The Limerick Magazine April 2016 - ISSUE 7

free 2016 magazine issue 07 APRIL

ISSN - 2009-8650

James LE N N O N

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Welcome

T O the li merick maga zi n e The Limerick Magazine is a fun and informative monthly free-sheet keeping you up to date with what is happening in Limerick City and County, with reviews, event listings, interviews, men and women’s fashion, lively opinion and interesting articles to get you talking.

Publisher - Fusion Media - 74 O’Connell Street Limerick - 061-597627 Editor in Chief

Design - Paul Geaney

michelle@fusionmedia.ie

Phone - 061-597627

Michelle Costello

Email - design@fusionmedia.ie

Editor - Kayleigh Ziolo

Advertising - Fusion Media

Phone - 061-597627

Phone - 061-597627

Email - kayleigh@fusionmedia.ie

Email - advertising@fusionmedia.ie

TLM contributors:

Photographers:

Sophie Butler

COVER: Tarmo Tulit

Kevin Bolger

Ashley Taylor

Orla Dallman Cornelia O’Riordan Katie O’Brien

Laura McNamara Olivia Chau

Sarah Lafferty Sintija Zorge

Sharon Slater Mary Kiely

Rachel Flanagan

Fernando Sanchez Christine Costello

Jane Butler O’Halloran Shauna Lindsay

Eoghan Lyons

Tamlyn Young Lisa Barry

Leanne Aherne Alan Place

Emma Mc Namara

This is a free magazine. You are free to give it away (in unmodified form) to whomever you wish. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

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. Neither the publisher nor the individual author(s) shall be liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, financial, or commercial damages, including, but not limited to, special, incidental, consequential or other damages. Our views and rights are the same: You are responsible for your own choices, actions, and results.

Rebecca Egan

Michelle Castello Kayleigh Ziolo

@limerickonline

02

@thelimerickmagazine

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Established 1989

Tel 061 410 350 www.Texassteakout.com 03

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Spo t l i gh t Stag e S c h ool The big 3-Oh! On a busy Saturday as droves of children left Spotlight,

You’ve had changes over the years, moving from the

times when you’re teaching and you don’t realise what

a chair to join them. Although exhausted, they shared the

Lime Tree Theatre. Tell me about this…

listening to you at all… well John Walsh Breathnach,

founders, Margaret Hough & Judy O’Connor pulled out jolliest of interviews with TLM…

This year you celebrate 30 years in business! How does that sound?

It sounds like a long time (laughter) - it’s fantastic to realise how long we’ve been in business. It really

doesn’t feel like a long time. It feels like it’s only fifteen years, not twice that!

You’re recognised as an institution in Limerick, but for those that may not know: what is Spotlight?

Well, we’re a multi-disciplinary school of performing

Crescent Hall to the UCH and now you’re in The

We’ve fantastic memories from the Crescent Hall - it

had a real theatre feel - where we spent our first ten

years. Then we looked into making the big decision to move to UCH. We took the leap and it proved to be very successful! We were twenty years there.

The UCH brought the school to another level but

you’re giving to the children, you wonder are they a former student, now a West End performer, when

leaving, wrote such a beautiful note quoting back things we said.

What are your plans for the future?

Keep with the trends and stay doing what we’re doing!

we’ve moved to the Lime Tree now as it is more

When is this years’ show?

change? This year, instead of two shows we’re running

7.30pm daily, everyone is welcome. We owe so much

intimate. We thought with our anniversary, why not four shows!

Shine, is on 21st and 22nd of May at 3pm and to our back up teams. John Finn, our Stage Manager has a cameo role in Oliver as Fagan, so it will be a

arts, covering drama, dance, singing, stagecraft and

There must be some very special bonds forged over

peoples’ confidence through the medium of the

everyone will all be friends’ forever?

There are too many people to really get into naming

and wonderful part of Spotlight. The social element is

people from the bottom of our hearts for being so

costuming. Our main ethos is to develop young performing arts.

What possessed you to undertake this project initially?

Margaret and I were involved in a Drama group, Granary Players and that’s where it sparked off.

A mutual friend spurred us on. We got chatting, then, straight away we said let’s do it! It was a gamble and an adventure. We gave up our jobs to make a go of

the years. Is it like the song Graduation where

(Laughter) Absolutely! Friendship is a huge attraction massive. It’s fabulous to see children become friends

for life and see them now with their own children, sending them here where they become friends with one another too. To see friendships develop, and a sense of belonging in quiet shy children fostered, it’s just great.

Spotlight, and it was completely worth it!

On April 1st, we held a party in Kasbah, a reunion

Did you ever imagine that you would see the project

will we ever get word out?’ and she laughed, ‘are you

last a lifetime?

We were ambitious, focused and driven. We wanted to make this work. We were the only stage school in

Limerick then. It was never going to be a fly by night

venture but we were so extremely lucky to go into business together. In business, we compliment each other so much, and believe it or not, we’ve remained friends over the years too!

04

for past students. We said to a past student, ‘how

kidding?!’ We’ve a great core of past pupils who help

us out backstage and everything. It’s fabulous to see second-generation children come… w

Have you any memories that would really stand out?

Besides the performance side of things (our shows, fashion shows, the Late Late Toy Show), there is one memory that will always stick with me. There are

right treat!

names, we’ve been so blessed and want to thank generous and supportive always.

Article by: Rebecca Egan

Photography by: Eoghan Lyons

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

05

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

s tu de nt P ro file Lisa Barry What college course are you studying?

At the moment I’m studying Fashion Industry Essentials online with Parsons New York and Teen

Vogue. It’s a collaborative course between one of the

top art schools in the world and one of my favourite magazines.

Do you think it is more difficult to apply yourself

to an online course in comparison to the traditional college structure?

In a way I feel it is more difficult because you don’t

have a set routine unless you plan one for yourself.

However, it is way more practical for someone who

may not be able to travel far or afford the expenses of college life at the time. I work part time so studying

online makes it much easier for me to manage both.

I am saving for future plans while also learning more about my passion!

What do you find are the biggest differences between studying online and in person?

Last year I studied Fashion Design and Retail at

LCFE so when comparing that to my course online

right now, there are pros and cons for both courses.

The biggest difference is in an actual classroom

you can interact more with your teacher and other students, but when studying online it is harder to get an opinion or different perspective on your work.

06

What is the most enjoyable aspect of this course?

something I would be great at. I bought myself a new

The most enjoyable aspect of the course is learning

in my room, made it look all Tumblr while the other

from top industry professionals and even other fashion students. You can view videos with the likes of Amy Astley, the Editor of Teen Vogue Magazine and also designers such as Rebecca Minkoff and Brandon

Maxwell. They share their knowledge and experiences

within the fashion industry, which really helps you get a better understanding of what it takes to work in fashion, what you will have to sacrifice and what you will have to work on in order to make it in this very competitive industry.

Describe a typical college day for you?

I can’t necessarily describe a typical day because

with the online course that I am doing, each day is completely different! One day I’ll be creating mood

boards on Pinterest and then from that board I would

have to create a photo or outfit inspired by pictures

laptop, camera and studio lights, set up a little corner

side of my room was a mess, and I spoke to a camera

about fashion, my aspirations and outfit looks I create.

After a while I started to get some nice feedback and also made a few friends through YouTube.

Do you feel social media is a help or a hindrance in trying to pursue a career in fashion?

I feel social media is the best help for someone who

wants to create a platform for a fashion career. It allows you to display your own visual style to the whole world. You can connect to like-minded people and collaborate with different brands and creators. A

lot of people give out about social media, however I feel they aren’t looking at the bigger picture and the opportunities social media can bring to someone who wants to pursue a career in fashion.

on the board, so I pop out the camera and tripod and

Is there anything else you would like to add?

another day I would be wandering in and out of shops

Yes there is! I just want to say that going into a full

of this course because it keeps throwing out new

A lot of people feel like they have to go straight to

get snapping. The next day I could be designing a bag, trend hunting. I really enjoy all the different aspects challenges, which I have to figure out on my own. The best bit is seeing the outcome and what I’ve learned from each assignment.

You have a YouTube channel with over 2000

subscribers, what made you start filming videos initially?

I started YouTube back in October of 2014 - hard to think it was nearly two years ago! I followed a lot of YouTubers at the time and I felt like this could be

time college course isn’t for everyone and that’s okay. college when they finish the leaving cert but that’s not the case. If you want to travel the world or get some work experience in the area you’re interested in

first, do it! I think getting hands on experience in the working world allows you to make a better decision

with what you want to pursue. There is no need to rush, don’t fret and eventually something will come your way!

Article by: Katie O'Brien

Photography by: Lisa Barry

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

The li merick magazin e Smyths Bar and Icon Nightclub Limerick’s No. 1 Entertainment Venue A business that has been at the heart of Limerick

As Smyths Bar closes, the party gets started at Icon,

needs at affordable prices. From relaxing with a coffee

Bar and Icon Nightclub is one of the most loved and

glamorous nightclub. From the moment you walk

on options.

City since its opening in December 2001, Smyths popular venues in the county. Located on Denmark

Street, it is renowned for its diverse variety of services from fantastic dining experiences to unbeatable entertainment. From breakfast, lunch and dinner to private parties, big band performances and excellent DJs, the people of Limerick know that this is where most of our friends are most likely to be on a night

out. With the famous Icon Nightclub (or D’Icon as it is fondly known), this top entertainment venue is Limerick’s sweetest spot to socialise.

We caught up with James Lennon, the general

manager to learn about everything they have to offer.

James says, “Where else can you go in Limerick on a night out that you can buy a bucket of beer, see a fantastic live band and continue your night in a

nightclub, all for €15?” Smyths Bar is definitely much

more than your average pub, as it has live music 7 nights a week. The bands that perform include the likes

of cover bands such as Traffic and Plan B that draw in huge audiences with their musical talents, covering all

the rock and pop classics. Along with them there are

the 10 piece motown and soul sensations Papa Zitas, as well the rhythmically explosive 10 piece Pearly Whites playing for customers. The addition of bigger bands with brass sections is allowing the bar to move

away from the typical rock and roll style and provide

something extra onto the entertainment side of things in the city. This is just one of the many reasons why Smyths Bar is ahead of the game.

08

where customers have free entry mid‐week into the through the doors, customers are welcomed into a

friendly and modern environment, surrounded by eye catching décor and a positive atmosphere. It’s fair to say the venue is a hot spot at the centre of Limerick

nightlife and the social happenings around the city.

James also talks about how Smyths Bar stands out

from all the rest and how it continues to grow as Limerick’s number one entertainment venue. While

staying true to what the people of Limerick enjoy, Smyths Bar draws a lot of its inspiration from the biggest trends across Europe and America, bringing the overall setup of the venue together on both a local

and global scale. James mentions “We stay ahead of

the competition, there’s no point in being reactive with this; it’s about being proactive. We are always

looking forward, and thinking outside of the box with new ideas as we continue to grow”.

While the venue is most commonly recognised for its

entertainment, the delicious selection of food is served with precision. Food is served Monday to Saturday

from 9am to 6pm and Sundays from 12:30pm to 6pm. There is something for everyone on the menu as

it continues to grow with pizza now also being served until 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It is hard to believe that food of such a high quality is on

offer for an excellent price, with a number of deals to avail of. With carvery lunches starting from just €7.95 you are sure to find something to satisfy your

to enjoying a 3 course meal, you will never be short Along with the food, Smyths Bar serves an unmissable range of drinks from wine to craft beers. James tell

me, “There is something for everyone here in terms

of selection, we have all the big sports games, our drinks selection is extensive, from buckets of beer, to

signature cocktails, award winning top shelf spirits

and we cater for large bookings. We have a great team of people working with us and they offer a friendly

environment and customer service”. Some of the many offers include the 5 for €16 bucket deal which

consists of 5 bottles of your choice served in a bucket filled with ice to keep your drinks chilled. You can also

try out some craft beers from a select menu, including

options such as the Franciscan Well Shandon Stout, Franciscan Well Rebel Red, Pilsner Urquell and the

third Franciscan Well Friar Weisse, just to name a few.

With the ‘Continental Bucket Deal’, you can choose 5 bottles from this select menu, chilled and served on ice for only €20. No matter what your taste is, there’s

something for everyone, from familiar flavours to new and exciting selections.

With trends and patterns constantly changing in this side of the business, it is essential to always be

ahead and Smyths are constantly changing the game with their creative methods. James, who has a degree

in marketing, believes that it’s vital to keep up with

the pace and to always add something new to scene.

He mentions “we are constantly looking at ways of

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

marketing the business and we believe innovative marketing is one of the aspects that separate is from

the opposition. We were one of the first company's in

Limerick to embrace social media and all upper level management are encouraged to go on as many social

media courses as they feel they need to stay relevant in a constantly changing environment.”

Of course the Icon NightClub, which was recently

given the title of best nightclub in Ireland as a part of the Smirnoff Battle of the Clubs competition, is

the number one destination on a night out in the city.

I mention to James how many couples have met in Icon over the years and now have families; it is funny

to think that Icon is open 15 years and that in a few short years the next generation will become their

valued customers. James tells me, “We have a great

community of people I have noticed throughout the

years, we have families that work with us, we could have brothers, sisters, and cousins on staff and then as they move on the same thing happens again. I guess it

shows that we have a good company to work for and we value the people in Limerick”.

In keeping with the ethos of providing much more than an average pub practice, the bar offers an

experience with a wide array of services, including a

relaxed dining environment with friendly staff, top

class chefs, amazing entertainment and excellent

value for money. The venue can be enjoyed by all,

on offer, you can contact them at 061‐310766, email enquires@smythsbar.com or visit their website at www.iconniteclub.com

Smyths Bar and Icon Nightclub Opening Hours: Monday ‐ Saturday: 9am ‐ 2:30am Sunday: 12:30pm ‐ 2:30am

whether you want to relax with a coffee, socialise over

drinks with friends, or dance the night away in Icon.

With live music 7 nights a week that include some

of the best bands in the country, the eccentric and

lively atmosphere is something that cannot be beaten.

It has been setting the standard for the quality of

entertainment since its beginning 15 years ago and continues to break barriers and set new trends.

A visit to Smyths Bar is an experience not to be missed.

For more information and to get involved with everything that Smyths Bar and Icon Nightclub has

09

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

I N T E RV I EW: james lenn o n The people of Limerick owe a lot to James Lennon

as the innovator of Limerick’s beloved Smyths Bar and Icon Nightclub. Having been with the company

since day one back in 2001, James definitely knows everything there is to know when it comes to Limerick

and its nightlife. We sit down with James to find out

what it’s like to run Limerick’s most successful bar and nightclub, what makes them so successful and just what he loves so much about Limerick.

James, who is originally from Waterford, tells us that he started out back in the day working in his uncle’s pub, before beginning his degree in marketing.

“I worked in Dungarven, Waterford. It was a country

pub, but it had a big function room with that could hold five hundred people. The likes of Louise Morrissey and the big bands would play there, so that’s

where I actually first got involved with entertainment.

I did that up until I finished my Leaving Cert. I then went on to study marketing in Cork, and I got a job in Rearden’s.”

As a hard worker James ensured that he knew the ins and outs of the industry. This also clearly gave him the drive and ambition to move up in his career as quickly

as possible as he explains, “While I was in Rearden’s

I was asked to be a manager - I was still in college so that was a great buzz.”

This soon paid off as working in Rearden’s Bar is

now one of the reasons he is involved in Smyths Bar

and Icon, as this is where he met the owners.“When I finished college, one of the owners of the pub was

coming back to Limerick to open up Smyths Bar and Icon and asked me would I come up. I had been out

in Limerick while I was in college a few times, so I knew the scene was vibrant and there was a love for music. I came up five months before we opened up

and I helped out in the building, and I’ve been here ever since. I love it.”

