talk me abut limerick

les-paul

Hi guys, gurls and other life forms out there

I am a guy studying engineering somewhere in sunny Spain, and shortly I'll be travelling to Limerick for a job interview there, prior to probably being hired for working in the Technology Park when I finish my degree. I've been lurking through your posts, and other Limerickianan sources of info and I'm a bit concerned about the city itself... I know it's a University city, and that sounds great, but hearing your comments on a local radio that has 'how to make-up' as a main topic and other things sincerely scares me.
Let me put this straight, I don't want you misunderstand me and flame all over, I'm not saying you're all living in a hole full of **** or anything like that, I believe I'm just not listening to good sources. I'd like to hear your sincere thoughts on the city you live in. Would you suggest it for spending the next years of my life? PLEASE, be sincere, I'll be ready to listen to all you have to say.

Thank you so much

radioman

Don't worry about the radio, luckily there are other stations on the dial that are slightly better than the 'local' fare. If that's the only thing that scares you you'll be fine!

Limerick, well it's a decent city. It gets a bit of a bashing sometimes from the media but I think it's a nice place to live. The city itself is definitely up and coming and has it's own unique character. A good mix of younger people with the uni. Nightlife is good, once you know the spots, and a lot of decent bands come and play here.

What are you own interests exactly?

hobie

Half of Limerick are buying houses in Spain and Paul wants to come and live in Limerick .....

It's a funny old world ....

Arathorn

Like everywhere it has good and bad things about it, here is 5 of each in my opinion

Good
1. Nightlife can be very good at weekends with a good choice of pubs and clubs
2. King Johns castle area is really nice and has an interesting history if your in to that kind of thing
3. People are generally friendly
4. Its getting better all the time with all the development work going on, its great to see it changing so much for the better
5. Its not as expensive as Dublin and traffic is much better by comparison

Bad
1. The reputation, Everyone associates limerick with crime and violence but this is mostly undeserved
2. Dirty, The city has a rubbish problem in my opinion and needs a good scrub
3. Hooded rodent like scumbags who think they own the place especially on saturdays outside HMV!!
4. The weather, it can be pretty bleak during winter and the surrounding seasons but i guess that applies to the whole country
5. Public transport isnt great and there are no night buses

A year isnt that long you will have to decide for yourself, why not visit it first lots of flights into shannon from all over europe

les-paul

Radio: I'm looking for cinemas, music shops, places to spend weekends in, entertainment... One of the things to spend my first paycheck will be a new guitar! I just hope I don't have to travel to dublin or Cork to get it.

hobie: Spain is poor in serious engineering jobs, that's a consequence of merrily dedicating to the easy money of tourism and not worrying about investing and investigation. So, the plan is spend a few years out there and hopefully coming back some day.

Arathorn: I'm not talking about a year but some years... But all you said sounded great (the good things) and not that basd (the bad things).

Thanks again lads, I'm feeling much more confident now!

irishguy

Hey les-paul have a look at the stickys there is quite a lot to do in Limerick and getting a guitar wont be a problem there is a population of around 110,000 in the Limerick area so most of the same facilities exist here like in cities of a similar size. As for engineering jobs they will be plenty for the next few years

Inge Binge

be prepared for a kind of a cultural shock if you arrive from the continent on this beautiful island. a lot of things work different here then you expect it with your continental experience.

but i've survived it for nearly three years now

IB

Arathorn

Inge im just curious as to what type of things shocked you when moved here??

Inge Binge

Arathorn, i better send you a PM - otherwise I will be lapidated!

well, I can arrange myself with an not existing public transport. I can arrange myself with the culture of the housing estates. I can arrange myself with the drinking culture . I can try to arrange myself with the road safety (getting a provisional license, allowed with this to be on the road, taking the "real" test, failing this test which proofs IMO that you are not able to drive a car correctly, go back to the road with your provisional license). But I can never ever arrange myself with the health system in this country. This is a laughing matter! No, it's to serious to laugh about. It's actually very sad!

