Sick of negative press on Limerick city

RonMexico

The manner in which people in this country prefer to pretend everything is rosy and point at someone else instead of facing up to the problems in their own backyard never ceases to amaze me.

It happens from the very top down.

Roadtrippin

Ok, just to make something clear - nobody in Limerick is unaware of the problems of the city and we don't pretend that they don't exist. The original post had nothing to do with denying that antisocial behaviour doesn't happen in Limerick.There seems to be a few people saying repeatedly "open your eyes - all Primetime documetary did was report the truth!" - but nobody debated that what was reported, doesn't happen in Limerick!
And to all of you saying people should start facing the facts, taking responsibility and do something about it... what would you have us do??? I'd like to point out the fact that giving scumbags screentime on RTE, doesn't equate in doing something about it. I mean, what do you think is in our power to do? If I could do something about the crime levels in those areas, I would - but I'm not a gard, I dont work for the county council or city hall and I don't work for any social service in these areas...

RonMexico

People could start by voting out the incompetent politicians who have been "representing" Limerick City in the Dail.

seaniefitz

worked and lived in Limerick for over 3 years in the 90's and loved it, great place to work, socialise and for sport.
go to a lot of munster games and normally stay for a night

was there on sat night and was saddened by how quiet it was and by the number of vacant premises, every second building seems to have a for sale/to let sign

when did the Bank Pub close?

Denis Brosnan was asked to prepare a report/plan for the city and when he presented it there was a strong reaction to his "limerick city centre is dead" comment

i am afraid he isn't far wrong

still had a great night though

marienbad

Roadtrippin wrote: »

Ok, just to make something clear - nobody in Limerick is unaware of the problems of the city and we don't pretend that they don't exist. The original post had nothing to do with denying that antisocial behaviour doesn't happen in Limerick.There seems to be a few people saying repeatedly "open your eyes - all Primetime documetary did was report the truth!" - but nobody debated that what was reported, doesn't happen in Limerick!
And to all of you saying people should start facing the facts, taking responsibility and do something about it... what would you have us do??? I'd like to point out the fact that giving scumbags screentime on RTE, doesn't equate in doing something about it. I mean, what do you think is in our power to do? If I could do something about the crime levels in those areas, I would - but I'm not a gard, I dont work for the county council or city hall and I don't work for any social service in these areas...

So what is your point in your original and subsequent posts then ? If it was just a rant at the seemingly endless futility of of Limerick's problems
and the coverage of them , fair enough , the whole country is sick of it also. But it is news and so must be covered.

By the way a small start might be to see people , all people as people and not as scumbags. What ever they are now they started out just a much a tabula rasa as the silverspoon brigade from the ncr !

Roadtrippin

marienbad wrote: »

But it is news and so must be covered.

Since when are the problems in Moyross, Southhill etc. news??? This has been going on for years!

marienbad wrote: »

By the way a small start might be to see people , all people as people and not as scumbags. What ever they are now they started out just a much a tabula rasa as the silverspoon brigade from the ncr !

Thanks for the lecture... the one post were I wasnt politically correct you have to call me on it I know everyone starts out as a blank slate and that a lot of the people from these areas are not necessarily scumbags. But you'll have to forgive me for labeling some of them as such for the way they behave and make other people's lives a living hell!

Btw, here's something concrete on the negative consequences that the RTE coverage has had - as a direct result, one of the families that were on it, talking about how their live has been affected badly etc., has been threatened by people from their area. If that kind of reaction can't be called scummy I don't know what it's called.

marienbad

Roadtrippin wrote: »

Since when are the problems in Moyross, Southhill etc. news??? This has been going on for years!



Thanks for the lecture... the one post were I wasnt politically correct you have to call on me it I know everyone starts out as a blank slate and that a lot of the people from these areas are not necessarily scumbags. But you'll have to forgive me for labeling some of them as such for the way they behave and make other people's lives a living hell!

Btw, here's something concrete on the negative consequences that the RTE coverage has had - as a direct result, one of the families that were on it, talking about how their live has been affected badly etc., has been threatened by people from their area. If that kind of reaction can't be called scummy I don't know what it's called.