Of course, running a successful bar and nightclub is not as easy as James makes it look. Especially with so much competition appearing everywhere around

the city, the job can be challenging at times. James explains that the most difficult thing is “taking a step

back [and] trying not to get caught up in the small

things… When you get stuck into it you can miss

what’s happening, whereas you need to have time to

people. That’s how we can build the city. I think in the

the next six months. Sometimes you can get so busy

landscape of Limerick.”

Summer… you have to be prepared. That’s the hardest

nightlife and music venues. Since moving here, James

In any industry you have to be aware of what other

its residents and visitors. One of his favourite places

world. This is why James, along with the other owners,

Milk Market. “I think the change in the Milk Market

a year to look for new concepts, ideas and inspiration.

I think we need to work on it though, it’s great but

trends usually take a few years for things to kick off

your coffee on a Saturday morning and having a chat

and whiskeys and gins were huge there four years ago,

With so much to do and see in the city now, we had

to New York in June with Red Bull to see what’s

take my two dogs out for a walk in the University of

However, you don’t always have to travel outside of

my phone too. I love bank holiday Mondays because

why Smyths Bar is so popular is due to their live

the dogs and just relax. When the sun is shining that’s

trying to find the best bands to play at their venue.

As a successful business in the heart of Limerick

Galway as far as Donegal, we don’t care what it takes

businesses in recent years. “We need business in the

music seven nights a week and we’re always trying to

buildings empty. In the last three years O’Connell

rock bands and now have big sounding 10 and 11

Compu b so it’s good to be recognised. Even with

with more of a soul entertainment, so it’s always

we’re getting recognised in the city. It’s all onwards

The ever-changing music and nightlife scene in

With people like James Lennon continuing to grow

their toes in order to compete with other venues.

city is looking brighter than ever. For anyone looking

I We’ve revamped Icon three times and have done up

to say, “Just do it, go for it!”

in the last four or five years of hen parties coming

Interview with: Michelle Costello

give it an overview. You need to be able to plan out for

next few years we’re going to see big changes in the

during the year and all of a sudden you’re into the

Of course there is more to Limerick than just our

part.”

has grown to love everything that the city has to offer

businesses are doing, not only locally but all around the

in the city is a close neighbour of Smyths Bar, the

travels to mainland Europe as well as America twice

is brilliant. People love going on a Saturday morning.

“Generally what happens with America is that the

we can still work to build it up. Walking around with

here. Craft beers were huge in America six years ago

with everyone is great.”

so now you can see them taking off here. I’ll be going

to ask James about his ideal day in Limerick, “I’d

coming up and what’s happening down the line.”

Limerick with my beautiful wife Yuliya. I’d turn off

Ireland to find great new things. One of the reasons

nobody can ring me. I can get up, cook breakfast, walk

entertainment and James puts a lot of effort into

just gorgeous.”

“We are constantly travelling around to places from

City, James is more than happy to see the growth of

we are always looking for new bands. We have live

city. I hate hearing of places closing down and seeing

keep it going. We’ve kind of moved away from the

Street has grown. You have Pandora, The Body Shop,

piece bands, with brass sections and female singers

Starbucks, some people might not like it but at least

growing.”

and upwards.”

Limerick really keeps James and his colleagues on

and develop successful businesses the future of the

“What I like is that it’s always evolving and changing.

to start up a business in Limerick, he simply has this

the bar a couple of times as well. I’ve seen an explosion

to Limerick because of the offerings in the hotels,

Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

racecourses and stuff like that. I really believe that in

the next five years Limerick is going to be explosive.

We need to make use of the city and we need young

11

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

art i s t P ro file Tamlyn Young Tamlyn Young is an illustrator and multimedia artist

who works across a selection of visual media including

drawing, animation, time-lapse video, and interactive digital books. With a Masters Degree in Illustration

at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, Tamlyn currently lives and works in Limerick.

Where do you draw your inspiration from for your work?

From bits and pieces of everyday life; an overheard

conversation, an unexpected colour combination, but mostly from mistakes and random acts of markmaking, like the tea stain on my paper or the doodle that comes while I’m on the phone. If I don’t know

what to draw I spill a bit of tea or some ink on the page and see what shapes or stories come from that.

Can you tell us about some of your previous projects and the concepts behind them?

Most of my projects come from the idea that each

person’s life is a story and from my interest in creating opportunities for people to think about and to share

their stories. I recently had my first book published

‘ThePossibiliTree’, which is a children’s book for grown-ups. You can find some of my other projects on YouTube. For example, there’s ‘Trace’ which is a

public art project in Venice, Italy and the ‘I Wish…’ project in Durban, South Africa.

What is your favourite element about your job?

My work is play. I can’t think that I would ever want to retire.

12

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

You have spent a lot of time in South Africa, what

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as

I was born and raised in South Africa, a country

My biggest challenge has been to find an answer to

overlapping cultures. This diversity generates its own

label of ‘artist,’ it is very broad and for a long time I felt

conceptual art to traditional ‘Township’ art to the

have always felt torn between very distinctive worlds.

genre. This diversity is appealing to me because I don’t

bridges the worlds of fine art and graphic design and

attracted you to the art there?

an artist?

with 11 official languages and a beautiful mess of

the question “What do you do?” I struggle with the

frictions but also a wide variety of artistic styles. From

lost in it. I have worked across various disciplines and

work of William Kentridge, which is really its own

I feel that I have found my home in illustration. It

feel bound by any particular tradition of art-making.

allows me to make pictures using what ever medium

How do you find the art scene here in Limerick in

and style is most appropriate to the situation.

comparison to what you’ve experienced in South

How has your practice changed and evolved over

To compare my experience of the art-scene of a city

I started out doing a fine art degree and went on

generalise. Perhaps a common element to both places

beginning I was doing ceramics, sculpture, installation

for a wider audience. There are some great creative

my drawings and paintings at different phases of

Lab and shops that support local artists like Lucky

element of time became central to my work and

feeling of not being in the centre of the art-world but

animation and sequential drawing. This led to an

initiatives.

animated elements. Also, I have kept a sketchbook

How do you find LSAD as an artist and a lecturer?

comes as a habit. Through this I have come to realise

is full of people experimenting with new ideas and

homes than on the walls of a gallery.

feel like I learn at least as much as I teach. I feel that

What advice would you give to young and aspiring

own arts practice in order to be an inspiring lecturer.

The idea of being a practicing artist is to practice. So,

Africa?

time?

to the art scene of an entire country would be to

to study graphic design and illustration. So in the

is that, art-wise, they are both emerging and reaching

art, drawing and painting. Then I began to photograph

initiatives in Limerick such as the Craft Hub, the Fab

completion to create stop-motion animations. The

Lane. I have the same feeling in South Africa; the

I began to experiment with various techniques of

being surrounded by wonderful independent creative

interest in creating interactive picture books with

LSAD is an inspiring place to work. An arts college pushing their personal creative boundaries. I often

since I was 14 years old, so making books with stories that I would rather my work exist in people’s lives and

it is my responsibility to keep on developing in my

artists?

The two occupations work well together.

keep on making work: find the time and space and

commit to cultivating your interests. I set myself a

drawing a day project to encourage regular practice.

A lot the drawings I look back on and I cringe at, but each work is a stepping stone to something

better. Also, find a way of getting your work out into

the world. That is easy nowadays. Use Facebook, Redbubble, Instagram or Behance. You can even create a free website, just get it out there.

What’s next for you?

At the moment I am working on a series of 30 by 30

image making projects. These are really just to keep me going with making pictures. Also, I set myself the

goal of making a picture book a year. The next one

is about a polar bear (probably inspired by the Irish winter and my very fluffy pyjamas from Penneys). I’m

also trying to improve my photography, learn some

new animation software and finally get around to laser-cutting some designs at the Fab Lab. As well as all of that, I’m also selling copies of my book in Lucky

Lane in Limerick. Aside from that I don’t know, that’s all for now.

If you’re interested in taking a look at Tamlyn’s work, you can find it on her website at www.tamlynyoung. com. Here you can contact Tamlyn and view all of her illustrations, sketchbooks and animations.

Article by: Laura McNamara

Photography by: Tamlyn Young

13

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

dj p r ofi le Name: Professor Eoin Devereux From: Limerick

Day Job: University Professor How long have you been a DJ?

Since I was 14. I DJ'd with BIG L Radio Limerick, one of the city's first pirate stations.

What first got you interested in DJing?

The DIY attitude of punk rock. At 14 I was given my own radio show and played punk and new wave.

What was your first gig?

First live gig was in the Village Hall in Castleconnell

Currently listening to:

The Fall; Savages and Slowdive.

What are your preferred weapons of choice?

I'm old school. CD's, Vinyl and sometimes a Macbook.

Where have you gigged?

Lots of places in Ireland and abroad. In recent years

it's been in Dolan's mainly for Manchester Night. In

2015 I DJ'd at The Smiths Convention in Salford, Manchester.

(1980).

Where can we catch you next?

Is it easy to be an academic and a DJ?

in Dolans in April and I will be back with Manchester

Not at all. In addition to my day job (which focuses

a lot on popular music, fandom and media) I am involved in a lot of other creative activities. Apart from

academic writing (books on Bowie and Morrissey) I write and publish short fiction. I am also involved a new music project called Section 17.

What type of music do you play?

Indie, Punk Rock, SKA and Manchester bands in particular.

14

I am doing a David Bowie set at the Rebel Rebel gig Night supporting These Charming Men in May.

Article by: Sophie Butler

Photography by: Lisa Barry

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

15

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

T he li me rick magazin e

Style on the Street

Name: Jessica O’Brien

Name: Clodagh Malone

Name: Leah O’Sullivan

How would you describe your style?

How would you describe your style?

How would you describe your style?

I’d say quite urban meets vintage.

Quite original, matching - I love to match my colours.

Do you have any style icons, or anyone you look up

What’s your opinion on the fashion scene here in

Not particularly. Maybe Kate Moss or Fearne Cotton.

I think it’s great, it’s definitely out there with the

to?

What do you think of shopping in Limerick?

Not great, but it’s quite good for charity and vintage shops like The Edge. It would be great if we had a Topshop but Zara in the Crescent is great, but I’d only go in if I’ve been paid!

16

I’d say I would get a lot of my style inspiration from the 90s but I also wear a lot of black as well.

Limerick?

What do you think of shopping in Limerick?

amount of people around. Everyone is so different.

Crescent because they have H&M and Zara. For

Where’s your favourite place to shop and why?

The Edge. The Red Hen flea market is also quite good!

I think they have a lot better shops now like in the charity shops, Limerick is very good as well.

Where’s your favourite place to shop and why?

I suppose charity shops are where I would go to in

Limerick. I’m from Cork so I would go to Topshop.

H&M and Zara would be up there too.

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Some o f o ur favo uri te l ooks sp otted a r o un d L i m e r i c k Ci ty this m o n t h

Name: Rachel McGee

Name: Eva Gallagher

How would you describe your style?

How would you describe your style?

then I really like modern stuff as well. I just like to

because I’m a bit mad in the head.

I wear a little bit of everything. I like 60s stuff and mix styles.

What do you think of shopping in Limerick?

I think it’s pretty good. I’m from Mayo and there’s literally nothing. I used to always have to shop online

but at least here you can go to River Island and stuff.

I mean it could be better. There could be more vintage shops.

Where’s your favourite place to shop and why?

I like going to charity shops and I’d go into River

Island and Penneys too. I like going to random market

I think my style kind of reflects my personality

What do you think of shopping in Limerick?

I love The Edge. I work in the Milk Market now so when I get my wages I just walk over to The Edge and spend it all.

Where’s your favourite place to shop and why?

Temple Bar because Temple Bar is lovely. I was there yesterday and I bought a Harrington jacket. I’ve been

wanting a Harrington jacket for about five years and I finally got one.

Article by: Sophie Butler and Kevin Bolger Photography by: Orla Dallman

stalls where you find different, interesting things.

17

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

The li me rick magazin e

Beauty

Viviscal Hair Thickening Fibres – Boots: €24.99

Bio-Oil 125ml: Boots: €19.99

in the world and there is certainly serious hype revolving around their latest

opinions continuously. The product is designed to improve the appearance of

Viviscal is renowned for producing the top selling hair growth supplements hair enhancement. The ‘Viviscal Hair Thickening Fibres’ claim to effectively

disguise hair loss while providing instant results and surprisingly it does just that.

The product is easily applied to dry hair by shaking the fibres over any

thinning areas. It works instantly as it attaches to the hair and gives the roots a fuller looking appearance. By running your fingers through your hair the product is easily dispersed in a few seconds. This surprisingly doesn’t leave any

residue on the hair or your hands unlike most ‘quick fix’ solutions. Although the hair looks different it doesn’t feel unusual as the product contains the

same keratin protein as human hair. The fibres don’t stain the scalp or flake off in a dandruff-like effect, which was an initial concern when applying. To provide an even longer lasting result, hairspray is key to holding the fibres in

place. However, if you are not happy with the result, the fibres can simply be washed out with shampoo. This product is for the unisex market and comes in a variation of colours to suit all hair types. Not only is this designed for thinning hair but also ideal to give extra volume into flat hair. If you are not inclined to take the ingested supplements this is the perfect quick fix solution, giving you the look of a fuller head of hair in seconds.

18

Bio-Oil has been on the market for a while now but seems to split people’s scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tones. The most appealing thing about

Bio-oil is that it is made entirely from natural ingredients such as lavender oil, Vitamin A and chamomile oil.

First of all, it has to be pointed out that Bio-Oil is most certainly not an overnight cure and one must be persistent and consistent when applying it to ensure maximum benefits. Bio-Oil is easily applied and is just massaged into

the scar and surrounding skin in a circular motion. It is advised to apply twice daily, for a minimum of 3 months in order to see long lasting results. Bio-Oil

should never be applied to open wounds and should only be applied once a wound is healed. The product is very greasy when applied to the skin, which is

to be expected as it is an oil. However, the skin absorbs it quickly so it is only a temporary issue.

Improving the appearance of stretch marks and scarring are only the beginning

with this product; it can also be used to tackle aging and dehydrated skin. Bio -Oil helps replenish the skin's natural oils that have been stripped away by

various factors including sun exposure, insufficient water intake and poor diet.

The product definitely provides results over it doesn’t clear marks entirely but it most definitely does improve them.

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner Nude Collection

Shimmer Strips Custom Bronzer, Blush & Eye

(Classic Nude) - €15.90

Shadow - €16.90

we have been experiencing then this is the product for

After trying the Shimmer strips Bronze, Blush &

The first thing noticeable about the product is its

skin with a subtle glow and is the ideal product to

high hopes for this little palette. Although good, it

as Bobby Brown. The shimmer strips are designed to

as a base to use before applying your makeup or to

great selection of nude shades in the palette, which

highlight and eye shadow all in one tiny palette. Each

after dewy glow.

application got frustrating when trying to use certain

from the lightest to the darkest. It is brilliant as an

together beautifully to produce a nice natural eye.

even using a primer; however when primer was used

feels lovely on the eyelids. This palette would be ideal

as a bronzer or blush is ideal for a natural glow and is

loves a natural subtle look.

the best thing about this product is the highlight, it

Botanics All Bright Radiance Balm: Boots - €7.99 If your face is feeling the force of the terrible weather

you. The Botanics All Bright Radiance Balm provides

Eye shadow quad also from Physicians Formula I had

similarity to products from higher end brands such

create a fresh-faced, make up free look. It is also great

wasn’t as impressive as I had anticipated. There is a

be a multi purpose product combing bronzer, blush,

mix with your foundation to create that much sought

are gorgeous when sampled. As the strips are so small

quad contains 5 strips neatly arranged in a gradient

shades individually. However, the shades blended

eye shadow and lasts all day on the eyelids without

Once the product is applied it does last all day and

the colour pay off was even better. The product used

for someone that is just starting out with makeup or

the perfect product for subtle contouring. Undeniably, has a really nice sheen when applied and doesn’t look

mucky on top of foundation. I honestly did not expect such a great quality highlighter, which is in fact just

as good, if not better than other products double its

price. All the shades in this quad are highly wearable and easy to use in multiple ways. and longevity!

