Monday’s

The Buttery

Located on Mallow Street Cafe Waffe is another one of

Jack Mondays can be found next to Limericks Treaty Stone

Situated on Bedford Row, The Buttery brings us one of

Limericks hidden gems, sporting one of the nicest lunch

and boasts an eclectic menu. Overlooking the Shannon

the most aesthetic and nicely kept cafes Limerick has to

menus in town. With cheap affordable food and possibly

River, Jack Monday’s is just perfect for a sit down. Due

offer. With an honestly gorgeous interior, The Buttery, most

one of the nicest vegetarian menus on the market, Cafe

to its scenic location there is always room for a chat while

commonly known for it’s hearty breakfasts - also offers a

Waffe is just right for a lunchtime get together.

sampling a lovely affordable cup of coffee.

wide variety of lunch and evening dining options and the service is impeccable.

Ma’s Kitchen

Story Cafe

Nestled in the heart of the Milk Market, Ma’s Kitchen is

In the perfect location just on the cross section of Denmark

Ban an Ti

quite possibly one of the best places to grab a coffee and

Street and Cruises street Story Cafe is a truly unique one

On Limericks best known cafe street, Little Catherine

breakfast in Limerick. Ma’s recently expanded to include a

on this list. Using some of the best Limerick branding ever

Street, Ban an Ti is one of the best known Limerick Cafes.

extensive seating area, making Ma’s the quintessential coffee

‘Story Cafe’ is so aptly named because of the friendliest

With beautiful pastries and such a relaxed atmosphere

experience for meeting with friends, service with a smile.

owner who is always up for a chat and greets you with

inside, Ban an Ti had to sneak onto this list. Its outside

the penultimate limerick slang, ‘Sthory?’ With the perfect

sitting area is always teeming with friends catching up

people watching window Story Cafe is an exemplary place

and enjoying the weather. No trip to Limerick is complete

for a sit and a coffee

without a visit here so if you’re meeting friends why not pop down?

Article by: Cathal Ryan Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

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T L M R e s ta ur a n t G ui d e The definitive guide to limericks best places to eat Name: Kyoto Sushi & Noodle Address: 4 George’s Quay, Limerick Phone: 061 419 605 For a traditional Japanese meal, Kyoto has an atmospheric Asian dining room, and a bamboo beer garden to relax in.

With fresh fish in their sushi it’s hard to choose between smoked salmon, a tuna roll, or crab.

Name: Marcopolo Address: 38 O’Connell St, Limerick Phone: 061 412 888 With an elegant chandelier lit interior and a menu that allows you to create your own pasta dish, marcopolo provides a high-class dining experience without breaking the bank. Enjoy a night out with a 3-course dinner from €18 and relax at the bar, or make a family meal out of it.

Name: Camille Thai

Name: Milano

Name: Bella Italia

Address: Parkway Retail Park, Dublin Road, Limerick.

Address: Harvey’s Quay, Limerick

Address: 43 Thomas St, Limerick

Phone: 061 490 900

Phone: 061 462 030

Phone: 061 418 872

With a reputation as Ireland’s Healthiest Thai restaurant,

With beautiful riverside views Milano is a must for those

The family run restaurant has been in business for over 26

Camille’s freshly cooked authentic Thai food is made to

who love pizza but don’t want to dine in a fast food

years and gained a wonderful reputation within that time.

deliver, or enjoy in the vibrant restaurant itself. Camille is

restaurant. Milano offers a more elegant choice, and better

With traditional Italian dishes, pizzas, and a kiddies menu

conviently located outside of the city centre if you’re looking

pizza. Even vegans or those who are lactose intolerant will

everyone will be satisfied so it’s not hard to see how the

to dine in a spot quieter than the city centre.

be satisfied as the restaurant offers a tasty vegan mozzarella.

restaurant has remained so successful for so long.

Name: Aroi Asian Street Food

Name: The Buttery

Address: 1 O’Connell St, Limerick

Address: 10 Bedford Row, Limerick.

Phone: 061 311 411

Phone: 061 597 668

The name Aroi translates to mean delicious or tasty, which

Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even brunch the

is just what the restaurant has to offer. For a casual and

Buttery is an all-day eatery so feel free to stop in whenever

cheap dining experience, without sacrificing the quality

you start to feel peckish. Wake up to pancakes or French

of your choice of restaurant, Aroi’s main courses are all

toast or have something more savoury later on such as

approximately €11!

teriyaki pork taco’s or a burger.

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Name: El Toro BBQ Address: 4 Henry St, Limerick Phone: 061 221 41 For filling BBQ delights, El Toro offers BBQ favourites such as ribs, buffalo wings, and hefty ½ punder burgers all providing the BBQ ambiance without the fuss. With a relaxed and Texan dining space, El Toro will leave you unable to move after your meal.

Name: Aunty Lena’s Bar Adare Address: Main St, Blackabbey, Adare, Co. Limerick Phone: 061 396 114 Specialising in Irish dishes, locals and tourists alike wil be pleased with Aunty Lena’s. Have a hearty full Irish breakfast and treat the kids to pancakes or feel right at home for dinner with traditional bacon and cabbage.

Name: The East Room

Address: Echo Lodge, Ballingary, Co. Limerick

Address: Plassey House, University of Limerick.