IB

limerick_man

The city recently in a survey came out on top as 'Irelands best city to live and work in'!
A modern city built on an acient history dating back to Viking Times, the city is full of muesums and art gallery's, as well as theatres and concert venues!
Limerick is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to!
Dont worry about what you read, for the most part this is an outlet to express anger at stuff happening in the city!
Plus there are 5 Limerick Local Radio Stations (including that west limerick one), Plus 4/5 National Stations, and others you can pick up!

Amazotheamazing

I think you'll get plenty of biased advice here, personally I like the place but I'll be the first to admit it has plenty of improvements yet to come.

It does have a problem with "scumbag" culture though.

Inge Binge

limerick_man wrote:

Limerick is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to!

No offense intended - but when did you left the last time the city boundaries? And what cities have you visited?

IB

kyp_durron

Amazotheamazing wrote:

It does have a problem with "scumbag" culture though.

True, but so does the rest of the country, I lived in Dublin, and found it as rough if not worse than Limerick.

Also I found kids from the upper/middle classes to be every bit as bad as "da lads" from Ballymun and the likes.

les-paul

Hi lads

inge_binge: Could you please talk about the issues about housing states and the health system? I had already heard about the driving licenses policies plus the drinking.

And to everyone, what's all that about scumbags? I tried to look that up on google but it just seems to be a rude word to say to someone.

Thanks to everyone who replied, I'm absolutely eager to get there and see it by myself.

Inge Binge

les-paul wrote:

Hi lads

inge_binge: Could you please talk about the issues about housing states and the health system?

Well, this is not specific for the city. It applies to the whole country.

For the housing estates you should read through this: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054852736

For the health system: I just compare with Germany. I don't know the situation in Spain. So this is just my german view to the things... Thats why I wont compain about this in public and in general...

IB

sioda

Les your rite the Scumbags thing is a term attached to undesirable people who live in Limerick and all cities in fact its just we use the word a LOT.

The Health system has major flaws in waiting period not really in the quality of the service is generally high. As someone who has spent considerable time in hospital I would say it is not a factor to stop someone coming to live here but you have to be prepared to wait for treatment.

Inge its not fair to say that the public transport system is non existant its that it works outside of normal time in a realm all of its own and time to time sitings at both Todds and the Golden Grill of large bus like objects have been seen often driverless and closed in the pouring rain

lukin

Amazotheamazing wrote:

I think you'll get plenty of biased advice here, personally I like the place but I'll be the first to admit it has plenty of improvements yet to come.

It does have a problem with "scumbag" culture though.

Have to agree with the last part. There does seem to be a greater concentration of "that word beginning with the letter 'K' that I'm not allowed say" in Limerick. You see them hanging around every Spar and filling station in the city. It's also the only city where I have had to overtake kids riding ponies!
I know you won't like it Shannonsiders but I'm just speaking from experience.

limerick_man

Inge Binge wrote:

No offense intended - but when did you left the last time the city boundaries? And what cities have you visited?

IB

I travel alot, and the city is full of so many beauty spots!
The peoples park, Tait Square, Many of the Buildings at that side of the city, plus then theres the water front on both the canal and the Shannon, the whole way up is fabulous (except the tax office building)! Kings Island is really nice, there are so many really great buildings... like the old city hall where the Limerick Post is now!

peckerhead

Hey les-paul,

I'm the worst guy you should ask — a Dub-in-Limerick, here for the last 13 years... (another 87 years, and maybe my great-great-grandchildren won't be considered blow-ins...) :rolleyes:

Whatever about Limerick City, and all its undeserved Bad Press, it is FABulously located with regard to other areas of Ireland. Kerry, Cork, Clare are on your doorstep. Dublin is two hours away by train. Limerick City itself has been transformed beyond recognition in the last ten/fifteen years or so (and thankfully so!)

Nobody has yet mentioned the climate. Do you like rain?
Most weekends, I get myself (+dependants) the fork outta here. It can be solid leaden skies/pissin' rain in Limerick, but 10 miles North, East or South there's blue skies...