Cocoa Brown Golden Goddess Oil: Penneys €11.95

This little bottle of sunshine is every beauty addict’s must have at the moment as it adds an instant glow and creates the perfect sun kissed look. It is in essence

a highlighter for the body but can also be used on the face. As it is a dry oil there is no irritating residue left on the skin after applying the product.

Max Factor Wild Mega Volume Mascara: Boots €9.99

This is the perfect mascara to create a fuller lash look.

Not only does it add length it also adds a thickness to

the lash without any clumping. The best thing about

this mascara is that there is no need to layer it on; just a quick swipe and your lashes have instant volume.

Article By: Katie O’Brien

19

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

T he li me rick magazin e

Make Up Spring/Summer 2016 Bridal Make up Trends

The runway is where bridal make-up and hair trends start. Bridal season is here in full swing with loads

of different trends to suit everyone. It’s important

to choose the right look to suit the bride as the key to bridal make up is to enhance their features and frame everything, making them the best version of

themselves. Here are some of my favourite bridal trends this season.

The All Natural Look

Jenny Packham and Oscar De La Renta went for the more natural makeup look. Less is more for the

perfect natural look. A very easy look to re-create, some tinted moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated with a dust of blush and bronze, some mascara with a nude or pink lip. So radiant and minimal.

Glam It Up

There was Hollywood glamour from Badgley Mischka and Ines Di Santo with strong colourful lips and the classic cat eyes. A very strong look without it being too over the top for bridal.

Smokey Eyes

The Monique Lhaillier and Galia Lahav shows had

lots of smoke going on that were aisle appropriate.

Smokey eyes aren’t just for nights out - they had charcoal, earth tones and some metallic hues. Some

70’s vibes from Galia Lahav also with smokey eyes, teased curls and a big statement headpiece.

Rose Glow

concealer to lift and brighten the eye area. There is no

soft, fresh faced look as seen at Carolina Herrera. Her

or creases.

A soft rose glow look can never go off trend. It’s a models appeared on the runway with rosy cheeks, light glowing natural eyes and pretty pink lips, this is

such a radiant wedding look keeping with the natural beauty.

I’ve created a bridal make up look inspired from SS16

trends from the runway. Some Hollywood glamour, florals, a statement head piece, smoked out eyes with a strong pop of colour on the lips.

Products used:

Skincare - Giorgio Armani Crema Nera Prima

Lotion to moisturise the skin and giving it the perfect base without any residue left on the skin.

Primer - Giorgio Armani Maestro UV Primer - this primer is one of its kind, a great base keeping the skin hydrated all day as well as SPF 50, which is completely transparent so there is no flashback in photos.

Foundation - Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk perfect for any occasion. This foundation is perfect

for brides, with no SPF in the foundation it gives no flashback. It’s long lasting with buildable coverage so

it can be as sheer or as full coverage as you’d want it, but it’s completely lightweight so you won’t feel a thing.

Contour - Giorgio Armani Sun Fabric 100 - it’s a cool tone bronzer which is amazing for that perfect contour. These bronzers are transparent so they melt

Eyes - Mac Warm Palette - this palette is so versatile

for a soft or strong eye look. Inglot gel liner was used

as its waterproof and will stay strong through all the emotions of a wedding day. Giorgio Armani Eyes to kill wet mascara was used as again it's waterproof so it

won’t be going anywhere. Ardell individual eyelashes where used also as the individual are so light and comfortable.

Brows- Giorgio Armani Brow Maestro in Wedgwood - with a wax texture this brow pot will set once in

place and does not budge making it last all day/night.

Loads of different colours to choose from.

Highlight - Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer Liquid Highlight with some Mac Soft and Gentle also on top.

Powder - Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Compact

Powder was used to set the makeup, this powder also has some coverage too leaving the skin flawless, it complements the skin so well, with its silk like feel and is completely weightless.

Lips - Mac Cherry lip pencil and Mac Ruby Woo lipstick over the pencil. I love this red as its matte and the pigment is so good it lasts all day. For someone

who loves a glossy finish try Dior Lip Maximizer over

the lipstick, this gloss does not bleed and is non sticky so it’s very comfortable to wear.

into the skin, there is no heaviness from them and can

Article by: Mary Kiely

blocked up and looking patchy.

MUA: Mary Kiely

be layered as much as desired without getting the skin

Concealer - Giorgio Armani High Precision - used as eye primer for eyeshadow and as a under eye

20

powder in this product so it does not sit in any lines

Photography by: Leanne Aherne Model: Sarah O Leary Hair: Sabrina Higgins

Hair piece: Number 15, Anne Street

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

21

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

T he li me rick magazin e

Hair

Ladies day hair Ladies Day is every race-goer’s favourite day to get glammed up and compete for the coveted title of Best Dressed.

High Ponytails

Another classic look that can be worn straight, with

Article by: Rachel Flanagan

that sit at the front of the head; it looks amazing from

Hair: Rachel Flannagan

waves or curly. This look is fabulous with smaller hats

Photography by: Leanne Aherne

a side profile and places all eyes on your hat.

Model: Aoife Hanley

popular among young girls and guys, it got me

The Chignon

Dress: Be Fabulous Limerick

show off your personality and style?

This understated elegant look works great with a high

With upcoming events such as the Spin Student Raceday at Lepordstown on April 6 becoming so thinking what are the best hairstyles to go for to really

Now we all know that the perfect Ladies Day outfit isn't complete without a good hat or headpiece, and

something all us ladies panic over is how to wear your

collar or fur around the neck. It’s very neat and tidy and keeps the hair out of your face all day so you can concentrate on the races.

hair to compliment the hat and still feel like yourself.

The Side Bun

So here's a guide to picking the perfect "do" to go

Still going strong as one of the most popular upstyles

with your race day outfit.

Make sure to pick a style that's comfortable and feels natural to you, if you’re a beach wave kind of gal that never wears her hair up, a sleeked back upstyle

probably isn't for you. Keep it soft with some pieces left out around the face or go for a half up, half down

style. Choose your upstyle carefully and always have

some extra pins handy just in case our great Irish weather blows your style out of place.

Half up, half down This look is a great compromise if you want your hair

out of your face but feel naked with it all put up. It can be worn straight, wavy or with curls and goes with

all styles of hats. It’s also great with simple outfits or statement hats as it really shows of your piece.

for race days, the side bun works great with hats and

is super chic. I find girls love this look as you can have the comfort of having your hair up and secure but it

doesn't feel scrapped back and looks great in pictures as you can still see the style. Try adding some plaits or

twists to funk it up or leave out some curls to soften the look.

Styled Bob If your hair isn't long enough to tie up, fear not... you can go for a styled bob, it can be worn sleek or with texture. Take inspiration from 1920's look like fingerwaves or retro pincurls to glam up your look.

Whatever look your go for, don't be afraid to play

around with it - even if you don't normally go for an upstyle, trying something new can add a whole new

dimension to your look and make you feel fabulous, and feeling fabulous is what it's all about!

22

MUA: Mary Kiely

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

23

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

The li merick magazin e

Men's Fashion As the weather continues to make its mind up, make sure yours is set on staying on top of the trends. Throw it back to 90’s skater styles by pairing ripped denim with plaid shirts, and boxy fit tees.

This month is perfect to start experimenting with lighter layers as the days get slightly warmer and

you’re definitely going to be turning heads (in the good sense).

River Island €33

Zara €50

Pairing a plaid shirt over a black, chocolate or olive

pullover hoody is a great way to achieve this, while also channeling your inner angsty teenager.

As for jeans, with it being “Spring” and all, step out of your comfort zone with distressed denim, be it DIY or store bought.

To add a little extra edge to your apparel, throw in

your own distressing, pins, and if you’re brave enough, try embroidering your pieces to add personality.

River Island €33 Zara €50

Article by: Kevin Bolger

PINTRILL €12

24

PINTRILL €12

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

25

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

The li me rick magazi n e with Shauna Lindsay

Instagram - @shaunalindsay Photography by Shauna Lindsay, Instagram THIS MONTHS HIGHLIGHTS: •

I visited London for the first time AND met The

•

I Turned 21 - I celebrated my 21st Birthday with

• • •

Kardashians Makeup Artist, Joyce Boneli some of my amazing pals in Icon

I attended the Peter Mark VIP Style Awards Launch.

I went to the Aviva Stadium for the first time.

I have always been a fan of watching rugby and I

was so delighted when my dad bought me tickets to the last game of the six nations. The cherry

on top was the boys winning, although the look of horror on the ladies face beside me when I cheered them on was pretty priceless.

Steal My Style: VIP STYLE AWARDS

I decided to pair a white cropped wide leg

On March 14th I attended the Peter Mark

white cut out top from Be Fabulous (My

LAUNCH PARTY

VIP Style Awards Launch Party in The

Marker Hotel in Dublin after finding out the week before I had been nominated for

the Most Stylish Newcomer’ award. A huge

favourite limerick store) and team it with

black details, (Neck Chocker, Belt, Bag, Shoes).

honour for me, I was absolutely shocked.

•

Be Fabulous White Cut Out Long

favourite celebs attend this event and this

•

River Island White Cropped Wide

nominated, is definitely a career highlight.

•

meet so many people, some I knew, and some

•

shining on the rooftop of The Marker, the

•

Throughout my career I always watched my

year to not only be attending, but to also be

The launch party was incredible. I got to new and we all just had a laugh. The sun was sunnies were on and the chats were most definitely had. For this event, I wanted to stand out and most importantly I wanted to show my style and how versatile I can be, as I like to mix my style up.

26

trouser from River Island with a long off-

Top €85

Legged Trouser €50

River Island Black Western Double

Buckle Belt €29

River Island Black Leather Snake

Print Pouch €33.00

TOPSHOP Rita Skinny Sandals

€55.00

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

This is 40 Well actually it’s 42! 40 is an age many of us start evaluating our lives. Where we’ve been, what we’ve done, what lies ahead? Amongst many there is a

feeling deep inside, a general acceptance that once we

hit 40 then that’s it! Physically we are past our prime, that all, that lies ahead of us are creaking joints,double chins and the inevitable middle age spread. Well it

turns out that this doesn’t need to be the case at all

and Limerick man Jason Kenny is living proof of this.

Jason wears many hats including nutritionist, personal trainer, martial arts instructor to name but a few. But

it’s the nutritionist and personal trainer in him that has done the work you see here.

As you can see, at 42 Jason certainly doesn’t believe that 40 means that you’re past your peak. Hitting 40

doesn’t mean that you can no longer stay in shape

and be the picture of health and strength. The core of

what Jason does is body weighted exercise and good clean eating. He gets a real buzz out of seeing people

change and speaking with him if he feels that he has

done something just ever so slightly to aid in that, that reward in itself is priceless.

As if all that wasn’t enough he is also a Martial Arts

with training camps for the White Collar MMA

4th Dan in Aikido and 5th Dan in JuJitsu and on

Francis Ryan. As well as the Martial Arts classes that

a global meeting in Japan. This no ordinary event the

Limerick, he also manages to find time to volunteer

from members of the royal family to the mayor &

the Training Officer.

is travelling over to London to fly out the English

When you talk to Jason you really get the feeling that

of acting and has played cameo recently alongside

can get and that it really is all about you and how to

instructor, and our very own Steven Seagal. He is a

Fighting, the very first of its kind in Ireland, ran by

April 23rd of this year will be representing Ireland at

he teaches at The Dojo, in Eastway Business Park,

World Butoku Sai, will have many dignitaries present,

with the Irish Coast Guard in Killaloe, where he is

local politicians. This is an invite only and Jason Team. If all that wasn’t enough, he also does a bit

any instructions he’s giving you are the very best you

Liam Cunnigham (Game of Thrones) and Brendan

get the very best out of yourself.

which hit the cinema screens and just recently TV.

Article by: Noel McCarthy

Gleeson (Harry Potter) in the Irish Movie Pursuit, I really do wonder where he gets his energy from.

Photography by: Alan Place

To top it off, he is a Dad to 3 wonderful boys Rhys, Ashton and Tristan. It is plain to see the influence

he has on his family as all of them including his wife Audrey are fitness mad.

Everything Jason does is built around showing, teaching and helping others and somehow he manages

to make it fun and easy understand. In his quest to

bring enjoyable fitness to the masses Jason has helped

27

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

The li merick magazin e

Travel Hotel Tugu Bali Renowned as the most romantic place on the island and as a sampling of paradise on earth, Hotel Tugu Bali is nestled on the pristine, wave-sung sunset beach

and a verandah to witness the sun setting behind the breaking waves.

of Canggu, surrounded by the whispering rice fields

Entering the Walter Spies Pavilion, the other

Bali was built upon a passion for the romantic beauty

transported to the romantic art deco era of Java in

and the adjacent BatuBolong Temple. Hotel Tugu

of the art, history and culture of Bali specifically and Indonesia in general. A vast collection of priceless

Indonesian antiques and artworks adorn the hotel, blending pure tropical luxury with an out-of-theordinary ambience.

The magical Bale Agung lobby, with the views to the Indian Ocean, houses an exclusive collection of historic Balinese artworks and cultural artefacts, among

which are the impressive 4.9-meter tall wooden giant Garuda carved from a whole 120-years-old tree, and

Boma head (mythological giant guardians) on top of

soaring columns inspired by an ancient ceremonial house in central Bali. Surrounding the Bale Agung is

a world of lush tropical gardens and wild lotus ponds, where each of the resort’s 21 villas and suites hides itself from one another.

The Puri Le Mayeur Villa, occupying an area of 200 square metres, ‘floats’ above its own 700 square metre

natural lotus pond. Chosen as the ‘sexiest’ suite in the island, this villa is inspired by a love story between

Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merpès, a famous Belgian

painter who moved to the island in 1931, and Ni Polok,

a renowned Legong dancer. The Puri Le Mayeur, furnished with beautiful original carved furniture

of the artist, has a private plunge pool, an open-air

lotus pond dining pavilion, a beautiful outdoor bath,

28

signature suite of this hotel, one finds themselves the early 20th century. This suite is dedicated to the German poet and artist Walter Spies, who made

Java and Bali his home in the 1920s. The Walter Spies incorporates several original Dutch colonial

architectural elements, including entrance gate, stained-glass windows, and a most beautiful private plunge pool, a private outdoor dining pavilion, a garden and the most unique outdoor sunken bath.

The Dedari and Rejang Suites are far from being

standard suites, each of which has been decorated with different artworks and color schemes. However, all

have exotic luxuries such as oversized beds scattered

with fresh petals at night, silvered local artisan’s sunken baths, private plunge pools and private in-

room spa areas. All the Rejang Suites have a view to the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Dining at Tugu Bali takes on a completely different concept than in any other hotels in the island. Guests

are welcomed to choose wherever they like to dine.

Beautiful private candlelit tables can be arranged

everywhere – in the gardens; at a private hut floating

above the lotus pond, at the private candlelit beach

under the star, etc. Furthermore, instead restaurants, the hotel provides various most unique and authentic

dining experiences. In each experience, the venue, the atmosphere, the cuisine, the rituals, the costumes, the tableware – all differ from one to another

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

29

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

depending to the themes chosen. In some cases, a dinner for two can be served by a parade of 12 waiters

or a 14th century army of 30 people depicting the many forgotten romantic tales of Indonesia’s history hundreds of years back.

