The Limerick Blogger: latest Limerick news and Limerick events

The Limerick branch of the socialist party are to hold a public meeting at the Perry Hotel this wednesday

From the blurb:

A forum for workers is being organised next Wednesday, to discuss “how cuts in pay and jobs can be defeated”. Starting at 8pm, in Pery’s Hotel, the public meeting will be addressed by workers from Element Six, Mr Binman, recently on strike electricians and other workers “involved in fighting to defend their jobs, pay and conditions.”

The forum, hosted by the Socialist Party, hopes to “provide an opportunity for people to come along and hear first hand what is happening to workers in Element Six, Mr. Binman and other companies, and how they intend to fight back, as well as bringing together workers from across the region, to discuss their struggles, learn from others.”

The show is a special tribute show to Michael Jackson, featuring glittering performances of hits such as ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Thriller’, ‘Beat It’, and ‘Bad’ all the way up to ‘Earth Song’.Top Michael Jackson impersonator Anthony (Moon) Walker will be backed by a full live band, dance troupe and a spectacular visual show.The show is a huge success in Dublin and now the west will get a chance to experience the phenomenal show which is selling out all over England and Ireland.

On Wednesday 18th November, the University Concert Hall will host “Man in the Mirror: The Music of Michael Jackson.”

For the Michael Jackson fan out there who wants to attend, they can do so by getting their tickets from either the UCH booking office, Empire Music, or Ticketmaster.ie, price €27.50

We had some problems with Planet Limerick over the past few weeks, as we moved to new, faster servers. It’s now back online, and being updated hourly (sorry for the delay). If you haven’t come across it before, Planet Limerick aggregates many blogs from around Limerick into one big meta-blog. Check it out here.

If you’ve suggestions for blogs you think should be included, let us know at the usual address.

It has been a busy few days in the world of the employment news.

First up, workers at Element Six held a lunchtime protest as part of their campaign for a better redundancy package.  Upwards of 170 jobs were likely to be saved as part of a rescue package put to workers, but they are refusing to co-operate unless a better severance package can be offered to those who are to lose their jobs.  Workers are seeking six weeks pay for each year served.  Link.

The Dell Workers Representation Group are giving it one last throw of the dice to secure a better severance package also.  A piece of legislation from 1968 could secure a hearing at the Labour Court, where a final decision could be made on their redundancy package.  Unlike previous efforts to bring Dell management to the negotiating table, the findings of the Labour Court would be made public,  Link.

Over 200 employees at the Technofree telephony company based at Shannon Free Zone are also in fear for their jobs after it was revealed that they were being asked to train staff from India.  Management have aparantly told workers that they are to be asked to participate in a knowledge transfer.  Prior to Dell’s announcement that manufacturing was to move to Poland, Polish workers were brought to Limerick to be trained by the people they were to replace. There is a fear at the Shannon based company that the same will now happen to them. Link

Something rather unusual happened in the White House bar last night.  I have been to the poetry revival nights and there does be a lot of background noise throughout.  However, while the talk by Stephen Kinsella started off in the same way, with about twenty minutes, you could hear a pin drop in the place.  All eyes were on the speaker, obsorbing every single word and the din of bar room banter was wiped out.

The talk is the first in what is hoped to be a weekly event where expert impart their knowledge on the masses.  It is an open event and promises to be highly educational.

He started off his talk referring to the job losses at Dell, stating that instances of large scale job loses in Limerick could be traced back as far as the 1700s, yet things bounced back eventually.

On the subject of NAMA, he said that while it could be the bes course of action at the moment, we could be dealing with it for a generation.  He pointed out that in previous occasions, where countries implimented NAMA type schemes, it ended badly.

The talk was followed by a lengthy questions and answers session, covering a wide variety of topics.

On Social Welfare, he stunned some of those present by stating that for those recently made unemployed, welfare should be temporarily increased so that they can meet their commitment, and give them time to sort out their affairs in the face of impending reduction in their income.

On the regeneration project for Limerick, while he said it was needed to create jobs, there was a high probibility that it will not solve the problems it was designed to tackle.

The talk went down well.  I had only seen Dr. Kinsella speak at the BizCamp event before, and those attending would have read his blog and knew what to expect.  Sitting at the back one could hear the occasional oulfella cradling a pint and saying things like “why isn’t he a politician,” or “he’s got a head on his shoulders.”

Part of me thinks that they were expecting some loudmouth to pontificate to them, but I think they were pleasantly surprised.

Having Dr. Kinsella as the innaugural speaker was quite a coup for event organiser, Barney Sheehan.

Next week the discussion moves to health, both nationally, and internationally.

You can visit Dr Stephen Kinsella’s website at stephenkinsella.net

A number of those taking part in the upcoming community and voluntaeer fair which is due to take place in City Hall on September 5th.  As many as 100 community and voluntary organisations will showcase their works at the event, which is open to the public.  The event is co-ordinated by the PAUL partnership and includes participants such as the Southill Powerlifters Club, Limerick Scouting organisation as well as many others.  Some of the entertainment on offer will include, a Wii contest, face painting, bouncy castle, and entertainment from the Ghana and Ireland Friendship association.