Phone: 069 68508

Phone: 061 202186

Surrounded by beautiful plant life, and located in a refine

Offering patrons the perfect balance of fine dining,

lodge in Ballingary, the Mustard Seed eminates a relaxed

elegance and comfort, The East Room infuses a

and sophisciated atmosphere. Spend the night, and drop in

creative and sumptuous menu, excellent service,

for a bite to eat while exporing County Limerick.

carefully chosen wines from around the world and authentic local hospitality at truly affordable prices. All dishes are created using only the finest

Name: Absolute Bar & Grill

and freshest of local and Irish ingredients so that

Address: Sir Harry’s Mall, Limerick

you always feel that each dining experience is a

Phone: 061 463 600

unique event and worthy of any special occasion.

Located in the Absolute Hotel, the bar & grill caters for

RE S TAURANT OF THE MON TH

Name: The Mustard Seed

Communion and Confirmations, familys, and couples or friends with their “wine and dine” menu. With a wide selection of meals and both coeliac and vegatarian friendly, everyone will be satisfied.

Name: The Silver Room Address: Bishop St, Gortboy, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick Phone: 069 61721 Having only opened earlier this year, the Silver Room, set up by two friends, is passionate and energetic. With reasonably priced lunch specials and mains such as steamed salmon salad and angus beef burgers, The Silver Room is eager to impress.

Name: Texas Steakout Address: 116 O’Connell Street, Limerick Phone: 061 414 440 For a Western inspired dining experience, Texas Steakout offers mouthwatering steaks, ribs, and more. A pleasant surprise for vegetarians is that there are several main courses to choose from – unlike the name of the restaurant suggests - and a kiddies menu too, there’s something the whole

Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

family will enjoy.

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s ta r t u p s p o t l i g h t Pinpoint Innovations

“We were lucky to meet someone in the hospital who said we might be better to apply this in a medical way, they were looking for a patient tracking system without having to invest in huge infrastructure” he continued. They then devised a way to create a patient tracking system to be used with Wi-Fi, which means the system is cheaper and doesn’t cost as much for hospitals to implement. There was even a brief spell prior to Xsonor, where he tried to create a dating app that gave directions to meet people. However, the idea was then scrapped.

In terms of putting the product together, Chris admits that it was his co-founder Eoin O’Brien who did most of the design. However, Chris who was also studying electronic computer engineering at the time had an understanding of technical engineering. “It was a combination of my two business partners who helped build the product”, he concluded. Chris’s current role in the business is primarily management and sales.

Pinpoint Innovations is home to an innovative wearable

Chris first ventured into business and technology while

By the time the product went to trial, the team were only

device, called Xsonor that tracks patient and equipment

still in secondary school when he entered a competition to

19 years old. “The hospital was looking at us saying ‘can you

locations throughout their time in hospital care. This device

win a scholarship in sixth year. He built a programme to

actually deliver what you’re saying’ so we did some initial

promises to record performance indicators of a theatre, and

analyse crops, due to having grown up in the country side.

trials to prove to them we could do what we said we would

gives hospital staff instant data saving both time and funds.

Chris won the competition with a prototype that measured

do, so then they rolled out to full pilot based on the results

By recording the time patients spend in each part of their

how much fertiliser was used and how much was needed

we got from the initial stage”, Chris recalled. The pilot

care, the hospital can see how efficient they are performing,

to improve farming efficiency. This idea later transformed

finished at the end of last year, and the team developed a

and what can change to improve patient care.

to become Pinpoint Innovations’, Xsonor wearable devices.

new version of the product to improve upon features and

As for how Pinpoint Innovations was conceived, Chris

issues picked up during the pilot. The team is aware of the

CEO and co-founder Chris Kelly spoke to The Limerick

explained how they were “building the technology for a

fact that healthcare is not something they can afford to

Magazine about his ventures to date with Pinpoint

completely different application at the time”.

have go wrong, and that technology would come second in

innovations.

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hospitals.

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While putting Xsonor together, they had to “think like a hacker” to prevent the device from being compromised.

As for the support Pinpoint Innovations received from the local start-up community, Chris feels they received a lot of support. “We would have been based in the Nexus Innovation Centre for our first year and a bit”, he explained, “We got to know the likes of Shane McCarthy, Barry Lunn”. They also received funding from the Local Enterprise Office.

The businessmen Chris aspires to be would be Elon Musk and Richard Branson. “I would have always said Musk but I just read Branson’s book over Christmas so it would be between the two of them, I quite like Musk’s ambition but I think Richard Branson’s personality would be a role model” he said.

To the young entrepreneur, success and the future of Pinpoint Innovations entails continued growth of the startup and the opportunity to employ more people. He hopes they become “a functioning business that doesn’t need more funding”. “I would be more than happy with that” he concluded.

Chris also hopes that Pinpoint Innovations will expand in Ireland, and then launch in the UK by mid next year.

He hopes to have offices in the London area, as a lot of competitors are moving to the UK. However, believes the US will be the next big move after this. Having said that he has hopes to expand into different markets and countries, Chris believes that: “Limerick will always be our home but I want to have an international presence”.

The Pinpoint Innovations team is made up of Chris Kelly, Eoin O’Brien, and Fionn Barron.