An absolute must would be to dine in what is said to be the most beautiful dining room in the country

– the 300-year-old Bale Sutra temple, housed in a

spectacular red room and lit with many red candles.

To experience the grand, elegant dining of the royal

Balinese kings in the past, opt for the Bale Puputan, Balinese 19th century royal dining room of the kings, dedicated to Balinese heroes. For a most memorable cultural dining experience, everyone’s favourite is the

WaroengTugu, a very atmospheric, humble open-air traditional 15th century village-kitchen lit only by oil lamps. Iboe (Mother) Soelastri, who now more than 60

years old but has inherited her grandmother’s cooking talent since she was 4, cooks in the terracotta woodfire kitchen in front of guests. She also invites guests

to join her to the market before her cooking classes.

Known as serving the best Indonesian (Balinese and

Javanese) food in the island, many see Tugu Bali and the other Tugu properties as the reference in

Indonesian culinary in the nation, catering to a row of presidents and ministers of Indonesia.

The Waroeng Djamoe Spa, listed in the past two

years as one of the world’s bestas well as one of the Asia’s best, practices treatments that range from pure indulgence to peace of the soul. From treatment that is based on the traditional Balinese dances; spiritual

therapy combining the chanting of mantras and

the application of heated exotic herbal oils; yoga, pilates, and water pilates practice that bring the

body and mind in harmony with the surrounding nature; to heavenly hot stone massages using spicesoaked volcanic stones, the Tugu spa experience is a compulsory beginning to any stay in Bali.

Article by: Michelle Costello

Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

30

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

31

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

H o m e: Spring Trends 20 1 6

As always with a new season, Spring 2016 is seeing a lot of home trends being repeated with the subtle

introduction of new styles and trends emerging. This year the focus seems to be on accessorising the home

Graphic Cushions •

Wool Rich Geometric Applique cushion:

€26.50 / Love cushion: €14.50 / Overlapping pebble cushion: €17.50

instead of complete room makeovers. Neutral tones

Slogan and graphic pillows have been creeping in as

the forefront feature as seen over the last few seasons.

they are one of the main trends. Easily mixed and

are sticking around for another year but are no longer

These neutral hues are now giving way for bold features to be introduced. Brighten up your home this spring with Next.

a home trend for the last few seasons but this spring matched these are the ideal accessories to inject some much-needed colour into your house.

Greyscale

Practical Features

•

Practical parts of your home no longer have to be

from twenty fifteen but not to the extremity of last

•

Carter chair: €318

boring as more interesting designs become accessible.

Useful everyday items such as the Carter Chair from Next are now becoming stylistic features as they add instant vibrancy to a formally bland room.

Geometric Prints: •

Retro Geo rug: from €44 / Geo Squares metal

wall plaque: €103

Geometric prints are making a huge comeback this season, mainly in the form of floor and wall tiles. If

you are apprehensive on making such a commitment to the trend why not introduce it using soft furnishing such rugs, cushions or wall hangings.

32

Maxwell Sofa: from €637

Grey is one of the main trends being carried on

year. Instead of having the whole room decorated in

different shades from the grey colour chart, simple grey accessories or furnishing are the perfect neutral item to add to an otherwise busy room.

Article by: Katie O’Brien

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

33

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

B E hi nd th e foo d In terview with Valerie O'Connor Valerie O'Connor is one of Limerick’s most successful

time as, if I had my own way I would have gone of on

Working in professional kitchens all over the world,

food blogs in Ireland and a decorated career in cooking,

remind you that, sometimes the closest person to the

and now with the comprehensive cookbook on the

culinary artists. With one of the longest established baking and food journalism, she has made her name

known within the food community throughout the country. Now with her third book, Val’s Kitchen, we caught up with her to discuss the conception and the production of her new book, her passion for baking and what the future holds.

Can you give us an insight into what to expect from the new book?

This is the food I cook, the food I grew up with and what I learned from my parents as well as some

favourite things I learned on my travels. It harks back

a big tangent. An editor will keep you on track and

project, as in the author, isn’t always the one to make

the right decisions. I do all my own photographs too

and that can be hard as I’m trying to come up with creative ideas and different ways to shoot things. To

be honest I don’t always feel it as it’s quite a different zone to be in when you’re cooking and then taking pictures. I’ve also found myself standing in the supermarket in my pajamas as I remembered I needed

a specific ingredient and, rather than waste time getting dressed, I’ll just go and get it. Fortunately, in Limerick nobody cares about that.

appearing as a guest critic on MasterChef Ireland, way, you’ve firmly established yourself in the world of Irish culinary arts. What’s the next step for you?

I’m more interested in what other people are doing and love to tell their stories. I love writing so that

crosses over into food journalism, stories and scripts, so as long as I keep doing what I’m doing, things happen. I also love to teach fermenting and bread

baking as well as any kind of cooking that gets people

into the kitchen. Ironically the more we see food on TV the less people are cooking, this gap has to narrow

as cooking for yourself really is one of the keys to health and happiness, not to mention it’s a lot cheaper

to traditional forms of food preparation like making

When did your passion for baking and cooking

scratch and food fermenting features heavily in my

write the book Val’s Kitchen first take hold?

Have you any special advice for those aspiring to

working as a press photographer in Dublin and

Anyone who wants to master anything, just go for it

your own yogurt and soft cheese, making stock from

book. This is the art of preserving food by keeping it in jars, salted and storing it over time where it

becomes nutritionally dense and really good for you.

In Ireland we used to eat naturally probiotic foods like buttermilk but chemical processing of foods has stripped them of their nutrition, and we eat so many

processed foods that we have no good gut flora in our

systems. Fermenting foods is easy and something that I also teach. I hope my book will help people get into doing their own at home.

You’ve produced books in the past, but were there

any challenges that arose in the making of this book in particular?

It’s always great to work with an editor, especially this

34

begin, who inspires you, and when did the idea to

I began blogging in 2006 as a creative outlet. I was was a single mum of two small boys. The press was challenging and interesting but there was little in

terms of creativity and I found that blogging gave me an outlet I didn’t otherwise have. I didn’t need an

editor to commission anything, I could just write and post with my pictures. Getting feedback (this was pre-

Twitter) from readers kept me going and soon I was

writing for the Bridgestone Guides and other food media outlets. The book is a culmination of ten years of my love for real food. Even though it’s my third book, really it feels like my first.

than eating out.

master the culinary arts?

and persist. If you really want it keep your eye on it and things will work out. It has taken me many years

to get on track in a career that is notoriously hard to make money in but, as I have kids (now 16 and 18), how could I tell them to follow their dreams if I wasn’t following mine?

Val’s Kitchen is available April 5th. The official launch is in O’Mahony’s Bookshop on April 5th at 6.30pm.

Article by: Kevin Bolger

Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

35

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Po e try fr om s ta nzas

YOU by Óscar Mascareñas still the same I know

my love changed I know not

voice

killed

thoughts

at the break of dawn Óscar Mascareñas (PhD) is a poet,

waiting for something

has given concerts, conferences and master

breath

Slovakia, Hungary and Mexico. He is the

the space in which I’m not

and Dance, and was acting and assistant

nothing changes

at the Irish World Academy of Music

little I know

composer, performer and musicologist. He

classes extensively in Ireland, the UK, founding course director of the BA in Voice

alone

director of the MA Ritual Chant and Song

sometimes

and Dance in the University of Limerick.

little alone

ensemble HIBERNIA, and founding chair

silence waiting

in Contemporary Performance at the

mind

Óscar is also founding director of the Irish of the Cage-Cunningham Professorship

fears going

Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de

scars

and researches full time in music and

and I know

His essays (both academic and poetic) have

touched

Slovakia, the UK, Ireland and Mexico, and

somehow nothing

Una Poesía del Deseo / [Sketches for] A

surpassed all

by the University of Nuevo León Press in

the little I know

Monterrey in Mexico. He currently lectures

contemporary performance at the Academy.

I

been published and performed in Hungary,

still

his first full poetry book [Bosquejos para] Poetry of Desire, will be published this year Monterrey, Mexico.

in being

passing by still

‘April is Poetry Month’

I think of me

place on April 22nd at 7.00pm in Hook

yes – all and I

Meabh Ann McCrossan and Same D4Ence.

only

The next Stanzas poetry event will take and Ladder Cafe, Sarsfield St, with guests

36

and the rest that is not

permanent in my eyes these words are a mystery

suffered splendour that kills to save

absence

death and fecundation

forsaken in the shadow of

what has not happened yet unfinished clenched tragic for

I know the night is here the

empty wild flower of my self almost mine

without lines crying at last

tearing off to suffer

in a way that redeems trying hard to let go to suffer exquisitely

don’t know how many times love hate kiss mute and gone now as if never here

and now there’s a no song

one last time before forever for nothing changes

nothing that I know a constant loss you once and for all and I not

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

37

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Author Interv i e w Ge r a r d Fi t zg i b b o n History books seem to be popping up in bookshops left,

Ireland, a fascinating and gruesome period in Irish

a war within a war. For the Irish volunteer soldiers

the 1916 Rising quickly approaching. However, this

Most people are vaguely familiar with the war's great

soaked in religious hatred. For the Catholic officers

right and centre this year with the anniversary of

Limerick writer has decided to publish something a little

bit different. After studying history in the University

of Limerick, Gerard Fitzgibbon has recently released his first ever book. Kingdom Overthrown: Ireland and

the Battle for Europe 1688-1691 tells the story of the Williamite War which resulted in The Siege of Limerick and the Treaty of Limerick. This book is an essential for any history buff, especially those interested in the history of Limerick.

set pieces - the Siege of Derry, the Battle of the Boyne, the Sieges of Athlone and Limerick, the Battle of Aughrim. There are several excellent academic studies

of this war, its origins and its consequences. But none of them try to bring the episode to life, with eye

witness accounts and that brutal sense of death and life. I've presented it as a story, almost a non-fiction novel, based on facts and research but told in colour.

- Protestant and Catholic alike - it was a civil war and aristocrats, it was a fight to re-take the land and prestige that they had been losing for over a

century. For James II and William of Orange, the

great figureheads of each army, it was a fight for the throne. And for Louis XIV of France, the invisible hand guiding the entire conflict, it was a useful new

frontier in a great continental struggle. The whole thing is captivating, bizarre and bloody.

Before the release of Kingdom Overthrown, Gerard

How did the Williamite War affect Limerick?

How did you go about researching it?

won Irish Young Journalist of the Year in 2009. The time

is rooted in this period. The coat of arms, the city

like letters and diaries, because that's where the meat

Fitzgibbon was a reporter for the Limerick Leader and he has spent in Limerick has had a very clear effect on his

work. We decided to ask him more about his upbringing

in Limerick as well as Kingdom Overthrown and his plans for future books.

How does it feel to finally have your first book published?

It's strange. I was very lucky that New Island Books jumped aboard quite early, which meant that I didn't have to spend months looking for someone to publish

it. That freed me up to get cracking on it. Sifting through sources, putting together drafts, working through re-writes with my editor - it's like building a

house. You dig foundations, slowly lay the blocks, and

So much of how Limerick perceives itself today

motto, the defiant chip on its shoulder. I spent almost

a decade living and working in Limerick city, and it's impossible not to catch a whiff of it. During the war, the Jacobites were twice forced to retreat

to Limerick to make their final stand. In the midst of all this is where we see the emergence of Patrick

Sarsfield, who's became a sort of crude patron saint for Limerick. Sarsfield was a stupidly brave officer from Dublin who was never happy unless there was

shrapnel flying past his ears. He was also one of the most divisive men of his time. Limerick's history is a

patchwork quilt of myths, legends and stone, and so much of it is traced back to this war.

do a million tiny jobs that no one else can see. At the

What is it about the Williamite War that

hard to stand back and admire it. It's a strange feeling

I've always been fascinated by the early modern

end, you have something amazing. But as a writer it's

to walk into O'Mahony's or Easons and see my name up on the shelf next to titans like Norman Davies and

Roger Crowley, men whose books I cherish. I still don't think it's sunk in. It's quite weird.

Can you tell us a little bit about your book, Kingdom Overthrown?

It's a narrative account of the Williamite War in

38

history which has been largely swept under the bed.

I wanted to lean almost entirely on primary sources is. There is no better version of history than the one seen through someone's eyes. That brings its own

challenges, of course, because people always tint things

with their own bias, particularly in such a hateful age as the 17th century. But the deeper you dig and the more

you discover, the better chance you have of building a balanced narrative. For my research, I was in and

out of the Limerick and Cork city libraries, with a

few trips up to the National Library in Dublin too.

But luckily many manuscript collections, pamphlets, parliamentary records and other sources are available

online these days. It's excellent, and I only hope that this makes it easier for others to start researching this period as well.

particularly interests you?

How do you think that studying history in

period, those few hundred years when the lid was

UL has an excellent history department. More than

peeled off the medieval world and something

ferocious was revealed. The Fall of Constantinople, the

Reformation, gunpowder, international commerce, the Renaissance, the Sieges of Vienna - the world

was constantly shifting and twisting, trying to take form. The Williamite War is odd because it was like one of those Russian matryoshka dolls, a war within

University of Limerick has influenced your work?

anything, the lecturers and tutors have a passion for

what they're doing, and it shows. When I was there I

was lucky enough to study under Dr Padraig Lenihan, who's now at NUI Galway. Dr Leinhan is probably

our finest scholar of 17th century Ireland, and he has

written and edited some terrific studies of the period.

He also has that helpful knack for giving colourful,

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

engaging lectures that stay with you.

You previously worked as a reporter and you won

Irish Young Journalist of the Year in 2009. What made you want to stop working in journalism?

There was no one reason to be honest. I spent six

great years at the Limerick Leader, and worked with some of the finest, most committed men and women

I've ever known. The editor, Alan English, took me

under his wing and I wouldn't have achieved what

I did without him as my mentor. But history has always been my first love, and my desire to write this

book had been gnawing away at me for some time.

I was coming up hard on my thirtieth birthday, and I feared that if I didn't take the leap now, the book

would never make it into ink. So I closed my eyes and jumped. I'm delighted that I did.

Do you have any plans to publish more books in the future?

Definitely. I've a few ideas for my next project, but I'm happy to let them brew for another while. I'm very

proud of Kingdom Overthrown, and even though it's

only been out for a little while I've been overwhelmed

by the positive feedback and reviews it's received. Last month a reader contacted my publisher to tell them how much they loved the book, and bought a second

copy specifically so I could sign it. You can measure success or failure a thousand ways, but for a first time author fumbling their way into a new career, things like that are the most rewarding of all.

Kingdom Overthrown: Ireland and the Battle for Europe 1688 – 1691 is available now in bookshops nationwide as well as from www.newisland.ie.

Article by: Sophie Butler

Book cover courtesy of: New Island Books

39

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Health & Wellbeing With health and fitness instructor Sintija Zorge

The importance of core strength There is no doubt that everyone would love to have

Practicing Pilates will improve muscle strength and

to continue it and progress as you go into intermediate

More often than not, this is unfortunately due to our

and flexibility, it will improve your performance and

the difference in your posture, alignment, and overall

nice abs popping out this summer at the beach. obsession in modern life with our image.

However, let me give you some better reasons for wanting “rock solid abs”…

•

A strong core reduces lower back pain and

reduces risk of future injuries; it enhances your sports performance and brings you closer to ideal

•

postural alignment.

Core strength is so important in daily life

because it stabilises our spine to keep us upright.

A weak core can lead to back pain, poor posture

•

and injury.

Core strength is also very important for many

athletes as it gives more stabilisation to provide better

performance;

it

provides

increased

coordination and control while in different physical activities.

Abdominals are part of your core muscles, but they are the smallest part of your core. Core muscles start

from your shoulders down to hips, and you also need to work with your backside and legs to get a strong core.

