The Limerick Blogger: latest Limerick news and Limerick events

Two MEPs enter, and, well two MEPs left, however they both went with the hope that they changed a few minds to their point of view on the Lisbon Treaty

There were literally several hundred at the debate, and by the time things got going, it was standing room only at the Pery Hotel

Here is the video of the debate.

The picture quality is a little lower than usual so as to fit within the upload limit.

Crowley v Higgins: The Lisbon Treaty Debate from Limerick Blogger on Vimeo.

Madonna Lucia, Sheila Fits Patrick, and Sharon Arseburn, along with Black Daisy made an appearance before a packed Dolan’s Warehouse on Saturday night.

ADVISORY: This video contains some strong language, as well as flashing images

Limerick Pride R.O.A.R 2009 from Limerick Blogger on Vimeo.

Opponents to the Lisbon Treaty protest outside Limerick City Hall during the visit by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso

The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso visited Limerick on Saturday where he announced the approval of funding for Dell workers to the tune of €14.8m

The aid comes from the European Globalisation Fund, and will be used for assisting redundant Dell workers in training and employment.

The Irish Government will add a further €6m to the fund.

In the morning, Borroso, accompanied by Mayor of Limerick Kevin Kiely, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and Minister of State Peter Power, paid a visit to Limerick City Hall.

A coalition of anti-Lisbon campaigners, including Sinn Féin, The Socialist Party, Say NO to Lisbon Campaign, and PANA, mounted a protest outside City Hall to coincide with the visit.

During his visit, the president was accused by Sinn Féin councilor Maurice Quinlivan of interfiering in the Lisbon Referrendum with the timing of his visit.

In the afternoon, Borroso visited the University of Limerick where he gave a brief address, and fielded questions from those who attended.

‘Creative Limerick, connect to the grid’ launched this weekend and promises opportunity for the city’s creative graduates and commercial property owners as well as a revitalised city centre.

The initiative will temporarily fill vacant retail window space in prime retail locations with work from Limerick’s creative industry practitioners.

Limerick City Council have sponsored and co-ordinated the initiative and similar initiatives are planned for the future.

One of the great things about this initiative is that there are no costs to the either party including licence agreements, insurance cover and promotion.

Project manager Lise Ann Sheehan said the initiative not only supports the creative industries in Limerick but assists vacant property owners by keeping their premises clean and active, at no cost to the owner.

“Ultimately the initiative seeks to enhance vibrancy and active frontages in Limerick city centre while promoting the work of the creative industries in our region.”

Many will be familiar with the success of Spirit Store which opened in mid-August. The ‘Creative Limerick’ initiative was a co-sponsor of the project initiated by Marilynn Lennon. Marilyn, a lecturer at Limerick School of Art and Design, opened Spirit Store as a short term arts venue and café in what was the iconic ‘The Sarsfield Bar’. See the Spirit Store blog for upcoming events.

http://spiritstorelimerick.blogspot.com/

http://www.limerickleader.ie/features/Creative-Spirit-inhabits-Limerick-landmark.5553077.jp

Sheehan, said of the creative industries:

“They (also) have the potential to create wealth and jobs through developing and exploiting intellectual property”

She continued: “Involvement in the initiative allows owners to be associated with the growing creative industry in Ireland.

Gordon Kearney from Rooney Auctioneers was one of the first estate agents to get involved in the ‘Creative Limerick’ initiative.

“The landlords are very supportive of the project and think it’s a very clever initiative which will bring a bit of life back to their premises and have complimented Limerick City Council for the idea,” he said.

Limerick’s creative participants so far include a collaboration of knitwear designers known as The Knit Factory, and a series of work from the Fine Art graduate Sarah Bolger entitled “Living Dolls” inspired by Hollywood pinups of the 1930s and 40s.

The co-ordination by Limerick City Council creates a bridge between art students and property owners who would otherwise seem unlikely bed fellows. The potential spin offs for the whole city in terms of tourism, job creation and cultural life seem huge. I for one am impressed!

Interested parties can find out more by emailing creativelimerick@limerickcity.ie or calling 061 407129

As we get down to the business end of the GAA season, this weekends action in Limerick GAA throws up some very interesting clashes.

If Sunday is the main course of Kerry vs. Cork in the All Ireland Senior Football final then Saturday has a wide array of appetisers for the Limerick GAA fan. On Saturday Pairc Na nGael sees the continuation of both the Senior Hurling and Football Championships.

Na Piarsaigh vs. Croom in the Senior Hurling Quarter Final throws in at 5.00 p.m. After years of hard work and success at underage, the City side are hoping this year will be their year for victory at senior level. After an impressive run in the earlier stages Na Piarsaigh should have a little too much scoring power for Croom.  Prediction: Na Piarsaigh

At 8.00 in the same venue St Senans take on Pallasgreen in the Senior Football Championship Quarter Final. My tip to win the whole lot this year St Senans have been impressive throughout the whole campaign. With Conor Mullane and Ian Ryan St Senans should be able to negotiate their way past Pallasgreen. Prediction: St Senans

In Na Piarsaigh GAA Field on the Ennis Road, the semi finals on the City Junior Hurling Championships get underway.