Article by: Aisling O’Connor

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Building Brands "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” This quote by artist Vincent Van Gogh rings true in many

In today’s technologically advanced and fast moving society,

The brand essence sets them apart from the competition

circumstances in life. It resonates particularly when it comes

brands begin in our heads or in some cases, our hearts. How

and gives the audience the primary reason to choose that

to building a strong brand. While there are many factors that

you think and feel about a brand is the brand. Our thoughts,

brand over a competitor. It is important to consider the

influence and affect the development of a brand, the efforts

our feelings and our experiences of a brand all contribute to

relationship that your audience needs to have with your

invested from within go a long way in assisting the growth

the overall brand itself. Hence why these intangibles are so

brand's essence. This is a vital aspect of it as it encapsulates

of your brand's reputation, identity and indeed, bottom

important. “What you make people feel is just as important

your entire brand. Choosing something which is irrelevant

line. That is why devising a strategy is crucial for any brand.

as what you make” - BMW

to your audience can, and often will, contribute to the failure

Taking the time to step back and assess the many moving

of brands. Doing your research here is paramount. Don’t be

parts of your brand will not only give you the perspective,

But how do we define these intangibles? The basis for

afraid to ask the audience for their thoughts on your brand,

but it will also allow you to develop a plan for progression.

brands should be comprised of strongly defined facets that

this is rarely a wasted activity. In fact it can give affirmation

But what are these series of small things that you need to

all work together and ensure that people experience your

to your alignment with your audience or indeed highlight

consider within your brand? To many they may seem small

brand in the way that you intend them to.

the opposite, however the case may be, dialogue with your

but we experience first hand the power behind each of these

audience will allow for the creation of an authentic brand

elements that form the building block of great brands. It's

Let us begin with brand essence. Your brand essence is what

essence. Once you have this you need to protect, uphold

possible that you may have heard of these before but what

sets you apart from the competition, it is what makes you

and really live and breathe it. You must ensure that you are

exactly are they and how do they impact on the creation of

unique. It is the very fibre of your brand. Sometimes this

consistent with your brand essence. Volvo always makes

one great brand? Over the coming months we are going to

is referred to as brand DNA, soul, mantra, etc. It doesn’t

cars that are safe and Disney World is always magical, so

delve into these brand components and examine what they

matter what you call it as long as you can define it. What

treat your essence as the benchmark that informs all brand

are, how you can define them and why they are important.

is it that sets you apart from your competition? Can you

activity and you should be set!

define this in one word? “A brand becomes stronger when you narrow it's focus” - Ries & Ries, The 22 Immutable

Keep an eye on next month's issue that will explore brand

Laws of Branding. Having focus on your brand essence

purpose, why is this different from brand essence and what

is essential. Some widely recognised examples of brand

gives brand meaning.

essence are Apple - Think Different, Walt Disney World - Magical and Volvo - Safety. For each of these brands, their essence underpins absolutely everything that they do.

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Article by: Sandra Honan

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H e a lt h a n d Fi t n e ss Staying on Track When it’s Cold and Dreary Outside Let’s be honest, it’s hard to stay enthusiastic and motivated

Heat shock proteins also seek out and destroy free radicals.

when the weather makes you feel as though there is a

With the increase of temperature in the sauna your heart

constant cloud over your head, but often these sessions

starts to beat faster in a similar way as if you were doing

prove to be the best sessions of the lot. With winter, comes

a cardio session. As we age proteins in our cells start to

longer nights and shorter days, and while the amount of

dysfunction, they start to cluster together and as a group

Vitamin D is pretty hard to obtain naturally as it stands in

cause problems in our blood cells in the form of plaque.

Ireland, the shorter days certainly don’t help.

The beauty of heat shock proteins is they help prevent this from happening. Heat stress activates them, and they can

What some people fail to realise, is that we need UVB

be active for an extended period of time, in most cases for a

radiation (sunlight exposure) for our skin to produce

couple of weeks. Science has shown that people who have

Vitamin D. There are also a couple of factors that inhibit

a higher level of heat shock proteins have a greater chance

the production of Vitamin D. Age (as we age, we tend to

of living to 100yrs old….Start booking that sun holiday

produce less than we once did), skin types (melanin is a

quickly.

natural Sunscreen), body fat content (this one is interesting, because Vitamin D is a Fat-soluble vitamin, which means

Understanding the Reason ‘Why?’

that more of it gets stored in the fat and less is released in

All the motivation in the world won’t get you into the gym

to your blood stream).

day after day, if you haven’t decided on the real reason you Sign up for a New Challenge or New Goal

are in there. Be true to yourself and you need to be 100% in

In Ireland Vitamin D can be obtained through

There is nothing better than setting a goal to keep you

tune with you ‘WHY?’ I find that writing things down (Yes

supplementation from any good health food store, and

fired up and highly motivated. It doesn’t need to be an

I still use pen and paper) at the start of the week really helps

through diet with the likes of oily fish. So those dark days

international contest or World Championships. It can be

and will keep me consistent. Also put a photo up on your

can make getting to the gym a workout in itself.

something as simple as completing your first 10k run or

fridge alongside your weekly plan. Have a look at it each

setting your sights on the likes of the now famous ‘Great

day and watch it all come together. If anything, enjoy the

Get Outside

Limerick Run’. Doing a Powerlifting Competition in

journey and the whole process and don’t be in a rush to see

Even if it is cold out it is absolutely worth it to get out and

LPC (Limerick Power Lifting Club). Doing the Adare

it all happen tomorrow.

enjoy a walk. The thing with winter is that it may force you

to Survive, or Tough Mudder. Whatever your goal maybe,

to think outside the box a little and reinvent yourself a little

make it part of your reason to go to the gym. Limerick isn’t

in terms of the type of sports and where you exercise you do.

called Sporting Limerick for no reason, there are endless

So if you are a runner then why not take the opportunity

clubs, gyms, organisations that you have access to, so get

to weight train.

researching and get your plan in motion.