There are many ways to improve your core strength.

For example, core muscles are working during huge muscle exercises like squats or running but one of the

best ways to focus on working your “tummy” area is practicing Pilates.

That’s right, Pilates is more than one hundred times more effective than your regular gym crunch!

40

tone, will help maintaining bone density, joint mobility

and advance levels. That way you will keep noticing

posture to prevent injuries and it will also improve

strength of your body.

waiting for injury to happen you should be practising

So what are you waiting for? Take up this new

functionality leading into older age. Ideally instead of

Pilates from a young age and continuing it throughout

challenge before the summer season!

specialist especially if you have any injuries or back

Article by: Sintija Zorge

your lifetime. Make sure you find the right Pilates

problems. Pilates are a specific programme provided by a specialist for individuals. Many classes fall into a 20 people or bigger group class that is actually not providing proper Pilates. These classes should instead

be called a “tummy” fitness class where you may feel

your core working, but unfortunately you won’t gain

all the benefits of what actual Pilates are claiming to have.

Pilates is an overall balance between physical strength

and mental wellbeing. It is taught through lateral

breathing patterns, which you will need to learn and use during flowing movements. Practising Pilates will

teach you how to concentrate better and improve your

control and precision over your body. It will improve

your flexibility and balance, it will improve your posture and make you feel better, and it will also bring you closer to your spiritual world.

You will be using a lot of deep tissue muscles that you haven’t used before. Working these won’t be

easy at the start as there is a lot of control needed over the other parts of the body involved and a new breathing pattern makes it more difficult, but this is the challenge you need to take on in order to gain the benefits of strong core muscles.

Pilates are for everyone old or young, sick or well, women or men, and to get the most out of it you need

Photography by: Emily Charlotte Greene

par e nti ng Toddler vs Parents: A Battle of Wits As parents, it’s our prerogative to believe that the children we spawn are little

geniuses. We marvel in wonder as they master phenomenal feats such as putting the triangle block in the right hole, holding a spoon without immediately spattering

the walls with spaghetti sauce and learning their first dinosaur name (“Ass-saurus” totally counts).

As I have mentioned on numerous occasions my toddler, Jack is one such child genius. Unfortunately this general superior intellectual streak has come back to bite me hard. He is increasingly able to exert his authority and outwit both myself and the hubby on a regular basis.

Take my supposedly off-limits cosmetics for example. Oh he found them alright.

Opened them too. Following the discovery that the toddler had ingested four of my

favourite Mac lipsticks, I began to develop grave concerns. Would they come out the

other end? A trip to A&E later revealed he was perfectly fine and no nasty surprises

occurred at the other end after all. We left exhausted with a lecture from the doctor on locking things away.

The toddler’s wilfully ingenious ways once again emerged following the unfortunate

toothbrush incident. After his consumption of an almost entire packet of chocolate digestives I thought it might be best if I attempted to brush his teeth. All efforts

to scrub his chocolate coated pearly whites transpired to be unsuccessful. I quickly

by Citylink

Limerick to Dublin Airport Non-stop from only

€15

*

each way

In only 2hrs 30mins 16 Daily Services Book at www.eireagle.com Tel: 091 564164

abandoned the task as he screamed, kicked and roared incessantly in protest.

Momentarily my guard dropped and I turned around to clean my own chocolate covered face (I’m fond of digestives myself ). I turned back and the sight that met me caused me to screech in horror. Toddler was there with his nanny’s set of dentures

shoved awkwardly into his tiny mouth. He smiled up at me like a deranged chucky doll, also brandishing the not exactly clean toilet brush.

‘Look mammy, I can brush my teeth…’

I wish I could say these were isolated incidents, but a litany of further inexplicable

events made me acutely aware of our ever diminishing control over our offspring. He is smarter than us. He can outwit us on a terrifyingly consistent basis. The morale

of the story is if you want an easy life, obey your toddler, give in to all demands but above all, lock up your most luxurious cosmetics.

Article by: Jane Butler O’ Halloran *Promotional Fare.

Applies to advance bookings made online only.

WC

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

D i s c ove ring the Pas t Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau In 1828 there was great excitement on the streets

of Limerick, as news reached the city that a Prince would be coming to visit. The Prince, born Count Hermann Pückler on 30 October 1785, later gained the extravagant name of Prince Hermann Ludwig

Heinrich von Pückler-Muskau. In 1817 he married

Lucie von Pappenheim, the daughter of Prince Karl August von Hardenberg. It was following the death

of his father-in-law in 1822 that he acquired the title of Prince. Although they remained friends for years

to come, his marriage to Lucie was dissolved in 1826, and by 1828 he was on the search for a wealthy second wife to help fund his follies.

His plan to find his new, and wealthy, wife was to take a grand tour throughout Ireland and England. He

arrived in Dublin on 11 August 1828 for his statewide excursion through Ireland. His second stop was Galway which he found uncivilised, observing how

the local people lived saying that it was “comparable to savages”. From here he travelled to Limerick and

after his few days in Limerick, he moved on to Kerry.

The Prince was an excellent artist in landscape gardening

and

wrote

widely

appreciated

autobiographical books of his time. These were mostly about his travels in Europe and Northern Africa, which he published under the pen name of “Semilasso”.

During his stay he wrote “Limerick is the third city in Ireland, and of the kind of cities I like, old and

venerable, adorned with Gothic churches and moss-

42

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

covered ruins; with dark narrow streets, and curious

Treaty of Limerick had been signed. The Prince is a

its whole length, and crossed by several antique

in the Prussian service. His sentiments are well known

houses of various dates; a broad river flowing through bridges; lastly, a busy market-place, and cheerful

environs. Such a city has for me a charm like that of

relative of the Bonaparte family, and a Major-General to coincide with every principle of freedom.”

a wood, whose dark branches, now low, now high,

It was no surprise then that while the Prince visited

over-arch the way like a Gothic roof. Modern regular

Napoleon by some gathered locals, who began to let

afford sylvan streets of various forms, and frequently

cities are like a trimly cut French garden: they do not suit my romantic taste.”

The Prince was not overly impressed by the influence

of religion in the city as he wrote “I was not quite

the Treaty Stone, he was mistaken for the son of out a cheer of ‘Long life to Napoleon!’ In response, the Prince laughed and stated: ‘You joke! I am at least

ten years too old to be the son of the great emperor and the beautiful princess.’

well, and returned after a little walk in the town to my

Limerick Evening Post also reported that “Several

waiting for me; he told me that they had rung the

the Order of Liberators” and “Limerick Independent

inn. I found a sexton of one of the Catholic churches

bells as soon as they knew of my arrival, and hoped I would give them ten shillings as a gratuity.”

Later in the day he met a member of the Protestant

church who attempted to warn him “… against the impositions of the Catholics, who annoy strangers in

the most shameless manner, and to beg that your royal

Members of the Limerick Independent Club, and of

Club, waited on his Highness, yesterday, with a Card, conferring the privileges of an honorary Member of the Club, and also with an invitation to the public dinner to be given on Monday.” However, the Prince

could not make the dinner as he was on his way to the home of Daniel O’Connell in Kerry.

highness will not give them anything:—at the same

The Prince was unsuccessful in his endeavour to

the Protestant poor-house.”

Ireland, and he returned to mainland Europe where

time I take the liberty to ask a small contribution to

The local newspaper Limerick Evening Post reported

on 23 September 1828: “His Highness Prince Puckler

Muskua, now on a tour through Ireland, arrived at

procure a wife while travelling through England and

he is remembered through his elaborate gardens, writings, his charismatic presence. In Germany he even has an ice cream named after him.

Moriarty’s Hotel, Limerick, on Saturday last.” The

Article by: Sharon Slater

(O’Connell Street) and owned by Eliza Moriarty. The

Pückler-Muskau” by Auguste Hüssener 1837

Moriarty Hotel was located at 7 George Street following day and yesterday, he visited all the public

Image “Hermann Ludwig Heinrich Fürst von

Institutions, and the different places of worship. He also went to see the stone upon which the memorable

43

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

A N ew Cours e for the N at i o n Mary Immaculate College introduces a BA in Contemporary & Applied Theatre Studies What does the programme title mean, and what does it entail?

The

programme

is

a

general-purpose

drama

qualification, for want of a better term. This course is different from others in the country in that it

does not solely focus on stage performance and the

script. The courses already available don’t reflect the work that most practitioners I know do - hey work in and as part of the community in an applied way. Their ways of working now are less and less in

theatre; their work is site-specific and contemporaryschool/ health settings. I homed in to these two

areas and CATS provides a strong foundation in traditional practices and covers areas like digital

theatre (unavailable elsewhere), applied theatre, cultural policy and administration, costume and lighting, drama and education. There was a lot of thought put in to the practicality of the course and

employability of graduates. I don’t want to train and educate unemployed actors; I want to train drama practitioners who I am happy working alongside.

What is the format of the course?

It is standard UL programme; year one, two and

four are on campus and year three is off campus, be it studying abroad or working. Year four contains an Undergraduate Dissertation; written or performance

based. The course is 50/50 theory/ practical - half the time in the classroom and half in the studio.

Who would the course appeal to?

It’s not an actor training programme, I’m very clear

on that; there are plenty of people interested in theatre but not acting. While students interrogate and practice acting it is suited to people who see beyond

stage performance. It appeals to young people and mature applicants alike. We currently have two mature

students with more mature applicants in for next year.

44

Current students want to progress as directors, drama teachers, techies, designers - a broad spectrum.

You’ve already touched on how this course differs from others, would you like to expand on that?

CATS doesn’t focus on the stage or the text but the space between. Our two academic pillars of the

course are the notion of ensemble (the collective) and

theatre academics and practitioners. This is only stage one of a long-term plan. We hope to increase

the PhD students to 10 and to have a fulltime taught

MA in drama. I want to develop a really energised, engaged, academic and practice-driven unit in Mary Immaculate College, which can be a national and international leader. The raw material is here.

of a socially conscious theatre: a theatre that doesn’t

How many students can you take in each year?

to the world and respond to the world. These are quite

taught MA and two to three PhD students in any

always seek to change the world but will always speak distinct from other courses.

Can students further their studies upon graduating?

Of course!While many will be ready and happy

to go straight into the workforce it is much more common practice now to continue studies to Masters and Doctorate level. Naturally it depends on how

20 to 30 into our undergraduate, 10 to 12 into our year. I want a small but vibrant department, about 150

students when it is fully rolled out. I want students

to have strong personal relationships with the staff they encounter because, for me, teaching is about

relationships; students have a better educational experience when they get to know the faculty.

creatively and intellectually ready the individual feels.

Is there anything else we need to know?

Why is Mary Immaculate College a suitable

students and have brought them in explaining what

location to study theatre?

We are the only campus in Ireland with access to two

professional theatre spaces. The Lime Tree Theatre

is a big reason we developed CATS, in order to tie

the theatre into the academic practices of the college.

We have an incredibly vibrant artistic life on campus, between the Live Music Society, Writers Society, and Dramatic Arts Society among others. Drama has been

part of the campus for over a hundred years, we’re just formalising that. Limerick City is very creative and

theatrical and we are in the heart of Limerick City.

Why not is more the question? It’s a no-brainer.

What is your role in the course?

I’m the course designer and Head of Department.

I’m involved in teaching and learning, assessing and

running. What I’m trying to do is build a team of

I’ve spoken to a lot of Mums, Dads and secondary we do. If there is anybody who wants to know more

about the course and the facilities- just ask! We have a chat back facility online, we’re on all social media platforms, pop me a mail and check out the website.

Article by: Rebecca Egan

Photography by: Emma Mc Namara

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

b u si ne ss C o l m O’B ri e n The d ef i n i tio n o f s uc c e s s ?

Fin d i n g w h at w e va l ue mo s t Colm O’Brien is known to many in Limerick and the broader business community as the founder of Carambola Kidz, a business success story that came off the back of an almost crippling setback.

Colm worked his way up to become one of the

key decision makers within the Bewley’s brand, founding Bewley’s Café Theatre and Bewley’s Hotel at Newlands Cross. He was then given the chance to take on his own Bewley’s franchise in Limerick in 1998, which he bravely took on. The economic

turmoil of the following years led to the failure of the

business, a daunting debt and the question: what do I do now?

From the success of Carambola Kidz came a book, Feeding Johnny, which tells the story of how he overcame adversity. From that, Colm O’Brien

Motivation was born; a programme that aims give people a life to be enjoyed not endured. The central belief is that the potential to live the life you want is

limitless. In his intro video on the website Colm lists his multiple roles in life; speaker, husband, business leader, father, all of equal importance. He is also open

about the fact his life wasn’t always as good as it is

now, that there was a time when he was unhappy, broke, and trapped. Now, in his own words he is living life on his terms, and wants others to get to that

stage too. Colm O’Brien Motivation offers support through blog, book, events, online course, and one on one sessions. Over some hot coffee, plus a bowl of

soup for flu-afflicted Colm, we talked about what he hopes Colm O’Brien Motivation will do for people looking to find their best life.

46

How did Colm O’Brien Motivation come to be?

a delivery in our history and never had a food safety

a path for themselves: whether that’s business, career,

we’re truly blessed that they bought into the vision.

Carambola led to the book Feeding Johnny, which in

It started as family business of husband and wife. We

have launched an online 12-week programme, which

in others, which really strengthened the business, and

in Thomond Park coming up, plus a three day business

to other people but value to put back into Carambola,

real retreat out of the city to blow the cobwebs off!

more recognition too. I’m good at letting the thing go,

heard some really interesting stories from people

is allowing people to take charge of a particular area.

was something more in it. I also needed to do more

particular task, if I can hand it over to someone who

It’s me sharing my experience with others who are on

issue. But beyond that we have even better people,

family, or life in general. Speaking to groups about

So I’m happy to leave them in charge of their areas.

turn led to this next step to tell people a little more. I

stepped back as directors four years ago and brought

already has several people signed up. I have an event

gives me the freedom to go off and add value, not just

retreat out in Lahinch, which will offer people a

it gives me more knowledge and gives Carambola

The Feedback from the book blew me away, and I

it’s been a gradual release, my preferred way of working

I would never have met otherwise. I realised there

I’m a good all-rounder but not particularly good at

for my self – I am in my early fifties, so I’m open to

specialises it makes business stronger.

which is going really well too. I’m not ready to retire,

What does creating the life you want actually mean?

if was hanging around the house so it’s probably best

for the first seminar, as it sums up what I’m trying to

positioning new phase of career beyond Carambola, I couldn’t do nothing and my wife would divorce me

Create The Life You Want was a very specific title

I keep working!

get people to achieve. My sense is that all too often

How do you maintain the balance between running

by job title: I am teacher, I am an accountant etc. In

I wouldn’t be able to balance both without the people

really want. So often we describe success as ‘bigger

our employees are people who’ve been there from

an endless treadmill, no matter how much you have

all understand each other. We’ve developed a great

further dissatisfaction. I don’t believe happiness exists

great systems – I’m proud to say we’ve never missed

dollar, it doesn’t mean we can’t want nice things but

people confuse career with life, defining themselves

Carambola and Colm O’Brien Motivation?

fact that’s just how they earn a crust to live life they

of Carambola. The key for me is the team: half of

better more’. You can never be happy that way - it’s

the beginning and have grown with the business, we

today you always want more and set yourself up for

brand based on reliable consistent quality. We have

there. I’m not in favour of people chasing the almighty

it mustn’t take over our view of ourselves and what success really looks like for you.

What should people be looking for in their lives?

It’s important to realise it varies from person to person.

Money may be what you want and that’s fine. I hope

to get people to stop, or at least pause, and identify what they really value, and give them the tools to help

them get there, to create their own version of success.