Then again, coming from El Andaluz, maybe that's not an issue..(?)

Amazotheamazing

limerick_man wrote:

I travel alot, and the city is full of so many beauty spots!
The peoples park, Tait Square, Many of the Buildings at that side of the city, plus then theres the water front on both the canal and the Shannon, the whole way up is fabulous (except the tax office building)! Kings Island is really nice, there are so many really great buildings... like the old city hall where the Limerick Post is now!

Limerick has some fine buildings, but to say it's up there with the great cities is just crazy.

Amazotheamazing

It's ok Peckerhead, if you don't want to be called a "blow-in" we'll let it go.

Don't think the weather is that bad, but I've lived in Galway so I'm immune to rain at this stage. Definately wetter than Dublin, but I think everywhere in Ireland is wetter than Dublin.

It is a great location, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Clare, Galway in easy driving distance.

1huge1

Inge Binge wrote:

No offense intended - but when did you left the last time the city boundaries? And what cities have you visited?

IB

well if he ment ireland i suppose he's right but i also like cork alot
no problems with any irish cities although there are some aspects of galway that i dont like (please no one ask me what they are because im not in the mood for a flame war)

Karmafaerie

In my oppinion I love Limerick.
And that's probably Limericks greatest feature.
There is an imense pride in Limerick, probably because the rest of the country keeps putting us down!
The weather is prett awfull, but then I'm sure you expect that.
And you get used to the terrible transport system.
If you like sport, then Limerick is definately the city for you.
The whole city tends to come to a standstill whenever Munster are playing.
You'll find nearly every major shoping chain, and you'll have no problem gettinga guitar, as there are plenty of music stores.
As for the scumbags, in my oppinion, thery're not as big a problem as people make out. it tends to be a kind of, they'll ignore you, if you ignore them, attitude in the city itself.
All in all, you won't regret coming over here.

lukin wrote:

It's also the only city where I have had to overtake kids riding ponies!
I know you won't like it Shannonsiders but I'm just speaking from experience.

Ahhhm, should I point out that I was only watching a programme on RTE lastnight about kids selling horses every month in the middle of dublin city?!

1huge1

Karmafaerie wrote:

Ahhhm, should I point out that I was only watching a programme on RTE lastnight about kids selling horses every month in the middle of dublin city?!

oh that would be a funny sight
up there with knackers on ponies on the dual carriageway

iguana

Karmafaerie wrote:

And you get used to the terrible transport system.

In fairness it's easy to get used to a crap public transport system if
A: it's all you've ever known,
and more importantly
B: you live centrally so rarely need it.

The public transport system in Ireland has to be the worst in the developed world. I never really noticed how bad it was as I always lived in central areas and walked everywhere. On my first visit to Ireland since moving to London, a city where bitching about public transport is more commonplace than Starbucks, I was shocked at how dreadful the public transport actually is.

I know I will never move back to Ireland if I have to live somewhere that I have to rely on public transport on a daily basis. My advice to les-paul is to choose his accommodation carefully and look for somewhere that he can walk most places. Especially at night as there is no public transport after around 11.30pm and driving if you've been drinking is stupid, selfish and illegal. Luckily accommodation in Limerick has to be amoung the cheapest in the country and any semi-decent salary will allow you to live in (almost) any area you choose.

The health system has never seemed like a problem to me. Then again I've never lived somewhere like Germany which has a fantastic system. It can certainly take a long time to treat non life-threatening illness. I remember once getting an urgent referral for a specialist and my appointment was for 11 months time. Having a throat/sinus infection can cost up to a €130 between GP fees and anti-biotics while treatment for a broken limb including x-rays and follow up physiotherapy costs €55.

As for the Scumbag factor. Any trip to the city centre will bring you face to face with them. They aren't dangerous, but they like to think they are. You might hear them described as the working-class. Though this is inaccurate as by definition the working-classes WORK for a living and don't hang around HMV & McDonalds making unpleasant noises or firing spit-balls through straws.