Get in out of the Cold – A nice hot class or Sauna Getting in to the Sauna is a phenomenal way of increasing your heat shock proteins. Heat causes heat Stress, which in turn produces these heat shock proteins in response to this stress. Proteins in our bodies are constantly working.

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Article by: Jason Kenny

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Li m e r i ck M us i c R o un d u p

Pity of the Sea - Abandoned EP

Dylan Flynn - Soho

In this new music endeavour, Ger Devine and Tony

Dylan Flynn (Monday Villains) is a young upcoming artist

Monahan (Protobaby) delve into the mind and motives

from Limerick. In June 2017, Dylan previously released

of a ruthless, fictional killer. In this five track EP, Pity of

an acoustic project entitled ‘Finally’. Following a string of

the Sea raises questions on morals and perspective through

live performances and devotion to writing and recording,

studying this character. Despite these complex themes, the

Flynn returns with rock track ‘Soho’. This feel-good track is

tracks themselves are presented in a simplistic manner with

packed full of youthful energy and vigor. Flynn’s raw, punk-

clean riffs and steady rhythm throughout, never straying

esque vocals are complemented by percussion-soaked guitar

too far from the basics. This straightforward approach lays

riffs and all-round intensity.

the perfect foundation for the dark and complicated song topics, careful not to overwhelm the listener.

Zombie Picnic – Rise of a new Ideology Zombie Picnic has returned blasting fresh prog-rock with their much-awaited second album Rise of a new Ideology.

Sophie Flanagan - Numb

Slow Riot – Voyeur/ Burn the city

The Limerick based 4 piece instrumental band has

Young singer-songwriter Sophie Flanagan recently released

Hitting us with loud and heavy shoe gaze, local Lim-

created an extremely eclectic sound with their new album.

her debut single, ‘Numb’. ‘Numb’ is a stunning homage to

rockers Slow Riot blasted back into the scene with the loud

Recording outrageous vocal samples layered with intricate

the hardships and struggles of heartache. Sophie Flanagan

distorted sound of their new single Voyeur/ Burn the city.

solos, makes us think of Pink Floyd brought to much darker

writes far beyond her years in this mature and apt account

A two track release featuring droning guitars and heavy

places. The new album released on vinyl, features two raw

of coping with overwhelming emotion, pleading for

riffs reminiscent of Slowdrive makes this an unforgettable

progressive songs coupled with four ‘poppier’ songs on side

numbness. Flanagan’s influences stem from a plethora of

glimpse into the peddle driven sound Slow Riot undertake.

B to create a very unique sound. Both the artwork and song

powerful, modern voices such as Halsey and Daughter.

Both tracks explode from the onset hitting us with reverb-

titles grab the listener as much as the songs, with the whole

‘Numb’ shows not only outstanding promise for the young

laden madness, structured fantastically. Voyeur from

album fitting together into a beautifully cohesive aesthetic.

singer songwriter, but also leaves listeners with a want for

its opening chords smacks us with a clear post-punk

Rise of a new Ideology launches in Dolans on March 9th

more; a want to watch Flanagan grow and develop as an

arrangement with Slow Riots unique driven sound and

with the Casavettes on support.

artist and see where her next single takes us.

Burn the City only reinforces this blasting overdrive. This single is sure to just be a taste of what is to come in 2018.

Article by: Christine Costello & Cathal Ryan

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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

T h e at r e With a penchant love for the theatre, I am forever curious

I learned the importance of ensemble: the concept of a team

By the time this goes to print I will have finished directing

about the lives that theatre folk live. Lustful of their creativity

working in tandem towards a common goal. I also made

Limerick Youth Theatre's Transition Year production of

and artistic ability, I use every chance I get to hear their tales

friends for life, many of whom I still collaborate with on

Frank Wedekind's Spring Awakening in a new version by

of folly and sometimes tales of woe. For the purpose of this

a regular basis. I was involved in many productions during

Stefanie Priessner and Gyuri Vidovszky. Its a production

article, I sat with Shane Hickey-O'Mara, a face I'm guessing

this time and eventually worked up the courage to put

that's been in the works since last autumn and with whom I

a lot of Limerick theatre goers will recognise and a name

myself forward as director. I haven't stopped since, having

will work with some of Limerick's leading theatre makers as

theatre-makers will know!

now directed seven plays!

well as a cast of twenty transition years: the next generation of Limerick artists.

Shane, great to chat with you today; well, you certainly

Amazing! Are you part of a theatre group?

have a warm familiar face that I'm sure many people who

Having initially worked together on MIDAS productions,

Wow, best of luck with that! Can I ask now, what is your

visit the theatres of Limerick will recognise. Please tell

fellow Limerick theatre artists Niall Carmody, Johanna

ultimate aim with these projects?

our readers what it is you actually do.