We’re usually measuring against other people, but what does success look like for you only? It’s different

for everyone. Fixing a health challenge for example is a success for many people. It’s about realising what

you want and feck the begrudgers. There will always be a critic, let them off. Don’t let that critic become the voice in your own head. And these are tools I have

used myself, I had no roadmap when café failed, I discovered them as I went and it worked for me, so it might work for others.

How do you get people to realise what success looks like to them?

I start by giving them a point in time in the future and

asking them how they would envision their best life then, right down to a particular day. One way we do it

is to ask people to imagine their 80th birthday. People at the seminar who shared theirs surprised themselves

with the simplicity – it was all about family, who was present, not how much money in the pocket or job

title. Another is Sunday morning living - waking up

on a Sunday morning, your work done for the week,

justifiably feeling good about yourself: where are you, what are you looking at? For example I’d love to be by the sea, I’m not at the moment but that’s part of my game plan. The next step then is to look at the path to

that. At the seminar I put up a map of Ireland, route

to Letterkenny which would you take? Some people chose the most direct way; others went for the more scenic route. We all need three things to navigate our way: Know where you are now, what the destination

is, and how you will get there. My take is not enough

people have thought about the route in their lives in enough in detail. It’s quite a powerful exercise to get

down to those details; what does the house look like, where is it, who is there etc. We then work on the piece that is taking them away from that destination

and help bring them closer to the path to take them there.

Provide a step by step guide on working to that journey, video programme, in own time, up to them

to do the homework and follow it, if they do it for 12

weeks they will be closer to where they want to be, the path to get them there.

Do you think we need a culture shift to enable people to life their best life?

In terms of how we define success, yes. But working culture is already shifting. We live in a more flexible world - we just all need to embrace that more. I think people fear that idea, people who have worked one way their whole lives may feel they can’t or don’t want

to change that, but we all have the option to retrain

and restructure our working lives to get closer to a life we want. It’s important to consider the whole of

life, rather than the five/ten year career plan on its own. Set broad stroke goals for life stages, to allow for changing needs, rather than saying ‘I need to be here by the time I am X.’

What do you see as the destination of Colm O’Brien Motivation?

What I’m doing now is exciting and I really, really enjoy it. I’ve no idea where it might lead but right

now I will continue with seminars, writing, videos, programme. I’d like to think it will morph into

something more – I hope to host other speakers and

motivators here in Limerick on regular basis in future.

Article by: Kayleigh Ziolo

Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

b u si ne ss Opinion: Work and having it all Just how do we solve the conundrum of balancing work

and family life? It’s time to truly embrace flexible working For a long time there has been a lot of talk about the evolution of work to a more flexible, mobile culture that allows us the freedom to dedicate our lives more equally to our careers and private lives. We live in a

mobile global world. This is the age of communication,

where technology keeps us constantly connected, allowing us to do so much more outside of the office.

Or at least, so we’re told. Even in the office, we’re not supposed to be chained to our desks in cubicles –

collaboration is the word of the moment, meetings no longer take place in boardrooms but in funky lounges

or downstairs in the café. We’re free and flexible and loving it. Or are we?

The excitement around flexible working does seem to

be more talk than action. We have the tools for more

flexibility - it’s time for businesses in all industries to start embracing it.

We also need to move away from the assumption that

flexible working is something that only those with children, in particular mothers, want. Today, parental roles are much more equal and there probably aren’t too many dads out there who wouldn’t describe

themselves as hands on. Yet the conversation has not moved on very much. We’re yet to shake off the

notion of male breadwinners and female nurturers.

Women still shoulder much of the responsibility when it comes to work choices. Expectant and new

fathers do not face the questions about returning to

48

work full time or part time. In fact 40% of working mothers in Ireland are in part time roles, according

to a recent study. Inadequate paternity leave means economic necessity for women to shoulder the early

parenting, even if she does choose to go back to work soon after. The cost of childcare in Ireland makes the

return to work a financial impossibility for many. The knock-on effects are plain to see: women are still

unrepresented at the top. A recent EY report found that found a third of companies globally have no

women at board or top executive level while less than five per cent have a female chief executive.

Technology and the slow moving trend towards

flexible and home-work have allowed us mothers more options, but it does mean a lot of doing all

things at once. Conference calling clients while breastfeeding the new-born and serving up lunch to

the toddler? Standard practice for many a working mother. Flexibility doesn’t always mean freedom. The EY report also states that polices including more equal

maternity and paternity leave, access to education and elimination of discrimination were key elements in addressing gender balance in the workplace.

More than that, embracing flexible working as standard practice across the board rather than just

as something to accommodate working mothers; we create a more inclusive working culture where the responsibilities of the home are not piled onto the

shoulders of women. We incentivise everyone to give

more and stay loyal to companies, even when their life changes.

Because it’s not just about people with children.

Flexible working is something that young people

value highly too. A study of 2000 recent graduates

found they value a strong work-life balance more than financial gain. It suits us all: How many working

people are forced to make difficult decisions about care of elderly relatives? Or who continually put

off health appointments because of long working hours? Or are simply running themselves into the

ground with constant demand to be endlessly and unnecessarily present in the office, from dawn until

dusk? Embracing flexible jobs protects the mental and physical health of us all.

So why are still talking about flexible working more than putting it into action?

First, we need to remove our obsession with the office.

Flexible working can cut down significantly on office

costs such as desktop computers for all employees.

Investing in cloud and mobile technology can allow

a more streamlined, secure and productive way of working.

Second, we need to put more trust in our employees.

Working from home doesn’t mean time off.

Employees should be trusted to meet the goals and targets set, wherever they are based.

Finally, flexible working is not just of benefit to employees, but a strategic opportunity for businesses

to gain more from those who work from them and increase productivity. We need to change the rhetoric from ‘accommodation’ to ‘acceleration’. Flexibility

doesn’t mean we’re working less, it allows us to give so much more.

Article by: Kayleigh Ziolo

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

P o s iti vi ty Pack A new Limerick-based start-up is spreading joy across

the country with its small, bright packages of happiness.

Positivity Pack, run by local young entrepreneur James

Corneille, is a simple, but effective idea which aims to help lower stress levels and boost happiness.

Positivity Pack aims to tackle the growing mental

health problems affecting the people of Ireland who suffer from exam/work pressure, anxiety and other struggles. In recent years, mental health has become

one of the major causes of suicide in young people and it’s recorded that one in every five people under twenty-five are said to be suffering from a mental disorder in Ireland alone. Although this idea may only be a small, temporary solution, the Limerick

start-up is also raising much-needed awareness for the cause itself through its social media pages and

positive message. Last year the site won an Eircom

Web Design award for its ingenious concept, as well

as being recognised by Enterprise Ireland, Silicon Republic and other technology and innovation-based industries. James says, “a lot of helpful people have been getting in touch with me to help out and I'm very grateful for that. It also inspires me to work even more and to spend more time on it, which I find myself doing.”

This year, the start-up launch their latest app on the

Google Play store allowing you to order either a basic, plus or premium Positivity Pack, with a personalised

note and more content variety. The packs start at an

affordable €8, stopping at €12 for the premium pack.

What began as a simple Transition Year project, Positivity Pack has flourished into an established

50

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

business with a following of over a thousand people on Twitter in just a year.

Corneille himself is one of Limerick's youngest entrepreneurs with multiple other successful projects

com you will find the perfect example of these award-winning web design skills with its childishly appealing colour scheme, minimalist design and fully functioning e-commerce feature.

such as Skizzie; a platform for young children to learn

There’s nothing more important than supporting local

was awarded a Merit Award from Student Enterprise,

Pack. It keeps the city thriving and encourages more

languages through animation. This site and phone app

shortlisted and won two Junior Spider Web Design awards and took home the grand prize in 2014 for

'An Suíomh Is Fearr.' The young entrepreneur is

currently working on a new social-media based music application called Bandition, along with his

online business and style magazine, The Deadline.

These projects have been put on a temporary hold

businesses and innovative start-ups like Positivity

Limerick entrepreneurs to set-up. It should be an

inspiration to everyone and to help develop this idea and create will be something everyone will benefit from.

Article by: Christine Costello

as Corneille works hard on kick starting Positivity

Pack. “I'm really passionate about working on this start-up”, he says. “I love doing it and I can't wait to

keep developing it further and to continue spreading happiness!”

The Positivity Pack website is also designed and run by James, and he has recently begun making a

name for himself in the world of web design with his numerous Junior Spider awards, as well as wins and

achievements in the Futur8, Microsoft App Hero, Swipe and Smart Future competitions in app and web

development for his Skizzie project. At positivitypack.

51

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

L I M ERI CK film fes tiva l The highly anticipated Limerick Film Festival returns

‘Film Freeway’. This is a one-stop show for submitting

day event is set to be huge, with an exciting display

view it helps with both the logistics of the judging and

for its seventh year this April. The LIT-founded three

of Irish filmmaking talent. Since the festival was

founded it continues to attract a myriad of filmmakers, directors, actors and producers from around the world, and promises to be an exciting event, set to take place in Limerick in April 2016.

The festival will include The Short Films Award Show, which will give Limerick filmmakers the opportunity

to showcase their work to an international audience, as well as being nationally credited. The awards show is highly regarded among filmmakers both home and abroad, and will be recorded by Video and Sound Technology Students of LIT, as well as being streamed live on the website.

The event is no stranger to high profile guests,

films to film festivals. From an organization point of

the space needed for viewing hundreds of short films that may come into us each year. Once this is done

and the call for entries is closed (around beginning of March each year) we plan the programme launch

with one of our hosts and main sponsors, The George Hotel, and then there’s the countdown to the festival

itself. The work on the technical side of the festival

then takes priority. The screening of the short listed films as well as the video inserts for the awards show

are edited and checked as the results come in from the

judging panel.There is a lot to get done each year so there is never a moment to waste in order to get the balance right for the audience.

with previous speakers having included Mad Max:

How do you feel the festival has evolved?

Film Maker and Limerick man Kevin Liddy, Irish

changes yet has maintained some of the original

Fury Road Co-Author Brendan McCarthy, Irish comedian and producer Pat Shortt, along with many

more. Industry workshops are also on offer for 2016 including master classes and demonstration events.

Speaking to TLM, founder and director of the festival Simon McGuire has talked about what to expect from The Limerick Festival, and why it’s an exciting and innovative occasion in the city.

What does it take to organise the festival each year, what goes in to the preparation?

Each year the preparation for the Limerick Film

Festival starts in the summer. We review the previous

festival in April by looking at attendance figures and social media feedback online. We also look back at

the guest speakers and workshops and access what

gaps need to be filled in for the next year’s schedule.

In September, we start organizing the ‘call for entries’ for the short film awards. This was usually a long and arduous task; however in 2015 we decided to utilize

52

Since 2010, the festival has undergone significant ideas over the past seven years. Our Short Film

Awards Show is still the same format as it was but with a slicker feel and appearance each year. We

think that our awards show is what sets us apart and there has always been great feedback from the film

makers who attended as well as the audiences that

watched the live stream of the show online. We have had some great interval performances as well as guest speakers presenting the awards as we try to utilize the students of (Video and Sound Technology and Music

Technology programmes) LIT in the production of

the show where ever possible. The biggest planned change we have had was the name of the festival. In

2014, as part of the Limerick City of Culture 2014, the festival went form the LIT Film Festival to the

Limerick Film Festival. This was part of the first five-year plan to open up the festival to the wider audience, to allow the professional filmmakers in

Ireland to recognize the festival as a part of the Irish

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

54

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Film festival circuit. LIT are and always will be the backbone of the festival and since 2014 we have had an increase of interest from national and international organizations.

The other change we have noticed is the ever increasing quality and diversity of short films submitted

by filmmakers. Animation and documentary are

becoming as popular as short drama for submission.

With this year’s festival we are hoping to see how the use of Film FreeWay will help with the organization

of the judging and selection of the films for the

festival. Hopefully we can learn and evolve this over the years to create a smoother workflow on the awards show.

What’s the biggest challenge in setting up the festival?

Time is always the biggest challenge. As most

of the people who work on the festival are either

academic or technical staff or even the students, work commitments of the day jobs also have to be

completed. In saying that, the festival is sitting at

the end of the academic calendar so there is a sense of a party-like atmosphere once we get the festival started. Students have a chance to show off their skills they have learnt in the lecture room as well

as possibly meeting and chatting with directors and producers from the industry. As LIT is the only

institute of technology running its own festival, there are unique opportunities for the students to make initial impressions for future employers. It is

hoped in the coming years that the festival will work closely with other festivals such as the Fresh Film Festival and the Richard Harris International Film

Festival, to maximize the impact of the film making industry here in the mid-west. With the introduction

of Troy Studios Ltd. this year, Limerick is firmly in

the sights of filmmakers both here and abroad. The

challenge we have at the Limerick Film Festival as

well as Limerick Institute of Technology is to create a

opportunities for student and professional filmmakers

filmmakers to visit and possibly setup in the region,

What is probably needed more than anything is a

culture of professional film making which will attract which in turn will create industry jobs for the college graduates.

What has the response been like from students and participants in the Short Film Awards Show?

The response each year to the short film awards is incredible. As mentioned, the quality of the films has

in Limerick and Ireland to influence Irish culture. central hub for these independent filmmakers, a place

where ideas can be shared and practice on. With the

development of Troy Studios Ltd, along with projects like the Royal on Cecil Street there could be a bright future for filmmakers in the coming years, especially if the Limerick 2020 bid is successful.

naturally improved. There seems to be a bench mark

In the future, what do you envision the Limerick

based on the previous year’s film entries and we see

I envision the Limerick Film Festival working closely

that student and professional filmmakers aim for the ideas and creative minds pushing themselves to

improve their craft each year. In its first year the festival only had about 35 entries whereas we have hundreds

now. This is always a fantastic acknowledgment for

the festival and also creates new challenges in the organization and judging.With the likes of Brown

Bag Films entering last year we were blown away that such a professional team were interested in

participating in a small festival such as ours. This was the desired outcome when we changed the festival name and expanded our reach to other regions and areas of the craft of filmmaking.

How important do you feel the film industry is to the Irish culture?

The Irish Film Industry is maybe seen as a smaller

Film Festival evolving into?

with the other film festivals in the city. Collaborations are vital for everyone. The festival has always strived

to evolve and we are always open to ideas. The short film awards will always be apart of the festival but

as we evolve there could be an expansion to include feature length films. This would be a huge logistical

challenge; however with the possible collaboration

with other festivals there could be room to include a feature length section in the awards show.

The Launch of this year’s programme as well as the

announcement of the short listed films for the awards show will be made in the last week of March 2016

with the festival getting underway from April 14th to 16th 2016.

contributor to Irish culture over the years, however

All queries can be made to

Irish Film is in a sort of renaissance. The Limerick

and further information can be found at:

as we have seen with this year’s Oscar nominations, 2020 bid this year has a number of areas of culture it is promoting and film is amongst them. There have been a number of new festivals started in the past few

years as well as an influx of independent filmmakers

producing short films across the city and county. The

Limerickfilmfestival@lit.ie

Website: www.limerickfilmfestival.net Article by: Laura McNamara Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

art of film is becoming more and more important in the visual world of online media and there are huge

55

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

T h e B e s t M ov ie s You’ve (P ro b a bly ) Neve r S e en With big budget blockbuster movies forever gracing our screens, it’s quite easy to miss out on some modern masterpieces. Check out the list below and if you haven’t already, these are all must see films.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

It Follows (2014)

Attack The Block (2011)

Directed by Woody Allen, we meet writer Gil, (Owen

The plot to this eerie horror revolves around a

From the producers that brought us Shaun of the

McAdams) in Paris. Struggling for inspiration for

encounter with a boy, is informed that she is now

back sci-fi horror and comedy crossover is a pleasure

Wilson) who’s on holiday with his fiancée (Rachel his new novel, he stumbles upon a way to travel back

in time to 1920’s Paris, where he meets some of the

greatest writers and artists of all time including the

likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Salvador Dali. While Gil explores this romantic

period, he becomes dissatisfied with his present day self and must make life changing choices. The

cinematography and picturesque beauty of Paris

is delivered in an exquisite manner in the film.