They are recognisable by the fact that they mostly wear sports wear, though not playing sports. They tend to wear large amounts of gold jewellery, purchased from Argos or the jewellers in Williams Court Mall. (The window of that jewellers is always a fun place to waste twenty minutes if you are waiting for someone. - My personal favourite is the solid gold Jesus head, the size of a child’s hand, covered in jewel encrusted thorns leaking ruby blood.)

They speak in horrible, flat but nasal voices. And they do so loudly and indistinctly. So don't worry if you don't understand most of what they say to you. It is no indication of the quality of your English.

There are no more of these people, percentage wise, than there are in any city or large town in the country. But in Dublin, for example, scumbags generally hang out on the northside and don't bother much with the southside of the city. Limerick is too small for that kind of division and so the scumbag haunts are interspersed amoung the nice areas.

Overall Limerick is a nice place. With cheap accommodation and decent nightlife - as long as you know where to go. There are some really nice spots, if you like nature. Out by the university there are some nice river walks. (Although it was nicer before they erected that hulking, stupid bridge and started building on the flood-plains. - rant over)

les-paul

This post is becoming a gret source of info, thx a lot!

And for the scumbags, you're making a point by point description of people you can find in Spain as well (including the insane jewelry), so I don't believe I'll have many problems getting used to it!

The public transport is something which concerns me, as I won't drive when I live there, so I guess I'll try to look for acommodation by the city centre if it's not too expensive.

iguana

Not sure what your budget is or if you are planning on sharing or not. But something like this
http://daft.ie/searchrental.daft?search=1&s[cc_id]=c17&limit=10&search_type=rental&id=383342
is pretty good value. It's pretty managable alone but if you decided to share it would only be €225 per month.

Although perhaps something around Clare St or Mulgrave St would be your best bet as they are on the bus routes to Plassey but in easy walking distance of the city centre. They are also both safe areas where you should not have any trouble.

Karmafaerie

iguana wrote:

(The window of that jewellers is always a fun place to waste twenty minutes if you are waiting for someone. - My personal favourite is the solid gold Jesus head, the size of a child’s hand, covered in jewel encrusted thorns leaking ruby blood.

The Jesus head is great and all, but i think the solid (pronounced "holid") gold AK47, the big horse head, and the diamante Tu-Pac, are just as good!:D

limerick_man

Well personally I love Raheen! When out at night I feel 100% safe, if i was living in the city centre going out at 11 at night for a walk or run.. its not actually dangerous, but i would have an eerie feeling!
Plus theres only poor public transport in some areas, Raheen is served really well, theres a bus every 10 mins, (and usually you dont even need to wait that long because they are rushing to try and catch up with the offical timetable), plus taxis will always be there for ya!!

direbadger

Karmafaerie wrote:

The Jesus head is great and all, but i think the solid (pronounced "holid") gold AK47, the big horse head, and the diamante Tu-Pac, are just as good!:D

Not forgetting the giant hash leaf and jewell encrusted (I hear someone descride them as "green diamonts") pony and trap! Funny story, my aunt, who's posh and English, was driving through the city centre in Limerick when a man on a pony 'ntrap came along and asked her how much she wanted for her car. When she came home she said "you'll never beleive what happened in town! A man drove up to me on a chariot!" Heh. Chariot.


I like Limerick too. The rain can be annoying but it's not that bad. The city centre looks great, so great in fact Dublin looks shabby in comparison.

Buy your guitar in Savins, don't go down to the rip off merchant in Steamboat Quay.

I don't think there's any more "hoodies" here than in any other city. They don't bother me anyway.

As people have mentioned, there a drinking culture here which means that there are few opportunities to do anything socially if you don'tlike getting blotto. This is slowly changing though. I'm starting to meet more and more people with non-drinking hobbies in the evening.

Anyway, I'm getting kicked out of this classroom now so I'll go.
Summary: Limerick = good.

Karmafaerie

direbadger wrote:

Summary: Limerick = good.

I think that this says it all really!