O'Brien, Eleanor O'Brien and I decided to set up a theatre

With every production I hope to further develop my skills

I've been working in all aspects of theatre for the past

collective in order to create and stage work that we wanted

as a director, collaborating with and sharing ideas with

five years both as a theatre-maker and in administration

to do. We called the collective Tiger's Eye Theatre (TET),

different teams. Regarding Tiger's Eye, we realise that this

and customer service. I began working in The Lime Tree

taking the name from the Tiger's Eye, a golden-brown stone

is a long game, we want to continue to develop new work

Theatre the month it opened in 2012 while I was still in

in the shape of the eponymous animal's eye that's associated

in addition to staging established productions and personal

college, I began in Front of House and then transferred to

with courage, success and positive mental health! We have

passion projects. The aim is to establish an audience and, in

Box Office when I left college. When the theatre took over

worked with nearly twenty different theatre makers over all

doing so, make a living working in what is an ever growing

the running of The Belltable I also began working there in

on our productions and make sure that every collaborator

and competitive industry. Although each member of our

the same role. In this time I have also worked backstage on

receives their own Tiger's Eye at the end of the run. We

team also holds down a day job we relish the periods in

numerous productions and tours in addition to honing my

produced a production of Wilde's The Importance of Being

which we get to collaborate and share ideas!

skills as a director, a role I am passionately pursuing! I’m also

Earnest in the incredible No. 1 Pery Square last summer,

currently studying for a Certificate in Directing from NUIM

premiered Niall Carmody's new work Play on Words at

Ambitious certainly is a fitting word for you so! Having

under the brilliant director Peter Hussey: it’s a course that

Smock Alley's Scene & Heard Festival and subsequently

directed both original plays and some classics that have

I would recommend to any burgeoning director given its

brought it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for a month

been around a while, which do you prefer to direct; plays

concentration on acquiring practical skills!

long run last summer.

that people have seen before and you must put your own stamp on, or something brand new?

Wow, you juggle quite the bit from working in the theatre,

That sounds like a very productive and ambitious set of

I've directed a real mix of work: I see every production as a

directing your own independent pieces and studying!

people you're surrounded by. What is your next venture?

new opportunity to learn and grow. My first play was Enda

When and how did this all begin for you?

Building off the four star review we received from The

Walsh's masterpiece, Disco Pigs, a piece that I had wanted

I've loved theatre my whole life, my parents brought me to

Scotsman at The Edinburgh Fringe we are bringing Play on

to direct for years and one which solidified my ambition

plays in The Belltable Arts Centre whenever they could,

Words to the Limerick Fringe from April 5th to 7th. Our

to continue in the role of director. Closer by Patrick

but it wasn't until I started college that I first got involved

venue is Chez le Fab and we can't wait to perform the piece

Marber and Constellations by Nick Payne were modern

in productions with the Mary I Dramatic Arts Society

to a home audience at long last. Niall has completed two

plays focusing on relationships and sexuality were my next

(MIDAS). I'm naturally quite a shy person but theatre really

other plays in the last year and we hope to develop them in

pieces. Then came a string of Assistant Director jobs under

helped me to get out of my shell. MIDAS was itself an

the near future... watch this space! A return to Edinburgh

established director's Ann Blake, Naomi O'Kelly and Paul

invaluable theatre education and it was with the society that

is also on the cards...

Meade, experiences during which I learned so much about the role.

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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE The formation of Tiger's Eye led to my two greatest challenges to date, Earnest is a classic and with a cast of nine it was an often unwieldly but worthwhile experience.

The aforementioned Play on Words is the first time that I have worked on a new piece of writing, watching it evolve over the past two years has been eye opening, it's a unique process and one that has proved both challenging and invigorating, but it is an experience that has ultimately led to the formation of a strong team of collaborators. It's a great piece of work, a dystopian comedy that puts wordplay centre-stage and which features dynamic performances from the O'Brien sisters and American actor, Patrick Flannery.

I actually remember a buzz around that play, when you toured did you get to perform it many times?

We were lucky to have been accepted to Scene & Heard in Dublin where we performed it for the first time.

Performing it at The Edinburgh Fringe last summer was quite the experience, a true test of endurance because we performed it over thirty times! We can't wait to finally stage it in Limerick and to hopefully take it, and other new plays, further afield in the coming years.

As a director, is it hard to get time and funding for new productions?

It's difficult alright, luckily The Lime Tree/ Belltable have been so facilitating with giving me time to work on projects. It's a time consuming and expensive way to make a living and we haven't had the best of luck when it comes to funding so far but, unlike money, we have plenty of moxie and endeavour to do whatever it takes to bring this and future productions from page to stage! Nearly every member of the team has a project brewing and the hope is to realise these ambitions in the near future. At the end of the day it's a long game, a game we play not for financial reward (it's theatre after all) but because we have stories to tell and ideas to share.

I'm sure your level-headed approach will stand to you all.

Getting funding seems like an arduous task. We should all appreciate our community artists so much morethank you and yours!

Arduos, certainly, but when you meet someone who enjoyed or was moved by your work...there isn't a better feeling! I've been so lucky to have worked with so many extraordinary artists in the past, when you're working with great people it never feels like work!

Article by: Rebecca Egan

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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

TLM pub Guide The definiti ve guide to limericks best places to drink

Name: Charlie Malone’s Address: 19 Wolfe Tone Street, Limerick Phone Number: 087 1234657 Entertainment: live music Food: all day Charlie Malone’s, back to the basics for old-fashioned pubs.

The wooden interior and old style shop is a blast from the past keeping the old Irish pub culture alive and well.

Name: Charlie St George Address: Parnell Plaza Entertainment Venue, 41-43 Parnell Street, Limerick Phone Number: 061 279 900 Entertainment: live music Food: lunch specials As one of the oldest pubs in Limerick and even visited by the likes of Richard Harris and Russell Crowe, Charlie St George is full of Limerick’s history.