That fact that it has been going on for years is envenmore newsworthy, news is not entertainment it is just news

Apologies on the scumbags thing, did'nt mean to come across all pc on you and I was'nt just referring to you. That expression has now become so pervasive it can stop us seeing whats behind it. Anyway apologies again.

liammur

Over another 100 top end jobs for Galway announced, it was only a week or 2 ago I posted the last 100 top jobs they've got. These are the jobs we so badly need to stimulate the region. FF have no shame

Roadtrippin

marienbad wrote: »

Apologies on the scumbags thing, did'nt mean to come across all pc on you and I was'nt just referring to you. That expression has now become so pervasive it can stop us seeing whats behind it. Anyway apologies again.

No apologies needed - you were quite right in pointing it out. That term is overused.

Bock the Robber

CiaranC wrote: »

Its the medias JOB to report on this situation.

I'd love to see the JOB description.

Jambo221

Bock the Robber wrote: »

I'd love to see the JOB description.

Your reply is to a quote over two weeks old from the first reply on the thread, your ability to make a relevant post is amazing.

Maybe duty would have been a better word to use, but that's not what you need to focus on in the post.

Bock the Robber

Jambo221 wrote: »

Your reply is to a quote over two weeks old from the first reply on the thread, your ability to make a relevant post is amazing.

Maybe duty would have been a better word to use, but that's not what you need to focus on in the post.

I think I can be the judge of what I need to focus on. What do you reckon?

Jambo221

Bock the Robber wrote: »

I think I can be the judge of what I need to focus on. What do you reckon?

I'd reckon that since you quoted the first reply that you didn't bother reading much of the rest of the thread, and that your main objective is most likely to incite negative responses.

Bock the Robber

Jambo221 wrote: »

I'd reckon that since you quoted the first reply that you didn't bother reading much of the rest of the thread, and that your main objective is most likely to incite negative responses.

In that case you didn't put much thought into it.

The media have no defined job. It's facile and naive to suggest that they have any role or duty. They do whatever they think will maximise the audience and therefore advertising revenue.

That's the point of my comment and the reason I went back to the start of the thread.

Will the Central Committee for Permitting Opinions now approve?

Mc Love

IBTL

Insect Overlord

Cork Boy wrote: »

Fixed that for ya;)

Most pointless thread-bump I've ever seen. Deleted.

Mc Love wrote: »

IBTL

But, this thread is still relevant enough to keep open, so I won't lock it.

chief justice 1

wilie o " dea td is demanding action ? on todays limerick post page 6 intimidation of residents in the ballynanty area five famllies have moved out of the area because of threats that were made. so here we go again ? when is this going to stop ? you had keys park southill 15 famllies hounded out of ther homes. you had 20 families houded out of there homes in fairview crescent garryowen . and now ballynanty thats " 40 families flee there homes when is this going to stop ???? limerick city has the highest drop in population in the country,in the 2011 census .

CiaranMT

Ah, Willie, the most reliable man around for empty soundbites.

RonMexico

When he had the power to take action himself he did sweet F.A.

The sooner Limerick is rid of him as a representative the better.

goingpostal

I love negativity and whining and moaning. Tis great, says I.

Insect Overlord

sherdydan wrote: »

so dahs not limerick citay?

Banned (1 week) for making the same stupid joke, over and over, despite ample warning of the consequences.

seachto7

In Dublin yesterday, and it was heaving. Now I know it's comparing apples and pears, but was also in Clonakilty recently and Cork city, and I can't help but notice the difference in atmosphere between those places and Limk city. Limerick city centre is really gone to the dogs. More and more people I know in Limerick are just stating the obvious, that's it's a kip. I know you can't really talk about it, as nobody wants to hear it.

It's the layout of the place is the problem too. It's horribly planned as a town centre, zero atmosphere, and too many scumbags. Is it in danger of turning into a little Detroit where hardly any business will be done in the centre anymore? A few token shops does not make up a CBD.

You know what I would like in Limerick? A little like you have in continental towns and cities: a main square. I would like nothing more than to sit in a main square with a coffee and a book, and pass an afternoon watching the crowds go by. There isn't really anywhere to do this in the city centre, nor is there in many towns in Ireland for that matter.