This Academy Award winning movie is perfect for lovers or art and literature, and offers a nostalgic feel throughout.

56

young girl Jay (Maika Monroe), who after a sexual the being followed by a mysterious figure that is always walking towards her. This figure can look like

a stranger or someone she knows, and if it touches her she will die. The plot is straightforward and

there are no complicated details to dwell on, which adds a mysterious element that further intensifies

the suspense throughout the film. The intense and pulsating soundtrack alone will keep your heart

racing from start to finish, and you’ll be looking over your shoulder for days to follow.

Dead and Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, this stripped to watch. A group of South London teenagers and their ringleader Moses ( John Boyega) gear up on

Guy Fawkes Night to protect their council estate

neighbourhood from an evil extra-terrestrial invasion.

The movie has received critical acclaim and a number

of accolades, with it being considered a cult movie by

many websites. There are definitely ‘coming of age’ themes throughout, along with innocent humour mixed with profanities. The movie has been praised for

the actors in particular, who portray their characters in an endearing and charming way.

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Short Term 12 (2013) The story centres on Grace (Brie Larsson), a supervisor at a group home for at risk teenagers. As she begins to

connect with new resident Jayden, we are introduced to the traumas of her own life, which are reflective of

the other traumatic stories of the home’s residents’.

From every day routines such as sorting medication

and doing paperwork, to emotional breakdowns

and life threatening issues, viewers are offered a very realistic look into the life of care workers and

residents in group homes. The movie is an emphatic

and emotional drama that captivates audiences, and draws attention to hard hitting realities, while delicately dealing with the issues that many of today’s youth are struggling with.

Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)

The Raid: Redemption (2011)

Filled with innocent humour, gut-wrenching bloody

It has been a long time since the genre of martial

should be a failure of a movie is actually extremely

in the film industry, but this action packed spectacle

violence and stereotypical movie clichés, what entertaining and fun to watch. When two scruffy and senseless friends decide to renovate a cabin in

the woods, things take a bloody turn for the worst when vacationing clueless college students mistake

the friendly pair for murderous hillbillies. The simple

and well-intended natures of the duo are the driving force of the movie, with chaos ensuing over a very

straightforward misunderstanding between both

parties. When you cross stupid comedy with over the top horror tropes, this movie is the end product with traditional genre conventions being turned upside.

arts movies have been at the forefront of popularity

reintroduces the captivating and effervescent essence of what martial arts movies have to offer. The story follows Rama (Iko Uwais), a rookie member of an

elite team of commandos, who when attempting to take down a brutal crime lord, must lead his remaining

team to finish the job. The choreography of each fight scene along with the stunts are almost artistic on a visual level, which no doubt captivates audiences and

builds suspense as the action progresses. If you enjoy

this movie, the good news is that a sequel, The Raid 2, is also available to watch.

Article by: Laura McNamara

57

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

M e di a Pro file Brand New Retro

Brand New Retro founder, Brian “Doug” McMahon,

Why did you first decide to create Brand New

I’ve always enjoyed going to flea markets, jumble sales

culture in print media. For the past five years, Brand

I was involved in the punk and post‐punk music

charity shop. So I’ve picked up lots of good stuff from

has found a way to immortalise the best of Irish pop

New Retro has been the online home to thousands of digitised images, adverts and articles from vintage

Irish publications dating back to the early 1950’s.

The website includes everything from images of

Irish landmarks such as Desmond Castle in Adare being featured in Vogue magazine in 1959, to Todd’s of Limerick advertisements in 1971. Brian is now

known for sourcing and scanning vintage magazines

and fanzines that have never before been available online.

Retro?

scene in Ireland and played in groups and produced

fanzines. I thought the fanzines, photos, press reviews and demo tapes I was involved with were important

years ago. I found a brilliant photo of him with my

It was always an ambition to do a book version of the

nothing about it until my father died suddenly five

mother at Bulins, Mosney from 1964. I scanned it and

this transformed it into something big and beautiful and I knew then that this was the beginning of the blog, using this scanned photo as the banner.

turning the websites best retro finds into something

I had a great collection to start with. Having created

Joe Collins, the Brand New Retro book was launched

in November 2015 and has opened up many people to a whole new world of Irish pop culture.

58

of mouth also work well.

How did the option to create a book first come

How do you typically find magazines for the

brand new again. Teaming up with graphic designer

these sources over the past 40 years. Online and word

and should be digitised so I thought about it but did

Since 2011, the website Brand New Retro has become

so popular that Brian recently released his own book

and car boot sales and I find it hard to walk past a

website?

fanzines back in the late 1970s with my brother Eamonn, we found that we developed a respect for

the work that went into magazine production so

we held onto a lot of what we bought and were less inclined to discard them.

about?

blog and bring the best scans back to their former physical glory of print and have them all together in one book.

The blog had become successful [and] traffic to the

site grew. It had built up a reputation for posting interesting, rare content most of which never had

appeared online. It won multiple blog and web awards

and I knew that there would be interest and demand for a book version.

My friend Joe Collins is a graphic designer and

also works in advertising. In 2014 he updated his portfolio and produced it in book format. It was a

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

very impressive portfolio as was the actual book itself.

Joe was highly motivated, he shared my ambition

to revitalise these lost images and present them in a beautiful, contemporary book format.

We produced a mock-up of the book, fifty pages,

and used this in our discussions with publishers.

Independent publishers Liberties Press liked our idea and we liked them.

How did you decide on the cover of the book?

We wanted to get the physical magazines on the

cover ‐ and for the front and back cover to look great but also to have significance. We rented the News Vending stand on O’Connell St, Dublin and at 6.00

am on a Sunday morning last April we filled the shelves with my old magazines and papers.

What are some of your favourite articles and adverts from the book and why?

I love every page in the book. Each has its own story that goes with it.

You said that when you were younger you used to

issues were produced and sold around pubs and discos in Dundalk town. While the first issue was heavily

influenced by punk fanzines, the content and design

evolved over the years into offering a humorous and

irrelevant look at life in Dundalk for the young single

male and female during the late 70s and early 80s.

Essentially, it was about music, TV, pubs, fashion, books, movies, discos and sport. It cost a fortune to produce and we didn’t have any sponsorship or adverts in it, the only revenue was from sales.

Where do you think your interest in print journalism stems from?

Both my parents were big newspaper and magazine

readers and were big fans of sport and the arts.

Also living close to the border we would pop up to

Newry where you had a wider choice of comics and

won’t become obsolete.

What are your plans for the future with Brand New Retro?

Continue to seek out and post more lost, rare interesting Irish pop culture content on www. brandnewretro.ie.

The Brand New Retro book is available to purchase

now in bookstores nationwide and on www. libertiespress.com. You can see more digitised Irish articles and ads on www.brandnewretro.ie.

Article by: Sophie Butler

Images supplied by: Brian Mc Mahon

magazines and they were much cheaper than in the

South. Also the DIY spirit of punk and seeing other fanzines come out inspired my brother and I to just go ahead and do things that we really cared about.

create fanzines ‐ what were they usually about?

Do you think that magazines are now becoming

Eamonn. The first issue was in 1978. A further four

Before the internet, magazines WERE the internet.

Yes, I started a fanzine called Too Late with my brother

There is less need and demand for them but they

obsolete?

59

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

To p 5 B l o ck bu s t e r s for S umme r 2016 It has been a long, cold winter around the Emerald Island. The long December evenings were dull and dreary, and every new storm hitting the country

added that little bit of misery to already sodden and storm-weary souls. It’s time to rejoice as the evenings

steadily becoming brighter and longer, and with

a little bit of luck, will bring some decent heat and lasting sunshine over the coming months.

The imminent arrival of Summer always heralds

two things; regular runs from the ice cream van, and movie blockbusters. There's a good few films looming

large in the horizon, and this summer promises to yield quite a few big hitters.

Here's a rundown of my top 5 Summer 2016

blockbusters. All these movies will premiere in Ireland between June 1 and July 30.

Warcraft Opens on: June 10 Are you a gamer? The kind with a pallid complexion, who spends nights on end battling orcs in the world

of Azeroth? Even if you're nothing of the sort, you're likely to have heard of Warcraft.

Originally released for PC (in DOS version, if you're old enough to remember what that is) way back in

1994, Warcraft took the gaming world by storm. Over

the years, several sequels, expansion packs, novels, and all kinds of Warcraft-related merchandise and

memorabilia has flooded the market. A Warcraft movie was thus inevitable, really, but the technology

to bring such epic fantasy world to life just wasn't there at the time.

Warcraft: The Beginning, as its international release title reads, is based on the conflict between Orcs

and humans, two opposing races with very different motivations to fight each other.

As its moniker indicates, it is intended to be the first movie in a new franchise. Whether it's financially

successful enough to warrant it remains to be seen.

Warcraft is one for the younger generation, perhaps, though fans of epic fantasy in general could do a lot worse.

60

The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Experiment Opens on: June 10 The first Conjuring movie introduced paranormal

investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga respectively. In

2013's The Conjuring, the Warren duo investigate a series of paranormal events taking place at a

farmhouse in Rhode Island. It did moderately well at the box office, and was well received critically.

The inevitable sequel is almost upon us. Now, the

Warrens travel to the United Kingdom, where a little girl living in a council house in Enfield is being

plagued by supernatural occurrences. The film takes its inspiration from the 'true' events of the Enfield

case, which took place in the London Borough of

Enfield from 1977 to 1979. The alleged haunting involved two young girls, aged 11 and 13, living in their mother's council house.

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Independence Day: Resurgence Opens on: June 24 One of the big names of the summer, the sequel to

the 1996 mega-hit Independence Day promises to deliver more of the same alien whoop-ass action, but

probably louder, with a higher alien body count, and a hell of a lot more expensive.

Roland Emmerich takes the helm again, and though Will Smith will not feature this time round (he asked

for too big a salary, if the rumours are to be believed), we do get Jeff Goldblum reprising his role of smart

and slightly nerdy David Levinson, a satellite expert

cum world saviour, and Bill Pullman as President Whitmore. Liam Hemsworth of The Hunger Games fame joins the cast.

Independence Day: Resurgence takes place two decades after the original invasion attempt.

In the intervening years, the world has been largely

rebuilt, and a brand new Earth Space Defence

system, constructed with salvaged alien technology, now protects the planet against any extra-terrestrial menace. However, the invading aliens had been able

to send a distress signal to their home planet before their final defeat, and a much larger battle fleet is on its way to finish Earth off.

What it's pretty clear is that Resurgence will give you more bang for your buck, and if you liked the first

one, with its cheesy one-liners, paper thin plot and

even thinner characters, you are likely to fall head over

Ghostbusters

Jason Bourne

Opens on: July 15

Opens on: July 29

It was the summer of 1984 when the smash

The Bourne franchise kicked off back in 2002 (would

supernatural comedy of sorts, Ghostbusters brought

Bourne Identity. Matt Damon took up the role of

hit Ghostbusters hit the screens worldwide. A together the talents of comedian Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, a veteran from Saturday Night Live, and fellow comedian Harold Ramis, as a trio of eccentric

parapsychology students who get more than their

bargained for after starting a ghost-trapping business.

Ghostbusters kick-started a franchise, and a sequel, Ghostbusters II, was released in 1989. Two cartoon

TV series followed, with video games and other media also launched over the years.

Now in 2016 we'll see a reboot of the series with an

all-female cast: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones will pick up the ghost-

catching duties in this one, with Chris Hemsworth thrown in for eye-candy.

Plot is a rather standard fare. Four women from different backgrounds join forces against a supernatural

entity that can exert control over humans. Not the

most original or exciting of premises. Slime, the green blobby ghost is sure to put an appearance, if only for nostalgia value.

The trailer, released only three weeks ago, was viewed

you believe) with now classic action thriller The Jason Bourne, an operative working for a shady covert agency called Treadstone.

Based on material written by American author Robert Ludlum, The Bourne series would go on to meet great commercial success - at least the films

with Matt Damon as the eponymous agent did. The Bourne Legacy, a misguided reboot attempt with Jeremy Renner playing a Bourne-like operative, did not fare so well.

This summer, a new Bourne movie, succinctly titled

Jason Bourne, will hit the screens towards the end of July. Matt Damon is back in the lead role, as is Julia Stiles as CIA worker Nicky Parsons. Veteran actor

Tommy Lee Jones also joins the cast as a yet unnamed high ranking CIA boss.

The original Bourne trilogy has so far grossed nearly

$1 billion worldwide, and this latest sequel is sure not to disappoint fans of the series.

Article by: Fernando Sanchez

about 24 million times in 24 hours. It received mixed reviews, however, and it remains to be seen whether

the movie simply hopes to cash in on the pull and

undisputed charm of the original, or can it stand in its own right.

heels with its sequel.

And did I mention that Resurgence is but the middle chapter in a planned trilogy?

61

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Ven ue s in Lim eric k Limerick has some fantastically unique performance

venues that can truly bring out the best in live music and theatre. If you haven't made it to a show in Limerick, it's about time you checked these venues out...

Live A t The B i g-T op Limerick's Milk Market as we know it today, underwent restoration at an enormous cost in the

1990s, reopening it's doors on the 1st of September 1995 as one of the most renowned food markets

in Ireland. Over the weekends, Limerick's Milk Market becomes a hive of activity with markets on

Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's market in

particular is one to clear your morning schedule for, with a myriad of food stalls offering the freshest

artisan produce, along with quirky vintage finds and records. Having undergone renovations to the tune

of â‚Ź2million in the year 2010, the original open-air market became weather tight with the addition of a

large canopy. Limerick's Milk Market now doubles as a concert venue, Live At The Big-Top. Since its redevelopment, Live At The Big-Top has played host

to some of the biggest acts Ireland has to offer such as Hermitage Green, The Coronas and Imelda May

as well as international acts like Kasabian and Calvin

Harris. With a capacity to hold 1,200 to 1,500, Live At The Big-Top has become one of Limerick's primary concert venues.

Dolan's Having opened it's doors in 1994, Dolan's Pub has become a much loved venue in Limerick City. With

live traditional Irish music seven nights a week, this spot on the Dock Road has cemented itself in Limerick's nightlife scene. Featuring an Irish pub and

restaurant serving delicious bar food, Dolan's also has

3 live music venues on offer including the Warehouse,

person capacity, this more intimate setting has enjoyed

380 person capacity, Dolan's Warehouse has played

notable comedian Des Bishop. Lastly, not forgetting

Upstairs venue and the Kasbah Social Club. With a

host to a number of incredible Irish and international acts over the years including Glen Hansard, Damien Rice and Mumford and Sons. The venue also plays

host to Limerick's best dance/indie club night DIE. Since it's opening in 2004, Dolan's Upstairs has also hosted a number of notable performers. With a 200

62

performances from the likes of Gemma Hayes and

the newly built Kasbah Social Club is home to the biannual metal gig The Siege Of Limerick.

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

University Concert Hall Situated in the hub of activity that is University

of Limerick in Castletroy, Limerick's 1,038 seat

auditorium, University Concert Hall, has had a pivotal

role in promoting arts and culture in Limerick. Since it's opening in 1993 by Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, UCH has played host to some of the most notable names in the entertainment industry including legendary Irish musicians such as Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connell

and Christy Moore, as well as comedian Jimmy Carr.

UCH also engages with Limerick's home grown

talent and has enjoyed performances from the likes

of Limerick Musical Society and Limerick Choral Society since it's inception.

