Changes

Most of you probably saw Squid’s post on Saturday about how he’s looking to hand over control of the site to someone else. I’m a long-time reader of the site, and Squid and myself agreed yesterday that I’ll take over the mothership.

My plan is to keep the site going in its current form, and most things will remain pretty much as-is. Most importantly, Squid is still going to be a contributor (to whatever extent he has time with his new career).

To give a bit more background about myself—my name is Patrick Collison. I grew up in Castletroy, went to college at MIT in Boston, and now run a company called Auctomatic (previously written about on this blog). I have a site of my own, including a blog, though it tends to focus mostly on technical issues

With that said, The Limerick Blogger is as much about the contributors as the owners. Paddy and Tippryan have done great things for the site—Paddy since the very earliest days, and Tippryan since last summer. Paddy will continue to write for the site, but Tippryan will unfortunately no longer be able to contribute, as he has too many commitments. On behalf of everyone who reads the blog, I’d like to say thanks to him for all his work.

We’ve also got three new contributors lined up, who’ll start posting shortly:

  • Colette McNamara: Colette is a third-year student at the Limerick School of Art and Design, and a prolific photographer. She keeps a personal blog (bio is here), and her posts here will include a perspective on deaf/hard of hearing issues, photography, and whatever else takes her fancy.
  • Kevin Reale: Kevin is a second-year biochemistry student at University College Cork, but born and bred in Lisnagry, where he still spends a healthy fraction of his time. Kevin is a great writer, and keeps a personal blog over on Blogspot.
  • John Collison: John is my brother, and a student at Castletroy College. Like Colette, he takes many photographs, which will probably form the bulk of his output here. His blog has featured in the blogroll for some months. Given the popularity of past posts containing photos of Limerick, John and Colette’s photos should add a new dimension to the site.

Welcome, guys (and girl). If anyone else is interested in writing, please let me know at the usual email address: limerickblogger@.com.

Lastly, even though this is not a goodbye to Squid, I’d like to thank him for all his hard work and dedication. He made the site what it is today, and deserves a huge amount of credit, as well as some well-deserved rest. Best of luck, Squid!

Just my 2c worth – Squid:

When I started this, it was one person, then two and eventually grew until what it is today. It went from being hosted on blogger.com to eventually having it’s own domain and then it’s own hosting. It eventually became a project which was a little too large for me to run. Passing it on to more capable hands was the only alternative to shutting it down, so it now has a new owner.

Things I will continue to do

I will still write posts for the site
I will still deal with those who I have dealt with in the past who wish to continue interacting with me whether they be people who I have recorded video for, or people whose press statements I have been sent.
I will continue, albeit to a lesser extent, keep tabs on comments for spam and stuff

I will not be deciding who should and should not become writers for the site. While Patrick is more than welcome to my opinion on a potential writer should he need it, It will be his decision and his alone.

I will not be involved in advertising or the like for the site, The current advertisers have been informed that the site is now under new ownership, so if they wish to stay on, then they will be dealing with Patrick.

That is pretty much the long and short of it. I wish Patrickas much success with the site as I have had with it.

  • Good luck guys!
  • curly wurly
    Best of luck with everything and thanks to squid for finding a new crew to run it.
  • topper go fuck urself!! :) :) :)

    ok I was kidding, ill try to restrain myself! I cant help it, in real life I smile all th time ask anyone!
  • Squid
    You never complained whenever I put smilies in my posts. Of course I would probably have told you to go fuck yourself but then I can be snotty like that at times :) :) :) :) :)
  • Topper
    @ lette, now that you have become a poster on this site, any chance you can drop that irratating habit you have of constantly putting :) into all your posts.
    Thank you :)
  • Angry Man
    ha ha i was only kidding!! Put up what ye like lads it will all be read I can assure you :-)
  • Angry Man: dont worry, I understand fully, I know im a student, but im a mature student (though not by much) but I understand the Limerick Bloggers readers concerns, and me reporting stuff from the art college, will only be stuff that the public may be interested in attending like open exhibitions and such, The rag week is on right now, but im not reporting it because its stupid!! im one of the few students here not interested in getting stoned pissed and partying!! LOl so dont worry as a student on here, I wont bore ye :) I promise :)
  • Squid
    @dan

    The banner contest is still running, and a new banner will be voted for on 31 of march. and entries are still welcome until 2359 hrs on 30 of march

    @builder from hell
    The change over is underway, there is just one matter which should be sorted by this evening and then the site should be totally handed over.
  • Builderfromhell
    Welcome aboard Patrick.
    And good luck in your future Squid.