Visually, Limerick is a dive. There are plenty of good things going on other than that, and the covered market is a great addition to the town, but the O Connell street area leaves a lot to be desired. If a buddy of mine came over form abroad, I wouldn't take them near the town. I'd head straight for somewhere else..

You go to places like Masstricht, Dingle, Utrecht, Brugges, many English towns, Kinsale, etc etc, and you could have a bit of pride walking around the centre "yeah, this is a nice place isn't it..."

Kess73

seachto7 wrote: »

In Dublin yesterday, and it was heaving. Now I know it's comparing apples and pears, but was also in Clonakilty recently and Cork city, and I can't help but notice the difference in atmosphere between those places and Limk city. Limerick city centre is really gone to the dogs. More and more people I know in Limerick are just stating the obvious, that's it's a kip. I know you can't really talk about it, as nobody wants to hear it.

It's the layout of the place is the problem too. It's horribly planned as a town centre, zero atmosphere, and too many scumbags. Is it in danger of turning into a little Detroit where hardly any business will be done in the centre anymore? A few token shops does not make up a CBD.

You know what I would like in Limerick? A little like you have in continental towns and cities: a main square. I would like nothing more than to sit in a main square with a coffee and a book, and pass an afternoon watching the crowds go by. There isn't really anywhere to do this in the city centre, nor is there in many towns in Ireland for that matter.

Visually, Limerick is a dive. There are plenty of good things going on other than that, and the covered market is a great addition to the town, but the O Connell street area leaves a lot to be desired. If a buddy of mine came over form abroad, I wouldn't take them near the town. I'd head straight for somewhere else..

You go to places like Masstricht, Dingle, Utrecht, Brugges, many English towns, Kinsale, etc etc, and you could have a bit of pride walking around the centre "yeah, this is a nice place isn't it..."

But if your buddy came over would you play Anthrax or Incubus first for them?


Would agree with you on the city centre though. It is miles behind Galway or Cork for a good few years now. In terms of facilities, range of shops and the abilities of local authorities.

Silentcorner

seachto7 wrote: »

In Dublin yesterday, and it was heaving. Now I know it's comparing apples and pears, but was also in Clonakilty recently and Cork city, and I can't help but notice the difference in atmosphere between those places and Limk city. Limerick city centre is really gone to the dogs. More and more people I know in Limerick are just stating the obvious, that's it's a kip. I know you can't really talk about it, as nobody wants to hear it.

It's the layout of the place is the problem too. It's horribly planned as a town centre, zero atmosphere, and too many scumbags. Is it in danger of turning into a little Detroit where hardly any business will be done in the centre anymore? A few token shops does not make up a CBD.

You know what I would like in Limerick? A little like you have in continental towns and cities: a main square. I would like nothing more than to sit in a main square with a coffee and a book, and pass an afternoon watching the crowds go by. There isn't really anywhere to do this in the city centre, nor is there in many towns in Ireland for that matter.

Visually, Limerick is a dive. There are plenty of good things going on other than that, and the covered market is a great addition to the town, but the O Connell street area leaves a lot to be desired. If a buddy of mine came over form abroad, I wouldn't take them near the town. I'd head straight for somewhere else..

You go to places like Masstricht, Dingle, Utrecht, Brugges, many English towns, Kinsale, etc etc, and you could have a bit of pride walking around the centre "yeah, this is a nice place isn't it..."

Ya the georgian buildings on upr O'connell st are a disgrace horrible looking things...and as for Henry St??...biggest kip in the country....that walk from Treaty Stone to the New bridge is an eyesore...don't get me started on Thomas St / Bedford row which for some reason people sit outside cafes and watch the day go by!!!!...I jest by the way

There are parts of the city which are typically urban bland, but go off shop st in Galway and you will see the same, or Patrick St in Cork...

We really don't help ourselves with our constant "Limerick baiting"...

we also get A LOT more negative press than any other town / city in the country which some us not only tolerate but encourage!!!

I don't know what you are expecting when you enter a regional city with a pop of 100k, Dingle, Westport, Kinsale, Killarney, Galway, Cork and Dublin are all tourist destinations, most towns outside of this are "kips" and large parts of Dublin can be considered kips...even parts of Cork City....Limerick is what it is, one of the better non tourist towns in the country...tourists are drawn to capital cities and coastal cities / towns or regions surrounded by mountains, Limerick has none of these, but I for one think we play our hand as best we can....

seachto7

Visually, it's not a nice town, and most tourists I know who go on holidays like to take pictures........