Name: The Curragower Bar & Restaurant Address: Clancy’s Strand Phone Number: 061 321 788 Food: all day in restaurant

Name: Costello’s Tavern Address: 4 Dominic Street, Limerick Phone Number: 061 418 250

With spectacular views of the River Shannon and King John’s castle, the Curragower also offers award winning food and a wide selection of drinks.

Entertainment: DJs Food: all day As one of the most popular locations for Limerick night life, Costellos’ offers a bar and beer pong tables downstairs and a dance floor upstairs providing the best of a nightclub and a pub.

Name: Dolan’s Pub and Restaurant Address: 3 -4 Dock Road, Limerick

Name: Mickey Martins

Phone Number: 061 314 483

Address: Augustinian Lane, Limerick City

Entertainment: traditional

Phone Number: 061 415 490

Food: all day

Entertainment: DJs

One of the key live entertainment spots in Limerick,

Described as a “funky little bar”, Mickey Martins is home to

Dolan’s is a pub, restaurant, and music venue all in one, with

those on the more alternative side.

something for everyone who comes in.

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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Address: 101 O’Connell Street, Limerick City Phone Number: (061) 597 164 Entertainment: live music A Modern day Speak Easy Establishment with Name: Fennessy’s Pub

Name: Nancy Blake’s

Address: 1 New Street, Limerick

Address: Denmark Street, Limerick

Phone Number: 061 229 038

Phone Number: 061 416 443

Entertainment: live music

Entertainment: live music

Food: lunch, sandwich bar

Food: finger food

Established in 1904, Fennessy’s is one of Limerick’s oldest

The traditional pub boast a beer garden as an ideal spot to

pubs, with rich character and history. Fennessy’s is happy to

enjoy live music or to watch a match.

a twist including a 1920's Flavoured Parlour Bar and a Garden Bar with a hint of Tikki.

PUB OF THE MON TH

Name: 101 O'Connell Street

serve anyone for get-togethers or those just looking for a pint or a cup of coffee.

Name: Stroker’s Equality Bar Address: 17 Upper William Street, Limerick Name: Mother Macs

Phone Number: 061 315 831

Address: High Street, Limerick City

Entertainment: Parties, live music, DJs,

Phone Number: 061 414 900

Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or

Entertainment: live music

an ally, Stroker’s offers a vibrant atmosphere where all are

The bright blue pub is one of Limerick’s most iconic

welcome.

Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

buildings, and is known for its wide selection of craft beers.

Name: Smyths Bar Name: Myles Breen’s

Address: Denmark Street, Limerick City

Address: 18 Shannon Street, Limerick

Phone Number: 061 310 766

Phone Number: 061 414 327

Entertainment: live music

With a welcoming atmosphere, high quality pints of

Food: until 6pm

Guinness, and gin lessons, there’s a good reason the pub

A Limerick hotspot, Smyths keeps all entertained with

opened in 1802 and is still booming.

music 7-nights a week of popular rock and pop music.

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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

L i t e r at ur e B o o k R ev i ew s 10 Books To Read This Month

How is it March already? This year is flying. So far in 2018

Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews

there have been some fantastic books published and March

There are plenty of good fictional spy novels out there but

is no exception. If you prefer reading the book before seeing

what sets this one apart is that it was written by no other

the movie there are also some wonderful movie adaptions

than a 33-year veteran of the C.I.A. No doubt we will be

of books promised in March. Make it a goal this month to

privy to real life spy methods, taken from Matthews own

sit down with one good book and de-stress. Happy reading!

experience. Set in modern Russia under President Vladimir Putin, Russian intelligence officer Dominika Egorova is a “Sparrow,” a trained seductress and is assigned to operate against Nathaniel Nash, a young CIA officer. The movie adaption of the book hits movie theatres March 2nd starring Jennifer Lawrence, Mary-Louise Parker, Joel Edgerton.

Anatomy of a Miracle by Jonathan Miles

The Reluctant Fortune-Teller by Keziah Frost

Hitting bookshops March 13th, this novel focuses on a

Published March 6th. Norbert Zelenka is a widowed

paralyzed young man’s unexplainable recovery. Four years

73-year-old retired accountant who finds himself broke

after his accident Cameron Harris inexplicably rises out

after being to generous with others. Three senior women

of his chair. Quickly scientists, journalists, and a Vatican

make Norbert their next project and convince him to

investigator start digging and Cameron struggles to hold

become a fortune-teller to pay the bills. At first Norbert

onto his identity, humanity and secrets as every aspect of his

is uncomfortable in his new role but soon realises that his

condition is put under scrutiny and he begins to be regarded

years of observing others makes him very good at helping

as a symbol of hope.

others with their problems. He soon runs into difficulties when a woman he gave a bad reading to goes missing.

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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

My Dead Parents by Anya Yurchyshyn

You might have heard the buzz for Love, Simon, a movie

Published March 27th. Anya Yurchyshyn, a Ukrainian-

being released on March 16th about a closeted high school

American writer's writes of the heart-breaking details she

boy who is blackmailed to come out before he’s ready to and

learned about her parents and their relationship after the

has to deal with everything that entails. It promises to be a

death of her widowed, alcoholic mother. One daughter’s

very poignant, coming of age story and if you can’t wait for

journey to truly understand whom her parents were.

the movie release, you’re in luck as it’s actually based on a book by Becky Albertalli.