The Belltable Arts Centre/The Lime Tree Theatre Since it's opening in 1981, The Belltable Arts Centre has engraved itself in Limerick's strong tradition of amateur theatre. Following a brief closure in January

2013, the venue has since reopened as of January

2016 run by the Lime Tree Theatre. Situated in 69 O'Connell Street, the arts centre itself is housed in a

suitably ornate Georgian style building and features a basement restaurant, a visual arts studio on the ground floor, a 250 seat theatre and a 50 seat balcony

studio for smaller performances. Situated on the everexpanding campus of Mary Immaculate College in

Limerick city The Lime Tree Theatre officially opened in October 2012. Since its opening, the 510 seat theatre has become a significant contributor to arts

performance since 2004 when The Frames headlined

and culture in Limerick.

an event there. Since a massive revamp to the tune of

King John's Castle

have been hosted in the venue and The Coronas are

This May bank holiday weekend, Irish band The Coronas are set to be the first act to perform in a

â‚Ź6million in 2013, a number of high profile events

Article by: Orla Dallman

Photography by: Tarmo Tuilt

sure to be the first of a number of incredible musical artists to perform there in the future.

series of gigs planned for King John's Castle. The band will play to a crowd of 2,000 people in the stunning

medieval setting of the castle; it's first live musical

63

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

lim e r i c k 2 0 2 0

As we patiently await the result of the Limerick 2020

EVA International works with world-renowned guest

Éigse Michael Hartnett, is hosted throughout the

of cultural experiences to get involved in throughout

Koyo Kouoh. EVA International has worked with

the schools, library, hospital and pubs. The celebration

European City of Culture bid, there are still plenty

Limerick over the coming months. The proposal’s

progression so far has been down to the expansion and

participation in culture throughout Limerick, which

has been going from strength to strength recently.

April sees the return of two diverse cultural festivals focusing on contemporary art and literature, which are taking place throughout the city and county.

Eva International Ireland’s biennial exhibition of contemporary art,

curators, with the 2016 exhibition being curated by some of the world’s leading artists and curators such

as Rosa Martínez and Klaus Ottmann, since its foundation in 1977. This year’s exhibitions take place

in both gallery and non-gallery spaces offering an

interesting environment for the cultural experience.

EVA International is supported by the Arts Council

of Ireland, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick School of Art & Design and works in close partnership with Limerick City Gallery of Art.

EVA International, commences on the 16th of April

Éigse Michael Hartnett Literary & Arts Festival

programme of events and exhibitions is designed to

As one of the central figures in modern Irish poetry,

and will run until the 17th of July. This twelve-week engage not only with the people of Limerick, but

individuals from all over Ireland. Every two years

64

Michael Hartnett’s legacy and work is recognized

throughout the festival. The literary and arts festival,

town of Newcastle West with events taking place in of Harnett’s legacy offers a diverse programme

of events, which creates an ambiance of warmth, hospitality that lends itself to lively gatherings, easy conversation and spirited debate. The Éigse Michael Hartnett Literary & Arts Festival runs from Thursday

14th of April until Saturday 16th and is accessible for

anyone to attend and participate in the numerous events taking place throughout its duration.

A full programme of events showcasing the wealth of activities Limerick has to offer is available on www. limerick2020.ie.

Article by: Katie O’Brien

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

the l i m e ri ck magazi ne g ig of the month

Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott will play Live at The Big Top in the Milk Market for the second time on

Friday, April 18th. This will mark the beginning of the spring/summer concerts at Live at the Big Top for 2016.

Both Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott are former

lead singers of The Beautiful South, known for

their countless hits such as ‘Rotterdam’, ‘Perfect 10’ and ‘Dream A Little Dream Of Me’. They originally formed in 1988 by former members of The

Housemartins, including Paul Heaton. They were then joined by Jacqui in 1994 until she left the band

in 2000. The band then broke up seven years after her departure.

Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott reformed again in

2013 to record their album ‘What Have I Become?’.

Since its release they have toured the UK and Ireland, performed at Glastonbury and more recently they

have released their second studio album, “Wisdom, Laughter and Lines”, leaving them with two UK Top Ten albums in the last three years.

They are now returning to Limerick as part of their

second Irish tour with other performances taking

place in Dublin, Cork, Wexford, Derry and Belfast.

Their previous performance at Live at The Big Top in

2014 definitely won over the crowd as it was met with rave reviews. This won’t be a performance you’ll want to miss out on.

Tickets are €30 and are available from Dolans.ie and Ticketmaster.

Article by: Sophie Butler

65

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

t h e li merick magazin e E v e nt gu i d e LIMERICK AND THE 1916 RISING Monday 21st March - Sunday 15th May

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick City

BREAKING DAD Tuesday 29th March - Saturday 2nd April

University Concert Hall, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick

PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT Friday 1st April @ 9pm

Dolans Pub & Warehouse, Dock Road, Limerick

DROP IN ARTS AND CRAFTS Saturday 2nd April @ 12pm

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick Cit

KIDSBRAIN Saturday 2nd April @ 1pm

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick

JOHNNY DUHAN Saturday 2nd April @ 8pm

The Belltable, 69 O'Connell Street, Limerick

RED HURLEY IN CONCERT Saturday 2nd April @ 8pm

Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick

SEODA SHOWS PRESENTS WILLIS EARL BEAL (US) Saturday 2nd April @ 9pm

Dolans Pub & Warehouse, Dock Road, Limerick

66

FAMILY FUN DAY AT LIMERICK RACECOURSE

EXMAGICIAN

Sunday 3rd April @ 2.20pm

Dolans Pub & Warehouse, Dock Road, Limerick

Patrickswell

LOGOS SEMINAR SERIES: DO ANIMALS MAKE MUSIC?

KIDS’ ARTS AND CRAFTS CLUB

Thursday 7th April @ 10am - 12pm

Limerick Racecourse, Greenmount Park,

Sunday 3rd April @ 2.30pm - 4pm

Wednesday 6th april @ 8pm

Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street,

of Limerick, Limerick

LIMERICK CHAMBER SKILLNET: PROJECT MANAGEMENT

LUNCHTIME PERFORMANCE SERIES: SPRING AND SUMMER - EMMA FITZGERALD

Monday & Tuesdays 4th, 5th, 11th & 12th of April

Thursday 7th April @ 13:15

Limerick City

Raheen, Limerick

UCH CINEMA SPRING SEASON ROCKY

Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick

Monday 4th April @ 7.30pm

IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PRESENTS '1916 - REVOLUTION & RHETORIC'

Castletroy, Limerick

Thursday 7th April @ 8pm

University Concert Hall, University of Limerick,

IS THERE A LITTLE ROOM FOR CHAMBER MUSIC IN YOUR LIFE?

St Mary's Cathedral, Bridge Street, Limerick City

MARIO ROSENSTOCK LIVE

Tuesday 5th April @ 7pm

Thursday 7th April

Courtbrack Avenue, Limerick

Castletroy, Limerick

Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College,

University Concert Hall, University of Limerick,

THE TOWER SEMINAR SERIES: MUSIC, IMMIGRATION GROUPS AND MIGRATION

ISTA AGM AND CONFERENCE 2016 SCIENCE EDUCATION IN IRELAND

Wednesday 6th April @ 4pm - 5.30pm

Limerick Strand Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick City

Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick

Friday 8th & Saturday 9th April Centre

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

PAUL HEATON AND JACQUI ABBOTT

NATHAN GRISDALE

Friday 8th April @ 7pm

Sunday 10th April @ 8pm

Live at the Big Top, Limerick Milk Market, Cornmarket Row, Limerick

PATRICK O'SULLIVAN IN CONCERT Friday 8th April @ 8pm

Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick

LIT Millennium Theatre, Moylish Park, Limerick

SOCIAL MEDIA BOOTCAMP

SMELLS LIKE NIRVANA WITH CORK GRUNGE BAND PARADOX Friday 15th April @ 9pm

Cobblestone Joe's, 11a, Little Ellen Street, Limerick

Mondays from 11th April @ 1.30pm - 5.30pm

EVA INTERNATIONAL 2016: STILL ( THE) BARBARIANS

Limerick

16th April - 10th July 2016

Limerick Education Centre, Dooradoyle, Co.

Limerick City Gallery of Art, Carnegie Building,

REBEL REBEL - THE DAVID BOWIE EXPERIENCE

STARLIGHT EXPRESS

Friday 8th april @ 9pm

8pm

EVA INTERNATIONAL – IRELAND’S BIENNIAL

Courtbrack Avenue, Limerick

Saturday 16th April - Sunday 17th July

Dolans Pub & Warehouse, Dock Road, Limerick

CAPTURING A LIKENESS PORTRAIT DRAWING Saturday 09th April @ 10am-12pm

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick City

SLOW ART DAY

Wednesday 13th - Saturday 16th April @ 11am & Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College,

LUNCHTIME PERFORMANCE SERIES: SING OUT WITH STRINGS SHOWCASE Wednesday 13th April @ 1.15pm

Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick

Saturday 09th April @ 12pm

THE TOWER SEMINAR SERIES: CURATING PERFORMANCE

Limerick City

Wednesday 13th April ~ 4pm - 5.30pm

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street,

KIDSBRAIN Saturday 9th April @ 1pm

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick

ARE YOU HAVING A LAUGH

Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick

QUAI D’ORSAY Wednesday 13th April @ 8pm

Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick

Saturday 9th April @ 8pm

SEE FOR CINEMA – THE LADY IN THE VAN

Courtbrack Avenue, Limerick

Wednesday 13th April @ 8pm

Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College,

SHARON SHANNON LIVE Saturday 9th April @ 8pm

Dolans Pub & Warehouse, Dock Road, Limerick

THE THREE TENO RS AND STAR VIOLINIST

The Belltable 69 O'Connell Street, Limerick

LIMERICK FILM FESTIVAL 2016 Thursday 14th - Saturday 16th April

LIT Millennium Theatre, Moylish Park, Limerick

LSAD 19TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION

Saturday 9th April @ 8pm

Thursday 14th April - Sunday 15th May

Castletroy, Limerick

Limerick City

University Concert Hall, University of Limerick,

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street,

Pery Square, Limerick

Limerick City Gallery of Art, Cleeve’s Condensed

Milk Factory and various locations across Limerick.

YELLOW TREES Saturday 16th April @ 2:30pm

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick City

PUBLIC LECTURE - 'THE WOMEN OF LIMERICK' BY SINEAD MCCOOLE Tuesday 19th April @ 8pm

Limerick City Library, The Granary, Michael Street, Limerick

MEETING THE CHILDREN Tuesday 19th April @ 1pm

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick City

THE LIMERICK SPRING Wednesday 20th - Sunday 24th April Limerick City

THE TOWER SEMINAR SERIES: WHY DO BALLADS HAVE WORDS? Wednesday 20th April @ 4pm - 5.30pm

Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick

67

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

PUCCINI’S TOSCA Wednesday 20th April @ 8pm

University Concert Hall, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick

SEE FOR CINEMA - RAMS Wednesday 20th April @ 8pm

The Belltable, 69 O'Connell Street, Limerick

GLENQUIN CASTLE - RE-ENACTMENT OF 1916 MARCH Sunday 24th April

Situated near Newcastle West on the R515, near the village of Ashford, County Limerick

MEMORIAL GARDENS LAUNCH Sunday 24th - Monday 25th April

Merchant’s Quay Limerick, Kilmallock, Newcastle West

DONAL SHEEHAN EXHIBITION Thursday 21st April @ 8pm

Newcastle West, Co Limerick

LOGOS SEMINAR SERIES: HISTORY, THE BALLAD AND THE IDEA OF A MEMORY Thursday 21st April @ 10am - 12pm

Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick

MALONEY’S DREAM / BRIONGLÓID MALONEY Thursday 21st - Saturday 23rd April

Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College, Courtbrack Avenue, Limerick

DANIEL KEMISH

and Rathkeale

TREE PLANTING CEREMONY AT GRANGE Sunday 24th April @ 3pm

Grange, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick

BRY- ALL AGES GIG Sunday 24th April @ 6pm-22pm

Dolans Pub & Warehouse, Dock Road, Limerick

FRONTLINE STAGE SCHOOL – ADARE AND RAHEEN Sunday 24th April @ 7pm

Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College, Courtbrack Avenue, Limerick

X-FACTORY Monday 25th April @ 8pm

LUNCHTIME PERFORMANCE SERIES: MA CLASSICAL STRING PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE Thursday 28th April @ 1.15pm

Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN Thursday 28th - Saturday 30th April @ 8pm

University Concert Hall, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick

THE LIPSTICK CLUB Thursday 28th & Friday 29th April @ 8pm

The Belltable, 69 O'Connell Street, Limerick

LIMERICK RIVERFEST Friday 29th April - Monday 2nd May Limerick City

CASTING AWAY THE CAMÁN FOR THE STEEL Friday 29th April @ 1pm

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick City

FRUITCAKE

Friday 22nd April @ 8pm

Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick

IT’S THE REAL MCCOY

ARTIST CONVERSATION SERIES DEIRDRE POWER

Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd April @ 8pm

Wednesday 27th April @ 11am

UL SPORT KIDS RUN

Limerick City

University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick

Dolans Pub & Warehouse, Dock Road, Limerick

Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick

THE WINDSTEALERS Friday 22nd April @ 8pm

The Belltable, 69 O'Connell Street, Limerick

MARTIN MOLONY RACE DAY Saturday 23rd April @ 2.30pm

Limerick Racecourse, Greenmount Park, Patrickswell

68

Friday 29th April @ 2.30pm & 8pm

Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College, Courtbrack Avenue, Limerick

The Hunt Museum, Custom House, Rutland Street,

Saturday 30th April

SEE FOR CINEMA – ROOM

THE CORONAS LIVE AT KING JOHN'S CASTLE

Wednesday 27th April @ 8pm

The Belltable, 69 O'Connell Street, Limerick

Saturday 30th April @ 7.30pm

King John's Castle, King’s Island, Limerick

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

69

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

Closing Time 1 0 minutes wit h … Sh a n e S e r r a no Name: Shane Sarrano

Occupation: Film Maker / Photographer / Musician Fun fact about you: I’m half Colombian, half

Favourite quote of all time?

Favourite place to grab a bite?

else's.”

Donkey Fords… the list goes on!

“Build your own dreams, or be hired to build someone

So many! Canteen, Red Hen, Dolans, Cafe Noir,

Peruvian, Dublin born, but lived in Limerick all my

What is the most recent book you have read?

Best drink in town?

What motivates you in the morning?

Are you superstitious, do you have any personal

Favourite people?

then, so mornings can be tough for me!

I’m not really, but I won’t take any chances either!

together, it’s good for the soul...

life.

Not much! I’m a night owl and get lots of work done

What one thing do you never leave the house without?

My phone.

Any hidden or lesser known talents?

I don’t know, can play a little bit of Saxophone…

As a child what did you want to be growing up?

President of The World.

What is your favourite word?

Skullduggery.

70

‘Feeding Johnny’ by Colm O’Brien

rituals for good luck?

Charlie Malones

The people in my band, Fox Jaw. When the 5 of us are

How would you sum up your life in 6 words?

Happiness is...

Describe your ideal weekend in Limerick?

Article by: Olivia Chau

Don’t just exist; create, contribute, influence.

A lazy Summer’s day, sun is shining, go to the Milk Market, meet friends for lunch at Canteen, eat 99s

by the river, pints at the Curragower, grab dinner in

Aroi, catch some live music at Dolans, drinks after in Costello's, take away cans, house party, kicked out, watch the sunrise over King Johns Castle from

Arthur’s Quay Park when no one’s around and the

river is so still it’s like a mirror. There is no better feeling. Sublime.

Friends, Family, Pets, Music.

Photography by: Tarmo Tulit

THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE

71