Those seeking more information can contact Monica O’Brien-Smith of PAUL partnership at mobriensmith@paulpartnership.ie

From the blurb:

Limerick’s foremost Rn’B and hip hop Dj Mac 3 has just been announced as the opening act for the huge Spin Summer Sounds Show at the 4000 Capacity Rose of Tralee Dome where the hottest name in urban music in the world right now, Tinchy Stryder is headlining.

Resident in Trinity Rooms dedicated hiphop Room T2 for the past 4 years, Mac has supported the likes of Dj Yoda, Trevor Nelson and Coolio at the Limerick Club and is a firm fixture on the country’s hip hop circuit.

Spin South West have just announced the biggest Pop Party of the Summer to take place at the legendary Rose of Tralee Dome as part of the Festivals 50th Year Celebrations.
Fresh from rocking it at every major festival from Glastonbury to T4 on the Beach, currently riding high in the Top 20 with “Number 1″ (the first uk single with No.1 in the title to go to No.1) and with his collaboration with Amelle from Sugababes ” Never Leave You” currently the hottest track on download and radio across Europe, the hottest uk urban act of 2009, Tinchy Stryder jets in for an exclusive headline show at Spin Summer Sounds at the Dome.

Industry blazed into the charts with at Number 1 with “My Baby’s Waiting” in July and now second single “Burn” looks set to do the exact same for the Irish 4 piece. They opened up for Pussycat Dolls earlier this month and there full live show has been receiving rave reviews right across the UK and Ireland all Summer Long!

Tinchy Stryder and Industry are joined by Hot Irish Girl Rock Band The Jades who have had the distinction of probably being the only band ever to both suppport The Bangles and sing the national anthem at Croke Park plus from the award winning Trinity Rooms in Limerick Irish Rapper and Dj Duo Muzzy G and Mac 3.

It being the Spin Summer Sounds Party all the Spin South West Dj’s will be in attendance for this all ages show. It kicks of at 7.30 pm on Friday August 28th, the penultimate night if the 50th year celebrations of the Rose of Tralee Festival with the huge Twilight Dance Event with Eddie Halliwell wrapping things up on Saturday 29th.

Tickets for Spin Summer Sounds with Tinchy Stryder, Industry and Guests are on Sale now at Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide priced €23.60 including Booking Free and are also available at the Rose of Tralee Box Office and on the night.

Council leaves well known band without a home

There is much anger and frustration amongst members of the renowned St. John’s Brass Band after Limerick city council failed to find them a new home, despite demolition workers commencing work on their old bandroom.

A compulsary Purchase Order was served on the band in 2007, but late last month workmen moved onto the site.  The statement on the situation (see below) states that workmen were under the impression that the hall was abandonned, however, property, including musical instruments, stands, and their collection of sheet music were still inside.

Now the band have been given two weeks to move out.  It is unclear as yet if they have found a home.

RSF member confronts health minister over treatment of elderly

Helth Minister Mary Harney was confronted on Friday by former election candidate and Republican Sinn Féin member Sean O’Neill in relation to the effects government policy were having on the elderly.

Minister Harney was on a private visit to the city when the encounter took place.

In a statement on the meeting, he said “It is all very well for the Minister to defend the policies of the HSE but the fact is these policies directly affect the old, the ill and the deprived.

”

“The only people who suffer and those caught between the power groups in Irish society and the date it has been the ill and the elderly.”

“The Minister may not like being confronted on the street but if more people did it instead of the bowing that goes on in public it would bring home to the politicians that there are difficulties that must be tackled.”

Larger traffic volumes than normal are expected in both the City Centre and on the northside as the Ireland versus  Austrailia match takes place at Thomond Park.   Attendance is expected to be in the region of 20,000.  There will also be an increase due to Leaving Certificate results celebrations.

From AA Roadwatch:

** *LIMERICK* All routes into Limerick city centre are building ahead of the Ireland/Australia match at Thomond Park; volumes are building inbound on the Condell Rd, Mulgrave St and the Ennis Rd in particular. The Dublin and Raheen Rds are busy in both directions as well. * Rep.of Ireland play Australia at Thomond Park later this evening. The normal match-day Garda cordon is now in effect, drive with extra care. Stiles open at 5:30pm and kick off is at 7:30pm. The stadium has the capacity for 26,000 so delays to traffic are likely, with particular delays expected on the N18 Ennis Rd due to roadworks.

With it’s 1,400 capacity, the Trinity Rooms at the Granary plans to host the biggest Leaving results party in the country.

From the blurb:

Kicking off at 8pm all 3 rooms will be open with Spin South West Dj’s at the helm in the courtyard  to kick things off in a celebratory style plus Trinity’s Bono in the main room and Mac 3 who is supporting Tinchy Stryder at the end of the month in Tralee in Trinity 2.

Spin South West’s Conor from the Zoo Crew who was nominated for a Meteor Award earlier this year will be joined by Spin Talk’s John Hayes in the courtyard where they will be playing the hottest Spin Hits plus giving away tickets to the huge Twilight and Spin Summer Sounds Party’s taking place at the end of the month.

In the main room, fresh from supporting Deadmau5 last month, Trinity Room’s Superstar dj dup Bono and Derek M will keep things rocking while in Trinity 2, its all about the beats with the Club’s resident Rn’B don Mac 3.