The Limerick Blogger: latest Limerick news and Limerick events

Many people have asked, how do we get our kids off the street, keep them out of trouble, stop them getting involved with drugs and crime ? Well a group of Monks in Moyross are doing there best to help kids not get into this trap with the aid of rapping.
The monks have got together with locals to hold a rapping contest in Delmage Park to help turn children off crime and onto rhyme.
Brother Shawn Comer of the Franciscan Friars of Renewal, says Stars in the Hood is open to any kids on this estate, the winner will get a cash prize and a chance to record their track.
Event organiser Jamie Daly from Moyross reckons the contest on Sunday August 8th will help young kids in the area from ruining their futures.
The monks are doing their best on the estate to help kids from going down the wrong road, They look at the problems that are going on in the estate and they don’t ignore the bad behaviour but they focus on positive aspects and help to point people in the right direction
Guest star that night will be Brother Martin , coming over from America for the event , he’s a famous rapping monk and often records Christian rap songs. The kids have heard of him and listening to his music and are looking forward to meeting him in person.

Over the years many people have gone missing around the country and sadly they have not been traced, this is a terrible ordeal for families to deal with. In Limerick alone 43 people are missing since 1980.
Tosh Lavery is in the process of setting up a unit to try find some of those missing.
There will be a special Pilgrimage at Our Ladies Island, Carne, Co. Wexford. For the Families of all missing people on the 28th of August at 3 p.m.
Please inform all your friends and request them to inform any families that have been involved, that all are welcome. Any Questions please contact Tosh Lavery on 086 3318071.
Associated references are

Our Ladies Island.ie
Missing.ws
Garda Siochana web site.
Tosh Lavery Face Book.

This is a great idea and if only 1 person is found it will be a success , please let anyone who knows or is related to a missing person about the pilgrim and the unit that is being set up so they know there is help on the way and this great project will give them hope.

It was a sad day when Shane Geoghegan was gunned down in a mistaken Identity shooting on the early hours of November 9th 2008.

Today the Shane Geoghegan Trust have set up a” Day For Shane.” A plaque will be unveiled at county hall, members of his family and the trust will attend the civic reception.

Later in the day sees a match between Sunderland AFC v Munster X1, help organised by Nial Quinn Chairman of Sunderland AFC and Munster Rugby President Declan Madden. Also some other events taking place are

See who is the fastest 100M runner in Munster

Watch our celebrities run, WALK OR crawl a 100M SPRINT !

Like to sumo wrestle? Here is your chance!

Watch demonstrations of underage Hurling & Rugby

Tickets are available on line from Ticketmaster, all Ticketmaster outlets, Thomond Park & Gleeson’s Sport Scene, Upper William St. Limerick

Apologises The match is on this evening July 13th, sorry for the confusion

Sean McGowan rowing Tess

Seaside Shenanigans’ in Kilkee

Don’t be surprised if you happen to come across some pirates, sailors or strange looking sea creatures in Kilkee next month, because thanks to ‘The Kilkee Maritime Festival 2010’ you’re likely to feel like you’ve walked onto the set of ‘Treasure Island’. Yes, a weekend of ‘Seaside Shenanigans’ is afoot and if there is one thing that the people of Kilkee do very well, it’s ‘Festivals’

The much anticipated ‘Kilkee Maritime Festival’, runs from Fri 16th – Sunday 18th of July. Our official Guest of Honour will be Limerick rowing legend Sean McGowan who, earlier this year, completed the epic challenge of being the first Irish man to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Following this, is an incredible line-up of festival activities – consisting of everything from curraching, surfing, canoeing and windsurfing to raft-building, underwater treasure hunts, competitions and races, as well as much activity in the local pubs and on the streets. It’s no wonder that crowds are expected to arrive in their droves, for this high-octane weekend.

Proceedings will start on a ‘high note’ on the Friday night at 8pm in Kilkee Church with a Fundraising Concert by ‘The Celtic Tenors’ and ‘The Friends of Munster Choir’ – tickets for which can be purchased by calling 1890 292929 www.uch.ie

Other highlights of this exciting weekend will include the ‘Kilkee Currach Regatta’ (celebrating 20 years) ‘The Kilkee Raft Race’ (design and build your own raft to race) and a dynamic ‘Street Carnival’. Whether you are a true ‘water baby’ or have never ventured your toe in the sea, everyone is guaranteed a good time during this fun packed weekend – so pencil it into your diaries!