    When will the change over actually take place or will there be an overlap.
  • Angry Man
    Well done and good luck to newbies. Just make sure ye dont focus totally on student issues as us that are finished college nolonger care about it ;-)
  • I hope the banner competition stays because I'm hoping to enter the next one.
  • Trinity
    * That should be 'luck' and not 'luch'! :)
  • Trinity
    Best of luch all round!
  • Best of luck to Patrick and the new team. And thanks to squid for all the time and effort put into the site. All the best with your new career!
  • Squid
    Thanks Joe

    As I will still have some involvement, I would be interested in doing some recording of one of the acts playing at the trinity rooms some time, maybe if you are playing hosts to a local act you can drop us a mail.
  • As regular readers and recent advertisers we are delighted the torch has been passed on.. best of luck patrick and new team. squid, many thanks for keeping us informed and entertained over the years and all the best in your new career.
    joe
  • Limkblogfan
    Well done Patrick and thank you soooo much for taking this on - my daily addiction to Limerick blogger can continue to be fed and the nervous twitches I have developed since Squid's post about leaving to have a career have suddenly stopped!!

    Squid, thank you so much for keeping this Limerick woman in touch with what was going on in my back yard when I didn't have the time to notice - I really appreciate it - hope you become a star in your new career whatever it may be.
  • Squid
    I am not that bothered with money to be honest. as long as I have enough to pay my bills and buy food.

    Like I said, I wasn't looking to sell the site, I was looking for someone to keep it going, something I was unable to do.
  • Arnie Pie
    How much did you get Squid ;) Are you gonna retire in the sun with your earnings ;) ;) Dont answer that in case the tax man is watching....
  • Good luck to the new crew. Once we still get all the You're A Star news I'll be happy, screw everything else! (that's just a joke by the way). I know it's still gonna be great and of course well done to Squid for the amazing work he's put into this site in the past few years.
  • Turf
    ;) Hmmmm, Sqiud and Patrick............... is Colette also known as sandy just kidding welcome aboard every one.
  • im an art student OF COURSE I am!! :) Suckin the nipple of the state!! :p
  • Squid
    ah, but are you a hippy tax dodger lette?
  • im over 23?!! whats age got to do with it?
  • Well done Patrick for stepping up to the mark! Delighted to see Lette on the team, as I enjoy her own blog a great deal. Squid, it's good to see you will still be involved on some level :)
    I am looking forward to see how things take shape with this new mix of personalities and talent.
    Best wishes to you all :D
  • cad e sin
    Best of luck, Patrick, and do keep contributing Squid.
    Remember to continue to highlight the shortcomings (they are many) of those in authority. Remember the limerickblogger gives a voice to those who never had one in the Leader.
    Keep up the local news also - many of us no longer live in Limerick
  • hazel
    best of luck patrick
    thats good news that we have the site in capable hands i hope to continue commenting and reading all the other comments and snippets of news
  • Roisin
    Oh Lord, Patrick, you are giving too much information and have got me worried. Are any of the newcomers over 23? Of course, for all I know maybe Squid was an old head on very young shoulders! Good luck to him!
  • Brian
    Not always agreed with squid on everything, however he did make this site what it is today. best of luck squid in the future
  • Squid
    Haven't you read the writings of Brian Wallace, this place has always been a hippy hang out . As for tax dodgers, I am not aware of any Politicans who have been taken on as writers.
  • sad
    so this place is going to become a hippy student tax dodgers hang-out... :)
  • Pat
    Great to hear that the site has been passed over to someone and is not closing. Squid has done a great job and I love reading the posts as I no longer live in Limerick. Best of luck in the new career Squid
  • Kudos to squid for all his efforts and my best wishes to the new regime.
  • Sad to see squid go but great to hear the site will remain active! Best of luck to squid and his adventures and welcome and best of luck to patrick
  • Cookie
    Best of luck Patrick, have heard a lot about you and have been very impressed
  • welcome aboard Patrick :) and everyone else :)
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