The walk from the Treaty Stone to the New Bridge is grand but it's done and dusted in 10 minutes........:pac::pac:

But again, that's not quite the city centre.......:)

I won't knock what's going on in town, or the many excellent creative and sporting people that are here, but unfortunately I find it hard to "sell" the town to an out of towner these days... "uh, it's good if you like a rugby weekend..." ???

When people come down and see the "opera house" area, that is a thundering disgrace, that's the worst part, plus O Connell street seems to be full of "to let" or "for sale" signs, which is not the most inspiring sight......

It could always be worse though, I could be in Tipp town which never fails to depress me anytime I pass through it..

Kess73, I would only play them John Bush era Anthrax!! \m/
I'm not sure what Incubus album I would choose for them. I was listening to Light Grenades yesterday,and approve of it!

seachto7

Silentcorner wrote: »

we also get A LOT more negative press than any other town / city in the country which some us not only tolerate but encourage!!!

I don't know what you are expecting when you enter a regional city with a pop of 100k, Dingle, Westport, Kinsale, Killarney, Galway, Cork and Dublin are all tourist destinations, most towns outside of this are "kips" and large parts of Dublin can be considered kips...even parts of Cork City....Limerick is what it is, one of the better non tourist towns in the country...tourists are drawn to capital cities and coastal cities / towns or regions surrounded by mountains, Limerick has none of these, but I for one think we play our hand as best we can....

True enough, but I don't see why we should have to put up with a sh*thole of city centre? How come every time I come back from abroad or other places in Ireland, I walk downtown in Limerick and think "ah, for f**ks sake......."
For all Dublin's faults, and bad areas, the city centre, and COrk and Galway for that matter are way ahead of LImerick

CiaranMT

@Seachto7, I've experienced the exact same in Galway. My GF is up there and the place is hopping any time I go up there. It'll be even busier with the film fleadh and the Arts festival now as well.

Friend who was up for the Clare-Galway match in Salthill said the same thing too.

It opened my eyes really, as to how bad Limerick has regressed.

@Silentcorner, I'd disagree about the Georgian buildings. From the Crescent down to Mallow St, and up around the People's Park, I think looks really well. What's needed is massive restoration work along Patrick St, Catherine St, etc.

seachto7

@CiaranMT.

I agree. Another thing. Limerick should at least have something on a par with the Galway Arts festival or the Kilkenny Arts festival. The KK Arts festival looks good again this year. I don't know why Limerick doesn't go for something along the lines of this? Or to a lesser extent the Galway Arts festival?
Cork has the marquee....
Maybe with more gigs in the milk market, it could be like a mini Cork Marquee type festival...?

CiaranMT

seachto7 wrote: »

@CiaranMT.

I agree. Another thing. Limerick should at least have something on a par with the Galway Arts festival or the Kilkenny Arts festival. The KK Arts festival looks good again this year. I don't know why Limerick doesn't go for something along the lines of this? Or to a lesser extent the Galway Arts festival?
Cork has the marquee....
Maybe with more gigs in the milk market, it could be like a mini Cork Marquee type festival...?

Limerick missed the boat big time there.

Not much chance of something like that setting up right now either, the other festivals you mentioned are established and I wouldn't see promoters taking a chance on a new one atm.

grenache

Limerick city centre as a whole is quite depressing, the whole block layout means its devoid of any cosyness or atmosphere, unlike Galway or Cork. However there is definitely huge potential in the old English town part of the city around Nicholas St and around the Market Quarter too, if only the City Council could do a proper renovation job on these districts. There are smaller more pretty streets in these parts that would certainly catch the attention of tourists......especially Nicholas St, as its so near King John's Castle.

For me, the worst part, and an area that badly needs a clean up, is Catherine St (not the lower part they renovated last year obviously). For a main street in the city centre that is home to Pery's Best Western hotel, which is popular with tourists, it's a shabby run down ghetto. Vacant buildings with weeds growing everywhere. Basements covered in broken glass. And a lot of rough characters living in the Catherine St / Cecil St area in general (apologies to any nice people living on those streets).