For regular updates and the full schedule with times and dates for all activities, follow the Festival on Facebook under ‘The Kilkee Maritime Festival 2010’. For online registration for events find us at www.eventelephant.com/kilkeemaritime

Mike Grimes (Coonagh Currach Club), Sean McGowan, Robert Kenny (Coonagh Currach Club)

Share a Dream Foundation are making big things happen, with donations and charity events they have raised money to create the Dreamland Village. Which will hopefully be built in the coming years.

It is a fantastic idea,and will help many sick children and their closest family .

Shay Kinsella founder of Share a Dream Foundation in 1989 dream, is to build a place where there will be a fun park with indoor and outdoor facilities where disabled and able bodied children can play together , the key objective is to build 6 holiday homes to help provide children and families with a memorable and magical experience.

There will be areas in the design called, Adventure Land / Fort Apache, Treasure Island,Swiss Family Robinson, Pet Farm, Sensory Garden, Planet Earth, Dream Factory, Field of Dreams, Train and Stations, Interactive area, Story Book Village, Tir Na Nog and the holiday homes.

Many children have already benefited from this wonderful foundation and hopefully in the future with Shay’s Dream many more will as well. For more information of what happens at Share a Dream you can visit their site http://www.shareadream.ie/

Limerick Mardi Gras

The new Market Quarter is a place to party time this Saturday July 3rd, as Limerick sees the first time ever of this event of this type.

From 6pm the streets will be alive with music and colour , The ‘Market Quarter’ idea is the brainchild of a group of ‘like minded business people’ who made the decision to work together to drive business forward in their area of Limerick and over the past number of months and organisers say the re-development of the Milk Market presented a great opportunity to act as a catalyst for change in the area.

The Market Quarter includes Denmark St, Upper Denmark St, Cornmarket Row, Carr St, Robert St, Ellen Street & Patrick St from the Ellen Street junction to the Denmark Street junction. Venues participating in the event include Phil Flannery’s, The Bailey, O’Connells Bar, The Cuckoo Box, Smyth’s Bar &Icon, Angel Lane Night Club, Flannery’s Bar and Molly Malone’s.

From 6pm the roads will be closed off and the party will begin ! From Patrick Street to the top of Upper Denmark Street and over to the Robert Street/Carr Street Junction will be closed , the area will become a glass free party zone as people take to the streets as the Market Quarter becomes a glass free party zone with street performers and a huge colourful carnival by the award winning LUXe company.
A main stage will be set up at Chapel Street with the Roaring Forties legendary Dublin Jump Jive Jazz/Swing Band from 8pm and live music throughout the evening.

There is eight participating venues for the Mardi Gras street party and each will have live performances, then at 10pm a spectacular parade will work it’s way through the streets

At 11pm, organisers say the party continues with an event known as the ‘Bourbon Street Music Trail’

“We feel that the overall result can generate a positive image for Limerick city, retain business and jobs within the city centre and create a community template for other areas of Limerick City,” Liam Flannery, chairman of ‘The Market Quarter’

And best of all it’s FREE !

Limerick has really come alive this year , with Skyfest , Riverfest, the marathon and the Special Olympics already have been great successes for the city, only last weekend the city was packed as 23000 people headed to Thomond Park to see Pink and now the party carries on and in 2 weeks time the Bar B Q is back. This can only be good for the city and shows it in a positive light as the events have been well organised and little trouble at any of them . There has been something for everyone and more events yet to come.

Glin will become star studded tomorrow as an American Hit shows hard man cop Domonic West marries his bride Catherine FitzGerald who is the daughter of the 29th Knight of Glin, Desmond FitzGerald and his wife Madam Olda FitzGerald.

The love birds met while they studied Irish literature in Trinity Collage.
Although Dominic has been filming in the USA and is the star Jimmy McNulty of the successful show The Wire he was born in Yorkshire UK, his mother was Irish and he was delighted to come here to study.