At 4.0 p.m its Crecora vs. Old Christians. Last years runners up, Crecora saw off all competition to top the league stages. This included a 15 point rout of their semi final opponents. However Old Christians are battle hardenend and have come through several tough matches since then. A very hard game to call, Crecora’s young fast side and free scoring forwards should be enough to see them through. Prediction: Crecora

At 5.15 p.m in the same venue its St Patricks vs. Patrickswell. Last years champions St Pats have had a busy year so far. Earlier in the year St Pats were TV stars in Celebrity Bainisteoir. Since then they have had a shaky run  defending their City title. But the Saints are improving every game they have solid young team. Patrickswell, fresh from the Senior disappointment last weekend will be looking to make the final and get back up to Intermediate level. Patrickswell  easily overcame the Saints when they met earlier this season. Impossible game to call, I think St Pats will just about shade it. Prediction: St Patrick’s

Fr Paul Finnerty, diocesan secretary confirms in this weeks Limerick Post that shaking hands is still acceptable in Mass. Concern had arisen amongst the mass going public that the  peace sign offered in Mass could transmit Swine Flu.

Fr. Finnerty comments in the piece “I have noted the HSE’s concerns as to the dangers of persons with flu’ symptoms attending at Mass and other church services.

“This constitutes the greatest danger of all in terms of spreading disease. It is advisable that persons with symptoms of flu’ not to participate in church services during their illness”.

and urges those with Flu symptoms not to attend Mass.

One would think that the Church would be encouraging the sick to flock en Mass (pardon the pun) to regular Sunday services. Where else could you expect to find a miracle cure or a pick me up. Where would the Church be today if Jesus had asked the sick to stay away from his sermons? Somehow I can’t picture the image of St Peter on the shore of Lake Galilee proclaiming to the Blind “If you can’t see your name on the list, then you can’t come in”

Consideration must be used in deciding exactly how far you want to extend the peace thing. No comment could be found from Fr. Finnerty on the recent case of  Tolu Akintepe and his wife Bunmi, who were caught in the act of having sex on the altar of the Pentecostal church in Ikeja, a suburb of Lagos, Africa.

More a case of “Bless me Father for I am sinning”. At least if she had screamed “Oh God” it would have been in the right place.

Deputy Jan O Sullivan (Labour Party) commenting on the recent NO posters has stated that posters erected around the City claiming that a ‘Yes’ to Lisbon will reduce the minimum wage to €1.84 are ‘absolute nonsense and totally misleading.

Calling for an honest debate on the upcoming Lisbon Treaty Deputy O’Sullivan accused the No side of stirring up fears and causing great anxiety and stress for very vulnerable people.

‘I met a woman when I was campaigning in Limerick last Saturday morning who told me that she was concerned and fearful that her autistic son would be taken from her if there was a yes vote. She had read this in a leaflet which she showed me.”

Deputy O Sullivan is urging “all those involved in the Lisbon referendum to engage in an honest debate with each other and for those organisations involved in spreading misleading information to desist from doing so.”

I would agree with Deputy O Sullivan that an open and honest debate is needed. But I would go further than that. There should be an end to the posters and the myriad of flyers pushed through our letter boxes concerning political issues. There is enough ways for honest openly debated issues to be presented in the media without scare mongering and “he said she said” politics. Before you make a claim like the €1.84 you should be held to scrutiny by your peers. Today it is too easy for politicians and would be politicians to hit print and send and distribute  a message to John Q Public.

We are in a race to the bottom and sometimes the more scarier the message the more appealing it seems to some political groups.

No not another NAMA story. Yesterday marked another watershed in this turbulent country of ours. Late last night in a secret ceremony the inner workings of the mystic blogger were revealed to me. After months of protracted negotiations I am here.

Clad in a pair of goat skin  underpants and chanting a ritual prayer from the ancient scroll I have promised to solemnly uphold the honour and virtue of the Limerick Blogger. Still hurting from the hot candle wax dripped on me I am as nervous as a virginal bride on her wedding night. My first real post cometh and cometh real soon.

So to you all, with great power comes great responsibility

There was singing, dancing, music and much fun to be had in Scotts on the Dock Road last night as the Pride Ceili began the week of festivities to mark Limerick Pride.

Other events organised throughout the week include movie screenings, exhibitions, an open discussion on mariage and equality, and of course the Pride Parade next week.

More information on Limerick Pride can be obtained from the website.

In the meantime, there are more pictures from last night’s event below the fold

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As I am currently snowed under with other matters, I haven’t written a lot lately.  For this reason, I am seeking people who might be interested in writing articles for limerickblogger.ie.

I am seeking the following:

Opinionated people who want to share their views on local current events.

People who have time on their hands and who are willing to attend events and bring back photo, video, or audio of said event.

The ideal people would have

Previous experience with blogging

A good grasp of the English language, no text speakers please

Must be somewhat familliar with libel and defamation laws.

If you are interested in taking part.  Mail us with the following

A link to your previous blogging or published works

The area of current events which interest youm, be it politics, sport, the arts etc

Tell us what you can add to the blog, whether it be the ability to record video, take pictures, or if you just prefer to write.

NB: Those who are interested will be required to contribute at least one post, be it long or short, per week.

If you want more  information, get back to me on squid@limerickblogger.ie