The Woman’s Hour: The Last Furious Fight to Win the

Miles J. Unger

Vote by Elaine Weiss

Published March 13th. This is the captivating story of how

Marking 100 years of American women being able to vote,

Love Hardin

an obscure young painter from Barcelona came to Paris and

this book is an inspiring story of activists winning their own

This promises to be a powerful read, The

slowly made himself into the most influential artist of the

freedom and civil rights. This book gives us a history of the

Sun Does Shine is a memoir from one of

twentieth century. The scandalous painting which started

political battle in Tennessee in 1920 over the ratification

the longest-serving condemned Death Row

his career: Les Demoiselles d’Avignon

of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The

inmates to be found innocent in America. In

Woman’s Hour will make an interesting read for those of us

1985, Anthony Ray Hinton was only 29 years

wanting to look back on how far women have come. Hitting

old when he was arrested and charged with two

bookshops on March 6th.

counts of capital murder in Alabama. He knew

b ook OF TH E MONTH

Picasso and the Painting that Shocked the World by

it was a case of mistaken identity but didn’t think that a young poor black man from the South could beat the justice system. He kept his faith though and with the help of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, Hinton won his release in 2015. Hinton’s memoir tells the story of the power of hope as he recounts how The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian

A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle

A thrilling story about how life can change in one night.

Grab a copy of the book from your local bookshop before

Cassandra Bowden wakes up hung-over in a Dubai hotel

it comes to cinemas March 23rd. Meg Murry, her small

room with no memory of the night before and a dead man

brother Charles Wallace and the most popular boy in school

in bed with her. Too scared to call the police she pretends

set out on an adventure across time and space in search of

it didn’t happen, boards her next plane and lies to her

Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in

colleagues and continues lying until FBI agents meet her

secret work. The movie adaption will star Oprah Winfrey,

at the gate and she’s forced to deal with the gap in her

Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Mindy Kaling.

night and the dead man she woke up beside. Coming to

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton and Laura

he found a way to live for 35 years on Death Row. Published March 27th.

Article by: Sarah Talty

bookshops on March 13th.

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TV MARCH 2018

Love

Sneaky Pete

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Returning for its third and final season, "Love" follows

Created by David Shore and the immensely talented Bryan

The hilarious Brooklyn Nine-Nine took a dark turn at the

Mickey (Community's Gillian Jacobs) and Gus (co-

Cranston ("Breaking Bad"), Sneaky Pete follows the story

end of season four, with Detectives Jake Peralta (Andy

creator Paul Rust) as they try to make their relationship

of Marius, a conman who is released from prison and steals

Samberg) and Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) sent to

work. Diverging from the usual rom-com style, "Love" is

the identity of his cellmate to avoid paying money to a

prison for a crime they didn't commit. Season five sees

a bittersweet and very funny show - no surprise as Judd

gangster from his past. Boasting a 100% Rotten Tomatoes

the remaining members of the squad trying to hold things

Apatow ("Knocked Up" and "The 40-Year Old Virgin") is

score, the series stars Giovanni Ribisi (“Avatar”, “Friends”)

together in the precinct while trying to figure out how

co-creator. The show's run has portrayed Mickey and Gus'

as Marius, and this season he begins to realise that being

to get Jake and Rosa out of prison. Meanwhile, Jake and

relationship with realism unseen in your average romantic

Pete comes with its own problems. Just as he was about to

Rosa meet various interesting characters in their respective

comedy, with each character as flawed as they are funny. The

start life afresh, Pete's estranged mother reappears and with

prisons, with Jake becoming cellmates with a cannibal.

self-destructive couple will return to Netflix on March 9th

millions of stolen dollars at stake, he must keep up the Pete

This season also marks the series' 99th and 100th episodes,

and perhaps finally, we may discover if Mickey and Gus will

con. Season one was well received by both critics and fans

quite momentous considering every episode so far has been

ultimately find love together.

so hopefully season two will be just as good. Check it out

stellar. Continue the laughs when it airs this month on E4.

on Amazon Prime on March 9th.

Marvel's Jessica Jones

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Billions

Marvel's Jessica Jones returns for a second season on 8

Entering season two, Neil Patrick Harris returns as Count

Back for season three, Billions returns to our screens in

March, which coincidentally is International Women's Day

Olaf in this Netflix adaptation of the book series of the

which Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis are wealthy,

- quite an apt release date for a kick ass female superhero.

same name. It's recently been announced that there will

powerful enemies. This season sees Wendy put in a difficult

This season will focus on Jessica exploring what caused

only be three seasons, so at least fans can be assured that

position, in which she has to choose between her husband

her family's deaths when she was a child as she is plagued

the books are adapted faithfully. The series follows the

Chuck (Giamatti) and her boss Axe (Lewis). The men are

by disturbing memories that she struggles to understand.

turbulent lives of Sunny, Violet and Klaus Baudelaire after

determined to destroy each other but the drama may be

With Krysten Ritter in the leading role, it seems the mind-

they go to live with Count Olaf, a distant relative, following

amplified with the arrival of a Russian billionaire, played

controlling Kilgrave (brilliantly played by Doctor Who's

their parents' deaths. Created by Lemony Snicket author

by the inimitable John Malkovich. Catch up on the action

David Tennant) may be returning in some form, despite his

Daniel Handler, and co-executive produced with Barry

when it premieres on Sky Atlantic on 29 March.

death at the end of the last season. As she deals with the

Sonnenfeld ("Men In Black"), season two will see Count

trauma of her parents' car accident and her investigation

Olaf up the ante in trying to steal the childrens' inheritance.

into the experiments conducted on her afterwards, Jessica

Watch Olaf and his antics on 30th March.

has a lot on her plate this season. But who will be the villain to add to her troubles?