The local parish priest Fr Thomas Crawford will officiate at the wedding which is to be held in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, which is situated near to the gates of Glin Castle

A huge marquee has been erected in the grounds of Glin Castle to host the couples reception which is to be attended by many of the cast of The Wire.

I think they will find this a bit of a culture shock ! They are used to filming in the slums of Baltimore USA and tomorrow will be so far removed from that as they watch their friends make their vows with the Shannon flowing to one side and the drop of Glin Castle to the other.

Lets hope the beautiful weather we’ve been having keeps up and the sun will shine on this fantastic setting.

Ever seen a restaurant that you wanted to try but thought you couldn’t afford it ? Well nows your chance, thanks to a new initiative that is coming to Limerick.

Between Friday June 11th and Sunday June 20th . A number of popular restaurants around Limerick and the Shannon area are offering a menu of a 3 course meal for €25 and €35

Each evening customers can pick from “Dine In Limerick” menu which will have great options on from locally produced top quality food

The inaugural event is in conjunction Limerick leader, Live 95FM, Shannon Development and Limerick City Council

The event coincides with the Special Olympics and takes place ahead of a number of Limerick events, including the JP McManus Pro Am.

Put the date in your diaries as this fun festival is set to get going July 16th – 18th. This year they hope to make the record of the largest tag rugby competition !
The place The Old Cresent RFC.

Friday night 16th kicks off with entertainment Live in the Piggery ! Jon Kenny will be joined by John Spillane for an evening full of entertainment, Tickets will be available from Ticketmaster soon.

A welcome party will be hosted by Peter Clohessy’s Bar, a BBQ and live entertainment to be had there and for the night owls a trip to the sinbin will be a must. Don’t stay too late though as on Saturday there will be another fun filled day ! The Pig n Porter Rugby blitz will be held at Old Cresent RFC and Cresent Comprehensive College .
I can nearly smell that pig being spit roasted for the BBQ , the kids won’t be left out as there will be plenty of activities for them such as face painting , bouncy castles and a bucking bull.
Keep your eyes open as I hear there may be some special guest around the place !
New this year is a Hockey Blitz, being held in the Catholic Institute.
And all this with a backdrop of live music for the day and once the musicians have finished DJ Baz will take over til the early hours .

Ahh Sunday…The hair of the Hog, with €1000 up for grabs when professional and amateure spit pig roasters try to win The Inaugural All-Ireland Pig-on-a-Spit Competition, there will be a farmers market there to buy any side orders you want to go with your crackling.
Again the little ones will have something to do at the 1st Little Piggies Expo !

More details will be posted nearer the time

Astro Pitch Comes to A Town Near You

Moyross to be exact , while housing is yet to be sorted the new Astro pitch was officially opened 12th May 2010. At a cost of €70.000 it is a massive asset to the area. The plan is to keep it open as long as the daylight allows and closing at night.

It is open to all sports, from Tennis to Hurling and already groups are booking the pitch. Moyross Utd use it two evenings a week, Limerick Institute of Technology Sarsfields use it every Thursday afternoon to teach the kids hurling. Limerick Youth Reach have also been using the pitch and when clubs are not using it, there are up to 20 young people out there at any one time.

Paddy Flannery, manager of the Moyross Community Enterprise Center said while the regeneration programme to date in Moyross has involved demolition of houses, the new astro pitch represents the creation of something special that will be at the heart of the community.

He said: “It is providing a focal point for the community. It was a significant investment in the youth of the community and it is somewhere that will be here for a long time to come.”

There is no charge for the use of the pitch, but groups must book.

Mr Flannery said: “When there is an organised event in the big pitch, the kids can have free play in the small astro pitch right beside it.”

Michael O’Kelly, of the Limerick Regeneration Agency, said: “This is a kick start and is giving people confidence that regeneration is happening in the area.

This is great news for the area, it will give the youth somewhere to channel their energy, and who knows, with this great training facility the next star of Ireland Soccer will be found…or some more stars for the Munster rugby team, who knows what young sports star could come from this , time will tell.