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Article By: Sarah Lafferty

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

TLM event Guide EXHIBITION/TALK

FAMILY/KIDS

MUSIC

Thursday 1st

Saturday 3rd

Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th

A Conversation with Dean Strang @ UCH 8pm

The Cottage Market Kilmallock @ The Peoples Hall,

Limerick Choral Festival

Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th

Killmallock 11am

Tuesday 6th

The Limerick Writers’ Centre Presents Screenwriting with

Saturday 3rd

The Acoustic Club with Anne Rynne @ Charlie Malones

Gerry Stembridge @ The Limerick Writers’ Centre

Storytime with Roisin @ The Granary 11.30am

9pm

Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th

Friday 9th - Sunday 16th

Wednesday 7th

Dive Ireland International Expo @ Radisson Blu Hotel and

It Runs in the Family - Cappagh Drama Group @ Cappagh

Sons of Kemet @ Dolans Warehouse 8pm

Spa 9am – 5pm

Community Hall

Saturday 10th

Monday 5th

Thursday 15th - Monday 19th

Paddy Casey at St. John's Church, Knockainey @ 8.30pm

Conversation Programme for People Living with Dementia

Fossett's Circus - 130th Anniversary Tour of Ireland @

Friday 16th

@ The Hunt Museum 2.30pm - 4pm

Cleeve’s Car Park, O’Callaghan Strand, Limerick

Traditional Irish Music Session at Dolan's Bar @ 9pm

Tuesday 6th

Thursday 15th - Sunday 18th

Sunday 18th

'On the Nail' March Literary Gathering @ Chez le Fab

St. Patrick's Festival Weekend @ Nevsail Watersports

Brian Deady @ Dolans Warehouse 8pm

8pm

Friday 16th - Monday 19th

Monday 12th - Sunday 18th

Escape Limerick - St. Patrick's Weekend Special @ 14/15

A Postcard From Ireland @ The Little Jerusalem Studio

Nicholas Street, Limerick 10am - 10pm

SPORT

Tuesday 20th

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th

Sunday 4th

History Talk & Tour - Milo Petrovic-Njegoš, Prince of

Limerick St. Patrick's Festival

Betterlife Ballyhoura Challenge @ Ballyhoura Mountain

Montenegro @ St.Mary’s Cathedral 1.15pm

Saturday 17th

Bike Trail

Limerick St. Patrick's Day Parade @ 12pm

Kilfinane, Co Limerick

Monday 19th

Sunday 11th

Family Fun Race Day at Limerick Racecourse @ 2pm

Castleconnell 5k & 10k @ 1.30pm Saturday 24th Munster v Scarlets @ Thomond Park Stadium 5.30pm Saturday 31st Munster v RC Toulon @ Thomond Park Stadium 3.15pm

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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

COMEDY/THEATRE Thursday 1st – Sunday 4th Arsenic & Old Lace @ Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick 8pm Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th & Friday 9th - Sunday 11th West Limerick Drama Festival @ Knockaderry Resource Centre Tuesday 6th Romeo & Juliet - The Ballet @ UCH 8pm Wednesday 7th - Saturday 10th Waiting for Godot @ Lime Tree Theatre 8pm Friday 9th Dead Certain @ Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick 8pm Sunday 11th - Sunday 18th European Outdoor Arts Academy - Limerick School of Spectacle @ The Irish Aerial Creation Centre, Burlington Estate, Gillogue, Corbally, Co. Clare Tuesday 13th Russell Brand @ UCH 8pm

F o l l o w u s o n l i n e f o r m o r e e v e n t l i s t i n g s w w w .t h e l i m e r i c k m a g a z i n e . c o m

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Cl o s i n g ti me 1 0 M i n u t e s With...

Pat Carroll

Occupation:

Are you superstitious/do you have any personal rituals

Innovation Community Manager at Bank of Ireland.

for good luck?

No, luckily.

Fun fact about you: I once summited Macchu Picchu.

How would you sum up your life in 6 words?

Happily keeping myself between the ditches.

What motivates you in the morning?

The untold promise of the day ahead – that and coffee.

Describe your ideal weekend in Limerick?

Founder Friday meet up in Mothermacs. Maybe a gig at

What one thing do you never leave the house without?

Dolan’s Warehouse. Saturday morning always includes

My Apple Wireless Headphones.

meandering through the ‘pumping heart’ of Limerick’s Milk Market. After taking the ‘three bridges’ walk along

Any hidden or lesser known talents?

our beautifully rejuvenated quay, a well-earned chowder

I sing in the Killaloe Male Voice Choir.

in The Carragower Pub is ideal. On Sunday – enjoying watching Munster play at Thomond Park with friends

As a child what did you want to be growing up?

and family.

A Fireman – I don’t know what went wrong.

Favourite place to grab a bite?

What is your favourite word?

La Cucina.

Quixotic.

Best drink in town?

Favourite quote of all time?

Treaty City Beer.

‘If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room’.

Favourite people?

Steve Jobs, Mary Robinson, David Bowie.

What is the most recent book you have read?

Redbreast by Jo Nesbo.

Happiness is.......

Netflix bingeing Article by: Michelle Costello Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

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